theguardian--2020-06-11--Trump to hold rally in Oklahoma, first since coronavirus pandemic began

Donald Trump will hold a rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma , next Friday – his first since since states began shutting down in response to the coronavirus pandemic , which has claimed more than 110,000 lives in the US .
The 19 June rally will likely rattle some public health experts , as coronavirus infections rise in about a dozen states .
On Wednesday , the US approached nearly 2 million confirmed cases .
Trump ’ s signature rallies often draw tens of thousands of people but have been on hiatus since 2 March because of the coronavirus .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to resume them as it tries to move past the pandemic , even as cases continue to rise in some parts of the country .
“ A beautiful new venue , brand new .
We ’ re looking forward to it , ” Trump said during a White House event .
“ They ’ ve done a great job with Covid , as you know , the state of Oklahoma.
” The announcement , which comes amid sweeping protests against racism and police brutality in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – a day known as Juneteenth , which commemorates the end of slavery – as well as its location in Tulsa , a city with a troubling history of racial violence .
Tulsa ’ s 1921 race massacre saw the destruction of black businesses and residences at the hands of angry , white mobs , and has been described as “ the single worst incident of racial violence in American history.
” Trump ’ s announcement comes as the president has criticized the Floyd protests and referred to those demonstrating against police brutality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reliably Republican state which Trump won in 2016 , was among the earliest states to begin loosening coronavirus restrictions , with salons , spas and barbershops reopening in late April .
The Republican governor Kevin Stitt ’ s most recent reopening phase places no limits on group gathering sizes as of 1 June , and leaves the decision about how closely to adhere to social distancing guidelines up to business owners and local officials .
State health officials say 47 new Covid-19 cases were reported in Tulsa county on Tuesday , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the overall death toll standing at 973 .
The president said he would first hold a rally in Oklahoma before moving on to other states like Florida , Arizona and North Carolina , where the Republican national convention was originally supposed to be held .
Coronavirus hospitalizations are currently on the rise in Arizona and North Carolina , which could intensify public health concerns about resuming the campaign rallies .
While the rallies will likely spark public health concerns , some of the president ’ s allies have argued the recent protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , could shield the rallies from potential criticism .
Some on Twitter compared Trump ’ s decision to hold the rally in Tulsa on Juneteenth to Ronald Reagan ’ s choice to launch his 1980 campaign with a speech lauding “ states rights ” near the site of the notorious “ Mississippi burning ” murder of civil rights workers .
In 1964 , three civil rights workers were abducted and killed by the Ku Klux Klan , just south-west of Philadelphia , Mississippi , and surreptitiously buried in a dam .
Reagan delivered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the dam , proclaiming “ I believe in state ’ s rights.
” His language echoed that of white Southerners who used the phrase to justify segregation .
It remained unclear if the campaign ’ s choice to hold the rally on Juneteenth was intentional .
The president has acknowledged the date before .
In 2017 , Trump released a statement , saying : “ Melania and I send our warmest greetings to all those celebrating Juneteenth , a historic day recognizing the end of slavery.
” That year , Trump also delivered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , calling the famous abolitionist Frederick Douglass “ an example of somebody who ’ s done an amazing job and is being recognized more and more , I notice ” .

Donald Trump will hold a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, next Friday – his first since since states began shutting down in response to the coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed more than 110,000 lives in the US.
The 19 June rally will likely rattle some public health experts, as coronavirus infections rise in about a dozen states. On Wednesday, the US approached nearly 2 million confirmed cases.
Trump’s signature rallies often draw tens of thousands of people, but they have been on hiatus since 2 March because of the coronavirus. The president’s campaign has been eager to resume them as it tries to move past the pandemic, even as cases continue to rise in some parts of the country.
A Trump campaign spokesperson tweeted a movie-trailer style video earlier Wednesday that advertised: “This month we’re back.”
“A beautiful new venue, brand new. We’re looking forward to it,” Trump said during a White House event. “They’ve done a great job with Covid, as you know, the state of Oklahoma.”
The announcement, which comes amid sweeping protests against racism and police brutality in the wake of George Floyd’s death, also raised eyebrows for its date – a day known as Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery – as well as its location in Tulsa, a city with a troubling history of racial violence.
Tulsa’s 1921 race massacre saw the destruction of black businesses and residences at the hands of angry, white mobs, and is considered one of the worst single incidents of racial violence in American history.
Trump’s announcement comes as the president has criticized the Floyd protests and referred to those demonstrating against police brutality as “thugs”.
People lie down Peoria Avenue in Tulsa during a demonstration sparked by the death of George Floyd. Photograph: Cory Young/AP
Oklahoma, a reliably Republican state which Trump won in 2016, was among the earliest states to begin loosening coronavirus restrictions, with salons, spas and barber shops reopening in late April. The Republican governor Kevin Stitt’s most recent reopening phase places no limits on group gathering sizes as of 1 June, and leaves the decision about how closely to adhere to social distancing guidelines up to business owners and local officials.
According to Johns Hopkins data, the overall death toll in Oklahoma stands at 356.
The president said he would first hold a rally in Oklahoma before moving on to other states like Florida, Arizona and North Carolina, where the Republican national convention was originally supposed to be held.
Coronavirus hospitalizations are currently on the rise in Arizona and North Carolina, which could intensify public health concerns about resuming the campaign rallies.
While the rallies will likely spark public health concerns, some of the president’s allies have argued the recent protests, which have attracted thousands of people, could shield the rallies from potential criticism.
Some on Twitter compared Trump’s decision to hold the rally in Tulsa on Juneteenth to Ronald Reagan’s choice to launch his 1980 campaign with a speech lauding “states’ rights” near the site of the notorious “Mississippi burning” murder of civil rights workers.
In 1964, three civil rights workers were abducted and killed by the Ku Klux Klan, just south-west of Philadelphia, Mississippi, and surreptitiously buried in a dam.
Reagan delivered a campaign speech within walking distance of the dam, proclaiming “I believe in state’s rights.” His language echoed that of white Southerners who used the phrase to justify segregation.
It remained unclear if the campaign’s choice to hold the rally on Juneteenth was intentional.
The Trump campaign appeared aware of the significance of the president holding the rally on Juneteenth.
Responding to a Bloomberg reporter, a Trump campaign adviser wrote that “Republicans are proud of the history of Juneteenth”.
The president has acknowledged the date before.
In 2017, Trump released a statement, saying: “Melania and I send our warmest greetings to all those celebrating Juneteenth, a historic day recognizing the end of slavery.”
That year, Trump also delivered a rambling speech during Black History month, calling the famous abolitionist Frederick Douglass “an example of somebody who’s done an amazing job and is being recognized more and more, I notice”.
Agencies contributed reporting.


theguardian--2020-06-10--'Make it stop': George Floyd's brother calls on Congress to act over police violence

Hours after George Floyd was laid to rest in Houston , his younger brother made an impassioned plea to Congress to prevent his death from becoming just “ another name ” on an ever-growing list of black Americans killed by police .
Philonise Floyd testified before a House hearing in Washington on Wednesday amid a national reckoning over race and policing that has drawn millions to the street in protest and cries for action to be taken in every institution of American life , including government , military , media and entertainment , sports , academia , business , science @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tired .
I ’ m tired of the pain I ’ m feeling now , and I ’ m tired of the pain I feel every time another Black person is killed for no reason , ” he said , his voice rising with emotion as he addressed the committee .
“ I ’ m here today to ask you to make it stop .
Stop the pain.
” The room fell silent as he testified , gripped by the rawness of his grief .
Many wore masks while some attended the hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lawmakers also heard testimony from national civil rights leaders , including the Floyd family lawyer , Benjamin Crump , who advocated for a range of reforms to police practices and accountability .
Some witnesses seized on calls by protesters to “ defund the police ” – an effort to reimagine public safety by cutting budgets for police departments and redirecting the funding toward social services – to warn that lawmakers risked going too far and impeding public safety .
George Floyd died in custody after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests of “ I can ’ t breathe.
” The Memorial Day encounter on 25 May , which began with a call about an alleged attempt to use a counterfeit $ 20 bill at a local market , touched off demonstrations around the world that have already prompted local leaders to act to curb the powers of police as public support for the Black Lives Matter movement surges .
“ Is that what a Black man ’ s life is worth ?
Twenty dollars ?
” Philonise Floyd said .
“ This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Be the leaders that this country , this world , needs , ” he continued .
“ Do the right thing.
” Democrats unveiled sweeping legislation this week aimed at combating excessive use of force by police and limiting legal protections for officers accused of misconduct .
Republicans have scrambled to respond to the growing calls for reform .
Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina , the lone Black Republican in the chamber , has been tasked with drafting a conservative legislative response .
But their efforts are complicated by the president , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and blunt calls for “ LAW AND ORDER ” – have only inflamed tensions .
On Wednesday , he tweeted that he would “ not even consider ” renaming military bases named after Confederate leaders , even though the Pentagon said it would consider the move .
This week , thousands of mourners attended vigils and memorials for George Floyd , which culminated in his funeral in Houston on Tuesday .
In his eulogy , the Rev Al Sharpton , the civil rights leader , called George Floyd an “ ordinary brother ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a movement that ’ s going to change the whole wide world ” .
In death , George Floyd became an international symbol of police violence and injustice .
But in life he was a father , a brother , a “ gentle giant ” , Philonise Floyd told lawmakers on Wednesday .
While the video of Floyd pinned to the street under the knee of a police officer started a distinct new wave in the justice movement , the family is clearly finding it deeply painful to constantly relive his final moments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on TV and online .
“ I just think about that video over and over again , ” Philonise Floyd said , wiping tears from his face .
“ You don ’ t do that to a human being , you don ’ t even do that to an animal.
” “ Justice has to be served , ” he said .
“ Those officers have to be convicted.
” The four officers involved in Floyd ’ s death have been fired from the force and have been charged by the state attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are demanding systemic changes to policing to prevent future deaths at the hands of police .
In response to the protests , Minneapolis city council pledged to dismantle and restructure the city ’ s police department , and other cities are proposing reforms , infuriating some powerful police unions .
In testimony on Wednesday , the Houston police chief , Art Acevedo , said there was “ no denying that changes in policing must be made ” .
Yet the hearing laid bare the political divide that has long stood as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The committee chair and Democrat Jerrold Nadler urged Congress to adopt the Democrats ’ Justice in Policing Act of 2020 , which he says would create a “ guardian – not warrior – model of policing ” .
Republican Jim Jordan of Ohio , agreed that it was “ time for a real discussion ” about police misconduct and discrimination .
But he tried to tie Democrats to calls for defunding , which he called “ pure insanity ” .
Among witnesses called by Republicans was Angela Underwood Jacobs , the sister of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security officer contracted by the Federal Protective Service who was fatally shot while guarding a courthouse in California during the unrest after Floyd ’ s death .
Speaking to Philonise Floyd , Jacobs said she mourned with his family .
But despite most protests being peaceful , she said discrimination was no excuse to “ loot and burn our communities ” and “ kill our officers of the law ” .
Meanwhile , the congresswoman Lucy McBath of Georgia told Philonise Floyd : “ I know your pain.
” McBath ’ s son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a white man after refusing to turn down rap music in his car .
Philonise Floyd urged Congress to at least make his brother ’ s killing a catalyst for reform .
“ If his death ends up changing the world for the better – and I think it will , I think it has – then he died as he lived , ” he told lawmakers , before marching with protesters through the recently-renamed Black Lives Matter Plaza street near the White House .
“ It is on you to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vain .
”

Hours after George Floyd was laid to rest in Houston, his younger brother made an impassioned plea to Congress to prevent his death from becoming just “another name” on an ever-growing list of black Americans killed by police.
Philonise Floyd testified before a House hearing in Washington on Wednesday amid a national reckoning over race and policing that has drawn millions to the street in protest and cries for action to be taken in every institution of American life, including government, military, media and entertainment, sports, academia, business, science and tech.
“I’m tired. I’m tired of the pain I’m feeling now, and I’m tired of the pain I feel every time another Black person is killed for no reason,” he said, his voice rising with emotion as he addressed the committee. “I’m here today to ask you to make it stop. Stop the pain.”
The room fell silent as he testified, gripped by the rawness of his grief. Many wore masks while some attended the hearing virtually because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Lawmakers also heard testimony from national civil rights leaders, including the Floyd family lawyer, Benjamin Crump, who advocated for a range of reforms to police practices and accountability. Some witnesses seized on calls by protesters to “defund the police” – an effort to reimagine public safety by cutting budgets for police departments and redirecting the funding toward social services – to warn that lawmakers risked going too far and impeding public safety.
George Floyd died in custody after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes, ignoring his protests of “I can’t breathe.”
The Memorial Day encounter on 25 May, which began with a call about an alleged attempt to use a counterfeit $20 bill at a local market, touched off demonstrations around the world that have already prompted local leaders to act to curb the powers of police as public support for the Black Lives Matter movement surges.
“Is that what a Black man’s life is worth? Twenty dollars?” Philonise Floyd said. “This is 2020. Enough is enough.”
“Be the leaders that this country, this world, needs,” he continued. “Do the right thing.”
Democrats unveiled sweeping legislation this week aimed at combating excessive use of force by police and limiting legal protections for officers accused of misconduct.
Republicans have scrambled to respond to the growing calls for reform. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, the lone Black Republican in the chamber, has been tasked with drafting a conservative legislative response.
But their efforts are complicated by the president, whose incendiary response to the protests – and blunt calls for “LAW AND ORDER” – have only inflamed tensions.
On Wednesday, he tweeted that he would “not even consider” renaming military bases named after Confederate leaders, even though the Pentagon said it would consider the move.
This week, thousands of mourners attended vigils and memorials for George Floyd, which culminated in his funeral in Houston on Tuesday. In his eulogy, the Rev Al Sharpton, the civil rights leader, called George Floyd an “ordinary brother” who had become the “cornerstone of a movement that’s going to change the whole wide world”.
In death, George Floyd became an international symbol of police violence and injustice. But in life he was a father, a brother, a “gentle giant”, Philonise Floyd told lawmakers on Wednesday.
While the video of Floyd pinned to the street under the knee of a police officer started a distinct new wave in the justice movement, the family is clearly finding it deeply painful to constantly relive his final moments in what seems like an unending loop on TV and online.
“I just think about that video over and over again,” Philonise Floyd said, wiping tears from his face. “You don’t do that to a human being, you don’t even do that to an animal.”
“Justice has to be served,” he said. “Those officers have to be convicted.”
The four officers involved in Floyd’s death have been fired from the force and have been charged by the state attorney general. But activists want more – they are demanding systemic changes to policing to prevent future deaths at the hands of police.
In response to the protests, Minneapolis city council pledged to dismantle and restructure the city’s police department, and other cities are proposing reforms, infuriating some powerful police unions.
In testimony on Wednesday, the Houston police chief, Art Acevedo, said there was “no denying that changes in policing must be made”.
Philonise Floyd with Democratic congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee at Wednesday’s hearing. Photograph: Michael Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images
Yet the hearing laid bare the political divide that has long stood as a barrier to policing reform in America.
The committee chair and Democrat Jerrold Nadler urged Congress to adopt the Democrats’ Justice in Policing Act of 2020, which he says would create a “guardian – not warrior – model of policing”.
Republican Jim Jordan of Ohio, agreed that it was “time for a real discussion” about police misconduct and discrimination. But he tried to tie Democrats to calls for defunding, which he called “pure insanity”.
Among witnesses called by Republicans was Angela Underwood Jacobs, the sister of Dave Patrick Underwood, an African American security officer contracted by the Federal Protective Service who was fatally shot while guarding a courthouse in California during the unrest after Floyd’s death.
Speaking to Philonise Floyd, Jacobs said she mourned with his family. But despite most protests being peaceful, she said discrimination was no excuse to “loot and burn our communities” and “kill our officers of the law”.
Meanwhile, the congresswoman Lucy McBath of Georgia told Philonise Floyd: “I know your pain.”
McBath’s son, Jordan Davis was murdered at 17 by a white man after refusing to turn down rap music in his car.
Philonise Floyd urged Congress to at least make his brother’s killing a catalyst for reform.
“If his death ends up changing the world for the better – and I think it will, I think it has – then he died as he lived,” he told lawmakers, before marching with protesters through the recently-renamed Black Lives Matter Plaza street near the White House. “It is on you to make sure his death isn’t in vain.”


theguardian--2020-06-10--Hundreds of ex-US officials urge review of Barr's role in protest crackdown

Hundreds of former justice department officials have called for an internal review of attorney general William Barr ’ s handling of street protests in recent weeks , including Barr ’ s role in a crackdown on peaceful demonstrators outside the White House earlier this month .
Nearly 1,300 former department of justice ( DoJ ) employees signed a letter published on Medium and addressed to the department ’ s inspector general , Michael Horowitz .
“ We are asking you to immediately open and conduct an investigation of the full scope of the attorney general ’ s and the DOJ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the letter said .
“ The rule of law , the maintenance of the department ’ s integrity , and the very safety of our citizens demand nothing less.
” The former officials expressed concern about Barr ’ s role in using gas and rubber bullets to clear protesters outside the White House on 1 June .
“ In particular , we are disturbed by Attorney General Barr ’ s possible role in ordering law enforcement personnel to suppress a peaceful domestic protest in Lafayette Square on June 1 2020 , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walk across the street from the White House and stage a photo op at St John ’ s Church , a politically motivated event in which Attorney General Barr participated , ” the letter said .
Barr has disputed reports that he personally ordered the crackdown on the protesters , telling the Associated Press : “ My attitude was : get it done .
But I didn ’ t say , ‘ Go do it ’ .
” But Barr was spotted reviewing security arrangements outside the White House shortly before the crackdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretary said flatly on Monday : “ It was AG Barr who made the decision.
” The signatories of the justice department letter included veterans of both Democratic and Republican administrations .
“ We are also disturbed by the attorney general ’ s deployment of federal law enforcement officers throughout the country , and especially within the District of Columbia , to participate in quelling lawful first amendment activity , ” the letter said .
“ If the attorney general issued orders to officers of a variety of federal agencies , including US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DC national guard , and US military police , it is unclear under what purported authority he did so.
” The former officials said that crackdowns on peaceful protesters violated free speech and press protections , the right to assemble , and prohibitions on unreasonable seizures .
The letter concluded : “ If the attorney general or any other DOJ employee has directly participated in actions that have deprived Americans of their constitutional rights or that physically injured Americans lawfully exercising their rights , that would be misconduct of the utmost seriousness , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the American people .
”

Hundreds of former justice department officials have called for an internal review of attorney general William Barr’s handling of street protests in recent weeks, including Barr’s role in a crackdown on peaceful demonstrators outside the White House earlier this month.
Nearly 1,300 former department of justice (DoJ) employees signed a letter published on Medium and addressed to the department’s inspector general, Michael Horowitz.
“We are asking you to immediately open and conduct an investigation of the full scope of the attorney general’s and the DOJ’s role in these events,” the letter said. “The rule of law, the maintenance of the department’s integrity, and the very safety of our citizens demand nothing less.”
The former officials expressed concern about Barr’s role in using gas and rubber bullets to clear protesters outside the White House on 1 June.
“In particular, we are disturbed by Attorney General Barr’s possible role in ordering law enforcement personnel to suppress a peaceful domestic protest in Lafayette Square on June 1 2020, for the purpose of enabling President Trump to walk across the street from the White House and stage a photo op at St John’s Church, a politically motivated event in which Attorney General Barr participated,” the letter said.
Barr has disputed reports that he personally ordered the crackdown on the protesters, telling the Associated Press: “My attitude was: get it done. But I didn’t say, ‘Go do it’.”
But Barr was spotted reviewing security arrangements outside the White House shortly before the crackdown began, and Trump’s press secretary said flatly on Monday: “It was AG Barr who made the decision.”
The signatories of the justice department letter included veterans of both Democratic and Republican administrations.
“We are also disturbed by the attorney general’s deployment of federal law enforcement officers throughout the country, and especially within the District of Columbia, to participate in quelling lawful first amendment activity,” the letter said.
“If the attorney general issued orders to officers of a variety of federal agencies, including US Secret Service, US park police, DC national guard, and US military police, it is unclear under what purported authority he did so.”
The former officials said that crackdowns on peaceful protesters violated free speech and press protections, the right to assemble, and prohibitions on unreasonable seizures.
The letter concluded: “If the attorney general or any other DOJ employee has directly participated in actions that have deprived Americans of their constitutional rights or that physically injured Americans lawfully exercising their rights, that would be misconduct of the utmost seriousness, the details of which must be shared with the American people.”


theguardian--2020-06-10--'Ten years of watching people die online has left me so angry': young protesters on why they are mar

'Ten years of watching people die online has left me so angry': young protesters on why they are marching

The killing of George Floyd by a white police officer took place thousands of miles from the UK .
But the 46-year-old ’ s cry in Minnesota that he could not breathe has sparked widespread protest in Britain .
In the past two weeks , there have been demonstrations across UK cities .
The protesters , the vast majority of whom were under 25 , chanted : “ No justice , no peace , no racist police ” and “ the UK is not innocent ” .
The demonstrations were largely organised through word of mouth and social media rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handmade placards with the names of Mark Duggan , Sean Rigg , Julian Cole and others killed or left disabled by British police .
They chanted for the Windrush generation , the victims of the Grenfell tower fire , and decried the high Covid-19 death rate among members of the BAME community .
The Guardian asked the two women who organised the protest as well as other organisers and demonstrators what has driven them to this momentous time in the UK ’ s history of race relations about the moment that made them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the streets and in police custody – but also , they said , in schools , hospitals and workplaces .
Six of the protesters in London explained why they were there .
I became politicised at a really young age , probably when I was four .
I was leaving a shop and security stopped me and my mum .
The woman pulled out a scanner and started scanning me from head to toe .
My mum gave her an earful , but that ’ s when I realised that I looked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They automatically assumed that I ’ d stolen something when I hadn ’ t .
It was an important point in my life .
It ’ s the same issue trying to get a job .
Even with mechanic shops all around London , it ’ s harder for black people to get picked for a job in some of these places .
The mechanic would rather take the white boy and not give me a shot .
Enough is enough .
My children aren ’ t going to go through similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got to be out here every single day , I will be .
Police brutality is a strong issue here in the UK too .
During the coronavirus pandemic , police started coming round my area and black boys like me were getting stopped .
Their excuses are we look like we ’ re trying to steal something .
They are stopping me in front of the building I live in , putting me in cuffs , embarrassing me in front of everyone .
You ’ re putting your hands on my parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that you can abuse ?
These things need to stop .
There are so many young black people here , outside the American embassy , because we all feel it .
There has never been a time when I ’ ve felt I can call the police : they ’ re more likely to suspect me than actually help .
I realised there was institutional racism in the UK when I was 15 .
My dad lives in Nigeria and he said he knew someone who had died of Ebola .
Everyone at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was worried for my father ’ s safety .
I told people that it wasn ’ t cool and that they had to stop because what if I made a joke about cancer ?
Everyone started kicking off .
Someone made a racist comment towards me and my mum got called into school .
Not because of what they said , but because of what I said .
They said I needed to stop talking about controversial subjects at school or I would be excluded .
It was probably the first time I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my mum .
I thought the teachers would be more understanding , but nothing happened .
Since then , I realised it ’ s a lot bigger than I first thought .
George Floyd isn ’ t the first man to die at the hands of racism , but there is such a hype right now , we need to jump on it .
These are innocent people who are not sick and they are dying anyway .
People are just taking lives here .
The presence of social media has blown up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black community online sharing everything , and it has brought it to everyone ’ s attention .
There is no shadow of a doubt what ’ s happening and now everyone is wising up to previous things when excuses were made .
Everyone is seeing it ’ s all just smoke .
Student and co-organiser of the London Black Lives Matter group LDN BLM I ’ ve grown up with so many videos of police brutality ; videos from the US , UK and all over the world .
It has affected me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 years of watching people die online that has driven me to being so angry and wanting my voice to be heard .
When I moved to the UK from Nigeria in 2012 , I saw so much that I have never seen before .
Seeing and hearing my friends talk about stop and searches has really affected me .
There was a lot of racism in school ; other students calling me the N-word , calling me a monkey .
I ’ m here today because I stand in solidarity with all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is enough ; black people can not keep suffering .
Racism doesn ’ t just happen in the US ; it also happens here and that ’ s why we ’ re fighting .
We need to realise that so many people have been harassed and assaulted by the British police .
I ’ m tired because systematic racism within the police system has been going on for years .
Just because it ’ s not talked about much doesn ’ t mean it ’ s not happening .
We want people to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That is the main thing – hear our voices .
I think marching has made a huge difference because everyone is speaking about the issue .
George Floyd ’ s death was the catalyst for everything .
Black Lives Matter has resonated so deeply in the UK because the black community and other people of colour know what racism is like in this country .
I think they all had a “ this could be me ” or “ this could happen to someone I know ” moment .
This is a sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be different .
I ’ m here to call for justice for Grenfell .
There are residents who still don ’ t have housing .
It was a tragedy .
We want change and we want our voices to be heard .
I can not believe that in 2020 , and even though we are facing a global pandemic , we still have to come out and protest for our civil rights and for our lives .
You can ’ t tell the oppressed how to feel .
I hope that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What happened at Saturday ’ s Black Lives Matter protests , when police horses charged at protesters and how things escalated from there , is part of the reason why I ’ ve come back here today .
We aren ’ t all that dissimilar to America .
It ’ s ignorant to think there isn ’ t racism in the UK .
There is racism here , there is racism practically everywhere , even in Africa , where nearly everyone is black .
You have to educate yourself ; look around you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure there are plenty of places that can tell you just how racist the system is .
For me , racism in the UK was people in school making fun of your accent , people in restaurants wondering why you ’ re not speaking English , people telling me they can ’ t pronounce my name and asking whether I ’ d prefer to be called John or Jack .
It ’ s wondering why they can ’ t spell my last name , yet they can easily pronounce names like Schwarzenegger .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ school .
I came in for my first day , feeling great .
My mum did my hair in little bobbles and plaits .
The head of year seven , who was a white woman , shouted at me within moments of me entering the school .
She said that my hair was not acceptable .
She told me to remove it all .
I was 11 .
I went to the toilet and cried .
I wondered what I was supposed to do .
The teacher would rather I looked like a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how it was .
I just didn ’ t agree with that .
From that moment , it kind of shifted everything else for me .
White teachers would say things like , “ You ’ re acting a bit ghetto , ” and I would think how is this allowed ?
I ’ m here today for black women .
We hear about what happens to black men in cases of police brutality , but it ’ s black women that we don ’ t really hear that much about .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been killed due to racism , nothing really happens .
I felt like I needed to say something because it could be me .
It could be any black woman and nobody would know our names .
Black men , it ’ s also your job to help take care and protect our black women .
We are the ones who are going to provide the future .

The killing of George Floyd by a white police officer took place thousands of miles from the UK. But the 46-year-old’s cry in Minnesota that he could not breathe has sparked widespread protest in Britain. In the past two weeks, there have been demonstrations across UK cities. The protesters, the vast majority of whom were under 25, chanted: “No justice, no peace, no racist police” and “the UK is not innocent”. The demonstrations were largely organised through word of mouth and social media rather than established anti-racism groups.
Protesters carried handmade placards with the names of Mark Duggan, Sean Rigg, Julian Cole and others killed or left disabled by British police. They chanted for the Windrush generation, the victims of the Grenfell tower fire, and decried the high Covid-19 death rate among members of the BAME community.
The Guardian asked the two women who organised the protest as well as other organisers and demonstrators what has driven them to this momentous time in the UK’s history of race relations about the moment that made them want to protest. Black lives matter in the streets and in police custody – but also, they said, in schools, hospitals and workplaces. Six of the protesters in London explained why they were there.
Photograph: Anselm Ebulue/The Guardian
John, 24
Car mechanic
I became politicised at a really young age, probably when I was four. I was leaving a shop and security stopped me and my mum. The woman pulled out a scanner and started scanning me from head to toe. My mum gave her an earful, but that’s when I realised that I looked different, that I was a target. They automatically assumed that I’d stolen something when I hadn’t.
It was an important point in my life. It’s the same issue trying to get a job. Even with mechanic shops all around London, it’s harder for black people to get picked for a job in some of these places. The mechanic would rather take the white boy and not give me a shot. Enough is enough. My children aren’t going to go through similar racist experiences. If I’ve got to be out here every single day, I will be.
Police brutality is a strong issue here in the UK too. During the coronavirus pandemic, police started coming round my area and black boys like me were getting stopped. Their excuses are we look like we’re trying to steal something. They are stopping me in front of the building I live in, putting me in cuffs, embarrassing me in front of everyone. You’re putting your hands on my parts for what? Just to feel power that you can abuse? These things need to stop. There are so many young black people here, outside the American embassy, because we all feel it.
There has never been a time when I’ve felt I can call the police: they’re more likely to suspect me than actually help.
Photograph: Anselm Ebulue/The Guardian
Chioma Atuanya, 22
Former recruitment consultant
I realised there was institutional racism in the UK when I was 15. My dad lives in Nigeria and he said he knew someone who had died of Ebola. Everyone at school was making jokes, whereas I was worried for my father’s safety. I told people that it wasn’t cool and that they had to stop because what if I made a joke about cancer?
Everyone started kicking off. Someone made a racist comment towards me and my mum got called into school. Not because of what they said, but because of what I said. They said I needed to stop talking about controversial subjects at school or I would be excluded. It was probably the first time I had a proper conversation about racism with my mum. I thought the teachers would be more understanding, but nothing happened.
Since then, I realised it’s a lot bigger than I first thought. George Floyd isn’t the first man to die at the hands of racism, but there is such a hype right now, we need to jump on it. These are innocent people who are not sick and they are dying anyway. People are just taking lives here.
The presence of social media has blown up the issue. There is a large black community online sharing everything, and it has brought it to everyone’s attention. There is no shadow of a doubt what’s happening and now everyone is wising up to previous things when excuses were made. Everyone is seeing it’s all just smoke.
Aima, 18
Student and co-organiser of the London Black Lives Matter group LDN BLM
Photograph: Anselm Ebulue/The Guardian
I’ve grown up with so many videos of police brutality; videos from the US, UK and all over the world. It has affected me quite badly. It’s been 10 years of watching people die online that has driven me to being so angry and wanting my voice to be heard.
When I moved to the UK from Nigeria in 2012, I saw so much that I have never seen before. Seeing and hearing my friends talk about stop and searches has really affected me. There was a lot of racism in school; other students calling me the N-word, calling me a monkey. I’m here today because I stand in solidarity with all my US brothers and sisters. Enough is enough; black people cannot keep suffering.
Racism doesn’t just happen in the US; it also happens here and that’s why we’re fighting. We need to realise that so many people have been harassed and assaulted by the British police. I’m tired because systematic racism within the police system has been going on for years. Just because it’s not talked about much doesn’t mean it’s not happening. We want people to be educated and to hear us. That is the main thing – hear our voices. I think marching has made a huge difference because everyone is speaking about the issue.
Natasha, 21
Student, co-organiser of LDN BLM
Photograph: Anselm Ebulue/The Guardian
George Floyd’s death was the catalyst for everything. Black Lives Matter has resonated so deeply in the UK because the black community and other people of colour know what racism is like in this country. I think they all had a “this could be me” or “this could happen to someone I know” moment. This is a sign of real change and people want things to be different.
I’m here to call for justice for Grenfell. There are residents who still don’t have housing. It was a tragedy. We want change and we want our voices to be heard. I cannot believe that in 2020, and even though we are facing a global pandemic, we still have to come out and protest for our civil rights and for our lives.
You can’t tell the oppressed how to feel. I hope that we can start to see some reform.
Zoje Aig, 25
Creative writing graduate
Photograph: Anselm Ebulue/The Guardian
What happened at Saturday’s Black Lives Matter protests, when police horses charged at protesters and how things escalated from there, is part of the reason why I’ve come back here today. We aren’t all that dissimilar to America. It’s ignorant to think there isn’t racism in the UK. There is racism here, there is racism practically everywhere, even in Africa, where nearly everyone is black. You have to educate yourself; look around you and look online.
I’m sure there are plenty of places that can tell you just how racist the system is. For me, racism in the UK was people in school making fun of your accent, people in restaurants wondering why you’re not speaking English, people telling me they can’t pronounce my name and asking whether I’d prefer to be called John or Jack. It’s wondering why they can’t spell my last name, yet they can easily pronounce names like Schwarzenegger.
Ruth Ngombo, 24
Student nurse
Photograph: Anselm Ebulue/The Guardian
It started when I was in secondary school. I came in for my first day, feeling great. My mum did my hair in little bobbles and plaits. The head of year seven, who was a white woman, shouted at me within moments of me entering the school. She said that my hair was not acceptable. She told me to remove it all. I was 11. I went to the toilet and cried. I wondered what I was supposed to do. The teacher would rather I looked like a fool and had my hair out than how it was. I just didn’t agree with that.
From that moment, it kind of shifted everything else for me. White teachers would say things like, “You’re acting a bit ghetto,” and I would think how is this allowed? I’m here today for black women. We hear about what happens to black men in cases of police brutality, but it’s black women that we don’t really hear that much about. And, unfortunately, with black women who have been killed due to racism, nothing really happens.
I felt like I needed to say something because it could be me. It could be any black woman and nobody would know our names. Black men, it’s also your job to help take care and protect our black women. We are the ones who are going to provide the future.


theguardian--2020-06-11--George Floyd protests: officer bailed as protesters topple Confederate statue in Virginia - live

John F Harris has written a column this morning for Politico about Confederate statues .
He used to live in Richmond , Virginia , where last night a statue of Confederate president Jefferson Davis was pulled down by protesters .
In it , he examines what has changed about the monuments he lived next to and the 1990s , and how they have been seen in recent years .
Why did I tolerate , and even , at times , take friends to see the statues ?
It wasn ’ t that the legacy of the Confederacy didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statues depicted a history that seemed functionally dead .
They also seemed like a joke—and the joke was on the very racists who had erected them in the first place .
Along the way , Harris speaks to Donald P. Baker , known for his biography of the nation ’ s first black elected governor L. Douglas Wilder .
Baker says of the statues on Monument Avenue : “ The longer we lived here , the more they offended me.
” For him they weren ’ t so much about the civil war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Jim Crow era , when so many Confederate statues were actually erected .
It ’ s a fascinating piece , well worth your time : On Monument Avenue , Liberal illusions about race come tumbling down

12 Jun 2020 02.07 BST Summary That’s all for today, thanks for following along. A recap of some key developments of the day: General Mark Milley, the nation’s top military officer, apologized for participating in Trump’s photo op after the forcible removal of peaceful protesters. “I should not have been there,” Milley, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, told the National Defense University in a prerecorded video commencement address. “My presence in that moment and in that environment created a perception of the military involved in domestic politics.”
“I should not have been there,” Milley, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, told the National Defense University in a prerecorded video commencement address. “My presence in that moment and in that environment created a perception of the military involved in domestic politics.” Trump’s convention speech is officially moving to Florida after it was originally supposed to be in North Carolina.
is officially moving to Florida after it was originally supposed to be in North Carolina. Kevin McCarthy, the top House Republican, said he would support a national ban on police chokeholds. The House minority leader said he was also open to renaming military bases named after Confederate generals, which Trump has said he will “not even consider.”
The House minority leader said he was also open to renaming military bases named after Confederate generals, which Trump has said he will “not even consider.” Nancy Pelosi called for the removal of Confederate statues from the Capitol. The House speaker said she also believed the military bases should be renamed, telling reporters, “The American people know these names have to go.” Pelosi added that Trump “seems to be the only person left who doesn’t get it.”
The House speaker said she also believed the military bases should be renamed, telling reporters, “The American people know these names have to go.” Pelosi added that “seems to be the only person left who doesn’t get it.” Trump condemned a bill amendment to establish a commission for changing the base names within three years. The president called on Republicans to block the amendment, but the Republican-led Senate armed services committee has already adopted the amendment to the annual defense authorization bill, although it can still be stripped out.
The president called on to block the amendment, but the Republican-led Senate armed services committee has already adopted the amendment to the annual defense authorization bill, although it can still be stripped out. Chicago police officers were caught on camera relaxing in a Democratic congressman’s office while looting took place nearby. House Democrat Bobby Rush shared some of the footage, which showed several officers lounging on couches and making themselves popcorn and coffee from the office’s supplies as the looting unfolded. “They were in a mode of relaxation, and they did not care about what was happening to businesspeople, to this city,” Rush said at a press conference with mayor Lori Lightfoot.
House Democrat shared some of the footage, which showed several officers lounging on couches and making themselves popcorn and coffee from the office’s supplies as the looting unfolded. “They were in a mode of relaxation, and they did not care about what was happening to businesspeople, to this city,” Rush said at a press conference with mayor The mayor of San Francisco said today police would no longer respond to calls for “non-criminal activity” , such as disputes between neighbors and complaints about homeless people, part of reforms she is pushing amid protests.
, such as disputes between neighbors and complaints about homeless people, part of reforms she is pushing amid protests. The metro council in Louisville has unanimously passed a policy banning police from using “no-knock warrants”, the practice that led to the killing of 26-year-old Breonna Taylor.
12 Jun 2020 01.52 BST Trump’s convention speech will take place in Florida, Republican officials have just announced. The GOP is officially moving the speech to Jacksonville after there were disputes over coronavirus safety measures in the original North Carolina location. The speech will happen 27 August in a venue with a capacity for 15,000 people. Florida recently reported a record number of Covid-19 diagnoses. The governor of North Carolina had required that there be a plan for social distancing and masks, which is why Trump and the GOP found a new location. We are thrilled to hold @realDonaldTrump's acceptance of the Republican nomination in the great city of Jacksonville!
Not only is Florida his home state, it is crucial to victory.
We look forward to bringing this great celebration and economic boon to the Sunshine State! — Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) June 12, 2020
Updated at 02.04 BST
12 Jun 2020 01.43 BST San Francisco mayor says police won't respond to calls over 'non-criminal activity' The mayor of San Francisco said today police would no longer respond to calls for “non-criminal activity”, such as disputes between neighbors and complaints about homeless people, part of reforms she is pushing amid protests. Mayor London Breed said officers in these cases would be replaced by professionals who are trained and unarmed and is meant to limit contact between police and the public. NEW: SF Mayor London Breed unveils major police reform plan that would demilitarize police, divert calls for homelessness and mental-health issues. With @DominicFracassa https://t.co/8ntSMKsvJU — Megan Cassidy (@meganrcassidy) June 11, 2020 Her announcement comes amid increasing calls to defund the police stemming from the George Floyd protests. Breed did not provide specifics about budget or implementation of her plans, which also included a call to “demilitarize police”. Breed recently faced criticisms when records revealed that she had personally texted police officials to “clean up” homeless encampments that she saw.
Updated at 02.11 BST
11 Jun 2020 00.15 BST An essential worker in New York City has spent a week in jail after he was arrested for violating curfew, according to a report in Gothamist: A full week later, Williams is STILL locked up at MDC for his allegedly breaking @NYCMayor's curfew — and, as a result, violating his parole. Last night, he called me from jail and we spoke for 30 minutes... https://t.co/JFuphz4O5k https://t.co/DN6sEx7YzY — Jake Offenhartz (@jangelooff) June 11, 2020 The 27-year-old was leaving a job as a janitor and preparing to get a few hours of sleep before beginning a graveyard shift at another job when he briefly participated in the protest and was then arrested, Gothamist reported. The publication said the mayor’s office and police spokespeople did not respond to requests for comment.
11 Jun 2020 23.35 BST At Trump’s Dallas event on policing, which has just ended and featured a panel of people who heaped praise on the president, there were some notable absences. The local police chief, sheriff and district attorney, who are the county’s top three law enforcement officers and are all black, did not attend, the Dallas Morning News noted. The three were not invited, the paper noted. The event came as Trump is moving forward with his campaign rallies while the protests against police brutality continue across the country.
11 Jun 2020 23.03 BST A physician speaking at Trump’s roundtable is repeatedly praising the president’s support of hydroxychloroquine, sparking loud applause from the audience. The latest on hydroxychloroquine from the Guardian’s health editor, Sarah Boseley: Hydroxychloroquine does not work against Covid-19 and should not be given to any more hospital patients around the world, say the leaders of the biggest and best-designed trial of the drug, which experts will hope finally settle the question.
“If you are admitted to hospital, don’t take hydroxychloroquine,” said Martin Landray, deputy chief investigator of the Recovery trial and professor of medicine and epidemiology at Oxford University. “It doesn’t work.” Many countries have permitted emergency use of the drug for Covid-19 patients in hospitals, following claims from a few doctors, including Didier Raoult in France, that it was a cure, and the ensuing clamour from the public. Landray said the hype should now stop. “It is being touted as a game-changer, a wonderful drug, a breakthrough. This is an incredibly important result, because worldwide we can stop using a drug that is useless.” Hydroxychloroquine does not cure Covid-19, say drug trial chiefs Read more
11 Jun 2020 22.54 BST André Wheeler The National Football League announced it would donate $250m to the black community over the next ten years. The NFL has been under increased scrutiny as reckonings around race and discrimination touch practically every industry. Numerous celebrities, from rapper Ludacris to tennis star Naomi Osaka, have called for the organization to redraft Colin Kaepernick. The football star and civil rights activist was allegedly blackballed after he began kneeling at games during the national anthem, in protest of police brutality and racial inequality. In 2017, an unemployed Kaepernick filed a grievance against the NFL and the two parties reached a confidential settlement last year. In today’s announcement, the league acknowledged Kaepernick for pushing it to change. “We wouldn’t be where we are today without the work Colin and other players have led off,” an unnamed source told NFL.com. “That is a key point here. We listened to our players. We needed to listen more, we needed to move faster. We heard them and launched a social justice platform because of what Colin was protesting about.” The NFL announcement comes after Major League Baseball, Nike, and other major players in the sports industry announced similar pledges as protests against racial injustice rage across the globe.
11 Jun 2020 22.52 BST The Trump campaign’s invite for rallies now includes a coronavirus disclaimer, CNN notes: A warning is now included when you sign up for Trump rally tickets: "By attending the Rally, you & any guests voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 & agree not to hold Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.; BOK Center; ASM Global; or any of affiliates..." pic.twitter.com/qvbS0UYDQC — Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) June 11, 2020 There have been growing concerns that the recent mass protests could lead to a spike in coronavirus cases, though public health experts have said the police response, including tear gas, pepper spray and aggressively arresting people could exacerbate problems. There are likely to be concerns about Covid exposure at the president’s upcoming rallies, which come as much of the US is reopening despite the ongoing pandemic.
11 Jun 2020 22.37 BST At Trump’s roundtable, attorney general Bill Barr says, “We’ve never had a president who’s more committed to reforming law enforcement.” Fact check: The Trump administration abandoned Obama-era police reform efforts, which had included civil rights investigations into local police agencies with documented records of abuse and problems. “Police departments are not investigated under this administration,” Christy Lopez, who led the justice department group investigating police departments under Obama, recently told the Washington Post. The roll-back of Obama’s efforts began under attorney general Jeff Sessions.
11 Jun 2020 22.28 BST Fact check: Trump on defunding police On the calls to defund the police, Trump said: “I heard they want to close up all police forces... What happens late at night when you make that call to 911 and there’s nobody there? What do you do, whether you’re white, black, or anybody else, what do you do?” President Trump: "I heard they want to close up all police forces... What happens late at night when you make that call to 9-1-1 and there's nobody there? What do you do, whether you're white, black, or anybody else, what do you do?" pic.twitter.com/iiVzMPkpOd — The Hill (@thehill) June 11, 2020 The calls to “defund police” come from community groups, who have long advocated for defunding law enforcement – taking money away from police and prisons – and reinvesting those funds in services. The basic principle is that government budgets and “public safety” spending should prioritize housing, employment, community health, education and other vital programs, instead of police officers. Groups now have a range of demands, with some seeking modest reductions and others viewing full defunding as a step toward abolishing contemporary police services. Some lawmakers are responding and now proposing minor cuts that would allow police to continue to receive substantial funding. Regarding questions about the impact of public safety if police budgets are defunded, abolition groups argue that policing and prison are at their core racist and harmful and make communities less safe. They also point out that the vast majority of police work has nothing to do with responding to or preventing violence, and that police have a terrible track record of solving murders or handling rape and domestic violence. More here: What does 'defund the police' mean? The rallying cry sweeping the US – explained Read more
11 Jun 2020 22.19 BST Hi all - Sam Levin in Los Angeles, taking over our live coverage. Trump is currently doing a roundtable on police. The president is focused on defending police and presenting problems with officers as isolated incidents. He said: And you always have a bad apple no matter where you go. You have bad apples. And there are not too many of them, and I can tell you, there are not too many in the police department.” In the massive protests of the last two weeks, there has been a growing interest in the movement to defund police, with activists arguing that brutality and killing are not isolated problems but systemic issues, and that the best way forward is to take funding away from law enforcement. While many defenders of police have cited the “bad apple” argument in recent days, there have been increasing accusations of widespread abuse. In Los Angeles, for example, police are now investigating 57 cases of alleged misconduct by officers during the protests.
11 Jun 2020 22.01 BST Today so far That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Sam Levin, will take over for the next few hours. Here’s where the day stands so far: General Mark Milley, the nation’s top military officer, apologized for participating in Trump’s photo op after the forcible removal of peaceful protesters. “I should not have been there,” Milley, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, told the National Defense University in a prerecorded video commencement address. “My presence in that moment and in that environment created a perception of the military involved in domestic politics.”
“I should not have been there,” Milley, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, told the National Defense University in a prerecorded video commencement address. “My presence in that moment and in that environment created a perception of the military involved in domestic politics.” Kevin McCarthy, the top House Republican, said he would support a national ban on police chokeholds. The House minority leader said he was also open to renaming military bases named after Confederate generals, which Trump has said he will “not even consider.”
The House minority leader said he was also open to renaming military bases named after Confederate generals, which Trump has said he will “not even consider.” Nancy Pelosi called for the removal of Confederate statues from the Capitol. The House speaker said she also believed the miliary bases should be renamed, telling reporters, “The American people know these names have to go.” Pelosi added that Trump “seems to be the only person left who doesn’t get it.”
The House speaker said she also believed the miliary bases should be renamed, telling reporters, “The American people know these names have to go.” Pelosi added that “seems to be the only person left who doesn’t get it.” Trump condemned a bill amendment to establish a commission for changing the base names within three years. The president called on Republicans to block the amendment, but the Republican-led Senate armed services committee has already adopted the amendment to the annual defense authorization bill, although it can still be stripped out.
The president called on to block the amendment, but the Republican-led Senate armed services committee has already adopted the amendment to the annual defense authorization bill, although it can still be stripped out. Chicago police officers were caught on camera relaxing in a Democratic congressman’s office while looting took place nearby. House Democrat Bobby Rush shared some of the footage, which showed several officers lounging on couches and making themselves popcorn and coffee from the office’s supplies as the looting unfolded. “They were in a mode of relaxation, and they did not care about what was happening to businesspeople, to this city,” Rush said at a press conference with mayor Lori Lightfoot. Sam will have more coming up, so stay tuned.


theguardian--2020-06-11--'An abuse of power': alarm grows over top Trump lieutenant's military masquerade

In a rare wave of accountability for police brutality in the United States in recent weeks , four police officers were arrested in Minneapolis , a police chief was fired in Louisville , and officers were charged with felony assault in Atlanta , Buffalo and New York City .
Now the top law enforcement official in the country , the attorney general , William Barr , is facing an internal crisis of confidence and growing calls for his own resignation .
Barr stands accused of directing violence against peaceful demonstrators outside the White House earlier this month , and with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump in an attempt to smear protesters , who enjoy wide public support .
In the first 16 months of his tenure , Barr caught criticism for compromising justice department independence with his seemingly lockstep defense of Trump , whether he was protecting the president from the investigation of special counsel Robert Mueller or intervening in criminal cases against the former Trump aides Michael Flynn and Roger Stone .
But Barr ’ s critics now fear that he has taken a new step , of trying on a military hat as the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posture the White House has taken against street protests that have sprung up after the killing of George Floyd , an African American man , in Minneapolis by white police officers .
Nearly 1,300 former justice department officials published an open letter to the department ’ s inspector general on Wednesday demanding an internal investigation of Barr ’ s actions in response to street protests .
The attorney general ’ s denial at the weekend that systemic racism was a problem in US law enforcement prompted new calls for his resignation .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States still , but I don ’ t think that the law enforcement system is systemically racist , ” Barr told CBS News ’ Face the Nation .
“ And I would say , you know , the president , before any of this happened , was out in front on this issue.
” On no planet has Trump been “ out in front ” in the campaign against racist policing , said Kandace Montgomery , director of Black Visions , a Twin Cities-based activist organization .
“ William Barr is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racist administration , so of course he ’ s going to deny the fact that the current law enforcement system is systemically racist , ” Montgomery said .
“ History and facts have proven otherwise .
But we know how that administration feels about facts.
” While Barr does not credit the reality of systemic racism , he is an eager proponent of an elaborate conspiracy theory about the protests advanced by Trump , who tweeted this week that an elderly activist pushed to the ground by police in Buffalo , New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
None of 51 individuals facing federal charges in connection with protests in recent weeks has any alleged link to any such conspiracy , according to court documents reviewed by NPR .
Challenged on the hole in the “ antifa ” story , Barr told told Fox News on Monday that the relevant cases were still in process .
“ We have some investigations under way , very focused investigations on certain individuals that relate to antifa , ” he said .
On account of a deference to Trump that has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past been embroiled in criticism , for dropping the prosecution of Trump cronies ; distorting the findings of Mueller ; advancing investigations seemingly designed to harm Trump opponent Joe Biden ; defending Trump ’ s firing of inspectors general and more .
“ He can ’ t function in the job as the founders intended the job to be done , and he needs to be removed , ” said Donald K Sherman , deputy director of the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington watchdog group .
“ We have seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect the president ’ s rich , white , criminal allies , versus what he has done to people who have dared to stand up peacefully against racial injustice in America.
” With the rise of a national protest movement for racial equality , a new Barr has emerged , his critics say – one who seems ready to lead Trump ’ s charge against American citizens on US soil .
Barr has disputed reports that he personally ordered a violent crackdown outside the White House on 1 June to clear protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ church , telling the Associated Press : “ My attitude was : get it done .
But I didn ’ t say , ‘ Go do it ’ .
” But Barr was spotted reviewing security arrangements outside the White House shortly before the crackdown began , and Trump ’ s press secretary said flatly on Monday : “ It was AG Barr who made the decision.
” Neil Kinkopf , a Georgia State law professor who worked in the Office of Legal Counsel under Bill Clinton , said it was “ quite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personally direct security forces .
“ It isn ’ t unusual for the attorney general to give the president legal advice about what his authorities are in responding to crises , including responding to unrest of the sort that we ’ re seeing , ” said Kinkopf , noting that President Dwight Eisenhower ’ s attorney general issued a legal opinion in 1957 before troops were sent to enforce school desegregation in Arkansas .
“ What ’ s unusual about what Barr appears to have done is taking a role in directing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of force – that ’ s a military function , not a justice department function.
” As attorney general , Barr could bring immense pressure to bear in achieving police reform .
In 14 cases under Barack Obama , the justice department cracked down on police departments with sanctions known as consent decrees and ended the distribution of military-style combat gear to police departments .
But Trump , who has personally encouraged police brutality , threw out an Obama-era blueprint for police reform , reversed the decision on military gear and has stopped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Just because we don ’ t use that particular tool in every instance doesn ’ t mean that we ’ re not doing something about it , ’ Barr told CBS .
Barr has tried to downplay Trump ’ s open enthusiasm for deploying military force in American cities , denying reports that the president wanted to respond to demonstrators outside the White House by invoking the Insurrection Act and mobilizing 10,000 troops .
“ The president never asked or suggested that we needed to deploy regular troops ” to clear the area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the hours before protesters outside the White House were gassed , however , Trump held a call with state governors in which the president demanded more aggressive use of force against the demonstrators .
“ You have to dominate or you ’ ll look like a bunch of jerks .
You have to arrest and try people , ” Trump said on the call .
Barr himself then spoke on the call , advising the governors that the federal government would rely on the Joint Terrorism Task Force – a national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the September 11 attacks – to coordinate operations .
“ It ’ s a tried and true system , it ’ s worked for domestic homegrown terrorists , and we ’ re going to apply that model , ” Barr said on the call .
Trump then tweeted an enthusiastic endorsement of the Republican senator Tom Cotton ’ s call for the deployment of the 101st Airborne , an elite US army combat unit typically deployed in some of the world ’ s most rugged corners , against US citizens .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Thank you Tom !
” Donald Sherman said that Barr ’ s masquerade as a military man amounted to “ an abuse of power , and it is a harbinger of potentially worse things to come.
” “ Donald Trump contested and refused to believe the results of an election that he won , ” Sherman said .
“ So I think it is reasonable to be concerned about what the attorney general ’ s role is in enabling his conspiracy theories and his attacks on democratic institutions .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from here .
”

In a rare wave of accountability for police brutality in the United States in recent weeks, four police officers were arrested in Minneapolis, a police chief was fired in Louisville, and officers were charged with felony assault in Atlanta, Buffalo and New York City.
Now the top law enforcement official in the country, the attorney general, William Barr, is facing an internal crisis of confidence and growing calls for his own resignation.
Barr stands accused of directing violence against peaceful demonstrators outside the White House earlier this month, and with peddling a conspiracy theory advanced by Donald Trump in an attempt to smear protesters, who enjoy wide public support.
In the first 16 months of his tenure, Barr caught criticism for compromising justice department independence with his seemingly lockstep defense of Trump, whether he was protecting the president from the investigation of special counsel Robert Mueller or intervening in criminal cases against the former Trump aides Michael Flynn and Roger Stone.
But Barr’s critics now fear that he has taken a new step, of trying on a military hat as the president’s top lieutenant in the antagonistic posture the White House has taken against street protests that have sprung up after the killing of George Floyd, an African American man, in Minneapolis by white police officers.
Nearly 1,300 former justice department officials published an open letter to the department’s inspector general on Wednesday demanding an internal investigation of Barr’s actions in response to street protests.
The attorney general’s denial at the weekend that systemic racism was a problem in US law enforcement prompted new calls for his resignation.
“I think there’s racism in the United States still, but I don’t think that the law enforcement system is systemically racist,” Barr told CBS News’ Face the Nation. “And I would say, you know, the president, before any of this happened, was out in front on this issue.”
On no planet has Trump been “out in front” in the campaign against racist policing, said Kandace Montgomery, director of Black Visions, a Twin Cities-based activist organization.
“William Barr is a white man who is serving a racist administration, so of course he’s going to deny the fact that the current law enforcement system is systemically racist,” Montgomery said. “History and facts have proven otherwise. But we know how that administration feels about facts.”
While Barr does not credit the reality of systemic racism, he is an eager proponent of an elaborate conspiracy theory about the protests advanced by Trump, who tweeted this week that an elderly activist pushed to the ground by police in Buffalo, New York, “could be an antifa provocateur”.
None of 51 individuals facing federal charges in connection with protests in recent weeks has any alleged link to any such conspiracy, according to court documents reviewed by NPR.
Challenged on the hole in the “antifa” story, Barr told told Fox News on Monday that the relevant cases were still in process. “We have some investigations under way, very focused investigations on certain individuals that relate to antifa,” he said.
The violent clearing of demonstrators from outside the White House has prompted calls for a review into Barr’s role in the dispersal. Photograph: Patrick Semansky/AP
On account of a deference to Trump that has been perceived as excessive, Barr has in the past been embroiled in criticism, for dropping the prosecution of Trump cronies; distorting the findings of Mueller; advancing investigations seemingly designed to harm Trump opponent Joe Biden; defending Trump’s firing of inspectors general and more.
“He can’t function in the job as the founders intended the job to be done, and he needs to be removed,” said Donald K Sherman, deputy director of the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington watchdog group. “We have seen him literally bend the scales of justice to protect the president’s rich, white, criminal allies, versus what he has done to people who have dared to stand up peacefully against racial injustice in America.”
With the rise of a national protest movement for racial equality, a new Barr has emerged, his critics say – one who seems ready to lead Trump’s charge against American citizens on US soil.
Barr has disputed reports that he personally ordered a violent crackdown outside the White House on 1 June to clear protesters for a Trump photo op at a church, telling the Associated Press: “My attitude was: get it done. But I didn’t say, ‘Go do it’.”
But Barr was spotted reviewing security arrangements outside the White House shortly before the crackdown began, and Trump’s press secretary said flatly on Monday: “It was AG Barr who made the decision.”
Neil Kinkopf, a Georgia State law professor who worked in the Office of Legal Counsel under Bill Clinton, said it was “quite unusual” for an attorney general to personally direct security forces.
What’s unusual about what he appears to have done is taking a role in directing the use of force –that's a military function
“It isn’t unusual for the attorney general to give the president legal advice about what his authorities are in responding to crises, including responding to unrest of the sort that we’re seeing,” said Kinkopf, noting that President Dwight Eisenhower’s attorney general issued a legal opinion in 1957 before troops were sent to enforce school desegregation in Arkansas.
“What’s unusual about what Barr appears to have done is taking a role in directing the use of force, ordering the use of force – that’s a military function, not a justice department function.”
As attorney general, Barr could bring immense pressure to bear in achieving police reform. In 14 cases under Barack Obama, the justice department cracked down on police departments with sanctions known as consent decrees and ended the distribution of military-style combat gear to police departments.
But Trump, who has personally encouraged police brutality, threw out an Obama-era blueprint for police reform, reversed the decision on military gear and has stopped the use of consent decrees.
“Just because we don’t use that particular tool in every instance doesn’t mean that we’re not doing something about it,’ Barr told CBS.
Military force against protesters
Barr has tried to downplay Trump’s open enthusiasm for deploying military force in American cities, denying reports that the president wanted to respond to demonstrators outside the White House by invoking the Insurrection Act and mobilizing 10,000 troops.
“The president never asked or suggested that we needed to deploy regular troops” to clear the area around the White House, Barr claimed.
In the hours before protesters outside the White House were gassed, however, Trump held a call with state governors in which the president demanded more aggressive use of force against the demonstrators.
“You have to dominate or you’ll look like a bunch of jerks. You have to arrest and try people,” Trump said on the call.
Barr himself then spoke on the call, advising the governors that the federal government would rely on the Joint Terrorism Task Force – a national law enforcement network that was beefed up after the September 11 attacks – to coordinate operations.
“It’s a tried and true system, it’s worked for domestic homegrown terrorists, and we’re going to apply that model,” Barr said on the call.
Trump then tweeted an enthusiastic endorsement of the Republican senator Tom Cotton’s call for the deployment of the 101st Airborne, an elite US army combat unit typically deployed in some of the world’s most rugged corners, against US citizens. “100% Correct,” Trump wrote. “Thank you Tom!”
Donald Sherman said that Barr’s masquerade as a military man amounted to “an abuse of power, and it is a harbinger of potentially worse things to come.”
“Donald Trump contested and refused to believe the results of an election that he won,” Sherman said. “So I think it is reasonable to be concerned about what the attorney general’s role is in enabling his conspiracy theories and his attacks on democratic institutions.
“The stakes are only going to get higher from here.”


theguardian--2020-06-11--Donald Trump to hold rally in Oklahoma, first since coronavirus pandemic began

Donald Trump will hold a rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma , next Friday – his first since since states began shutting down in response to the coronavirus pandemic , which has claimed more than 110,000 lives in the US .
The 19 June rally will likely rattle some public health experts , as coronavirus infections rise in about a dozen states .
On Wednesday , the US approached nearly 2 million confirmed cases .
Trump ’ s signature rallies often draw tens of thousands of people but have been on hiatus since 2 March because of the coronavirus .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to resume them as it tries to move past the pandemic , even as cases continue to rise in some parts of the country .
“ A beautiful new venue , brand new .
We ’ re looking forward to it , ” Trump said during a White House event .
“ They ’ ve done a great job with Covid , as you know , the state of Oklahoma.
” The announcement , which comes amid sweeping protests against racism and police brutality in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – a day known as Juneteenth , which commemorates the end of slavery – as well as its location in Tulsa , a city with a troubling history of racial violence .
Tulsa ’ s 1921 race massacre saw the destruction of black businesses and residences at the hands of angry , white mobs , and has been described as “ the single worst incident of racial violence in American history.
” Trump ’ s announcement comes as the president has criticized the Floyd protests and referred to those demonstrating against police brutality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reliably Republican state which Trump won in 2016 , was among the earliest states to begin loosening coronavirus restrictions , with salons , spas and barbershops reopening in late April .
The Republican governor Kevin Stitt ’ s most recent reopening phase places no limits on group gathering sizes as of 1 June , and leaves the decision about how closely to adhere to social distancing guidelines up to business owners and local officials .
According to Johns Hopkins data , the overall death toll in Oklahoma stands at 356 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rally in Oklahoma before moving on to other states like Florida , Arizona and North Carolina , where the Republican national convention was originally supposed to be held .
Coronavirus hospitalizations are currently on the rise in Arizona and North Carolina , which could intensify public health concerns about resuming the campaign rallies .
While the rallies will likely spark public health concerns , some of the president ’ s allies have argued the recent protests , which have attracted thousands of people , could shield the rallies from potential criticism .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hold the rally in Tulsa on Juneteenth to Ronald Reagan ’ s choice to launch his 1980 campaign with a speech lauding “ states rights ” near the site of the notorious “ Mississippi burning ” murder of civil rights workers .
In 1964 , three civil rights workers were abducted and killed by the Ku Klux Klan , just south-west of Philadelphia , Mississippi , and surreptitiously buried in a dam .
Reagan delivered a campaign speech within walking distance of the dam , proclaiming “ I believe in state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of white Southerners who used the phrase to justify segregation .
It remained unclear if the campaign ’ s choice to hold the rally on Juneteenth was intentional .
The Trump campaign appeared aware of the significance of the president holding the rally on Juneteenth .
Responding to a Bloomberg reporter , a Trump campaign advisor wrote that “ Republicans are proud of the history of Juneteenth ” .
The president has acknowledged the date before .
In 2017 , Trump released a statement , saying : “ Melania and I send our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a historic day recognizing the end of slavery.
” That year , Trump also delivered a rambling speech during Black History month , calling the famous abolitionist Frederick Douglass “ an example of somebody who ’ s done an amazing job and is being recognized more and more , I notice ” .


theguardian--2020-06-11--'An American fiasco': US hits grim milestone of 2m Covid-19 cases

For Americans , coronavirus went from being a mysterious affliction that occurred in far-off lands to 1m confirmed cases on US soil within 14 weeks .
Now , just six weeks later , the US has broken through the grim milestone of 2m positive tests for Covid-19 , according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker .
The anguish of life lost , of a severely wounded economy and wrenching political turmoil have taken a harrowing toll upon a fatigued American public .
But further , perhaps far greater pain is yet to come , pandemic experts have warned , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shops and offices and the US president ’ s political rhetoric on an epochal crisis dwindles away to near silence .
“ Everyone has just looked at the first 100 yards of this marathon , ” said Michael Osterholm , the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota .
Osterholm said a society usually becomes resilient to a virus once at least 60 % of the population has been infected , either naturally or via a vaccine , and develops antibodies .
This is still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with no firm guarantee a working vaccine will ever be developed .
“ At most , perhaps 5 % of people have been infected , ” he said .
“ If all that pain , suffering and economic destruction got us to 5 % , what will it take to get us to 60 % ?
That ’ s a sobering thought .
All of that suffering and death is just getting started .
People haven ’ t quite got that yet.
” The true figure of infection in the US is almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2m confirmed cases , said Irwin Redlener , the director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University , but is obscured to the lack of testing .
Problems in developing and rolling out an effective test dogged the initial US response to the pandemic and although testing has now ramped up , only around 6 % of the population has received one .
People with Covid-19 most likely experience either no noticeable symptoms or only minor symptoms such as a dry cough and mild fever .
“ We are very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the iceberg , ” said Redlener .
“ We are hampered by the lack of sufficient testing , especially as businesses are reopening across all 50 states.
” Deficiencies in the stockpile of testing kits , swabs , ventilators and protective equipment for medical staff marked the opening stanza of the pandemic in the US .
It was a muddled and sometimes astonishing response embodied by Donald Trump , who predicted the virus would vanish in the April sunshine , squabbled with state governors and pondered the merits of injecting bleach or taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ From the beginning there has been misrepresentations and fabrications from the White House , ” said Redlener .
“ Whatever the opposite of ‘ mission accomplished ’ is , that ’ s what this is .
It ’ s essentially been an American fiasco.
” Yet even as the US has surged past 100,000 deaths from Covid-19 , around a quarter of the entire global total , the crisis has faded from the political agenda .
Trump , preoccupied with sending in the military to crush roiling anti-racism protests over the death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press conferences on the pandemic .
Re-openings have been left down to the states , conducted in a somewhat haphazard way with at least a dozen states still experiencing rising rates of infections .
Dr Anthony Fauci , the administration ’ s top infectious disease expert , has admitted not seeing the president in weeks despite the ongoing public health crisis .
“ Where is it going to end ?
We ’ re still at the beginning of it , ” Fauci said this week .
A disconcerting element of the crisis for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is still unknown .
The World Health Organization had to clarify it still doesn ’ t know how often asymptomatic people pass on the virus , after previously saying it was very rare .
It ’ s not known why some people grouped together , such as meatpacking workers , have become infected at high rates while others , such as prisoners , haven ’ t to the same degree .
There ’ s uncertainty over how the virus will react to the summer heat or how big a second or third wave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms of the virus , previously thought to always include a fever and cough , have confounded previous expectations .
“ There are a lot of things we just don ’ t know and we need a great deal of humility .
We aren ’ t driving this tiger , we are riding it , ” said Osterholm .
The decisions made as the virus rumbles on will invariably become as political and moral as they will scientific .
With more than 40 million people already out of work in the US amid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen in the past century , any escalation of lockdown to stop the spread of the virus will risk unbearable mental and financial pain .
On the other extreme , attempting to revert to previous patterns of life without a vaccine would likely overwhelm hospitals with the sick and dying .
“ We need to really thread the needle between those two things , ” said Osterholm .
“ I worry we have passed over having that difficult conversation .
We ’ ve already decided that it ’ s over and done with @ @ @ @ @ @ @

For Americans, coronavirus went from being a mysterious affliction that occurred in far-off lands to 1m confirmed cases on US soil within 14 weeks. Now, just six weeks later, the US has broken through the grim milestone of 2m positive tests for Covid-19, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker.
The anguish of life lost, of a severely wounded economy and wrenching political turmoil have taken a harrowing toll upon a fatigued American public. But further, perhaps far greater pain is yet to come, pandemic experts have warned, even as authorities wave people back into reopened shops and offices and the US president’s political rhetoric on an epochal crisis dwindles away to near silence.
“Everyone has just looked at the first 100 yards of this marathon,” said Michael Osterholm, the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.
Everyone has just looked at the first 100 yards of this marathon Michael Osterholm
Osterholm said a society usually becomes resilient to a virus once at least 60% of the population has been infected, either naturally or via a vaccine, and develops antibodies. This is still a far-off point for the US, with no firm guarantee a working vaccine will ever be developed.
“At most, perhaps 5% of people have been infected,” he said. “If all that pain, suffering and economic destruction got us to 5%, what will it take to get us to 60%? That’s a sobering thought. All of that suffering and death is just getting started. People haven’t quite got that yet.”
The true figure of infection in the US is almost certainly “multiples more” than the 2m confirmed cases, said Irwin Redlener, the director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University, but is obscured by the lack of testing.
Problems in developing and rolling out an effective test dogged the initial US response to the pandemic and although testing has now ramped up, only about 6% of the population has received one.
People with Covid-19 most likely experience either no noticeable symptoms or only minor symptoms such as a dry cough and mild fever.
“We are very much seeing only the proverbial tip of the iceberg,” said Redlener. “We are hampered by the lack of sufficient testing, especially as businesses are reopening across all 50 states.”
Deficiencies in the stockpile of testing kits, swabs, ventilators and protective equipment for medical staff marked the opening stanza of the pandemic in the US. It was a muddled and sometimes astonishing response embodied by Donald Trump, who predicted the virus would vanish in the April sunshine, squabbled with state governors and pondered the merits of injecting bleach or taking hydroxychloroquine, an unproven anti-malarial drug.
A nurse cleans personal protective equipment after being part of a team that treated coronavirus in San Jose, California. Photograph: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
“From the beginning there have been misrepresentations and fabrications from the White House,” said Redlener. “Whatever the opposite of ‘mission accomplished’ is, that’s what this is. It’s essentially been an American fiasco.”
Yet even as the US has surged past 100,000 deaths from Covid-19, about a quarter of the entire global total, the crisis has faded from the political agenda.
Trump, preoccupied with sending in the military to crush roiling anti-racism protests over the death of George Floyd, has stopped daily press conferences on the pandemic. Reopenings have been left down to the states, conducted in a somewhat haphazard way with at least a dozen states still experiencing rising rates of infections.
Dr Anthony Fauci, the administration’s top infectious disease expert, has admitted not seeing the president in weeks despite the ongoing public health crisis. “Where is it going to end? We’re still at the beginning of it,” Fauci said this week.
A disconcerting element of the crisis for epidemiologists is that so much about Covid-19 is still unknown. The World Health Organization had to clarify it still doesn’t know how often asymptomatic people pass on the virus, after previously saying it was very rare.
It’s not known why some people grouped together, such as meatpacking workers, have become infected at high rates while others, such as prisoners, haven’t to the same degree. There’s uncertainty over how the virus will react to the summer heat or how big a second or third wave of infections will be. Even the symptoms of the virus, previously thought to always include a fever and cough, have confounded previous expectations.
“There are a lot of things we just don’t know and we need a great deal of humility. We aren’t driving this tiger, we are riding it,” said Osterholm.
The decisions made as the virus rumbles on will invariably become as political and moral as they will scientific.
With more than 40 million people already out of work in the US amid an economic downturn that may rival anything seen in the past century, any escalation of lockdown to stop the spread of the virus will risk unbearable mental and financial pain. On the other extreme, attempting to revert to previous patterns of life without a vaccine would likely overwhelm hospitals with the sick and dying.
“We need to really thread the needle between those two things,” said Osterholm. “I worry we have passed over having that difficult conversation. We’ve already decided that it’s over and done with. It’s not.”


theguardian--2020-06-12--Louisville and San Francisco latest cities to take steps toward police reform – live

On the calls to defund the police , Trump said : “ I heard they want to close up all police forces ... What happens late at night when you make that call to 911 and there ’ s nobody there ?
What do you do , whether you ’ re white , black , or anybody else , what do you do ?
” President Trump : `` I heard they want to close up all police forces ... What happens late at night when you make that call to 9-1-1 and there 's nobody there ?
What do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , black , or anybody else , what do you do ? ''
pic.twitter.com/iiVzMPkpOd The calls to “ defund police ” come from community groups , who have long advocated for defunding law enforcement – taking money away from police and prisons – and reinvesting those funds in services .
The basic principle is that government budgets and “ public safety ” spending should prioritize housing , employment , community health , education and other vital programs , instead of police officers .
Groups now have a range of demands , with some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defunding as a step toward abolishing contemporary police services .
Some lawmakers are responding and now proposing minor cuts that would allow police to continue to receive substantial funding .
Regarding questions about the impact of public safety if police budgets are defunded , abolition groups argue that policing and prison are at their core racist and harmful and make communities less safe .
They also point out that the vast majority of police work has nothing to do with responding to or preventing violence , and that police have a terrible track @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and domestic violence .

Sam Levin (now) and Joan E Greve and Martin Belam (earlier)