mercurynews--2020-06-03--The Latest: U.S. Park Police deny using tear gas at protest

By The Associated Press The Latest on the May 25 death in Minneapolis of George Floyd , a handcuffed black man who pleaded for air as a white police officer pressed a knee on his neck : — U.S. Park Police deny using tear gas to disperse protesters outside White House on Monday .
— Mother of George Floyd ’ s 6-year-old daughter wants justice for him “ because he was good.
” — Retired admiral “ sickened ” by use of National Guard against protesters .
— Thousands of protesters mass across the street from Lafayette Park near the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have arrested more than 2,700 during protests .
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Park Police is denying it used tear gas to disperse a crowd of protesters outside the White House on Monday night , saying officers instead used smoke canisters and pepper balls to aggressively push back the demonstrators .
Protesters scrambled as smoke filled the streets and AP journalists witnessed people reacting to their eyes and throats becoming irritated .
Journalists covering the protest reported the crowd was largely peaceful at the time ; the Park Police said they were responding to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frozen water bottles at law enforcement .
Justice Department officials offered a different explanation , saying officers were carrying out Attorney General William Barr ’ s order to expand the security perimeter outside the White House .
Officers repelled the crowd nearly 30 minutes ahead of a 7 p.m. curfew in Washington .
Shortly after the crowd was pushed back , President Donald Trump walked through the park where they had gathered for a photo opportunity at a nearby church .
DALLAS — Former President George W. Bush criticized any effort to squelch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while in Minneapolis police custody .
In a statement issued Tuesday by his office in Dallas , the former Republican president said he and wife Laura Bush “ are anguished by the brutal suffocation of George Floyd and disturbed by the injustice and fear that suffocate our country.
” Bush did not refer specifically toward President Donald Trump , but he called the harassment and threats toward African American protesters “ a shocking failure.
” “ It is a strength when protesters , protected by responsible law enforcement , march for a better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to silence those voices do not understand the meaning of America — or how it becomes a better place , ” he said .
MINNEAPOLIS — The mother of George Floyd ’ s 6-year-old daughter , Gianna , said Tuesday that she wanted the world to know that her little girl lost a good father who would never get to see his daughter grow up .
“ I want everybody to know that this is what those officers took .
At the end of the day , they get to go home and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington said during a Minneapolis news conference with her young daughter at her side .
“ I ’ m here for my baby and I ’ m here for George because I want justice for him .
I want justice for him because he was good .
No matter what anybody thinks , he was good.
” Floyd died on Memorial Day after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into the black man ’ s neck for several minutes even after he stopped moving and pleading for air .
SEATTLE — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesting George Floyd ’ s death in Minneapolis , telling them their “ voices holding me accountable are important.
” Tuesday was the fifth day of protests in the Northwest ’ s largest city over the death of Floyd in police custody .
Monday ’ s protests were largely peaceful but turned chaotic as officers dispersed the crowd at night using tear gas and flash-bang devices .
Authorities said demonstrators threw fireworks and tried to storm a barricade , but citizen video showed the chaos began when an officer grabbed a pink umbrella @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a barricade .
Standing next to the city ’ s police chief at the downtown Emergency Operations Center , Durkan said she supported the crowd ’ s right to rally against injustice .
“ We want you to march , we want you to raise your voices , we want you to continue on your path of justice , ” Durkan said over a microphone as the crowd listened , mostly in silence .
“ But we need you , please , to do it peacefully.
” The mayor , a former U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the crowd .
( edited ) WASHINGTON — Thousands of protesters gathered across the street from Lafayette Park near the White House on Tuesday evening as military and civilian law enforcement personnel stood on the other side of a black chain link fence that had been put up overnight to block access to the park .
The crowd chanted the name of George Floyd and Black Lives Matter .
Floyd is the black man who died while in police custody in Minnesota .
The protesters stood in front of the historic church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ photo op Monday night after the area around Lafayette Park was cleared of protesters by law enforcement officials using smoke canisters and pepper balls .
When Washington ’ s 7 p.m. curfew hit , the protesters didn ’ t budge .
Instead , they used an expletive to describe what they thought of the curfew and defied warnings from federal officials that the response from law enforcement could be even more forceful .
WASHINGTON — A former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff says he was “ sickened ” to see National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear protesters from a square near the White House to facilitate President Donald Trump ’ s walk to a nearby church to pose for photographers .
Calling the visit Monday a “ stunt , ” Mike Mullen , a retired Navy admiral who headed the military from 2007 to 2011 , wrote in The Atlantic on Tuesday it laid bare what he called Trump ’ s “ disdain ” for the rights of peaceful protesters .
He said it also risked further politicizing the military .
Mullen cautioned against an overly aggressive use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests around the country .
He said he has confidence in the professionalism of the troops but worries about the soundness of the orders they would be given by Trump .
MIAMI — A demonstration in Miami grew to about 400 people as protesters marched from a courthouse to a historically black neighborhood north of downtown .
Demonstrators sat on one knee during several stops to listen to organizers shouting instructions that they were to remain peaceful and hydrated in the 80-degree weather .
They shouted “ No justice , no peace , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 officers followed the group a few blocks behind wearing body armor .
Twenty-two-year-old Trinity Auberry arrived at the demonstration with four other friends .
It was the first time protesting for the young black model who said the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis is not isolated and cases of “ police brutality ” are also common in Florida .
CHARLESTON , W.Va. — The West Virginia National Guard is pursuing disciplinary action against a guardsman who posted on social media that he would shoot at people protesting the death of George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guardsman , Noah Garcelon , has already resigned his position as an officer with the Winfield Police Department after making the comments .
In a series of now-deleted posts , Garcelon wrote that he would “ start firing live rounds ” at protesters and “ see how many I can run over before my car breaks down.
” Maj. Gen. James Hoyer , who leads the state ’ s National Guard , said officials will be taking the appropriate disciplinary action related to Garcelon and any others “ who make inflammatory comments related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Winfield Police Department Chief Ron Arthur said Garcelon acknowledged that he made the comments and stressed that he wasn ’ t a racist before resigning .
West Virginia Gov .
Jim Justice , a Republican , has urged people to remain peaceful but said he would not hesitate to call in the National Guard if demonstrations in the state became violent .
COLUMBIA , S.C. — About 100 people gathered in front of the state capitol building in downtown Columbia , South Carolina , on Tuesday afternoon as medics passed out water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voter registration forms .
Participants raised their fists in unison as passing commuters showed their solidarity with honks and waves .
An outreach minister emphasized the need to sustain demonstrations past the initial events over the weekend and also urged a peaceful nature in the afternoon ’ s demonstrations .
Minister Danielle Ford told the crowd , “ they ’ re waiting on us to give up , they ’ re waiting on us to get tired , they ’ re waiting on us to give in .
We need you out here.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was protesting for justice for George Floyd as well as Joshua Ruffin , a 17-year-old shot to death by a Columbia police officer after a foot chase in April .
HOUSTON — Houston rappers Bun B and Trae Tha Truth organized a march on Tuesday and told the crowd it would be peaceful .
After asking the crowd of several thousand to look for anybody who could cause trouble , Bun B then led them on a chant .
He said “ What ’ s his name ?
” and the crowd replied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later got down on one knee and was silent for 30 seconds .
Among those participating was a group of about 60 people on horseback from a riding club in Houston .
LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore said Tuesday more than 2,700 people have been arrested since protests and violence began in the nation ’ s second-largest city .
The chief told the city Police Commission that about 2,500 of those arrests were for failure to disperse or curfew violations .
The remainder were for crimes including burglary , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other violence .
The chief gave the figures during a report to the Police Department ’ s civilian oversight board .
Several new demonstrations in Los Angeles on Tuesday over the death of George Floyd have remained peaceful .
PARIS — Riot officers have fired tear gas as scattered protesters threw projectiles and set fires during an unauthorized demonstration against police violence and racial injustice .
Several thousand people had previously rallied peacefully for two hours Tuesday around the main Paris courthouse in homage to George Floyd and to Adama Traore , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ custody .
Police had banned the protest because of coronavirus restrictions that forbid any gathering of more than 10 people .
As the demonstration wound down , police fired tear gas and protesters could be seen throwing projectiles .
Two small fires broke out .
Tensions also erupted at a related protest Tuesday in the southern city of Marseille .
CHICAGO — Authorities in a Chicago suburb where two people were fatally shot in unrest following George Floyd ’ s death are issuing fresh safety precautions Tuesday .
Cicero officials cautioned residents to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streets ” a day after violence and destruction erupted in the town of about 84,000 west of Chicago .
Police say most of Monday ’ s chaos stemmed from residents trying to defend businesses .
Roughly 60 people were arrested , mostly for burglary and weapons violations .
Two men in their 20s were fatally shot around 6 p.m. in separate incidents related to the violent clashes .
TRENTON , N.J. — Citing George Floyd ’ s death , New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said Tuesday the state will update its guidelines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the first time in two decades and will move to require a statewide licensing program for all officers .
At least 43 other states require some licensing requirement for officers , Grewal said , adding he wants to bring law enforcement in line with other professions that require licensing .
The announcements also include a pilot program in a handful of cities across the state to conduct training programs aimed at promoting safe interactions between police and communities and the implementation of a statewide database to document when police use force , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Minnesota has filed a civil rights charge against the Minneapolis Police Department in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death .
The state says it will investigate the department ’ s policies and practices over the last 10 years to determine whether it has engaged in “ systemic ” discrimination against people of color .
The complaint comes from the state Department of Human Rights , which enforces the state ’ s human rights act .
It targets a police department that has faced decades of allegations of brutality and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within the department itself .
Critics say the department has a culture that resists change and the department has come under fresh criticism after Floyd died after a white officer knelt on his neck and ignored his cries of “ I can ’ t breathe ” until Floyd eventually stopped moving .
WASHINGTON — Attorney General William Barr ordered law enforcement officials to clear Lafayette Park and push back the perimeter around the White House when he arrived there Monday evening , leading to police using tear gas to disperse protesters .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Associated Press that Barr expected the perimeter to have been extended much earlier Monday .
The person could not discuss the matter publicly and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity .
The person said officials had met that morning and decided the perimeter had to be moved by at least one full block after multiple fires were set in the park the night before .
They said that was expected to happen by Monday afternoon .
The person said Barr was surprised it hadn ’ t been done when he arrived in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be taken .
They said he assumed police would use “ typical crowd control measures ” against protesters who resisted commands to clear the area .
MINNEAPOLIS — Prosecutors are delaying the case against a man who drove his semitrailer into a crowd of protesters on a closed Minneapolis freeway .
The 35-year-old man drove his tanker truck into the midst of thousands of people who had gathered on Interstate 35W near downtown Minneapolis on Sunday .
Authorities said it appeared no one was hurt and the man was arrested .
Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and somehow got on the freeway before traffic officials closed it .
Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced Tuesday that the case against the man has been deferred pending further investigation and he ’ ll be released from jail .
Freeman said investigators are working to gather additional information to help in making a charging decision .
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump ordered military aircraft to fly above the nation ’ s capital Monday night as a “ show of force ” against demonstrators protesting the death of George Floyd , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missions are designed to intimidate and , in combat zones , warn opposing forces of potential military action if provoked .
The officials , who insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss ongoing operations publicly , did not say how many or what type of aircraft had been mobilized .
Videos and photographs posted on social media showed helicopters flying low over buildings and hovering just above groups who were on the street despite a district-wide curfew .
On Tuesday , roughly 700 members of the Army ’ s 82nd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bases near Washington .
Another 1,400 soldiers are ready to be mobilized within an hour , the two Pentagon officials said .
The soldiers are armed and have riot gear as well as bayonets .
The officials said the mission has been named “ Operation Themis.
” In Greek mythology , Themis was a titaness of divine law and order , whose symbols are the scales of justice .

By The Associated Press
The Latest on the May 25 death in Minneapolis of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man who pleaded for air as a white police officer pressed a knee on his neck:
TOP OF THE HOUR:
— Thousands of protesters on New York City streets after curfew.
— Protest in Washington on Tuesday lacking tension of previous night’s demonstrations.
— Thousands march in protest in Los Angeles and other California cities.
— The Minneapolis school board votes to end its contract with the Minneapolis Police Department.
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NEW YORK — Thousands of demonstrators protesting the death of George Floyd remained on New York City streets on Tuesday after an 8 p.m. curfew put in place by officials struggling to stanch destruction and growing complaints that the nation’s biggest city was reeling out of control night after night.
Mayor Bill de Blasio had doubled down on a citywide curfew, moving it up from 11 p.m. a night earlier, but rejected urging from President Donald Trump and an offer from Gov. Andrew Cuomo to bring in the National Guard.
Protests had resumed Tuesday during the day over the death of Floyd, a black man who died on May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee on his neck even after he stopped moving and pleading for air.
People marched in groups of thousands in parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn, as merchants boarded up their businesses. As the the curfew time arrived, many were still in the streets and continued marching, with officers initially standing by and allowing them.
But officers started ordering people to move along, and began taking people into custody. Demonstrators who had been on the West Side Highway in lower Manhattan were herded off, with parts of the roadway blocked off behind them.
“Something has to break, and it’s not going to be us,” said Evan Kutcher, one of hundreds of demonstrators who stood outside the Barclays Center chanting Floyd’s name Tuesday evening. “We’re here because something needs to change.
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WASHINGTON — The protest in the nation’s capital on Tuesday night lacked the tension of the previous nights’ demonstrations.
The crowd outside Lafayette Park near the White House was peaceful, polite even, as they protested the death of George Floyd while in police custody in Minnesota.
Instead of the spray-painted tags, the protesters Tuesday favored colorful children’s street chalk, writing Black Lives Matter slogans on the asphalt in front of St. John’s Church.
Protesters chanted and talked among themselves, most wearing masks, but not social distancing in the age of COVID-19. One protester, Mati Yiheyis, a 21-year-old college student at the University of Virginia, speculated that fears of coronavirus kept many older people away.
When one protester climbed a lamp post and removed a street sign he was roundly booed by others. “It’s not what we’re about,” said protester George “T.J.” Pierce of Washington.
The crowd started thinning out on its own after 8 p.m., an hour after a curfew went into place, although a core group of several hundred remained at the fence, chanting at the line of police and soldiers in riot gear on the other side.
On Monday, law enforcement officers on foot and horseback aggressively drove protesters away from Lafayette Park, clearing the way for President Donald Trump to do a photo op at St. John’s Church, known as the church of presidents. On Tuesday, pastors at the church prayed with demonstrators and handed out water bottles.
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LOS ANGELES — Thousands have taken to the streets of Los Angeles in peaceful protests Tuesday, and smaller demonstrations dotted other California cities while authorities renewed overnight curfews in LA and other areas that have seen clashes with police and groups of thieves wreck hundreds of businesses.
There were several sizable demonstrations in Los Angeles and Mayor Eric Garcetti took a knee at one while in a crowd outside police headquarters. However, later in the day, hundreds gathered outside the mayor’s house and protested.
Elsewhere in the city, police cordons backed by National Guard troops kept a tight watch on marchers in Hollywood, where hundreds were arrested a day earlier, and at a crowd of thousands at City Hall.
In San Francisco, a mass of people marched up the Great Highway along San Francisco’s Ocean Beach. At San Jose’s City Hall, several hundred people showed up for a demonstration and speeches organized by the local branch of the NAACP.
San Francisco Police Chief William Scott asked supervisors Tuesday to keep an overnight curfew order for at least the “next few days” to get ahead of people bent on using peaceful protests to pilfer stores and commit violence. Mayor London Breed ordered the 8 p.m. curfew Sunday following a night of thefts downtown, including at a major shopping mall where several fires were set.
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MELBOURNE, Australia — Police are urging thousands of demonstrators planning to attend a protest rally in Australia’s second-largest city over George Floyd’s death to reconsider due to social distancing rules.
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius on Wednesday described the rally planned for Saturday as the largest mass gathering in Melbourne since pandemic restrictions were introduced in March.
Public gatherings are limited to 20 people in Victoria state, and people must keep 1.5 meters (5 feet) apart.
Australia has recorded 7,221 coronavirus cases with 26 in hospitals on Wednesday. There have been 102 deaths.
Cornelius did not say whether police plan to fine protesters, but told reporters that “police would prefer people obey the law.”
Police have not enforced social distancing regulations when thousands gathered peacefully in Sydney and Perth in solidarity with U.S. demonstrators and to protest against the over-representation of indigenous Australians in prisons.
Protesters attempted to get around social distancing rules by demonstrating over an unrelated issue in their cars in Melbourne in April. But police fined 26 of them 1,652 Australian dollars ($1,145) each and arrested their organizer for breaching a ban on non-essential travel. That ban has since been lifted.
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MINNEAPOLIS — The Minneapolis school board has voted to end its contract with the Minneapolis Police Department following the death last week of George Floyd.
The Star Tribune reports the vote was unanimous Tuesday.
Minneapolis Public Schools will stop further negotiations with the Police Department. Schools Superintendent Ed Graff must come up with a new plan for school safety by the board’s Aug. 18 meeting.
School board chairwoman Kim Ellison said in an interview that she values “people and education and life.” Ellison said she’s now convinced, “based on the actions of the Minneapolis Police Department, that we don’t have the same values.”
The Minneapolis and St. Paul school districts have faced criticism over the use of school resource officers. Both districts have sought to transform the role to be more of a mentor than an enforcer.
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BEIJING — An official Chinese Communist Party newspaper is hammering President Donald Trump’s call to send in troops to put down protests and rioting with an editorial published Wednesday entitled “Quelling Protests With Troops Self-Contradictory For US.”
The paper, known as strongly nationalist and for its anti-American views, wrote: “This could be argued as the most extreme response to disorder among governments across the world.”
“Then why did Washington arrogantly and unreasonably accuse other countries of quelling riots? Why did politicians in Washington overbearingly portray the U.S. as the beacon of democracy and human rights? Have they really not anticipated that the U.S. could one day confront the situation as it does today and that their previous big talk could become a slap on their face?”
The editorial attacked the U.S. for continuing to criticize Hong Kong’s heavy-handed approach to sometimes violent anti-government protests, and for Beijing’s move to enact national security legislation for the territory, while the U.S. failed to respond earlier to the coronavirus pandemic and police now battle protesters on American city streets.
“The hooligan nature of Washington makes it a complete nuisance,” the paper said.
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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Park Police denied using tear gas to disperse a crowd of protesters outside the White House on Monday night, saying officers instead used smoke canisters and pepper balls to aggressively push back the demonstrators.
Protesters scrambled as smoke filled the streets and AP journalists witnessed people reacting to their eyes and throats becoming irritated. Journalists covering the protest reported the crowd was largely peaceful at the time; the Park Police said they were responding to protesters throwing items, including bricks and frozen water bottles at law enforcement.
Justice Department officials offered a different explanation, saying officers were carrying out Attorney General William Barr’s order to expand the security perimeter outside the White House.
Officers repelled the crowd nearly 30 minutes ahead of a 7 p.m. curfew in Washington. Shortly after the crowd was pushed back, President Donald Trump walked through the park where they had gathered for a photo opportunity at a nearby church.
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DALLAS — Former President George W. Bush criticized any effort to squelch protests of George Floyd’s death while in Minneapolis police custody.
In a statement issued Tuesday by his office in Dallas, the former Republican president said he and wife Laura Bush “are anguished by the brutal suffocation of George Floyd and disturbed by the injustice and fear that suffocate our country.”
Bush did not refer specifically toward President Donald Trump, but he called the harassment and threats toward African American protesters “a shocking failure.”
“It is a strength when protesters, protected by responsible law enforcement, march for a better future. … Those who set out to silence those voices do not understand the meaning of America — or how it becomes a better place,” he said.
___
MINNEAPOLIS — The mother of George Floyd’s 6-year-old daughter, Gianna, said Tuesday that she wanted the world to know that her little girl lost a good father who would never get to see his daughter grow up.
“I want everybody to know that this is what those officers took. At the end of the day, they get to go home and be with their families,” Roxie Washington said during a Minneapolis news conference with her young daughter at her side. “I’m here for my baby and I’m here for George because I want justice for him. I want justice for him because he was good. No matter what anybody thinks, he was good.”
Floyd died on Memorial Day after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into the black man’s neck for several minutes even after he stopped moving and pleading for air.
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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson declared a state of emergency Tuesday in response to continued demonstrations to protest the death of George Floyd in the custody of Minneapolis police.
A statement from the governor’s spokeswoman said the action will unify command of local and state police, the Arkansas National Guard and the state Department of Emergency Management.
The spokeswoman minimized the significance of the move, however. “This is a normal executive order issued when the National Guard is activated under state control in regard to civil disturbance. Under this executive order, sheriff offices and police departments maintain command and operational control of their respective jurisdictions,” Katie Beck said in her statement.
Also Tuesday, Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott expanded the city’s curfew a day after Arkansas authorities again used tear gas to break up protests outside the state Capitol. Scott said the city’s nighttime curfew will begin 8 p.m.
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ATLANTA — Hundreds of protesters lingered on the streets of downtown Atlanta on Tuesday night ahead of another 9 p.m. curfew imposed by Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.
Authorities used armored vehicles to form a cordon at the state Capitol nearby.
Bottoms has implemented the curfew every night, starting Saturday.
As the curfew took effect, police and National Guard troops moved in, firing tear gas. The crowd quickly dispersed, and television footage showed police leading some people away in zip ties.
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SEATTLE — Mayor Jenny Durkan addressed a large crowd protesting George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis, telling them their “voices holding me accountable are important.”
Tuesday was the fifth day of protests in the Northwest’s largest city over the death of Floyd in police custody. Monday’s protests were largely peaceful but turned chaotic as officers dispersed the crowd at night using tear gas and flash-bang devices. Authorities said demonstrators threw fireworks and tried to storm a barricade, but citizen video showed the chaos began when an officer grabbed a pink umbrella that a demonstrator was holding just across a barricade.
Standing next to the city’s police chief at the downtown Emergency Operations Center, Durkan said she supported the crowd’s right to rally against injustice.
“We want you to march, we want you to raise your voices, we want you to continue on your path of justice,” Durkan said over a microphone as the crowd listened, mostly in silence. “But we need you, please, to do it peacefully.” The mayor, a former U.S. attorney, then took questions from some in the crowd.
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ST. PAUL, MINN. — Thousands of protesters gathered on the front lawn of the Minnesota Capitol as part of a youth protest for George Floyd on Tuesday afternoon.
The crowd listened to speakers and periodically chanted slogans like, “Say his name: George Floyd.”
William Ray, 22, said his protest was about more than just George Floyd’s death last week. His grandparents were civil rights activists in the 60s and also members of the Black Panther Party.
“I grew up with an understanding of what needs to be done, growing up with them and seeing the change that they brought to the community. … America was built off of slaves — my ancestors. A lot of the systems that were in place then are still here,” he said.
Christine Ohenzuwa, 19, of Blaine, Minnesota, said she’s felt disheartened by the “endless cascade of hashtags of black people dying.” Of the unrest that has gripped cities across the nation, she said, “there’s always going to be a breaking point.”
“It’s really painful to see what’s going on, but it’s also really important to understand that it’s connected to a system of racial violence,” she said.
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WASHINGTON — A former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff says he was “sickened” to see National Guard troops and other security personnel forcibly clear protesters from a square near the White House to facilitate President Donald Trump’s walk to a nearby church to pose for photographers.
Calling the visit Monday a “stunt,” Mike Mullen, a retired Navy admiral who headed the military from 2007 to 2011, wrote in The Atlantic on Tuesday it laid bare what he called Trump’s “disdain” for the rights of peaceful protesters. He said it also risked further politicizing the military.
Mullen cautioned against an overly aggressive use of the military to restrain the sometimes-violent protests around the country. He said he has confidence in the professionalism of the troops but worries about the soundness of the orders they would be given by Trump.
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MIAMI — A demonstration in Miami grew to about 400 people as protesters marched from a courthouse to a historically black neighborhood north of downtown.
Demonstrators sat on one knee during several stops to listen to organizers shouting instructions that they were to remain peaceful and hydrated in the 80-degree weather. They shouted “No justice, no peace, no racist police” as more than 30 officers followed the group a few blocks behind wearing body armor.
Twenty-two-year-old Trinity Auberry arrived at the demonstration with four other friends. It was the first time protesting for the young black model who said the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis is not isolated and cases of “police brutality” are also common in Florida.
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia National Guard is pursuing disciplinary action against a guardsman who posted on social media that he would shoot at people protesting the death of George Floyd, officials said Tuesday.
The guardsman, Noah Garcelon, has already resigned his position as an officer with the Winfield Police Department after making the comments. In a series of now-deleted posts, Garcelon wrote that he would “start firing live rounds” at protesters and “see how many I can run over before my car breaks down.”
Maj. Gen. James Hoyer, who leads the state’s National Guard, said officials will be taking the appropriate disciplinary action related to Garcelon and any others “who make inflammatory comments related to protests going on across the nation.”
Winfield Police Department Chief Ron Arthur said Garcelon acknowledged that he made the comments and stressed that he wasn’t a racist before resigning.
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, a Republican, has urged people to remain peaceful but said he would not hesitate to call in the National Guard if demonstrations in the state became violent.
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COLUMBIA, S.C. — About 100 people gathered in front of the state capitol building in downtown Columbia, South Carolina, on Tuesday afternoon as medics passed out water bottles and snacks and volunteers passed out voter registration forms.
Participants raised their fists in unison as passing commuters showed their solidarity with honks and waves.
An outreach minister emphasized the need to sustain demonstrations past the initial events over the weekend and also urged a peaceful nature in the afternoon’s demonstrations. Minister Danielle Ford told the crowd, “they’re waiting on us to give up, they’re waiting on us to get tired, they’re waiting on us to give in. We need you out here.”
A 21-year-old college student said she was protesting for justice for George Floyd as well as Joshua Ruffin, a 17-year-old shot to death by a Columbia police officer after a foot chase in April.
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HOUSTON — Houston rappers Bun B and Trae Tha Truth organized a march on Tuesday and told the crowd it would be peaceful.
After asking the crowd of several thousand to look for anybody who could cause trouble, Bun B then led them on a chant. He said “What’s his name?” and the crowd replied, “George Floyd.”
The crowd later got down on one knee and was silent for 30 seconds.
Among those participating was a group of about 60 people on horseback from a riding club in Houston.
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LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore said Tuesday more than 2,700 people have been arrested since protests and violence began in the nation’s second-largest city.
The chief told the city Police Commission that about 2,500 of those arrests were for failure to disperse or curfew violations. The remainder were for crimes including burglary, looting, assaults on police officers and other violence.
The chief gave the figures during a report to the Police Department’s civilian oversight board. Several new demonstrations in Los Angeles on Tuesday over the death of George Floyd have remained peaceful.
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PARIS — Riot officers have fired tear gas as scattered protesters threw projectiles and set fires during an unauthorized demonstration against police violence and racial injustice.
Several thousand people had previously rallied peacefully for two hours Tuesday around the main Paris courthouse in homage to George Floyd and to Adama Traore, a French black man who died in police custody.
Police had banned the protest because of coronavirus restrictions that forbid any gathering of more than 10 people.
As the demonstration wound down, police fired tear gas and protesters could be seen throwing projectiles. Two small fires broke out.
Tensions also erupted at a related protest Tuesday in the southern city of Marseille.
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CHICAGO — Authorities in a Chicago suburb where two people were fatally shot in unrest following George Floyd’s death are issuing fresh safety precautions Tuesday.
Cicero officials cautioned residents to “stay home and stay off the streets” a day after violence and destruction erupted in the town of about 84,000 west of Chicago. Police say most of Monday’s chaos stemmed from residents trying to defend businesses. Roughly 60 people were arrested, mostly for burglary and weapons violations.
Two men in their 20s were fatally shot around 6 p.m. in separate incidents related to the violent clashes.
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TRENTON, N.J. — Citing George Floyd’s death, New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said Tuesday the state will update its guidelines governing the use of force by police for the first time in two decades and will move to require a statewide licensing program for all officers.
At least 43 other states require some licensing requirement for officers, Grewal said, adding he wants to bring law enforcement in line with other professions that require licensing.
The announcements also include a pilot program in a handful of cities across the state to conduct training programs aimed at promoting safe interactions between police and communities and the implementation of a statewide database to document when police use force, Grewal said.
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MINNEAPOLIS — The state of Minnesota has filed a civil rights charge against the Minneapolis Police Department in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
The state says it will investigate the department’s policies and practices over the last 10 years to determine whether it has engaged in “systemic” discrimination against people of color. The complaint comes from the state Department of Human Rights, which enforces the state’s human rights act. It targets a police department that has faced decades of allegations of brutality and other discrimination against African-Americans and other minorities including within the department itself.
Critics say the department has a culture that resists change and the department has come under fresh criticism after Floyd died after a white officer knelt on his neck and ignored his cries of “I can’t breathe” until Floyd eventually stopped moving.
___
WASHINGTON — Attorney General William Barr ordered law enforcement officials to clear Lafayette Park and push back the perimeter around the White House when he arrived there Monday evening, leading to police using tear gas to disperse protesters.
A person familiar with the matter tells The Associated Press that Barr expected the perimeter to have been extended much earlier Monday. The person could not discuss the matter publicly and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.
The person said officials had met that morning and decided the perimeter had to be moved by at least one full block after multiple fires were set in the park the night before. They said that was expected to happen by Monday afternoon.
The person said Barr was surprised it hadn’t been done when he arrived in the early evening and directed action to be taken. They said he assumed police would use “typical crowd control measures” against protesters who resisted commands to clear the area.
___
MINNEAPOLIS — Prosecutors are delaying the case against a man who drove his semitrailer into a crowd of protesters on a closed Minneapolis freeway.
The 35-year-old man drove his tanker truck into the midst of thousands of people who had gathered on Interstate 35W near downtown Minneapolis on Sunday. Authorities said it appeared no one was hurt and the man was arrested.
Gov. Tim Walz said the man became confused and somehow got on the freeway before traffic officials closed it.
Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced Tuesday that the case against the man has been deferred pending further investigation and he’ll be released from jail. Freeman said investigators are working to gather additional information to help in making a charging decision.
___
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump ordered military aircraft to fly above the nation’s capital Monday night as a “show of force” against demonstrators protesting the death of George Floyd, according to two Department of Defense officials.
Show-of-force missions are designed to intimidate and, in combat zones, warn opposing forces of potential military action if provoked. The officials, who insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss ongoing operations publicly, did not say how many or what type of aircraft had been mobilized.
Videos and photographs posted on social media showed helicopters flying low over buildings and hovering just above groups who were on the street despite a district-wide curfew.
On Tuesday, roughly 700 members of the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division had arrived at two military bases near Washington. Another 1,400 soldiers are ready to be mobilized within an hour, the two Pentagon officials said. The soldiers are armed and have riot gear as well as bayonets.
The officials said the mission has been named “Operation Themis.” In Greek mythology, Themis was a titaness of divine law and order, whose symbols are the scales of justice.
— Reporting by James LaPorta


mercurynews--2020-06-03--More protests sweep US cities as Trump decries ‘lowlifes’

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday turned up the pressure on governors to quell the violence set off by the death of George Floyd , demanding New York call up the National Guard to stop the “ lowlifes and losers.
” As more demonstrations began taking shape around the country , and cities including Washington prepared for another possible round of scattered violence after dark , the president amplified his hard-line calls of a day earlier , in which he threatened to send in the military to restore order if governors didn ’ t do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NATIONAL GUARD , ” he tweeted .
“ The lowlifes and losers are ripping you apart .
Act fast !
” One day after a crackdown on peaceful protesters near the White House , thousands of demonstrators massed a block away from the presidential mansion , facing law enforcement personnel standing across a black chain-link fence .
The fence was put up overnight to block access to Lafayette Park , just across the street from the White House .
“ Last night pushed me way over the edge , ” said Jessica DeMaio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attended a protest Tuesday for the first time .
“ Being here is better than being at home feeling helpless.
” The crowd remained in place after the city ’ s 7 p.m. curfew passed , defying warnings that the response from law enforcement could be even more forceful .
At one point , the crowd booed when a protester climbed a light post and took down a street sign .
A chant went up : “ Peaceful protest !
” Protests ranged across the U.S. , including New York City , Los @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minnesota , Columbia , South Carolina , and Orlando , Florida , where more than 1,000 people gathered in the afternoon to decry the killings of black people .
“ This has to change , ” said 39-year-old Aisxia Batiste , an out-of-work massage therapist in Orlando .
“ Something has to give .
We ’ re done .
This is the beginning of the end of something .
It has to be.
” In New York , midtown Manhattan was pocked with battered storefronts after Monday ’ s protests .
Macy ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when crowds of people smashed windows and looted stores as they swept through the area .
A police sergeant was hospitalized after being hit by a car in the Bronx , where people walked Tuesday between ransacked buildings and a burned-out car on the Grand Concourse , a commercial thoroughfare .
Police made nearly 700 arrests and Mayor Bill de Blasio extended an 8 p.m. curfew all week .
“ We ’ re going to have a tough few days , ” he warned , but added : “ We ’ re going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with community leaders to step forward and “ create peace.
” More than 20,000 National Guard members have been called up in 29 states to deal with the violence .
New York is not among them , and De Blasio has said he does not want the Guard .
On Tuesday , Democratic Gov .
Andrew Cuomo called what happened in the city “ a disgrace.
” “ The NYPD and the mayor did not do their job last night , ” Cuomo said at a briefing in Albany .
He said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation ’ s largest police force was not deployed in sufficient numbers , though the city had said it doubled the usual police presence .
Tuesday marked the eight straight night of the protests , which began in Minneapolis , where Floyd died , and quickly spread across the country .
On Monday , scattered violence flared in multiple protests , including an officer who was shot and gravely wounded as police tried to disperse a crowd outside a Las Vegas hotel and casino , and four officers shot in St. Louis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Philadelphia , officials said one person was killed trying to use explosives to open an ATM , and a gun shop owner fatally shot a would-be thief .
A 19-year-old died of injuries suffered during looting .
About a dozen other deaths have been reported around the country over the past week .
And nearly 8,000 people nationwide have been arrested for offenses such as stealing , blocking highways and breaking curfew , according to a count by The Associated Press .
Some protesters framed the burgeoning movement as a necessity after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I fear for my safety every time I get in the car to go for a drive .
I fear of getting pulled over .
I fear for all 10 of my brothers ’ and sisters ’ lives , for my parents ’ lives !
” 19-year-old Amari Burroughs of Parkland , Florida , said Tuesday as she prepared for another protest .
“ My goal is to use my voice and my leadership to make this world safer so that one day I can bring children here and won ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , governors and mayors , Republicans and Democrats alike , rejected Trump ’ s threat to send in the military , with some saying troops would be unnecessary and others questioning whether the government has such authority and warning that such a step would be dangerous .
“ Denver is not Little Rock in 1957 , and Donald Trump is not President Eisenhower .
This is a time for healing , for bringing people together , and the best way to protect civil rights is to move away from escalating violence , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mayor Michael Hancock , both Democrats , said in a statement , referring to Eisenhower ’ s use of troops to enforce school desegregation in the South .
A senior White House official , speaking on condition of anonymity , said that the president is not rushing to send in the military and that his goal was to pressure governors to deploy more National Guard members .
Such use of the military would mark a stunning federal intervention rarely seen in modern American history .
Amid the protests , nine states and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including four that delayed their April contests because of the coronavirus outbreak .
Joe Biden has been moving closer to formally clinching the Democratic presidential nomination .
In Washington , voting stations stayed open until 8 p.m. , an hour past the city ’ s curfew .
Voting was deemed essential , and city officials said voters would not be subject to arrest .
Philadelphia moved its 6 p.m. curfew back to 8:30 p.m. to accommodate voting .
Minnesota , meanwhile , opened an investigation into whether the Minneapolis Police Department has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died May 25 after a white Minneapolis officer , Derek Chauvin , pressed his knee on the handcuffed black man ’ s neck for several minutes .
Chauvin has been charged with murder .
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said prosecutors are working as fast as they can to determine if the three other officers at the scene should be charged too .
All four have been fired .
Amid the protests , cities struggled to keep police in line and avoid instances of excessive force .
The police chief in Louisville , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owner was killed by police and National Guard members enforcing a curfew .
In Richmond , the police chief said officers who used tear gas on a group of peaceful protesters would be disciplined .
In Atlanta , six officers were charged after a video showed authorities dragging two young people from a car during protests .
Sullivan reported from Minneapolis .
Associated Press journalists across the U.S. contributed to this report .

By ZEKE MILLER and TIM SULLIVAN
WASHINGTON (AP) — Undeterred by curfews, protesters streamed back into the nation’s streets Tuesday, hours after President Donald Trump pressed governors to put down the violence set off by George Floyd’s death and demanded that New York call up the National Guard to stop the “lowlifes and losers.”
But most protests passed peacefully, and while there were scattered reports of looting in New York City, the country appeared calmer by late Tuesday than it did a day earlier, when violence swept through multiple cities.
The president, meanwhile, amplified his hard-line calls from Monday, when he threatened to send in the military to restore order if governors didn’t do it.
“NYC, CALL UP THE NATIONAL GUARD,” he tweeted. “The lowlifes and losers are ripping you apart. Act fast!”
One day after a crackdown on peaceful protesters near the White House, thousands of demonstrators massed a block away from the presidential mansion, facing law enforcement personnel standing behind a black chain-link fence. The fence was put up overnight to block access to Lafayette Park, just across the street from the White House.
“Last night pushed me way over the edge,” said Jessica DeMaio, 40, of Washington, who attended a Floyd protest Tuesday for the first time. “Being here is better than being at home feeling helpless.”
The crowd remained in place after the city’s 7 p.m. curfew passed, defying warnings that the response from law enforcement could be even more forceful. But the protest lacked the tension of the previous nights’ demonstrations. The crowd Tuesday was peaceful, even polite. At one point, the crowd booed when a protester climbed a light post and took down a street sign. A chant went up: “Peaceful protest!”
On Monday, law enforcement officers on foot and horseback aggressively drove protesters away from Lafayette Park, clearing the way for President Donald Trump to do a photo op at nearby St. John’s Church. On Tuesday, pastors at the church prayed with demonstrators and handed out water bottles.
Protests ranged across the U.S., including in Los Angeles, Miami, St. Paul, Minnesota, Columbia, South Carolina, and Houston, where the police chief talked to peaceful demonstrators, vowing reforms.
“God as my witness, change is coming,” Art Acevedo said. “And we’re going to do it the right way.”
In New York, midtown Manhattan was pocked with battered storefronts after Monday’s protests. Macy’s flagship store was among those hit when crowds of people smashed windows and looted stores as they swept through the area. Police made nearly 700 arrests and Mayor Bill de Blasio extended an 8 p.m. curfew all week.
“We’re going to have a tough few days,” he warned, but added: “We’re going to beat it back.” He pleaded with community leaders to step forward and “create peace.”
Thousands of protesters marched Tuesday night in a string of demonstrations across Manhattan and Brooklyn after merchants boarded up their businesses, fearing a repeat of the night before. Many people remained on the streets after the curfew hour. Police eventually ordered them to move along and began taking some into custody.
More than 20,000 National Guard members have been called up in 29 states to deal with the violence. New York is not among them, and de Blasio has said he does not want the Guard. On Tuesday, Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo called what happened in the city “a disgrace.”
“The NYPD and the mayor did not do their job last night,” Cuomo said at a briefing in Albany.
He said the mayor underestimated the problem, and the nation’s largest police force was not deployed in sufficient numbers, though the city had said it doubled the usual police presence.
Tuesday marked the eighth straight night of the protests, which began in Minneapolis, where Floyd died, and quickly spread across the country.
The mother of George Floyd’s 6-year-old daughter, Gianna, said she wanted the world to know that her little girl lost a good father.
“I want everybody to know that this is what those officers took,” Roxie Washington said during a Minneapolis news conference with her young daughter at her side. “I want justice for him because he was good. No matter what anybody thinks, he was good.”
On Monday, scattered violence flared in multiple protests, including an officer who was shot and gravely wounded outside a Las Vegas hotel and casino, and four officers shot in St. Louis. They were expected to recover.
About a dozen other deaths have been reported around the country over the past week. And nearly 8,000 people nationwide have been arrested, according to a count by The Associated Press.
Some protesters framed the burgeoning movement as a necessity after a string of killings by police.
“It feels like it’s just been an endless cascade of hashtags of black people dying, and it feels like nothing’s really being done by our political leaders to actually enact real change,” said Christine Ohenzuwa, 19, who attended a peaceful protest at the Minnesota state Capitol in St. Paul. “There’s always going to be a breaking point. I think right now, we’re seeing the breaking point around the country.”
“I live in this state. It’s really painful to see what’s going on, but it’s also really important to understand that it’s connected to a system of racial violence,” she said.
Meanwhile, governors and mayors, Republicans and Democrats alike, rejected Trump’s threat to send in the military, with some saying troops would be unnecessary and others questioning whether the government has such authority and warning that such a step would be dangerous.
“Denver is not Little Rock in 1957, and Donald Trump is not President Eisenhower. This is a time for healing, for bringing people together, and the best way to protect civil rights is to move away from escalating violence,” Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, both Democrats, said in a statement, referring to Eisenhower’s use of troops to enforce school desegregation in the South.
A senior White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the president is not rushing to send in the military and that his goal was to pressure governors to deploy more National Guard members.
Such use of the military would mark a stunning federal intervention rarely seen in modern American history.
Amid the protests, nine states and the District of Columbia held presidential primaries that tested the nation’s ability to run elections while balancing a pandemic and sweeping social unrest. Joe Biden won hundreds more delegates and was on the cusp of formally securing the Democratic presidential nomination.
Also Tuesday, Minnesota opened an investigation into whether the Minneapolis Police Department has a pattern of discrimination against minorities. Floyd died May 25 after a white Minneapolis officer, Derek Chauvin, pressed his knee on the handcuffed black man’s neck for several minutes.
Chauvin has been charged with murder. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said prosecutors are working as fast as they can to determine if the three other officers at the scene should be charged too. All four have been fired.
___
Sullivan reported from Minneapolis. Associated Press journalists across the U.S. contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-06-03--Letter: Why is there so much plastic being produced?

You may have heard that in 2018 China began essentially rejecting the huge quantities of recyclable material that the United States used to ship there by enforcing very tight contamination restrictions on recovered material .
With this news , many material recovery enterprises at home and abroad could no longer process the overwhelming volume of material .
In fact , I learned as a senior in high school that we didn ’ t have a recycling system in place , and that UCSC , after years of accepting highly contaminated material , eventually gave up and sent everything to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Why is there so much plastic and other waste being produced ?
And why aren ’ t people diligent with their recycling ?
• Letter : Even trainees where I work can halt risky action–cops can ’ t ?
• Letter : Pompeo the best secretary of state we have ever had • Letter : Rhetoric turning Saratogans away from the most vulnerable • Letter : California to cut billions from schools but is adding standards The second issue has no easy solution , but the first one we can address with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in California by passing SB 54 and AB 1080 in the Legislature .
Submit your letter to the editor via this form Read more Letters to the Editor

You may have heard that in 2018 China began essentially rejecting the huge quantities of recyclable material that the United States used to ship there by enforcing very tight contamination restrictions on recovered material.
With this news, many material recovery enterprises at home and abroad could no longer process the overwhelming volume of material. In fact, I learned as a senior in high school that we didn’t have a recycling system in place, and that UCSC, after years of accepting highly contaminated material, eventually gave up and sent everything to the landfill.
These revelations expose two issues: Why is there so much plastic and other waste being produced? And why aren’t people diligent with their recycling?
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Bijan Ashtiani-Eisemann
Santa Cruz
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mercurynews--2020-06-03--More changes to Santa Clara County’s stay-at-home still weeks away, health officials say

More changes to Santa Clara County ’ s shelter-in-place restrictions — which will be loosened starting Friday — remain weeks away , according to Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody .
In an address to the Board of Supervisors Tuesday , Cody said that while the county has done an “ amazing ” job following shelter-in-place orders and tamping down a surge in new coronavirus cases , residents should expect to wait at least three weeks before more restrictions are walked back .
This summer , she added , health officials will consider reopening strategies more focused on risk reduction — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approach .
But it all depends on whether the county sees a spike in cases and deaths during the virus ’ s incubation period of about two to three weeks .
“ Our goal remains to continue to contain this virus , suppress it as much as we possibly can , while we reopen … We ’ re in a very good position to pivot , ” Cody said .
Still , the health officer stopped short of providing a clear timeline for which businesses and sectors may be next in line to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought the county more in line with Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s guidance and that of other parts of the Bay Area , allowing for outdoor dining , in-store shopping and small religious and cultural services with social distancing requirements .
Cody credited a slowdown in new cases and deaths , plus increased testing , as factors contributing to the reopening decision .
But several supervisors questioned how far the county has come with testing and contact tracing in particular , two areas that the department struggled to get off the ground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indicators ” for reopening .
With a goal of conducting 4,000 tests per day by the end of May , the county now averages about 2,000 a day .
The number of contact tracers , or people who follow up with COVID-19 positive patients ’ contacts and ask them to quarantine , has increased to 94 from 50 a few weeks ago .
Sup .
Susan Ellenberg called the confusion surrounding the indicators and the reopening timeline more broadly “ incredibly frustrating ” for the public and businesses looking to prepare for what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are hearing , ‘ Well … We might go sooner , we might go later , ” Ellenberg said , adding of testing goals , “ We have to do better than saying ‘ We need four thousand , but we don ’ t really need four thousand . '
” Health officials and County CEO Jeff Smith pushed back on that characterization , describing the indicators more as guideposts rather than triggers for reopening .
The county ’ s test positivity rate , for example , has been favorable — about 3.5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for more flexibility in the testing goal .
“ The answer to your constituency is we thought we ’ d need more , but we did such a good job with shelter-in-place that we could make decisions to relax the shelter-in-place with less testing , ” Smith said .

More changes to Santa Clara County’s shelter-in-place restrictions — which will be loosened starting Friday — remain weeks away, according to Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody.
In an address to the Board of Supervisors Tuesday, Cody said that while the county has done an “amazing” job following shelter-in-place orders and tamping down a surge in new coronavirus cases, residents should expect to wait at least three weeks before more restrictions are walked back.
This summer, she added, health officials will consider reopening strategies more focused on risk reduction — rather than the “blanket” shelter-in-place approach. But it all depends on whether the county sees a spike in cases and deaths during the virus’s incubation period of about two to three weeks.
“Our goal remains to continue to contain this virus, suppress it as much as we possibly can, while we reopen … We’re in a very good position to pivot,” Cody said.
Still, the health officer stopped short of providing a clear timeline for which businesses and sectors may be next in line to reopen. A new order released yesterday brought the county more in line with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s guidance and that of other parts of the Bay Area, allowing for outdoor dining, in-store shopping and small religious and cultural services with social distancing requirements.
Cody credited a slowdown in new cases and deaths, plus increased testing, as factors contributing to the reopening decision. But several supervisors questioned how far the county has come with testing and contact tracing in particular, two areas that the department struggled to get off the ground quickly — and has pegged as “indicators” for reopening.
With a goal of conducting 4,000 tests per day by the end of May, the county now averages about 2,000 a day. The number of contact tracers, or people who follow up with COVID-19 positive patients’ contacts and ask them to quarantine, has increased to 94 from 50 a few weeks ago.
Sup. Susan Ellenberg called the confusion surrounding the indicators and the reopening timeline more broadly “incredibly frustrating” for the public and businesses looking to prepare for what’s next.
“Now people are hearing, ‘Well … We might go sooner, we might go later,” Ellenberg said, adding of testing goals, “We have to do better than saying ‘We need four thousand, but we don’t really need four thousand.'”
Health officials and County CEO Jeff Smith pushed back on that characterization, describing the indicators more as guideposts rather than triggers for reopening. The county’s test positivity rate, for example, has been favorable — about 3.5% — in recent weeks, allowing for more flexibility in the testing goal.
“The answer to your constituency is we thought we’d need more, but we did such a good job with shelter-in-place that we could make decisions to relax the shelter-in-place with less testing,” Smith said.


mercurynews--2020-06-03--Poll: Only 36% of black Americans trust the police

Black Americans are much less likely to trust their local police and law enforcement to look out for them and their families than others — 36 % trust the police , while 77 % of white people and 69 % of Americans overall said the same , according to a poll from Axios-Ipsos out Tuesday morning .
Protests over the police killing of a black man , George Floyd , in Minneapolis and racial discrimination from law enforcement came to a head in the United States , sparking riots in many major US cities in the past week .
Polling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that black people don ’ t feel protected by the police , and the majority of Americans see the protests as legitimate .
A Monmouth University poll out Tuesday afternoon found that most ( 78 % ) say the anger that protesters demonstrating in reaction to Floyd ’ s death feel is at least partially justified , though fewer ( 54 % ) say the actions of those protesters have been at least partially justified .
Other polling also found a lack of trust in law enforcement .
A CBS News/YouGov poll showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) believe the police in most communities treat whites better than blacks , while 39 % say they ’ re treated equally , and fewer believe blacks are treated better than whites .
Those numbers are more strongly divided by partisanship than they are by race , with a majority of whites and blacks alike who agree that whites are treated better than black Americans ( 52 % and 78 % respectively ) .
However , a majority of Republicans ( 61 % ) said that the races were treated equally , compared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Few are comfortable with the President ’ s handling of the situation .
Monmouth found that a majority of Americans ( 53 % ) say race relations in the US have gotten worse since President Donald Trump took office four years ago , about the same share who felt that way after eight years of former President Barack Obama ’ s tenure .
Trump ’ s approval on the events and protests in Minneapolis is lower than his usual overall approval , almost half of Americans in the CBS/YouGov poll ( 49 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handling the situation , while 32 % approve and 19 % haven ’ t heard enough .
Around three-quarters of registered voters reported Trump favors whites , compared to 23 % who say the same of blacks , according to CBS/YouGov .
Half of voters said the President actively works against black Americans .
The Axios-Ipsos poll was conducted online May 29 through June 1 , with a random sample of 1,033 adults .
The total sample of national adults has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.2 percentage points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Monmouth University poll was conducted online May 28 through June 1 , with a random sample of 807 adults .
The total sample of national adults has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points at the 95 % confidence level .
The CBS/YouGov poll was conducted online May 29 through June 1 , with a random sample of 2,071 adults .
The total sample of national adults has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2.6 percentage points at the 95 % confidence level .

By Grace Sparks | CNN
Black Americans are much less likely to trust their local police and law enforcement to look out for them and their families than others — 36% trust the police, while 77% of white people and 69% of Americans overall said the same, according to a poll from Axios-Ipsos out Tuesday morning.
Protests over the police killing of a black man, George Floyd, in Minneapolis and racial discrimination from law enforcement came to a head in the United States, sparking riots in many major US cities in the past week. Polling, conducted over the weekend, found that black people don’t feel protected by the police, and the majority of Americans see the protests as legitimate.
A Monmouth University poll out Tuesday afternoon found that most (78%) say the anger that protesters demonstrating in reaction to Floyd’s death feel is at least partially justified, though fewer (54%) say the actions of those protesters have been at least partially justified.
Other polling also found a lack of trust in law enforcement. A CBS News/YouGov poll showed a majority of Americans (57%) believe the police in most communities treat whites better than blacks, while 39% say they’re treated equally, and fewer believe blacks are treated better than whites.
Those numbers are more strongly divided by partisanship than they are by race, with a majority of whites and blacks alike who agree that whites are treated better than black Americans (52% and 78% respectively). However, a majority of Republicans (61%) said that the races were treated equally, compared to only 17% of Democrats.
Few are comfortable with the President’s handling of the situation. Monmouth found that a majority of Americans (53%) say race relations in the US have gotten worse since President Donald Trump took office four years ago, about the same share who felt that way after eight years of former President Barack Obama’s tenure.
Trump’s approval on the events and protests in Minneapolis is lower than his usual overall approval, almost half of Americans in the CBS/YouGov poll (49%) disapprove of how he’s handling the situation, while 32% approve and 19% haven’t heard enough.
Around three-quarters of registered voters reported Trump favors whites, compared to 23% who say the same of blacks, according to CBS/YouGov. Half of voters said the President actively works against black Americans.
The Axios-Ipsos poll was conducted online May 29 through June 1, with a random sample of 1,033 adults. The total sample of national adults has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.2 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
The Monmouth University poll was conducted online May 28 through June 1, with a random sample of 807 adults. The total sample of national adults has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
The CBS/YouGov poll was conducted online May 29 through June 1, with a random sample of 2,071 adults. The total sample of national adults has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2.6 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.


mercurynews--2020-06-02--Bay Area’s George Floyd protests keep spreading, thousands march in Fremont, San Francisco’s Great H

Bay Area’s George Floyd protests keep spreading, thousands march in Fremont, San Francisco’s Great Highway

CLICK HERE if you ’ re having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device .
Bay Area protests over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis kept spreading for a fifth day on Tuesday , with thousands taking to the streets in Fremont and San Francisco ’ s Great Highway , areas not usually at the heart of demonstrations , with more marches planned in San Jose and Redwood City .
Hundreds gathered in Newark and marched several miles east along Mowry Avenue and through the city of Fremont , stopping for demonstrations in front of city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signs that said “ Black Lives Matter , ” “ No Justice No Peace , ” and others that demanded justice for Floyd .
Among them was Darryl Brandon of Newark , a 54-year-old black man , who came to his first protest ever his wife Nadine , 52 , who is white , and their two children , Lauren , 22 , and Miles , 17 .
“ There ’ s so much more energy behind it , and I just want to make sure it lasts until the next election where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will see this generation vote with a conscience , remembering what they saw today , ” Brandon said .
Large organized protests are rare in Fremont , a large , relatively wealthy majority-Asian suburb in Alameda County .
Many of the participants said they were protesting racism and police violence against black people nationally , most recently in the killing of Floyd in Minneapolis by a police officer who knelt on his neck for 8 minutes , eventually killing him , and Breonna Taylor , a black ER technician shot to death in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offers who forced their way in with a “ no-knock ” warrant .
“ For the last 15 to 20 years it ’ s been videotaped , notarized , seen , and it still continues to happen , ” Brandon said of police brutality against black people .
Nadine Brandon said she ’ s tired of racism and violence against black people that she has seen “ her whole life ” and said she worries about the safety of her son coming home late from work each night because of the color of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Fremont who didn ’ t want to give her last name , said she came to the protest speak out against more than just police brutality .
She was one of several Asian Americans at the protest holding a sign that read “ Yellow Peril Stands With Black Power ” which she said is a way to acknowledge that without black people who fought for civil rights , people like her and her family likely wouldn ’ t be living in Fremont and the country today .
“ It means making sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an Asian-American person , recognizing the work that black activists have paved and recognizing our need to continue to stand for the black community and with the black community , and make space to continue to make their voices heard , ” she said .
In Alameda County , black families earn a median of $ 71,800 — compared to a median income of $ 138,400 for white families and $ 148,400 for Asian families , according to the U.S. Census Bureau .
In San Francisco , more than 1,000 people marched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pacific coast , from Sloat Boulevard to Lincoln Way , around 1 p.m. , far from the usual epicenter of protests in the city around San Francisco City Hall and the United Nations Plaza .
Kaylah Williams , 27 , a resident of the Sunset District , was the first to speak to a crowd that filled both north and southbound lanes along the Great Highway and spilled onto the sand dunes of Ocean Beach .
The highway has been closed to traffic in both directions since San Francisco implemented a shelter-in-place order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take that momentum , keep this going , do not let it die and just stand here , ” Williams said .
“ We want to make this action happen , make this movement happen .
Fight back against the racism .
Tear it all down.
” A pair of police officers on motorcycles remained in front of the protestors during their march while more than 20 officers followed from behind , despite all indications that Tuesday ’ s protest would remain peaceful .
“ Get your knees off the ground and march @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Tirzah Love of Benicia said as she addressed the crowd .
“ We need real change .
It starts at that level and it starts with having difficult conversations in your household , with you grandparents , with your parents , with your kids , with your cousins .
Don ’ t be silent.
” • Some Bay Area cities saw relief from looting , violence Monday night • Finding hope in the aftermath of anger in San Jose Speakers urged protestors to support politicians who are committed to criminal justice reform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city where Mission Local reports a rules committee on Tuesday rejected Mayor London Breed ’ s nominees for the Police Commission , saying they seemed insufficiently committed to or experienced with major police reform .
In Redwood City , which has not been the site of any major protests yet , about 2,000 demonstrators gathered in front of the old San Mateo County courthouse around 4 p.m. , with speakers addressing the crowd hours before an 8:30 p.m. San Mateo County curfew .
There appeared to be a limited police presence at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean nothing , ” one speaker told the crowd .
“ You ’ re holding a sign that says ‘ Black Lives Matter.
’ What are you doing about it ?
What are you going to do after this ?
” An in Oakland , about 100 people gathered outside the Fruitvale Public Market listening to speeches .
A similar number of people were in downtown Oakland , according to social media posts .
And in San Jose — recently the site of major protests that have been met by heavy police presence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rally in front of city hall that drew some 500 demonstrators , many holding up signs reading “ Black Lives Matter.
” “ There should be some meetings in the white community about racism .
The problem is yours and you have not changed it in 400 years , ” said Reginald Swilley , a pastor at a San Jose Christian center .
Reporters Fiona Kelliher , Ethan Baron and Nico Savidge contributed to this report

Leonardo Castañeda, Kerry Crowley, Joseph Geha, Aldo Toledo

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For the latest on this story and updates on the protest after curfew click here
Bay Area protests over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis spread for a fifth day on Tuesday, with thousands taking to the streets in Fremont, Redwood City and San Francisco’s Great Highway, areas not usually at the heart of demonstrations, and rallies also taking place in San Jose and Oakland.
Hundreds gathered in Newark and marched several miles east along Mowry Avenue and through the city of Fremont, stopping for demonstrations in front of city hall and the Fremont Police Department carrying signs that said “Black Lives Matter,” “No Justice No Peace,” and others that demanded justice for Floyd.
Among them was Darryl Brandon of Newark, a 54-year-old black man, who came to his first protest ever with his wife, who is white, and their two children. “There’s so much more energy behind it, and I just want to make sure it lasts until the next election where change can be made, where we will see this generation vote with a conscience, remembering what they saw today,” Brandon said.
Large organized protests are rare in Fremont, a large, relatively wealthy majority-Asian suburb in Alameda County. Many of the participants said they were protesting racism and police violence against black people nationally, most recently in the killing of Floyd in Minneapolis by a police officer who knelt on his neck for 8 minutes, eventually killing him, and Breonna Taylor, a black ER technician shot to death in her own home in Louisville by police offers who forced their way in with a “no-knock” warrant.
“For the last 15 to 20 years it’s been videotaped, notarized, seen, and it still continues to happen,” Brandon said of police brutality against black people.
C.J. Reed, a 19-year-old African American man from Newark who lives in Hayward, came to protest police brutality, unjustified searches and being profiled “for just looking black,” he said.
“This has been a long time coming for black people and colored people all over the Bay Area, the United States, all over the world, really,” Reed said.
Kristie, a 21-year-old from Fremont who did not want to give her last name, said she came to the protest speak out against police brutality, and also to stand in solidarity with the black community. She was one of several Asian Americans at the protest holding a sign that read “Yellow Peril Stands With Black Power,” which she said is a way to acknowledge that without black people who fought for civil rights, people like she and her family likely wouldn’t be living in Fremont and the country today.
“It means making sure you’re cognizant of your privilege as an Asian-American person, recognizing the work that black activists have paved and recognizing our need to continue to stand for the black community and with the black community, and make space to continue to make their voices heard,” she said.
In Alameda County, black families earn a median of $71,800 — compared to a median income of $138,400 for white families and $148,400 for Asian families, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Fremont Mayor Lily Mei, along with the police Captains Fred Bobbitt and Sean Washington, both African American men, and Chief Kimberly Petersen, came out of the police department headquarters to speak with protesters. As the crowd had done several times, they called for police officers and Mei to kneel in solidarity.
“Taking the knee is not something I’m going to be doing tonight,” Mei said, according to videos of the incident posted to social media. No police officers knelt either.
Later in the day, police officers fired pepper balls onto the ground to disperse a crowd that had surrounded a transport van. Protesters and Fremont Police Department officers were facing off on Stevenson Boulevard, a few blocks west of the police department, when officers began pulling back and loading into vans to leave. A few objects were thrown at the officers, according to a police department spokeswoman, so they used pepper balls to disperse the crowd. A video shared on Twitter shows a large crowd of protesters near a white police van disperse after multiple loud pops.
In Redwood City, which has not yet been the site of any major protests, about 2,000 demonstrators gathered in front of the old San Mateo County courthouse around 4 p.m., with speakers addressing the crowd hours before the county curfew there took effect at 8:30 p.m. The rally was organized in part by Tiffany Medrano-Martinez, 14, who said she could have never imagined she’d be standing in front of hundreds of people less than a week after graduating from Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Redwood City.
“I was expecting 50 people,” Medrano-Martinez said. “I feel so proud and I feel so much love.”
Medrano-Martinez said in an interview that she had asked her brother to help her design a protest flyer to excoriate the “horrible injustice” of the police killing of Floyd. That flyer was shared by hundreds of people on social media.
“I don’t have a lot of friends, I’m only friends with about 10 people,” Medrano-Martinez told the crowd, speaking, in tears, from the steps of the old courthouse. “I’m not a huge social butterfly so it’s crazy that this many people came to support.”
For the latest on this story and updates on the protest after curfew click here
The Redwood City protesters were met with a limited police presence, in stark contrast to police reaction to protesters in other cities across the Bay Area in the past several days.
“You’re not seeing people in riot gear,” said Redwood City Chief of Police Dan Mulholland. “It’s symbolic of the message we are trying to get across which is that you are welcome here and we’re here to support you.”
Despite the lack of officers on the street, police were stationed all over Redwood City and up and down the Peninsula in case protests once again become violent. And officers detained a man in his 20s who hid a 2 and a half foot serrated machete inside of a sign that said “F— the Police,” according to Mulholland.
At around 6:30 p.m., hundreds of people began marching down Broadway Avenue in Redwood City toward Woodside Road. Redwood City police officers, joined by others from surrounding police departments, swarmed on the 76 gas station on Broadway and Chestnut Street where seven men were posted up with shotguns and pistols “ready to defend their property,” police said.
Speeding toward the crowd in a motorcycle, one Redwood City Police officer asked the crowd to stay put while police arrested the seven men. No more details are available at this time.
In San Francisco, more than 1,000 people marched down the Great Highway around 1 p.m., hugging the Pacific coast from Sloat Boulevard to Lincoln Way, far from the usual epicenter of protests in the city around San Francisco City Hall and the United Nations Plaza.
Kaylah Williams, 27, a resident of the Sunset District, was the first to speak to a crowd that filled both north and southbound lanes along the Great Highway and spilled onto the sand dunes of Ocean Beach. The highway has been closed to traffic in both directions since San Francisco implemented a shelter-in-place order on March 16.
“Hey, take that momentum, keep this going, do not let it die and just stand here,” Williams said. “We want to make this action happen, make this movement happen. Fight back against the racism. Tear it all down.”
A pair of police officers on motorcycles remained in front of the protesters during their march while more than 20 officers followed from behind, despite all indications that Tuesday’s protest would remain peaceful.
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Israel’s Netanyahu released from hospital ahead of key vote on legal overhaul California News | Protesters try to storm Baghdad’s Green Zone over the burning of Quran and Iraqi flag in Denmark Speakers urged protesters to support politicians who are committed to criminal justice reform — a particularly salient point in a city where Mission Local reports a rules committee on Tuesday rejected Mayor London Breed’s nominees for the Police Commission, saying they seemed insufficiently committed to or experienced with major police reform.
And in Oakland, about 100 people gathered outside the Fruitvale Public Market around 5 p.m. listening to speeches. Later in the day, a couple hundred demonstrators gathered Broadway and 8th Street downtown, chanting “I can’t breathe” as they face off with a line of police officers stopping them a block from the Oakland Police Department headquarters.
Protesters began clearing out of the Frank H. Ogawa Plaza shortly before Alameda County’s 8 p.m. curfew order took effect, with some demonstrators passing out “tear gas kits” while others urged their fellow marchers to go home.
And in San Jose — recently the site of major protests that have been met by heavy police presence — the San Jose/Silicon Valley NAACP organized a rally in front of city hall that drew some 500 demonstrators, many holding up signs reading “Black Lives Matter.”
“There should be some meetings in the white community about racism. The problem is yours and you have not changed it in 400 years,” said Reginald Swilley, a pastor at a San Jose Christian center.
Several hundred protesters were still at city hall before San Jose’s 8:30 p.m. curfew went into effect, seemingly ready to defy the order. A 23-year-old San Jose resident who asked to be identified as K.C. said that she brought saline, medical tape and gauze in preparation for what could come when the curfew starts. Over the last few days, she watched videos of tear-gassing and rubber bullets and heard from friends who had been out on the front lines.
“That’s why I have all this stuff. They’re going to f— people up,” she said of San Jose Police Department officers.
Reporter Ethan Baron contributed to this report


mercurynews--2020-06-02--Sacramento Kings announcer Grant Napear fired after Black Lives Matter backlash

Grant Napear , the longtime TV voice of the Sacramento Kings and radio talk-show host , has parted ways with both organizations following backlash surrounding his social media comments about the Black Lives Matter movement .
Napear was fired on Tuesday by Sacramento radio station Sports 1140 KHTK-AM , where he hosted an afternoon talk show with former Kings star Doug Christie .
Napear also resigned from his television job with the Kings .
“ Grant Napear has resigned from the Sacramento Kings .
We thank him for his contributions to the team and wish him all the best.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ TV play-by-play announcer since 1988 , issued the following statement through the team : “ I want to thank the fans for their overwhelming love and support .
I will always remain a part of Kings nation in my heart.
” Napear was placed on administrative leave by KHTK on Monday , one day after he responded to a tweet from former Kings star DeMarcus Cousins , who wondered what the broadcaster ’ s take on the Black Lives Matter movement .
Napear , who has had a long-running feud with Cousins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MATTER…EVERY SINGLE ONE !
!
!
” For Bonneville International , the parent company of KHTK , that clearly crossed the line — especially at a time when outrage and anguish is sweeping the nation in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death .
“ We were saddened by the comments Grant Napear recently made on Twitter , ” Bonneville said in a statement .
“ While we appreciate Grant ’ s positive contributions to KHTK over the years , his recent comments about the Black Lives Matter movement do not reflect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The timing of Grant ’ s tweet was particularly insensitive .
After reviewing the matter carefully , we have made the difficult decision to part ways with Grant.
” Napear ’ s tweet to Cousins drew criticism from former Kings players Chris Webber and Matt Barnes , who both indicated via social media that they believe this was not the first time Napear had exhibited insensitivity on racial matters : Barnes even went as far as to call Napear a “ closet racist ” : On Monday , as the Napear controversy was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the television partner of the Kings , said the announcer ’ s comments were not in alignment with its views .
“ Our company values and honors inclusion and equality , ” the regional cable network said in a statement .
“ Racism , injustice and violence run counter to everything we stand for and can not be tolerated in our society .
Grant Napear ’ s recent comments on Twitter do not reflect the views of NBC Sports California .
We ’ ve spoken to Grant ’ s employer , the Sacramento @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , NBCSC kept it much more brief : “ We would like to thank Grant for his years of service at the network and we wish him well.
” Napear , who is known for a boisterous , forceful , in-your-face broadcasting style , assumed a contrite public stance on Monday , writing that if his tweet “ came across as dumb I apologize .
That was not my intent .
… ” Clearly , it was too late , too little for a broadcaster who once raised eyebrows when , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couldn ’ t understand how disgraced former Clippers owner Donald Sterling could be called a racist if had had hired black men to be his general manager ( Elgin Baylor ) and head coach ( Doc Rivers ) .
In 2014 , Sterling was banned for life from the NBA after being caught in tape after making lewd and racist statements .

Grant Napear, the longtime TV voice of the Sacramento Kings and radio talk-show host, has parted ways with both organizations following backlash surrounding his social media comments about the Black Lives Matter movement.
Napear was fired on Tuesday by Sacramento radio station Sports 1140 KHTK-AM, where he hosted an afternoon talk show with former Kings star Doug Christie. Napear also resigned from his television job with the Kings.
The NBA team issued a terse statement Tuesday afternoon:
“Grant Napear has resigned from the Sacramento Kings. We thank him for his contributions to the team and wish him all the best.”
Napear, who had been the Kings’ TV play-by-play announcer since 1988, issued the following statement through the team: “I want to thank the fans for their overwhelming love and support. I will always remain a part of Kings nation in my heart.”
Napear was placed on administrative leave by KHTK on Monday, one day after he responded to a tweet from former Kings star DeMarcus Cousins, who wondered what the broadcaster’s take on the Black Lives Matter movement.
Napear, who has had a long-running feud with Cousins, emphatically replied: “ALL LIVES MATTER…EVERY SINGLE ONE!!!”
For Bonneville International, the parent company of KHTK, that clearly crossed the line — especially at a time when outrage and anguish is sweeping the nation in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
“We were saddened by the comments Grant Napear recently made on Twitter,” Bonneville said in a statement. “While we appreciate Grant’s positive contributions to KHTK over the years, his recent comments about the Black Lives Matter movement do not reflect the values of Bonneville International Corporation. The timing of Grant’s tweet was particularly insensitive. After reviewing the matter carefully, we have made the difficult decision to part ways with Grant.”
Napear’s tweet to Cousins drew criticism from former Kings players Chris Webber and Matt Barnes, who both indicated via social media that they believe this was not the first time Napear had exhibited insensitivity on racial matters:
Demarcus we know and have known who grant is. The team knows as well. I’ve told them many times. They’ve seen it. They know who he is. 🤡🤡 https://t.co/4DI4f1DGUp — Chris Webber (@realchriswebber) June 1, 2020
Barnes even went as far as to call Napear a “closet racist”:
Would expect nothing less from a closet racists — Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) June 1, 2020
On Monday, as the Napear controversy was blowing up, NBC Sports California, the television partner of the Kings, said the announcer’s comments were not in alignment with its views.
“Our company values and honors inclusion and equality,” the regional cable network said in a statement. “Racism, injustice and violence run counter to everything we stand for and cannot be tolerated in our society. Grant Napear’s recent comments on Twitter do not reflect the views of NBC Sports California. We’ve spoken to Grant’s employer, the Sacramento Kings, about the matter.”
On Tuesday, NBCSC kept it much more brief: “We would like to thank Grant for his years of service at the network and we wish him well.”
Napear, who is known for a boisterous, forceful, in-your-face broadcasting style, assumed a contrite public stance on Monday, writing that if his tweet “came across as dumb I apologize. That was not my intent. …”
Clearly, it was too late, too little for a broadcaster who once raised eyebrows when, on his radio show, he said he couldn’t understand how disgraced former Clippers owner Donald Sterling could be called a racist if had had hired black men to be his general manager (Elgin Baylor) and head coach (Doc Rivers).
In 2014, Sterling was banned for life from the NBA after being caught in tape after making lewd and racist statements.
According to Jason Jones, a Kings beat writer for The Athletic, players on team have “privately fumed about Napear for years and what they viewed as his racially insensitive tone on many topics.” In his post on Tuesday, Jones wrote that several players had texted him “to express their support for Napear’s ouster.”