mercurynews--2020-06-02--Louisville PD chief fired in aftermath of deadly shooting

By Bruce Schreiner and Sophia Tulp | Associated Press LOUISVILLE , Ky. — Louisville ’ s police chief was fired Monday after the mayor learned that officers involved in a shooting that killed the popular owner of a barbecue spot failed to activate body cameras during the chaotic scene .
David McAtee , known for offering meals to police officers , died early Monday while police officers and National Guard soldiers were enforcing a curfew amid waves of protests over a previous police shooting in Kentucky ’ s largest city .
Police said they were responding to gunfire from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities will join state police in investigating the fatal shooting .
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer revealed that authorities lacked body camera video for the investigation just hours after Kentucky ’ s governor demanded the release of police video .
“ This type of institutional failure will not be tolerated , ” Fischer said .
“ Accordingly , I have relieved Steve Conrad of his duties as chief of Louisville Metro Police Department.
” Gov .
Andy Beshear later said the lack of body camera footage was unacceptable .
“ This is the entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the Democratic governor said at the state Capitol in Frankfort .
“ And every other officers ’ cameras should be reviewed , and if they captured any part of the scene it ought to be released.
” Beshear authorized state police to independently investigate the shooting .
He pledged the probe will be conducted in an “ honest and transparent way that will not take months.
” U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman said his office and the FBI also will be part of the probe .
“ We understand this community ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the information , and will take any appropriate action that is warranted by the facts and the law.
” Coleman ’ s office said .
The governor said he had counted on body camera footage to help determine “ the truth in a way that spoke for itself , at a time when trust is difficult and people deserve to be able to see and evaluate.
” The shakeup at the top of the city ’ s police department came a month earlier than expected .
Conrad had previously announced his resignation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of June .
Deputy Chief Robert Schroeder will step in immediately as chief , Fischer said .
Police did retrieve video from crime center cameras that showed how the shooting unfolded , Schroeder said .
“ It is taken from a distance , but it gives an overview of the scene and clearly shows the officers reacting to gunfire , ” he said .
Two Louisville officers and two Guard soldiers returned fire , he said .
The two officers violated policy by not wearing or activating body cameras , Schroeder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on administrative leave .
McAtee , whose YaYa ’ s BBQ Shack is near where the shooting occurred , was mourned by hundreds of people who returned to the site hours afterward .
Christopher 2X , an anti-violence activist and executive director of the group Game Changers , said McAtee was well-liked .
“ I ’ ve never known him to be aggressive in any kind of way , ” he said .
Schroeder agreed that McAtee was friendly to police officers .
“ Over the years he ’ s been a good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making sure our officers had a good meal on their shifts , ” he said .
Before his dismissal , Conrad confirmed the shooting happened around 12:15 a.m. Monday outside a food market on West Broadway , where police and the National Guard had been called to break up a group of people violating the city ’ s curfew .
Someone fired a shot at law enforcement officials , and both soldiers and officers returned fire , he said .
Several “ persons of interest ” were being interviewed , he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a car parked at a gas station .
It recorded the sound of bullets being fired as groups of police and Guard soldiers crouched behind cars .
Kris Smith said he was at a restaurant — “ just outside having a good time , having drinks , eating barbecue ” — when the soldiers arrived .
“ As soon as I walk to my car they jump out with the sticks , the police jump out with their sticks and their shields and stuff on , ” Smith said .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It looked like a freaking war zone.
” He heard a loud noise , and a few minutes later gunfire erupted , he said .
Smith , who is black , said the group had nothing to do with the protests .
“ Never thought I would experience that here in America , ” he said .
Last week , before the National Guard was mobilized , seven people were wounded when gunshots erupted during a protest in downtown Louisville .
Police said none of the seven , who are recovering , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not announced any arrests .
• Derek Chauvin : What we know about the former Minneapolis cop charged in George Floyd ’ s death • Minn .
Gov .
: Trucker who drive into crowd was ‘ frustrated ’ • George Floyd ’ s family to release results of own autopsy • The ACLU created an app to help people record police misconduct Protesters have been demanding justice for Breonna Taylor , a black woman killed in her home in Louisville in March .
The 26-year-old EMT was shot eight times by narcotics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as they attempted to enforce a search warrant .
No drugs were found in the home .
After Taylor ’ s death , the mayor said Louisville police would be required to wear body cameras .
Fischer said recently that officers in plainclothes units like the one that served a warrant at Taylor ’ s home would now wear the cameras during search warrants .
Taylor ’ s mother , Tamika Palmer , renewed her plea for peace Monday while demanding justice for her daughter .
Associated Press contributors include Rebecca Reynolds Yonker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

By Bruce Schreiner and Sophia Tulp | Associated Press
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville’s police chief was fired Monday after the mayor learned that officers involved in a shooting that killed the popular owner of a barbecue spot failed to activate body cameras during the chaotic scene.
David McAtee, known for offering meals to police officers, died early Monday while police officers and National Guard soldiers were enforcing a curfew amid waves of protests over a previous police shooting in Kentucky’s largest city. Police said they were responding to gunfire from a crowd.
The U.S. attorney said federal authorities will join state police in investigating the fatal shooting.
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer revealed that authorities lacked body camera video for the investigation just hours after Kentucky’s governor demanded the release of police video.
“This type of institutional failure will not be tolerated,” Fischer said. “Accordingly, I have relieved Steve Conrad of his duties as chief of Louisville Metro Police Department.”
Gov. Andy Beshear later said the lack of body camera footage was unacceptable.
“This is the entire reason that we have those cameras,” the Democratic governor said at the state Capitol in Frankfort. “And every other officers’ cameras should be reviewed, and if they captured any part of the scene it ought to be released.”
Beshear authorized state police to independently investigate the shooting. He pledged the probe will be conducted in an “honest and transparent way that will not take months.”
U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman said his office and the FBI also will be part of the probe.
“We understand this community’s need for answers and we will assess all the information, and will take any appropriate action that is warranted by the facts and the law.” Coleman’s office said.
The governor said he had counted on body camera footage to help determine “the truth in a way that spoke for itself, at a time when trust is difficult and people deserve to be able to see and evaluate.”
The shakeup at the top of the city’s police department came a month earlier than expected. Conrad had previously announced his resignation, which was to take effect at the end of June. Deputy Chief Robert Schroeder will step in immediately as chief, Fischer said.
Police did retrieve video from crime center cameras that showed how the shooting unfolded, Schroeder said.
“It is taken from a distance, but it gives an overview of the scene and clearly shows the officers reacting to gunfire,” he said.
Two Louisville officers and two Guard soldiers returned fire, he said. The two officers violated policy by not wearing or activating body cameras, Schroeder said, adding they have been placed on administrative leave.
McAtee, whose YaYa’s BBQ Shack is near where the shooting occurred, was mourned by hundreds of people who returned to the site hours afterward.
Christopher 2X, an anti-violence activist and executive director of the group Game Changers, said McAtee was well-liked.
“I’ve never known him to be aggressive in any kind of way,” he said.
Schroeder agreed that McAtee was friendly to police officers. “Over the years he’s been a good friend to the police officers … frequently making sure our officers had a good meal on their shifts,” he said.
Before his dismissal, Conrad confirmed the shooting happened around 12:15 a.m. Monday outside a food market on West Broadway, where police and the National Guard had been called to break up a group of people violating the city’s curfew.
Someone fired a shot at law enforcement officials, and both soldiers and officers returned fire, he said. Several “persons of interest” were being interviewed, he said.
News outlets showed video taken by someone in a car parked at a gas station. It recorded the sound of bullets being fired as groups of police and Guard soldiers crouched behind cars.
Kris Smith said he was at a restaurant — “just outside having a good time, having drinks, eating barbecue” — when the soldiers arrived.
“As soon as I walk to my car they jump out with the sticks, the police jump out with their sticks and their shields and stuff on,” Smith said. “It looked like something out of a movie. It looked like a freaking war zone.”
He heard a loud noise, and a few minutes later gunfire erupted, he said.
Smith, who is black, said the group had nothing to do with the protests.
“Never thought I would experience that here in America,” he said.
Last week, before the National Guard was mobilized, seven people were wounded when gunshots erupted during a protest in downtown Louisville. Police said none of the seven, who are recovering, were shot by police. They have not announced any arrests.
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San Francisco police shoot, kill man who they say was approaching officers with apparent firearm National News | Alameda DA to charge Bay Area prosecutor, her biggest political critic, with interfering in fatal police shooting case Protesters have been demanding justice for Breonna Taylor, a black woman killed in her home in Louisville in March. The 26-year-old EMT was shot eight times by narcotics detectives who knocked down her front door as they attempted to enforce a search warrant. No drugs were found in the home.
After Taylor’s death, the mayor said Louisville police would be required to wear body cameras. Fischer said recently that officers in plainclothes units like the one that served a warrant at Taylor’s home would now wear the cameras during search warrants.
Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, renewed her plea for peace Monday while demanding justice for her daughter.
Associated Press contributors include Rebecca Reynolds Yonker in Louisville. Tulp reported from Atlanta.


mercurynews--2020-06-02--George Floyd protests: sometimes peaceful, sometimes violent. Which is right?

OAKLAND — Police were firing off tear gas and flashbang grenades , and demonstrators were ransacking Walgreen ’ s and Chase Bank and tagging buildings along Franklin Street when a young black protester ’ s voice rose above the crowd .
“ Why we doing this to the Town ?
” he asked , his voice caught on video .
“ Why are you doing this to Oakland ?
” It ’ s the kind of question being asked around the Bay Area and across the country as cities recover from a weekend of demonstrations and looting and brace for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to answer .
But the mayhem is forcing people from inner cities to suburban neighborhoods to grapple with the manifestation of outrage and frustration in the streets brought on by generations of oppression and the recent police killing of a black man in Minneapolis who was begging to breathe .
Is the message being lost by the looting ?
Or does the desperate disruption make the protest even stronger ?
Are outsiders to blame ?
Can we learn ?
Can we heal ?
President Trump on Monday called the violence “ acts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that misses the point .
“ If you want to talk about TVs being looted , then you ’ re asking the wrong question , ” said Walter Wilson , a longtime South Bay civil rights leader .
“ It ’ s not about looting .
It ’ s about murdering black people in the street .
It ’ s about dehumanizing people .
Looting is a byproduct.
” The weekend destruction has been indiscriminate and reminiscent of the response throughout the country during the Rodney King riots in 1992 .
Small black-owned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were hit as well as Saks Fifth Avenue in San Francisco ’ s Union Square and Macy ’ s in Walnut Creek .
Although mayors and police chiefs from Oakland , San Jose and San Francisco all have expressed solidarity with the peaceful protesters , they have also responded with curfews to keep people home , replenished police forces to disperse crowds and authorized the arrests of scores of people .
In a news conference with reporters on Monday , Gov .
Gavin Newsom tried to make sense of the moment .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what ’ s happening in this country right now .
We are .
Our institutions are responsible .
We are accountable to this moment , ” Newsom said .
“ People have lost patience because they haven ’ t seen progress .
If you are out there saying people need to be patient , consider people have lost patience for a reason .
Let ’ s just call that out.
” Members of the black community who have been fighting racism for decades say they understand the frustrations of young people who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they still believe in peaceful demonstrations .
Wanda Johnson , the mother of 22-year-old Oscar Grant who was killed by a BART police officer at the Fruitvale Station in 2009 , said she understands the rage , but the vandalism is obscuring the message .
“ All the focus on what business is being broken into , it ’ s putting George Floyd in the back when it should be in the front , ” she said of the Minneapolis man who died after a police officer pressed his knee to Floyd ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ignoring his cries that he couldn ’ t breathe .
There were ongoing protests that sometimes devolved into vandalism and small-scale looting in Oakland after Grant was killed , and again after a jury found the BART officer who shot Johnson ’ s son guilty of involuntary manslaughter but not guilty of the more serious murder charge .
Ever since , the words of Martin Luther King , Jr. , she said , have rung clear : “ A riot is the language of the unheard.
” “ America wrote a check it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blacks , ” Johnson said , “ and some people feel that the only way they ’ re going to get paid is by this looting.
” She founded the Oscar Grant Foundation , she said , to fight for police accountability and criminal justice reform .
The past few days the media has been filled with scenes of young people storming places such as the Bayfair Center in San Leandro and Macy ’ s in Walnut Creek .
But some activists say those scenes miss the provocations of police , including a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appearing to take glee in confrontations with protesters .
Zatia Moore , a 26-year-old San Jose State student studying to be a teacher , joined the Friday night protest in downtown San Jose to “ add a black face to the front lines.
” Although she started with a sense of energy and purpose , she quickly found herself running down Fourth Street with flashbang grenades exploding beside her .
“ I just wanted to be as peaceful as can be , ” she said .
“ I ’ m not someone who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started doing that , then I thought , what did we do to get this treatment ?
” She disapproves of the looting , but her sympathies still lie with the protesters .
“ These businesses are insured , but our lives are not , ” she said .
“ It ’ s at the point where people are kind of tired .
We ’ ve been peaceful and we ’ re not getting anywhere .
What do we have to lose ?
That ’ s probably why they ’ re looting.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Area , there were also moments of solidarity over the weekend , when a line of Oakland police took a knee in solidarity with protesters and San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo did the same in the City Hall Plaza .
Those are encouraging signs to people like Rev .
Jethroe Moore , president of the Silicon Valley NAACP , who still believes peaceful protests will inspire more change than violence .
“ We understood it was a process and it ’ s going to take time and it ’ s a game of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , ” Moore said .
“ It ’ s been too long , but if they can stay out there and sustain their protests for week after week , you can get change by being peaceful — like the sit-ins at the lunchrooms — you win more people to your side .
”

OAKLAND — Police were firing off tear gas and flashbang grenades, and demonstrators were ransacking Walgreen’s and Chase Bank and tagging buildings along Franklin Street when a young black protester’s voice rose above the crowd.
“Why we doing this to the Town?” he asked, his voice caught on video. “Why are you doing this to Oakland?”
It’s the kind of question being asked around the Bay Area and across the country as cities recover from a weekend of demonstrations and looting and brace for more. It’s not easy to answer. But the mayhem is forcing people from inner cities to suburban neighborhoods to grapple with the manifestation of outrage and frustration in the streets brought on by generations of oppression and the recent police killing of a black man in Minneapolis who was begging to breathe.
Is the message being lost by the looting? Or does the desperate disruption make the protest even stronger? Are outsiders to blame? Can we learn? Can we heal?
President Trump on Monday called the violence “acts of domestic terror.” But black leaders say that misses the point.
“If you want to talk about TVs being looted, then you’re asking the wrong question,” said Walter Wilson, a longtime South Bay civil rights leader. “It’s not about looting. It’s about murdering black people in the street. It’s about dehumanizing people. Looting is a byproduct.”
The weekend destruction has been indiscriminate. Small black-owned businesses in deep East Oakland and Fruitvale were hit as well as Saks Fifth Avenue in San Francisco’s Union Square and Macy’s in Walnut Creek.
Although mayors and police chiefs from Oakland, San Jose and San Francisco all have expressed solidarity with the peaceful protesters, they have also responded with curfews to keep people home, replenished police forces to disperse crowds and authorized the arrests of scores of people.
In a news conference with reporters on Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom tried to make sense of the moment.
“The black community is not responsible for what’s happening in this country right now. We are. Our institutions are responsible. We are accountable to this moment,” Newsom said. “People have lost patience because they haven’t seen progress. If you are out there saying people need to be patient, consider people have lost patience for a reason. Let’s just call that out.”
Members of the black community who have been fighting racism for decades say they understand the frustrations of young people who are turning their outrage into destruction. But they still believe in peaceful demonstrations.
Wanda Johnson, the mother of 22-year-old Oscar Grant who was killed by a BART police officer at the Fruitvale Station in 2009, said she understands the rage, but the vandalism is obscuring the message.
“All the focus on what business is being broken into, it’s putting George Floyd in the back when it should be in the front,” she said of the Minneapolis man who died after a police officer pressed his knee to Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes, ignoring his cries that he couldn’t breathe.
There were ongoing protests that sometimes devolved into vandalism and small-scale looting in Oakland after Grant was killed, and again after a jury found the BART officer who shot Johnson’s son guilty of involuntary manslaughter but not guilty of the more serious murder charge. Ever since, the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., she said, have rung clear: “A riot is the language of the unheard.”
“America wrote a check it’s not cashing, especially for blacks,” Johnson said, “and some people feel that the only way they’re going to get paid is by this looting.”
She founded the Oscar Grant Foundation, she said, to fight for police accountability and criminal justice reform.
The past few days the media has been filled with scenes of young people storming places such as the Bayfair Center in San Leandro and Macy’s in Walnut Creek. But some activists say those scenes miss the provocations of police, including a San Jose police officer caught on video appearing to take glee in confrontations with protesters.
Zatia Moore, a 26-year-old San Jose State student studying to be a teacher, joined the Friday night protest in downtown San Jose to “add a black face to the front lines.” Although she started with a sense of energy and purpose, she quickly found herself running down Fourth Street with flashbang grenades exploding beside her.
“I just wanted to be as peaceful as can be,” she said. “I’m not someone who likes to fight. But once they started doing that, then I thought, what did we do to get this treatment?”
She disapproves of the looting, but her sympathies still lie with the protesters.
“These businesses are insured, but our lives are not,” she said. “It’s at the point where people are kind of tired. We’ve been peaceful and we’re not getting anywhere. What do we have to lose? That’s probably why they’re looting.”
Amid the police crackdowns across the Bay Area, there were also moments of solidarity over the weekend, when a line of Oakland police took a knee in solidarity with protesters and San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo did the same in the City Hall Plaza.
Those are encouraging signs to people like Rev. Jethroe Moore, president of the Silicon Valley NAACP, who still believes peaceful protests will inspire more change than violence.
“We understood it was a process and it’s going to take time and it’s a game of chess and these kids want everything right now,” Moore said. “It’s been too long, but if they can stay out there and sustain their protests for week after week, you can get change by being peaceful — like the sit-ins at the lunchrooms — you win more people to your side.”


mercurynews--2020-06-02--George Floyd protests: Oakland institutes curfew

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf joined leaders from multiple Bay Area cities in imposing a nighttime curfew Monday , steering sharply away from prior disavowals as recent as Saturday .
“ We have endured so much damage and pain over these last days , ” Schaaf said at an afternoon news conference .
“ But we have come to the conclusion by assessing the conditions and the law enforcement intelligence that we have that it is appropriate for Oakland to impose a curfew.
” The curfew will require residents to stay in their homes from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city spokesperson said early Monday evening .
The mayor added that she knew some would see the order as limiting residents ’ freedoms and liberties , and that curfews had been used in past as tools of “ government oppression and racism.
” “ I want to be clear that this is in no way to quell what we are passionate about , and that is free speech and protest , ” Schaaf added .
“ This is a value in Oakland , this is something we lift up and it is our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curtail the lifting of voices for change in Oakland , and America .
“ But we have concluded that we must impose a curfew to restore some safety , some security .
We have incurred too much damage.
” The move came the same afternoon that Alameda County announced its own curfew for all cities within the county , including Oakland .
Interim Oakland police chief Susan Manheimer said at a news conference Saturday that curfews could have unintended consequences and called them a last resort .
But she noted Monday that department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken a toll , yielding more than 50 arrests of suspects for looting stores or assaulting officers .
“ Our very own police administration bureau was shot at several times , just last night .
I have to stand both with our officers and our city resources , ” Manheimer said in part .
“ But most importantly , [ I have ] to stand with those vulnerable members , and those who care to express their First Amendment rights in a heartfelt manner that it not be co-opted by those who would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terms of vulnerable communities or business community or merchant communities.
” City chief of violence prevention Guillermo Cespedes also weighed in , promising to continue advocacy for community safety and imploring residents not to push back against restrictions .
“ We have an ancestral mandate , those of us who have been chosen to do this work , to not provide the oppressor the tools to oppress us with .
You never do that , ” Cespedes said in part .
“ We have to continue to work , we have to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the disorder , and put it back where it belongs .
“ We have a mission , which is to continue to advocate for human rights , proper police conduct and the ability for families to mourn the loss last month.
” While taking questions , Schaaf pushed back against the idea that a curfew instituted before Monday might have lessened the impact of violence or looting on communities .
“ Each night has presented very differently .
And we have always had a curfew on the table as an option , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our law enforcement tools and resources , ” she said .
“ We have used other law enforcement tools .
We ’ ve declared unlawful assemblies , we have used nonlethal munitions , we have used many many tools , but each night has presented a different set of circumstances .
“ And so we have constantly been evaluating the conditions , and our intelligence , to see what the appropriate law enforcement response is , and it was not until after last night that we determined that a curfew is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Several who spoke Monday leaned into the narrative of violence and looting as perpetuated by outsiders , with Manheimer saying she ’ d seen several arrested with home addresses in Stockton and Merced .
• Trump tells governors to “ dominate ” protesters .
Newsom tells them “ your rage is real , express it.
” • Bay Area cities order curfews amid fallout from looting and violence , prepare for more protests “ How do we feel when interlopers come to destroy our city and exploit our pain ?
We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are beyond angry , ” Councilmember Lynette Gibson McElhaney said .
“ This is not us , this is not our moment , we don ’ t do that to the memory of our fallen .
This moment is too sacred in American history to play looting games .
So that ’ s not who we are .
“ It ’ s not a game .
It ’ s not a turn up for fun .
It ’ s not where you roll through from the valley to exploit our pain and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of the day this is about unjust policing practices and a tolerance for racism that this country has endured for far too long .
”

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Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf joined leaders from multiple Bay Area cities in imposing a nighttime curfew Monday, steering sharply away from prior disavowals as recent as Saturday.
“We have endured so much damage and pain over these last days,” Schaaf said at an afternoon news conference. “But we have come to the conclusion by assessing the conditions and the law enforcement intelligence that we have that it is appropriate for Oakland to impose a curfew.”
The curfew will require residents to stay in their homes from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. starting Monday until further notice, an Oakland city spokesperson said early Monday evening.
The mayor added that she knew some would see the order as limiting residents’ freedoms and liberties, and that curfews had been used in past as tools of “government oppression and racism.”
“I want to be clear that this is in no way to quell what we are passionate about, and that is free speech and protest,” Schaaf added. “This is a value in Oakland, this is something we lift up and it is our hope that this nighttime curfew will not curtail the lifting of voices for change in Oakland, and America.
“But we have concluded that we must impose a curfew to restore some safety, some security. We have incurred too much damage.”
The move came the same afternoon that Alameda County announced its own curfew for all cities within the county, including Oakland.
Interim Oakland police chief Susan Manheimer said at a news conference Saturday that curfews could have unintended consequences and called them a last resort. But she noted Monday that department efforts to respond to service calls had taken a toll, yielding more than 50 arrests of suspects for looting stores or assaulting officers.
“Our very own police administration bureau was shot at several times, just last night. I have to stand both with our officers and our city resources,” Manheimer said in part.
“But most importantly, [I have] to stand with those vulnerable members, and those who care to express their First Amendment rights in a heartfelt manner that it not be co-opted by those who would cause illegal unlawful and looting acts in terms of vulnerable communities or business community or merchant communities.”
City chief of violence prevention Guillermo Cespedes also weighed in, promising to continue advocacy for community safety and imploring residents not to push back against restrictions.
“We have an ancestral mandate, those of us who have been chosen to do this work, to not provide the oppressor the tools to oppress us with. You never do that,” Cespedes said in part. “We have to continue to work, we have to take the attention away from the looting and from the disorder, and put it back where it belongs.
“We have a mission, which is to continue to advocate for human rights, proper police conduct and the ability for families to mourn the loss last month.”
While taking questions, Schaaf pushed back against the idea that a curfew instituted before Monday might have lessened the impact of violence or looting on communities.
“Each night has presented very differently. And we have always had a curfew on the table as an option, but we want to be very mindful of our law enforcement tools and resources,” she said. “We have used other law enforcement tools. We’ve declared unlawful assemblies, we have used nonlethal munitions, we have used many many tools, but each night has presented a different set of circumstances.
“And so we have constantly been evaluating the conditions, and our intelligence, to see what the appropriate law enforcement response is, and it was not until after last night that we determined that a curfew is a needed tool for us in this moment.”
Several who spoke Monday leaned into the narrative of violence and looting as perpetuated by outsiders, with Manheimer saying she’d seen several arrested with home addresses in Stockton and Merced.
“How do we feel when interlopers come to destroy our city and exploit our pain? We’re outraged. We are insulted. We are beyond angry,” Councilmember Lynette Gibson McElhaney said. “This is not us, this is not our moment, we don’t do that to the memory of our fallen. This moment is too sacred in American history to play looting games. So that’s not who we are.
“It’s not a game. It’s not a turn up for fun. It’s not where you roll through from the valley to exploit our pain and overshadow the cause. Because at the end of the day this is about unjust policing practices and a tolerance for racism that this country has endured for far too long.”
Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.


mercurynews--2020-06-02--Critter Corner: How to keep dogs cool and happy in the summer

Dear Miss Behavin ’ : Our dog Max did not appreciate this week ’ s heat wave !
Neither of us wanted to go for a walk , but he was a bit antsy being cooped up all afternoon .
What can I do to keep him happy and cool all summer ?
Max is definitely not alone !
The summer heat tends to slow us down and it does the same to our pets .
Luckily , there are plenty of ways for you and Max to beat the heat .
The first and most simple solution is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later in the evening when it ’ s not too warm out .
This way you will also avoid walking on the sidewalks midday when they may be too hot for Max ’ s paws .
To keep him cool during the afternoon , consider getting a plastic kiddie pool for your back yard !
Toss a few toys in the pool and encourage Max to dip his paws in .
True water dogs will likely lay in the pool and hang out , but even more tentative pups are likely to enjoy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treats .
If Max isn ’ t on board with the pool , try your culinary skills by making pup-sicles at home .
Create your own recipe with whatever dog-safe snacks you have , such as plain yogurt , peanut butter , chicken broth , peas , blueberries , etc .
You can even add a carrot stick to make it a true popsicle !
Freeze your ingredients in an ice tray and feed your pup-sicles to Max at the hottest time of day to help him cool off .
If all else @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car and go for an air-conditioned drive around the neighborhood .
This is a great opportunity for him to be out of the house and get some mental stimulation without physically exerting himself much .
Sara Werning is the Coordinator for the Behavior Department at Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA .
For more information , email swerning @ phs-spca.org or call ( 650 ) 340-7022 ext .
316 .

Dear Miss Behavin’: Our dog Max did not appreciate this week’s heat wave! Neither of us wanted to go for a walk, but he was a bit antsy being cooped up all afternoon. What can I do to keep him happy and cool all summer?
A. Max is definitely not alone! The summer heat tends to slow us down and it does the same to our pets. Luckily, there are plenty of ways for you and Max to beat the heat. The first and most simple solution is to walk him early in the morning and later in the evening when it’s not too warm out. This way you will also avoid walking on the sidewalks midday when they may be too hot for Max’s paws.
To keep him cool during the afternoon, consider getting a plastic kiddie pool for your back yard! Toss a few toys in the pool and encourage Max to dip his paws in. True water dogs will likely lay in the pool and hang out, but even more tentative pups are likely to enjoy wading in the water or bobbing for treats. If Max isn’t on board with the pool, try your culinary skills by making pup-sicles at home. Create your own recipe with whatever dog-safe snacks you have, such as plain yogurt, peanut butter, chicken broth, peas, blueberries, etc. You can even add a carrot stick to make it a true popsicle! Freeze your ingredients in an ice tray and feed your pup-sicles to Max at the hottest time of day to help him cool off.
If all else fails, load Max up in the car and go for an air-conditioned drive around the neighborhood. This is a great opportunity for him to be out of the house and get some mental stimulation without physically exerting himself much.
Sara Werning is the Coordinator for the Behavior Department at Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA. For more information, email swerning@phs-spca.org or call (650)340-7022 ext. 316.


mercurynews--2020-06-01--Bay Area protesters gather for another day of George Floyd demonstrations, as more cities order curf

Bay Area protesters gather for another day of George Floyd demonstrations, as more cities order curfews tonight

CLICK HERE if you ’ re having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device .
Following four straight days of protests and three nights of scattered looting , vandalism and violence , protesters on Monday once again gathered in cities around the Bay Area to demand an end to unjustified police killings of black men and women .
The demonstrations were sparked by the death of George Floyd — a Minneapolis man who died after Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin was filmed kneeling on Floyd ’ s neck for eight minutes .
Chauvin has been charged with third-degree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hasn ’ t quelled the rage of people who continue to come together to protest police violence around the Bay Area and throughout the country .
Monday ’ s protests began after officials imposed curfews in multiple Bay Area jurisdictions , including all of Alameda County , Antioch , Orinda , San Jose , San Francisco , Santa Clara , Walnut Creek , Danville , Pleasant Hill , and Lafayette following lootings , property damage and shootings across the area this weekend .
Stores in the Bayfair Mall in San Leandro and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were looted Sunday , as was as the Neiman Marcus in Milpitas ’ Great Mall .
Stores in Oakland , Emeryville and San Francisco were also hit by looters over the weekend .
Oakland police arrested about 60 people Sunday , including three for allegedly shooting at the Oakland police headquarters .
Hayward police reported that officers shot a man who was allegedly looting a CVS store early Monday morning .
In Walnut Creek , police continued to investigate the shooting of a woman that occurred late Sunday afternoon amid mass looting .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ three dozens protestors took a knee in Civic Center Plaza , directly facing deputies who stood guard in front of City Hall .
A group of eight young people kneeling in front of City Hall asked deputies to “ take a knee with us , or stand with George ’ s killers.
” The deputies did not respond and continued to stand .
Hailey , a 22-year-old black man from Oakland who lost his job due to COVID-19 , arrived at City Hall around 1 p.m. to protest Floyd ’ s death .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ t like something , we have no problem coming out and saying something , ” he said .
“ I believe that protest is extremely important to the American people.
” It ’ s not enough that the officer who held his knee on Floyd ’ s neck was arrested — the others who were there should be behind bars as well , Hailey said .
“ There were four officers at the scene of this , ” he said .
“ I feel like they should all be held accountable .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but if they ’ re a brotherhood they need to hold each other accountable.
” In San Jose , a diverse group of roughly 200 protesters — most of whom were young — met at City Hall and began marching down San Fernando Street chanting “ Black Lives Matter ” and “ George Floyd.
” People driving by honked and raised their fists in support .
They then returned to City Hall for speeches .
“ Yes we are rioting , yes we are looting , but when will you hear our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 34-year-old executive assistant from San Jose shouted to the cheering crowd of about 200 safety-masked protesters gathered on the hot plaza .
“ We are grateful to continue to fight .
Please go vote in November — that is how we will effect change.
” But Lachristian told this news organization that she planned to leave the protest by 8 p.m. because “ that ’ s when things get ugly.
” In Walnut Creek — where downtown storefronts were boarded up after hundreds went on a looting frenzy at Neiman Marcus and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growing crowd gathered near to protest police violence against black Americans .
Police said they hope the demonstration will be peaceful , but are planning , as on Sunday night , to deploy “ additional resources ” to maintain order and the safety of both demonstrators and of residents and workers at local businesses .
In Dublin , about a thousand protesters gathered at Emerald Glen Park , where several speakers addressed the crowd before setting off on a march through the city .
• Trump tells governors to “ dominate ” protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is real , express it.
” • Music industry speaks out , as it goes silent , on Blackout Tuesday • In wake of George Floyd killing , CA prosecutors lobby to stop DA ’ s from accepting police union money “ I do say thank you , ” said Star Shahuri .
“ We need you guys to see us .
It is not done today — we need you every single day .
If you see something , say something.
” “ I ’ m not asking anyone to be color @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my black , ” he continued , to cheers from the crowd .
The protesters — including Mayor David Haubert — marched to the intersection of Dougherty Road and Dublin Boulevard , just before the Interstate 580 West onramp , where they took a knee while police blocked access to the freeway .
The group held eight minutes of silence to symbolize the last minutes of Floyd ’ s life .
This is a developing story .
Check back for updates .

Marisa Kendall, Kerry Crowley, Angela Ruggiero, Ethan Baron, Martha Ross

CLICK HERE if you’re having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device.
Demonstrations continued around the Bay Area in the name of George Floyd, as some 15,000 people marched peacefully in Oakland, and police reacted violently to protestors walking onto a freeway in Walnut Creek.
After a meandering protest march that wound through downtown Walnut Creek on Monday afternoon, a few hundred protesters — mostly teenagers and young people — walked onto Interstate 680.
They were met almost immediately with a show of police force.
Officers in riot gear ordered the protesters to disperse, and then chased them with dogs, lobbed tear gas and fired on them with rubber bullets. Several teenagers were hit by the projectiles. Officers detained at least four people.
Isaiah Sandoval, 14, of Walnut Creek, was sobbing and red-faced after being tear-gassed. His sign, which read: “Silence is violence. Black lives matter,” hung limp in his hand. He hugged a fellow protester, wiped his eyes, and then began yelling at the officers.
“Listen to us. We’re the people. You’re supposed to protect us,” he screamed. “I hope you hear this in your hearts.”
The confrontation followed four straight days of protests and three nights of scattered looting, vandalism and violence in cities throughout the region, as demonstrators demand an end to unjustified police killings of black men and women. Protesters also briefly shut down Highway 101 in Palo Alto on Monday, and peaceful demonstrations gathered in San Francisco, San Jose and Dublin.
A 19-year-old Contra Costa County resident named Anna, who declined to give her last name, said she was surprised by the aggressive police response when she and others entered the freeway in Walnut Creek. Many of the protesters dispersed after police began firing less-lethal rounds.
But the small group that remained faced an increasingly intense response by a group of police that outnumbered the protesters.
“We couldn’t get out all the way,” Anna said. Her friend got hit in the head with a rubber bullet, she added. “She couldn’t walk. They said ‘You need to keep moving’ and she couldn’t walk.”
The remaining protesters eventually dispersed, and the freeway reopened around 6:30 p.m.
The demonstrations were sparked by the death of Floyd — a Minneapolis man who died after Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin was filmed kneeling on Floyd’s neck for almost nine minutes. Chauvin has been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, but that hasn’t quelled the rage of people who continue to come together to protest police violence around the Bay Area and throughout the country.
Monday’s protests began after officials imposed curfews in multiple Bay Area jurisdictions, including all of Alameda County, San Jose, San Francisco, Walnut Creek and more following lootings, property damage and shootings across the area.
Stores in Oakland, Emeryville, San Francisco, Walnut Creek, San Leandro, Milpitas and Union City were hit by looters over the weekend. Oakland police arrested about 60 people Sunday, including three for allegedly shooting at the city’s police headquarters. Hayward police reported that officers shot a man who was allegedly looting a CVS store early Monday morning. In Walnut Creek, police continued to investigate the shooting of a woman that occurred late Sunday afternoon amid mass looting.
On Monday, a crowd of peaceful protesters at least four blocks long marched from Oakland Technical High School to City Hall.
Thousands march down Broadway during the fourth day of #GeorgeFloydProtests in Oakland. pic.twitter.com/IIC41N1YaL — Ray Chavez (@rayinaction) June 2, 2020
As they reached the Target on Broadway — in an area heavily damaged by Friday’s looting and vandalism — church bells rang out at First Presbyterian Church. Interim Pastor Jeff Kunkel, former Oakland City Administrator Henry Gardner and a few dozen others stood on the church steps.
Gardner said the destruction in downtown Oakland “makes my heart sink” but he understands the rage inside protesters agitated by police violence.“The protesters didn’t start this, the anarchists didn’t start this,” he said.
“A white police officer in Minneapolis and his partners who stood by and did nothing started this. The anarchists are finishing it and the peaceful protest is between all of it. It’s sad but predictable,” he said.
Most protesters left before the city’s 8 p.m. curfew. “You have five minutes to disperse,” an officer called out over a loudspeaker. Soon police declared the gathering an unlawful assembly, and deployed rubber bullets, flash-bang grenades and tear gas. Several dozen protesters at 14th and Broadway refused to leave.
Officers were arresting about 40 people, and citing and releasing even more, said Johnna Watson, a public information officer for the Oakland Police Department. Police had given those people the option to leave, but they refused and started throwing rocks and bottles at officers, Watson said.
A KPIX reporter also was detained, but was released once the officer realized she was with the media, Watson said. Watson appologized for the wrongful arrest on behalf of the police department, and said the department was investigating what happened.
Despite the arrests, Watson emphasized the calm demonstration earlier in the day.
“We had 15,000 of our community here in Oakland,” Watson said. “Peaceful protests. So we know it can be done. No issues at all.”
In San Francisco, protestors took a knee in Civic Center Plaza, facing deputies who stood guard in front of City Hall. A group of eight young people kneeling in front of City Hall asked deputies to “take a knee with us, or stand with George’s killers.”
The deputies did not respond and continued to stand.
Demonstrators hold up signs showing people killed by police during a "kneel-in" to protest police racism at City Hall Monday, June 1, 2020, in San Francisco. Several hundred people took part in the noon time demonstration. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Jamie Foxx speaks to a large crowd during a "kneel-in" to protest police racism on the steps of City Hall Monday, June 1, 2020, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Jamie Foxx speaks to a large crowd during a "Kneel-In" to protest police racism on the steps of City Hall, Monday, June 1, 2020, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
“When the American people don’t like something, we have no problem coming out and saying something,” said Hailey, a 22-year-old Oakland resident who declined to give his last name. “I believe that protest is extremely important to the American people.”
San Francisco, outside City Hall pic.twitter.com/KsRHpSNko9 — Kerry Crowley (@KO_Crowley) June 2, 2020
Most of the demonstrators packed up before the 8 p.m. curfew hit, but a group of about 75 remained behind, chanting “Say his name: George Floyd.” As City Hall began to glow in rainbow colors on the first day of Pride month, three companies of San Francisco police officers ran in formation up Polk Street to arrest two people who refused to leave.
In San Jose, protesters marched through the city in a crowd that peaked at about 500 people. At one point, a woman kneed a young man in the side as he spray-painted anti-police graffiti on buildings, and ran. He quickly chased her down and sprayed red paint at her face, mostly missing. Another person smashed the glass that covered a VTA poster on a bus shelter at Santa Clara and Market streets.
Lachristian Taylor, a 34-year-old executive assistant from San Jose shouting out a brief speech at the city hall plaza, tried to sum up the collective pain of many people in the streets.
“Yes we are rioting, yes we are looting, but when will you hear our voices?” Taylor asked, as a crowd in front of City Hall cheered. “We are grateful to continue to fight. Please go vote in November — that is how we will effect change.”
Taylor told this news organization that she planned to leave the protest by 8 p.m. because “that’s when things get ugly.”
An armored police truck and more than 100 officers in riot gear were on the scene. As the city’s 8:30 p.m. curfew approached, police announced that protesters had 15 minutes to disperse. Some in the crowd booed and swore. At least two people were arrested after 9 p.m., one of them confirmed by police to have been arrested on suspicion of violating the curfew.
Peaceful George Floyd protest march of about 300 people in downtown San Jose, CA pic.twitter.com/ixoGx9G7tC — EthanBaron (@ethanbaron) June 1, 2020
In Dublin, about a thousand protesters gathered at Emerald Glen Park before setting off on a five-mile march through the city.
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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 “We need you guys to see us,” Star Shahuri told the crowd. “I’m not asking anyone to be color blind. See my black, love my black.”
The protesters — including Mayor David Haubert — marched to the intersection of Dougherty Road and Dublin Boulevard, just before the Interstate 580 West onramp, where they took a knee while police blocked access to the freeway. The group held eight minutes of silence to symbolize the last minutes of Floyd’s life. By 5:30 p.m., most of the crowd had dispersed.
Chanting “take a knee” to Dublin police. Now 8 minutes of silence to symbolize the last minutes of George Flloyds life pic.twitter.com/6vgx73NE58 — Angela E. Ruggiero (@Aeruggie) June 1, 2020
Just before 11 p.m., about 150 demonstrators and a vehicle caravan from East Palo Alto arrived at the Palo Alto home of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, the Palo Alto Weekly reported. Police units were summoned to the scene, but the group soon returned to East Palo Alto. Zuckerberg’s decision to do nothing about a series of controversial posts from President Donald Trump – “when the looting starts, the shooting starts,” he warned in one about unrest in Minneapolis – has sparked public outcry. Some of company’s employees were expected to stage a virtual walkout on Monday.
Angela Ruggiero, Karl Mondon, Martha Ross and Jason Green contributed to this article. Check back for updates.


mercurynews--2020-06-01--Trump makes surprise visit to St. John’s Church

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump visited the 200-year-old church near the White House that was set on fire as demonstrators @ @ @ @ @ weekend .
Beginning with James Madison , every person who has held the office of @ @ @ @ @ at St. John ’ s Church .
Law enforcement cleared protesters out of the area @ @ @ @ @ ’ s visit .
Tear gas canisters could be heard exploding as Trump spoke in @ @ @ @ @ then walked over to the church .
The protesters appeared to be acting peacefully before @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump urged the nation ’ s governors to get tougher with violent protesters and @ @ @ @ @ .
He said in the Rose Garden that he is ally of peaceful protesters , @ @ @ @ @ I am your president of law and order .
”

Associated Press
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump visited the 200-year-old church near the White House that was set on fire as demonstrators clashed with police over the weekend.
Beginning with James Madison, every person who has held the office of president has attended a service at St. John’s Church.
Law enforcement cleared protesters out of the area with tear gas before Trump’s visit. Tear gas canisters could be heard exploding as Trump spoke in the Rose Garden. He then walked over to the church.
The protesters appeared to be acting peacefully before they were dispersed by force.
Trump urged the nation’s governors to get tougher with violent protesters and to deploy the National Guard.
He said in the Rose Garden that he is ally of peaceful protesters, but he stressed that “I am your president of law and order.”


mercurynews--2020-06-01--Trump declares himself the ‘law and order’ president

President Donald Trump declared himself “ your president of law and order ” during remarks Monday as peaceful protesters just outside the White House gates were dispersed with tear gas and flash bangs .
With the constant sound of helicopter blades overhead and a steady succession of bangs from nearby , Trump said from the Rose Garden he was committed to upholding laws and mobilizing military resources to end nationwide looting .
“ My first and highest duty as president is to defend our great country and the American people , ” Trump said .
“ I swore an oath @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that is exactly what I will do.
” Trump said justice would be served for George Floyd , the unarmed black man who died after a white police officer knelt on his neck as he was being arrested .
And he said he was an “ ally of all peaceful protesters.
” But in striking terms , Trump said he would use his entire presidential prerogative to ensure violent protests end , declaring he would deploy “ thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers , military personnel and law enforcement officers ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , crowds of protesters were beginning to gather outside the White House gates .
A large convoy of military vehicles was seen driving through the White House complex and onto Pennsylvania Avenue .
As Trump remained out of public view on Sunday and Monday , and as his aides deliberated over how and whether he should address protests , many of his allies were growing increasingly frustrated with what has felt like silence from the White House .
Many of the President ’ s traditional defenders — from campaign donors to Republicans on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media — have privately grumbled that Trump has allowed several days to pass without addressing the nation or making any formal appeals for unity .
What Trump has done publicly — tweet extensively about his grievances with Democratic state and local leaders and mention the protests in the middle of a previously scheduled event — has at best gone unnoticed and at worst fanned the flames of outrage into a second week .
Some outside allies have reached out to the White House in recent days to push for an appearance from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis he has largely watched unfold from behind closed doors or in his underground bunker .
One major campaign donor worried that the damage inflicted by Trump ’ s absence during a historic weekend of violence and pain could alone imperil his reelection .
One person familiar with the matter said there is a sense among allies that an attempt to address the situation in a speech over the weekend fell completely flat .
The person said the unrelated backdrop of the Kennedy Space Center — and the fact that the speech came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people even registered the passages that were added at the last minute .
“ We support the right of peaceful protests and we hear their pleas , but what we are now seeing on the streets of our cities has nothing to do with the memory of George Floyd , ” Trump said in his remarks after watching the first manned US space launch in nearly a decade .
“ The mobs are devastating the life ’ s work of good people and destroying their dreams.
” Trump ’ s measured tone stood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweets over the weekend , which included messages blaming Antifa for the unrest and vowing severe retaliation .
A growing number of congressional Republicans , even Trump ’ s allies , have privately said the “ caps lock ” tweets are not helping the situation .
Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina said on “ Fox News Sunday ” that he had spoken to Trump over the weekend about his inflammatory tweets , which he described as “ not constructive.
” Over the weekend , some aides sought to convince Trump not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter that “ when the looting starts the shooting starts , ” warning language like that could inflame an already combustible situation and would not appear presidential .
Inside the White House , advisers remain divided over whether a speech delivered from the Oval Office or elsewhere at the White House would help lower the national temperature .
Trump has expressed interest in delivering a speech to the nation , a person close to the White House said , but some administration officials believe that would be a mistake .
A senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be the ones responding to the destruction in their respective cities and states — a view at least partially shared by Trump , who has spent days going after local leaders for not calling the National Guard fast enough or cracking down on violence aggressively enough .
In a heated phone call with governors on Monday morning , Trump placed responsibility on the governors for resolving the national crisis and said some of them appeared “ weak ” in their responses so far .
Other White House officials argued over the weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office address , a person familiar said , out of concern that such a speech could “ inflame the situation , not make it better.
” As aides debate how and whether to confront the situation , Trump ’ s back-and-forth between violent rhetoric and a more measured tone has weighed in the deliberations , one official said .
Some advisers wonder whether a presidential address calling for calm would be quickly erased by Trump ’ s own penchant for escalation and instigation .
• Watch : President Donald Trump issues remarks on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tells governors to “ dominate ” protesters .
Newsom tells them “ your rage is real , express it.
” • Music industry speaks out , as it goes silent , on Blackout Tuesday It did not seem such a speech was imminent on Monday morning .
“ A national Oval Office address is not going to stop Antifa , ” White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in an appearance Monday on Fox News , noting that Trump had addressed the killing of George Floyd — a black Minneapolis man who died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his neck during an arrest — several times already .
“ The President has addressed this repeatedly , ” she said .
Later , McEnany said Trump ’ s “ focus right now is acting and keeping our streets safe .
”

By Kevin Liptak and Sarah Westwood | CNN
President Donald Trump declared himself “your president of law and order” during remarks Monday as peaceful protesters just outside the White House gates were dispersed with tear gas and flash bangs.
With the constant sound of helicopter blades overhead and a steady succession of bangs from nearby, Trump said from the Rose Garden he was committed to upholding laws and mobilizing military resources to end nationwide looting.
“My first and highest duty as president is to defend our great country and the American people,” Trump said. “I swore an oath to uphold the laws of our nation and that is exactly what I will do.”
Trump said justice would be served for George Floyd, the unarmed black man who died after a white police officer knelt on his neck as he was being arrested.
And he said he was an “ally of all peaceful protesters.”
But in striking terms, Trump said he would use his entire presidential prerogative to ensure violent protests end, declaring he would deploy “thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers, military personnel and law enforcement officers” to bring order.
Before his address, crowds of protesters were beginning to gather outside the White House gates. A large convoy of military vehicles was seen driving through the White House complex and onto Pennsylvania Avenue.
As Trump remained out of public view on Sunday and Monday, and as his aides deliberated over how and whether he should address protests, many of his allies were growing increasingly frustrated with what has felt like silence from the White House.
Many of the President’s traditional defenders — from campaign donors to Republicans on Capitol Hill to some in the conservative media — have privately grumbled that Trump has allowed several days to pass without addressing the nation or making any formal appeals for unity.
What Trump has done publicly — tweet extensively about his grievances with Democratic state and local leaders and mention the protests in the middle of a previously scheduled event — has at best gone unnoticed and at worst fanned the flames of outrage into a second week.
Some outside allies have reached out to the White House in recent days to push for an appearance from the President in which he would confront a crisis he has largely watched unfold from behind closed doors or in his underground bunker.
One major campaign donor worried that the damage inflicted by Trump’s absence during a historic weekend of violence and pain could alone imperil his reelection.
One person familiar with the matter said there is a sense among allies that an attempt to address the situation in a speech over the weekend fell completely flat. The person said the unrelated backdrop of the Kennedy Space Center — and the fact that the speech came on a Saturday afternoon — ensured few people even registered the passages that were added at the last minute.
“We support the right of peaceful protests and we hear their pleas, but what we are now seeing on the streets of our cities has nothing to do with the memory of George Floyd,” Trump said in his remarks after watching the first manned US space launch in nearly a decade. “The mobs are devastating the life’s work of good people and destroying their dreams.”
Trump’s measured tone stood in stark contrast to his barrage of tweets over the weekend, which included messages blaming Antifa for the unrest and vowing severe retaliation.
A growing number of congressional Republicans, even Trump’s allies, have privately said the “caps lock” tweets are not helping the situation. Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina said on “Fox News Sunday” that he had spoken to Trump over the weekend about his inflammatory tweets, which he described as “not constructive.”
Over the weekend, some aides sought to convince Trump not to use violent rhetoric after he wrote on Twitter that “when the looting starts the shooting starts,” warning language like that could inflame an already combustible situation and would not appear presidential.
Inside the White House, advisers remain divided over whether a speech delivered from the Oval Office or elsewhere at the White House would help lower the national temperature.
Trump has expressed interest in delivering a speech to the nation, a person close to the White House said, but some administration officials believe that would be a mistake. A senior White House aide said governors and mayors should be the ones responding to the destruction in their respective cities and states — a view at least partially shared by Trump, who has spent days going after local leaders for not calling the National Guard fast enough or cracking down on violence aggressively enough.
In a heated phone call with governors on Monday morning, Trump placed responsibility on the governors for resolving the national crisis and said some of them appeared “weak” in their responses so far.
Other White House officials argued over the weekend against something as formal as an Oval Office address, a person familiar said, out of concern that such a speech could “inflame the situation, not make it better.”
As aides debate how and whether to confront the situation, Trump’s back-and-forth between violent rhetoric and a more measured tone has weighed in the deliberations, one official said. Some advisers wonder whether a presidential address calling for calm would be quickly erased by Trump’s own penchant for escalation and instigation.
Related Articles National News | Officer gets 4+ years for role in George Floyd killing
Officer gets 4+ years for role in George Floyd killing National News | San Jose: Federal excessive force lawsuit from George Floyd protests is greenlit for trial It did not seem such a speech was imminent on Monday morning.
“A national Oval Office address is not going to stop Antifa,” White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in an appearance Monday on Fox News, noting that Trump had addressed the killing of George Floyd — a black Minneapolis man who died after a white police officer knelt on his neck during an arrest — several times already.
“The President has addressed this repeatedly,” she said. Later, McEnany said Trump’s “focus right now is acting and keeping our streets safe.”


mercurynews--2020-06-01--After 23 years, Draeger’s is closing Viognier restaurant at San Mateo store

It ’ s a rare grocery store that features an elegant restaurant on the second floor .
But that ’ s what the family-owned Draeger ’ s Market gave Peninsula customers when they opened a store in downtown San Mateo in 1997 .
“ The vision , ” Joany Draeger said , “ was to bring the full food experience together in the form of true fine dining.
” The inaugural chef for Viognier was the noted Gary Danko , who went on to open an eponymous Michelin-starred restaurant in San Francisco .
Over the years , she said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Viognier ’ s culinary legacy , including current executive chef R.J. Subaba .
“ Unfortunately , though , fine dining in the format we offer has been in a general decline and , therefore , the clientele that appreciate this type of experience has also declined , ” she said .
“ That ’ s not to say we haven ’ t had some dedicated and loyal customers who have continued to enjoy the experience throughout the years .
Dining has simply trended to a more casual style.
” That , she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has resulted in a decision to permanently close the restaurant .
“ With the forced closure due to the health emergency , we just knew it would be impossible to successfully reopen .
It ’ s still unclear when dine-in restaurants will be allowed to operate or in what form .
Continuing to operate a restaurant at potentially only 25 % -50 % capacity for the foreseeable future would not be economically feasible.
” However , because of Draeger ’ s grocery business — there are also stores in Danville at Blackhawk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Park — the company was able to offer commissary kitchen or other jobs to all 19 Viognier staff members .
She said 12 have chosen to stay on with Draeger ’ s .
“ Our chef is working in our commissary in South San Francisco and we ’ re thankful that he has been willing to apply his skills in this capacity , ” she said .
Also , Draeger ’ s has notified and given refunds to any customers who had events scheduled at Viognier , Richard A. Draeger said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they will be honored in our stores or refunded if desired , ” he added .
And the family expressed gratitude to the restaurant ’ s loyal customers .
“ To our valued Viognier patrons , we just genuinely want to thank them for continuing to support us .
… Given that most restaurants close their first year , and many more rarely make it past the five-year mark , we realize how fortunate we were to have a phenomenal staff and customer base keeping our restaurant in operation .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ downstairs , ’ ” Joany Draeger said .
• Santa Clara County to allow outdoor dining and religious services , in-store shopping • Chefs ’ Fridges : What Alice Waters and Dominique Crenn cook at home • 5 innovations that have helped restaurants cope with coronavirus shutdowns • Here ’ s what San Jose ’ s Christmas in the Park will look like this year Details : Draeger ’ s San Mateo is located at 222 E. Fourth Ave. www.draegers.com

It’s a rare grocery store that features an elegant restaurant on the second floor.
But that’s what the family-owned Draeger’s Market gave Peninsula customers when they opened a store in downtown San Mateo in 1997.
“The vision,” Joany Draeger said, “was to bring the full food experience together in the form of true fine dining.”
The inaugural chef for Viognier was the noted Gary Danko, who went on to open an eponymous Michelin-starred restaurant in San Francisco. Over the years, she said, a number of talented chefs have overseen Viognier’s culinary legacy, including current executive chef R.J. Subaba.
“Unfortunately, though, fine dining in the format we offer has been in a general decline and, therefore, the clientele that appreciate this type of experience has also declined,” she said. “That’s not to say we haven’t had some dedicated and loyal customers who have continued to enjoy the experience throughout the years. Dining has simply trended to a more casual style.”
That, she said, coupled with the current coronavirus crisis, has resulted in a decision to permanently close the restaurant.
“With the forced closure due to the health emergency, we just knew it would be impossible to successfully reopen. It’s still unclear when dine-in restaurants will be allowed to operate or in what form. Continuing to operate a restaurant at potentially only 25%-50% capacity for the foreseeable future would not be economically feasible.”
However, because of Draeger’s grocery business — there are also stores in Danville at Blackhawk, in Los Altos and in Menlo Park — the company was able to offer commissary kitchen or other jobs to all 19 Viognier staff members. She said 12 have chosen to stay on with Draeger’s.
“Our chef is working in our commissary in South San Francisco and we’re thankful that he has been willing to apply his skills in this capacity,” she said.
Also, Draeger’s has notified and given refunds to any customers who had events scheduled at Viognier, Richard A. Draeger said. “Anyone with gift cards can rest assured that they will be honored in our stores or refunded if desired,” he added.
And the family expressed gratitude to the restaurant’s loyal customers.
“To our valued Viognier patrons, we just genuinely want to thank them for continuing to support us. … Given that most restaurants close their first year, and many more rarely make it past the five-year mark, we realize how fortunate we were to have a phenomenal staff and customer base keeping our restaurant in operation.
“We hope we continue to see them ‘downstairs,’ ” Joany Draeger said.


mercurynews--2020-06-01--Watch: President Donald Trump issues remarks on federal response to U.S. demonstrations

Law enforcement cleared protesters out of the area with tear gas before Trump ’ s visit .
Tear gas canisters @ @ @ @ @ Trump spoke in the Rose Garden .
He then walked over to the church .

Pueng Vongs is a Bay Area News Group digital producer for The Mercury News and East Bay Times. She has previously worked in the sports and features department. She holds a BBA degree in management from Pace University with a minor in English and Philosophy.


mercurynews--2020-06-01--Report finds nearly 26,000 outbreak deaths in nursing homes

By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar and Curt Anderson | Associated Press WASHINGTON — At least a quarter of the COVID-19 deaths in the United States were among nursing home residents , a new report said , a disclosure that came as coronavirus restrictions eased Monday even as U.S. protests against police brutality sparked fears of new outbreaks .
The Florida Keys welcomed visitors for the first time in two months , the Colosseum opened its ancient doors in Rome , ferries restarted in Bangladesh and golfers played in Greece .
But as tourist destinations worldwide reopened for business , new rules were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ spread .
“ Bring facial coverings , gloves , hand sanitizer , reef-safe sunscreen and personal essential medicines .
If you ’ re feeling unwell , please stay home , ” the Monroe County Tourist Development Council , which includes the tourist-dependent Keys , said on its website .
Electronic signs warned travelers to two of the world ’ s largest casinos about COVID-19 on the first day they partially reopened over Connecticut Gov .
Ned Lamont ’ s objections .
“ Avoid Large Crowds , Don ’ t Gamble With COVID @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun as cars — many with Massachusetts , Rhode Island and New York license plates — passed by .
Meanwhile , the scope of the devastation in the nation ’ s nursing homes became clearer in a report prepared for U.S. governors that said nearly 26,000 nursing home residents have died from COVID-19 — a number that is partial and likely to go higher .
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 60,000 cases of coronavirus illness among nursing home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a letter addressed to the governors and an accompanying chart provided to The Associated Press .
The data was based on reports received from about 80 % of the nation ’ s 15,400 nursing homes as of May 24 .
But some states with high rates of nursing home deaths appeared to have low levels of response to the survey , intended as a first step toward developing policy changes .
“ This data , and anecdotal reports across the country , clearly show that nursing homes have been devastated by the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and CMS Administrator Seema Verma .
The U.S. has seen over 104,000 deaths and nearly 1.8 million infections in the pandemic , both count ’ s the highest in the world .
And although the first wave of the pandemic may be easing in much of the U.S. , that doesn ’ t mean nursing homes are in any less danger : Experts say in a virus rebound they can again become the stage for tragic scenes of death and despair , as well as a risk for the broader community .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home can be a barometer for where the virus is , ” said Tamara Konetzka , a research professor at the University of Chicago , who specializes in long-term care issues .
Roadblocks were taken down shortly after midnight near Key Largo , the northernmost island in the Florida chain , where almost half of all workers are employed by hotels , bars and other hospitality industries , and many of the rest are involved in commercial and sport fishing .
But even as the Keys reopened , Miami-Dade County kept its beaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and across the country over the May 25 death of George Floyd , a black man pinned at the neck by a white police officer in Minneapolis .
Richard Stanczyk , owner of Bud N ’ Mary ’ s marina in Islamorada , said the 76-year-old business ’ fishing boats have had virtually no customers for weeks and welcomed the reopening .
“ There has been a real uptick in phone calls .
There have been more charter bookings , ” Stanczyk said .
“ We are encouraged .
It ’ s going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mediterranean Sea also tentatively kicked off a summer season where tourists could bask in their beaches with distancing measures in place .
“ We are reopening a symbol .
A symbol of Rome , a symbol for Italy , ” said Alfonsina Russo , director of the Colosseum ’ s archaeological park .
“ ( We are ) restarting in a positive way , with a different pace , with a more sustainable tourism.
” Greece lifted lockdown measures for hotels , campsites , open-air cinemas , golf courses and public swimming pools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Turkey and bars , restaurants , cinemas and museums came back to life in the Netherlands .
“ Today , we opened two rooms and tomorrow three .
It ’ s like building an anthill , ” Athens hotel owner Panos Betis said as employees wearing face masks cleaned a rooftop restaurant and a window facing the ancient Acropolis .
“ Our aim now is to hang in there until 2021.
” A long line of masked visitors snaked outside the Vatican Museums , which include the Sistine Chapel , as they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months .
The Vatican Museums ’ famous key holder — who holds the keys to all the galleries on a big ring on his wrist — opened the gate in a sign both symbolic and literal that the Museums were back in business .
Still , strict crowd control measures were in place : Visitors needed reservations , their temperatures were taken before entering and masks were mandatory .
The Dutch relaxation of coronavirus rules took place on a major holiday with the sun blazing , raising fears of overcrowding in popular beach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and restaurants to serve up to 30 people inside if they keep social distancing , but there was no standing at bars and reservations were necessary .
Britain , which has the world ’ s second-worst death toll , eased restrictions despite warnings from health officials that the risk of spreading COVID-19 was still too great .
Some elementary school classes reopened and people could have limited contact with family and friends , but only outdoors and with social distancing .
Around 6.19 million infections have been reported worldwide , with over 372,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Johns Hopkins University .
The true death toll is believed to be significantly higher , since many died without ever being tested .
In the U.S. , the often-violent protests over Floyd ’ s death raised fears of new outbreaks in a country where the pandemic has disproportionately affected racial minorities .
Protests have shaken cities from New York to Los Angeles , with d emonstrators packed cheek by jowl , many without masks , shouting or singing .
The virus is spread by microscopic droplets in the air when people cough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • After 23 years , Draeger ’ s is closing Viognier restaurant at San Mateo store • Chabot College raises nearly $ 200,000 to help students affected by COVID-19 • Santa Clara County to allow outdoor dining and religious services , in-store shopping New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo expressed concern the protests in New York City could imperil the long , hard fight to contain the pandemic in a worldwide hot spot .
“ You turn on the TV and you see these mass gatherings that could potentially be infecting hundreds and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have done , ” Cuomo said .
“ We have to take a minute and ask ourselves : ‘ What are we doing here ?
” Anderson reported from St. Petersburg , Florida .
Reporters from around the world contributed to this report .

By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar and Curt Anderson | Associated Press
WASHINGTON — At least a quarter of the COVID-19 deaths in the United States were among nursing home residents, a new report said, a disclosure that came as coronavirus restrictions eased Monday even as U.S. protests against police brutality sparked fears of new outbreaks.
The Florida Keys welcomed visitors for the first time in two months, the Colosseum opened its ancient doors in Rome, ferries restarted in Bangladesh and golfers played in Greece. But as tourist destinations worldwide reopened for business, new rules were in place to guard against the virus’ spread.
“Bring facial coverings, gloves, hand sanitizer, reef-safe sunscreen and personal essential medicines. If you’re feeling unwell, please stay home,” the Monroe County Tourist Development Council, which includes the tourist-dependent Keys, said on its website.
Electronic signs warned travelers to two of the world’s largest casinos about COVID-19 on the first day they partially reopened over Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont’s objections. “Avoid Large Crowds, Don’t Gamble With COVID,” flashed the signs near Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun as cars — many with Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York license plates — passed by.
Meanwhile, the scope of the devastation in the nation’s nursing homes became clearer in a report prepared for U.S. governors that said nearly 26,000 nursing home residents have died from COVID-19 — a number that is partial and likely to go higher.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 60,000 cases of coronavirus illness among nursing home residents, according to a copy of a letter addressed to the governors and an accompanying chart provided to The Associated Press.
The data was based on reports received from about 80% of the nation’s 15,400 nursing homes as of May 24. But some states with high rates of nursing home deaths appeared to have low levels of response to the survey, intended as a first step toward developing policy changes.
“This data, and anecdotal reports across the country, clearly show that nursing homes have been devastated by the virus,” wrote CDC Director Robert Redfield and CMS Administrator Seema Verma.
The U.S. has seen over 104,000 deaths and nearly 1.8 million infections in the pandemic, both count’s the highest in the world.
And although the first wave of the pandemic may be easing in much of the U.S., that doesn’t mean nursing homes are in any less danger: Experts say in a virus rebound they can again become the stage for tragic scenes of death and despair, as well as a risk for the broader community.
“What is going on in a nursing home can be a barometer for where the virus is,” said Tamara Konetzka, a research professor at the University of Chicago, who specializes in long-term care issues.
Roadblocks were taken down shortly after midnight near Key Largo, the northernmost island in the Florida chain, where almost half of all workers are employed by hotels, bars and other hospitality industries, and many of the rest are involved in commercial and sport fishing.
But even as the Keys reopened, Miami-Dade County kept its beaches closed because of protests in South Florida and across the country over the May 25 death of George Floyd, a black man pinned at the neck by a white police officer in Minneapolis.
Richard Stanczyk, owner of Bud N’ Mary’s marina in Islamorada, said the 76-year-old business’ fishing boats have had virtually no customers for weeks and welcomed the reopening.
“There has been a real uptick in phone calls. There have been more charter bookings,” Stanczyk said. “We are encouraged. It’s going to come back.”
Countries around the Mediterranean Sea also tentatively kicked off a summer season where tourists could bask in their beaches with distancing measures in place.
“We are reopening a symbol. A symbol of Rome, a symbol for Italy,” said Alfonsina Russo, director of the Colosseum’s archaeological park. “(We are) restarting in a positive way, with a different pace, with a more sustainable tourism.”
Greece lifted lockdown measures for hotels, campsites, open-air cinemas, golf courses and public swimming pools, while b eaches and museums reopened in Turkey and bars, restaurants, cinemas and museums came back to life in the Netherlands.
“Today, we opened two rooms and tomorrow three. It’s like building an anthill,” Athens hotel owner Panos Betis said as employees wearing face masks cleaned a rooftop restaurant and a window facing the ancient Acropolis. “Our aim now is to hang in there until 2021.”
A long line of masked visitors snaked outside the Vatican Museums, which include the Sistine Chapel, as they reopened for the first time in three months.
The Vatican Museums’ famous key holder — who holds the keys to all the galleries on a big ring on his wrist — opened the gate in a sign both symbolic and literal that the Museums were back in business. Still, strict crowd control measures were in place: Visitors needed reservations, their temperatures were taken before entering and masks were mandatory.
The Dutch relaxation of coronavirus rules took place on a major holiday with the sun blazing, raising fears of overcrowding in popular beach resorts. The new rules allowed bars and restaurants to serve up to 30 people inside if they keep social distancing, but there was no standing at bars and reservations were necessary.
Britain, which has the world’s second-worst death toll, eased restrictions despite warnings from health officials that the risk of spreading COVID-19 was still too great. Some elementary school classes reopened and people could have limited contact with family and friends, but only outdoors and with social distancing.
Around 6.19 million infections have been reported worldwide, with over 372,000 people dying, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. The true death toll is believed to be significantly higher, since many died without ever being tested.
In the U.S., the often-violent protests over Floyd’s death raised fears of new outbreaks in a country where the pandemic has disproportionately affected racial minorities.
Protests have shaken cities from New York to Los Angeles, with d emonstrators packed cheek by jowl, many without masks, shouting or singing. The virus is spread by microscopic droplets in the air when people cough, sneeze, talk or sing.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo expressed concern the protests in New York City could imperil the long, hard fight to contain the pandemic in a worldwide hot spot.
“You turn on the TV and you see these mass gatherings that could potentially be infecting hundreds and hundreds of people after everything that we have done,” Cuomo said. “We have to take a minute and ask ourselves: ‘What are we doing here?”
Anderson reported from St. Petersburg, Florida. Reporters from around the world contributed to this report.