mercurynews--2020-06-01--The Latest: Tanker drives into crowd; no apparent injuries

The Latest on the 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 : MINNEAPOLIS — Officials in Minnesota say no protesters appear to have been hit after a semitrailer drove into a crowd demonstrating on a freeway near downtown Minneapolis .
The Minnesota State Patrol says in a tweet that the action appeared deliberate .
The patrol says the driver was injured and taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries .
Gov .
Tim Walz says the driver is out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t clear how the driver was hurt .
TV footage showed protesters swarming the truck , and then law enforcement quickly moving in .
Other TV footage showed the tanker truck moving rapidly onto the bridge and protesters appearing to part ahead of it .
Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington said traffic cameras appear to show the truck was already on the freeway before barricades were put in place to shut it down at 5 p.m .
The protesters were demonstrating against the death of George Floyd .
MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keith Ellison will take the lead in any prosecutions in the death of George Floyd .
Floyd , who was black , was in handcuffs when a white Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for several minutes earlier this week .
Bystander video showed Floyd pleading that he was unable to breathe and eventually no longer moving .
Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman earlier Sunday said he had asked Ellison to help in the prosecution .
Freeman has been criticized by civil rights activists and some city officials , who say there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office and members of the community .
Walz told reporters Sunday that Ellison “ needs to lead this case.
” He said he made the decision after speaking with Floyd ’ s family who “ wanted to believe that there was a trust , and they wanted to believe that the facts would be heard.
” ATLANTA — Atlanta ’ s mayor says two police officers have been fired and three placed on desk duty pending review over excessive use of force during a protest incident Saturday night .
Mayor Keisha @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday that she and police Chief Erika Shields made the decision after reviewing body-camera footage .
Shields called it “ really shocking to watch.
” Officials say the incident came to light via video that circulated online .
It shows a group of police officers in riot gear and gas masks surround a car being driven by a man with a woman in the passenger seat .
The officers pull the woman out and appear to use a stun gun on the man .
They use zip-tie handcuffs on the woman on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be fighting police on the video .
Bottoms said charges have been dropped against the woman , and the man has been released .
Local reporters , who captured footage of the incident , said the police had earlier broken the glass on the car .
A reporter said police also flattened the tires .
The city is under curfew again Sunday night .
SAN FRANCISCO — In San Francisco , more than 1,000 people marched through the streets , carrying signs and chanting “ George Floyd , ” “ Black Lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wore a shirt that said “ I feel like the last black man , ” a reference to last year ’ s movie The Last Black Man in San Francisco .
“ We ’ re here because George Floyd was murdered in cold blood .
… We are sick of the countless injustices on black and brown lives , mostly black lives , ” she said .
“ The cup is overflowing at this point .
We want the cops arrested , but we want it to end , we want it to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County declared a 6 p.m. curfew to prevent a repeat of violence that broke out after protests over the killing of a black man by a white Minneapolis police officer .
The county and city of Los Angeles declared states of emergency Sunday after a night of looting , vandalism and arson that followed mostly peaceful protests .
Beverly Hills , which was hit with violence on Saturday , and Santa Monica , which experienced looting Sunday , were under curfew orders at 4 p.m .
The city of San Francisco declared an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presumptive Democratic nominee for president , said he made a visit Sunday to the site of protests in his hometown of Wilmington , Delaware , the previous night .
A photo posted to Biden ’ s Facebook page showed the former vice president , wearing a mask , kneeling to speak with a man and his small child .
“ The only way to bear this pain is to turn all that anguish to purpose , ” Biden wrote .
“ And as president , I will help lead this conversation — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” WASHINGTON — Officials are implementing a curfew in the nation ’ s capital after a night of violent demonstrations with rioters setting fires , smashing windows and breaking into businesses and left dozens of police officers injured .
District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser said the curfew would begin at 11 p.m. Sunday night and extend until 6 a.m. on Monday .
She said members of the National Guard would also be on hand to assist the Metropolitan Police Department .
More than 1,000 protesters had already gathered Sunday evening at Lafayette @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protest the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Officials said they would have an increased police presence and additional federal agents were called in on Sunday .
The protest Saturday night turned violent as darkness set in .
Protesters set fires , smashed windows and sprayed graffiti .
TAMPA , Florida — Protests were largely peaceful across Florida on Sunday , with some organizers doubling safety efforts to counteract the violence of Saturday night .
In Tampa , Black Lives Matter organizers had nearly 100 safety marshals in fluorescent vests patrolling their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordered to be on the lookout for antagonists .
The group also had medics , used walkie-talkies to quickly squelch outbursts and enlisted lawyers and those with legal training to watch out for protesters ’ rights from the sidelines .
“ We wanted to be able to provide a safe space for their voice and rage to be heard within a controlled environment .
It ’ s part of their amendment rights for them to be able to express themselves , ” said Chaikirah Parker , who helped organize the event .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event early Sunday , despite sweltering heat , because it brought a more peaceful demographic .
After the event was over , a young crowd held another protest and she said the veteran activists felt obliged to help .
“ We really feel it ’ s our duty to pass the torch and teach the kids how to organize , ” she said .
“ They ’ re cocky and then they realize the rapid response organization is a whole other level.
” Several hundred people marched through downtown Boston on Sunday carrying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the death of George Floyd .
Street protests have been held for days around the country in response to the death of Floyd , a black man who died Monday after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee on his neck until he stopped breathing .
In Boston they chanted , “ No justice no peace , ” “ black lives matter ” and silence is violence ” as they walked by City Hall , the State House , and the Public Garden , with the crowd closing off a two-lane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police presence and no signs of the violence that has erupted in other cities in recent days .
“ They keep killing our people .
I ’ m so sick and tired of it , ” said Mahira Louis , 15 , who was at the protest with her mother .
“ On the news , every time we say black lives matter they keep silencing us , ” she said adding that things are going to change .
“ They ’ re not going to kill black people for no reason , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t comfortable to be at home but it ’ s really uncomfortable to be here , too , and know you ’ re doing this in the face of the COVID-19 crisis , ” said Vivian Lee , 22 , who participated with her sister and parents .
“ But it requires some discomfort for change , ” she said .
Michael Brown Sr. , the father of Michael Brown who was killed by police in Ferguson , Missouri , in 2014 , joined the protest on Sunday , telling demonstrators to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drove to Minneapolis from Ferguson even though being a part of another demonstration against the killing of a black man , “ tears my heart ” as it reminded him of his son .
“ I understand what this family is feeling .
I understand what this community is feeling , ” he said .
As police fired tear gas at protesters in one predominantly black neighborhood in Philadelphia , a few dozen city and state police officers lined up in front of a statue of former Mayor Frank Rizzo that has long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sprayed with graffiti Saturday .
Rizzo , mayor from 1972 to 1980 , was praised by supporters as tough on crime but accused by critics of discriminating against people of color .
Mayor Jim Kenney said Sunday that the 10-foot-tall statue that sits across the street from City Hall will be removed in a few weeks .
BERLIN — England winger Jadon Sancho joined protests across German soccer at the weekend by lifting his jersey after scoring to reveal a T-shirt with the handwritten message “ Justice for George Floyd ” on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man , died Monday after a white Minneapolis police officer , Derek Chauvin , pressed his knee for several minutes on his neck .
Sancho was shown a yellow card for his gesture which came after he scored the second goal for Borussia Dortmund against Paderborn on Sunday .
Earlier , Marcus Thuram took a knee after scoring in Borussia Mönchengladbach ’ s win over Union Berlin .
The Gladbach forward scored in the first half and then dropped his left knee to the ground and rested his right arm on his right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reflection .
He spent 5 seconds in this position before getting up again to continue .
“ No explanation needed , ” Gladbach said on Twitter with a picture of Thuram kneeling .
A third night of protests in Louisville sparked by the police shooting of a black woman resulted in 37 arrests , a city official said Sunday .
Chief of Public Safety Amy Hess said at a news conference that officials did not yet know the hometowns of those arrested .
Hess said a total of 10 people were arrested during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fischer added that five Louisville police officers were shot at late Saturday night .
None were hit , but three officers were in a car that was struck by at least one bullet , he said .
Fischer said a dusk-to-dawn curfew would continue Sunday night for a second straight night in Kentucky ’ s largest city .
Louisville ’ s protests followed the release of a 911 call by shooting victim Breonna Taylor ’ s boyfriend made March 13 , moments after the 26-year-old EMT was shot eight times by narcotics detectives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No drugs were found in her home .
Taylor ’ s death has captured national headlines alongside the killings of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia in February and George Floyd , the black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd ’ s neck for several minutes as he pleaded for air .
Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott declared a state-wide disaster Sunday following weekend protests that have turned violent and destructive .
In Texas , much of the demonstrating was peaceful , but the protests became violent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broken into and robbed and people hurt .
Police used tear gas to disperse some of the crowds and said they arrested more than 200 people between Dallas , Houston and Austin .
“ Every Texan and every American has the right to protest and I encourage all Texans to exercise their First Amendment rights , ” Abbott , a Republican , said in a statement .
“ However , violence against others and the destruction of property is unacceptable and counterproductive .
As protests have turned violent in various areas across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maintain order , uphold public safety , and protect against property damage or loss .
The order allows Abbott to designate federal agents to do the work of local police .
It comes as some Texas organizers are calling off demonstrations and others are planning to proceed .
COLUMBIA S.C. — Some protesters threw rocks at police and set fire to at least two police cars , ignoring pleas from fellow demonstrators to refrain from violence .
On Sunday morning , crews at businesses throughout the downtown commercial district swept up broken glass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ windows and doors .
During a news conference in Columbia later Sunday , U.S. Sen. Tim Scott — who , as the only black Republican in the Senate , has previously given a series of speeches on race , including his numerous experiences getting pulled over by police — referenced the 2015 death of Walter Scott , an unarmed black South Carolina motorist shot to death by a white police officer during a traffic stop in North Charleston .
Sen. Scott said that , as in the Floyd case , that incident was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only nonviolent protests .
“ We can not have distractions especially fueled by violence , ” Scott said .
“ Protesters , be heard , be seen , but be orderly.
” At that same news conference , Gov .
Henry McMaster said the National Guard was on alert to activate if needed , urging protesters to take action but stay peaceful .
“ We welcome conversation .
We welcome protest , people speaking their mind , we welcome it , and we welcome it every time , ” McMaster said “ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but we do not tolerate violence.
” Several cities in South Carolina remained under curfew , including Columbia ’ s downtown area .
On Sunday , the mayor of Myrtle Beach instituted a “ state of civil emergency ” in that city due to the threat of possible unrest .

The Associated Press
The Latest on the 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:
___
SAN FRANCISCO — The state Department of Human Resources sent a directive to close all California state buildings “with offices in downtown city areas” on Monday, a sweeping mandate that covers everything from Department of Motor Vehicles offices to those that license workers and provide health care.
“After consultation with the California Highway Patrol and Office of Emergency Services, the decision was made this evening to advise all state departments with offices in downtown city areas to close tomorrow, and to notify staff of the decision,” said Amy Palmer, a spokeswoman for the state Government Operations Agency.
The directive was sent Sunday evening and it was left up to officials at individual agencies to determine which buildings should be closed.
A state Department of Justice memo sent to employees said the attorney general’s offices in Sacramento, Oakland, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego would be closed, though employees who can work from home should do so.
“Staff assigned to these offices should not report to work for any reason. Staff who are able to telework should continue to do so despite the office closures,” the memo said.
___
PORTLAND, Ore. — Police in Portland deployed tear gas to disperse a large crowd downtown late Sunday night after authorities said projectiles were thrown at officers.
Earlier, police said protesters smashed windows at the federal courthouse, and authorities on loudspeakers declared the gathering a civil disturbance.
Thousands of people marched throughout Oregon’s largest city on Sunday, the third day of George Floyd protests in Portland. For much of the afternoon and evening protesters were largely peaceful, but there were reports of increased violence directed at police into the night.
___
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea’s official Rodong Sinmun newspaper on Monday reported the demonstrations across the United States in reaction to the death of George Floyd, saying protesters “harshly condemned” a white police officer’s “lawless and brutal murder” of a black citizen.
The article, published with photos, said hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the White House chanting “No justice, no peace.” It also said there were demonstrations in Minneapolis, New York, Denver, Chicago, Los Angeles and Memphis and that the protests were expected to grow further.
___
Several thousand people marched Monday in New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, to protest George Floyd’s death and show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.
The protesters marched from Aotea Square to the U.S. consulate, where they kneeled. They held banners with slogans such as “I can’t breathe” and “The Real Virus is Racism.” Hundreds more joined protests and vigils elsewhere in the country, on a day that was a public holiday.
The protests were peaceful. Protesters said they were also standing up against police violence and racism in New Zealand.
___
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — More than 15 people were arrested during protests in Charlotte on Sunday night, the city’s police department said.
Police said four demonstrators were arrested for assaulting officers, including one for hitting an officer with a rock. Three others were arrested on illegal weapon charges, police said.
___
KANSAS CITY, Missouri — Shortly after local officials praised what had been a peaceful protest in Kansas City, Missouri, police fired tear gas into the crowd after some demonstrators began lobbing water bottles, law enforcement officials said.
A large crowd had gathered at County Club plaza and police had allowed it to slowly dissipate after the city’s 8 p.m. curfew took effect. But police used stronger tactics against the smaller crowd that remained when rocks and water bottles started flying and two television station news vehicles were smashed and set on fire.
Police declared the scene an “unlawful assembly” and said the area was clear of activity by midnight.
___
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee late Sunday ordered a statewide activation of the National Guard following vandalism and stealing in stores and shopping malls in multiple cities.
Inslee had previously authorized 400 troops for Seattle and 200 for Bellevue. On Saturday night people smashed downtown Seattle store fronts and stole items from many businesses, tossing mannequins into the street. On Sunday there were break-ins and thefts in stores and shopping malls in Bellevue, Spokane, Tukwila and Renton.
Inslee’s activation means more troops will be used to help control unrest.
“We must not let these illegal and dangerous actions detract from the anger so many feel at the deep injustice laid so ugly and bare by the death of George Floyd,” Inslee said in a statement. “But we also will not turn away from our responsibility to protect the residents of our state.”
___
WASHINGTON — Break-ins and stealing were rampant in downtown Washington and elsewhere in the city as protests over George Floyd’s death turned violent for a third straight night.
Protesters broke into a branch of Capital Bank, and empty jewelry boxes could be seen scattered on the sidewalk outside a Mervis Diamonds store.
After protesters broke into a La Colombe coffee shop, someone in the crowd yelled, “What are you looting a coffee shop for? You’re messing up the whole message.”
___
NEW YORK — The mayor of New York City’s own daughter is one of the nearly 790 people who have been arrested in the city since protests over the death of George Floyd began last week.
A law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter tells The Associated Press that 25-year-old Chiara de Blasio was arrested Saturday night. An arrest report obtained by The New York Post says she refused to leave a Manhattan street ordered cleared by officers because people were throwing things.
Chiara de Blasio, who is black, was later given a court summons and released.
Mayor Bill de Blasio, who is white, didn’t mention the arrest in his Sunday press briefing. City Hall spokespeople didn’t have an immediate comment.
— By Michael R. Sisak
___
AUSTIN, Texas — Police fired rubber bullets and pepper spray late Sunday night at demonstrators who gathered outside the downtown police station in Austin.
Live television cameras on Spectrum News showed officers firing several shots into the crowd and several people on the ground. Some people could be seen throwing water bottles at police.
The officers were stationed above the crowd on the steps of the police station and a raised section of Interstate 35.
Unlike Dallas, where police made dozens of arrests to enforce a downtown curfew, Austin doesn’t have a curfew and demonstrators have been roaming downtown from the police station to the state Capitol several blocks away for nearly 10 hours. The crowd has ebbed and flowed from a few thousand to a few hundred.
Demonstrators could not get on the Capitol grounds, which were protected by a large police presence.
___
DENVER — Police fired tear gas and projectiles at demonstrators defying a Denver curfew Sunday night following a day of peaceful marching and chants of “Don’t shoot” alongside boarded-up businesses that had been vandalized the night before.
Dozens of demonstrators, some throwing fireworks, taunted police and pushed dumpsters onto Colfax Avenue, a major artery, in the sporadic confrontations that occurred east of downtown. The demonstration over the death of George Floyd came after turbulent protests that led to the arrest of 83 people Saturday night.
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock called the behavior of unruly protesters “reckless, inexcusable and unacceptable.”
___
PHOENIX — Protests held Sunday night in downtown Phoenix appeared to be peaceful, according to local media reports.
An hour before a curfew went into effect, activist Armonee Jackson told protesters in the parking lot of an art gallery downtown that they should avoid any violence, The Arizona Republic reported.
“Listen to me: We are not ending in violence. I refuse to end in violence,” Jackson told the crowd.
David Riutta told the newspaper that he came out to protest police brutality and wants to see a panel of civilians investigate officers’ use-of-force cases.
___
WASHINGTON — As demonstrations continued past an 11 p.m. curfew, D.C. police said they were responding to multiple fires that were “intentionally set” around the city. One was at St. John’s Episcopal Church, which is located across Lafayette Park from the White House.
The church says every president beginning with James Madison, “until the present,” has attended a service at the church, giving it the nickname, “the church of presidents.”
The first services at the church were held in 1816, according to its website.
___
WASHINGTON — The entire Washington, D.C., National Guard — roughly 1,700 soldiers — is being called in to help with the response to protests outside the White House and elsewhere in the nation’s capital, according to two Defense Department officials.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said Sunday she had requested 500 Guardsman to assist local law enforcement. Later on Sunday, as the protests escalated, Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy ordered the rest of the Guardsman — about 1,200 soldiers — to report.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the matter.
The D.C. National Guard did not reply to a request from The Associated Press for comment.
– By James LaPorta
___
WASHINGTON — Protesters started fires near the White House as tensions with police mounted during a third straight night of demonstrations held in response to the death of George Floyd at police hands in Minnesota.
An hour before the 11 p.m. curfew, police fired a major barrage of tear gas stun grenades into the crowd of more than 1,000 people, largely clearing Lafayette Park across the street from the White House and scattering protesters into the street.
Protesters piled up road signs and plastic barriers and lit a raging fire in the middle of H Street. Some pulled an American flag from a nearby building and threw it into the blaze. Others added branches pulled from trees. A cinder block structure, on the north side of the park, that had bathrooms and a maintenance office, was engulfed in flames.
As the curfew hit, police sealed the perimeter of the park. Shortly beforehand, police pushed a crowd of about 300 demonstrators several blocks with a series of charges with batons and riot shields.
Enraged protesters screamed, “Who do you serve? Who do you protect?” Police shot pepper powders point black at several protesters.
Several miles north, a separate protest broke out in Northwest D.C., near the Maryland border. The Metropolitan Police Department says there were break-ins at a Target and a shopping center that houses Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue Men’s Store, T.J. Maxx, a movie theater and specialty stores. Police say several individuals have been detained.
___
At least 4,100 people have been arrested over days of protests across the country since George Floyd’s death Monday, according to a tally compiled by The Associated Press.
Arrests ranged from thefts to blocking highways and breaking curfew.
The arrest figures as of 11 p.m. EST on Sunday included those from demonstrations in New York and Philadelphia on the East Coast, Chicago and Dallas in the Midwest and Southwest, and Los Angeles on the West Coast as protests take place all over the county.
In Dallas, police began sweeping downtown streets with arrests to enforce a curfew that went into effect at 7 p.m.
___
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Michael Jordan is “deeply saddened, truly pained and plain angry.”
With protesters taking to the streets across the United States again Sunday, Jordan released a statement on George Floyd and the killings of black people at the hands of police.
“I am deeply saddened, truly pained and plain angry,” the former NBA star and current Charlotte Hornets owner said in the statement posted on the Jordan brand’s social media accounts and the team’s Twitter account.
“I see and feel everyone’s pain, outrage and frustration. I stand with those who are calling out the ingrained racism and violence toward people of color in our country. We have had enough.
“I don’t have the answers, but our collective voices show strength and the inability to be divided by others. We must listen to each other, show compassion and empathy and never turn our backs on senseless brutality. We need to continue peaceful expressions against injustice and demand accountability. Our unified voice needs to put pressure on our leaders to change our laws, or else we need to use our vote to create systemic change. Every one of us needs to be part of the solution, and we must work together to ensure justice for all.
“My heart goes out to the family of George Floyd and to the countless others whose lives have been brutally and senselessly taken through acts of racism and injustice.”
___
BOSTON — A Sunday afternoon of mostly peaceful protests in Boston broke at nightfall when demonstrators clashed with officers, throwing rocks, breaking into several stores and lighting a police vehicle on fire.
Boston police tweeted that at least 40 people had been arrested as of 3 a.m. Monday. Police said seven police officers had been hospitalized and 21 police cruisers were damaged.
A National Guard unit was called in to help quell the unrest.
Republican Gov. Charlie Baker called the violence “criminal and cowardly” in a tweet. The nighttime destruction was a stark contrast to the several protests earlier Sunday that featured thousands of demonstrators marching peacefully.
___
ATLANTA — Riot police firing volleys of tear gas dispersed hundreds of demonstrators as a curfew took hold Sunday night, scattering a crowd that had protested for hours in downtown Atlanta over the deaths of George Floyd in Minnesota and Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia.
Hundreds of police, National Guard troops and other forces lined up in positions around downtown Centennial Park, a focal point of the weekend of protests.
An overnight curfew took hold at 9 p.m. as some on the fringes of what was a largely peaceful afternoon protest were setting off fireworks and burning construction materials near the park. An Associated Press photographer saw police then begin firing many 40 millimeter canisters of tear gas toward the crowd. People were choking, gasping and some throwing up as they scattered, leaving only a few still in the streets.
As police and National Guard troops took up positions with plastic shields on major streets, crowds melted away. WSB-TV showed footage about an hour later of officers taking people who lingered in the streets into custody, using plastic ties to handcuff them on street corners.
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WASHINGTON — Secret Service agents rushed President Donald Trump to an underground bunker Friday, as hundreds of protesters gathered outside the White House, some throwing rocks and tugging at police barricades just outside the executive mansion.
That’s according to a Republican close to the White House not authorized to publicly discuss private matters and confirmed by another official. The abrupt decision by the agents underscored the rattled mood inside the White House, where the chants from Lafayette Park could be heard all weekend and Secret Service agents and law enforcement officers struggled to contain the crowds.
The Friday protests, triggered by the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after he was pinned at the neck by a white Minneapolis police officer, turned violent and appeared to catch officers by surprise. It sparked one of the highest alerts on the White House complex since the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001. In the days since, security at the White House has been reinforced by the National Guard and additional personnel from the Secret Service and the U.S. Park Police.
On Sunday, the Justice Department also deployed members of the U.S. Marshals Service and agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration to supplement national guard troops outside the White House, according to a senior Justice Department official. The official could not discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
— By Jonathan Lemire and Zeke Miller


mercurynews--2020-05-31--Photos: Hayward march for justice after death of George Floyd in Minneapolis

CLICK HERE if you ’ re having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device .
About 130 protesters marched from Hayward City Hall to the Hayward Police Department on Sunday , asking for justice in the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Many carrying signs , they chanted slogans asking for justice .
People are protesting all over the country because of Floyd ’ s death by a Minneapolis police officer .
This protest was peaceful , but there are ongoing riots , looting and destruction of property nationwide this weekend as the coronavirus pandemic continues .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a week apart .
On May 20 , a man suspected in a killing at a homeless camp May 1 was fatally shot by police during a traffic stop , authorities said .
Police officers shot and tased a man in his driveway after police said he had approached them with a knife Wednesday , the second shooting involving the city ’ s police in a week .
A spokesperson for the Hayward Police Department said the man who was shot was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries .
After his release from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rita Jail in Alameda County on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer .

CLICK HERE if you’re having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device.
About 130 protesters marched from Hayward City Hall to the Hayward Police Department on Sunday, asking for justice in the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Many carrying signs, they chanted slogans asking for justice. People are protesting all over the country because of Floyd’s death by a Minneapolis police officer. This protest was peaceful, but there are ongoing riots, looting and destruction of property nationwide this weekend as the coronavirus pandemic continues.
Hayward recently had two officer-involved shootings, a week apart. On May 20, a man suspected in a killing at a homeless camp May 1 was fatally shot by police during a traffic stop, authorities said.
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A spokesperson for the Hayward Police Department said the man who was shot was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries. After his release from the hospital, he was booked into Santa Rita Jail in Alameda County on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer.


mercurynews--2020-05-31--Federal Protection Services officer killed in Oakland drive-by shooting identified

The Federal Protective Services officer shot and killed in Oakland on Friday was a 53-year-old Pinole resident , authorities said Sunday .
The FBI identified the officer as Dave Patrick Underwood , who friends remembered as a good-natured man and talented athlete in his days at Pinole Valley High School .
U.S. Department of Homeland security officials have called the shooting that killed Underwood and wounded another officer an act of “ domestic terrorism ” but the FBI has not established a motive Underwood ’ s sister , Angela Jacob Underwood , posted about his death on her Facebook page @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Underwood , a federal officer , was murdered 5/29/20 in Oakland California , while on duty during the riots , ” she wrote .
“ This Violence Must Stop.
” Underwood and another officer were shot at about 9:45 p.m. Friday near the intersection of 12th and Jefferson streets .
The guards were on duty patrolling the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building , as a protest was occurring blocks away near City Hall .
The FBI says a van pulled up to the building near a guard shelter and one of its occupants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in critical condition on Saturday , according to a U.S. Department of Homeland security official .
The FBI San Francisco office has not identified a motive or made any arrests .
Investigators are asking the public for any images or videos of the area around the time of the shooting .
Tips should be made at tips.fbi.gov .
Tipsters can remain anonymous .
Underwood , who worked as a contract officer for the Federal Protective Service of the Department of Homeland Security , was known to his friends as “ Pat.
” Lamar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Pinole Valley , said Underwood had enough talent to pursue baseball as a career , had he wanted to .
He also excelled on the basketball court as a Pinole Spartan .
“ The guy had the sickest jump shot you ’ ve ever seen .
He would run off five or six three pointers on you and on the baseball diamond he might go 2-for-4 with a homer and a double and ” wouldn ’ t brag about it , said Hall , who was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obnoxious .
He was quiet and had a calm demeanor.
” Steve Storer , who coached Underwood in high school , first met him when he was a student at Collins Elementary School .
Storer remembered Underwood was a soft-spoken and respectful student .
“ Never had a problem with him , ” said Storer .
“ He ’ s the kind of you want to be around , the kind of kid you remember 10 , 20 , 30 years later .
I could see him getting into the law enforcement field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s the way he was .
Hall and Underwood grew up playing baseball at Fernandez Park in the 1970s and 80s , when the West Contra Costa city had a smaller African American population .
In those days , “ you ’ d get off AC Transit and many nights you ’ d run full speed ahead ” to get home , Hall said .
“ Pat didn ’ t have one enemy on the face of this Earth , ” said Hall , who is now living in Las Vegas .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pat loved the guy .
He wouldn ’ t hurt a fly .
He was just that cool.
” Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf on Saturday called the shooter an “ assassin ” and “ cowardly.
” “ Any loss in the DHS family impacts all of us and I want the loved ones of these brave officers to know you have the support of the department behind you , ” Wolf said .

The Federal Protective Services officer shot and killed in Oakland on Friday was a 53-year-old Pinole resident, authorities said Sunday.
The FBI identified the officer as Dave Patrick Underwood, who friends remembered as a good-natured man and talented athlete in his days at Pinole Valley High School. U.S. Department of Homeland security officials have called the shooting that killed Underwood and wounded another officer an act of “domestic terrorism” but the FBI has not established a motive
Underwood’s sister, Angela Jacob Underwood, posted about his death on her Facebook page: “My brother, Dave Patrick Underwood, a federal officer, was murdered 5/29/20 in Oakland California, while on duty during the riots,” she wrote. “This Violence Must Stop.”
Underwood and another officer were shot at about 9:45 p.m. Friday near the intersection of 12th and Jefferson streets. The guards were on duty patrolling the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building, as a protest was occurring blocks away near City Hall.
The FBI says a van pulled up to the building near a guard shelter and one of its occupants began shooting. The other officer was in critical condition on Saturday, according to a U.S. Department of Homeland security official.
The FBI San Francisco office has not identified a motive or made any arrests. Investigators are asking the public for any images or videos of the area around the time of the shooting. Tips should be made at tips.fbi.gov. Tipsters can remain anonymous.
Underwood, who worked as a contract officer for the Federal Protective Service of the Department of Homeland Security, was known to his friends as “Pat.” Lamar Hill, who played baseball with Underwood at Pinole Valley, said Underwood had enough talent to pursue baseball as a career, had he wanted to. He also excelled on the basketball court as a Pinole Spartan.
“The guy had the sickest jump shot you’ve ever seen. He would run off five or six three pointers on you and on the baseball diamond he might go 2-for-4 with a homer and a double and” wouldn’t brag about it, said Hall, who was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 1987. “He wasn’t obnoxious. He was quiet and had a calm demeanor.”
Steve Storer, who coached Underwood in high school, first met him when he was a student at Collins Elementary School. Storer remembered Underwood was a soft-spoken and respectful student.
“Never had a problem with him,” said Storer. “He’s the kind of you want to be around, the kind of kid you remember 10, 20, 30 years later. I could see him getting into the law enforcement field and taking care of people — that’s the way he was.
“A real good guy lost his life,” Storer added.
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Israel’s Netanyahu released from hospital ahead of key vote on legal overhaul Crime and Public Safety | Protesters try to storm Baghdad’s Green Zone over the burning of Quran and Iraqi flag in Denmark Hall and Underwood grew up playing baseball at Fernandez Park in the 1970s and 80s, when the West Contra Costa city had a smaller African American population. In those days, “you’d get off AC Transit and many nights you’d run full speed ahead” to get home, Hall said.
“Pat didn’t have one enemy on the face of this Earth,” said Hall, who is now living in Las Vegas. “Everybody that came into contact with Pat loved the guy. He wouldn’t hurt a fly. He was just that cool.”
Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf on Saturday called the shooter an “assassin” and “cowardly.”
“Any loss in the DHS family impacts all of us and I want the loved ones of these brave officers to know you have the support of the department behind you,” Wolf said.


mercurynews--2020-05-31--Will protests spark a 2nd viral wave?

Will protests spark a 2nd viral wave?

Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people out of their homes and onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks , prompting political leaders , physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases .
While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves , they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing , both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus .
More than 100,000 Americans have died of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new coronavirus .
People of color have been particularly hard hit , with rates of hospitalizations and deaths among black Americans far exceeding those of whites .
The protests in dozens of cities have been spurred most recently by the death last week of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis .
But the unrest and outrage spilling out into the streets from one city to the next also reflect the dual , cumulative tensions arising from decades of killings by police and the sudden losses of family and friends from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests is occurring as many states have warily begun reopening after weeks of stay-at-home orders with millions of Americans unemployed .
Restaurants , schools , beaches and parks are under scrutiny as the public tentatively practices new forms of social distancing .
In Los Angeles , where demonstrations led to the closing of virus testing sites Saturday , Mayor Eric Garcetti warned that the protests could become “ super-spreader events , ” referring to the types of gatherings , usually held in indoor settings , that can lead to an explosion of secondary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maryland , a Republican , expressed concern that his state would see a spike in cases in about two weeks , which is about how long it takes for symptoms to emerge after someone is infected , while Atlanta ’ s mayor , Keisha Lance Bottoms , advised people who were out protesting “ to go get a COVID test this week.
” Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors , saying the open-air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission .
In addition , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and in some places , they appeared to be avoiding clustering too closely .
“ The outdoor air dilutes the virus and reduces the infectious dose that might be out there , and if there are breezes blowing , that further dilutes the virus in the air , ” said Dr. William Schaffner , an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University .
“ There was literally a lot of running around , which means they ’ re exhaling more profoundly , but also passing each other very quickly.
” The crowds tended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he noted , and younger adults generally have better outcomes if they become ill , though there is a risk they could transmit the virus to relatives and household members who may be older and more susceptible .
But others were more concerned about the risk posed by the marches .
Dr. Howard Markel , a medical historian who studies pandemics , likened the protest crowds to the bond parades held in American cities like Philadelphia and Detroit in the midst of the 1918 influenza pandemic , which were often followed by spikes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the protests are outside , but they are all really close to each other , and in those cases , being outside doesn ’ t protect you nearly as much , ” Markel said .
“ Public gatherings are public gatherings — it doesn ’ t matter what you ’ re protesting or cheering .
That ’ s one reason we ’ re not having large baseball games and may not have college football this fall.
” Though many protesters were wearing masks , others were not .
SARS-CoV-2 , the virus that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transmitted through respiratory droplets spread when people talk , cough or sneeze ; screaming and shouting slogans during a protest can accelerate the spread , Markel said .
Tear gas and pepper spray , which police have used to disperse crowds , cause people to tear up and cough , and increase respiratory secretions from the eyes , nose and mouth , further enhancing the possibility of transmission .
Police efforts to move crowds through tight urban areas can result in corralling people closer together or end up penning people into tight spaces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Markel said .
“ People get lost in the moment , and they lose awareness of who is close to them , who ’ s not , who ’ s wearing a mask , who ’ s not , ” he said .
The biggest concern is the one that has bedeviled infectious disease experts since the pandemic began , and it is the coronavirus ’ secret weapon : that it can be transmitted by people who do not display any symptoms and feel healthy enough to participate in protests .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carriers , and that makes it hugely risky , ” Markel said .
Dr. Ashish Jha , a professor and director of the Harvard Global Health Institute , said more than half of coronavirus infections are spread by people who are asymptomatic , including some who are infected but never go on to develop symptoms and others who do not yet know they are sick .
Arresting , transporting or jailing protesters increases the potential for spreading the virus .
Jha called on protesters to refrain from violence and urged police to exercise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration , appearing on CBS ’ “ Face The Nation ” on Sunday , also predicted the protests would lead to new “ chains of transmission.
” He said social and economic inequities , including poor access to health care , discrimination in health care settings , greater reliance on public transportation and differences in employment were all factors leading to a greater burden of COVID-19 disease among people of color .
• Monterey to hold virtual town hall for input on projected $ 31M revenue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to depend on our ability to take care of our most medically and socially vulnerable , ” Gottlieb said .
“ We absolutely need to resolve these underlying problems to eliminate the risk of pandemic spreading of the epidemic .
”

The New York Times News Service Syndicate

Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people out of their homes and onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases.
While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus.
More than 100,000 Americans have died of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. People of color have been particularly hard hit, with rates of hospitalizations and deaths among black Americans far exceeding those of whites.
The protests in dozens of cities have been spurred most recently by the death last week of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis. But the unrest and outrage spilling out into the streets from one city to the next also reflect the dual, cumulative tensions arising from decades of killings by police and the sudden losses of family and friends from the virus.
The spontaneous outpouring of protests is occurring as many states have warily begun reopening after weeks of stay-at-home orders with millions of Americans unemployed. Restaurants, schools, beaches and parks are under scrutiny as the public tentatively practices new forms of social distancing.
In Los Angeles, where demonstrations led to the closing of virus testing sites Saturday, Mayor Eric Garcetti warned that the protests could become “super-spreader events,” referring to the types of gatherings, usually held in indoor settings, that can lead to an explosion of secondary infections.
Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland, a Republican, expressed concern that his state would see a spike in cases in about two weeks, which is about how long it takes for symptoms to emerge after someone is infected, while Atlanta’s mayor, Keisha Lance Bottoms, advised people who were out protesting “to go get a COVID test this week.”
Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open-air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. In addition, many of the demonstrators were wearing masks, and in some places, they appeared to be avoiding clustering too closely.
“The outdoor air dilutes the virus and reduces the infectious dose that might be out there, and if there are breezes blowing, that further dilutes the virus in the air,” said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University. “There was literally a lot of running around, which means they’re exhaling more profoundly, but also passing each other very quickly.”
The crowds tended to be on the younger side, he noted, and younger adults generally have better outcomes if they become ill, though there is a risk they could transmit the virus to relatives and household members who may be older and more susceptible.
But others were more concerned about the risk posed by the marches. Dr. Howard Markel, a medical historian who studies pandemics, likened the protest crowds to the bond parades held in American cities like Philadelphia and Detroit in the midst of the 1918 influenza pandemic, which were often followed by spikes in influenza cases.
“Yes, the protests are outside, but they are all really close to each other, and in those cases, being outside doesn’t protect you nearly as much,” Markel said. “Public gatherings are public gatherings — it doesn’t matter what you’re protesting or cheering. That’s one reason we’re not having large baseball games and may not have college football this fall.”
Though many protesters were wearing masks, others were not. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease, is mainly transmitted through respiratory droplets spread when people talk, cough or sneeze; screaming and shouting slogans during a protest can accelerate the spread, Markel said.
Tear gas and pepper spray, which police have used to disperse crowds, cause people to tear up and cough, and increase respiratory secretions from the eyes, nose and mouth, further enhancing the possibility of transmission. Police efforts to move crowds through tight urban areas can result in corralling people closer together or end up penning people into tight spaces.
And emotions have been running high, Markel said. “People get lost in the moment, and they lose awareness of who is close to them, who’s not, who’s wearing a mask, who’s not,” he said.
The biggest concern is the one that has bedeviled infectious disease experts since the pandemic began, and it is the coronavirus’ secret weapon: that it can be transmitted by people who do not display any symptoms and feel healthy enough to participate in protests.
“There are a huge number of asymptomatic carriers, and that makes it hugely risky,” Markel said.
Dr. Ashish Jha, a professor and director of the Harvard Global Health Institute, said more than half of coronavirus infections are spread by people who are asymptomatic, including some who are infected but never go on to develop symptoms and others who do not yet know they are sick.
Arresting, transporting or jailing protesters increases the potential for spreading the virus. Jha called on protesters to refrain from violence and urged police to exercise restraint.
Dr. Scott Gottlieb, a former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, appearing on CBS’ “Face The Nation” on Sunday, also predicted the protests would lead to new “chains of transmission.”
He said social and economic inequities, including poor access to health care, discrimination in health care settings, greater reliance on public transportation and differences in employment were all factors leading to a greater burden of COVID-19 disease among people of color.


mercurynews--2020-05-31--‘Welcome home again’: Small number of Bay Area churches open Sunday, defying coronavirus orders

Pastor Larry Ihrig had a message for congregants as he greeted them with elbow bumps Sunday morning at the entrance to the sanctuary at Livermore ’ s Celebration Church .
“ Welcome home again , guys .
I wish we could hug , but we can ’ t do any of that.
” One congregant rejoiced as they arrived at the doors : “ Thank the Lord .
We ’ re finally back.
” More than 100 worshipers came out to the church Sunday morning for the first in-person service in more than two months , curtailed in March by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , put in place nearly two and a half months ago to curb the spread of COVID-19 .
Although Gov .
Gavin Newsom issued new guidelines to guide the reopening of places of worship statewide , gatherings of any sort — including religious services — were still banned Sunday by local orders in the Bay Area .
While the vast majority of religious leaders followed the regulations and stuck to their online offerings , some decided to reopen their doors on Sunday in defiance of the orders .
In south San Jose , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chapel was taken Sunday morning for the first service back inside the congregation ’ s church since the start of restrictions in March .
Last week , Pastor Mike McClure vowed that he would reopen the church for regular service regardless of the status of local orders mandating public closure , and that he would “ never ” close the doors to his church again .
“ Germs are important , yes , absolutely , ” McClure said .
But , quoting a conversation he said he had with a doctor recently , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ only Jesus Christ can save a soul.
” in Livermore , Ihrig said he sees his church as offering an essential service to his community — spiritual counsel that the government can not provide during this painful and chaotic time .
The church implemented recommendations laid out by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention earlier this month , spacing rows of chairs six feet apart , instructing congregants to wear face coverings as they entered the building , sanitizing surface areas before the service and limiting capacity in its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ space in its fellowship room and courtyard .
“ I feel like we ’ re following all the protocols we were told to follow and that we ’ re as good as any other business following the guidelines — possibility even a little better , ” Gary Confenti , a member of the church for 16 years , said as he welcomed worshipers into the building .
This new guidelines issued this week allowed attendance at places of worship but limited them to 25 % of capacity or a maximum of 100 attendees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individual county health departments to give their approval .
After months of substantial uniformity , the Bay Area ’ s reopening will look a little more disjointed this week , including when it comes to places of worship .
While San Mateo County is allowing places of worship to reopen on Monday , San Francisco and Marin counties have announced religious institutions can reopen in two weeks .
Santa Clara , Alameda and Contra Costa county officials have not yet decided when they will permit people to gather in-person for religious purposes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ihrig told his congregants that he was “ doing what God told Celebration to do ” but that they should not judge other religious leaders who are taking a more cautious approach .
“ I am in full support of every pastor and every leader with the decision they ’ re making concerning the direction God gives them , ” he said .
“ The Bible never called us to uniformity.
” Michelle Ward , 42 , of Livermore , attended the service with her husband Todd and two younger children .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed Sunday , so the Wards “ came out to support ” Ihrid ’ s decision to reopen and worship with others , Michelle said .
“ Church is much more than listening to a sermon online .
We believe fellowship is important and our kids need to be involved , ” Michelle said .
As the family entered the building Sunday , Todd Ward questioned why they were required to wear a mask if they would also be maintaining six feet of distance between themselves and others while inside the auditorium .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the way to keep the church open .
No law enforcement officers were seen Sunday at either church , even as the services violated public-health orders .
Inside the newly-remodeled Calvary Chapel in San Jose , dozens of people gathered together without masks and many of them ignored social distancing requirements .
Danny Perez , a 37-year-old security manager , said he wasn ’ t afraid of contracting coronavirus at the church he has attended for 15 years .
Perez was not wearing a mask — he doesn ’ t wear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said ; he takes countywide health guidelines as simple suggestions .
“ If Congress and the government really thought it was necessary they would have enacted a law , ” Perez said of health requirements .
“ I ’ m not trying to infringe on anyone ’ s rights .
If I feel like I need to wear a mask then I ’ ll wear it .
But I ’ m not afraid about spreading the virus.
” For Perez , churches are as essential as health care .
“ The church is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Not in a traditional sense , but spiritually .
”

Pastor Larry Ihrig had a message for congregants as he greeted them with elbow bumps Sunday morning at the entrance to the sanctuary at Livermore’s Celebration Church.
“Welcome home again, guys. I wish we could hug, but we can’t do any of that.”
One congregant rejoiced as they arrived at the doors: “Thank the Lord. We’re finally back.”
More than 100 worshipers came out to the church Sunday morning for the first in-person service in more than two months, curtailed in March by the region’s public health orders, put in place nearly two and a half months ago to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Although Gov. Gavin Newsom issued new guidelines to guide the reopening of places of worship statewide, gatherings of any sort — including religious services — were still banned Sunday by local orders in the Bay Area.
While the vast majority of religious leaders followed the regulations and stuck to their online offerings, some decided to reopen their doors on Sunday in defiance of the orders.
In south San Jose, nearly every parking spot at the Calvary Chapel was taken Sunday morning for the first service back inside the congregation’s church since the start of restrictions in March.
Last week, Pastor Mike McClure vowed that he would reopen the church for regular service regardless of the status of local orders mandating public closure, and that he would “never” close the doors to his church again.
“Germs are important, yes, absolutely,” McClure said. But, quoting a conversation he said he had with a doctor recently, saving a soul is more important, and “only Jesus Christ can save a soul.”
in Livermore, Ihrig said he sees his church as offering an essential service to his community — spiritual counsel that the government cannot provide during this painful and chaotic time.
The church implemented recommendations laid out by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention earlier this month, spacing rows of chairs six feet apart, instructing congregants to wear face coverings as they entered the building, sanitizing surface areas before the service and limiting capacity in its auditorium to 100 people while providing overflow space in its fellowship room and courtyard.
“I feel like we’re following all the protocols we were told to follow and that we’re as good as any other business following the guidelines — possibility even a little better,” Gary Confenti, a member of the church for 16 years, said as he welcomed worshipers into the building.
This new guidelines issued this week allowed attendance at places of worship but limited them to 25% of capacity or a maximum of 100 attendees — whichever is lower — and requiring individual county health departments to give their approval.
After months of substantial uniformity, the Bay Area’s reopening will look a little more disjointed this week, including when it comes to places of worship.
While San Mateo County is allowing places of worship to reopen on Monday, San Francisco and Marin counties have announced religious institutions can reopen in two weeks. Santa Clara, Alameda and Contra Costa county officials have not yet decided when they will permit people to gather in-person for religious purposes.
During his sermon on Sunday morning, Ihrig told his congregants that he was “doing what God told Celebration to do” but that they should not judge other religious leaders who are taking a more cautious approach.
“I am in full support of every pastor and every leader with the decision they’re making concerning the direction God gives them,” he said. “The Bible never called us to uniformity.”
Michelle Ward, 42, of Livermore, attended the service with her husband Todd and two younger children. The church that the family normally attends was closed Sunday, so the Wards “came out to support” Ihrid’s decision to reopen and worship with others, Michelle said.
“Church is much more than listening to a sermon online. We believe fellowship is important and our kids need to be involved,” Michelle said.
As the family entered the building Sunday, Todd Ward questioned why they were required to wear a mask if they would also be maintaining six feet of distance between themselves and others while inside the auditorium. Ihrig said that following CDC guidelines was part of the way to keep the church open.
No law enforcement officers were seen Sunday at either church, even as the services violated public-health orders.
Inside the newly-remodeled Calvary Chapel in San Jose, dozens of people gathered together without masks and many of them ignored social distancing requirements.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms California News | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge Danny Perez, a 37-year-old security manager, said he wasn’t afraid of contracting coronavirus at the church he has attended for 15 years. Perez was not wearing a mask — he doesn’t wear one most of the time, he said; he takes countywide health guidelines as simple suggestions.
“If Congress and the government really thought it was necessary they would have enacted a law,” Perez said of health requirements. “I’m not trying to infringe on anyone’s rights. If I feel like I need to wear a mask then I’ll wear it. But I’m not afraid about spreading the virus.”
For Perez, churches are as essential as health care. “The church is a hospital,” he said. “Not in a traditional sense, but spiritually.”


mercurynews--2020-05-31--Christo, artist known for massive, fleeting displays, dies

NEW YORK ( AP ) — Christo , known for massive , ephemeral public art projects died Sunday at his home in New York .
He was 84 .
His death was announced on Twitter and the artist ’ s web page .
No cause of death was given .
Along with late wife Jeanne-Claude , the artists ’ careers were defined by their ambitious art projects that quickly disappeared soon after they were erected .
In 2005 , he installed more than 7,500 vinyl gates in New York ’ s Central Park and wrapped the Reichstag in Berlin in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Their self-financed $ 26 million Umbrellas project erected 1,340 blue umbrellas installed in Japan and 1,760 blue umbrellas in Southern California in 1991 .
The statement said the artist ’ s next project , L ’ Arc de Triomphe , Wrapped , is slated to appear in September in Paris as planned .
An exhibition about Christo and Jeanne-Claude ’ s work is also scheduled to run from July through October at the Centre Georges Pompidou .
“ Christo lived his life to the fullest , not only dreaming up what seemed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office said in a statement .
“ Christo and Jeanne-Claude ’ s artwork brought people together in shared experiences across the globe , and their work lives on in our hearts and memories.
” Born in Bulgaria in 1935 , Christo Vladimirov Javacheff studied at the Fine Arts Academy in Sofia before moving to Prague in 1957 , then Vienna , then Geneva .
It was in Paris in 1958 where he met Jeanne-Claude Denat de Guillebon , who would become his partner in life and art .
Jeanne-Claude died in 2009 at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aneurysm .

NEW YORK — Christo, known for massive, ephemeral public art projects died Sunday at his home in New York. He was 84.
His death was announced on Twitter and the artist’s web page. No cause of death was given.
Along with late wife Jeanne-Claude, the artists’ careers were defined by their ambitious art projects that quickly disappeared soon after they were erected. In 2005, he installed more than 7,500 vinyl gates in New York’s Central Park and wrapped the Reichstag in Berlin in fabric with an aluminum sheen in 1995. Their self-financed $26 million Umbrellas project erected 1,340 blue umbrellas installed in Japan and 1,760 blue umbrellas in Southern California in 1991.
The statement said the artist’s next project, L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped, is slated to appear in September in Paris as planned. An exhibition about Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s work is also scheduled to run from July through October at the Centre Georges Pompidou.
“Christo lived his life to the fullest, not only dreaming up what seemed impossible but realizing it,” his office said in a statement. “Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s artwork brought people together in shared experiences across the globe, and their work lives on in our hearts and memories.”
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Contest winners address struggle of being ‘Be-You-tiful’ in social media age Obituaries | Saratoga teen exhibits artwork he hopes inspires environmental legislation Born in Bulgaria in 1935, Christo Vladimirov Javacheff studied at the Fine Arts Academy in Sofia before moving to Prague in 1957, then Vienna, then Geneva. It was in Paris in 1958 where he met Jeanne-Claude Denat de Guillebon, who would become his partner in life and art.
Jeanne-Claude died in 2009 at age 74 from complications of a brain aneurysm.


mercurynews--2020-05-31--Monterey to hold virtual town hall for input on projected $31M revenue shortfall

MONTEREY — A special town hall will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday to get public input on hard funding decisions faced by the City of Monterey , which projects a “ devastating loss ” of $ 31 million to its budget over the next two years .
The city says the loss is a result of the novel coronavirus health emergency and the resulting shelter in place order that closed businesses and many city services and programs , as well as community events .
The shortfall comes despite voter approval in March of Measure G , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is imperative that the City ’ s budget is balanced , ” City Manager Hans Uslar said in a statement .
“ The devastation of our General Fund revenues forces us to look at our core services in search of adapting new standards , which we can actually afford.
” City officials say that priorities during the health emergency are maintaining public safety , keeping core government functions operational and helping the recovery of the local economy .
Those who want to participate in the virtual town hall session need to register @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clicking the link at the top of the page .
The town hall will be shown online at youtube.com/cityofmonterey .

Bay City News Service
MONTEREY — A special town hall will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday to get public input on hard funding decisions faced by the City of Monterey, which projects a “devastating loss” of $31 million to its budget over the next two years.
The city says the loss is a result of the novel coronavirus health emergency and the resulting shelter in place order that closed businesses and many city services and programs, as well as community events.
The shortfall comes despite voter approval in March of Measure G, a nine-year half-cent sales tax increase.
“It is imperative that the City’s budget is balanced,” City Manager Hans Uslar said in a statement. “The devastation of our General Fund
revenues forces us to look at our core services in search of adapting new standards, which we can actually afford.”
City officials say that priorities during the health emergency are maintaining public safety, keeping core government functions operational and helping the recovery of the local economy.
Those who want to participate in the virtual town hall session need to register in advance by going to www.monterey.org/coronavirus and
clicking the link at the top of the page.
The town hall will be shown online at youtube.com/cityofmonterey.


mercurynews--2020-05-31--‘Let’s get this motherf—ker’: San Jose officer benched after viral protest comments

CLICK HERE if you ’ re having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device .
SAN JOSE — The San Jose Police Department was doing damage control after one of its officers trended nationally on social media for aggressive comments toward demonstrators protesting the George Floyd killing in Minneapolis , shouting “ Let ’ s get this motherf—er ” and “ Shut up , bitch ” as he manned downtown skirmish lines .
The officer , confirmed to be six-year SJPD veteran Jared Yuen , was recorded in multiple instances late Friday afternoon and drew immediate and wide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the video and called for Yuen ’ s firing .
One of the videos had been viewed more than 10 million times and been shared nearly 500,000 times on Twitter as of Sunday morning .
Authorities confirmed that Yuen has been temporarily taken off street duty and will not be staffing any more demonstrations .
Raj Jayadev , director of the South Bay social-justice group Silicon Valley De-Bug , said the videos are particularly troubling because of the fears elicited by the police killing of Floyd last week , after Minneapolis police officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handcuffed Floyd ’ s neck for more than eight minutes .
Chauvin was fired and has since been charged with murder .
“ Officer Yuen ’ s actions are extremely dangerous because you have someone who actually has a license to kill , ” Jayadev said .
“ It ’ s one thing for someone to be a bully .
But when you have the tools and state authority to act upon that violent aggression , it ’ s not just words , as far as I see it .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortage of condemnation from city leaders for the behavior shown in the videos , which surfaced as the police department parries criticism for its use of rubber bullets , tear gas and other force tactics to dispserse protesters after they shut down Highway 101 , and some people took to vandalism .
By the end of Friday , at least 38 people were arrested and several officers were injured by thrown objects including glass bottles , and one officer went to the hospital after a protester punched him in the face .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s statements disturbing , and his conduct undermines what was overwhelmingly excellent work by San Jose police officers to exercise restraint and professionalism amid very difficult , intense moments , ” Mayor Sam Liccardo said Sunday .
“ It ’ s apparent that the officer allowed his emotions to undermine his professional duty to the public.
” Through the police department , Yuen declined to comment for this story .
Police Chief Eddie Garcia , who told this news organization Saturday that the officer ’ s actions were a product of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high , ” offered a wider response Sunday that firmly denounced the incident while also extending support for Yuen .
“ I ’ m not happy about this , and I ’ m not defending this , ” Garcia said .
“ He let his emotions get the best of him , and it ’ s not right.
” The chief , who was among the first police leaders in the country to condemn Floyd ’ s killing , said Yuen will be held accountable for his conduct , but stopped short of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the line .
He said Yuen is a good police officer “ who has put his life on the line for the city multiple times.
” In 2016 , Yuen was deemed a victim officer in an encounter where an auto-theft suspect rammed his car during an escape attempt , prompting two other officers to open fire on the suspect .
“ He ’ s a good kid and a good cop .
He will have to deal with this .
And I will have to deal with this , ” Garcia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get swept under the rug.
” The San Jose Police Officers ’ Association sought to toe a similarly fine line between acknowledging the damaging power of Yuen ’ s acts and trying to offer a sense of measure .
“ San Jose police officers are performing an extremely delicate job , in an incredibly dangerous and difficult time , and our entire community is under an enormous amount of stress .
That stress manifested itself in language directed at a protester that is appropriately being investigated by the department , ” Sgt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday .
“ We urge everyone to protest peacefully and know that San Jose police officers remain committed to ensuring the safety of protesters and all residents of our city.
” Other city leaders also weighed in on the controversy Sunday .
In a tweet , San Jose city council member Lan Diep said that “ as an Asian American , I feel obligated to call out the poor judgment of Jared Yuen ” at the protest .
“ Police are here to serve & protect .
During a ( national ) debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role of police , his provocations are not helpful.
” Council member Raul Peralez , a reserve SJPD officer and former full-time cop , said Yuen ’ s actions were “ inappropriate and unprofessional ” and “ did not match the dozens of other officers that were there with him.
” “ I think that not addressing that quickly is only going to add fuel to the fire , ” he said .
“ You have to be able to address these issues when they happen , and if you don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will lack trust .
”

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SAN JOSE — The San Jose Police Department was doing damage control after one of its officers trended nationally on social media for aggressive comments toward demonstrators protesting the George Floyd killing in Minneapolis, shouting “Let’s get this motherf—er” and “Shut up, bitch” as he manned downtown skirmish lines.
The officer, confirmed to be six-year SJPD veteran Jared Yuen, was recorded in multiple instances late Friday afternoon and drew immediate and wide rebukes from thousands of people who watched the video and called for Yuen’s firing.
here's officer jared yuen of sjpd pic.twitter.com/36E24PbmoN — alexis penazo (@bisayaan) May 30, 2020
One of the videos had been viewed more than 10 million times and been shared nearly 500,000 times on Twitter as of Sunday morning. Authorities confirmed that Yuen has been temporarily taken off street duty and will not be staffing any more demonstrations.
Raj Jayadev, director of the South Bay social-justice group Silicon Valley De-Bug, said the videos are particularly troubling because of the fears elicited by the police killing of Floyd last week, after Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee on a handcuffed Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes. Chauvin was fired and has since been charged with murder.
“Officer Yuen’s actions are extremely dangerous because you have someone who actually has a license to kill,” Jayadev said. “It’s one thing for someone to be a bully. But when you have the tools and state authority to act upon that violent aggression, it’s not just words, as far as I see it. It’s a criminal threat.”
There was no shortage of condemnation from city leaders for the behavior shown in the videos, which surfaced as the police department parries criticism for its use of rubber bullets, tear gas and other force tactics to dispserse protesters after they shut down Highway 101, and some people took to vandalism. By the end of Friday, at least 38 people were arrested and several officers were injured by thrown objects including glass bottles, and one officer went to the hospital after a protester punched him in the face.
“I found the video of Officer Yuen’s statements disturbing, and his conduct undermines what was overwhelmingly excellent work by San Jose police officers to exercise restraint and professionalism amid very difficult, intense moments,” Mayor Sam Liccardo said Sunday. “It’s apparent that the officer allowed his emotions to undermine his professional duty to the public.”
Through the police department, Yuen declined to comment for this story. Police Chief Eddie Garcia, who told this news organization Saturday that the officer’s actions were a product of an environment in which “emotions were running high,” offered a wider response Sunday that firmly denounced the incident while also extending support for Yuen.
“I’m not happy about this, and I’m not defending this,” Garcia said. “He let his emotions get the best of him, and it’s not right.”
The chief, who was among the first police leaders in the country to condemn Floyd’s killing, said Yuen will be held accountable for his conduct, but stopped short of saying whether Yuen’s career was on the line. He said Yuen is a good police officer “who has put his life on the line for the city multiple times.” In 2016, Yuen was deemed a victim officer in an encounter where an auto-theft suspect rammed his car during an escape attempt, prompting two other officers to open fire on the suspect.
“He’s a good kid and a good cop. He will have to deal with this. And I will have to deal with this,” Garcia said. “This is not going to get swept under the rug.”
The San Jose Police Officers’ Association sought to toe a similarly fine line between acknowledging the damaging power of Yuen’s acts and trying to offer a sense of measure.
“San Jose police officers are performing an extremely delicate job, in an incredibly dangerous and difficult time, and our entire community is under an enormous amount of stress. That stress manifested itself in language directed at a protester that is appropriately being investigated by the department,” Sgt. Paul Kelly said in a statement Sunday. “We urge everyone to protest peacefully and know that San Jose police officers remain committed to ensuring the safety of protesters and all residents of our city.”
Reached by email, the city’s independent police auditor, Shivaun Nurre, declined to speak specifically about Yuen, saying “I can’t ‘pre-judge’ any event that might form the basis of a complaint. If I opine on event now, it will be difficult to be seen as an objective reviewer later in the audit process.”
Nurre said anyone who has a complaint about San Jose police conduct, during the demonstrations or otherwise, can do so on the IPA office website.
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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 Other city leaders also weighed in on the controversy Sunday. In a tweet, San Jose city council member Lan Diep said that “as an Asian American, I feel obligated to call out the poor judgment of Jared Yuen” at the protest. “Police are here to serve & protect. During a (national) debate (about) systemic racism & the role of police, his provocations are not helpful.”
Council member Raul Peralez, a reserve SJPD officer and former full-time cop, said Yuen’s actions were “inappropriate and unprofessional” and “did not match the dozens of other officers that were there with him.”
“I think that not addressing that quickly is only going to add fuel to the fire,” he said. “You have to be able to address these issues when they happen, and if you don’t then there are reasons why the community will lack trust.”
Staff writer Maggie Angst contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-05-31--Mountain View extends COVID-19-related tenant eviction protections

MOUNTAIN VIEW — The Mountain View City Council on Friday approved the extension of a local urgency ordinance suspending evictions for nonpayment of rent for residential tenants .
The extension of tenant protections through Aug. 31 is for households that qualify due to hardship related to the novel coronavirus emergency .
The council also extended the rent payback period from 120 days from the expiration of the urgency ordinance to 180 days .
The urgency ordinance applies to renters of mobile home sites as well .
“ To get started , tenants must notify landlords of their inability to pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due and provide proof of hardship from COVID-19 related impacts within 14 days after rent is due , ” the city said in an announcement .
Hardships include job layoffs or reductions in work hours , a substantial decrease in business income due to decreases of open hours or consumer demand , and substantial medical expenses or having to care for children or sick members of a household due to the pandemic .
Tenants must repay past rent within 180 days after expiration of the ordinance and landlords can collect late fees for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Local mediation will be available to help formulate repayment plans and resolve issues between tenants and landlords .
• Monterey to hold virtual town hall for input on projected $ 31M revenue shortfall Details and forms are online at MountainView.gov/EvictionRelief .

MOUNTAIN VIEW — The Mountain View City Council on Friday approved the extension of a local urgency ordinance suspending evictions for nonpayment of rent for residential tenants.
The extension of tenant protections through Aug. 31 is for households that qualify due to hardship related to the novel coronavirus emergency.
The council also extended the rent payback period from 120 days from the expiration of the urgency ordinance to 180 days. The urgency ordinance applies to renters of mobile home sites as well.
“To get started, tenants must notify landlords of their inability to pay rent within seven days after rent is due and provide proof of hardship
from COVID-19 related impacts within 14 days after rent is due,” the city said in an announcement.
Hardships include job layoffs or reductions in work hours, a substantial decrease in business income due to decreases of open hours or
consumer demand, and substantial medical expenses or having to care for children or sick members of a household due to the pandemic.
Tenants must repay past rent within 180 days after expiration of the ordinance and landlords can collect late fees for rent not paid in a timely
manner.
Local mediation will be available to help formulate repayment plans and resolve issues between tenants and landlords.


mercurynews--2020-05-31--Editorial: George Floyd case forces needed U.S. reflection on racism

As a nation , we must wake up to , speak out against and stop the racism that black Americans experience and fear every day .
We must acknowledge that more than six decades after the birth of the civil rights movement , we remain a grossly unequal society in which people of color — especially black men — face disparate treatment because of the pigment of their skin .
Disparate treatment most disturbingly from people in power : From the Minneapolis police officer who held his knee on George Floyd ’ s neck for about eight minutes as he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ignored the fatal shooting of jogger Ahmaud Arbery ; and the off-duty police officer who walked into the wrong Dallas apartment and murdered Botham Jean .
Those are just some in an endless list of cases that make many African Americans fear the people who are supposed to protect them , worry about walking down the street , agonize about the safety of their children and hesitate at reporting crime .
We must speak up against the racism and against the economic injustices that have historically made — and continue today to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ society .
We must speak up and speak out — but we must do so peacefully .
• Photos : Hayward march for justice after death of George Floyd in Minneapolis • ‘ Let ’ s get this motherf—ker ’ : San Jose officer benched after viral protest comments • San Jose declares curfew after two nights of protests Sadly , that ’ s not what we ’ ve witnessed these past two nights in the Bay Area .
While most seek non-violent tactics to make themselves heard , once again some are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The trashing of our communities solves nothing .
It only makes the economic injustice worse for it damages the businesses that employ us and serve us all , and it drains the already-scarce public resources needed to help the neediest .
The destruction is an indictment of wrong-minded protesters bent on violence and should not be taken as a reflection on those who gathered with legitimate cause .
The violence must be stopped .
Ripping apart our society is not the solution for fixing it .
San Francisco and San Jose have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Before this spirals out of control , Oakland should do the same .
And Gov .
Gavin Newsom should provide national guard assistance to ensure the peace .
At the same time , there must be wide room for the peaceful voices of protest to be heard .
And it ’ s incumbent on all of us to listen to those voices .
To acknowledge that we remain an economically divided nation — and that it ’ s only gotten worse in the past four years .
It ’ s time for us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of helplessness — surely exacerbated by weeks of quarantine as a pandemic ravages our nation and disproportionately attacks the very same minority communities that also experience the worst discrimination .
This is a time for America to search its national soul , to recognize the racism within and to work empathetically to correct it .
We ’ ve ignored it for too long .

Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards

As a nation, we must wake up to, speak out against and stop the racism that black Americans experience and fear every day.
We must acknowledge that more than six decades after the birth of the civil rights movement, we remain a grossly unequal society in which people of color — especially black men — face disparate treatment because of the pigment of their skin.
Disparate treatment most disturbingly from people in power: From the Minneapolis police officer who held his knee on George Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes as he stopped breathing; the Georgia officials who ignored the fatal shooting of jogger Ahmaud Arbery; and the off-duty police officer who walked into the wrong Dallas apartment and murdered Botham Jean.
Those are just some in an endless list of cases that make many African Americans fear the people who are supposed to protect them, worry about walking down the street, agonize about the safety of their children and hesitate at reporting crime.
We must speak up against the racism and against the economic injustices that have historically made — and continue today to make — it impossible to truly equalize our society. We must speak up and speak out — but we must do so peacefully.
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Officer gets 4+ years for role in George Floyd killing Editorials | San Jose: Federal excessive force lawsuit from George Floyd protests is greenlit for trial Sadly, that’s not what we’ve witnessed in the Bay Area since Friday. While most seek non-violent tactics to make themselves heard, once again some are determined to wreak havoc on our cities.
The trashing and looting of our communities solves nothing. It only makes the economic injustice worse for it damages the businesses that employ us and serve us all, and it drains the already-scarce public resources needed to help the neediest. The destruction is an indictment of wrong-minded protesters bent on violence and should not be taken as a reflection on those who gathered with legitimate cause.
The violence must be stopped. Ripping apart our society is not the solution for fixing it. San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Clara, Walnut Creek, Danville, Lafayette, Pleasant Hill and Alameda County have wisely imposed curfews. Before this spirals out of control local officials should also take advantage of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s offer of California National Guard assistance to ensure the peace.
At the same time, there must be wide room for the peaceful voices of protest to be heard. And it’s incumbent on all of us to listen to those voices. To acknowledge that we remain an economically divided nation — and that it’s only gotten worse in the past four years.
It’s time for us to hear the pain and the feelings of helplessness — surely exacerbated by weeks of quarantine as a pandemic ravages our nation and disproportionately attacks the very same minority communities that also experience the worst discrimination.
This is a time for America to search its national soul, to recognize the racism within and to work empathetically to correct it. We’ve ignored it for too long.