washingtontimes--2020-06-06--The Latest: Paris police ban Floyd protest due to virus fear

- Sharpton planning DC rally for Aug. 28 anniversary of MLK ’ s “ I Have A Dream ” speech - Minneapolis-St. Paul curfew over as troopers , National Guard to be sent home - Seattle mayor bans police use of a type of tear gas for 30 days .
PARIS -Police have banned a third protest in Paris that had been planned for Saturday to condemn alleged police abuses in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death .
Police cited a risk of spreading COVID-19 and fears of public unrest .
The police decree noted that social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people .
Online posts called for people to gather Saturday afternoon in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower .
Paris police had previously also banned two other planned gatherings Saturday outside the US Embassy .
WASHINGTON — Authorities in the nation ’ s capital are expecting Saturday to be the largest demonstration against police brutality in the city since the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Washington has featured daily protests for the past week and they have largely been peaceful , with people marching back and forth from the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Those numbers are expected to swell .
Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy told reporters Friday that local officials were projecting between 100,000 and 200,000 protesters .
Metropolitan Police Department Chief Peter Newsham wouldn ’ t commit to a number but predicted it would be smaller than the 1 million people who attended the Women ’ s March in 2017 .
It comes as authorities have sought to reduce tensions by having National Guard troops not carry weapons .
There were zero arrests during demonstrations on Thursday and Friday and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place since Monday .
She said she will decide on Saturday morning if it will be reinstated .
A number of D.C. churches and theaters have said they will open their lobbies so people can cool off .
Rev .
Al Sharpton said the Washington rally he announced this week was being planned for Aug. 28 , the anniversary of the day MLK gave his “ I Have a Dream ” speech .
He said the August event would be a way of maintaining momentum as the legal process against the men charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It ’ s going to be months , if not a year before you even go to trial .
So you can ’ t let this peter out … otherwise you ’ ll end up in a year and people will go on to another story , and you will not have the public notice and pressure that you need.
” And from August , he said , “ It gives you a push into November , not in a partisan way , in a protecting the vote , because we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail-in voting .
We ’ ve got to educate people in terms of turnout.
” He said , “ One of the things King ’ s dream was about was voting rights and gives us like 90 days before the election and a great emphasis on that , which you ’ re going to , in order to change laws , you ’ ve got to impact lawmakers and they get elected in November .
… Otherwise it ’ s for nothing.
” MINNEAPOLIS - Residents of Minneapolis and St. Paul were no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state is planning to start sending state troopers and National Guard members back home .
Minneapolis and St. Paul saw violent protests and store break-ins late last week following George Floyd ’ s death after being arrested by Minneapolis police .
The city has seen peaceful protests for nearly a week , including some 1,000 protesters in St. Paul on Friday and hundreds more near U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis .
Gov .
Tim Walz credited peaceful protests for helping achieve rapid change on Minneapolis Police Department policy .
On Friday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neck restraints as a civil rights investigation of the department begins .
Floyd , a handcuffed black man , died after a white police officer pressed his knee against his neck , ignoring his “ I can ’ t breathe ” cries even after Floyd eventually grew still .
Bystander video sparked outrage over Floyd ’ s death and protests , some violent , that spread across the U.S. and beyond .
PHOENIX — The family of an unarmed man shot and killed by an Arizona state trooper the same day George Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson ’ s mother , Erma , said Friday she has not heard from Phoenix Police , who are overseeing the investigation of the Memorial Day shooting .
Family members expressed growing frustration that the trooper , who is on paid administrative leave , has not been identified to them .
Democratic state Rep. Reginald Bolding said he has sent a letter requesting the U.S. Justice Department review the case for possible civil rights violations .
The family is particularly bothered that Johnson , 28 , was deprived of emergency medical aid for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cuffed .
SEATTLE - Seattle ’ s mayor has banned the police use of one type of tear gas as protests continue over the killing of George Floyd .
Mayor Jenny Durkan said at a news conference Friday that the ban on CS gas would last for 30 days .
The move came hours after three civilian police watchdog groups urged city leaders to do so .
Police Chief Carmen Best says officials will review police crowd control policies .
Local health officials had also expressed concerns over the use of the gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential to increase spread of the coronavirus .
The groups said the move would build public trust and should remain in place until the department adopts policies and training for use of the chemical agent .
Follow more AP stories on the George Floyd protests and reaction at https : //apnews.com/GeorgeFloyd

TOP OF THE HOUR:
- Police use flash bang devices, pepper spray to disperse Seattle protesters
- Mayor of Portland, Oregon, orders police not to use CS gas except as last resort
- Thousands demonstrate again in New York City.
- Jesse Jackson calls on Congress to pass anti-lynching law.
- Floyd honored with memorial service near his North Carolina hometown.
___
SEATTLE - Police used flash bang devices and pepper spray to disperse a crowd of protesters in Seattle on Saturday night, the ninth consecutive day of George Floyd protests in the city.
The mayhem in the city’s Capitol Hill neighborhood followed a large, peaceful demonstration earlier in the day with medical workers demonstrating against racism and police brutality. It also came a day after Mayor Jenny Durkan and Police Chief Carmen Best imposed a 30-day moratorium on the department’s use of one kind of tear gas.
KING-TV reports that a small group of protesters started throwing objects at officers about 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. Police ordered the crowd to move, then used incendiary devices.
After police were severely criticized by protesters and public officials alike for using tear gas and pepper spray to disperse largely peaceful crowds, Durkan and Best said Friday outside groups would review and update crowd-control policies, including the use of pepper spray and deadly force techniques such as neck and choke holds. She and the mayor added that the ban on one kind of tear gas known as CS could be extended if groups need more time for policy review.
___
SEATTLE — A ninth consecutive day of protests over the death of George Floyd is underway in Seattle, with a large crowd of medical workers demonstrating against racism and police brutality.
Thousands of doctors, nurses and others marched from Harborview Medical Center to City Hall on Saturday morning. Many wore lab coats and scrubs.
The recent demonstrations in Seattle have been among the largest the city has seen in years.
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said Saturday she is encouraging protesters to be tested for COVID-19 after the city and King County public health departments expanded testing criteria to cover asymptomatic people who have attended large protests.
___
PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler has ordered the city’s police not to use a type of tear gas except as a last resort in life-threatening situations.
Wheeler issued a statement Saturday saying he shares community concerns about the use of CS gas, especially during a respiratory-illness pandemic.
Critics have called on the Portland Police Bureau to permanently ban the use of CS gas on protesters.
The announcement came a day after the mayor said police would no longer use a “long-range acoustical device,” or LRAD, to disperse protesters. The device can emit high-pitched, loud frequencies and can cause hearing damage.
___
ATLANTA - Protests downtown assumed an almost festive feel at times on Saturday, with Atlanta’s curfew lifted and police and National Guard presence somewhat out of view.
A group of black college band alumni were serenading one main protest area with a tuba-heavy mix of tunes from atop a parking garage.
Students from historically black colleges and other young people marched to City Hall to demand more action on police violence. Jauan Durbin said he began organizing protests after two fellow college students were pulled from their car and shocked with a stun gun last Saturday by police in downtown Atlanta. The incident was caught on video by WGCL-TV and six officers were fired and then criminally charged.
Durbin said youth protesters are calling for increased financial assistance for black businesses from Atlanta’s city government and increased funding for the city’s public school system.
___
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Hundreds of people marched against police brutality on Saturday, while many more joined a vigil for Breonna Taylor, a black woman shot and killed by police nearly three months ago.
News outlets reported marchers stopped to kneel in a symbolic memorial of the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee on his neck while he pleaded for air while handcuffed.
Protesters have been demanding justice for Taylor, who was killed in her Louisville home in mid-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.
After the morning march, hundreds met at Metro Hall to remember Taylor’s life and release blue, purple and white balloons in her honor.
___
NEW YORK - Demonstrations over the death of George Floyd continued in New York City on Saturday, with thousands taking to the streets and parks to protest police brutality.
Protesters crossed the Brooklyn Bridge into lower Manhattan, where other groups marched or gathered in places like Foley Square, home to state and federal court buildings, and Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village.
Police erected barriers to all but close off Times Square to vehicle and foot traffic as the city continued to enforce an 8 p.m. curfew that has created tensions between protesters and police.
___
NEW ORLEANS — Hundreds of people marched Saturday through City Park as part of a continuing movement of protests against racial injustice and police brutality in America.
With chants of “No Justice, No Peace,” the crowd marched before leaving the park in the early afternoon under gray skies and a light drizzle.
The rally came a day after thousands gathered in the French Quarter for an hours-long protest over the death of George Floyd and others at the hands of police. The crowd filled much of the square in front of St. Louis Cathedral and spilled onto the main thoroughfare, which had been closed to traffic by police.
___
RENO, Nev. - The Reno Police Department has updated its use-of-force policy as police departments across the country come under scrutiny for excessive force following the death of George Floyd.
The changes will take effect immediately. They include new guidelines on de-escalation and peer intervention, prohibiting techniques that restrict breathing, increasing supervisor and internal affairs oversight, and providing other warning options before resorting to deadly force, department officials said in a statement.
Acting Police Chief Tom Robinson said the force is committed to transparency.
___
SEATTLE — A ninth consecutive day of protests over the death of George Floyd is underway, with a large crowd of medical workers demonstrating against racism and police brutality.
Thousands of doctors, nurses and others - many in lab coats and scrubs - marched from to City Hall on Saturday morning. One sign said, “Nurses kneel with you, not on you.” Another said, “Police violence and racism are a public health emergency.”
The demonstrations in Seattle have been among the largest in the city in years.
After police were severely criticized for using tear gas and pepper spray to disperse largely peaceful crowds, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and Police Chief Carmen Best imposed a 30-day moratorium on the department’s use of one kind of tear gas.
City officials will review and update crowd control policies, Best said.
___
MARSEILLE, France - Police have fired tear gas and pepper spray in skirmishes with protesters who hurled bottles and rocks at what had otherwise been an emotional but peaceful demonstration in the French southern port city of Marseille against police abuses and racism in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
Protesters took a knee in front of riot officers, gave speeches and chanted before setting off on a march through the city. But the tail end of the march finished in chaos with clashes between police and protesters.
The rally drew more than 2,000 people.
___
LOUISVILLE, KY. - The Rev. Jesse Jackson is calling for Congress to pass an anti-lynching law and eliminate protections for police officers from lawsuits.
Jackson made the plea Saturday during a news conference in Louisville, Kentucky, where he was to meet with Mayor Greg Fischer and the family of the late Breonna Taylor.
The 26-year-old African-American woman, an emergency room technician, was shot at least eight times in her home after a brief confrontation with police who were there to serve a warrant in mid-March.
___
SAN FRANCISCO - Thousands of demonstrators filled the streets in San Francisco, Sacramento, Simi Valley, San Diego and other locations across California on Saturday, continuing more than a week of protest marches expressing outrage over the death of George Floyd.
Forty-nine-year-old Roderick Sweeney, who is black, said he was overwhelmed to see the large turnout of white protesters waving signs that said “Black Lives Matter” as hundreds gathered in San Francisco at the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center for a march across the famous span.
Floyd died on Memorial Day after a white Minneapolis police officer put his knee on the black man’s neck for nearly nine minutes while Floyd was handcuffed and lying face-down on the ground.
___
RAEFORD, N.C. - A private memorial service for George Floyd was underway Saturday afternoon at a Baptist church in Raeford, North Carolina.
Several hundred celebrants were in attendance. Worshipers sang along with a choir as a large photo of Floyd and a portrait of him adorned with an angel’s wings and halo sat at the front of the chapel.
Hoke County Sheriff Hubert Peterkin, who is African American, told congregants that police officers around the country must be able to admit to themselves, “I am part of the problem.”
“We as law enforcement officers don’t have the authority to bully, push people around and kill them just because we have a badge and a gun,” Peterkin said as the congregation cheered.
Floyd died after a Minneapolis police officer placed a knee on his neck for several minutes on Memorial Day. His death has resulted in protests around the world against police brutality and racism.
___
CHICAGO - Thousands of people marched through the streets of Chicago on Saturday, chanting and waving signs to protest the death of George Floyd and the police mistreatment of people of color.
Like many protests held elsewhere, the ones in Chicago toward the end of the week were peaceful and police also reported fewer arrests related to unrest. Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she was hopeful that would continue through the weekend, but a nightly curfew remained in effect. The city also hired three private security firms to protect shops, grocery stores and pharmacies.
Meanwhile, in Philadelphia thousands of people demanding justice for Floyd marched peacefully through the city chanting “No justice, no peace!” Demonstrators gathered near the Philadelphia Museum of Art and its famous “Rocky” steps, then set off for City Hall where they chanted at police officers and National Guard members.
Smaller groups also marched in other Pennsylvania cities, including several in the Pittsburgh area.
___
DALLAS - Officials in Dallas on Saturday lifted a nighttime curfew that had been put in place after several days of violent demonstrations.
The curfew was lifted after consultation with Dallas Police Chief U. Reneé Hall and City Council.
Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax said Dallas city residents were safer staying at home due to the coronavirus pandemic. The curfew was announced May 31 after violent protests took place in downtown Dallas and other areas over the death of George Floyd and the treatment of black people by police.
___
WASHINGTON - Thousands of peaceful demonstrators poured into the streets of Washington on a hot, humid Saturday afternoon to protest police brutality and racial inequality.
The protesters gathered at the Capitol, on the National Mall and in many residential neighborhoods. The crowd erupted in applause as Mayor Muriel Bowser walked along the portion of 16th Street that she renamed Black Lives Matter Plaza on Friday.
Many of the loosely organized groups were moving toward the White House, where President Donald Trump was spending the day with no public events. The president remained behind-closed-doors, the faint sound of protesters audible in the distance.
One group of thousands of protesters chanted obscenities at Attorney General William Barr and the Department of Justice as they passed the FBI and Justice Department buildings. The protesters held signs that read, “ When a cop kills someone, we all die” and ”White silence is violence.” With hands raised in the air, many also chanted “Hands up, don’t shoot.”
___
LONDON - Protesters at an anti-racism rally in London clashed with police on Saturday near the offices of Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
The clashes near Downing Street came at the end of largely peaceful Black Lives Matter demonstrations in the capital, including outside the U.S. Embassy.
Objects could be seen thrown at police wearing protective gear and video shared on social media appeared to show that after a horse bolted amid the clashes, a police officer was unseated after hitting traffic lights. Photographs showed the officer being treated on the ground.
Police in helmets and with shields formed two lines outside Downing Street, with mounted officers in-between. This tactic has helped separate the crowd and calmed the situation.
___
DORAL, Fla. - About a 100 protesters gathered Saturday at President Donald Trump’s golf resort just outside Miami.
The protest was organized by Latinos for Black Lives Matter. Many carried signs saying such things as “Vote Him Out” and “Don’t Be A Bunker Boy,” the latter a reference to reports that Trump went into the White House bunker when protests in Washington got more violent.
Trump insists he only went there briefly for an inspection.
In Doral, about a dozen police officers were on hand for the protest but did not take any actions.
Several hundred people also gathered in downtown Miami for a march with plans for a bigger rally later in the day. The march was peaceful and led by a pastor who read Bible verses before everyone set out.
___
PARIS - After demonstrations in Paris, protesters denouncing police abuses and racism in the wake of George Floyd’s death gathered in other French cities.
Demonstrators holding placards reading “I can’t breathe” and “No justice, no peace” in English and other slogans in French joined a crowd hundreds strong in the southern French city of Marseille.
A demonstration in Nantes on the west coast also attracted hundreds of people.
___
RAEFORD, N.C. — Mourners from around North Carolina waited in a quickly moving line outside a Baptist church in the small town of Raeford where a memorial service and public viewing for George Floyd was held Saturday.
The line included families with young children and teenagers. One young woman wore a graduation cap and gown as she walked beside her parents outside the church, about 22 miles (34 kilometers) from Floyd’s hometown of Fayetteville.
Several mourners told WRAL-TV that they felt drawn to attend because of Floyd’s death and the protests in response represent a historic or momentous moment.
The viewing was followed by the service for Floyd, who died after a Minneapolis police officer placed a knee on his neck for several minutes on May 25. His death has resulted in protests around the world against police brutality and racism.
___
ATLANTA - Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms says she is lifting what had been a planned 8 p.m. curfew on Saturday in Atlanta after no arrests were reported Friday in Georgia’s largest city.
The city had been under a nightly curfew since the previous Friday, when a downtown protest dissolved into window-smashing, arson and looting.
More than 20 protests are scheduled Saturday across the Atlanta metro area. Bottoms says she will monitor the situation before deciding whether to reimpose a curfew on Sunday night.
South Carolina’s largest city also decided not to enforce a curfew Saturday. A Charleston city statement says no problems were reported Friday night. City officials say they will monitor developments Saturday in case things change.
___
LONDON - British world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has decried racism as he joined a Black Lives Matter protest in his home town of Watford, about 15 miles north of London.
Reading from a script in a video posted on social media, Joshua said the “virus has been declared a pandemic” and is “out of control.”
Joshua, who was not wearing a face covering and was unable to observe social distancing guidelines given the size of the crowd, said he wasn’t talking about COVID-19: “The virus I’m referring to is called racism.”
He said people should “speak out in peaceful demonstrations,” but they shouldn’t use them “for selfish motives” and turn to rioting and looting.
___
BUFFALO, N.Y. - Prosecutors say two Buffalo police officers have been charged with assault after a video showed them shoving a 75-year-old protester to the sidewalk.
Both pleaded not guilty Saturday to second-degree assault. The two officers were suspended without pay Friday after a TV crew captured the confrontation the day before near the end of protests over the death of George Floyd.
The footage shows a man identified as Martin Gugino approaching a line of helmeted officers holding batons as they clear demonstrators from Niagara Square. Two officers push Gugino backward, and he hits his head on the pavement. Blood spills from his head as officers walk past.
___
Follow more AP stories on the George Floyd protests and reaction at https://apnews.com/GeorgeFloyd


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--2 burned in sailboat explosion off California's coast

SAN PEDRO , Calif. ( AP ) - Two people were taken to a hospital burn unit Saturday after an @ @ @ @ @ off California ’ s coast .
The Coast Guard said its boat and helicopter crews @ @ @ @ @ Angeles County Fire Department ’ s Baywatch Avalon brought the pair to Santa Catalina Island @ @ @ @ @ crew then flew them to the Torrance Hospital Burn Victim Unit .
The Coast Guard @ @ @ @ @ Avalon .
The Los Angeles County Sheriff ’ s Department Arson division is investigating the @ @ @ @ @ but there were no reports of environmental damage or pollution .

SAN PEDRO, Calif. (AP) - Two people were taken to a hospital burn unit Saturday after an explosion aboard their 54-foot sailboat off California’s coast.
The Coast Guard said its boat and helicopter crews responded, and the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Baywatch Avalon brought the pair to Santa Catalina Island.
A Mercy Air helicopter crew then flew them to the Torrance Hospital Burn Victim Unit.
The Coast Guard towed the vessel back to Avalon.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Arson division is investigating the cause of the explosion, but there were no reports of environmental damage or pollution.


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--Protests against police and racism spread across Mississippi

JACKSON , Miss .
( AP ) - Thousands of people protested police brutality and racial injustice in Mississippi ’ s capital city on Saturday , one of a series of protests across the state .
Hundreds also gathered in Starkville and Gulfport , while demonstrators continued to call for the resignation of Petal Mayor Hal Marx over comments he made about the death of George Floyd .
In Oxford , the University of Mississippi athletic department held a private event .
In Jackson , protesters spoke outside the governor ’ s mansion , one of hundreds of rallies nationwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minneapolis and of others who died at the hands of police .
“ When Mississippi changes , America changes .
When America changes , the world changes .
And we ’ re about to get moving on change , ” organizer Calvert White told the crowd , according to the Clarion Ledger .
Among those in the crowd were Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mike Espy .
The march traveled past Jackson ’ s city hall and the state capitol .
Marchers stood in silence for 8 minutes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer knelt on Floyd ’ s neck .
One demand that got loudest cheers was demand to remove all confederate symbols including the battle emblem from state flag , which was flying at the governor ’ s mansion and state capitol on Saturday .
Marchers also demanded prosecutors reopen the case of Ricky Ball , a black man shot by police in Columbus in 2015 .
Republican Attorney General Lynn Fitch dismissed the charges last week .
They ’ re also seeking the resignation of Petal Mayor Hal Marx , who dismissed Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writing in part “ if you can talk , you can breathe.
” Marx has apologized , but has dismissed calls to step down , including those made by aldermen .
Another in a series of protests was held Saturday in Petal .
In Starkville , a line of hundreds marched down Main Street .
Organizer Jala Douglas told the Starkville Daily News she was overwhelmed by the turnout .
“ Way more people than I expected , this is beautiful , ” she said .
In Gulfport , people participated in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials and Gulfport Police Chief Leonard Papania .
Marcus and Denise Whitfield said they brought their young son , Caiden , to support unity and change , but also to support police officers who respect those in the community .
“ We want to show unity among one another to not only support the fight for justice for black lives but for all lives that matter , ” Marcus Whitfield told the Sun Herald .
“ Yes , we are out here fighting for our black lives but also for every life as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to black boys right now because that is the house that ’ s burning , ” he said .
“ I think if black people knew that a fair justice would be served , then you wouldn ’ t be seeing the riots and protests that have come to a boiling point in some communities.
” The Ole Miss athletics department told The Oxford Eagle that it held its private event because of fears of spreading the COVID-19 respiratory disease .
“ Today , we gather here , to put a point on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women ’ s basketball coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin .
“ Today , we gather here in honor of freedom seekers past , in solidarity with those justice seekers present .
Today , we gather here to say unapologetically , black lives matter .
”

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Thousands of people protested police brutality and racial injustice in Mississippi’s capital city on Saturday, one of a series of protests across the state.
Hundreds also gathered in Starkville and Gulfport, while demonstrators continued to call for the resignation of Petal Mayor Hal Marx over comments he made about the death of George Floyd. In Oxford, the University of Mississippi athletic department held a private event.
In Jackson, protesters spoke outside the governor’s mansion, one of hundreds of rallies nationwide organized after the death of Floyd in Minneapolis and of others who died at the hands of police.
“When Mississippi changes, America changes. When America changes, the world changes. And we’re about to get moving on change,” organizer Calvert White told the crowd, according to the Clarion Ledger.
Among those in the crowd were Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mike Espy.
The march traveled past Jackson’s city hall and the state capitol. Marchers stood in silence for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the time that an officer knelt on Floyd’s neck.
One demand that got loudest cheers was demand to remove all confederate symbols including the battle emblem from state flag, which was flying at the governor’s mansion and state capitol on Saturday.
Marchers also demanded prosecutors reopen the case of Ricky Ball, a black man shot by police in Columbus in 2015. Republican Attorney General Lynn Fitch dismissed the charges last week. They’re also seeking the resignation of Petal Mayor Hal Marx, who dismissed Floyd’s death on social media by writing in part “if you can talk, you can breathe.” Marx has apologized, but has dismissed calls to step down, including those made by aldermen. Another in a series of protests was held Saturday in Petal.
In Starkville, a line of hundreds marched down Main Street. Organizer Jala Douglas told the Starkville Daily News she was overwhelmed by the turnout.
“Way more people than I expected, this is beautiful,” she said.
In Gulfport, people participated in a unity rally that included ministers, city officials and Gulfport Police Chief Leonard Papania.
Marcus and Denise Whitfield said they brought their young son, Caiden, to support unity and change, but also to support police officers who respect those in the community.
“We want to show unity among one another to not only support the fight for justice for black lives but for all lives that matter,” Marcus Whitfield told the Sun Herald. “Yes, we are out here fighting for our black lives but also for every life as well.”
“We are paying attention to black boys right now because that is the house that’s burning,” he said. “I think if black people knew that a fair justice would be served, then you wouldn’t be seeing the riots and protests that have come to a boiling point in some communities.”
The Ole Miss athletics department told The Oxford Eagle that it held its private event because of fears of spreading the COVID-19 respiratory disease.
“Today, we gather here, to put a point on the scoreboard for justice,” said women’s basketball coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin. “Today, we gather here in honor of freedom seekers past, in solidarity with those justice seekers present. Today, we gather here to say unapologetically, black lives matter.”


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--AP PHOTOS: Massive protests punctuate a week in the streets

They held up signs and their fists and the memory of George Floyd .
Tens of thousands of protesters marched @ @ @ @ @ the biggest one-day mobilization against racial injustice since a white Minneapolis police officer pressed a @ @ @ @ @ neck for several minutes .
Even after a week of the most significant protests the @ @ @ @ @ generation , Saturday ’ s crowds stood out .
Protesters held signs with slogans saying @ @ @ @ @ and “ No Justice No Peace ” during marches that were peaceful , sometimes even @ @ @ @ @ had devolved in chaos .
Police sometimes joined protesters , kneeling in a show of @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus pandemic loomed , with many protesters wearing masks to try to prevent @ @ @ @ @ virus .
The showing on the streets came the same day Floyd was honored at @ @ @ @ @ state of North Carolina , where people lined up for hours to see his gold @ @

They held up signs and their fists and the memory of George Floyd.
Tens of thousands of protesters marched worldwide in what could be the biggest one-day mobilization against racial injustice since a white Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee into Floyd’s neck for several minutes. Even after a week of the most significant protests the U.S. has seen in a generation, Saturday’s crowds stood out.
Protesters held signs with slogans saying “Black Lives Matter” and “No Justice No Peace” during marches that were peaceful, sometimes even festive, after previous days had devolved in chaos. Police sometimes joined protesters, kneeling in a show of solidarity.
But the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic loomed, with many protesters wearing masks to try to prevent the spread of the respiratory virus.
The showing on the streets came the same day Floyd was honored at a memorial in his home state of North Carolina, where people lined up for hours to see his gold casket.


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--Muriel Bowser praises D.C. protesters; gatherings around White House continue into evening

Tens of thousands of protesters flooded Washington , D.C. , Saturday and continued to occupy several city blocks around the White House as a historically large Black Lives Matter demonstration continued into the evening .
Earlier in the day , D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser appeared at a block of 16th St. NW , which a day earlier she had renamed “ Black Lives Matter Plaza , ” and encouraged peaceful protests .
The mayor , a Democrat , praised them for standing up to the “ army ” of federal troops and officers that President Trump activated Monday in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in the District .
Miss Bowser addressed the crowd Saturday for about two and a half minutes .
She said she wanted her adopted 2-year-old daughter , Miranda , “ to grow up and know that her mother had a chance to say ‘ no ’ and she did.
” “ If he ( Trump ) can take over Washington , D.C. , he can come for any state and none of us will be safe , ” Miss Bowser said .
“ So today , we pushed the army away from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be treated that way .
They should not be asked to move on American citizens.
” The mayor concluded with a quip she later repurposed on Twitter , a reference to the upcoming presidential election : “ Today we say ‘ no.
’ In November , we say ‘ next.
’ ” In response , Mr. Trump retweeted a tweet he wrote about the mayor Friday .
“ [ email protected ] is grossly incompetent , and in no way qualified to be running an important city like Washington , D.C. , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great men and women of the National Guard didn ’ t step forward , she would have looked no better than her counterpart Mayor in Minneapolis !
” Mr. Trump wasn ’ t the only one to go after Miss Bowser .
Some signs and chalk illustrations spotted around the District criticized the mayor — herself a black woman — for not doing enough to support Black Lives Matter .
“ If black lives do matter to you Muriel Bowser then stop allowing our city to get gentrified , ” one sign mounted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lives Matter D.C. did not approve of Miss Bowser ’ s decision to rename the block near the White House “ Black Lives Matter Plaza , ” complete with large yellow lettering spelling the mantra out on the road .
“ This is a performative distraction from real policy changes , ” the group tweeted Friday.
” Bowser has consistently been on the wrong side of BLMDC history .
This is to appease white liberals while ignoring our demands .
Black Lives Matter means defund the police.
” Some protesters began writing rebuttals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one that said , “ F– the ‘ mural , ’ change the system.
” Protesters began to gather late in the morning around the Lincoln Memorial and crowds grew in a number of parts of the city in the next few hours .
The movement was decentralized , with different marches led by groups like Refuse Fascism , Freedom Fighters D.C. , Black Lives Matter D.C. and the University of the District of Columbia ’ s Black Law Student Association that all eventually convened by the White House .
Throughout the afternoon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by either protesters or law enforcement .
The police presence appeared to be scaled back from recent days , but some officers dressed in military fatigues could be seen blocking off some streets .
While many demonstrators expressed anger and pain over the deaths of black people like George Floyd and Breonna Taylor , there was also a thread of joy in many parts of the area .
Music , mostly go-go , was played in some corners and intersections of the protesters ’ area .
Some people sprawled out over grassy areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few street artists even painted murals over the wood panels on boarded-up banks and businesses .
Saturday was the 12th day of protests around the U.S. and the ninth in the District , following the death of Mr. Floyd at the hands of a white police officer in Minneapolis on Memorial Day .

Tens of thousands of protesters flooded Washington, D.C., Saturday and continued to occupy several city blocks around the White House as a historically large Black Lives Matter demonstration continued into the evening.
Earlier in the day, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser appeared at a block of 16th St. NW, which a day earlier she had renamed “Black Lives Matter Plaza,” and encouraged peaceful protests.
The mayor, a Democrat, praised them for standing up to the “army” of federal troops and officers that President Trump activated Monday in an attempt to instill “law and order” in the District.
Miss Bowser addressed the crowd Saturday for about two and a half minutes. She said she wanted her adopted 2-year-old daughter, Miranda, “to grow up and know that her mother had a chance to say ‘no’ and she did.”
“If he (Trump) can take over Washington, D.C., he can come for any state and none of us will be safe,” Miss Bowser said. “So today, we pushed the army away from our city. Our soldiers should not be treated that way. They should not be asked to move on American citizens.”
The mayor concluded with a quip she later repurposed on Twitter, a reference to the upcoming presidential election: “Today we say ‘no.’ In November, we say ‘next.’”
In response, Mr. Trump retweeted a tweet he wrote about the mayor Friday.
“.@MayorBowser is grossly incompetent, and in no way qualified to be running an important city like Washington, D.C.,” the tweet reads. “If the great men and women of the National Guard didn’t step forward, she would have looked no better than her counterpart Mayor in Minneapolis!”
Mr. Trump wasn’t the only one to go after Miss Bowser. Some signs and chalk illustrations spotted around the District criticized the mayor — herself a black woman — for not doing enough to support Black Lives Matter.
“If black lives do matter to you Muriel Bowser then stop allowing our city to get gentrified,” one sign mounted on a bus stop read.
Black Lives Matter D.C. did not approve of Miss Bowser’s decision to rename the block near the White House “Black Lives Matter Plaza,” complete with large yellow lettering spelling the mantra out on the road.
“This is a performative distraction from real policy changes,” the group tweeted Friday.” Bowser has consistently been on the wrong side of BLMDC history. This is to appease white liberals while ignoring our demands. Black Lives Matter means defund the police.”
Some protesters began writing rebuttals on the yellow lettering Saturday, including one that said, “F—- the ‘mural,’ change the system.”
Protesters began to gather late in the morning around the Lincoln Memorial and crowds grew in a number of parts of the city in the next few hours. The movement was decentralized, with different marches led by groups like Refuse Fascism, Freedom Fighters D.C., Black Lives Matter D.C. and the University of the District of Columbia’s Black Law Student Association that all eventually convened by the White House.
Throughout the afternoon, there were no indications of violence by either protesters or law enforcement. The police presence appeared to be scaled back from recent days, but some officers dressed in military fatigues could be seen blocking off some streets.
While many demonstrators expressed anger and pain over the deaths of black people like George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, there was also a thread of joy in many parts of the area. Music, mostly go-go, was played in some corners and intersections of the protesters’ area. Some people sprawled out over grassy areas to paint more signs, and a few street artists even painted murals over the wood panels on boarded-up banks and businesses.
Saturday was the 12th day of protests around the U.S. and the ninth in the District, following the death of Mr. Floyd at the hands of a white police officer in Minneapolis on Memorial Day.
Some businesses in this area are boarded up. And some of those boards of wood are being used as art canvasses: pic.twitter.com/kYgF34RjlD — Adam Zielonka (@Adam_Zielonka) June 6, 2020
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--Philadelphia editor resigns over 'Buildings Matter' headline

PHILADELPHIA ( AP ) - The Philadelphia Inquirer ’ s top editor is resigning after an uproar over a headline lamenting damage to businesses amid turbulent protests denouncing police brutality against people of color , the paper announced Saturday .
The newspaper said Stan Wischnowski , 58 , was stepping down as senior vice president and executive editor .
The Inquirer had apologized for a “ horribly wrong ” decision to use the headline , “ Buildings Matter , Too , ” on a column Tuesday about looting and vandalism on the margins of protests of George Floyd ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a white police officer .
The backlash came as The New York Times was widely criticized for publishing an opinion piece by U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton advocating the use of federal troops to quell the protests .
About 30 members of the Inquirer ’ s 210-member editorial staff called in sick earlier this week , and black staff members angrily condemned the headline .
It appeared over an article by architecture critic Inga Saffron , who worried that buildings damaged in violence over the past week could “ leave a gaping hole in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drew fresh scorn after it replaced that headline online with one that read , “ Black Lives Matter .
Do Buildings ?
” Eventually , the newspaper settled on “ Damaging buildings disproportionately hurt the people protesters are trying to uplift.
” The Inquirer published an apology from senior editors .
Publisher and CEO Lisa Hughes said in a memo to staff that the headline was “ offensive and inappropriate ” and said the newspaper needed a more diverse workforce .
Wischnowski had worked at the Inquirer for 20 years and was editor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prize for Public Service for an in-depth investigation into violence within Philadelphia schools .
He will formally leave the newspaper June 12 .
Hughes did not immediately name a successor .

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The Philadelphia Inquirer’s top editor is resigning after an uproar over a headline lamenting damage to businesses amid turbulent protests denouncing police brutality against people of color, the paper announced Saturday.
The newspaper said Stan Wischnowski, 58, was stepping down as senior vice president and executive editor.
The Inquirer had apologized for a “horribly wrong” decision to use the headline, “Buildings Matter, Too,” on a column Tuesday about looting and vandalism on the margins of protests of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis at the hands of a white police officer.
The backlash came as The New York Times was widely criticized for publishing an opinion piece by U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton advocating the use of federal troops to quell the protests.
About 30 members of the Inquirer’s 210-member editorial staff called in sick earlier this week, and black staff members angrily condemned the headline. It appeared over an article by architecture critic Inga Saffron, who worried that buildings damaged in violence over the past week could “leave a gaping hole in the heart of Philadelphia.”
The Inquirer drew fresh scorn after it replaced that headline online with one that read, “Black Lives Matter. Do Buildings?” Eventually, the newspaper settled on “Damaging buildings disproportionately hurt the people protesters are trying to uplift.”
The Inquirer published an apology from senior editors. Publisher and CEO Lisa Hughes said in a memo to staff that the headline was “offensive and inappropriate” and said the newspaper needed a more diverse workforce.
Wischnowski had worked at the Inquirer for 20 years and was editor when the paper won the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for an in-depth investigation into violence within Philadelphia schools.
He will formally leave the newspaper June 12. Hughes did not immediately name a successor.


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--PA senator criticized for treatment of women loses primary

HARRISBURG , Pa. ( AP ) - A Pennsylvania state senator who lost the support of Democratic officials after he was criticized for his treatment of women in his office and on his campaign has lost his suburban Philadelphia primary contest .
The Associated Press projected Saturday that Amanda Cappelletti , former head of public policy for Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania , had prevailed in the suburban Philadelphia 17th district primary in Montgomery County .
Totals on the Pennsylvania Department of State election site indicated Amanda Cappelletti was leading Leach by about 62-38 percent .
Leach , a longtime standard-bearer for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had rebuffed calls from Democrats to resign going back to 2017 .
Some of the accusations against Leach involved alleged behavior that Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa , D-Allegheny , said created an unprofessional and sexualized environment in Leach ’ s office .
Leach denied any predatory actions and said he never deliberately made anyone uncomfortable , though he acknowledged that he has used poor judgment in his choice of humor .
The Associated Press had not yet called a number of races where the contest was close or had a large number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or both .
More than 1.8 million voters applied for a mail-in or absentee ballot , smashing expectations by state officials and drawing warnings that many contest results would take days to produce .

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A Pennsylvania state senator who lost the support of Democratic officials after he was criticized for his treatment of women in his office and on his campaign has lost his suburban Philadelphia primary contest.
The Associated Press projected Saturday that Amanda Cappelletti, former head of public policy for Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania, had prevailed in the suburban Philadelphia 17th district primary in Montgomery County. Totals on the Pennsylvania Department of State election site indicated Amanda Cappelletti was leading Leach by about 62-38 percent.
Leach, a longtime standard-bearer for liberal causes in the state Legislature, had rebuffed calls from Democrats to resign going back to 2017. Some of the accusations against Leach involved alleged behavior that Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa, D-Allegheny, said created an unprofessional and sexualized environment in Leach’s office.
Leach denied any predatory actions and said he never deliberately made anyone uncomfortable, though he acknowledged that he has used poor judgment in his choice of humor.
The Associated Press had not yet called a number of races where the contest was close or had a large number of votes yet to be counted, or both. More than 1.8 million voters applied for a mail-in or absentee ballot, smashing expectations by state officials and drawing warnings that many contest results would take days to produce.


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--Oregon city joins others in curbing tear gas, police tactics

PORTLAND , Ore. ( AP ) - Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler has ordered the city ’ s police not to use a type of tear gas except as a last resort in life-threatening situations .
Wheeler issued a statement Saturday saying he shares community concerns about the use of CS gas , especially during a respiratory-illness pandemic .
Critics have called on the Portland Police Bureau to permanently ban the use of CS gas on protesters .
“ I strongly believe that gas should not be used to disperse crowds of non-violent protestors or for general crowd management purposes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only be used in response to violence that threatens life safety.
” The announcement came a day after the mayor said police would no longer use a “ long-range acoustical device , ” or LRAD , to disperse protesters .
The device can emit high-pitched , loud frequencies and can cause hearing damage .
Police used it early Friday to disperse a small group of protesters who set fires , threw projectiles and pointed lasers at officers ’ eyes after most peaceful protesters had gone home .
Portland police arrested about 20 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offenses that included disorderly conduct and interfering with an officer .

SEATTLE (AP) - Portland, Oregon, Mayor Ted Wheeler on Saturday ordered the city’s police to stop using a common type of tear gas except as a last resort in life-threatening situations, making it one of several cities that have started restricting law enforcement tactics in response to widespread protests over the killing of George Floyd.
Wheeler issued a statement saying he shares community concerns about the use of CS gas, especially during a respiratory-illness pandemic. Critics have called on the Portland Police Bureau to permanently ban the use of CS gas on protesters.
“I strongly believe that gas should not be used to disperse crowds of non-violent protestors or for general crowd management purposes,” Wheeler tweeted. “It should only be used in response to violence that threatens life safety.”
Seattle took a similar step Friday, with Mayor Jenny Durkan announcing a 30-day moratorium on the use of CS gas for crowd control - though pepper spray and other less-than-lethal measures remain available to officers.
Officials in Pittsburgh, New Orleans and Washington, D.C., have proposed bans or limits on the use of tear gas, and Minneapolis, where Floyd was killed, has halted the use of choke holds and neck restraints like the one that killed him. California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered police there to stop training officers in choke holds, and Bellevue, Washington, Police Chief Steve Mylett on Friday banned his officers from using controversial neck restraints except when deadly force is needed.
In Denver, U.S. District Judge R. Brooke Jackson on Friday imposed restrictions on the use of chemical and less-lethal weapons by police, saying officers there had failed to police themselves when it came to using them. His order, as he modified it on Saturday, requires the use of such weapons to be approved by a supervisor with the rank of lieutenant or higher - and only in response to violence or property destruction personally witnessed by the supervisor.
The judge also ordered police not to aim the non-lethal weapons at people’s heads and groins. Videos of police firing pepper spray at protesters who were yelling but not acting violently “showed that the officers had ample time for reflection and were not dealing with dangerous conditions,” he said.
Denver police said the order was largely consistent with its use-of-force policy and that it would comply.
Police in Seattle were similarly criticized for overreacting to protests last week. Video from last Monday night showed police attacking mostly peaceful protesters with pepper spray after an officer tried to grab a pink umbrella from a demonstrator on the other side of a metal barricade.
The city has promised a thorough review of the department’s actions. More than 12,000 complaints poured into Seattle’s police accountability office.
Portland’s announcement came a day after the mayor said police would no longer use a “long-range acoustic device,” or LRAD, to disperse protesters. The device can emit high-pitched, loud frequencies and can cause hearing damage.
Police used it early Friday to disperse a small group of protesters who set fires, threw projectiles and pointed lasers at officers’ eyes after most peaceful protesters had gone home.
Portland police arrested about 20 people late Friday and early Saturday, alleging offenses that included disorderly conduct and interfering with an officer.


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--Hundreds march, release balloons for Taylor in Louisville

LOUISVILLE , Ky. ( AP ) - Hundreds of people marched against police brutality Saturday in downtown Louisville , Kentucky , while many more joined a vigil for Breonna Taylor , a black woman shot by police in her home nearly three months ago .
News outlets reported marchers stopped to kneel in a symbolic memorial of the death of George Floyd , a black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee on his neck after he pleaded for air while handcuffed .
Protesters have been demanding justice for Taylor , who was killed in her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 the morning march , hundreds met at Metro Hall to remember Taylor ’ s life and release blue , purple and white balloons in her honor .
She would have been 27 years old Friday .
During a news conference in Louisville , the Rev .
Jesse Jackson called for Congress to pass an anti-lynching law and for lawmakers to eliminate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuits .
Jackson called for lawmakers , ministers , community organizations and corporations to address social disparities that work against minorities , “ not just on police , in housing , health care , jobs , income , access to capital.
” The civil rights leader was in Louisville to meet with Mayor Greg Fischer and Taylor ’ s family .
He later joined the Taylor memorial .
Jackson was scheduled to speak at a church service Sunday .
Large protests also took place across the U.S. and overseas , including in London @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collectively producing perhaps the largest one-day mobilization since Floyd ’ s death May 25 in Minneapolis .

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Hundreds of people marched against police brutality Saturday in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, while many more joined a vigil for Breonna Taylor, a black woman shot by police in her home nearly three months ago.
News outlets reported marchers stopped to kneel in a symbolic memorial of the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee on his neck after he pleaded for air while handcuffed.
Protesters have been demanding justice for Taylor, who was killed in her Louisville home 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 the morning march, hundreds met at Metro Hall to remember Taylor’s life and release blue, purple and white balloons in her honor. She would have been 27 years old Friday.
During a news conference in Louisville, the Rev. Jesse Jackson called for Congress to pass an anti-lynching law and for lawmakers to eliminate certain protections for police officers from civil lawsuits.
Jackson called for lawmakers, ministers, community organizations and corporations to address social disparities that work against minorities, “not just on police, in housing, health care, jobs, income, access to capital.”
“The disparities are great,” Jackson said.
The civil rights leader was in Louisville to meet with Mayor Greg Fischer and Taylor’s family. He later joined the Taylor memorial.
Jackson was scheduled to speak at a church service Sunday.
In Tennessee, hundreds in Nashville dealt with temperatures above 90 degrees as they protested on Broadway, the downtown street lined with country music-themed bars and restaurants. Police in riot gear stood shoulder to shoulder in front of businesses as onlookers inside bars took smart phone video of kneeling protesters.
Four people were treated for heat-related illnesses at the rallies, the Nashville Fire Department said on Twitter.
And in Memphis, protesters gathered at the I Am A Man Plaza at the historic Clayborn Temple before embarking on a march through downtown. Sanitation workers who went on strike in Memphis in 1968 used the church as their headquarters. They put the “I Am A Man” slogan on protest signs and literature.
Other peaceful protests were reported in the Memphis suburb of Collierville and in Cookeville, east of Nashville.
Large protests also took place across the U.S. and overseas, including in London, Paris, Berlin and Sydney, collectively producing perhaps the largest one-day mobilization since Floyd’s death May 25 in Minneapolis.


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--Zuckerberg-funded scientists: Rein in Trump on Facebook

BOSTON ( AP ) - Dozens of scientists doing research funded by Mark Zuckerberg say Facebook should not be letting President Donald Trump use the social media platform to “ spread both misinformation and incendiary statements.
” The researchers , including 60 professors at leading U.S. research institutions , wrote the Facebook CEO on Saturday asking Zuckerberg to “ consider stricter policies on misinformation and incendiary language that harms people , ” especially during the current turmoil over racial injustice .
The letter calls the spread of “ deliberate misinformation and divisive language ” contrary to the researchers ’ goals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease , improve childhood education and reform the criminal justice system .
Their mission “ is antithetical to some of the stances that Facebook has been taking , so we ’ re encouraging them to be more on the side of truth and on the right side of history as we ’ ve said in the letter , ” said Debora Marks of Harvard Medical School , one of three professors who organized it .
The others are Martin Kampmann of the University of California-San Francisco and Jason Shepherd of the University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chan Zuckerberg Initiative program working to prevent , cure and treat neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer ’ s and Parkinson ’ s disease .
They said the letter had more than 160 signatories .
Shepherd said about 10 % are employees of foundations run by Zuckerberg and his wife , Priscilla Chan .
The letter objects specifically to Zuckerberg ’ s decision not to at least flag as a violation of Facebook ’ s community standards Trump ’ s post that stated “ when the looting starts , the shooting starts ” in response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killing of George Floyd , a black man , by a white police officer .
The letter ’ s authors called the post “ a clear statement of inciting violence.
” Twitter had both flagged and demoted a Trump tweet using the same language .
In a statement , the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative noted that the philanthropic organization is separate from Facebook and said “ we are grateful for our staff , partners and grantees ” and “ respect their right to voice their opinions , including on Facebook policies.
” Some Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s refusal to take down or label misleading or incendiary posts by Trump and other politicians .
But Zuckerberg - who controls a majority of voting shares in the company - has so far refused .
On Friday , Zuckerberg said in a post that he would review “ potential options for handling violating or partially-violating content aside from the binary leave-it-up or take-it-down decisions ” “ I know many of you think we should have labeled the President ’ s posts in some way last week , ” he wrote .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is actually inciting violence , then the right mitigation is to take that content down - not let people continue seeing it behind a flag .
There is no exception to this policy for politicians or newsworthiness .
”

BOSTON (AP) - Dozens of scientists doing research funded by Mark Zuckerberg say Facebook should not be letting President Donald Trump use the social media platform to “spread both misinformation and incendiary statements.”
The researchers, including 60 professors at leading U.S. research institutions, wrote the Facebook CEO on Saturday asking Zuckerberg to “consider stricter policies on misinformation and incendiary language that harms people,” especially during the current turmoil over racial injustice.
The letter calls the spread of “deliberate misinformation and divisive language” contrary to the researchers’ goals of using technology to prevent and eradicate disease, improve childhood education and reform the criminal justice system.
Their mission “is antithetical to some of the stances that Facebook has been taking, so we’re encouraging them to be more on the side of truth and on the right side of history as we’ve said in the letter,” said Debora Marks of Harvard Medical School, one of three professors who organized it.
The others are Martin Kampmann of the University of California-San Francisco and Jason Shepherd of the University of Utah. All have grants from a Chan Zuckerberg Initiative program working to prevent, cure and treat neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
They said the letter had more than 160 signatories. Shepherd said about 10% are employees of foundations run by Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan.
The letter objects specifically to Zuckerberg’s decision not to at least flag as a violation of Facebook’s community standards Trump’s post that stated “when the looting starts, the shooting starts” in response to unrest in Minneapolis over the videotaped killing of George Floyd, a black man, by a white police officer. The letter’s authors called the post “a clear statement of inciting violence.”
Twitter had both flagged and demoted a Trump tweet using the same language.
In a statement, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative noted that the philanthropic organization is separate from Facebook and said “we are grateful for our staff, partners and grantees” and “respect their right to voice their opinions, including on Facebook policies.”
Some Facebook employees have publicly objected to Zuckerberg’s refusal to take down or label misleading or incendiary posts by Trump and other politicians. But Zuckerberg - who controls a majority of voting shares in the company - has so far refused.
On Friday, Zuckerberg said in a post that he would review “potential options for handling violating or partially-violating content aside from the binary leave-it-up or take-it-down decisions”
“I know many of you think we should have labeled the President’s posts in some way last week,” he wrote. “Our current policy is that if content is actually inciting violence, then the right mitigation is to take that content down - not let people continue seeing it behind a flag. There is no exception to this policy for politicians or newsworthiness.”


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--State police: 2 killed in I-40 head-on crash after pursuit

GALLUP , N.M. ( AP ) - Two people were killed when their pickup collided head-on with a tractor-trailer rig @ @ @ @ @ on Interstate 40 after being chased by police , authorities said Saturday .
Preliminary information @ @ @ @ @ the pickup sped away from a motel where Gallup police went late Friday night in @ @ @ @ @ two males brandishing a gun , the New Mexico State Police said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ as it got onto eastbound Interstate 40 but halted their pursuit when the pickup crossed @ @ @ @ @ eastbound in westbound lanes , the statement said .
A State Police sergeant parked in @ @ @ @ @ traveling the wrong way on I-40 and fired a shotgun at least once at the @ @ @ @ @ in westbound lanes until the head-on collision occurred , the statement said .
Both people @ @ @ @ @ and killed and neither of the two people in the big were injured , the @ @ @

GALLUP, N.M. (AP) - Two people were killed when their pickup collided head-on with a tractor-trailer rig while driving the wrong way on Interstate 40 after being chased by police, authorities said Saturday.
Preliminary information indicates the chase began after the pickup sped away from a motel where Gallup police went late Friday night in response to a report of two males brandishing a gun, the New Mexico State Police said in a statement.
Police chased the truck as it got onto eastbound Interstate 40 but halted their pursuit when the pickup crossed the freeway and began traveling eastbound in westbound lanes, the statement said.
A State Police sergeant parked in the median saw the truck traveling the wrong way on I-40 and fired a shotgun at least once at the pickup which continued driving eastbound in westbound lanes until the head-on collision occurred, the statement said.
Both people in the pickup were ejected and killed and neither of the two people in the big were injured, the statement said.
No identities were released pending autopsies.


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--Arena turned court for first felony jury trial in months

BATESVILLE , Miss .
( AP ) - A city-owned arena in Batesville became a courtroom this week for the first felony criminal jury trial in Mississippi since the start of the coronavirus pandemic .
More than 100 prospective jurors answered their summons to appear in court at the Civic Center on June 1 , Panola County Circuit Clerk Melissa Meek-Phelps said in a news release .
Prospective jurors maintained social distancing by sitting with five empty seats between them and alternating empty rows .
County personnel took temperatures of visitors as they arrived at the arena .
Hand sanitizer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the building .
Anyone who was ill , had health conditions that could put them at risk for COVID-19 , was over age 65 , a caregiver or had recently performed jury service , was excused .
The Civic Center is a venue for concerts , motorcycle and monster truck shows , rodeos and other entertainment .
The Panola County Board of Supervisors on June 1 officially adopted a resolution declaring it the courthouse for the Second Judicial District of Panola County during the coronavirus pandemic .
A jury was selected to hear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of Webb , who faced charges of methamphetamine possession .
He was found guilty on the afternoon of June 2 .
Winters remains in custody and will be sentenced at a later date .
Since the COVID-19 outbreak , the Mississippi Supreme Court has issued a dozen Emergency Administrative Orders balancing the need for courts to continue legal proceedings while limiting the gathering of crowds .
An emergency order in mid-March suspended all jury trials into May .
Emergency Administrative Order 11 , issued by the Supreme Court on May 7 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or fewer COVID-19 deaths per month to summon jurors to report on or after May 18 .
Panola County at that time had two reported deaths .
Since then , a third death was reported there .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

BATESVILLE, Miss. (AP) - A city-owned arena in Batesville became a courtroom this week for the first felony criminal jury trial in Mississippi since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
More than 100 prospective jurors answered their summons to appear in court at the Civic Center on June 1, Panola County Circuit Clerk Melissa Meek-Phelps said in a news release.
Prospective jurors maintained social distancing by sitting with five empty seats between them and alternating empty rows. County personnel took temperatures of visitors as they arrived at the arena. Hand sanitizer and masks were provided for people entering the building. Anyone who was ill, had health conditions that could put them at risk for COVID-19, was over age 65, a caregiver or had recently performed jury service, was excused.
The Civic Center is a venue for concerts, motorcycle and monster truck shows, rodeos and other entertainment. The Panola County Board of Supervisors on June 1 officially adopted a resolution declaring it the courthouse for the Second Judicial District of Panola County during the coronavirus pandemic.
A jury was selected to hear the trial of Clinton Winters, 44, of Webb, who faced charges of methamphetamine possession. He was found guilty on the afternoon of June 2. Winters remains in custody and will be sentenced at a later date.
Since the COVID-19 outbreak, the Mississippi Supreme Court has issued a dozen Emergency Administrative Orders balancing the need for courts to continue legal proceedings while limiting the gathering of crowds. An emergency order in mid-March suspended all jury trials into May.
Emergency Administrative Order 11, issued by the Supreme Court on May 7, authorized courts in 41 counties with one or fewer COVID-19 deaths per month to summon jurors to report on or after May 18. Panola County at that time had two reported deaths. Since then, a third death was reported there.
___
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--Virginia superintendent: rename Stonewall Jackson High

MANASSAS , Va. ( AP ) - A northern Virginia school superintendent wants to rename a high school and middle school named for Confederate general Stonewall Jackson .
Prince William County Public Schools Superintendent Steve Walts said in an open letter Friday , “ We can no longer represent the Confederacy in our schools.
” He wants the school board to immediately rename Stonewall Jackson High and Stonewall Jackson Middle , both in the Manassas area .
Creating a new name would require action by the county school board .
Stonewall Jackson earned his nickname at the 1861 Battle of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said to be “ standing like a stone wall ” and served as a rallying point for a Confederate victory .
Walts ’ letter comes a day after Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam said the state would remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee from Richmond ’ s famed Monument Avenue .
The Lee statue has been its own rallying point for protesters responding to the death of George Floyd .
In nearby Fairfax County , the school board voted in 2017 to change the name of J.E.B .
Stuart High @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to Justice High .
It is also considering a proposal change the name of Robert E. Lee High .

MANASSAS, Va. (AP) - A northern Virginia school superintendent wants to rename a high school and middle school named for Confederate general Stonewall Jackson.
Prince William County Public Schools Superintendent Steve Walts said in an open letter Friday, “We can no longer represent the Confederacy in our schools.”
He wants the school board to immediately rename Stonewall Jackson High and Stonewall Jackson Middle, both in the Manassas area. Creating a new name would require action by the county school board.
Stonewall Jackson earned his nickname at the 1861 Battle of Manassas where he and his men were said to be “standing like a stone wall” and served as a rallying point for a Confederate victory.
Walts’ letter comes a day after Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said the state would remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee from Richmond’s famed Monument Avenue. The Lee statue has been its own rallying point for protesters responding to the death of George Floyd.
In nearby Fairfax County, the school board voted in 2017 to change the name of J.E.B. Stuart High School, referring to another Confederate general, to Justice High. It is also considering a proposal change the name of Robert E. Lee High.


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--Woman sentenced to probation for overdose death of toddler

WATERLOO , Iowa ( AP ) - An Iowa woman has been sentence to probation in the overdose death of @ @ @ @ @ while riding in her car .
The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reported that a Polk County @ @ @ @ @ Amanda Roena Leonard–Hellum , of Waterloo , on Thursday for felony neglect of a dependent @ @ @ @ @ declined to seek medical attention for the 2-year-old , whom she was trying to adopt @ @ @ @ @ from Waterloo to visit her boyfriend in Des Moines in June 2019 .
Police were @ @ @ @ @ s apartment the following morning , and the child was found dead .
She was @ @ @ @ @ death , but the charge was reduced as part of a plea agreement .

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) - An Iowa woman has been sentence to probation in the overdose death of a toddler who swallowed medication while riding in her car.
The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reported that a Polk County District Court judge sentenced 39-year-old Amanda Roena Leonard–Hellum, of Waterloo, on Thursday for felony neglect of a dependent person.
Authorities said Leonard-Hellum declined to seek medical attention for the 2-year-old, whom she was trying to adopt, as she was driving from Waterloo to visit her boyfriend in Des Moines in June 2019. Police were called to the boyfriend’s apartment the following morning, and the child was found dead.
She was charged with child endangerment causing death, but the charge was reduced as part of a plea agreement.


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--2 children killed in swimming incident in Louisiana

GRAND ISLE , La .
( AP ) - An 8-year-old boy and his 10-year-old brother are dead after a swimming incident in Louisiana .
It happened about 7:40 p.m. Friday on Grand Isle , a narrow barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico .
Authorities said the boys were caught in an undertow .
Their 12-year-old cousin and a man were rescued and airlifted to a hospital in New Orleans for treatment .
Their conditions were not immediately available Saturday .
Police said the children were swimming in the Gulf at the west end of the island .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who were on the beach when they went under , authorities said .
“ The mother ’ s boyfriend went out to save them , and he was taken under as well , ” Grand Isle Police Chief Laine Landry told WWL-TV .
All of the victims are from Houma .
None of their names has been released .
This is the second drowning in the same location in as many weeks , Landry said .
On May 24 , a 17-year-old disappeared near the Andy P. Valence Memorial Bridge after being dragged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later identified as Oscar Gustavo Rivera Aguilar of Hammond .

GRAND ISLE, La. (AP) - An 8-year-old boy and his 10-year-old brother are dead after a swimming incident in Louisiana.
It happened about 7:40 p.m. Friday on Grand Isle, a narrow barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico. Authorities said the boys were caught in an undertow. Their 12-year-old cousin and a man were rescued and airlifted to a hospital in New Orleans for treatment. Their conditions were not immediately available Saturday.
Police said the children were swimming in the Gulf at the west end of the island. They were accompanied by two adult relatives, who were on the beach when they went under, authorities said.
“The mother’s boyfriend went out to save them, and he was taken under as well,” Grand Isle Police Chief Laine Landry told WWL-TV.
All of the victims are from Houma. None of their names has been released.
This is the second drowning in the same location in as many weeks, Landry said. On May 24, a 17-year-old disappeared near the Andy P. Valence Memorial Bridge after being dragged away by strong currents. He was later identified as Oscar Gustavo Rivera Aguilar of Hammond.


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--Doctors march for racial justice in D.C.: 'White coats, black lives'

Among the several decentralized marches that flooded the streets of Washington , D.C. on Saturday afternoon , one stood out due to its very specific angle , makeup and appearance .
Dozena of doctors and health-care workers donned white medical coats and protested on Saturday , chanting , “ White coats , black lives.
” WAMU reported that the March was co-organized by “ White Coats for Black Lives ” and medical students from local medical schools .
The protesters drew a positive reaction everywhere they marched in the vicinity of the White House .
Some of the signs they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a public health crisis ” and “ Racism is a pandemic too , ” the latter a reference to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Duan Samuels , a black D.C. resident who ’ s worked as a respiratory therapist for five years , was among the participants .
He wore light blue hospital scrubs beneath his white coat .
Mr. Samuels said racial justice and health care were interrelated because of unequal access to health insurance .
“ It ’ s not due to the workers themselves , ” he said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies .
And we ( the black community ) don ’ t get the same quality of coverage.
” Mr. Samuels said he also marched in a protest after the death of Trayvon Martin in 2015 .
This week ’ s protests were sparked largely by the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor at the hands of police .
“ I feel like I was finally at home , ” Mr. Samuels said of the demonstration .
“ I felt like I could actually be proud to call America my country .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that don ’ t look like me ( marching ) .
” He had mixed emotions about the possible dangers of organizing public protests during the coronavirus pandemic , which kept Americans inside and working and studying from home for more than two months before recent Black Lives Matter protests broke out .
The vast majority of protesters in the District wore masks , but social distancing was rendered impossible .
“ As long as people are wearing their masks , studies show that it at least cuts the percentage ( of community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Mr. Samuels , who has worked mostly with COVID-19 patients since the outbreak .
“ Most people out here are healthy .
I think most folks also have the sense of self to know if they ’ re sick , stay at home.
” He added that he did not believe nationwide protests will lead to a second wave of the pandemic .

Among the several decentralized marches that flooded the streets of Washington, D.C. on Saturday afternoon, one stood out due to its very specific angle, makeup and appearance.
Dozena of doctors and health-care workers donned white medical coats and protested on Saturday, chanting, “White coats, black lives.”
WAMU reported that the March was co-organized by “White Coats for Black Lives” and medical students from local medical schools.
The protesters drew a positive reaction everywhere they marched in the vicinity of the White House. Some of the signs they carried included the messages, “Racism is a public health crisis” and “Racism is a pandemic too,” the latter a reference to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Duan Samuels, a black D.C. resident who’s worked as a respiratory therapist for five years, was among the participants. He wore light blue hospital scrubs beneath his white coat.
Mr. Samuels said racial justice and health care were interrelated because of unequal access to health insurance.
“It’s not due to the workers themselves,” he said. “It’s more of the insurance companies. And we (the black community) don’t get the same quality of coverage.”
Mr. Samuels said he also marched in a protest after the death of Trayvon Martin in 2015. This week’s protests were sparked largely by the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor at the hands of police.
“I feel like I was finally at home,” Mr. Samuels said of the demonstration. “I felt like I could actually be proud to call America my country. It felt good to see other people that don’t look like me (marching).”
He had mixed emotions about the possible dangers of organizing public protests during the coronavirus pandemic, which kept Americans inside and working and studying from home for more than two months before recent Black Lives Matter protests broke out. The vast majority of protesters in the District wore masks, but social distancing was rendered impossible.
“As long as people are wearing their masks, studies show that it at least cuts the percentage (of community spread) down by 75%,” said Mr. Samuels, who has worked mostly with COVID-19 patients since the outbreak. “Most people out here are healthy. I think most folks also have the sense of self to know if they’re sick, stay at home.”
He added that he did not believe nationwide protests will lead to a second wave of the pandemic.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--Officials describe fatal shooting of man after traffic stop

NEW ROCHELLE , N.Y. ( AP ) - Officials in a New York suburb provided details Saturday about the fatal shooting of a man after a traffic stop and foot chase Friday night .
New Rochelle police said in a statement that 24-year-old Kamal Flowers pointed a gun during a struggle with an officer and was fatally shot at 11 p.m .
According to police , Flowers was a passenger in a car that was stopped after committing several undisclosed traffic violations .
Two days earlier , Mayor Noam Bramson told Lohud.com , police had received a call from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Virginia license plates that was being operated in an unusual fashion .
When officers stopped the car Friday night , Flowers fled on foot and was pursued by an officer who fired a Taser at Flowers , according to police .
During a struggle , Flowers displayed a handgun and tried to fire it and was shot by one of the officers , police said .
The officers were in uniform and in an unmarked car that wasn ’ t equipped with a dashboard camera .
Bramson told Lohud.com that audio communications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be released .
Police said they recovered a handgun and ammunition at the scene .
They were still seeking the driver of the car .
The two officers were put on administrative leave , per department policy .

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (AP) - Officials in a New York suburb provided details Saturday about the fatal shooting of a man after a traffic stop and foot chase Friday night.
New Rochelle police said in a statement that 24-year-old Kamal Flowers pointed a gun during a struggle with an officer and was fatally shot at 11 p.m.
According to police, Flowers was a passenger in a car that was stopped after committing several undisclosed traffic violations. Two days earlier, Mayor Noam Bramson told Lohud.com, police had received a call from a resident reporting a car with tinted windows and Virginia license plates that was being operated in an unusual fashion.
When officers stopped the car Friday night, Flowers fled on foot and was pursued by an officer who fired a Taser at Flowers, according to police. During a struggle, Flowers displayed a handgun and tried to fire it and was shot by one of the officers, police said.
The officers were in uniform and in an unmarked car that wasn’t equipped with a dashboard camera. Bramson told Lohud.com that audio communications and video from a nearby business would be released.
Police said they recovered a handgun and ammunition at the scene. They were still seeking the driver of the car. The two officers were put on administrative leave, per department policy.
The state attorney general’s office is investigating.


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--Danville first responders save would-be bridge jumper

DANVILLE , Va. ( AP ) - First responders in southside Virginia have saved a woman dangling from a bridge @ @ @ @ @ authorities say she tried to jump .
The Danville Register and Bee reports that witnesses @ @ @ @ @ side of the King Memorial Bridge in Danville Saturday at about 7:30 a.m. Danville Police @ @ @ @ @ to jump .
When the woman sat on the ledge , two police officers reached @ @ @ @ @ bridge and grabbed her arms .
The woman dangled from the bridge for several minutes @ @ @ @ @ rescuers waited in the river below in waist-deep water .
Eventually , an employee of @ @ @ @ @ a harness and retrieved the woman .
She was taken for a mental health evaluation @ @ @ @ @ was the third attempted bridge jump this year .

DANVILLE, Va. (AP) - First responders in southside Virginia have saved a woman dangling from a bridge over the Dan River after authorities say she tried to jump.
The Danville Register and Bee reports that witnesses saw the woman on the side of the King Memorial Bridge in Danville Saturday at about 7:30 a.m.
Danville Police say the woman was attempting to jump.
When the woman sat on the ledge, two police officers reached through the holes in the bridge and grabbed her arms.
The woman dangled from the bridge for several minutes, kicking her legs while rescuers waited in the river below in waist-deep water. Eventually, an employee of Danville Utilities was lowered from a harness and retrieved the woman.
She was taken for a mental health evaluation.
Danville Police said it was the third attempted bridge jump this year.


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--Hundreds gather in Louisiana, march against police brutality

NEW ORLEANS ( AP ) - Hundreds of people marched Saturday through New Orleans ‘ City Park as part of a continuing movement of protests against racial injustice and police brutality in America .
With chants of “ No Justice , No Peace , ” the crowd marched as others have across the nation , leaving the park in the early afternoon under gray skies and light drizzle .
“ You can ’ t take a rain check on black lives , ” the marchers chanted as the rain began falling harder , The Advocate reported .
Saturday ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around Jackson Square in the French Quarter for an hours-long protest over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and others at the hands of police .
The crowd filled much of the square in front of St. Louis Cathedral and spilled onto Decatur Street , the main thoroughfare in the Quarter that had been closed to traffic by police .
Jackson Square itself was blocked off to the public , as demonstrators called for the removal of the statue at its center and other Confederate symbols across America .
“ We know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place of justice and equity for black and brown and marginalized and oppressed people if we are raising up our boys and girls and our young siblings to look at symbols that represent a system that ’ s against them , ” said one of the demonstrators from New Orleans who goes by the name A Scribe Called Quess .
He told the crowd , many holding signage with pictures and names of black men killed by police , “ The patterns and the trends ain ’ t changed much over 300 years.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mostly peaceful , except for one held Wednesday night , when demonstrators attempted to push past a police line on the Crescent City Connection bridge , and officers deployed two tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd .
Associated Press writer Stacey Plaisance contributed to this report .

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Hundreds of people marched Saturday through New Orleans’ City Park as part of a continuing movement of protests against racial injustice and police brutality in America.
With chants of “No Justice, No Peace,” the crowd marched as others have across the nation, leaving the park in the early afternoon under gray skies and light drizzle.
“You can’t take a rain check on black lives,” the marchers chanted as the rain began falling harder, The Advocate reported.
Saturday’s rally came a day after thousands gathered around Jackson Square in the French Quarter for an hours-long protest over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and others at the hands of police. The crowd filled much of the square in front of St. Louis Cathedral and spilled onto Decatur Street, the main thoroughfare in the Quarter that had been closed to traffic by police.
As night fell, the demonstration ended peacefully.
Jackson Square itself was blocked off to the public, as demonstrators called for the removal of the statue at its center and other Confederate symbols across America.
“We know that we cannot exist in a place of justice and equity for black and brown and marginalized and oppressed people if we are raising up our boys and girls and our young siblings to look at symbols that represent a system that’s against them,” said one of the demonstrators from New Orleans who goes by the name A Scribe Called Quess.
He told the crowd, many holding signage with pictures and names of black men killed by police, “The patterns and the trends ain’t changed much over 300 years.”
Protests in New Orleans have been mostly peaceful, except for one held Wednesday night, when demonstrators attempted to push past a police line on the Crescent City Connection bridge, and officers deployed two tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd.
___
Associated Press writer Stacey Plaisance contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--Broncos players, coaches join Floyd demonstration in Denver

DENVER ( AP ) - Denver Broncos coaches and players marched and spoke out against racism and police brutality at a protest in downtown Denver on Saturday .
The players wore black shirts with the fist of power image and “ Justice for George Floyd ” emblazoned on the front and the words , “ If you ain ’ t with us , you against us ” on the back .
All of them wore face masks in accordance with coronavirus mitigation efforts , and most of the players ’ masks were black with the phrase “ I can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Safety Kareem Jackson was instrumental in organizing the team ’ s appearance at Civic Center Park on the 10th day of demonstrations sparked by the death of Floyd , a handcuffed black man in Minneapolis who died after a white police officer knelt on Floyd ’ s neck for nearly nine minutes .
Safety Justin Simmons flew in from Florida to join dozens of his teammates at the demonstration that included quarterback Drew Lock and first-round draft pick Jerry Jeudy , making his first trip to Denver .
Also in attendance were team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategic initiatives Brittany Bowlen , head coach Vic Fangio , coordinators Pat Shurmur and Ed Donatell and several other assistant coaches .
Simmons and linebackers Von Miller , Alexander Johnson and Jeremiah Attaochu were among the Broncos who spoke to the crowd of thousands from the steps of the Greek Amphitheater .
Afterward , the team marched with other demonstrators through downtown streets , fists raised and chanting , “ I can ’ t breathe !
” and “ Black lives matter !
” The crowd was about evenly split between whites and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is biracial , said was important .
Simmons thanked his “ fellow black brothers and sisters , ” asked them to look around and see the support they had and implored them to “ keep fighting the good fight.
” “ I understand the grief , I understand the pain , I ’ ve lived it , I ’ ve been a part of it , ” Simmons said .
“ I ’ m standing here today telling you hate does not drive out hate , OK ?
… We have to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is making a difference.
” Simmons thanked the white demonstrators for coming out and asked them to continue speaking out against racism and excessive use of force by police against racial minorities “ because you have more power in your voice than we could ever have.
” Failing to spread the word , he said , would stifle real change and justice .
“ If you can look at white people and do not have those conversations their lives will not be affected by it , ” Simmons said .
“ But black @ @ @ @

DENVER (AP) - Denver Broncos coaches and players marched and spoke out against racism and police brutality at a protest in downtown Denver on Saturday.
The players wore black shirts with the fist of power image and “Justice for George Floyd” emblazoned on the front and the words, “If you ain’t with us, you against us” on the back.
All of them wore face masks in accordance with coronavirus mitigation efforts, and most of the players’ masks were black with the phrase “I can’t breathe” in white lettering.
Safety Kareem Jackson was instrumental in organizing the team’s appearance at Civic Center Park on the 10th day of demonstrations sparked by the death of Floyd, a handcuffed black man in Minneapolis who died after a white police officer knelt on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes.
Safety Justin Simmons flew in from Florida to join dozens of his teammates at the demonstration that included quarterback Drew Lock and first-round draft pick Jerry Jeudy, making his first trip to Denver.
Also in attendance were team president Joe Ellis, vice president of strategic initiatives Brittany Bowlen, head coach Vic Fangio, coordinators Pat Shurmur and Ed Donatell and several other assistant coaches.
Simmons and linebackers Von Miller, Alexander Johnson and Jeremiah Attaochu were among the Broncos who spoke to the crowd of thousands from the steps of the Greek Amphitheater. Afterward, the team marched with other demonstrators through downtown streets, fists raised and chanting, “I can’t breathe!” and “Black lives matter!”
The crowd was about evenly split between whites and racial minorities, something Simmons, who is biracial, said was important.
Simmons thanked his “fellow black brothers and sisters,” asked them to look around and see the support they had and implored them to “keep fighting the good fight.”
“I understand the grief, I understand the pain, I’ve lived it, I’ve been a part of it,” Simmons said. “I’m standing here today telling you hate does not drive out hate, OK? … We have to make sure we stick together. … This is making a difference.”
Simmons thanked the white demonstrators for coming out and asked them to continue speaking out against racism and excessive use of force by police against racial minorities “because you have more power in your voice than we could ever have.”
Failing to spread the word, he said, would stifle real change and justice.
“If you can look at white people and do not have those conversations their lives will not be affected by it,” Simmons said. “But black lives will.”
___
AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Stapleton contributed.
___
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--Erie zoo employee bitten on arm by orangutan, dispatches say

ERIE , Pa. ( AP ) - An employee at a northwestern Pennsylvania zoo was bitten on the arm by @ @ @ @ @ , authorities said .
Erie County emergency dispatchers said the 29-year-old zookeeper sustained puncture and @ @ @ @ @ during Saturday afternoon ’ s attack at the Erie Zoo .
He was taken to @ @ @ @ @ of injuries described as moderate and non-life-threatening , dispatchers said .
No further information was @ @ @

ERIE, Pa. (AP) - An employee at a northwestern Pennsylvania zoo was bitten on the arm by an orangutan over the weekend, authorities said.
Erie County emergency dispatchers said the 29-year-old zookeeper sustained puncture and bit wounds to his forearm during Saturday afternoon’s attack at the Erie Zoo.
He was taken to Saint Vincent Hospital for treatment of injuries described as moderate and non-life-threatening, dispatchers said.
No further information was immediately available.