courthousenews--2020-06-05--Minneapolis Bans Police Chokeholds in First Step of Reforms

MINNEAPOLIS ( CN ) — The Minneapolis City Council voted Friday to ban city police officers from using chokeholds and neck restraints and put heavier restrictions on the use of chemical irritants as part of a temporary restraining order .
Council members stressed Friday it was a small step in the long-neglected area of police reform , which they said had been stymied by statewide legal roadblocks and pushback from Minneapolis ’ police union .
The restraining order , part of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights ’ recently announced investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department , was approved 12-0 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the city ’ s first ward in northeast Minneapolis was not present for the vote .
In addition to preventing officers from using chokeholds of any kind , including the one used in the now internationally infamous video of fired officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on the neck of George Floyd , the restraining order underlined the department ’ s existing policies requiring officers to report and intervene in their fellow officers ’ unauthorized uses of force .
These policies , the order emphasized , apply “ regardless of tenure or rank.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the three officers charged with aiding and abetting Chauvin at the scene of Floyd ’ s arrest said their clients had simply followed the lead of Chauvin , who had 19 years of seniority in the department .
Those two officers , Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng , had worked fewer than five full-time shifts at the time of Floyd ’ s death .
The order approved Friday also gave the city ’ s Office of Police Conduct Review authority to “ proactively and strategically audit ” body camera footage and required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backlog of disciplinary decisions .
It also placed the power to authorize the use of chemical agents , rubber bullets , flash-bang grenades , batons and tracer rounds for crowd-control purposes firmly in the hands of Police Chief Medaria Arradondo , or a designated deputy chief in the event Arradondo is not available .
Authority to make those calls previously rested in the hands of any on-duty supervisor , city human rights commissioner Velma Korbel said .
On several days over the last two weeks , police have carpeted Minneapolis with the “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters and civilians .
One reporter permanently lost use of her left eye after being shot with a tracer May 29 .
“ It doesn ’ t get any better .
You don ’ t get used to it , ” protester Dakota Fuller said Thursday night of his own exposures to tear gas .
He said he ’ d been exposed to the chemical on multiple occasions during the protests .
“ It sucks every time.
” The Department of Human Rights investigation was first announced Tuesday .
Led by Commissioner Rebecca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns related to Minneapolis police .
A federal civil rights investigation into Floyd ’ s death was also announced by Attorney General William Barr last week .
“ I have never seen this done this way before , ” Korbel said .
“ I have heard Commissioner Lucero say in the days leading up to this meeting that she knows that the city has attempted to make changes over the years , but that there have been circumstances that have prevented the city from making the necessary changes for police reform.
” She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be invasive .
And it should be.
” City council members praised the investigation , but many stressed that effort alone would not be the end of the city ’ s work toward police reform .
“ As a council member I will tell you that I am not interested in any more reforms , ” said Phillipe Cunningham , who represents Ward 4 on the city ’ s predominantly black north side .
“ I am overwhelmingly hearing from constituents who want a totally new system of public safety , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of neighborhood patrols across the city to protect homes and businesses in the absence of police during a week of riots .
“ We as a city can not simply give lip service about building these new systems , ” Cunningham said .
“ It ’ s time for us to get serious about this work alongside community members who have been doing this work for decades– and not getting paid for it.
” Cunningham was not alone .
Steve Fletcher , who represents portions of northeast Minneapolis and much of the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the police department incurred on the city .
“ We are being sued .
We ’ re being sued by many victims of police violence , and now we ’ re being sued by all of Minnesota for a pattern of civil rights violations , ” Fletcher said .
“ We are being given a great deal of collaboration in [ the investigation ] , and that ’ s not how this always works.
” Fletcher , an outspoken critic of MPD who has called for disbanding and replacing the department , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ input and careful consideration .
“ What do we like about our current system , what can we not tolerate about our current system , what can we envision as a future ?
” he said at Friday ’ s meeting .
Meanwhile , Alondra Cano , whose ward includes the neighborhood where Chauvin knelt on Floyd ’ s neck , focused on the future of MPD ’ s 3rd Precinct building on Lake Street , also in her ward .
Protesters burned the precinct building , where Chauvin was stationed , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evacuated it .
“ People are talking about the future of the 3rd Precinct , and as council member for that area I want to say that I do not support rebuilding that precinct for police reasons , ” Cano said .
“ I want to work with you all to put together a community process that helps us arrive at a future for that site.
” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey , whose position did not grant him a vote on the issue , dropped into the meeting to make his own comment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time where we can totally change the way our police department operates .
We can quite literally lead the way in the nation , ” he said .
“ I ’ m very pleased to see the direct accountability of the chief in crowd-control situations , ” Frey added .
“ When the chief makes a call , he is responsible , and when I appoint the chief , I am accountable for those decisions too.
” The mayor said city officials “ need to seize this moment to channel our collective pain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now .
”

The Minneapolis City Council voted Friday to ban city police officers from using chokeholds and neck restraints and put heavier restrictions on the use of chemical irritants as part of a temporary restraining order.
MINNEAPOLIS (CN) — The Minneapolis City Council voted Friday to ban city police officers from using chokeholds and neck restraints and put heavier restrictions on the use of chemical irritants as part of a temporary restraining order.
Council members stressed Friday it was a small step in the long-neglected area of police reform, which they said had been stymied by statewide legal roadblocks and pushback from Minneapolis’ police union.
The restraining order, part of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights’ recently announced investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department, was approved 12-0 early Friday afternoon. Councilmember Kevin Reich of the city’s first ward in northeast Minneapolis was not present for the vote.
In addition to preventing officers from using chokeholds of any kind, including the one used in the now internationally infamous video of fired officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on the neck of George Floyd, the restraining order underlined the department’s existing policies requiring officers to report and intervene in their fellow officers’ unauthorized uses of force.
These policies, the order emphasized, apply “regardless of tenure or rank.” On Thursday, attorneys for two of the three officers charged with aiding and abetting Chauvin at the scene of Floyd’s arrest said their clients had simply followed the lead of Chauvin, who had 19 years of seniority in the department.
Those two officers, Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng, had worked fewer than five full-time shifts at the time of Floyd’s death.
From left: Former Minneapolis police officers Derek Chauvin, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao. (Hennepin County Sheriff's Office via AP)
The order approved Friday also gave the city’s Office of Police Conduct Review authority to “proactively and strategically audit” body camera footage and required the department to catch up on a backlog of disciplinary decisions.
It also placed the power to authorize the use of chemical agents, rubber bullets, flash-bang grenades, batons and tracer rounds for crowd-control purposes firmly in the hands of Police Chief Medaria Arradondo, or a designated deputy chief in the event Arradondo is not available.
Authority to make those calls previously rested in the hands of any on-duty supervisor, city human rights commissioner Velma Korbel said. On several days over the last two weeks, police have carpeted Minneapolis with the “less-lethal” munitions, injuring protesters, reporters and civilians. One reporter permanently lost use of her left eye after being shot with a tracer May 29.
“It doesn’t get any better. You don’t get used to it,” protester Dakota Fuller said Thursday night of his own exposures to tear gas. He said he’d been exposed to the chemical on multiple occasions during the protests. “It sucks every time.”
The Department of Human Rights investigation was first announced Tuesday. Led by Commissioner Rebecca Lucero, it will focus on state-law concerns related to Minneapolis police. A federal civil rights investigation into Floyd’s death was also announced by Attorney General William Barr last week.
“I have never seen this done this way before,” Korbel said. “I have heard Commissioner Lucero say in the days leading up to this meeting that she knows that the city has attempted to make changes over the years, but that there have been circumstances that have prevented the city from making the necessary changes for police reform.”
She added, “It will feel and be invasive. And it should be.”
City council members praised the investigation, but many stressed that effort alone would not be the end of the city’s work toward police reform.
“As a council member I will tell you that I am not interested in any more reforms,” said Phillipe Cunningham, who represents Ward 4 on the city’s predominantly black north side.
“I am overwhelmingly hearing from constituents who want a totally new system of public safety,” he said, referring to the proposed creation of neighborhood patrols across the city to protect homes and businesses in the absence of police during a week of riots.
“We as a city cannot simply give lip service about building these new systems,” Cunningham said. “It’s time for us to get serious about this work alongside community members who have been doing this work for decades-- and not getting paid for it.”
Cunningham was not alone. Steve Fletcher, who represents portions of northeast Minneapolis and much of the city’s downtown, emphasized the liability the police department incurred on the city.
“We are being sued. We’re being sued by many victims of police violence, and now we’re being sued by all of Minnesota for a pattern of civil rights violations,” Fletcher said. “We are being given a great deal of collaboration in [the investigation], and that’s not how this always works.”
Fletcher, an outspoken critic of MPD who has called for disbanding and replacing the department, said bigger changes needed to come from community input and careful consideration.
“What do we like about our current system, what can we not tolerate about our current system, what can we envision as a future?” he said at Friday’s meeting.
Meanwhile, Alondra Cano, whose ward includes the neighborhood where Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck, focused on the future of MPD’s 3rd Precinct building on Lake Street, also in her ward.
Protesters burned the precinct building, where Chauvin was stationed, on the night of May 28 after police evacuated it.
“People are talking about the future of the 3rd Precinct, and as council member for that area I want to say that I do not support rebuilding that precinct for police reasons,” Cano said. “I want to work with you all to put together a community process that helps us arrive at a future for that site.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, whose position did not grant him a vote on the issue, dropped into the meeting to make his own comment.
“This is a moment in time where we can totally change the way our police department operates. We can quite literally lead the way in the nation,” he said.
“I’m very pleased to see the direct accountability of the chief in crowd-control situations,” Frey added. “When the chief makes a call, he is responsible, and when I appoint the chief, I am accountable for those decisions too.”
The mayor said city officials “need to seize this moment to channel our collective pain into collective action, and that begins right now.”


courthousenews--2020-06-05--Newsom Tells California Police to Stop Using Carotid Chokehold

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( CN ) — Heeding calls for reform made by the thousands relentlessly protesting the death of George Floyd , California Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday called for new police crowd control procedures and the banning of a chokehold that stops the flow of blood to the brain .
The Democratic governor ordered the carotid hold removed from state police training materials and said it was time for law enforcement to update its handling of protests in wake of a week marred by violence against peaceful demonstrators .
“ Protesters have the right not to be harassed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Protesters have the right to do so without being arrested , gassed or shot at by projectiles.
” As for the carotid hold — which Newsom ’ s office claims was used on Floyd by a white Minneapolis police officer — the governor said agencies should ban it and stop teaching techniques that “ put people ’ s lives at risk.
” In a message to the Legislature , Newsom said he would support and sign an outright ban of the neck hold if a bill comes across his desk .
Officers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referred to as a stranglehold to control suspects in lieu of lethal force .
The hold , in which force is applied to both sides of the neck , was banned this week by several San Diego County agencies and the city of Minneapolis .
“ Carotid hold that literally is designed to stop people ’ s blood from flowing to their brain ; that has no place any longer , ” Newsom said .
In a separate press conference , the California Department of Justice also announced it will investigate and recommend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under a voluntary agreement .
The announcement comes after years of activists and community members calling for an independent review of the department , which has faced multiple accusations of excessive force and racial bias .
It also comes three days after a Vallejo police officer shot and killed 22-year-old Sean Monterrosa , who had reportedly dropped to his knees and raised his hands in the air .
A Vallejo police officer fired five bullets through his patrol car windshield Tuesday morning after observing what he believed to be a gun tucked in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ object was actually a hammer , according to Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams .
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said during a press call that the review is not in response to any one particular incident .
The comprehensive assessment will investigate all department policies and practices , including recruiting , hiring , training and discipline , followed by recommendations for reducing bias and improving use-of-force procedures , community policing , accountability and transparency , according to Becerra .
“ It ’ s a critical step for the police department of Vallejo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Becerra said .
Meanwhile in San Francisco , progressive District Attorney Chesa Boudin announced a new policy that will require prosecutors to conduct more comprehensive reviews of evidence before charging people for resisting arrest , obstructing police or assaulting officers .
“ Sometimes the victims of excessive force and police violence are themselves arrested , so I have implemented a new policy to ensure we view all available evidence before charging a suspect for conduct involving an officer to ensure the charges are valid , ” Boudin said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dropped charges against a 19-year-old man accused of resisting arrest after a video surfaced showing what appeared to be a female San Francisco police officer using the same knee restraint tactic that has been blamed for Floyd ’ s death on Memorial Day .
Friday ’ s wave of promises — and the countless preceding demonstrations in cities like Los Angeles , San Francisco and Oakland — reflect the glaring inequities of California ’ s criminal justice system , Newsom said .
The former mayor of San Francisco and lieutenant governor said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systemic racism and noted the black community ’ s patience is waning .
He bemoaned the state ’ s history of passing discriminatory drug laws and said despite recently passed sentencing reforms and tighter deadly force standards for police , the criminal justice system is still fundamentally flawed .
“ One thing we know about our criminal justice system , it ’ s not blind — it discriminates based on the color of your skin , ” said Newsom , who is white .
“ A criminal justice system that treats people that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a lot better than it treats people that are poor and innocent.
” Newsom also used the press conference to double-down on plans to close two state prisons along with major changes to the state ’ s juvenile and probation system in the upcoming budget .
With negotiations ongoing , Newsom said he would reject any effort made by lawmakers to reduce education funding for low-income and minority communities , as well as English learners .

Heeding calls for reform made by the thousands relentlessly protesting the death of George Floyd, California Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday called for new police crowd control procedures and the banning of a chokehold that stops the flow of blood to the brain.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CN) — Heeding calls for reform made by the thousands relentlessly protesting the death of George Floyd, California Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday called for new police crowd control procedures and the banning of a chokehold that stops the flow of blood to the brain.
The Democratic governor ordered the carotid hold removed from state police training materials and said it was time for law enforcement to update its handling of protests in wake of a week marred by violence against peaceful demonstrators.
“Protesters have the right not to be harassed,” Newsom told reporters. “Protesters have the right to do so without being arrested, gassed or shot at by projectiles.”
As for the carotid hold — which Newsom’s office claims was used on Floyd by a white Minneapolis police officer — the governor said agencies should ban it and stop teaching techniques that “put people’s lives at risk.” In a message to the Legislature, Newsom said he would support and sign an outright ban of the neck hold if a bill comes across his desk.
Officers are supposed to use a grappling technique often referred to as a stranglehold to control suspects in lieu of lethal force. The hold, in which force is applied to both sides of the neck, was banned this week by several San Diego County agencies and the city of Minneapolis.
“Carotid hold that literally is designed to stop people’s blood from flowing to their brain; that has no place any longer,” Newsom said.
In this Monday, May 25, 2020, frame from video provided by Darnella Frazier, a Minneapolis officer kneels on the neck of a handcuffed man who was pleading that he could not breathe in Minneapolis. Four Minneapolis officers involved in the arrest of a George Floyd who died in police custody were fired Tuesday. (Darnella Frazier via AP)
In a separate press conference, the California Department of Justice also announced it will investigate and recommend reforms for the long-troubled Vallejo Police Department under a voluntary agreement. The announcement comes after years of activists and community members calling for an independent review of the department, which has faced multiple accusations of excessive force and racial bias.
It also comes three days after a Vallejo police officer shot and killed 22-year-old Sean Monterrosa, who had reportedly dropped to his knees and raised his hands in the air. A Vallejo police officer fired five bullets through his patrol car windshield Tuesday morning after observing what he believed to be a gun tucked in Monterrosa’s sweatshirt pocket. The object was actually a hammer, according to Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams.
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said during a press call that the review is not in response to any one particular incident. The comprehensive assessment will investigate all department policies and practices, including recruiting, hiring, training and discipline, followed by recommendations for reducing bias and improving use-of-force procedures, community policing, accountability and transparency, according to Becerra.
“It’s a critical step for the police department of Vallejo, whose people have lost faith in them,” Becerra said.
Meanwhile in San Francisco, progressive District Attorney Chesa Boudin announced a new policy that will require prosecutors to conduct more comprehensive reviews of evidence before charging people for resisting arrest, obstructing police or assaulting officers.
“Sometimes the victims of excessive force and police violence are themselves arrested, so I have implemented a new policy to ensure we view all available evidence before charging a suspect for conduct involving an officer to ensure the charges are valid,” Boudin said in a statement Friday.
Earlier this week, Boudin dropped charges against a 19-year-old man accused of resisting arrest after a video surfaced showing what appeared to be a female San Francisco police officer using the same knee restraint tactic that has been blamed for Floyd’s death on Memorial Day.
Friday’s wave of promises — and the countless preceding demonstrations in cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco and Oakland — reflect the glaring inequities of California’s criminal justice system, Newsom said.
The former mayor of San Francisco and lieutenant governor said the state’s institutions continue to prop systemic racism and noted the black community’s patience is waning. He bemoaned the state’s history of passing discriminatory drug laws and said despite recently passed sentencing reforms and tighter deadly force standards for police, the criminal justice system is still fundamentally flawed.
“One thing we know about our criminal justice system, it’s not blind — it discriminates based on the color of your skin,” said Newsom, who is white. “A criminal justice system that treats people that are rich and guilty, a hell of a lot better than it treats people that are poor and innocent.”
Newsom also used the press conference to double-down on plans to close two state prisons along with major changes to the state’s juvenile and probation system in the upcoming budget. With negotiations ongoing, Newsom said he would reject any effort made by lawmakers to reduce education funding for low-income and minority communities, as well as English learners.


courthousenews--2020-06-06--Thousands March in Portland for Breonna Taylor’s Birthday

PORTLAND , Ore. ( CN ) – The rain couldn ’ t stop thousands from hitting the streets in Portland Friday to march in support of the movement for black lives .
Protests continued in Portland for the ninth straight day , sparked by the killing of George Floyd from a heart attack the county medical examiner said was caused when Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on Floyd ’ s neck for nine minutes .
A massive crowd amassed at a park outside Southeast Portland concert venue Revolution Hall on Friday before marching across the Hawthorne Bridge and rallying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an end to the no-knock warrant , which police in Atlanta used June 5 to enter the home of Breonna Taylor before shooting her to death in what they later said was part of a drug sting .
The three officers involved are on administrative leave , and no charges have been filed .
Taylor would have turned 27 today .
Portland has a reputation for progressive leadership , but police shoot and incarcerate black people at rates disproportionate to their percentage of the population .
Students at the city ’ s historically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water from the tap because the district has prioritized remodeling projects at other schools , instead of updating plumbing that contains lead .
The state was founded on laws meant to keep black people out .
In 1859 , Oregon was founded with a constitution that explicitly banned African Americans from moving here , living here and owning property – at a time when the government gave hundreds of acres of land wrested from Native American tribes to every white settler who arrived .
In 1913 , Oregonians organized the first chapter west @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Advancement of Colored People – a move made necessary by the racial violence turned on black Americans as they migrated out of the south , according to historian Jason Morgan Ward .
And black Oregonians have continued to fight for racial justice .
A series of protests erupted in 1981 after two white Portland police officers admitted to leaving dead possums outside the Burger Barn , a popular black-owned restaurant .
The restaurant ’ s owners , George and Geraldine Powe , sued over the incident , saying they were afraid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harass them .
They asked for $ 3.8 million and an injunction banning police policies and practices of racial discrimination and harassment .
They wanted a plan to force the bureau to adopt training and police oversight .
They ended up agreeing to a settlement of $ 64,000 .
On Friday , city leaders announced the adoption of one long called-for reform : the removal of Portland police from schools in the city ’ s three districts .
In a tweet , Portland Public Schools Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero said some of the funding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now proposed for “ direct student supports ” like social workers and culturally specific partnerships .
City commissioners and the Oregon chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union called for a ban on tear gas after Portland police launched cannisters into a largely peaceful crowd on Tuesday night .
But without the option of the chemical weapon police call “ CS gas , ” police would have to turn to other methods of violence instead , Portland Deputy Police Chief Chris Davis told reporters at a press conference on Thursday .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just get people out of the area that they are occupying , ” Davis said .
“ And as you will read in our policy , it requires a fairly significant level of violence from the crowd .
That objective is a lot safer , actually , to accomplish with the use of something like CS.
” Protesters and civil rights group Don ’ t Shoot Portland sued the city Friday , demanding an end to the use of chemical weapons like tear gas , which the lawsuit noted is especially dangerous when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said Friday that he would support a ban on tear gas , as long as it was replaced by control measures that don ’ t escalate violence .
Police refrained from using tear gas at thousands-strong protests on Wednesday and Thursday .
On Friday afternoon , Deputy Police Chief Davis told reporters police had used a new weapon the night before .
Davis said police used a long range acoustic device against protesters early Friday morning .
“ It ’ s very rare , ” Davis said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it to be effective .
It ’ s not something we use often because of mixed results.
” Journalists and civil rights activists sued over the use of the device in New York , saying it caused permanent hearing loss , recurring migraines and tinnitus .
That case is awaiting trial .
Protests have been ubiquitous across Oregon all week , in smaller cities like Bend , Medford and Roseburg and even in rural towns like Pendleton , Klamath Falls , and Burns : the jumping off point for the 2016 occupation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ militias that sought to wrest public land from the hands of the government and give it to local ranchers .
Americans overwhelmingly support the protests that have risen across the country .
According to a poll released Wednesday by Monmouth University , 78 % of the 805 Americans asked said the anger that led to the protests was either fully or partially justified .
Another 54 % said protesters burning the Minneapolis 3rd Police Precinct to the ground was either fully or partially justified .
The protesters , joined Thursday by Blazers superstar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speakers like 10-year-old Quinton Jones .
“ I shouldn ’ t be told by my mom that if police stop me to to stop right there , put my hands up and not reach for anything , ” Jones told the crowd .
“ I shouldn ’ t be followed in stores like I ’ m going to take something .
I should be able to be a kid and do the things my friends do without my mom being scared I will be killed .
I just want to live .
Is @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The rain couldn’t stop thousands from hitting the streets in Portland Friday to march in support of the movement for black lives.
PORTLAND, Ore. (CN) — The rain couldn’t stop thousands from hitting the streets in Portland Friday to march in support of the movement for black lives.
Protests continued in Portland for the ninth straight day, sparked by the killing of George Floyd from a heart attack the county medical examiner said was caused when Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on Floyd’s neck for nine minutes.
A massive crowd amassed at a park outside Southeast Portland concert venue Revolution Hall on Friday before marching across the Hawthorne Bridge and rallying at Waterfront Park.
Speakers called for an end to the no-knock warrant, which police in Louisville, Ky. used March 13 to enter the home of Breonna Taylor before shooting her to death in what they later said was part of a drug sting. The three officers involved are on administrative leave, and no charges have been filed. Taylor would have turned 27 today.
Portland has a reputation for progressive leadership, but police shoot and incarcerate black people at rates disproportionate to their percentage of the population. Students at the city’s historically black high school can’t drink water from the tap because the district has prioritized remodeling projects at other schools, instead of updating plumbing that contains lead.
The state was founded on laws meant to keep black people out. In 1859, Oregon was founded with a constitution that explicitly banned African Americans from moving here, living here and owning property – at a time when the government gave hundreds of acres of land wrested from Native American tribes to every white settler who arrived.
In 1913, Oregonians organized the first chapter west of the Mississippi of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People — a move made necessary by the racial violence turned on black Americans as they migrated out of the south, according to historian Jason Morgan Ward.
And black Oregonians have continued to fight for racial justice. A series of protests erupted in 1981 after two white Portland police officers admitted to leaving dead possums outside the Burger Barn, a popular black-owned restaurant.
The restaurant’s owners, George and Geraldine Powe, sued over the incident, saying they were afraid for their safety as police continued to harass them. They asked for $3.8 million and an injunction banning police policies and practices of racial discrimination and harassment. They wanted a plan to force the bureau to adopt training and police oversight. They ended up agreeing to a settlement of $64,000.
Protesters in 1981 held demonstrations to oppose police harassment against local black business owners George and Geraldine Powe.
On Friday, city leaders announced the adoption of one long called-for reform: the removal of Portland police from schools in the city’s three districts. In a tweet, Portland Public Schools Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero said some of the funding formerly spent on School Resource Officers was now proposed for “direct student supports” like social workers and culturally specific partnerships.
City commissioners and the Oregon chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union called for a ban on tear gas after Portland police launched canisters into a largely peaceful crowd on Tuesday night. But without the option of the chemical weapon police call “CS gas,” police would have to turn to other methods of violence instead, Portland Deputy Police Chief Chris Davis told reporters at a press conference on Thursday.
“The whole idea of that tool is to just get people out of the area that they are occupying,” Davis said. “And as you will read in our policy, it requires a fairly significant level of violence from the crowd. That objective is a lot safer, actually, to accomplish with the use of something like CS.”
Protesters and civil rights group Don’t Shoot Portland sued the city Friday, demanding an end to the use of chemical weapons like tear gas, which the lawsuit noted is especially dangerous when used against crowds during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said Friday that he would support a ban on tear gas, as long as it was replaced by control measures that don’t escalate violence. Police refrained from using tear gas at thousands-strong protests on Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday afternoon, Deputy Police Chief Davis told reporters police had used a new weapon the night before. Davis said police used a long range acoustic device against protesters early Friday morning.
Speakers lead a crowd in chants Friday night at Portland’s Waterfront Park. (Courthouse News Service photo/Karina Brown)
"It's very rare," Davis said. "We haven't always found it to be effective. It's not something we use often because of mixed results."
Journalists and civil rights activists sued over the use of the device in New York, saying it caused permanent hearing loss, recurring migraines and tinnitus. That case is awaiting trial.
Protests have been ubiquitous across Oregon all week, in smaller cities like Bend, Medford and Roseburg and even in rural towns like Pendleton, Klamath Falls, and Burns: the jumping off point for the 2016 occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge by right-wing militias that sought to wrest public land from the hands of the government and give it to local ranchers.
Americans overwhelmingly support the protests that have risen across the country. According to a poll released Wednesday by Monmouth University, 78% of the 805 Americans asked said the anger that led to the protests was either fully or partially justified. Another 54% said protesters burning the Minneapolis 3rd Police Precinct to the ground was either fully or partially justified.
The protesters, joined Thursday by Blazers superstar Damian Lillard, spent Friday night listening to speakers like 10-year-old Quinton Jones.
“I shouldn’t be told by my mom that if police stop me to to stop right there, put my hands up and not reach for anything,” Jones told the crowd. “I shouldn’t be followed in stores like I’m going to take something. I should be able to be a kid and do the things my friends do without my mom being scared I will be killed. I just want to live. Is that too much to ask?”


Tribal Recognition

WASHINGTON — A federal court in Washington granted summary judgment to the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe on its challenge to the @ @ @ @ @ s decision determining that the tribe did not meet the definitions of “ Indian ” @ @ @ @ @ .
The decision was “ arbitrary , capricious , an abuse of discretion , and @ @ @ @ @

The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.


courthousenews--2020-06-06--Thousands of Protesters Gather in New Orleans’ French Quarter

NEW ORLEANS ( CN ) – Tens of thousands of people filed into the French Quarter Friday evening to demonstrate against the deaths of George Floyd , and before him , Breonna Taylor , Ahmaud Arbery , Modesto Reyes , Tony McDade and others killed by police .
A series of speakers spoke of racism , inequality , police brutality and exploitation and urged revolutionary change .
Though the crowd was massive and the sentiment painful , the protest remained peaceful , as the majority have been this week .
“ It ’ s basically a demonstration against white supremacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the river side of the square Friday evening observed as a falling sun threw golden rays over the tall spires of the historic cathedral , and all across the lush Jackson Square , gates locked to the public on this particular night .
Rumor all week had been protesters intended to take down a monument of Andrew Jackson on horseback that sits , famously , in the center of Jackson Square not far from the St. Louis Cathedral – championed as the oldest operating cathedral in the United States .
The statue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a slave owner , has been on a list of monuments the activist group Take ‘ Em Down NOLA has insisted the city remove at least since 2016 .
Speakers referred to the statue as a symbol of white supremacy and led call and response chants demanding the statue ’ s removal .
“ We won ’ t get no satisfaction until we take down… ” The setting for Friday ’ s protest has a long and gory history of slave buying and selling and brutality .
Just beyond the historic cathedral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 18th and 19th centuries was notorious for being the site where public executions took place , some of the heads of the executed afterwards being hung on the gates .
Following the slave uprising of 1811 , three slaves were hanged in the square .
Only a handful of police officers were on site Friday evening .
One officer who stood at a barricade on one side of the crowd said the iron gates to the square had been locked earlier on by the cathedral out of concern the crowd would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , too , over monument removal and looting .
Removal of Confederate heroes has figured prominently into protests over the past week all across the South .
Residents in Mobile , Alabama Friday morning learned that a bronze statue of Confederate naval officer Admiral Raphael Semmes , which stood in a middle of a downtown street near the waterfront for the last 120 years and had been a point of contention during protests all week was removed without any public notice overnight .
Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson said in a series of tweets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monument was “ a potential distraction ” to focusing on what lay ahead for the city .
“ Moving the statue will not change the past .
It ’ s about removing a potential distraction so we may focus clearly on the future of our city , ” Stimpson said .
Other Confederate monuments have come down or are expected to around the South in the wake of the massive protests and outrage that have unleashed since Floyd ’ s Memorial Day death at the hands of police officers in Minneapolis .
An @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Birmingham after protesters caused another statue to topple .
In Richmond , Virginia , a huge statue of Robert E. Lee is slated to be removed following news the city plans to remove other Confederate monuments from Monument Avenue .
And in Kentucky , Governor Andy Beshear , a Democrat , announced Friday that a monument to Jefferson Davis is a divisive symbol and will be removed from the state capital ’ s Capitol Rotunda .
“ Even if there are those who think it ’ s a part of history , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it in historic context , ” the governor said .
“ And right now , seeing so much pain in our state and across our country , can ’ t we at least realize that in so many of our fellow Kentuckians … it is in the very least so hurtful to them ?
And doesn ’ t that at least justify it not sitting where it does right now ?
”

Tens of thousands of people filed into the French Quarter Friday evening to demonstrate against the deaths of George Floyd, and before him, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Modesto Reyes, Tony McDade and others killed by police.
NEW ORLEANS (CN) — Tens of thousands of people filed into the French Quarter Friday evening to demonstrate against the deaths of George Floyd, and before him, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Modesto Reyes, Tony McDade and others killed by police.
A series of speakers spoke of racism, inequality, police brutality and exploitation and urged revolutionary change. Though the crowd was massive and the sentiment painful, the protest remained peaceful, as the majority have been this week.
“It’s basically a demonstration against white supremacy,” an onlooker standing among hundreds on the river side of the square Friday evening observed as a falling sun threw golden rays over the tall spires of the historic cathedral, and all across the lush Jackson Square, gates locked to the public on this particular night.
Rumor all week had been protesters intended to take down a monument of Andrew Jackson on horseback that sits, famously, in the center of Jackson Square not far from the St. Louis Cathedral - championed as the oldest operating cathedral in the United States.
The statue of Jackson, as the seventh president and a slave owner, has been on a list of monuments the activist group Take ‘Em Down NOLA has insisted the city remove at least since 2016.
Speakers referred to the statue as a symbol of white supremacy and led call and response chants demanding the statue’s removal.
“We won’t get no satisfaction until we take down…”
“Andrew Jackson.”
The setting for Friday’s protest has a long and gory history of slave buying and selling and brutality.
Just beyond the historic cathedral inside the square is an area that in the 18th and 19th centuries was notorious for being the site where public executions took place, some of the heads of the executed afterwards being hung on the gates. Following the slave uprising of 1811, three slaves were hanged in the square.
Only a handful of police officers were on site Friday evening.
One officer who stood at a barricade on one side of the crowd said the iron gates to the square had been locked earlier on by the cathedral out of concern the crowd would become unruly, and out of concern, too, over monument removal and looting.
Demonstrators congregated in Jackson Square on Friday night. (Courthouse News Service photo/Sabrina Canfield)
Removal of Confederate heroes has figured prominently into protests over the past week all across the South.
Residents in Mobile, Alabama Friday morning learned that a bronze statue of Confederate naval officer Admiral Raphael Semmes, which stood in a middle of a downtown street near the waterfront for the last 120 years and had been a point of contention during protests all week was removed without any public notice overnight.
Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson said in a series of tweets that he ordered the removal because the monument was “a potential distraction” to focusing on what lay ahead for the city.
“Moving the statue will not change the past. It’s about removing a potential distraction so we may focus clearly on the future of our city,” Stimpson said.
Other Confederate monuments have come down or are expected to around the South in the wake of the massive protests and outrage that have unleashed since Floyd’s Memorial Day death at the hands of police officers in Minneapolis.
An obelisk was removed by the city of Birmingham after protesters caused another statue to topple. In Richmond, Virginia, a huge statue of Robert E. Lee is slated to be removed following news the city plans to remove other Confederate monuments from Monument Avenue.
And in Kentucky, Governor Andy Beshear, a Democrat, announced Friday that a monument to Jefferson Davis is a divisive symbol and will be removed from the state capital’s Capitol Rotunda.
“Even if there are those who think it’s a part of history, there should be a better place to put it in historic context,” the governor said. “And right now, seeing so much pain in our state and across our country, can’t we at least realize that in so many of our fellow Kentuckians … it is in the very least so hurtful to them? And doesn’t that at least justify it not sitting where it does right now?”


courthousenews--2020-06-06--Faith Leaders Hold D.C. Vigil to Call For Change

WASHINGTON ( CN ) — Church bells tolled on the street leading straight to the White House on Friday , just moments before a heavy downpour of rain seemed to wash clean the site outside St. John ’ s Episcopal Church where police just days before fired tear gas on peaceful protesters .
The voice of Martin Luther King Jr. giving his final speech , “ I ’ ve Been to the Mountaintop , ” rang out across the newly christened Black Lives Matter Plaza , as protesters listened in heavy silence .
For eight days , thousands have protested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Barbara and David Kennedy , congregants of the Capitol Hill United Methodist Church , stood in the rain outside the historic church where on Monday President Donald Trump posed for a photo holding a Bible just minutes after law enforcement officers cleared the area with violent force .
The couple said they were disgusted by what many faith leaders have called a publicity stunt by the president .
“ It was a prop , ” Barbara said , her husband adding : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
People of real faith saw right through that , ” David said .
Holding a sign that read “ Jesus is a person of color , ” the Kennedys said you don ’ t have to attend a church to have the heart of Jesus .
“ This is the greatest commandment : Love God with all your heart and soul and mind , and love your neighbor as yourself , ” David said , quoting Matt .
22:37-39 .
Explaining that his view on the peaceful protests that have turned the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for police reforms and racial justice , David said : “ I think maybe this is a moment where we can rally around that [ verse ] , where we love one another.
” Nodding her head , Barbara said : “ We need the leadership , ” adding that demand is not met by the sitting president .
Houses of worship joined together for Friday ’ s “ Black Lives Matter to God and to Us ” vigil all along the road that runs from the White House to the Maryland suburbs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve Been to the Mountaintop , ” is heavy with Christian themes and linked the ongoing peaceful protest outside the White House to the vigil up the street .
As church members observed silence for eight minutes and 46 seconds , the length of time that a Minneapolis police officer knelt on Floyd ’ s neck , protesters near St. John ’ s shouted “ Say his name !
George Floyd !
” Ginger Gaines-Cirelli , senior pastor at Foundry United Methodist Church , said she views standing with people calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ sacred resistance ” — a core part of her role as a Christian .
“ I think that at the core of at least the Christian faith is a call to love our neighbors , ” Gaines-Cirelli said .
“ And part of what that looks like is standing in solidarity with the people who are under attack.
” The pastor said the week has been one of prayer and fasting , as she listens to people who are calling for change .
“ I ’ m praying for a real change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big outcry and no one being willing…to persevere and push through and to make real substantive policy change that will provide safety and protection and real freedom for people who ’ ve never had it in this country , ” Gaines-Cirelli said .
On the curb outside the church , members held signs and handed out snacks and masks to protesters making their way to the White House less than two miles down the road .
Drivers in cars going by honked and shouted “ Black Lives Matter ” with the churchgoers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Alyssa Aldape , the associate pastor for young adult and youth ministry at the First Baptist Church of the City of Washington , D.C. , stood on the church steps with members holding signs calling for racial equality .
Aldape said they stood in solidarity with their historically black sister church and oldest black Baptist congregation in the nation ’ s capital — the 19th Street Baptist Church — three miles up the road .
“ As a person of color who is a pastor , it is my role to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jesus is asking us to join him in the streets with our siblings , ” Aldape said .
Christina Suggs , a member of Aldape ’ s congregation , turned out for the vigil with her two children , Kara , 15 , and Dylan , 8 .
The church , Suggs said , is called to speak out against injustice and violence against people of color .
She and her husband moved their family to Washington , D.C. , five years ago from Columbia , South Carolina in large part because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diverse upbringing .
“ Eight minutes and 46 seconds , somebody on your neck , ” she said , referring to the time that a Minneapolis police officer knelt on Floyd ’ s neck before he died of asphyxiation .
“ The church has the responsibility to protest and to speak out against lives lost and brutality.
” D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser ordered the street running outside St. John ’ s Church where protesters have gathered all week , day and night , renamed Black Lives Matter Plaza on Friday .
King ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the symbolic street as the crowd chanted “ I can ’ t breathe ” and “ No justice , no peace.
” “ Black humanity matters , ” the mayor said in a statement on Friday .
“ And we , as Washingtonians , raise that up as part of the values of our city.
” An air of resolve hung in the square Friday afternoon , with protesters demonstrating respect and alliance to the movement both honoring Floyd ’ s memory and calling for nationwide police reform .
Protester Cassandra Wooten said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gesture , but in Washington , there is more work to be done .
“ We have to keep going every day , don ’ t stop , because once we stop , look at what happened , ” Wooten said .
“ I don ’ t want my grandbabies out here protesting , marching .
I want education .
I want housing .
I don ’ t want this.
” As dark clouds billowed over the crowd Friday night and thunder sounded in the distance , protesters broke into applause at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ King ’ s resonating voice .
The crowd ’ s chants rang out loud as protesters held their ground along the White House barrier through heavy rain that fell after sunset .
“ I just want to do God ’ s will , ” King said the night before his assassination in 1968 .
“ And he ’ s allowed me to go up to the mountain .
And I ‘ ve looked over .
And I ’ ve seen the promised land .
I may not go there with you , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we , as people , will get to the promised land .
”

Church bells tolled on the street leading straight to the White House on Friday, just moments before a heavy downpour of rain seemed to wash clean the site outside St. John’s Episcopal Church where police just days before fired tear gas on peaceful protesters.
WASHINGTON (CN) — Church bells tolled on the street leading straight to the White House on Friday, just moments before a heavy downpour of rain seemed to wash clean the site outside St. John’s Episcopal Church where police just days before fired tear gas on peaceful protesters.
The voice of Martin Luther King Jr. giving his final speech, “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop,” rang out across the newly christened Black Lives Matter Plaza, as protesters listened in heavy silence. For eight days, thousands have protested peacefully in the nation’s capital over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Barbara and David Kennedy, congregants of the Capitol Hill United Methodist Church, stood in the rain outside the historic church where on Monday President Donald Trump posed for a photo holding a Bible just minutes after law enforcement officers cleared the area with violent force.
The couple said they were disgusted by what many faith leaders have called a publicity stunt by the president.
“It was a prop,” Barbara said, her husband adding: “His evangelical base saw right through that. People of real faith saw right through that,” David said.
Holding a sign that read “Jesus is a person of color,” the Kennedys said you don’t have to attend a church to have the heart of Jesus.
“This is the greatest commandment: Love God with all your heart and soul and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself,” David said, quoting Matt. 22:37-39.
Explaining that his view on the peaceful protests that have turned the nation’s attention to the need for police reforms and racial justice, David said: “I think maybe this is a moment where we can rally around that [verse], where we love one another.” Nodding her head, Barbara said: “We need the leadership,” adding that demand is not met by the sitting president.
Barbara and David Kennedy who attend the Capitol Hill United Methodist Church said they were disgusted by Trump standing outside St. John’s Episcopal Church on Monday to pose for a photo holding a Bible. (Courthouse News Service photo/Megan Mineiro)
Houses of worship joined together for Friday’s “Black Lives Matter to God and to Us” vigil all along the road that runs from the White House to the Maryland suburbs.
The speech by King, “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop,” is heavy with Christian themes and linked the ongoing peaceful protest outside the White House to the vigil up the street.
As church members observed silence for eight minutes and 46 seconds, the length of time that a Minneapolis police officer knelt on Floyd’s neck, protesters near St. John’s shouted “Say his name! George Floyd!”
Ginger Gaines-Cirelli, senior pastor at Foundry United Methodist Church, said she views standing with people calling for social change — what she called “sacred resistance” — a core part of her role as a Christian.
"I think that at the core of at least the Christian faith is a call to love our neighbors,” Gaines-Cirelli said. “And part of what that looks like is standing in solidarity with the people who are under attack."
The pastor said the week has been one of prayer and fasting, as she listens to people who are calling for change.
“I’m praying for a real change this time and not for just another big outcry and no one being willing…to persevere and push through and to make real substantive policy change that will provide safety and protection and real freedom for people who’ve never had it in this country,” Gaines-Cirelli said.
On the curb outside the church, members held signs and handed out snacks and masks to protesters making their way to the White House less than two miles down the road. Drivers in cars going by honked and shouted “Black Lives Matter” with the churchgoers.
Protesters revel in Black Lives Matter Square after a week of protests in the nation’s capital. (Courthouse News Service photo/Brandi Buchman)
Less than a mile down the street, Alyssa Aldape, the associate pastor for young adult and youth ministry at the First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C., stood on the church steps with members holding signs calling for racial equality.
Aldape said they stood in solidarity with their historically black sister church and oldest black Baptist congregation in the nation’s capital — the 19th Street Baptist Church — three miles up the road.
“As a person of color who is a pastor, it is my role to bring our people alongside and say God and Jesus is asking us to join him in the streets with our siblings,” Aldape said.
Christina Suggs, a member of Aldape’s congregation, turned out for the vigil with her two children, Kara, 15, and Dylan, 8.
The church, Suggs said, is called to speak out against injustice and violence against people of color. She and her husband moved their family to Washington, D.C., five years ago from Columbia, South Carolina, in large part because they wanted their children to have a racially diverse upbringing.
“Eight minutes and 46 seconds, somebody on your neck,” she said, referring to the time that a Minneapolis police officer knelt on Floyd’s neck before he died of asphyxiation. “The church has the responsibility to protest and to speak out against lives lost and brutality.”
Christina Suggs with her children Kara, 15 and Dylan, 8, stand outside their church less than a mile from the White House. (Courthouse News Service photo/Megan Mineiro)
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser ordered the street running outside St. John’s Church where protesters have gathered all week, day and night, renamed Black Lives Matter Plaza on Friday.
King’s words rang out Friday evening over the symbolic street as the crowd chanted “I can’t breathe” and “No justice, no peace.”
“Black humanity matters,” the mayor said in a statement on Friday. “And we, as Washingtonians, raise that up as part of the values of our city.”
An air of resolve hung in the square Friday afternoon, with protesters demonstrating respect and alliance to the movement both honoring Floyd’s memory and calling for nationwide police reform.
Protester Cassandra Wooten said the new street name was a good gesture, but in Washington, there is more work to be done.
“We have to keep going every day, don’t stop, because once we stop, look at what happened,” Wooten said. “I don’t want my grandbabies out here protesting, marching. I want education. I want housing. I don’t want this.”
As dark clouds billowed over the crowd Friday night and thunder sounded in the distance, protesters broke into applause at the final words of hope echoing out in King’s resonating voice. The crowd’s chants rang out loud as protesters held their ground along the White House barrier through heavy rain that fell after sunset.
“I just want to do God’s will,” King said the night before his assassination in 1968. “And he’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I‘ve looked over. And I’ve seen the promised land. I may not go there with you, but I want you to know tonight, that we, as people, will get to the promised land.”


courthousenews--2020-06-06--At Police-Sponsored Vigil, Protesters Demand Los Angeles Chief Be Fired

LOS ANGELES ( CN ) – At a community vigil Friday , Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore characterized police brutality and racism as viruses , but thousands of protesters who swarmed the vigil challenged the lack of accountability for officers who attacked peaceful protesters .
Massive demonstrations demanding an end to police violence and the defunding of police departments continued across California this week .
The protests in LA County and across the nation were set off by the killing of George Floyd at the hands of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin .
Police departments nationwide have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters and detaining them in conditions that make them more vulnerable to Covid-19 infection .
The National Lawyers Guild sued the LA Police Department on Friday alleging excessive force and civil rights violations committed against protesters , including claims of being detained without access to bathrooms or medical attention .
The federal class action lawsuit , filed on behalf of Black Lives Matter-LA and LA Community Action Network , seeks damages and both declaratory and injunctive relief for thousands of protesters who were injured by officers .
“ Over the course of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been sued repeatedly for many of the same tactics on display the past week , including kittling protesters before declaring an unlawful assembly , excessive force with batons and rubber bullets , and prolonged handcuffing and improper conditions of confinement for arrestees , ” stated the 25-page lawsuit .
Outside LA Police Department headquarters , Moore gathered with interfaith leaders and community residents next to a painting of Floyd who he described as a kind giant and a resource to his community .
Moore said Floyd ’ s killing exposed the long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and renewed longstanding calls for reform .
“ It tore at the very heart of what policing is , tore at the very essence of our duty to serve and to protect , ” Moore said .
Faith leaders and community representatives described the vigil as a space for police officers to express their grief over Floyd ’ s murder and discuss solutions .
“ As we reflect on continued acts of racism , what arises is the pain , the exhaustion , the heartbreak .
I feel it and I hope you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resident Jonathan Franklin .
“ I also see small glimpses of change .
Nobody is free until we all are free .
We are LA and we are in this together.
” Moore described racism and police violence as viruses that the black community is dealing with amid the Covid-19 pandemic .
“ It ’ s been a virus that has stayed with us for generations , ” Moore said .
“ More than anything , I hope for an antidote to racism , to social injustice .
Racism is not inherited , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ We repeat what we don ’ t repair ” was the tagline of the vigil , which also called on participants to embrace “ open minds , open hearts , responsible dialogue , ” according to an event flyer .
The massive crowd of protesters chanted loudly at barricades outside LAPD headquarters , drowning out speakers at the vigil who were flanked by a line of police and National Guard .
Moore came under heavy criticism this week for saying people engaged in looting were as much to blame for Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police officers who killed him .
“ We didn ’ t have people mourning the death of this man , George Floyd , we had people capitalizing , ” Moore said in a press conference Monday alongside LA Mayor Eric Garcetti .
“ His death is on their hands as much as it is those officers.
” Moore immediately apologized during the press conference and later issued a statement on Twitter clarifying his remark .
“ While I did immediately correct myself , I recognize that my initial words were terribly offensive , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrong , but it is not the equivalent of murder and I did not mean to equate the two.
” Garcetti issued a statement on the comment after the joint press conference , saying Moore misspoke .
“ The responsibility for George Floyd ’ s death rests solely with the police officers involved , ” Garcetti tweeted .
“ Chief Moore regrets the words he chose this evening and has clarified them.
” Earlier on Friday , Black Lives Matter-LA organized an event titled # RoseFromConcrete outside the Hall of Justice which houses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s office .
Lacey has been a frequent target of criticism from BLM and other community organizations who decry her refusal to criminally charge officers who kill civilians .
This year , Lacey has been forced into a runoff election in November against former San Francisco DA George Gascon , who was endorsed Thursday by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders .
The BLM event invited residents to lay a rose on the steps of the Hall of Justice to commemorate people killed by police .
The Los Angeles Police Protective League , a labor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Friday it opposes Garcetti ’ s mandate for close to $ 150 million in police department budget cuts and his comments chiding police behavior during protests .
“ We ’ ve sent an emergency request to Chief Moore to send the LAPD Crisis Response Team to City Hall because Eric has apparently lost his damn mind , ” the union said in a statement .
Multiple videos have surfaced on social media this week showing LAPD officers striking peaceful protesters with batons , shooting pepper balls at protesters walking away from police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rubber bullets .
Garcetti said this week he will limit the LAPD ’ s use of rubber bullets and require officers to intervene when they witness misconduct .
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced Friday he will pursue a statewide standard for crowd control tactics and use of force policy for police assigned to respond to public protests .
“ Protesters have the right to protest peacefully – not be harassed , ” Newsom said in a statement on Twitter .
“ Not be shot at by rubber bullets or tear gas.
” Newsom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Officer Training to ban police from using a chokehold – also called the carotid hold – to subdue people .
LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn said Friday she will promote county support for AB 1196 , a bill by state Assemblyman Mike Gibson , D-Los Angeles , which would ban police from using chokeholds across California .
LA County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl introduced a motion Thursday requiring police to explain how they will arrest , detain and process protesters in a way that prevents exposure to Covid-19 .
“ During the protests in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not all law enforcement personnel were equipped with personal protective equipment , ” Kuehl said in a statement Thursday .
“ Protestors were detained without face masks and were not always able to maintain physical distancing .
We must develop health policies and practices that reduce the risk of infection when people are exercising their First Amendment rights .
”

At a community vigil Friday, Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore characterized police brutality and racism as viruses, but thousands of protesters who swarmed the vigil challenged the lack of accountability for officers who attacked peaceful protesters.
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore speaks with faith leaders and community members on the issues of racism and police violence during a vigil outside police headquarters on Friday. (Courthouse News photo / Martin Macias, Jr.)
LOS ANGELES (CN) — At a community vigil Friday, Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore characterized police brutality and racism as viruses, but thousands of protesters who swarmed the vigil challenged the lack of accountability for officers who attacked peaceful protesters.
Massive demonstrations demanding an end to police violence and the defunding of police departments continued across California this week.
The protests in LA County and across the nation were set off by the killing of George Floyd at the hands of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.
Police departments nationwide have been criticized for using excessive force against peaceful protesters and detaining them in conditions that make them more vulnerable to Covid-19 infection.
The National Lawyers Guild sued the LA Police Department on Friday alleging excessive force and civil rights violations committed against protesters, including claims of being detained without access to bathrooms or medical attention.
The federal class action lawsuit, filed on behalf of Black Lives Matter-LA and LA Community Action Network, seeks damages and both declaratory and injunctive relief for thousands of protesters who were injured by officers.
“Over the course of the last several decades, [LA] has been sued repeatedly for many of the same tactics on display the past week, including kittling protesters before declaring an unlawful assembly, excessive force with batons and rubber bullets, and prolonged handcuffing and improper conditions of confinement for arrestees,” the 25-page lawsuit states.
Outside LA Police Department headquarters, Moore gathered with interfaith leaders and community residents next to a painting of Floyd who he described as a kind giant and a resource to his community.
Moore said Floyd’s killing exposed the long history of state violence in the country and renewed longstanding calls for reform.
“It tore at the very heart of what policing is, tore at the very essence of our duty to serve and to protect,” Moore said.
Faith leaders and community representatives described the vigil as a space for police officers to express their grief over Floyd’s murder and discuss solutions.
“As we reflect on continued acts of racism, what arises is the pain, the exhaustion, the heartbreak. I feel it and I hope you feel it too,” said LA resident Jonathan Franklin. “I also see small glimpses of change. Nobody is free until we all are free. We are LA and we are in this together.”
Moore described racism and police violence as viruses that the black community is dealing with amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It’s been a virus that has stayed with us for generations,” Moore said. “More than anything, I hope for an antidote to racism, to social injustice. Racism is not inherited, it’s not in your genes.”
“We repeat what we don’t repair” was the tagline of the vigil, which also called on participants to embrace “open minds, open hearts, responsible dialogue,” according to an event flyer.
The massive crowd of protesters chanted loudly at barricades outside LAPD headquarters, drowning out speakers at the vigil who were flanked by a line of police and National Guard.
Los Ángeles Police Chief Michel Moore faces protesters after a community vigil outside police headquarters on Friday, June 5, 2020. (Courthouse News video / Martín Macias, Jr.)
Moore came under heavy criticism this week for saying people engaged in looting were as much to blame for Floyd’s death as the former Minneapolis police officers who killed him.
“We didn’t have people mourning the death of this man, George Floyd, we had people capitalizing,” Moore said in a press conference Monday alongside LA Mayor Eric Garcetti. “His death is on their hands as much as it is those officers.”
Moore immediately apologized during the press conference and later issued a statement on Twitter clarifying his remark.
“While I did immediately correct myself, I recognize that my initial words were terribly offensive,” Moore tweeted. “Looting is wrong, but it is not the equivalent of murder and I did not mean to equate the two.”
Garcetti issued a statement on the comment after the joint press conference, saying Moore misspoke.
“The responsibility for George Floyd’s death rests solely with the police officers involved,” Garcetti tweeted. “Chief Moore regrets the words he chose this evening and has clarified them.”
Earlier on Friday, Black Lives Matter-LA organized an event titled #RoseFromConcrete outside the Hall of Justice which houses LA County District Attorney Jackie Lacey’s office.
Lacey has been a frequent target of criticism from BLM and other community organizations who decry her refusal to criminally charge officers who kill civilians.
This year, Lacey has been forced into a runoff election in November against former San Francisco DA George Gascon, who was endorsed Thursday by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.
The BLM event invited residents to lay a rose on the steps of the Hall of Justice to commemorate people killed by police.
The Los Angeles Police Protective League, a labor union representing over 9,000 LAPD officers, said Friday it opposes Garcetti’s mandate for close to $150 million in police department budget cuts and his comments chiding police behavior during protests.
“We’ve sent an emergency request to Chief Moore to send the LAPD Crisis Response Team to City Hall because Eric has apparently lost his damn mind,” the union said in a statement.
Multiple videos have surfaced on social media this week showing LAPD officers striking peaceful protesters with batons, shooting pepper balls at protesters walking away from police and shooting pedestrians in the head with rubber bullets.
Garcetti said this week he will limit the LAPD’s use of rubber bullets and require officers to intervene when they witness misconduct.
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced Friday he will pursue a statewide standard for crowd control tactics and use of force policy for police assigned to respond to public protests.
“Protesters have the right to protest peacefully - not be harassed,” Newsom said in a statement on Twitter. “Not be shot at by rubber bullets or tear gas.”
Newsom also directed the California Commission on Peace Officer Training to ban police from using a chokehold — also called the carotid hold — to subdue people.
LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn said Friday she will promote county support for AB 1196, a bill by state Assemblyman Mike Gibson, D-Los Angeles, which would ban police from using chokeholds across California.
LA County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl introduced a motion Thursday requiring police to explain how they will arrest, detain and process protesters in a way that prevents exposure to Covid-19.
“During the protests in Los Angeles over the last few days, not all law enforcement personnel were equipped with personal protective equipment,” Kuehl said in a statement Thursday. “Protestors were detained without face masks and were not always able to maintain physical distancing. We must develop health policies and practices that reduce the risk of infection when people are exercising their First Amendment rights.”


courthousenews--2020-06-06--Heavy Rains Fail to Deter Florida Protesters

TAMPA , Fla. ( CN ) – Heavy rain dousing marchers failed to stop the seventh day of protests in Florida cities across the state as demonstrators decried the death of George Floyd .
From Miami to Tallahassee , Floridians rallied and marched in the memory of the victims of police brutality while demanding changes in police departments and the White House .
The protests on Friday remained peaceful , a far cry from the burning , looting and clashes with police that defined last weekend ’ s gatherings in Tampa , Miami and Ft. Lauderdale .
Though smaller than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed no sign of slowing heading into a rainy weekend .
In Tampa , a few hundred protesters gathered in front of the Hillsborough County Courthouse , holding homemade “ Black Lives Matter ” signs and chanting , ” No justice , no peace !
” With the backdrop of a Lady Justice statue , the protesters , diverse in age and race , laid on their stomachs for nearly nine minutes – the amount of time Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on the neck of George Floyd – while yelling , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” They also sang happy birthday in honor of Breonna Taylor , who was shot and killed by Louisville police during a no-knock search warrant .
She would have turned 27 on Friday .
Chris Escobar , who traveled from nearby Pinellas County , brought two friends to support the cause .
“ We ’ re sad about all the injustices , ” he said , “ and it feels like we ’ re repeating history.
” Escobar , 30 , shared his own experiences with racism and police .
“ I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ I ’ ve been stopped based on my skin color or what I ’ m wearing at the moment .
They see a younger Hispanic in a nicer car – that ’ s prejudice.
” Nearby , Gabriel Rodriguez held a “ Black Lives Matter ” sign facing commuters leaving downtown offices .
Rodriguez , 23 , said he ’ s never attended a protest before .
“ I saw all these things online showing police brutality and I had to be here , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ inspiring .
I think it ’ s really important to exercise the First Amendment.
” Rodriguez also said he came out to support a friend who Tampa police arrested during a protest on Thursday along with three others .
Police claim Emadi Okwuosa , 22 , encouraged protesters to march onto the interstate .
He ’ s charged with inciting a riot .
Two others were charged with assault on a law enforcement officer .
In a widely circulated video , police tackled a woman with an umbrella and sprayed the crowd with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan defended officers ’ actions , claiming the woman attempted to hit two officers with her umbrella .
“ We need people to take back the protest and point out the ones who are not there to peacefully protest , ” he said during a press conference .
Tampa police were largely absent from Friday ’ s gathering , choosing to stay in parking lots a block away .
Police presence , including officers in full riot gear , have been a mainstay of other days ’ protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surround the downtown police station .
After a few more chants at the courthouse , protesters marched toward a waterfront park as dark clouds rolled in .
Some protesters attempted to block traffic , but organizer Christopher Dawson convinced them to move .
“ Get out of the way !
” he shouted through a megaphone .
“ You will get arrested !
” After reaching the park , a massive downpour caused the rally goers to quickly melt away to their cars .
Most protests in the state ended similarly .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ front of the Florida State Capitol early in the day .
Hundreds of protesters in Orlando gathered at a park and marched to city hall , dispersing before the city ’ s 8 p.m. curfew .
Miami demonstrators shut down Interstate 95 , prompting Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez to move up a curfew from midnight to 10 p.m .
In West Palm Beach , a mass of protesters marched through pouring rain , chanting “ I can ’ t breathe !
” The water-logged crowd congregated at an amphitheater along the intracoastal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shouting , “ Fuck Donald Trump.
” It was a mix of black and white protesters , many of whom were teenagers .
 Protests in the West Palm Beach area have remained largely peaceful since last Sunday when municipal police used dispersant gas and rubber bullets on a crowd .
The West Palm Beach Police Department claims it resorted to using the rubber bullets after members of the crowd began jumping on cars , throwing rocks at officers and attacking a bystander .
“ You have to be able to conceptually separate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the situation , ” said Tiffani Kinnaman during Friday ’ s protest .
“ There are peaceful protesters , and then you have rioters and people using this moment to commit crimes.
”  Standing next to Tiffani , Kelli Kinnaman said she believes the nationwide scope of the protests this past week will lead to lasting change in police tactics and criminal justice , not just temporary reform. “ Our generation is a generation of change , ” said the 22-year-old .
“ The fight for justice that started years ago — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end it here.
”

Heavy rain dousing marchers failed to stop the seventh day of protests in Florida cities across the state as demonstrators decried the death of George Floyd.
TAMPA, Fla. (CN) — Heavy rain dousing marchers failed to stop the seventh day of protests in Florida cities across the state as demonstrators decried the death of George Floyd.
From Miami to Tallahassee, Floridians rallied and marched in the memory of the victims of police brutality while demanding changes in police departments and the White House.
The protests on Friday remained peaceful, a far cry from the burning, looting and clashes with police that defined last weekend’s gatherings in Tampa, Miami and Ft. Lauderdale.
Though smaller than rallies in other states, the protests showed no sign of slowing heading into a rainy weekend.
In Tampa, a few hundred protesters gathered in front of the Hillsborough County Courthouse, holding homemade “Black Lives Matter” signs and chanting,” No justice, no peace!”
With the backdrop of a Lady Justice statue, the protesters, diverse in age and race, laid on their stomachs for nearly nine minutes – the amount of time Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on the neck of George Floyd – while yelling, “I can’t breathe!”
They also sang happy birthday in honor of Breonna Taylor, who was shot and killed by Louisville police during a no-knock search warrant. She would have turned 27 on Friday.
Chris Escobar, who traveled from nearby Pinellas County, brought two friends to support the cause.
“We’re sad about all the injustices,” he said, “and it feels like we’re repeating history."
Escobar, 30, shared his own experiences with racism and police.
“I’ve been stopped for no reason,” he said. “I’ve been stopped based on my skin color or what I’m wearing at the moment. They see a younger Hispanic in a nicer car – that’s prejudice.”
Chris Escobar and his friends joined the march in Tampa on Friday. “I think we can definitely move ahead with all these younger kids and turn things around.” (Courthouse News Service photo/Alex Pickett)
Nearby, Gabriel Rodriguez held a “Black Lives Matter” sign facing commuters leaving downtown offices. Rodriguez, 23, said he’s never attended a protest before.
“I saw all these things online showing police brutality and I had to be here,” he said. “Seeing other people protest is really inspiring. I think it’s really important to exercise the First Amendment.”
Rodriguez also said he came out to support a friend who Tampa police arrested during a protest on Thursday along with three others.
Police claim Emadi Okwuosa, 22, encouraged protesters to march onto the interstate. He’s charged with inciting a riot. Two others were charged with assault on a law enforcement officer.
In a widely circulated video, police tackled a woman with an umbrella and sprayed the crowd with pepper spray.
Earlier in the day, Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan defended officers’ actions, claiming the woman attempted to hit two officers with her umbrella.
“We need people to take back the protest and point out the ones who are not there to peacefully protest,” he said during a press conference.
Protesters lie down to memorialize George Floyd in Tampa, Florida on Friday. (Courthouse News Service photo/Alex Pickett)
Tampa police were largely absent from Friday’s gathering, choosing to stay in parking lots a block away. Police presence, including officers in full riot gear, have been a mainstay of other days’ protests. Large dump trucks and barricades still surround the downtown police station.
After a few more chants at the courthouse, protesters marched toward a waterfront park as dark clouds rolled in. Some protesters attempted to block traffic, but organizer Christopher Dawson convinced them to move.
“Get out of the way!” he shouted through a megaphone. “You will get arrested!”
After reaching the park, a massive downpour caused the rally goers to quickly melt away to their cars.
Most protests in the state ended similarly. In Tallahassee, a few dozen rallied in front of the Florida State Capitol early in the day. Hundreds of protesters in Orlando gathered at a park and marched to city hall, dispersing before the city’s 8 p.m. curfew.
Miami demonstrators shut down Interstate 95, prompting Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez to move up a curfew from midnight to 10 p.m.
In West Palm Beach, a mass of protesters marched through pouring rain, chanting "I can't breathe!”
The water-logged crowd congregated at an amphitheater along the intracoastal, at which point several youths began shouting, "Fuck Donald Trump."
It was a mix of black and white protesters, many of whom were teenagers.
Protests in the West Palm Beach area have remained largely peaceful since last Sunday when municipal police used dispersant gas and rubber bullets on a crowd.
The West Palm Beach Police Department claims it resorted to using the rubber bullets after members of the crowd began jumping on cars, throwing rocks at officers and attacking a bystander.
"You have to be able to conceptually separate us from the people taking advantage of the situation,” said Tiffani Kinnaman during Friday’s protest. “There are peaceful protesters, and then you have rioters and people using this moment to commit crimes."
Standing next to Tiffani, Kelli Kinnaman said she believes the nationwide scope of the protests this past week will lead to lasting change in police tactics and criminal justice, not just temporary reform.
"Our generation is a generation of change,” said the 22-year-old. “The fight for justice that started years ago — we are hoping to continue that and end it here.”


courthousenews--2020-06-06--President Trump Opens National Monument to Commercial Fishing

( CN ) – President Donald Trump on Friday opened 5,000 square miles of ocean off the New England coast to commercial fishing , reversing an order signed by President Barack Obama shortly before he left office .
“ I ’ m a believer in conservation , but they ’ ve gone crazy , ” he said before an audience of Maine lobstermen , fishermen and crabbers .
The Obama order that declared the area a national monument “ was deeply unfair to Maine lobstermen , threatened to cripple family businesses and cost American fishermen millions of dollars , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight foreign tariffs that hurt the Maine seafood industry .
The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument , which is larger than the state of Connecticut , is one of just five marine monuments and the first in the Atlantic Ocean .
It is home to endangered right whales , sea turtles , puffins and rare deep-sea cold-water corals .
“ This is an assault on an ocean refuge that countless marine wildlife rely on , ” the environmental group Earthjustice said in a statement .
Trump ’ s action is “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biologically important marine reserve by resource extraction activities , such as bottom-scouring fishing , ” the statement said .
But Trump called the Obama order “ ridiculous ” and “ terrible ” and added , “ He didn ’ t have a reason , in my opinion.
” “ America is blessed with some of the richest ocean resources anywhere in the world except when they close it up .
And yet we have a $ 16.6 billion seafood trade deficit and import over 85 % of the fish we consume , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signing a proclamation to reverse that injustice.
” He added , “ I like scallops .
Good .
We ’ ll have plenty of scallops to eat.
” Trump vowed to lift other Obama-era regulations that restrict Maine fishermen .
Former Governor Paul LePage , who was present at the event in Bangor , Maine , told Trump that there were “ a lot of bureaucrats in NOAA who really put some hurtful regulations on American fishermen.
” “ It was particularly bad under the Obama administration .
They just kept piling it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” LePage said , adding that the regulations were often “ so burdensome that you can ’ t afford to fish.
” LePage , a Republican , left office last year but plans to run again in 2022 .
Trump replied , “ I think of Maine as a great fishing state , but you ’ re so restricted , it keeps you from being a great fishing state.
” The conversation then turned to tariffs and Trump vowed to help Maine fishermen on that front .
The European Union imposes a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not on Canadian seafood , Trump said , which is “ stupidity ” because “ it ’ s the same exact lobster in the same water.
” “ The European Union has ripped this country off so much , it ’ s unbelievable , ” Trump said .
“ They ’ ve been almost as bad over the years as China in terms of trade , but nobody talks about it.
” “ If they don ’ t change , ” he threatened , “ we ’ re going to put a tariff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they ’ ll change right away … Watch how fast that tariff comes off.
” “ Canada has been very tough .
You know why ?
Because they got away with it , ” Trump said , noting that he had previously fought America ’ s northern neighbor over its 287 % tariff on dairy products from Wisconsin .
LePage said that “ in some respects Canada has been our worst enemy.
” Trump further threatened to crack down on foreign countries that are illegally harvesting seafood in U.S. waters .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to attack Maine ’ s Democratic Governor Janet Mills over her coronavirus-related shutdown orders .
“ You have a governor who doesn ’ t know what she ’ s doing , and she ’ s like a dictator , ” Trump said .
“ She ’ s going to get rid of all your wealth and you ’ ll never recover.
” The creation of the 5,000-square-mile national monument had previously been the subject of a lawsuit ; the D.C .
Circuit rejected a case challenging the Obama order in December 2019 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ whales , dolphins and other ocean life protected by this monument are fragile and irreplaceable , ” said Kelsey Lamp , a spokesperson for Environment America , in a statement .
“ To allow commercial fishing in this vital marine monument would put so many remarkable species at further risk .
As the public has shown over and over , this is not what the vast majority of Americans want .
”

President Donald Trump on Friday opened 5,000 square miles of ocean off the New England coast to commercial fishing, reversing an order signed by President Barack Obama shortly before he left office.
(CN) — President Donald Trump on Friday opened 5,000 square miles of ocean off the New England coast to commercial fishing, reversing an order signed by President Barack Obama shortly before he left office.
“I’m a believer in conservation, but they’ve gone crazy,” he said before an audience of Maine lobstermen, fishermen and crabbers.
The Obama order that declared the area a national monument “was deeply unfair to Maine lobstermen, threatened to cripple family businesses and cost American fishermen millions of dollars,” Trump said. He separately vowed to fight foreign tariffs that hurt the Maine seafood industry.
The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, which is larger than the state of Connecticut, is one of just five marine monuments and the first in the Atlantic Ocean. It is home to endangered right whales, sea turtles, puffins and rare deep-sea cold-water corals.
“This is an assault on an ocean refuge that countless marine wildlife rely on,” the environmental group Earthjustice said in a statement. Trump’s action is “threatening the destruction of this sensitive and biologically important marine reserve by resource extraction activities, such as bottom-scouring fishing,” the statement said.
But Trump called the Obama order “ridiculous” and “terrible” and added, “He didn’t have a reason, in my opinion.”
“America is blessed with some of the richest ocean resources anywhere in the world except when they close it up. And yet we have a $16.6 billion seafood trade deficit and import over 85% of the fish we consume,” Trump said. “Today I am signing a proclamation to reverse that injustice.”
He added, “I like scallops. Good. We’ll have plenty of scallops to eat.”
Trump vowed to lift other Obama-era regulations that restrict Maine fishermen.
Former Governor Paul LePage, who was present at the event in Bangor, Maine, told Trump that there were “a lot of bureaucrats in NOAA who really put some hurtful regulations on American fishermen.”
“It was particularly bad under the Obama administration. They just kept piling it on. It was a political stunt,” LePage said, adding that the regulations were often “so burdensome that you can’t afford to fish.”
LePage, a Republican, left office last year but plans to run again in 2022.
Trump replied, “I think of Maine as a great fishing state, but you’re so restricted, it keeps you from being a great fishing state.”
The conversation then turned to tariffs and Trump vowed to help Maine fishermen on that front.
The European Union imposes a 20% tariff on U.S. seafood but not on Canadian seafood, Trump said, which is “stupidity” because “it’s the same exact lobster in the same water.”
“The European Union has ripped this country off so much, it’s unbelievable,” Trump said. “They’ve been almost as bad over the years as China in terms of trade, but nobody talks about it.”
“If they don’t change,” he threatened, “we’re going to put a tariff on their cars until they change, and they’ll change right away … Watch how fast that tariff comes off.”
Trump also threatened Canada.
“Canada has been very tough. You know why? Because they got away with it,” Trump said, noting that he had previously fought America’s northern neighbor over its 287% tariff on dairy products from Wisconsin.
LePage said that “in some respects Canada has been our worst enemy.”
Trump further threatened to crack down on foreign countries that are illegally harvesting seafood in U.S. waters.
The president then went out of his way to attack Maine’s Democratic Governor Janet Mills over her coronavirus-related shutdown orders.
“You have a governor who doesn’t know what she’s doing, and she’s like a dictator,” Trump said. “She’s going to get rid of all your wealth and you’ll never recover.”
The creation of the 5,000-square-mile national monument had previously been the subject of a lawsuit; the D.C. Circuit rejected a case challenging the Obama order in December 2019.
“The centuries-old coral and the endangered whales, dolphins and other ocean life protected by this monument are fragile and irreplaceable,” said Kelsey Lamp, a spokesperson for Environment America, in a statement.
“To allow commercial fishing in this vital marine monument would put so many remarkable species at further risk. As the public has shown over and over, this is not what the vast majority of Americans want.”