Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has announced new charges against all four former officers involved in the death of George Floyd.
The attorney general announced charges against Thomas Lane, Tou Thao and J Alexander Kueng, the three officers seen alongside Derek Chauvin, an officer who kneeled on Mr Floyd’s neck for over eight minutes before his death, according to charging documents.
Officers were charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder, while Mr Chauvin was also charged with second-degree murder, following charges of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
He could be sentenced up to 40 years in prison, if convicted on that count.
Active-duty troops were meanwhile sent home from the nation's capitol on Wednesday after Defence Secretary Mark Esper said the Insurrection Act should be used "only in the most urgent and dire of situations".
"We are not in one of those situations now," he said.
Donald Trump and his allies who support using troops to quell the protests reportedly were taken aback by the comments and felt the defence secretary's statement was out of line.
His former Defence Secretary James Mattis, writing in The Atlantic, said he was "angry and appalled" by the president's use of force.
Demonstrations continued for a ninth night across the US, from thousands of protesters in Washington DC chanting "I can't breathe" to silent vigils and memorials honouring Mr Floyd and other black Americans killed by police.
The protests persist despite officials attempts' to keep people off the street with curfews.
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Good morning and welcome to The Independent's rolling coverage of the ongoing protests across the US following the death of George Floyd in police custody.
Trump insists New York must deploy National Guard and lashes out at Joe Biden
Donald Trump has again risked inflaming the George Floyd protests further on their eighth day as he insists that New York deploys the National Guard to rein in looting, declaring on Twitter: “The lowlifes and losers are ripping you apart. Act fast!”
“New York’s Finest are not being allowed to perform their MAGIC but regardless, and with the momentum that the Radical Left and others have been allowed to build, they will need additional help,” he wrote later. “NYC is totally out of control. @NYCMayor & @NYGovCuomo MUST PUT DOWN RIOTING NOW!”
The president also spent his evening attacking the “Lamestream Media playing down the gravity and depravity of the Radical Left, looters and thugs”, pushing a conspiracy theory insinuating the two parties were in cahoots.
He has also been lashing out at Joe Biden after the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee added his voice to the outcry after Trump allowed demonstrators to be tear-gassed to clear a path outside the White House so that he could pose with a copy of the BIble (not his own, he has failed to name a single favourite passage in the past) and walk to a nearby chapel to show he was not afraid of the crowds demanding his resignation.
“The president held up the Bible at St John’s church. I wish he’d open it once in a while instead of brandishing it,” Biden said. “If he did, he’d see that we’re all called to love each other like we love ourselves. It’s hard work but it’s the work of America.”
Here’s John T Bennett with the latest.
Protesters ignore city curfews nationwide to demand justice
Tens of thousands of demonstrators once more took to the streets of cities across the nation on Tuesday for largely peaceful mass gatherings to demand justice for Floyd’s killing and an end to police discrimination and violence, doing so in defiance of curfews ordering them to stay inside.
Catching Trump’s eye in New York, however, was the sight of Macy's flagship store being looted when crowds of people smashed windows and raided shops as they swept through the Manhattan area. Police made nearly 700 arrests as demonstrators were blocked from crossing the Manhattan Bridge and Mayor Bill de Blasio extended his city’s curfew all week.
"We're going to have a tough few days," he warned, but added: "We're going to beat it back." He pleaded with community leaders to step forward and "create peace".
Thousands marched in a string of demonstrations across Manhattan and Brooklyn after traders boarded up their businesses, fearing a repeat of the night before.
While De Blasio has far refused National Guard intervention, more than 20,000 of its members have been called up across 29 states and New York’s governor, Andrew Cuomo, has struck a different note, calling scenes in the city on Monday night "a disgrace".
While De Blasio has far refused National Guard intervention, more than 20,000 of its members have been called up across 29 states and New York’s governor, Andrew Cuomo, has struck a different note, calling scenes in the city on Monday night "a disgrace".
He said the mayor had underestimated the problem and the nation's largest police force was not deployed in sufficient numbers, though the city had said it doubled the usual police presence.
Yesterday also saw the extraordinary sight of Guardsmen shielding the Lincoln Memorial…
...and tense scenes in Portland, Oregon, as police used riot control agents to disperse crowds in certain areas (although others were apparently calm enough to host llamas).
Here's Andrew Naughtie on the "deeply distrubing" scene in front of Honest Abe.
Here's Andrew Naughtie on the "deeply distrubing" scene in front of Honest Abe.
Mother of George Floyd's daughter demands justice for murdered partner
Roxie Washington, the mother of Floyd’s six-year-old daughter, has meanwhile spoken out on the tragedy for the first time, saying: “I want everybody to know that this is what those officers took from me. At the end of the day, they get to go home and be with their families. Gianna does not have a father. He will never see her grow up, graduate, he will never walk her down the aisle. If there’s a problem she’s having and she needs her dad, she does not have that anymore.”
Here's Alex Woodward's report.
Here's Alex Woodward's report.
Four officers face charges over fatal arrest, attorney says
Criminal charges are expected against the three other officers at the scene of the police killing of George Floyd, according to his family's attorneys.
Criminal charges are expected against the three other officers at the scene of the police killing of George Floyd, according to his family's attorneys.
"We heard that they expect to charge those officers," family lawyer Benjamin Crump told NBC's Today on Tuesday. "We understand they will be charged. That is what the family is hearing from the authorities."
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter four days after he was captured in widely shared footage pressing his knee against Floyd's neck for almost nine minutes.
He was dismissed from the force along with three other officers at the scene, who have been identified as Thomas Lane, Tou Thao and J Alexander Kueng.
Crump told MSNBC that he expects the other three officers to be arrested before Floyd's funeral next week.
Alex Woodward has more details.
Bishop ‘outraged’ as priests forced from church by armed police before Trump Bible photo
Back to Trump briefly, where Christian leaders have expressed their outrage over his decision to allow protesters to be tear-gassed and churchmen forcibly removed from the scene so that he could pose unconvincingly outside of the White House with a Bible in his sweaty mit on Monday.
Justin Valejo has more on this.
Back to Trump briefly, where Christian leaders have expressed their outrage over his decision to allow protesters to be tear-gassed and churchmen forcibly removed from the scene so that he could pose unconvincingly outside of the White House with a Bible in his sweaty mit on Monday.
“I am outraged,” commented the Right Reverend Mariann Budde, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, which St John’s Church is a part of, in a statement.
“The president just used a Bible and one of the churches of my diocese as a backdrop for a message antithetical to the teachings of Jesus and everything that our church stands for.
“The president just used a Bible and one of the churches of my diocese as a backdrop for a message antithetical to the teachings of Jesus and everything that our church stands for.
“To do so, he sanctioned the use of tear gas by police officers in riot gear to clear the churchyard.”
Justin Valejo has more on this.
Attorney general ordered forcible clearance, says Kellyanne Conway
It turns out it wasn't Trump that gave the offending order on Monday to create the images that threaten to define his presidency (and not for the reasons he might have hoped).
Chief enabler Bill Barr was the guilty party, according to the president's senior adviser.
John T Bennett has some more on that below.
It turns out it wasn't Trump that gave the offending order on Monday to create the images that threaten to define his presidency (and not for the reasons he might have hoped).
Chief enabler Bill Barr was the guilty party, according to the president's senior adviser.
John T Bennett has some more on that below.
UK police say they are 'appalled' by George Floyd death and vow to tackle racism
In a joint statement, three British police bodies have admitted there is “more to do” in this country to eradicate racial discrimination and said they are working towards reform.
“We will tackle bias, racism or discrimination wherever we find it,” it added. “Policing is complex and challenging and sometimes we fall short. When we do, we are not afraid to shine a light on injustices or to be held to account."
In a joint statement, three British police bodies have admitted there is “more to do” in this country to eradicate racial discrimination and said they are working towards reform.
“We will tackle bias, racism or discrimination wherever we find it,” it added. “Policing is complex and challenging and sometimes we fall short. When we do, we are not afraid to shine a light on injustices or to be held to account."
White House sees further unrest
A few scenes from last night's demonstration's outside 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, as social media continues to be flooded with extraordinary photos and videos of history in the making.
Here's Vincent Wood on demonstrators documenting the shocking incidents of police brutality they have encountered on the streets - like this from Seattle last night.
We're witnessing the long-touted potential of citizen journalism finally being realised in stunning fashion.
A few scenes from last night's demonstration's outside 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, as social media continues to be flooded with extraordinary photos and videos of history in the making.
Here's Vincent Wood on demonstrators documenting the shocking incidents of police brutality they have encountered on the streets - like this from Seattle last night.
We're witnessing the long-touted potential of citizen journalism finally being realised in stunning fashion.
Minneapolis police department faces civil rights investigation
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights has filed a civil rights charge against the state's Police Department over the killing of George Floyd, governor Tim Walz announced on Tuesday.
The investigation will review the department’s "policies, procedures and practices over the past 10 years to determine if they engaged in systemic discriminatory practices," says Governor Walz.
Here's Louise Hall's report.
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights has filed a civil rights charge against the state's Police Department over the killing of George Floyd, governor Tim Walz announced on Tuesday.
The investigation will review the department’s "policies, procedures and practices over the past 10 years to determine if they engaged in systemic discriminatory practices," says Governor Walz.
Here's Louise Hall's report.
Ludacris, Spider-Man, Black Lives Matter cowboys and Jedward
From protesters in New York winning the approval of Ludacris and cheering on Spider-Man (Batman was in Philadelphia on Sunday), to cowboys on horseback in Houston and Jedward fighting for what's right in California, these demonstrations have provided no shortage of surreal sights.
I think this one still takes the biscuit, however.
From protesters in New York winning the approval of Ludacris and cheering on Spider-Man (Batman was in Philadelphia on Sunday), to cowboys on horseback in Houston and Jedward fighting for what's right in California, these demonstrations have provided no shortage of surreal sights.
I think this one still takes the biscuit, however.
Joe Biden planning to attend George Floyd's funeral
Trump's challenger spoke to the Floyd family last week and promised them justice while the president's condolence call left them dissatisfied and convinced of his indifference.
He's now reportedly in talks to attend the deceased's funeral in Minneapolis next Tuesday, with Trump highly unlikely to receive an invite.
Here's the latest from Biden on a wounded nation:
Trump's challenger spoke to the Floyd family last week and promised them justice while the president's condolence call left them dissatisfied and convinced of his indifference.
He's now reportedly in talks to attend the deceased's funeral in Minneapolis next Tuesday, with Trump highly unlikely to receive an invite.
Here's the latest from Biden on a wounded nation:
Nancy Pelosi derides Trump's Bible publicity stunt and quotes Eccelsiastes, saying he has 'a responsibility to heal'
The House speaker has been rightly calling out the president's bogus posturing as a Christian amid all of this.
As justified as she is in doing that, this Onion headline is a scream.
Here's James Besanvalle for Indy100 on Trump's utterly shoddy record when it comes to quoting scripture.
The House speaker has been rightly calling out the president's bogus posturing as a Christian amid all of this.
As justified as she is in doing that, this Onion headline is a scream.
Here's James Besanvalle for Indy100 on Trump's utterly shoddy record when it comes to quoting scripture.
Melania Trump urges protesters to adhere to curfews
The first lady, never entirely comfortable in her role, had made a plea on Twitter for calm after her husband's ill-advised public pronouncements brought violence directly to their doorstep.
Trump was seen yesterday desperately imploring his wife to smile but you'd forgive her for not being in the mood.
The first lady, never entirely comfortable in her role, had made a plea on Twitter for calm after her husband's ill-advised public pronouncements brought violence directly to their doorstep.
Trump was seen yesterday desperately imploring his wife to smile but you'd forgive her for not being in the mood.
Florida police officer suspended for pushing kneeling woman at George Floyd protests
While we've seen plenty of disturbing evidence of police tactics in the last few days, the authorities have also shown a willingness to act quickly to punish those who step out of line.
Thomas McClay, a cop in Denver, Colorado, was fired after posting a picture of himself online in protective gear captioned "Let's start a riot" while Fort Lauderdale Police have suspended officer Steve Poherence, who was filmed pushing over a black woman who knelt at a demonstration.
James Crump has more on that below.
NBC reporter hit by flashbang grenade as police break up Seattle protest
Another extraordinary moment of live television from these protests.
Another extraordinary moment of live television from these protests.
George W Bush: Those who would silence protesters 'do not understand the meaning of America'
The 43rd president, last heard from painting portraits of world leaders he once met in splendid isolation at home in his native Texas, has weighed-in on the last week's unrest.
Here's Justin Vallejo on what he had to say.
The 43rd president, last heard from painting portraits of world leaders he once met in splendid isolation at home in his native Texas, has weighed-in on the last week's unrest.
Here's Justin Vallejo on what he had to say.
Red Cross medical helicopters used to target demonstrators in possible breach of Geneva Convention
The deployment of non-partisan choppers over DC has been described as "a foolish move” by Geoffrey Corn, a former Army lawyer turned Houston law professor. “The symbolic significance of the Red Cross is pervasive: It denotes a 'noncombatant' function of the armed forces.”
The deployment of non-partisan choppers over DC has been described as "a foolish move” by Geoffrey Corn, a former Army lawyer turned Houston law professor. “The symbolic significance of the Red Cross is pervasive: It denotes a 'noncombatant' function of the armed forces.”
Pope condemns violence and prays for those suffering from ‘sin of racism’
“My friends, we cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human life,” the man in white said.
“My friends, we cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human life,” the man in white said.
“At the same time, we have to recognise that the violence of recent nights is self-destructive and self-defeating. Nothing is gained by violence and so much is lost.
Gino Spocchia has more.
Los Angeles mayor kneels with protests after demonstrators surround his house
Eric Garetti has been under fire from residents of the City of Angels since he refused to fire LAPD chief Michel Moore last week, who provoked major anger when he claimed the death of George Floyd in police custody was “on [looters’] hands as much as it is those officers.”
Despite seeing major demonstrations outside his Hancock Park mansion...
...Garetti later knelt in solidarity with demonstrators outside City Hall and remarked: “A black face should not be a sentence to die, nor to be homeless, nor to be sick, nor to be under-employed, nor to be under-educated. We need a country that listens.”
While the gesture was appreciated, it is likely to be too little, too late for many and he was nevertheless heckled with cries of "Defund the police!", according to The Hill.
Eric Garetti has been under fire from residents of the City of Angels since he refused to fire LAPD chief Michel Moore last week, who provoked major anger when he claimed the death of George Floyd in police custody was “on [looters’] hands as much as it is those officers.”
Despite seeing major demonstrations outside his Hancock Park mansion...
...Garetti later knelt in solidarity with demonstrators outside City Hall and remarked: “A black face should not be a sentence to die, nor to be homeless, nor to be sick, nor to be under-employed, nor to be under-educated. We need a country that listens.”
While the gesture was appreciated, it is likely to be too little, too late for many and he was nevertheless heckled with cries of "Defund the police!", according to The Hill.
