A sheriff in Michigan on Saturday was welcomed with cheers as he gave a rousing speech before joining demonstrators on a George Floyd protest. 'The only reason we're here is to make sure you have a voice, that's it' said Chris Swanson. 'I want to make this a parade, not a protest.' Swanson then joined the demonstrators after they chanted 'walk with us' at him
Continue reading...Category Archives: Protest
George Floyd protests: New York police cars filmed driving into crowd – video
Footage of two police SUVs driving into a crowd of demonstrators in Brooklyn has been widely shared on social media. The incident involving NYPD vehicles occurred near Prospect Park on 30 May, as protests took place across the US following the death of George Floyd, an African American who died after a police officer kneeled on his neck in Minneapolis. New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said: 'Running SUVs in crowds of people should never, ever be normalised. No matter who does it, no matter why.'
Continue reading...George Floyd: second night of US anti-racism protests – in pictures
Protests over the death of George Floyd and other police killings of black people spread across the country as mayors imposed curfews and governors called in the national guard
- Police forcefully cracking down on protests across US
- Unrest comes to White House
- As protests rage, Trump comments inflame tensions
- George Floyd protests – live updates
Killer Mike: ‘You have a duty not to burn your own house down’ – video
Rapper Killer Mike addressed demonstrators in Atlanta asking them not to destroy the city but to 'plot, plan, strategise, organise and mobilise' for political change.
'I'm mad as Hell,' he said, tearful at a news conference on Friday night, urging protesters to seek political reform instead of destroying the city of Atlanta
- Protests rock cities across US as anger over killing spreads
- Atlanta police chief: ‘black lives being diminished’
George Floyd: protesters and police clash in cities across US – live
- Protests rock US cities as anger over killing spreads
- Unrest comes to the White House
- Trump threatens protesters with ‘vicious dogs’
- Get a fresh perspective on America – sign up to our First Thing newsletter
The Guardian’s Ankita Rao, reporting from New York, on the mayor’s controversial late-night statements:
Mayor Bill de Blasio took to the podium on Saturday night to tell protestors across the city that they were “heard, loud and clear”.
I’m in Brooklyn to talk about tonight’s protests. https://t.co/oBVXGh7JWo
US prosecutors have filed federal charges against three people in New York, accusing them of using “molotov cocktails” on New York police vehicles during the Friday protests:
BREAKING: Three people charged with federal crimes in connection with Molotov cocktail attacks on the NYPD during #GeorgeFloyd protests in NYC Friday night. pic.twitter.com/dyaDJByMit
Continue reading...Protests spread across US in response to George Floyd killing – video
Protests against police brutality ignited across the US overnight and into Saturday morning following the killing of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, who died after a white police officer kneeled on his neck.
Demonstrators chanted 'hands up, don't shoot' and 'I can't breathe' as they clashed with police
- George Floyd killing sparks protests across US: at a glance guide
- George Floyd protests: man killed in Detroit as demonstrations rage across US – live
Beijing has undermined the image of a stable Hong Kong | Isabel Hardman
China has effectively torn up the treaty it signed with the Thatcher government – yet the UK’s response is feeble
To understand how wide Beijing now casts its security net in Hong Kong, consider the case of Martin Lee. Now in his 80s, Lee is a distinguished barrister, a politician and a lifelong defender of civil liberties. He has never committed an act of violence or advocated that others do so.
Last month, in an early sign of what was coming, Lee was arrested at his home. Fourteen other prominent Hong Kong citizens were taken into custody that day and charged with taking part in illegal demonstrations. He has pointed out that he was already facing 14 similar charges in mainland China, and had the extradition law that triggered last year’s protests in Hong Kong been adopted he could have been sent for trial in China under a system that not even the Chinese Communist party’s (CCP) most generous supporters could describe as adequate. The CCP regards rule of law and separation of powers as threats to its power. Law, for the party, is one instrument among many that can be used to eliminate opponents – who can be anyone from dissenting public intellectuals to prominent businessmen.
Continue reading...Protests erupt in US after the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor – in pictures
Demonstrators in cities across the country took to the streets on Friday following police killings in Minneapolis and Louisville
Continue reading...How the killing of George Floyd has upended America – video report
Cities across the US have been convulsed by protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man who died after being arrested and handcuffed by a white officer who then kneeled on his neck for several minutes. Floyd pleaded that he 'could not breathe' and among his last words were 'don't kill me'.
The incident has sparkd a reckoning over race and police killings of black Americans - and demonstrations have spread from Minnesota to other parts of the US including New York, Denver, Chicago and Oakland
- An athlete, a father, a 'beautiful spirit': George Floyd in his friends' words
- George Floyd killing – follow live updates
Minnesota governor pledges justice after George Floyd killing: ‘normal was not working’ – video
Minnesota governor, Tim Walz, pledges 'swift' justice for George Floyd, adding that 'normal was not working for many communities' after huge protests across the state following Floyd's death in which a white police officer pressed a knee on his neck
- George Floyd killing: protests spread across US as Twitter hides Trump tweet 'glorifying violence' – live
- Floyd protesters demand action on racism
- Black CNN reporter arrested on air at protests over Floyd killing
- US rocked by third night of protests
Minneapolis protests escalate over George Floyd killing – in pictures
Minneapolis was rocked by a third night of protests on Thursday over the death of George Floyd, as thousands of demonstrators took to the streets and fires erupted around the city, including at a police precinct
Continue reading...Hong Kong: what are the implications of China’s anti-sedition laws?
‘National security’ laws seen as Beijing signalling intention to put city firmly under its control
China’s unprecedented plans to impose sweeping anti-sedition laws on Hong Kong have prompted mass protests and international condemnation.
Beijing says the legislation is meant to stop subversion, terrorism and secessionism as well as foreign interference that could endanger national security. In the aftermath of the increasingly violent mass protests last year, China’s government has said such laws are urgently needed to plug Hong Kong’s “national security loophole”. The legislation will be written in Beijing and directly added into Hong Kong’s de facto constitution, known as the basic law.
Continue reading...George Floyd: aerial footage shows protesters block LA highway – video
Protests after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis grew as demonstrators rallied in Los Angeles, marching through the city and blocking both sides of a freeway.
Floyd, who was black, died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes, which was captured on video
- George Floyd killing: sister says officers should face murder charge as protests grow
- Hundreds demand justice in Minneapolis after police killing of George Floyd
A history of resistance: key dates in Hong Kong’s battle with China
Beijing’s attempts to bring the territory to heel since handover have resulted in pushback and protest
Beijing’s rubber-stamp parliament is to vote to move forward with a national security law for Hong Kong, in an unprecedented push that many fear will result in silencing critics of the government in the territory.
The legislation, which would bypass the semi-autonomous territory’s legislature as well as widespread opposition to such measures, comes on Thursday after years of controversial government-proposed measures aimed at bringing Hong Kong more in line with Beijing’s wishes.
Continue reading...Hundreds demand justice in Minneapolis after police killing of George Floyd
Protesters clash with police, who deploy teargas and stun grenades, following death of black man at hands of white officer
Police and protesters clashed in Minneapolis on Tuesday evening following a demonstration at the intersection where George Floyd was killed in an altercation with several police officers the day before.
Hundreds of protesters gathered in the city on Tuesday evening to demand justice after Floyd, who was African American, was killed when a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck as he lay on the ground during an arrest. Footage of the incident showed Floyd shouting “I cannot breathe” and “Don’t kill me!”
Continue reading...Kentucky lockdown protesters condemned for hanging effigy of governor from tree
Incident at conservative rally draws backlash from Democrats and Republicans
Political leaders in Kentucky have condemned rightwing protesters against the state’s measures to fight the coronavirus, after the demonstrators hanged an effigy of Democratic state governor Andy Beshear from a tree.
The incident happened on Sunday during a protest in favor of gun rights and other mostly conservative causes. Several men produced a rope and an effigy and strung it from a tree outside the state capitol building in Frankfort.
Continue reading...Hong Kong police fire teargas as thousands rally against China’s new security law – video
Hong Kong police used teargas, pepper spray and water cannon on crowds as thousands rallied against Beijing’s declaration that it intends to impose national security laws on the semi-autonomous region – a highly criticised move because of the 'one country, two systems' rule.
At least 120 people were arrested, according to police, in one of the biggest gatherings in the country since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic as the proposed law, banning subversion, separatism, and acts of foreign interference on Hong Kong, is to be approved next week at China’s National People’s Congress
- Beijing to impose Hong Kong security laws 'without delay'
- Hong Kong protests: police fire teargas as thousands rally against Beijing's national security law
No masks allowed: stores turn customers away in US culture war
Shops around the US make headlines for denying entry to those wearing masks as protesters argue against preventative measures in the name of freedom
In the last few weeks a spate of American stores have made headlines after putting up signs telling customers who wear masks they will be denied entry. On Thursday, Vice reported on a Kentucky convenience store that put up a sign reading: “NO Face Masks allowed in store. Lower your mask or go somewhere else. Stop listening to [Kentucky governor Andy] Beshear, he’s a dumbass.”
Another sign was posted by a Californian construction store earlier this month encouraging hugs but not masks. In Illinois, a gas station employee who put up a similar sign has since defended herself, arguing that mask-wearing made it hard to differentiate between adults and children when selling booze and cigarettes.
Continue reading...Hong Kong’s security laws: what are they and why are they so controversial?
Campaigners object to Beijing’s proposed laws against ‘treason and subversion’, which follow months of protests
Beijing’s parliament has announced that it will discuss controversial national security laws for Hong Kong in a dramatic escalation of China’s efforts to place the semi-autonomous territory under its control and curtail pro-democracy protests.
Continue reading...Piers Corbyn among those arrested at Hyde Park anti-lockdown protest – video
The brother of the former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was one of several protesters arrested at an anti-lockdown demonstration in Hyde Park. Between 50 and 70 people defied social distancing guidelines to gather close together at Speakers’ Corner
Continue reading...