June 2 George Floyd protest news

Our live coverage of the nationwide George Floyd protests has moved here.

Over the weekend, demonstrators gathered in London, Berlin and Auckland, among other cities, to protest against police brutality in solidarity with the US crowds.

Britain: In London, protesters rallied in Trafalgar Square on Sunday morning, in defiance of Britain’s lockdown rules which prohibit large gatherings. Some participants marched to the US embassy.

Germany: Crowds gathered in Berlin in front of the US embassy on Saturday and Sunday. Participants wore face masks and carried signs declaring “Black lives matter” and “Justice can’t wait.”

France: Activists in Paris wearing black clothing and face masks took a knee and held up signs reading “I can’t breathe,” “We are all George Floyd” and “Racism chokes us” in Paris on Monday.

Denmark: Chants of “no justice, no peace” were heard In the streets of Copenhagen on Sunday, as protesters marched over Floyd’s death. Some rallied outside the Danish capital’s US embassy.

Italy: In Milan, crowds held a flashmob near the city’s US consulate on Thursday.

Brazil: People protested outside the Guanabara Palace, the home of the state government, in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, while in Sao Paulo, some brought signs showing solidarity with the US protests to an existing demonstration against President Jair Bolsonaro.

The list goes on: Solidarity protests took place in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Syria, Mexico, Canada, Poland, and more. Read about them here:

Thousands of people gather for a peaceful demonstration in support of George Floyd and Regis Korchinski-Paquet and protest against racism, injustice and police brutality, in Vancouver, on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

Related article Thousands around the world protest George Floyd's death in global display of solidarity

The family of a black man killed by a white bar owner during protests in Omaha, Nebraska, said a prosecutor rushed to judgment by declaring the shooting an act of self-defense.

On Monday, Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine said that after viewing videos of the incident with police officials and homicide detectives, he decided not to charge Jake Gardner in Saturday night’s death of James Scurlock.

While Kleine called the death “senseless,” he said he followed the law. “It can’t be based on emotions. It can’t be based on anger. It can’t be based on any of those things,” he said.

But attorney Justin Wayne, who represents the Scurlock family, said the 22-year-old should not have been shot during a scuffle on Saturday night, and that the case should go to a grand jury.

“I would like to see my day in court,” said Scurlock’s father, James Scurlock II.

What happened: Two videos depict scenes from the incident. As described by prosecutors, Gardner’s father asked demonstrators outside the Gatsby bar to leave and pushed one protester.

An unidentified man can be seen pushing the elder Gardner back, and the son intervened. Wayne claims Scurlock was not part of that group.

Jake Gardner had a handgun tucked in his waistband and lifted his shirt to show it during his confrontation with protesters, Kleine said of one video.

Two people jumped on Gardner’s back and he fired two warning shots, the county attorney said. Within moments, Scurlock jumped into the fray, according to authorities.

Gardner told police he was put in a chokehold and he begged for the assailant to get off of him, Kleine told reporters.

That’s when Scurlock was shot in the clavicle and killed.

Read more here:

Related article Omaha bar owner who shot a black protester will not be charged

Protesters on the Burnside bridge observe a moment of silence on another day of protests over the death of George Floyd in Portland, Oregon, on June 1.

There are between 7,000 to 10,000 people demonstrating in Portland, Oregon today, according to Portland police spokesperson Michael Roberts.

He said there are two main groups of protesters – one that started at Pioneer Courthouse Square and one at Revolutionary Hall.

“The group from Revolutionary Hall marched across the Burnside bridge to mid-span where they all laid down for a brief period,” said Roberts. “They are continuing downtown and it had been peaceful thus far. We have not made any arrests related to this demonstration at this time.”

There is still a small group of protesters in Los Angeles outside the mayor’s residence, and police are now beginning to make arrests, hours after curfew.

Many of the protesters are still sitting on the ground, with their hands up together, chanting “Peaceful protest,” said CNN Correspondent Kyung Lah on the scene.

“One by one, you see two officers move forward. You can see the two officers move forward, lean down, ask the protester to stand up, turn around, put their hands behind them, and then they’re led away,” Lah said.

As the protesters are led away, the remaining crowd sitting on the ground cheer for them. The arrested protesters are then lined up against a wall, where they give the police their information and are bused out to be further processed elsewhere, said Lah.

Compared to the scuffles and arrests taking place in other parts of the country, this scene is remarkably calm and orderly – in line with the peaceful tone of the protests all day.

“They have been supportive of one another. People in the apartments and the houses that they’ve walked by have run out to give them water, encouraging them to keep going.”

Hundreds arrested: The Los Angeles Police Department have arrested hundreds of protesters, said spokesperson Tony Im.

The protests took place in different parts of the city and county today, including Hollywood, Downtown Los Angeles, and the residential neighborhood of Hancock Park, where Mayor Eric Garcetti resides.

Watch:

Since George Floyd’s death, nine New York Democratic elected officials have at least partially reallocated their police and crime-related campaign donations, most of them to bail funds in New York City.

It all started with a 19-year-old college student from Queens.

Aaron Fernando, a rising junior honors student at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told CNN he began compiling police union campaign donations to New York Democrats the day before George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis.

Since sharing his “Who’s Taking Cop Money?” Google spreadsheet on Twitter on May 29, eight Democrats – including a state senator, state assembly members and New York councilmembers – have vowed to donate their police-funded contributions to bail funds or criminal justice reform organizations.

Fernando said he requires these elected officials to send him proof of their reallocated money before updating his spreadsheet.

Read the full story here:

Protesters take a knee and raise their hands in the middle of Canal Street in a stand off with police over the death of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer at a rally on May 31, 2020 in New York. - Thousands of National Guard troops patrolled major US cities after five consecutive nights of protests over racism and police brutality that boiled over into arson and looting, sending shock waves through the country. The death Monday of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, at the hands of police in Minneapolis ignited this latest wave of outrage in the US over law enforcement's repeated use of lethal force against African Americans -- this one like others before captured on cellphone video. (Photo by Bryan R. Smith / AFP) (Photo by BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images)

Related article A 19-year-old called out New York Democrats accepting police campaign donations. To his surprise, many have listened

Police patrol after dispersing a protest on Monday night in Seattle.

Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkan signed a civil emergency order on Tuesday extending the evening curfew through June 6, according to a copy of the order obtained by CNN.

The curfew extends every night from 9 p.m. local time until 5 a.m. the next morning. In the order, Durkan cited violence and looting as factors prompting the curfew, as well as the dangers of Covid-19 infection that are still present.

The curfew does not apply to law enforcement, emergency personnel, city and government officials, members of the news media authorized in advance, and workers engaged in essential functions like medical care, according to the order. 

Those who violate the curfew could face imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $500.

Police clash with protesters during a demonstration on June 1 in Washington.

As protests over police brutality erupt across the United States, reports are on the rise of officers responding with chemical agents, rubber bullets and other forceful tactics.

In some cases, police leaders say violence in the streets leaves them with no other choice. And President Trump has pushed for local officials to ramp up their show of force. But protesters and police critics argue that some officers are escalating tensions with their actions.

Tear gas: Video footage and photos from protests across the country show law enforcement firing tear gas into crowds of people.

Sometimes the tear gas is being fired in response to violence and looting, and sometimes protesters allege it’s being fired without provocation.

Excessive force: Authorities in several cities have said they’re investigating allegations that some officers have used excessive force in their responses to protests.

In Atlanta, two officers were fired after police say they broke the windows of a vehicle, yanked two protesters out of the car and tased one of them.

Targeting journalists: Through it all, reports of journalists being arrested and assaulted while covering the protests have also been growing.

A photographer in Minneapolis said she was blinded by a rubber bullet. Also in Minneapolis, a CNN crew was arrested while giving a live television report on Friday – and then released about an hour later

Read the full story here:

TOPSHOT - Police officers clash with protestors near the White House on June 1, 2020 as demonstrations against George Floyd's death continue. - Police fired tear gas outside the White House late Sunday as anti-racism protestors again took to the streets to voice fury at police brutality, and major US cities were put under curfew to suppress rioting.With the Trump administration branding instigators of six nights of rioting as domestic terrorists, there were more confrontations between protestors and police and fresh outbreaks of looting. Local US leaders appealed to citizens to give constructive outlet to their rage over the death of an unarmed black man in Minneapolis, while night-time curfews were imposed in cities including Washington, Los Angeles and Houston. (Photo by Jose Luis Magana / AFP) / ALTERNATE CROP (Photo by JOSE LUIS MAGANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Related article Police brutality prompted the protests. In some cities, the police response only proved the protesters' point

Uber, Lyft and other “for hire vehicles” in New York City will cease ride services Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, in keeping with the city’s curfew.

The move comes at the request of the city, a source familiar with the matter told CNN.

For-hire vehicle services shut down at 8 p.m. local time Tuesday and will resume at 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, the source said. Yellow cabs will continue to operate.

The move means essential workers, who are exempt from the curfew, will be limited to walking, biking, taking yellow cabs or using public transportation to get around New York City on Tuesday night. Many people are still wary of using the subway because of the continued risk of Covid-19.

Lyft is taking similar actions in other cities where it operates, according to the app. In Santa Monica, California, for example, the Lyft app says ride services are suspended during curfew, from 2 p.m. Tuesday to 5:30 a.m. Wednesday.

An Uber spokesperson said the company is working with cities across the United States to determine how it should operate during curfews.

Read more here:

An Uber SUV waits for a client in Manhattan a day after it was announced that Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick will take a leave of absence as chief executive on June 14, 2017 in New York City. The move came after former attorney general Eric H. Holder Jr. and his law firm, Covington & Burling, released 13 pages of recommendations compiled as part of an investigation of sexual harassment at the ride-hailing car service.

Related article Uber and Lyft ride services paused for Tuesday night's curfew in New York City

Police in Charlotte, North Carolina, said they had arrested a protester who was armed with “an AR Rifle with two 30-round magazines,” according to a statement on Twitter.

The police department also said officers were deploying “Riot Control Agents to disperse the crowd for safety,” and described some people throwing bottles.

Earlier tonight, the police said on Twitter that they had deployed chemical agents after being targeted with projectiles.

“After being assaulted with bottles, rocks, and chemical agents multiple dispersal orders were given,” the police tweeted. “Officers gave protestors multiple avenues to leave the area. After refusal to leave, chemical agents were deployed to protect officers and the public.”

The protesters in Los Angeles have dwindled significantly from their peak of thousands earlier today – but a small group is still demonstrating outside the mayor’s residence, hours after curfew.

The group has been largely peaceful all day, but tensions are rising following the arrival of police, said CNN Correspondent Kyung Lah at the scene.

Police have lined up in formation, and appear to be preparing to try and clear the protesters, who are kneeling on the ground with their hands up.

Earlier today, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said he was “proud” of the peaceful protesters, and said he embraced the right of protest and free expression.

Watch:

Police stand at the Manhattan Bridge on Tuesday night in New York.

In New York, tensions were high earlier tonight with protesters on the Manhattan Bridge and police on both sides – but it appears police are now allowing protesters to walk away and leave the area.

Protesters holding signs and holding their arms up slowly walk off, back to the Brooklyn side, as police stand to the side.

“We haven’t seen them make arrests or taking folks into custody, allowing those on the bridge to make their way off the bridge,” said CNN Correspondent Jason Carroll at the scene.

“So far this falls in line with a lot of the tactics we have seen, not just tonight but last night as well, with the police taking a step back – allowing some of the demonstrators to have their voice,” said Carroll.

What happened: Earlier today, some protesters splintered from a larger group demonstrating in Brooklyn.

They tried to cross the Manhattan Bridge into Manhattan, but were stopped by police. They stayed stuck on the bridge, with some fearful of arrests, before turning around and peacefully walking off.

“Police are standing by – the tactic is take a backseat approach at this point and allow them to continue marching,” said Carroll.

President Donald Trump speaks at the White House on Monday in Washington.

President Donald Trump tweeted about the ongoing protests in New York, citing Fox News in describing the “chaos, lawlessness, and destruction.”

“When will Governor Cuomo call the federal government for help?” he tweeted.

What’s happening in New York: In Manhattan, scuffles broke out between police and protesters in the western neighborhood of Chelsea, with several protesters arrested or detained.

There were also instances of looting along the downtown area, with CNN Correspondent Shimon Prokupecz observing people break into a wine store and taking bottles.

Further south, protesters have gathered on the Manhattan Bridge. Police were on both ends, but it appears they are allowing protesters to walk off peacefully.

In New York, protesters and police faced off tonight in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood.

The demonstrations had been largely peaceful throughout the day, but tensions rose toward the evening, as the 8 p.m. curfew came and went, and looters began targeting stores in Manhattan.

“Looters and came and busted through the store glass,” said CNN Correspondent Shimon Prokupecz at the scene. “I saw them running out with bottles of wine … They have been using rocks in some cases to break the glass.”

He added that the group of looters had joined in with another group of peaceful protesters, which then led to a confrontation with police in Chelsea.

“There were at least two or three arrests there. They were holding four individuals with their hands on the car,” Prokupecz said.

“It looks like (police) also used pepper spray. We can kind of sense it in our eyes, and you can kind of smell it. Then one of the males they arrested, he was asking for milk for his eyes, which supposedly helps. He was feeling pain.”

The National Guard in Washington, DC, is now investigating the actions of their helicopters on Monday night, it said.

Late Monday night, helicopters were seen doing slow, low-level passes over crowds, and hovering in what appeared to be attempts to disperse the protesters.

Pentagon spokesperson Lt. Col. Chris Mitchell told CNN on Tuesday that the UH-72 aircraft had been flying to “provide observation of DC National Guard positions as they conducted civil unrest operations,” and had not been dispatched as part of law enforcement operations.

In New York City, the Manhattan Bridge is full of protesters – and they’re boxed in, with police waiting on both ends of the bridge.

The protesters on the bridge had splintered off from a larger group that had been demonstrating in Brooklyn earlier in the day, said CNN National Correspondent Jason Carroll. The splinter group tried to make their way to Manhattan – when they were stopped on the Manhattan Bridge.

Some are now trying to turn back and head back into Brooklyn, but they may not be able to – there are a number of police officers around the bridge, waiting on both ends, some seen with the white zip ties used to detain protesters.

He pointed to a large bus seen near the bridge. “If they’ve (police) got to make arrests, they are prepared. They’ve got the bus here. They’ve got a number of officers with zip ties, so if they are going to be making arrests, they are prepared to do just that.”

Watch:

Demonstrators march through the streets on June 2 in Los Angeles.

In reaction to the thousands of protestors gathered in front of his residence, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said he wants them to know he can hear them loud and clear.

While thanking police officers for their hard work, he said that looting is decreasing in the city and that it has been dealt with pretty swiftly.

1,000 members of the National Guard are on the streets of Los Angeles, he said.

“We will go after folks who break into businesses. We will go after people who are looting or causing violence against demonstrators or police officers,” he said. “I look forward to the day when we get rid of a curfew, when we don’t have the National Guard, when our police officers don’t have helmets on.”

A curfew is in effect for the city and county of Los Angeles for a third night, effective from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. local time. Mayor Garcetti said he will make a day-to-day decision on extending the curfew.

Many protesters in Washington, DC, are peacefully walking away from Lafayette Square, heading north to the DuPont neighborhood.

A rolling police department bike squad is slowly following them as they move up the streets, away from the White House.

It has been a more peaceful, quiet night than the previous few, after scenes of tear gas and police clashes with protesters in the Lafayette Square area this week.

The curfew in DC went into effect at 7 p.m. local time. It’s now past 10:30 p.m.

Facebook said on Tuesday that it had shut down pages and accounts associated with what it said was a hate group, whose members were discussing bringing weapons to the George Floyd protests.

The platform said it had observed people associated with the group American Guard discussing such action. 

The group says it is about American constitutional nationalism, but the Anti-Defamation League says American Guard “has a background with connections to anti-immigrant extremism, hatred, and violence.”

According to the Anti-Defamation League, American Guard had once been “the Indiana chapter of a group called the Soldiers of Odin USA, a branch of an extreme anti-immigrant and anti-refugee group that originated in Finland in 2015 and has spread to many other countries.” 

Facebook removal: Facebook said it had also taken down accounts linked to the far-right group the Proud Boys, though it said it had not seen posts from that group discussing weaponry.  

The company said it had been planning on taking action against both groups, but had expedited the process when they saw how the groups were discussing the protests. 

Facebook staff told CNN on Tuesday that the company would take action on people using the platform to organize violence regardless of their political affiliation. 

In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, police fired tear gas at protesters on Tuesday night after rocks and glass were thrown at officers, according to a tweet from the police department.

“Protestors have been ordered to disperse due to unlawful assembly after throwing rocks and glass at our officers,” the police tweeted. “A suspect with a gun who was in the crowd has been taken into custody by MPD. For our safety and the safety of our residents we had used gas to disperse the crowd. We are asking that all individuals disperse.”