Obama praises George Floyd protests and sees hope for police reform, racial progress

 

In his first extended remarks on the civil unrest that has roiled the nation following the killing of unarmed civilian George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis, President Obama sounded a cautiously optimistic note Wednesday, praising the protests that have gathered from Sunset Boulevard to Pennsylvania Avenue and reminding policymakers and elected officials that his own administration offered a plan for police reform.

In a virtual town hall, Obama said that this difficult moment in the nation’s history was an “incredible opportunity for people to be awakened” to the effects of racial injustice. Floyd was black, while the police officer charged with killing him is white. The latest death of an unarmed African-American followed several other instances of racial violence across the nation.

Without addressing instances of looting that marked some of the protests, the nation’s first black president and Chicago community activist encouraged constructive civil disobedience. “To bring about real change, we both have to highlight a problem and make people in power uncomfortable,” Obama said, “but we also have to translate that into practical solutions and laws that can be implemented.”

The online conversation, titled “Anguish and Action,” was hosted by the Obama Foundation, the ex-president’s philanthropic foundation. It was part of an initiative Obama started called my Brother's Keeper which was intended to address persistent issues facing young men of color. Other speakers included Eric Holder, Obama’s first attorney general and the first African-American to hold that position. 

Protests shift to memorializing Floyd amid push for change

The tenor of the protests set off by the death of George Floyd at the hands of police has taken a turn from the explosive anger that has fueled the setting of fires, breaking of windows and other violence to a quiet, yet more forceful, grassroots call for more to be done to address racial injustice.

Many of the protests were more subdued for a second night as marches Thursday turned into memorials for Floyd, who was the focus of a heartfelt tribute Thursday in Minneapolis that drew family members, celebrities, politicians and civil rights advocates. At his service, strong calls were made for meaningful changes in policing and the criminal justice system.

At demonstration sites around the country, protesters said the quieter mood is the result of several factors: the new and upgraded criminal charges against the police officers involved in Floyd's arrest; a more conciliatory approach by police who have marched with them or taken a knee to recognize their message; and the realization that the burst of rage after Floyd's death is not sustainable.

“Personally, I think you can’t riot everyday for almost a week,” said Costa Smith, 26, who was protesting in downtown Atlanta.

AP

APC chieftain lauds Tinubu over intervention in Edo crisis

Former Edo State Information Commissioner and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief Charles Idahosa Thursday expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the national leader of the party, for their intervention in the crisis rocking the chapter over the proposed primary.

Idahosa, who commended Governor Godwin Obaseki for listening to wise counsel of party leaders and making peace moves, also lauded the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) for the brotherhood it had displayed by rallying behind one of its members.

The Nation

Officers Who Watched Floyd Die Charged

Minneapolis authorities yesterday charged three former police officers who stood by as Derek Chauvin knelt on George Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes. Chauvin's charge was increased to second-degree murder, and his colleagues stand accused of aiding and abetting the killing. Mostly peaceful protests continued throughout the nation Wednesday, amid calls from conservatives to respond aggressively against demonstrators President Donald Trump described as "killers," "thugs" and "hoodlums." Meanwhile, sympathetic protests continued around the world. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, asked about Trump's use of force, went viral with a 21-second pause before expressing "horror and consternation."

OZY

George Floyd death: Thousands join Birmingham protest

Thousands of demonstrators have gathered in Birmingham to protest about the death in the US of George Floyd.

Mr Floyd, an African-American, died on 25 May when a white policeman continued to kneel on his neck after he pleaded he could not breathe.

Thousands of people marched in London on Wednesday after the death sparked global protests against racism.

The demonstration in Birmingham started in Centenary Square, outside the library, at 16:00 BST.

BBC News correspondent Phil Mackie is at the scene, where he said several thousand people had gathered.

George Floyd: Steve McQueen dedicates Cannes films to his memory

Oscar-winning director Steve McQueen has dedicated his two films selected for Cannes Film Festival to the memory of George Floyd.

Mangrove and Lovers Rock would have featured at the festival before it was cancelled due to coronavirus.

McQueen said: "I dedicate these films to George Floyd and all the other black people that have been murdered, seen or unseen, because of who they are, in the US, UK and elsewhere."

Mr Floyd died in US police custody.

He died on 25 May in Minneapolis after a police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes. Derek Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder, while three other officers face charges of aiding and abetting murder.

The death has caused protests and sporadic rioting in America, along with global mass demonstrations.

Quoting the legendary Jamaican protest singer and reggae star Bob Marley, McQueen added: "'If you are the big tree, we are the small axe.' Black Lives Matter."

Both of his listed films are part of his BBC Small Axe anthology, consisting of five feature-length stories, which are all now in honour of Mr Floyd.

Stars back John Boyega after Black Lives Matter protest

Stars including JK Rowling and Jordan Peele have praised John Boyega for his emotional speech at a Black Lives Matter protest in London on Wednesday.

"Black lives have always mattered," said the Star Wars actor. "We have always been important. We have always succeeded regardless."

He paid tribute to African-American George Floyd, who died in police custody on 25 May - but said his comments could damage his career.

Instead, Hollywood offered its support.

"We got you, John," said Peele, the Oscar-winning director of Get Out.

Happy to work with you any time, John," said Harry Potter author JK Rowling, whose third Fantastic Beasts film is currently in pre-production. She tweeted applause emojis in response to his speech.

Boyega, who was born in London to parents of Nigerian descent, observed: "I don't know if I'm going to have a career after this."

Film maker Matthew A Cherry, who won an Oscar this year for animated short film Hair Love - about an African-American father styling his daughter's hair for the first time, added his support.

BBCnews