17 votes

Daily thread for news/updates/discussion of George Floyd protests - June 4

Automatically posted
Tags: usa, recurring.daily, george floyd, police.brutality

This thread is posted daily - please try to post relevant content in here, such as news, updates, opinion articles, etc. Especially significant updates may warrant a separate topic, but most should be posted here.

44 comments

  1. [2]
    Kuromantis
    Link
    Tangentially related: Now I Understand Why My Parents Were So Strict A slightly more personal article about a black woman who was strictly parented because of racism and didn't know it until it...

    Tangentially related:

    Now I Understand Why My Parents Were So Strict

    A slightly more personal article about a black woman who was strictly parented because of racism and didn't know it until it was laid out to her.

    13 votes
    1. elcuello
      Link Parent
      That was great and depressing as hell.

      That was great and depressing as hell.

      2 votes
  2. cfabbro
    (edited )
    Link
    This bit of news occurred a few days ago but flew under the radar for me. I think it's worth noting though: The DEA Has Been Given Permission To Investigate People Protesting George Floyd’s Death...

    This bit of news occurred a few days ago but flew under the radar for me. I think it's worth noting though:
    The DEA Has Been Given Permission To Investigate People Protesting George Floyd’s Death

    Given how Nixon's "war on drugs" was specifically created to undermine anti-war and civil rights protest efforts by targeting blacks and hippies, it doesn't surprise me the DEA is being roped into doing similar for Trump.

    “The Nixon campaign in 1968, and the Nixon White House after that, had two enemies: the antiwar left and black people. You understand what I’m saying? We knew we couldn’t make it illegal to be either against the war or black, but by getting the public to associate the hippies with marijuana and blacks with heroin, and then criminalizing both heavily, we could disrupt those communities. We could arrest their leaders, raid their homes, break up their meetings, and vilify them night after night on the evening news. Did we know we were lying about the drugs? Of course we did.” -John Ehrlichman (Nixon's domestic policy chief)

    Source

    12 votes
  4. [9]
    spit-evil-olive-tips
    (edited )
    Link
    warning, disturbing video: Police in Buffalo, NY shove an elderly man juuuuust when things were seeming to improve. Official explanation from Buffalo PD? I can't even. edit: in what may win the...

    warning, disturbing video: Police in Buffalo, NY shove an elderly man

    juuuuust when things were seeming to improve.

    Official explanation from Buffalo PD?

    During that skirmish involving protestors, one person was injured when he tripped & fell.

    I can't even.

    edit: in what may win the 2020 Nobel Prize for Bad Photo Ops (edging out Amy Klobuchar posing with George Floyd's casket today)

    on that exact spot, yesterday, police posed for a "aww, look at us kneeling with protesters" picture

    8 votes
    1. [2]
      cfabbro
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      One of the cops who shoved him actually goes to help him afterwards, but is then grabbed and shoved forward by another cop before he can. Then all the other cops continue to walk by in order to...

      Police in Buffalo, NY shove an elderly man

      One of the cops who shoved him actually goes to help him afterwards, but is then grabbed and shoved forward by another cop before he can. Then all the other cops continue to walk by in order to arrest a peaceful protestor with his hands raised, or just strand around doing jack shit. And notice in the background who finally did stop to help him? The National Guard are the real heroes in this situation so far, IMO.

      6 votes
      1. vektor
        Link Parent
        Boysetsfire - Never Said At this point, don't seem like that would be such a bad thing. Safe space from the police to treat the wounded.

        The National Guard are the real heroes in this situation so far, IMO.

        Boysetsfire - Never Said

        Honestly you’ll have to bring your tanks in and invade

        At this point, don't seem like that would be such a bad thing. Safe space from the police to treat the wounded.

        2 votes
    2. [6]
      Gaywallet
      Link Parent
      FYI for anyone concerned, he's apparently doing okay

      FYI for anyone concerned, he's apparently doing okay

      4 votes
      1. [5]
        Gaywallet
        Link Parent
        Update: two officers suspended without pay

        Update: two officers suspended without pay

        6 votes
        1. [4]
          Amarok
          Link Parent
          Well well well. Perhaps we actually will out some of the bad apples after all.

          Well well well. Perhaps we actually will out some of the bad apples after all.

          2 votes
          1. andre
            Link Parent
            I wonder if the two officers would have been suspended without pay - quickly in fact, on the same day of the incident - if the victim were a black 75 year old man.

            I wonder if the two officers would have been suspended without pay - quickly in fact, on the same day of the incident - if the victim were a black 75 year old man.

            4 votes
          2. [2]
            rosco
            Link Parent
            I wonder what would have happened if it wasn't on film. My guess is sticking to the 'trip and fall' narrative.

            I wonder what would have happened if it wasn't on film. My guess is sticking to the 'trip and fall' narrative.

            4 votes
            1. Amarok
              Link Parent
              I think 'not on film' may end up being something our descendants look upon as impossible. ;)

              I think 'not on film' may end up being something our descendants look upon as impossible. ;)

              3 votes
  6. Deimos
    Link
    The ACLU of DC and other civil rights groups have filed a lawsuit against Trump, AG Barr, and other officials for tear-gassing protestors outside the White House: Protesters Allege Trump, Barr,...

    The ACLU of DC and other civil rights groups have filed a lawsuit against Trump, AG Barr, and other officials for tear-gassing protestors outside the White House: Protesters Allege Trump, Barr, Esper, and Other Officials Unlawfully Conspired to Violate Their Constitutional Rights

    More information on this page, with a link to the actual complaint at the bottom: https://www.acludc.org/en/cases/black-lives-matter-dc-v-trump

    6 votes
  7. [4]
    skybrian
    Link
    Suddenly, Public Health Officials Say Social Justice Matters More Than Social Distance

    Suddenly, Public Health Officials Say Social Justice Matters More Than Social Distance

    6 votes
    1. [3]
      vektor
      Link Parent
      That is the crucial part here. The US wasn't able to reduce case numbers sufficiently during the lockdown. 20000 daily cases and an r of approximately 0.9999999 won't do. Sure, it's not getting...

      "While I have voiced concerns that protests risk creating more outbreaks, the status quo wasn’t going to stop #covid19 either," he wrote on Twitter this week.

      That is the crucial part here. The US wasn't able to reduce case numbers sufficiently during the lockdown. 20000 daily cases and an r of approximately 0.9999999 won't do. Sure, it's not getting worse. But people's mental stamina will eventually fail and people will ignore the advice of healthcare officials. The US needs either strong, scientifically informed leadership to carefully control the lockdown and guide the restrictions to be more efficient (given a limited mental stamina) or it needs to prepare for increasing case numbers.

      Consider that a dispersion effect has occurred over the last two months. Hot spots have likely blurred out and the disease is more evenly distributed. So if the lockdown is lifted or ignored, the result would be a simultaneous outbreak everywhere.

      I guess we will see if protests are a infection vector. With so many people wearing masks and it being outdoors, I'm really not sure.

      6 votes
      1. [2]
        skybrian
        Link Parent
        I don't think it's predictable how it's going to go. There is an element of chance as to whether a particular social gathering results in an outbreak or nothing happens. But with so much activity...

        I don't think it's predictable how it's going to go. There is an element of chance as to whether a particular social gathering results in an outbreak or nothing happens. But with so much activity it seems likely there will be outbreaks somewhere.

        1 vote
        1. vektor
          Link Parent
          No gathering will guarantee you catching it, sure. But with the size of some of these crowds, there's bound to be infectious people around. The question is whether being outdoors and masked will...

          No gathering will guarantee you catching it, sure. But with the size of some of these crowds, there's bound to be infectious people around. The question is whether being outdoors and masked will turn this from "super super bad, expect collapse in 2 weeks" into "well, the slow decrease in case numbers turned into a slow increase, so maybe the protests were to blame for that, but who knows".

          I mean, if we go by german experiences about indoor, pre-mask gatherings, then physical exertion and chanting in close proximity are super super bad. But not everything that's poor is a comparison.

          3 votes
  9. Deimos
    (edited )
    Link
    George Floyd's memorial service is streaming here right now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SH28KFr___0 It started about an hour ago and is still in progress, but you can rewind back, and it...

    George Floyd's memorial service is streaming here right now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SH28KFr___0

    It started about an hour ago and is still in progress, but you can rewind back, and it should stay accessible here after the stream is over as well.

    5 votes
  12. [3]
    cfabbro
    Link
    Dallas’ Chief Hall implements ‘duty to intervene’ policy after calls for greater police accountability

    Dallas’ Chief Hall implements ‘duty to intervene’ policy after calls for greater police accountability

    4 votes
    1. [2]
      vektor
      Link Parent
      my first thought likened the duty to intervene with the bullshit zero-tolerance policies the US is known for. Zero tolerance for defending yourself from bullying, obligation to make an arrest on...

      my first thought likened the duty to intervene with the bullshit zero-tolerance policies the US is known for. Zero tolerance for defending yourself from bullying, obligation to make an arrest on every domestic violence call, that kind of stuff. A duty to intervene in the protests? That can't be good.

      Good thing this one had a hint of sense. Duty to intervene if your colleague fucks (someone) up.

      2 votes
      1. Gaywallet
        Link Parent
        Eh, seems like an empty platitude to me. Where's the oversight on this? How will it be enforced? An order to do what they should have been doing the entire time doesn't seem like a likely way to...

        Eh, seems like an empty platitude to me. Where's the oversight on this? How will it be enforced? An order to do what they should have been doing the entire time doesn't seem like a likely way to enforce something that frankly shouldn't even need to be enforced.

        2 votes
  13. starchturrets
    Link
    I'm curious about two things. First of all, how sustainable is the use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and the like by police? What happens when police departments run out of them? Second, I've seen...

    I'm curious about two things.

    First of all, how sustainable is the use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and the like by police? What happens when police departments run out of them?

    Second, I've seen this video by Zoe Amira
    making the rounds on social media, basically saying that watching it without adblock gives them ad revenue, which they then donate to BLM. I've also heard that you have to watch 3 - 5 other videos before rewatching it, to stop YouTube flagging it as spam and ignoring the views. Is this legit? Does it actually help?

    3 votes
  15. moonbathers
    Link
    There will in fact be a grand jury for Jake Gardner in Omaha, which is great. The curfew ended Tuesday night although there will be another one starting tomorrow. Apparently the cops blinded...

    There will in fact be a grand jury for Jake Gardner in Omaha, which is great. The curfew ended Tuesday night although there will be another one starting tomorrow. Apparently the cops blinded someone in one eye who was taking pictures of the protest on Friday, which is fucking awful.

    I don't think there's been too much craziness going on otherwise.

    3 votes
  17. [2]
    cfabbro
    Link
    GBI investigator: Suspect in Ahmaud Arbery murder used racial slur after deadly shooting

    GBI investigator: Suspect in Ahmaud Arbery murder used racial slur after deadly shooting

    A state investigator alleged Thursday that a white man was heard saying a racist slur as he stood over Ahmaud Arbery’s body, moments after killing him with three shots from a pump-action shotgun.

    [Special Agent] Dial testified that investigators found a Confederate symbol in Travis’ McMichael’s truck and several more racial slurs in messages on his phone. The U.S. Department of Justice said on May 11 that it is “assessing all the evidence to determine whether federal hate crime charges are appropriate.” Georgia is one of the few states that don’t have a hate crime law.

    3 votes
  20. [8]
    cfabbro
    Link
    Trump shares letter that calls peaceful protesters 'terrorists' Tweet in question: https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1268675068814659584

    Trump shares letter that calls peaceful protesters 'terrorists'

    Tweet in question:
    https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1268675068814659584

    3 votes
    1. [7]
      0d_billie
      Link Parent
      Crikey some of the replies to that tweet are mind boggling. Also, can anyone explain what "You were Q'd" means?

      Crikey some of the replies to that tweet are mind boggling. Also, can anyone explain what "You were Q'd" means?

      2 votes
      1. [6]
        cfabbro
        (edited )
        Link Parent
        Q / QAnon is a batshit crazy "deep state", pro-Trump, anti-Clinton, anti-Democratic party conspiracy theory originating from 4chan that a lot of right-wing figures have latched onto. Long but well...

        Q / QAnon is a batshit crazy "deep state", pro-Trump, anti-Clinton, anti-Democratic party conspiracy theory originating from 4chan that a lot of right-wing figures have latched onto. Long but well worth the read:

        https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/06/qanon-nothing-can-stop-what-is-coming/610567/

        5 votes
        1. [5]
          0d_billie
          Link Parent
          Oh this sounds entertaining. Will give it a read after work, thanks! :D

          Oh this sounds entertaining. Will give it a read after work, thanks! :D

          2 votes
          1. [4]
            cfabbro
            Link Parent
            I find it far more scary and depressing than entertaining, but to each their own.

            I find it far more scary and depressing than entertaining, but to each their own.

            2 votes
            1. 0d_billie
              Link Parent
              Granted, I've only read the introduction to the piece, but it sounds pretty off the wall. I'm sure as I get into the actual nitty gritty of it I won't be as excited... Update to follow I guess!

              Granted, I've only read the introduction to the piece, but it sounds pretty off the wall. I'm sure as I get into the actual nitty gritty of it I won't be as excited... Update to follow I guess!

              2 votes
            2. [2]
              0d_billie
              Link Parent
              Well I finally got around to reading it, and you’re not wrong. That is pretty terrifying.

              Well I finally got around to reading it, and you’re not wrong. That is pretty terrifying.

              2 votes
              1. cfabbro
                Link Parent
                Yeah, it's one thing to read and discuss conspiracy theories for shits and giggles, or even choose to believe some of the harmless ones... but when when they are so far removed from reality with...

                Yeah, it's one thing to read and discuss conspiracy theories for shits and giggles, or even choose to believe some of the harmless ones... but when when they are so far removed from reality with clear intent to foment hate and incite violence, and those start getting taken seriously by a huge group of people, that's when things get worrisome.

                1 vote
  21. cfabbro
    Link
    Austin PD Chief Bans Beanbag Projectiles At Police Protests

    Austin PD Chief Bans Beanbag Projectiles At Police Protests

    Use of beanbag projectiles will no longer be used against crowds protesting police brutality after two demonstrators were hit in the head and hospitalized, Austin Police Chief Brian Manley said on Thursday.

    3 votes