Saturday, May 30, 2020

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms: Violent demonstrations in Atlanta are “disgracing the life of George Floyd”

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms condemned violent protests over the death of George Floyd that took place in her city on Friday, saying that the violence is “disgracing the life of George Floyd”

Friday, May 29, 2020

More than one African American woman' being considered for VIce President

Former Vice President Joe Biden said Friday that more than one African American woman is being considered to be his running mate.

Biden shared the detail during an interview on MSNBC as host Craig Melvin pressed him about renewed speculation about who might be his No. 2 on the Democratic ticket.

Melvin questioned whether demonstrations in Minneapolis and other cities across the country protesting police-involved deaths of unarmed black people were influencing Biden's decision.

“That is not the only criteria to determine who will be the vice president of the United States of America that I'll choose as a running mate. It is just beginning, the process. I guarantee you, there are more — there's more than one — there's more than one African American woman being considered for vice president," he added. "I promise you that.”

Among those floated as possible running mates are Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams and Rep. Val Demings (D-Fla.), all of whom are black, though Biden is also known to be considering a broad swath of women.

[SOURCE: THE HILL]

Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in custody after death of George Floyd

Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington said he just received information that the officer identified as Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd has been taken into custody by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehenson.

Chauvin has been charged with 3rd-degree murder and manslaughter.

Harrington only mentioned that one officer had been arrested; no word yet on the other three Minneapolis police officers who have been fired.

[SOURCE: Star Tribune]

Barack Obama statement on passing of George Floyd

Former U.S. President Barack Obama released the following statement on the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police:

"It’s natural to wish for life ‘to just get back to normal’ as a pandemic and economic crisis upend everything around us. But we have to remember that for millions of Americans, being treated differently on account of race is tragically, painfully, maddeningly ‘normal’ - whether it’s while dealing with the health care system, or interacting with the criminal justice system, or jogging down the street, or just watching birds in a park.

"This shouldn’t be ‘normal’ in 2020 in America. It can’t be ‘normal.' If we want our children to grow up in a nation that lives up to its highest ideals, we can and must be better.

“It will fall mainly on the officials of Minnesota to ensure that the circumstances surrounding George Floyd’s death are investigated thoroughly and that justice is ultimately done. But it falls on all of us, regardless of our race or station - including the majority of men and women in law enforcement who take pride in doing their tough job the right way, every day - to work together to create a ‘new normal’ in which the legacy of bigotry and unequal treatment no longer infects our institutions or our hearts.”

Minnesota state police arrest Black CNN reporter during Minneapolis riots

CNN's Omar Jimenez was taken into police custody during a live broadcast at the site of the protests in Minneapolis, after clearly identifying himself to officers. Jimenez's crew were also placed in handcuffs.

The CNN crew has been released according to the Minnesota State Patrol.