George Floyd protests: Seattle mayor requiring officers to have body cameras on during demonstrations

Twelve days after George Floyd’s death, outrage over police violence continues to fuel protests nationwide.

Floyd, 46, died May 25 in police custody, and authorities have arrested four Minneapolis police officers in connection with his death.

Former officer Derek Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in Floyd’s death. Three other officers – identified as Thomas Lane, J.A. Kueng and Tou Thao – face charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.

Floyd died on Memorial Day after he was detained for questioning regarding a possible forgery in progress. Video of his death caught by bystanders and shared on social media showed Chauvin holding his knee to Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes as Floyd pleaded for air.

Live updates for Sunday, June 7, continue below:

Seattle mayor requiring officers to have body cameras on during demonstrations

Update 11:46 p.m. EDT June 7: On Sunday night, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and police chief Carmen Best talked about ways to de-escalate tense situations like the clash between protesters and officers that occurred the previous night, KIRO-TV reported.

Six officers were injured and two were hospitalized when protesters began throwing bottles and other “incendiary devices.”

Best said no tear gas was deployed and things calmed down in about 30 minutes. She said she always expects officers to have a “proportional response to any action from the crowd.”

Best said the department will continue to look into additional ways to de-escalate including significantly reducing the visibility of officers outside the East Precinct and removing some of the protective gear officers wear.

Durkan said she is sending an emergency order Monday to the City Council that would require officers to have their body cameras on during demonstrations.

Police chief joins crowd says ‘racism sucks’ at South Carolina protest

Update 10:56 p.m. EDT June 7: Mount Pleasant Police Chief Carl Ritchie had a simple message to protesters he joined Sunday: “Racism sucks.”

Ritchie said he was part of a unity walk five years ago and was surprised to do it again as he got the crowd excited before the demonstration, WCIV reported.

"When this march is over, the conversation's got to continue," he said. "I think that's where both sides fail."

He and other officers also joined protesters in taking a knee to honor George Floyd.

“This profession is supposed to be protecting and serving,” he said, CNN reported.

Protesters paint large ‘End Racism Now’ mural on North Carolina street

Update 9:46 p.m. EDT June 7: Inspired by the “Black Lives Matter” mural along a Washington, D.C., street, volunteers with the Museum of Contemporary Art in Raleigh, North Carolina, painted the words “End Racism Now” in large yellow letters along a street outside of the gallery.

Volunteers spent about six hours painting the mural -- which is the length of a block along West Martin Street in front of the museum, WTVD reported.

Raleigh Mayor Mary-Anne Baldwin encouraged volunteers to paint the mural on the street in front of the museum after their request to paint it near the Confederate obelisk at the North Carolina State Capitol building was denied because it is state property.

Falcons players, coaches join Atlanta march Sunday

Update 9:07 p.m. EDT June 7: Atlanta Falcons players, coaches -- including head coach Dan Quinn -- and their families joined thousands of protesters on a 10th day of demonstrations, WSB-TV reported.

The protest, organized by high school students, consisted of teens, parents, their friends, younger children and grandparents who met up at a shopping center about 3 miles away and marched to the governor’s mansion, chanting and holding personalized signs.

Once they got to the governor's mansion everyone was quiet as people got on megaphones and spoke about the oppression black people have suffered for hundreds of years.

They did a “sit-in” in the middle of the street. But this time police didn’t arrest anyone in this group for stepping off the sidewalk like they had in the past.

Also in the crowd was basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo, whose son helped organize the event.

National Guard troops to leave California cities

Update 8:48 p.m. EDT June 7: National Guard troops will pull out of cities throughout California where they were first deployed to quell violence that erupted as demonstrators flooded streets in protest.

“After nearly a week assisting civil authorities on the streets of California, soldiers with the California National Guard will begin transitioning back to their home armories,” the Cal Guard said in a statement. A timeline was not indicated.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said troops would start to pull out Sunday.

“A small number of units will be stationed nearby until June 10 to provide emergency support if needed,” Garcetti said in a statement.

More than 7,000 National Guard troops were deployed to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento and other cities to help law enforcement.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Majority of Minneapolis city council commit to defund, dismantle police department

Update 8:03 p.m. EDT June 7: Nine of 12 Minneapolis city council members pledged to defund and dismantle the city’s police department at a rally Sunday vowing to end policing in the city as it is currently.

"We committed to dismantling policing as we know it in the city of Minneapolis and to rebuild with our community a new model of public safety that actually keeps our community safe," Council President Lisa Bender told CNN. "(We need) to listen, especially to our black leaders, to our communities of color, for whom policing is not working and to really let the solutions lie in our community."

An analysis of 911 calls by Minneapolis residents found that most were for mental health services, emergency medical technicians and fire services, CNN reported.

Mayor Jacob Frey does not support abolishing the department.

“I’ll work relentlessly with Chief (Medaria) Arradondo and alongside (the) community toward deep, structural reform and addressing the systemic racism in police culture,” Frey said in a statement KARE reported. “And we’re ready to dig in and enact more community-led, public safety strategies on behalf of our city. But I do not support abolishing the Minneapolis Police Department.”

Sen. Mitt Romney joins DC protest

Update 7:43 p.m. EDT June 7: Republican Sen. Mitt Romney joined protesters at a demonstration in Washington, D.C. Sunday.

Romney, wearing a face mask, posted images of himself and demonstrators marching with the caption "Black Lives Matter" on social media.

“Finding a way to end violence and brutality and to make sure the people understand that Black Lives Matter," Romney told The Washington Post.

Romney, a former Republican candidate for president, marched with a group of evangelicals, which eventually swelled to about 1,000 people, from the U.S. Capitol reflecting pool along Pennsylvania Avenue, the Post reported. Organizers did not know Romney would attend until he arrived.

University of Houston cancels classes Monday so students, staff can attend Floyd viewing

Update 7:29 p.m. EDT June 7: The University of Houston canceled classes on Monday so students, faculty and staff can attend the public viewing of George Floyd.

“In order to provide the UH community ample opportunity to attend the public viewing of George Floyd and reflect on the events taking place in our nation, classes will not be held as scheduled on Monday,” the university said on social media.

Pittsburgh police chief Scott Schubert issues statement about involvement in peaceful protest

Update 4:34 p.m. EDT June 7: Pittsburgh Police Chief Scott Schubert issued a statement Sunday regarding his involvement in a protest through the city’s Beechview neighborhood, WPXI-TV reported.

Schubert, along with more than a thousand people, peacefully marched along West Liberty Avenue and took a knee during a moment of silence for George Floyd in front of the entrance to the Liberty Tunnels.

“As the Chief, it’s my responsibility to look out for the safety of everyone," Schubert said in a statement. "That includes our officers and all members of the community. This leadership position requires that I do everything possible to help calm situations and guide people through chaotic and traumatic events. If marching with peaceful protesters and taking a knee with them can, in any way, help keep people safe, if it can show the protesters that I see them, if it can help people get a better understanding of our officers’ efforts to help everyone, if it can somehow calm emotions even a little so all of us can work together towards meaningful change—then I’ll do it again.”

Read Schubert’s full statement which was posted on the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Facebook page.

Army secretary: Pentagon did not want to use troops in DC

Update 3:14 p.m. EDT June 7: Speaking with reporters Sunday, Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy said the Pentagon did not want to use active-duty troops in the District of Columbia to subdue protesters. However, President Donald Trump’s invocation of the Insurrection Act was “heavily discussed” by administration officials.

“They were on the outskirts cause we didn’t want to do it. The Department of Defense didn’t want to do it because we knew once we went to that escalation, it’s very very difficult,” McCarthy told reporters in a telephone call. “We did everything we could to not cross that line."

McCarthy also confirmed out of state National Guard will start going home Sunday at 5 p.m. Earlier Sunday, Trump said he ordered the withdrawal of out-of-state National Guard troops from the District of Columbia.

“Effective 5 p.m. this evening we will begin redeploying the out of state Guardsmen starting with the state of Mississippi ... as well as the state of Florida, Utah and Indiana,” McCarthy said.

DC mayor calls troops in capital ‘an invasion’

Update 2:47 p.m. EDT June 7: While President Donald Trump ordered the National Guard to withdraw from Washington, D.C., on Sunday, arguments over whether to even use troops in the nation’s capital were being argued.

The deployment of troops remained a sore spot with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. who called their deployment “an invasion,” The New York Times reported.

“What we saw last week was basically an invasion of our city,” Bowser said on “Fox News Sunday.”

Attorney General Attorney General William Barr said Sunday that he would support the use of troops as a last resort to suppress protests and riots, even over the objection of state governors, the newspaper reported.

Cuomo blames looting on NYPD’s poor management

Update 2:16 p.m. EDT June 7: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo placed the blame for the “frightening” looting that happened in New York City on poor management by the New York City Police department, and not on the protesters or the police officers working to maintain order.

“Look at the looting that happened in New York City … it was frightening," Cuomo said during his daily briefing. “It was criminals who were exploiting the situation, who were opportunistic, who were just stealing.”

The governor emphasized the distinction between protesters and looters.

“Now, the looting had nothing to do with protesting. Protesting is different,” Cuomo said. “You have looting, and you have protesting. You have apples, you have oranges. They’re different. Well, the night of looting was the fault of the police officers? No, it wasn’t the fault of the protesters and it wasn’t the fault of the police officers, I said it was the management and deployment of the police officers.”

Chicago mayor announces end of curfew

Update 1:51 p.m. EDT June 7: Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced that the curfew in the city would be lifted, “effective immediately.”

“I know this time in our city and our country has been difficult for us all, and I’m grateful to our residents for working together to navigate this challenging time,” Lightfoot tweeted.

Chicago’s move follows those of New York and Philadelphia, which also announced Sunday that curfews had been suspended.

Philadelphia lifts curfew

Update 12:33 p.m. EDT June 7: Officials in Philadelphia announced that they have lifted the city’s curfew.

In two tweets this morning, the city announced the curfew was lifted and urged protesters to wear a mask and maintain social distancing if participating in demonstrations.

NYC mayor: 2 police officers suspended without pay

Update 11:50 a.m. EDT June 7: Two New York City police officers have been suspended without pay after their actions against protesters Friday, Mayor Bill de Blasio said during a news conference.

De Blasio said one officer is accused of shoving a woman to the ground in Brooklyn, while the other officer is accused of pulling down a protester’s mask and spraying that person with pepper spray.

Both officers face further disciplinary action, de Blasio said.

Trump orders National Guard to leave DC

Update 11:20 a.m. EDT June 7: President Donald Trump said Sunday morning that he is ordering National Guard troops to begin withdrawing from the District of Columbia, The Washington Post reported.

“I have just given an order for our National Guard to start the process of withdrawing from Washington, D.C., now that everything is under perfect control,” Trump tweeted.

On Saturday, more than 10,00 people marched through Washington on what was mostly a peaceful day of demonstrations, the Post reported.

Virginia police officer facing assault, battery charges

Update 10:46 a.m. EDT June 7: A Virginia police officer is facing three separate charges of assault and battery after the tasing and arrest of a black man.

Colonel Edwin C. Roessler Jr. of the Fairfax County Police Department announced charges were filed against Tyler Timberlake, an eight-year veteran of the force, WUSA reported.

Body camera footage released by the department shows Timberlake violating use of force policies, authorities said.

Timberlake faces up to 36 months in prison, Steve T. Descano, Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney, told CNN.

“Together as a community, through our transparency, we will heal as a community ... this is behavior we shall not tolerate,” Rossler said at a news conference.

The unidentified victim in the video was treated at a local hospital and released, Roessler told reporters. He added that he personally reached out to the victim and his mother to “express (his) disgust with (his) officer’s unacceptable criminal actions and assured her justice will be served.”

NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio ends curfew

Update 8:15 a.m. EDT June 7: After peaceful demonstrations in New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio wrote on Twitter that the city’s curfew was being lifted, “effective immediately," The New York Times reported.

“Yesterday and last night we saw the very best of our city,” de Blasio wrote. “Tomorrow we take the first big step to restart. Keep staying safe. Keep looking out for each other.”

The curfew was the city’s first in 77 years, The Washington Post reported.

George Floyd’s remains flown home to Houston for funeral

Update 8:04 a.m. EDT June 7: After Saturday’s service in Raeford, North Carolina, the family of George Floyd accompanied his body on a flight to Houston, where a final funeral service and burial are planned.

Houston police Chief Art Acevedo tweeted early Sunday morning that “George Floyd and his family are safely in Houston.”

Two services are scheduled for Floyd in Houston, KHOU reported. A public viewing will be held Monday, and a private memorial service is scheduled for Tuesday, the television station reported.

More protests scheduled for today in Massachusetts

Update 7:33 a.m. EDT June 7: There are several protests planned Sunday in Massachusetts to honor George Floyd and others who have died in police custody.

At 2 p.m., a group is planning to gather at the North Common in Lawrence, and a coalition of faith-based organizations will hold an interfaith memorial service for Floyd and other African Americans who have been killed. That’s happening at Bethel African American Episcopal Church in Jamaica Plain.

At 4 p.m., a group of organizations, including the Boston Coalition and Massachusetts Public Defenders, are holding a march at Boston City Hall Plaza.

Protesters who spoke to Boston’s WFXT on Saturday said this is a chance for their voices to be heard.

“You can feel the energy. You can feel the vibes. You learn more. You talk to different people. You get their experiences,” said one protester. “Just like they got to hear my experience, and I’m hearing other people’s experiences – people I may not have ever met.”

Police seeking suspect accused of tossing explosive device at Pittsburgh officers

Update 5:57 a.m. EDT June 7: Investigators in Pittsburgh said they are looking for the man in connection with tossing an “improvised incendiary device” at officers near Mellon Square on May 30, WPXI-TV reported Saturday.

The device exploded on the ground and an officer suffered concussion-like symptoms, authorities said.

Police said the investigation into the incident involves a newly formed task force that includes local agencies, the FBI and ATF.

If you know the man’s identity or location, or if you have additional pictures or video from the incident, you’re asked to contact the Damage Assessment Accountability Taskforce at DAAT@pittsburghpa.gov or call 412-323-7800 and ask for the task force. You can remain anonymous.

Protesters pull down Confederate statue in Virginia park

Update 3:43 a.m. EDT June 7: Protesters in Virginia have taken down a statue of Confederate Gen. Williams Carter Wickham in Richmond’s Monroe Park.

According to The Associated Press, a “small group” of people pulled down the statue using ropes late Saturday. It was not immediately clear if the statue sustained any damage or any arrests had been made in connection with the incident.

The statue was erected in 1891, the AP reported.

Read more here.

Hundreds honor George Floyd at North Carolina memorial service

Update 2:49 a.m. EDT June 7: Mourners held a private memorial service in George Floyd’s North Carolina hometown Saturday.

According to WSOC-TV, the memorial service was held Saturday in Raeford. It included a public viewing from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and was followed by a private funeral.

North Carolina flags were lowered to half-staff Saturday to honor Floyd, who was killed in police custody in Minneapolis on Memorial Day.

Floyd was originally from Fayetteville. His death has sparked protests globally as people demanded justice and racial equality.

“The unjust killing of George Floyd combined with many other recent and distant events broke open painful wounds,” North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said. “Racism. Excessive use of police force. Health disparities. Poverty. White supremacy. These are wrong. They are ugly, but they are present. We must deal with them. We will deal with them. George Floyd’s sister, Bridgette, lives in Hoke County, North Carolina. While I cannot bring her brother back, I can work for justice in his name. I assured her that’s what we would do.”

WSOC anchor Susanna Black saw hundreds of people lined up to enter the church for the memorial service.

Jasmine Maynor, of Raeford, is a first-time mom and was one of many who were moved after seeing Floyd’s body as part of the public viewing.

“Just to see someone laying there lifeless for no reason at all,” Maynor said. “He’s from here. He was born here. He has family here. It’s just really different. It hits home.”

Paul Anderson drove in from Raleigh for the service.

“I look at it like that it could have been me,” he said. “I love being black. I’m proud to be black, but it’s not about black or green or blue. The way the man died was just wrong – flat-out wrong.”

Nakia Almond said she has faith in a higher power and believes that is what led her to the service.

“This world will not be the same after 2020, God,” Almond said.

Floyd’s final memorial service and funeral will be Tuesday in Houston.

Seattle police: Officers injured after protesters throw ‘improvised explosives’

Published 1:59 a.m. EDT June 7: Officials with the Seattle Police Department say several officers were injured during a clash with protesters outside the East Precinct in Capitol Hill on Saturday night, KIRO-TV is reporting.

Around 7:30 p.m., police said demonstrators began moving barricades set up near 11th Avenue and Pine Street.

Police said they made multiple requests for them to stop.

Some of the demonstrators then began throwing rocks, bottles and “improvised explosives” at officers, police said.

The Police Department tweeted a picture of what appears to be the remnants of a candle and a glass container in their original report about the “improvised explosives.”

Police Chief Carmen Best was asked about the photo, but she did not clarify what types of “explosives” were thrown.

Best said two of the injured officers were sent to the hospital. She did not give a further update on their conditions.

Protesters at the scene told KIRO that there were some “instigators” in the crowd but stressed that many people in attendance are promoting peace.

– The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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