Tag: protesters

Secret Service forces press to leave White House as police use hoses, pepper spray and batons to beat back protesters

AlterNet logoWithout initially offering an explanation, the Secret Service late Monday ordered members of the press to leave the White House grounds as law enforcement officials in riot gear used pepper spray and batons to beat back a nearby protest at which some attempted to topple a statue of former President Andrew Jackson.

A spokesperson for the Secret Service said in a statement hours later that “four members of the media were misdirected by the Secret Service to leave the White House grounds.”

“The members of the press were rerouted to exits on the south side of the complex for their own safety” as demonstrations raged in Lafayette Park, the agency spokesperson said. Continue reading.

Live updates: After solemn memorial, mourners gather around the country to remember George Floyd

Washington Post logoMourners gathered by the thousands in cities around the country Thursday night to remember George Floyd, following a private memorial service in Minneapolis for the 46-year-old black man whose death in police custody sparked widespread protests against police violence and systemic racism.

“At the end of the day, my brother’s gone, but the Floyd name lives on,” Floyd’s brother, Terrence Floyd, told a sea of supporters at a rally in Brooklyn. “I thank God for y’all.”

Here are some significant developments:

  • The American Civil Liberties Union and Black Lives Matter on Thursday accused President Trump and his administration of authorizing an “unprovoked and frankly criminal attack” on demonstrators to enable a photo op of the president holding a Bible in front of the historic St. John’s Episcopal Church. Continue reading.

The two very different ends of Pennsylvania Avenue

Calm on Capitol Hill compared to chaotic response at the White House

The contrast between how the George Floyd protests unfolded at the White House and on Capitol Hill could hardly be greater, with Congress’ relatively calm reaction to protesters and its own legislative business a vivid rejoinder to the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue.

Chaos on Monday at Lafayette Square was replaced with a chaotic executive branch openly feuding with itself on Wednesday.

As demonstrators began to march down Pennsylvania Avenue from Freedom Plaza to Capitol Hill on Wednesday morning, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell opened the chamber with remarks that acknowledged the protests and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but largely came from the Kentucky Republican’s rhetorical quiver. Continue reading.