George Floyd’s coffin put on view for public as Democrats introduce federal police reform legislation
Pressure grows on on Monday for lawmakers to force change
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Members of the public were allowed to view George Floyd's coffin in his hometown of Houston, Texas, on Monday as global protests sparked by his death continued over the weekend. His body was on display for six hours to allow for the public viewing.
On Tuesday, a private memorial would be held in funeral with a 500-person limit. The reasoning behind the limit was to help everyone attending maintain social distancing guidelines during the service.
In response to Black Lives Matter protests across the nation, Congressional Democrats unveiled new legislation that would directly tackle police reform across the United States. But Republicans have urged caution about passing anything on the federal level addressing police reform and brutality.
On the state and local level, Minneapolis lawmakers pledged to dismantle its police department, promising to create, instead, a new system of public safety, while New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said he would cut the city's $6bn police budget and spend more on social services. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti also vowed to cut $100m to $150m of his city's police budget, just a few days after he planned to increase that same budget by 7 per cent.
All of this comes as Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer charged with second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, made a virtual appearance in court on Monday.
The judge accepted prosecutors' $1.25m unconditioned bail, which changes to $1m with conditions. These conditions include Chauvin remaining a law-abiding citizen, attending all court appearances, refraining from taking any law enforcement and security jobs, and handing over all firearms.
Whether Chauvin would be able to post bail remains to be seen.
President Donald Trump has continued his rhetoric of "law and order" amid the protests across the country. He's accused the Democrats of pushing "defund the police" rhetoric, but prominent Democrats like former Vice President Joe Biden said they did not support the movement. Instead, Mr Biden advocated for funding community policing policies and other vital programmes.
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Donald Trump pushes his 'law and order' message amid backlash
The president has not backed down for pushing for "law and order" as Black Lives Matter protests continue across the country two weeks after the death of George Floyd.
Calls to disband police departments have increased across the US, a message Mr Trump could not get behind.
Biden does not support the defunding of police departments
A spokesperson for Vice President Joe Biden, the presumed Democratic candidate for president, said he does not support the defunding of police departments.
Rally call heightened in recent weeks to defund police departments in an effort to address police brutality across the US.
"Vice President Biden does not believe that police should be defunded. He hears and shares the deep grief and frustration of those calling out for change, and is driven to ensure that justice is done and that we put a stop to this terrible pain," a spokesperson said.
The statement went on to say the vice president supported an "urgent need for reform" that included funding for schools, community policing programs, and diversified police departments.
Full statement here:
Public viewing for George Floyd starts in Houston
People in Houston have lined up in two separate lines outside Praise Church in Houston, Texas, to view the body of George Floyd.
The public viewing allows for each person to entire the church and stand in front of Mr Floyd's body for five seconds before moving on. In an effort to promote social distancing, separate lines were created.
The viewing will go on for six hours to allow as many people who want to have the opportunity to view and honour Mr Floyd.
George Floyd service on Tuesday will be limited to friends and family
The family of George Floyd announced changes to his memorial service at Fountain of Praise church in Houston, Texas.
The service would now be limited to 500 people, which would include family and friends. The limit on the service comes in an effort to follow social distancing guidelines amid the coronavirus pandemic.
People in Houston were encouraged to attend the public viewing happening today if they would like to celebrate and honour the life of Mr Floyd.
John Oliver attacks Fox News anchor in police defunding segment
John Oliver has taken Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson to task in no uncertain words on the subject of police defunding.
The late-night host broached the topic on Sunday, during an episode of his HBO show Last Week Tonight With John Oliver dedicated to ongoing protests against police brutality and racism across the US.
He discussed calls for police reform, which have included proposals to defund the police.
Clémence Michallon reports:
Man arrested for driving car into protesters is 'KKK president' in Virginia
Harry Rogers was arrested and charged with attempted malicious wounding, destruction of property, and assault and battery after allegedly driving a pickup truck into protesters in Lakeside, Virginia.
The man is reportedly as self-proclaimed Ku Klux Klan president in Virginia, and is facing an investigation into a possible hate crime after driving into protesters.
He appeared in Henrico Court Monday morning and agreed to a court-appointed attorney.
"The accused, by his own admission and by a cursory glance at social media, is an admitted leader of the Ku Klux Klan and a propagandist for Confederate ideology," Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney Shannon Taylor said in a statement. "We are investigating whether hate crimes charges are appropriate."
No one was seriously injured following the incident.
Trump and Erdogan's reaction to protest and the pandemic shows how similar they are -- and it is damaging the unity of their nations
Sebnem Arsu with her latest:
Judge sets $1.25 million bail for judge charged in George Floyd's murder
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin appeared virtually in court on Monday on his charges of second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
Judge Jeannice Reding granted the prosecutors motion for unconditional bail to be set at $1.25m, with conditional bail set at $1m.
Conditions include for being a law-abiding citizen, making future appearances in court, refraining from any law enforcement or security employments, and surrendering all fire arms throughout the trial.
It was not yet revealed if Chauvin would set bail today.
Texas governor vows to work with George Floyd's family for a 'pathway forward'
Texas Governor Gregg Abbott spoke with reporters outside the church with George Floyd's pubic viewing on Monday.
He said the state would work with the family to help find a "pathway forward" in police reform following the death of the man at the hands of former Minneapolis police officers.
"Today is a sad day. Ever since his death has been a sad day. This is the most horrific tragedy I have ever personally observed. But George Floyd is going to change the ark of the future of the United States. George Floyd has not died in vain. His life will be a living legacy about the way that America and Texas respond to this tragedy, " Mr Abbott said.
"We're already working with legislators, we are working with his family. His family asked me and I promised his family that I would use and incorporate their family in these discussions, the discussions about the pathway forward," the governor added.
Mr Abbott said changes were already being made within police departments and in city hall. One of the challenges they were currently tackling was inadequate training for police officers in the state.
Inside Brooklyn's jail support for arrested protesters Jean Lee with the story:
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