George Floyd protests - live: Attorney says three officers will be charged over killing, as bishops from church express outrage over Trump photo op

Protests 'understandable and legitimate', German foreign minister says

Germany's foreign minister, Heiko Maas, has described the protests spreading across the US as understandable and legitimate, adding that authorities there must act to support press freedom.

"The peaceful protests that we see in the US, involving many moving gestures, including by American police officers, are understandable and more than legitimate," he told a news conference.

"I can only express the hope that the peaceful protests don't turn violent, and even more the hope that they will have an impact," he added.

He said he would be in touch with U.S. authorities over reports that a crew from German broadcaster Deutsche Welle came under police fire while reporting on a protest in Minneapolis.

"Journalists must be able to do their job, that of carrying out independent reporting, in safety," he said. "Democratic states governed by the rule of law must apply the highest standards in protecting press freedom."

'Real disgrace is anti-Black racism of Trump administration,' Amnesty International USA says

Responding to Donald Trump's late last night in the Rose Garden, Ernest Coverson, the End Gun Violence campaign manager at Amnesty International USA, said: “The violence that can no longer be ignored is the violence committed against Black lives by the police. The real disgrace is the anti-Black racism of the Trump administration. The president swore an oath to the nation to protect all of its people - not just those he deems worthy. 

“The time for justice has passed for George Floyd, his children, and his loved ones. The possibility for justice was taken away the day that he was killed. All that remains is accountability – and accountability has been absent from an administration that continues to fan the flames of hate. 

“People are angry. People are exhausted. They have a right to take to the streets and peacefully protest – everyone has that right.

“The rights of the many to take to the streets and demand justice and comprehensive police reform cannot be trampled upon, for any reason. No longer can police be allowed to run rampant and terrorise our communities.

“Law enforcement exists to work for the people – but it only seems to work for some. Black lives matter. Trans Black lives matter. Black immigrant lives matter. Black asylum-seeker lives matter.

“Sending in the military to respond to a peaceful revolution has been the only action this administration has taken. What’s been absent is a legitimate attempt to change a system that does not work for Black people, but directly oppresses them. 

“The US system of policing is broken and needs systemic reform to root out racism and radically change its approach to law enforcement and human rights.

“Amnesty International is calling for a number of reforms, including passage of the PEACE Act to limit the use of deadly force, which should only ever be used as a last resort. When real reforms take place, only then will it send a message to Black people that their lives matter and our Black communities can live in safety, justice and freedom."

My colleague Andrew Naughtie has put together this piece explaining who George Floyd was, how he died, why his death sparked protests, and how Donald Trump and the world has reacted.

Paris police ban demon over black Frenchman who died in police operation 

Image from July 2019 demonstration (Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP via Getty Images)Police in Paris have banned a demonstration planned in memory of Adama Traore, a 24-year old black Frenchman who died in a 2016 police operation which some have likened to the death of George Floyd in the United States.

The Paris police department said there were risks of social disorder and health dangers from large gatherings due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The demonstration had drawn attention on social media in France from those supporting the "Black Lives Matter" movement and backing protests in the United States.

Violent demonstrations broke out in France in 2016 after Traore died while being driven to a police station following his arrest over an altercation in the Val-d'Oise area, north of the French capital.

  ↵My colleague Andrew Buncombe in Minneapolis has been speaking to comedian Ashli Henderson who is leading a group of volunteers organising food and medical supplies as protests have led to store closures.

Police officer shot during Las Vegas protests 'on life support'

A police officer is on life support after being shot while dealing with protesters on the Las Vegas Strip last night. 

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Joe Lombardo said officers were “taking rocks and bottles” from a crowd they were attempting to disperse in front of the Circus Circus hotel and casino when “a shot rang out and our officer went down”. 

He said the man is "in an extremely critical condition on life support currently” during a press conference shortly after 3.30am today. 

The suspect has been identified and was taken in to custody about an hour before the briefing, he added. 

Mr Lombardo said another officer was involved in a separate incident in a different location in front of the Federal Courthouse on Las Vegas Boulevard last night. 

During that incident, officers “encountered a subject who was armed with multiple firearms and appeared to be wearing body armour”, the sheriff said. 

“During the interaction, the subject reached for his firearm and officers engaged him.” 

The suspect was hit by gunfire and taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead. 

George Clooney says racism is America's pandemic

George Clooney has written an essay calling for people to vote Donald Trump out of office in the forthcoming US presidential election, to help combat the racism he describes as a "pandemic".

The actor and activist called for "systematic" changes in law enforcement, criminal justice and political leadership as protests continue around the

US over the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers.

He also praised the "defiant" reaction of the millions of people around the world who are taking part in demonstrations.

Roisin O'Connor reports: 

Trump boasts 'domination' over protesters in Washington DC and slams Cuomo brothers

Donald Trump has tweeted victory over protests in Washington DC by bragging about 'many arrests' yesterday by the police. This tweet came after police deployed tear gas on people who looked to be peaceful so the president could walk to St John's Church from the White House. 

Another tweet shared by the president went in on the protests erupting in New York City following the death of George Floyd. 

The city has experienced problems with rioters and looters amid the number of peaceful protests. 

Our story about the president's recent tweets: 

George Floyd's memorial scheduled Monday in Houston, family says

George Floyd's family announced a memorial and celebration of life service will be held in Houston, Texas, on Monday and Tuesday of next week, according to a release from the Fort Bend Memorial Planning Center. 

"Floyd, a 46-year-old man who was raised in Houston’s Third Ward, was killed during an encounter with Minneapolis police officers," the statement says. 

The memorial service on Monday will be held at The Fountain of Praise Church in Houston. The private service will be held at an undisclosed location on Tuesday. 

Notable guests are expected to attend the private service, but it was not detailed who that would be. Former professional boxer Floyd Mayweather would be paying for both services, according to the statement.