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:
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.
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.
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.
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.”
Source: Kiro7, with additional information from Associated Press contributed to this report
