'Gone with the Wind'
Getty"Gone With the Wind" is gone no more ... HBO Max is bringing back the 1939 classic but it'll do so by adding historical context and denouncing its racist depictions.
The streaming platform made an about-face mere hours after announcing it would temporarily pull the film from its library. The move came after "12 Years a Slave" screenwriter John Ridley published an op-ed Tuesday in the Los Angeles Times calling for HBO Max to remove a film that puts slavery in a positive light, set in the pre-Civil War South.
HBO Max announced late Tuesday night the original film will be brought back "with a discussion of its historical context and a denouncement" of the depictions of slavery.
HBO Max added, "'Gone With The Wind’ is a product of its time and depicts some of the ethnic and racial prejudices that have, unfortunately, been commonplace in American society." When the movie returns, it'll be "presented as it was originally created, because to do otherwise would be the same as claiming these prejudices never existed."
It's unclear exactly how the streaming service will add "context."
In his op-ed, Ridley wrote the film "romanticizes the Confederacy in a way that continues to give legitimacy to the notion that the secessionist movement was something more, or better, or more noble than what it was — a bloody insurrection to maintain the 'right' to own, sell and buy human beings."
"Gone With the Wind" won 8 Oscars ... including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. Hattie McDaniel would become the first Black winner ... Best Supporting Actress for playing Scarlet's house servant, Mammy.
Even so, she was forced to sit separately from her costars at the Oscars ceremony -- in the back of the room -- due to segregation. So many levels of irony, it hurts.
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DeAndre Hopkins & Deshaun Watson Call Out Clemson Remove Slave Owner's Name from Honors College!!!
6/9/2020 5:57 AM PT
TMZ.com UPDATE5:56 AM PT -- Deshaun Watson is joining the anti-Calhoun movement.
UPDATE"Clemson University should not honor slave owner John C. Calhoun in any way," the Houston Texans QB said.
UPDATEWatson played for Clemson from 2014 to 2016.
UPDATE"His name should be removed from all University property and programming. I am joining the students, faculty & DeAndre to restart this petition to rename the Calhoun Honors College."
DeAndre Hopkins is putting serious pressure on his alma mater -- demanding Clemson remove the name of an infamous pro-slavery politician from its honors college ... RIGHT NOW!!!
The NFL star -- who played at Clemson from 2010 to 2012 -- says it's always made him sick to his stomach that his University still honors John C. Calhoun.
GettyFYI, Calhoun was the Vice President of the United States from 1825 to 1832 under both John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson ... and STRONGLY advocated for slavery.
In fact, Calhoun often described slavery as a "positive good" that helped improve the black race.
Clemson University was built on Calhoun's Fort Hill Plantation -- where the University says he had 70 to 80 slaves.
Well, Hopkins is no fan ... and has joined a movement to wipe Calhoun's name from existence at Clemson.
"Clemson University still honors the name of well known slave owner and pro-slavery politician John C. Calhoun on its buildings, signs, and in the name of its honors program," Hopkins says.
"I felt this oppressive figure during my time at Clemson and purposely do not mention the University’s name before NFL games because of it."
Hopkins is directing people to sign a petition to rename the Calhoun Honors College.
"I urge all Clemson students, football players, and alumni to join us, so the next generation of young Black leaders can be proud of the institution they graduate from."
Clemson’s Honors College was founded in 1962 -- but according to the people behind the petition, Calhoun’s name was not added until 1981.
"To change the name of the college, therefore, is not to 'erase history;' rather, it is to acknowledge that our understanding of history has evolved."
"We demand a more just Clemson. Change the name. Do it now."
Originally published -- 3:13 PM PT
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'The Flash' Star Hartley Sawyer Fired from Show ... For Racist, Misogynistic Tweets
6/8/2020 11:59 AM PT
GettyHartley Sawyer just lost his TV job in a flash, after a collection of tweets in which he made racist comments and joked about sexually assaulting women surfaced this past week.
The actor -- who played Ralph Dibny, AKA Elongated Man on "The Flash" for the past 3 seasons -- has been fired by the show over the years-old tweets, which included racist and misogynist language in what appears to a be a poor attempt at humor.
Document Read the tweets Launch Doc Sawyer's Twitter account has been deleted, but his old tweets began to circulate at the end of May. In one from 2012, Sawyer says ... "The only thing stopping me from doing mildly racist tweets is the knowledge that Al Sharpton would never stop complaining about me."
In another from 2014, he tweets ... "Out at dinner and just exposed myself as a racist, AGAIN."
Many of his former tweets seem to also center around sexual assault and violence toward women, including this in 2012 -- "If I had a wife I would beat the hell out of her tonight lol."
A few more horrific examples, "Ice Breakers: all women should be in sex farms" and "Outside of the 7-11 where I assaulted my ex-girlfriend lol."
This gem, from 2014, had to make his coworkers feel great ... "Enjoyed a secret boob viewing at an audition today."
You get the point ... he HAD to go. The CW and the production companies for the series say they've parted ways with Sawyer for season 7, saying ... "we do not tolerate derogatory remarks that target any race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation. Such remarks are antithetical to our values and polices, which strive and evolve to promote a safe, inclusive and productive environment for our workforce."
Hartley's issued an apology, saying ... "My words, irrelevant of being meant with an intent of humor, were hurtful, and unacceptable. I am ashamed I was capable of these really horrible attempts to get attention at that time. I regret them deeply." He added, "I am incredibly sorry, ashamed and disappointed in myself for my ignorance back then."
Sawyer joined the cast of "The Flash" in 2017, became a series regular in 2018 and appeared in 50 episodes.
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NHL's Evander Kane, Akim Aliu Create 'Hockey Diversity Alliance' ... To Fight Racism
6/8/2020 7:58 AM PT
Getty CompositeNHL superstar Evander Kane is teaming up with fellow pro Akim Aliu to put an end to racism in their sport ... announcing the "Hockey Diversity Alliance" on Monday.
Remember, Aliu -- who has been outspoken about his racist experiences as a black hockey player -- has been leading the charge for change.
Aliu previously called out coach Bill Peters for using the n-word and other top players who physically abused and taunted him due to the color of his skin.
Now, Aliu has formed a team of players to join him in his fight.
"As minorities who play professional hockey, we have come together to create the Hockey Diversity Alliance," the group said in a statement.
Joining Kane and Aliu on the executive committee are Trevor Daley of the Detroit Red Wings, Matt Dumba of the Minnesota Wild, Wayne Simmonds of the Buffalo Sabres, Chris Stewart of the AFL and recently retired player Joel Ward.
"Our mission is to eradicate racism and intolerance in hockey," the statement says. "We will strive to be a force for positive change not only within the game of hockey, but also within society."
"Although we will be independent of the NHL, we are hopeful that we will work productively with the league to accomplish these important changes. We believe in the importance of accountability in developing inclusivity and diversity for all involved in our sport, including fans and the league office."
The HDA says it will use community outreach and engagement to make the game more accessible to the youth ... as well as teach the hockey community about racism issues in the sport.
"In creating our alliance, we are confident we can inspire a new generation of hockey players and fans."
"We are hopeful that anyone who puts on skates or sits in the stands will do so without worrying about race, gender or socioeconomic background and will be able to express their culture, identity, values, and personality without fear of retribution."
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UK BLM Protesters Slave Trader Statue Ripped Down ... Tossed into Harbor!!!
6/7/2020 9:39 AM PT
@SamuelLiddell / BBC Radio BristolThis is how much the killing of George Floyd has disgusted not just America, but the world ... Black Lives Matter protesters in England destroyed a more than 100-year-old statue honoring a slave trader.
The moment #BlackLivesMattterUK pulled down the statue of merchant slave trader Edward Colston in #Bristol
Epic. pic.twitter.com/fU0BToyLNI
— Sam (@SamuelLiddell) June 7, 2020 @SamuelLiddellThe UK's had a weekend filled with demonstrations, but this one's gotta be the most symbolic. The crowd dismantled a bronze statue of Edward Colston in the shipping town of Bristol ... and taking it down wasn't enough for them.
After using ropes to pull the monument off its base, the protesters dragged it over to the River Avon and tossed into the water ... watching it quickly sink.
#Bristol statue of Edward Colston has been pulled down and pushed into the harbour during the #BlackLivesMattter march pic.twitter.com/ME1yxAhw7G
— BBC Radio Bristol (@bbcrb) June 7, 2020 @bbcrbThe statue had stood in Bristol since 1895 in tribute to Colston, who traded an estimated 84,000 African men, women and children to the Caribbean and North America.
Several petitions have failed to get the statue removed, but the BLM crowd would not be denied and massive cheers went up -- from white people too -- as it sunk to the bottom of the river.
Enjoy your middle passage, Colston.
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Drew Brees Becomes Prop Bet Will He Kneel During Week 1???
6/6/2020 12:25 AM PT
GettyWill Drew Brees join the movement he recently denounced and take a knee during the National Anthem??
The right answer to that question can result in some serious cash ... as the New Orleans Saints QB has become the center of a new prop bet.
Of course, Brees started a crap storm when he said he'd NEVER accept kneeling for the anthem ... and later apologized after teammates and the industry's biggest athletes spoke out against his comments.
TMZ Sports has learned ... MyBookie -- one of the biggest sportsbooks on the internet -- has released the odds on Brees' stance when Week 1 comes around.
So ... will he kneel?? Here's the breakdown.
Yes +300
No -700
Translation -- Brees standing for the anthem is the HEAVY favorite. BUT, if he were to kneel, it could have a MAJOR payout.
May the odds be ever in your favor.
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Saquon, OBJ, Mahomes Demand To NFL ... Admit You Silenced Protesters Like Kaepernick!!!
6/4/2020 6:55 PM PT
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SAY IT!The biggest names in the NFL -- from Patrick Mahomes to Odell Beckham to Saquon Barkley and more -- just dropped a powerful message demanding the league admit it wrongly silenced protesters like Colin Kaepernick.
More than 15 players -- including Zeke Elliott, Jarvis Landry, Tyrann Mathieu and DeAndre Hopkins -- all joined together to make an impactful video showing their support for the protests going on all over the country.
"How many times do we need to ask you to listen to your players? What will it take? For one of us to be murdered by police brutality?" the stars say in the vid.
"We will not be silenced. We assert our right to peacefully protest. It shouldn't take this long to admit."
We're told the whole thing was put together by New Orleans Saints superstar Michael Thomas ... who organized the video after teammate Drew Brees condemned kneeling for the anthem.
In the video, the players mention several African-Americans who were killed as the result of police brutality or racism -- including George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery.
The video ends with this demand -- "So, on behalf of the National Football League, this is what we, the players, would like to hear you state:
"We, the National Football League, condemn racism and the systematic oppression of black people. We, the National Football League, admit wrong in silencing our players from peacefully protesting. We, the National Football League, believe Black Lives Matter."
Unclear what will happen if the NFL does not comply with the players' demands ... we're reaching out to reps to see if there's a plan to hold out or take other action.
Bottom line -- the players are fed up with the way they've been treated and they're not gonna take it anymore.
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Oregon State Football Cuts TE Rocco Carley Over Horrific N-Word Recording
6/4/2020 8:47 AM PT
OSU/IMAGNOregon State freshman tight end Rocco Carley has been kicked off the team after an insanely offensive recording surfaced featuring Rocco using the n-word to describe black people.
We've heard the audio ... it's disgusting. Rocco uses a deep southern accent to go on a violent rant against black people, gay people and Muslims.
Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith says he heard the audio Wednesday evening and immediately shared it with the athletic director, Scott Barnes.
"We both agreed this language and attitude is entirely unacceptable, regardless of circumstances or environment," Smith said.
"I spoke with Rocco and dismissed him from the team. I will not tolerate racism or hate speech."
Rocco has since issued a statement insisting the rant was made 3 years ago -- and intended to be a "satire" of what a racist southern man would sound like.
— Rocco Carley (@RoccoCarley) June 4, 2020 @RoccoCarley"This does not condone anything of what I have said, but I promise to you all that this video does not represent me," Rocco said.
"I was doing an accent of a southern man and giving a very satire example of what we all thought it would be funny. This is no way shape or form makes what I said right."
"To all of my brothers, teammates and everyone of color that I have associated with, I hope that you know me well enough to know I am in no way shape or form a racist."
Seems many of Rocco's ex-OSU teammates are NOT accepting his apology.
Keishon Dawkins -- "Where was all this talk when you was sittin right next to me Everyday In the locker room?! Smh man."
Anthony Gould -- "Dude been in the locker room acting cool but whole time he lowkey hate us. SMFH You all the way outta line."
Jaydon Grant -- "Damn bra all that hate in your heart for what?? You are my teammate somebody who I have to go to battle with, somebody who I would put my body on the line for... SMFH that’s a damn SHAME."
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Barack Obama Inspired by Young People Mobilizing ... to Protest Floyd's Death
6/3/2020 3:10 PM PT
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YOUR LIVES MATTER UPDATE2:48 PM PT -- Obama invoked the names of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Cesar Chavez and Malcolm X when discussing young people and the inspiration they've become during this movement. He said what's happening right now "reminds people of the 1960s and the chaos, the discord and distrust throughout the country." But he added, "I have to tell you, I know enough about that history to say there is something different here. You look at these protesters, and that is far more representative across America, peacefully protesting; who felt moved to do something because of the injustices they have seen."
UPDATEObama said the mobilization in peaceful protesting across America -- and frankly, across the world -- didn't exist back in the day. He said, despite the riots, the majority of Americans agree these protests are justified. And, that's the change he's seen so far in these protests.
UPDATEThe Prez said he wanted to talk directly to people of color and say "I want you to know that you matter; that your lives matter. Your dreams matter." He also challenged local officials on how to bring about real change, while urging young people to vote in local elections.
UPDATE Play video content
THE OBAMA RULES UPDATEIt should be noted ... Obama acknowledged law enforcement and the "vast majority who protect and serve. I've been heartened to see those in law enforcement who recognize, 'Let me march along with these protesters.' Those who recognize they want to be part of the solution. Those who listen. Change will require everyone’s participation."
Former President Barack Obama is making his first on-camera remarks about the death of George Floyd ... and TMZ is streaming live.
Obama is set to speak Wednesday during a virtual town hall sponsored by My Brother's Keeper Alliance -- an org that partners with his Obama Foundation. Barack is expected to address Floyd's killing, police practices ... and the racial bias still ingrained in the justice system.
Organizers have dubbed the event, "Reimagining policing in the wake of continued police violence" ... and it's supposed to kick off at 2 PM PT. This will be Obama's first time publicly discussing George Floyd's case on camera -- he's already addressed his death on social media and in a Medium essay.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
Atlanta Cops 6 Charged with Excessive Force For Tasing Black Students in Their Car
6/3/2020 5:22 PM PT
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EXCESSIVE FORCE UPDATE5:09 PM PT -- 6/3 -- We've obtained the mugshots of officers Gardner, Streeter, Hood, Sauls, Jones and Claud.
UPDATE
Gallery The Charged Officers Launch Gallery Atlanta Police Department UPDATEAll 6 officers were booked into jail Wednesday.
The Atlanta police officers involved in the violent arrest and tasing of 2 black college students who were in their vehicle during protests this weekend are now facing charges ... on the heels of 2 of them losing their jobs.
The Fulton County DA has charged 6 cops for using excessive force during the incident with Messiah Young and Taniyah Pilgrim Saturday night.
Four of the cops have been charged with aggravated assault -- Mark Gardner, for tasing Pilgrim; Ivory Streeter, for tasing Young and pointing a gun at him; Lonnie Hood for using a Taser on Pilgrim and Young; and Willie Sauls for pointing a Taser.
Another officer, Armond Jones, has been charged with aggravated battery for forcefully throwing Young down on the street and pointing a gun at him. The sixth officer, Roland Claud, is charged with criminal damage to property ... the couples' car.
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms fired both Gardner and Streeter almost immediately after learning of the incident, and the other 4 were placed on desk duty.
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORTThe students claim they were out getting food when they got caught in traffic and the chaos around them. They later spoke about the scary ordeal, saying they felt lucky to be alive ... and demanded change so similar incidents stop happening.
Originally Published -- 6/2 9:22 AM PT
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Black Lives Matter Protests Radio Hosts Fired ... Over Racist Comments
6/3/2020 9:50 AM PT
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THE HORRIFIC COMMENTSTwo radio hosts who made racists comments on-air during the Black Lives Matter protests are joining the ranks of the unemployed ... they woke up to find out they were fired.
Kimberly Ray and Barry Beck -- now formerly known as "Kimberly & Beck" on Radio 95.1 WAIO-FM in Rochester, NY -- were canned Wednesday morning after repeatedly referring to the "n-word" on-air Tuesday during their discussion of #BLM and local protests against police brutality in the wake of George Floyd's death.
The former cohosts were talking about a viral video appearing to show a local couple being attacked by looters when Kimberly asked Barry, "Were they acting n-word-ish?"
Kimberly did not explicitly use the full racial slur, but she continued to ask her cohost if the alleged attackers were acting "n-word-ly."
Beck took a cue from Donald Trump and threw around words like "thugs," saying ... "If you look like a thug and if you act like a thug, and you’ve got three on one beating up a white woman with a two-by-four, by God, you’re a thug."
The fired hosts kept digging a bigger hole ... they also discussed whether they could even utter the phrase "n-word" and concluded, "no one's offended by that."
Well, tons of folks were offended ... Kimberly and Beck faced instant backlash on social media after their recorded comments went viral, and people called for their jobs and asked advertisers to drop their sponsorship.
As we reported ... former Sacramento Kings play-by-play announcer Grant Napear also lost his job over controversial #BLM comments. Napear resigned Tuesday after facing major heat for tweeting "All Lives Matter."
Kimberly and Beck are no strangers to controversy ... they were booted from another Rochester radio station way back in 2014 after ridiculing transgender people. Four months later, Radio 95.1 hired them as afternoon weekday hosts.
Might be tougher to find a new gig this time around, but they are far from alone in the unemployment line these days.
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George Floyd Hometown of Houston Protests ... Bun B Leads the Way
6/2/2020 3:17 PM PT
Gallery BLM Protest In Houston Launch Gallery Shutterstock PremierGeorge Floyd's hometown is honoring him, and joining the national cries for justice by staging a large, peaceful march rally and March on the streets of Houston.
H-town rappers Bun B and Trae tha Truth joined throngs of people flooding Downtown Houston Tuesday for a march that ended at City Hall. George spent most of his life in Houston and still has family there. He hailed from the Third Ward and was an active member of the rap scene there.
Ben Crump, attorney for Floyd's family, announced earlier Tuesday the first memorial service will be Thursday from 1 to 3 PM in Minneapolis with another one scheduled in North Carolina Saturday at 3 PM.
Later, there will be a public viewing in Houston from 12 to 6 PM before he's buried there. Presidential candidate Joe Biden's expected to attend the funeral.
Bun B shortly before the #GeorgeFloyd March pic.twitter.com/KHjs1hxNIF
— Emma Whalen (@_emma_whalen) June 2, 2020 @_emma_whalenBun B told a local reporter he was marching because George "was a human being and wasn't treated like one." Former classmates of Floyd from nearby Jack Yates HS also held a vigil over the weekend. People attending the vigil wore school colors and shirts that read, "I can't breathe."
Tuesday's protests also included an urban trail riding club dubbed Nonstop Riders. A reporter there got video of them showing up to the protest and they were met with boisterous applause. One of the riders said, “We’re here representing for all our black brothers and sisters.”
Cheers rose up from the crowd as these dudes rolled up. Clip-clip-clip-clop. pic.twitter.com/x1h8UpmyQy
— Mike Hixenbaugh (@Mike_Hixenbaugh) June 2, 2020 @Mike_HixenbaughThe protests in Houston come in the wake of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announcing the launch of a civil rights investigation ... which will not only look at the 4 officers involved in Floyd's fatal arrest, but also examine the department's behavior, in general, over the last decade.
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NYPD Scanner Calls for Violence Against Protesters ... 'Shoot Motherf*****s' Heard, But Who Said It?
6/2/2020 1:55 PM PT
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NY'S FINESTNYPD officers allegedly urged police to shoot and run over protesters -- at least that's what was heard over the citywide police scanner ... but the question now is whether those words came from a cop or someone who stole a radio.
As protesters marched toward the 77th Precinct in Brooklyn, you could hear someone on the scanner calling in to describe the scene before another voice urges cops to, "Shoot those motherf*****s."
Later in the evening, the scanner picked up what sounded like officers saying they were surrounded by protesters near the intersection of Albany and Dean Streets in Crown Heights. A voice on the scanner responds, "Run them over."
Obviously, the scanner broadcasts are beyond alarming IF they really came from police officers. NYPD tells us ... they're aware of the comments and are looking into it.
TMZ independently found the radio transmissions on a website that records police scanners -- so the audio is legit. However, law enforcement sources tell us ... during this latest wave of civil unrest, police radios have gone missing, and there is a possibility the transmissions on the scanner did not originate from police.
“NY’s Finest”. Disgusting. #BlackLivesMatter #riots2020 #JusticeForGeorgeFlyod pic.twitter.com/GP5vcXRlqy
— Marco Francesco (@chieffymac11) May 31, 2020 @chieffymac11As you know ... NYPD officers have been physically clashing with protesters for days, with an officer appearing to pull a gun on demonstrators, and cops appearing to drive a police car into a crowd of protesters behind a barricade.
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HIT AND RUNAdditionally, 2 NYPD officers were injured -- one of them seriously -- Monday night in separate incidents in the Bronx.
NY Governor Andrew Cuomo has also ripped Mayor Bill de Blasio and the NYPD for their response to protests.
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Six Atlanta Cops Charged with Excessive Force for Tasing Students
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Killer Mike Grassroots Leaders Speak Up ... Here's How We're Battling Racism
6/2/2020 12:15 PM PT
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SHARING MY PLATFORM UPDATE12:13 PM PT -- Killer Mike's call with the community leaders and grassroots organizers has wrapped up, and his mission was accomplished ... they had a large platform to inform the public of vital work being done to end racism, and how people can help.
UPDATEAmong the main talking points were the importance of voting out politicians who don't support the cause, supporting black businesses, and striving to end police brutality ... but there was so much more. The speakers also included Gary Davis and Latonya Gates, along with the others below.
Killer Mike's hosting a virtual meeting with grassroots leaders to highlight all the ways they're working to address systemic racism ... and TMZ's live streaming it.
The rapper and activist's media call comes as the U.S. just experienced the 7th straight night of protests and unrest over the brutal killing of George Floyd and the mistreatment of black people in America.
The discussion will include the following grassroots organizers -- Judith Browne Dianis of the Advancement Project National Office, Pastor Michael McBride of Black Church PAC and LIVE FREE gun violence prevention campaign, Nse Ufot of the New Georgia Project, Zakiya Sankara-Jabar of Racial Justice NOW, and Desmond Meade of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition.
Mike mesmerized the country a few days back -- as violent riots broke out in Atlanta and across the country -- with an impassioned speech at a news conference with Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.
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"I'M MAD AS HELL"He made it clear he empathized with the rage being demonstrated but urged people to work toward a solution without violence ... advising them to "plot, plan, strategize, organize and mobilize."
Mike's call with the grassroots leaders is intended to elevate that message even more. The Zoom call's scheduled to begin at 2 PM ET.
Originally published -- 10:30 AM PT
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Donald Trump Blasts Governors for Not Cracking Down on Rioters
6/1/2020 9:53 AM PT
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TRUMP LAMBASTS GOVERNORSDonald Trump excoriated governors on a conference call Monday morning for not being way more aggressive with rioters.
Trump was on a video conference call with various governors, and audio of the conversation leaked. Trump says the goal is "domination" over the rioters.
Trump says Minnesota has become "the laughing stock" of the world because of the violence on the streets. Ditto for New York City and Los Angeles ... Trump says the police response has been anemic and rioters were walking all over them.
Trump then went on to take credit for sending the National Guard into Minneapolis, saying when the Guard stepped in, the looting stopped.
He's suggesting that the National Guard is the solution, yet in Los Angeles and Long Beach the rioters were undeterred. BTW ... there are way more police officers in most big cities than National Guard -- the ratio in L.A. was 10 to 1, so the Guard isn't the panacea.
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George Floyd Murder Ex-Cop Derek Chauvin Moved to Max-Security Prison ... New Mug Shot
6/1/2020 12:58 PM PT
UPDATE12:57 PM PT -- Here's Chauvin's mug shot after getting transferred to Minnesota's only Level Five maximum-security prison.
Derek Chauvin -- the former Minneapolis PD officer charged with the murder of George Floyd -- has a new jail cell for now ... he's been transferred to a maximum-security prison.
Chauvin's been sent to the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Oak Park Heights near the city of Stillwater, after spending part of Sunday at the Hennepin County Jail. It's protocol for inmates to get new mug shots when they're transferred.
The ex-cop was originally held at the Ramsey County Jail after being arrested Friday and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter in Floyd's death.
According to the Department of Corrections ... the Oak Park Heights prison is the highest custody level in Minnesota's system, and several inmates -- like Chauvin -- need a higher level of security.
DOC Commissioner Paul Schnell says this kind of transfer is not uncommon -- the same thing happened when former Minneapolis cop, Mohamed Noor, was taken into custody in the killing of Justine Damond -- and it was requested by the Hennepin County Sheriff.
Chauvin was one of 4 officers fired over Floyd's death, but so far he's the only one arrested and charged. Chauvin was the cop who pressed his knee on Floyd's neck for close to 9 minutes ... including more than 2 minutes after Floyd was unresponsive.
Still, there's outrage that the other cops have still not being arrested. The entire incident -- along with other cases of black people being unjustly killed -- has incited several straight days of protests, riots, looting, violence and destruction across several major cities in the U.S.
Gallery Remembering George Floyd Launch Gallery Originally published -- 7:07 AM PT
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