Clean up symbols of hate during the 'black lives matter' movement sweeps across the countries. Watch this video to know more on this.

'Clean up' symbols of hate beside the 'black lives matter' movement sweeps across the countries

A flip side has been seen of protest against police brutality. The police officials also protested against the new rules in Paris. Watch this video to know more.

Flip side of protest against police brutality, police officials protest against new rules in Paris

A woman has been caught on video harassing a Filipino American woman as she exercised at a Southern California park, the latest in a string of racist incidents widely shared on social media.

The footage was recorded on Wednesday by a young woman in the coastal city of Torrance and has been&nbsp;viewed thousands of times online.

"Get the f*** out of this world, get the f*** out of this state and go back to whatever f****** Asian country you belong in," the woman says in the video.

The clip captures part of the encounter with an unidentified older woman, who is seen yelling at the younger Filipino American woman for allegedly blocking stairs to exercise.

"You're going to get your a** kicked by my family," the older woman says in the video.&nbsp;

"This is not your place! This is not your home! We do not want you here."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dont-know-if-her-life-needed-to-be-torn-apart-what-mr-cooper-thinks-of-his-now-famous-racist-encounter-with-a-white-lady-301647">Also read |&nbsp;'Don’t know if her life needed to be torn apart': What Mr Cooper thinks of his now-famous racist encounter with a white lady</a> 
​ 
The encounter comes in the wake of anti-racism protests following the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd, a black man.

"I was minding my own business," the Filipino American woman said.&nbsp;

"I thought this would never happen to me. I thought if you just mind your business, nothing could happen."

"I don't feel safe here now," she said. "It was somewhere I called home because it reminds me of Hawaii, where I was born and raised, and now I just don't even want to go out."

"So, I was working out -- I like to jump on the stairs and just go side to side, so I was just doing that -- and all of a sudden I see her and she goes around another Asian lady doing Tai Chi and then walks down those stairs and then goes up my stairs and then comes back down and kind of like nudges me on my left shoulder, and that's when I said, 'Oh Jesus,'" she said.

"And then she went back up on to the stairs and started yelling at me," she said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-residents-in-north-carolina-wash-black-preists-feet-during-prayers-for-george-floyd-304362">Also read |&nbsp;White residents in North Carolina wash black preists' feet during prayers for George Floyd</a>

The woman filed a criminal threat report on Thursday and an investigation is underway.

According to census data, 36.6% of Torrance's population identifies as Asian. It is the second largest racial group in the city, which is home to one of the largest Japanese American populations in the United States.

(with inputs from CNN)

A woman has been caught on video harassing a Filipino American woman as she exercised at a Southern California park, the latest in a string of racist incidents widely shared on social media.

A woman has been caught on video harassing a Filipino American woman as she exercised at a Southern California park, the latest in a string of racist incidents widely shared on social media. The footage was recorded on Wednesday by a young woman in the coastal city of Torrance and has been viewed thousands of times online. "Get the f*** out of this world, get the f*** out of this state and go back to whatever f****** Asian country you belong in," the woman says in the video. The clip captures part of the encounter with an unidentified older woman, who is seen yelling at the younger Filipino American woman for allegedly blocking stairs to exercise. "You're going to get your a** kicked by my family," the older woman says in the video. "This is not your place! This is not your home! We do not want you here." Also read | 'Don’t know if her life needed to be torn apart': What Mr Cooper thinks of his now-famous racist encounter with a white lady The encounter comes in the wake of anti-racism protests following the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd, a black man. "I was minding my own business," the Filipino American woman said. "I thought this would never happen to me. I thought if you just mind your business, nothing could happen." "I don't feel safe here now," she said. "It was somewhere I called home because it reminds me of Hawaii, where I was born and raised, and now I just don't even want to go out." "So, I was working out -- I like to jump on the stairs and just go side to side, so I was just doing that -- and all of a sudden I see her and she goes around another Asian lady doing Tai Chi and then walks down those stairs and then goes up my stairs and then comes back down and kind of like nudges me on my left shoulder, and that's when I said, 'Oh Jesus,'" she said. "And then she went back up on to the stairs and started yelling at me," she said. Also read | White residents in North Carolina wash black preists' feet during prayers for George Floyd The woman filed a criminal threat report on Thursday and an investigation is underway. According to census data, 36.6% of Torrance's population identifies as Asian. It is the second largest racial group in the city, which is home to one of the largest Japanese American populations in the United States. (with inputs from CNN)

Another American captured on video harassing a non-white woman exercising in a park

As people flocked to the streets in Taiwan to show support to the 'Black lives matter' campaign that recently came to spotlight in the US, hundreds of&nbsp;indigenous Taiwanese joined the protest to demand justice.

The 'Black lives matter' protests are to demand justice against the racism that minority groups in the US face. The presence of the&nbsp;indigenous Taiwanese in the protest marked the injustice faced by the island's&nbsp;original inhabitants.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-fighter-jets-enter-taiwans-airspace-given-verbal-warnings-304465">Also read|&nbsp;Chinese fighter jets enter Taiwan's airspace, given 'verbal warnings'</a>

The protest was a peaceful march attended by more than 500 people, with light police presence.

The protest was organised to show solidarity with the millions of people fighting in the US and other parts of the world against the injustice and discrimination faced by the African-American community all over the world, especially in the US.

Taiwan locals took this opportunity to highlight the problems faced by the locals in the country too.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-populist-mayor-of-kaohsiung-removed-after-heavy-defeat-in-recall-election-303894">Also read|&nbsp;Taiwan: Populist mayor of Kaohsiung removed after heavy defeat in recall election</a>

Savungaz Valincinan, an ethnic Bunun from central Taiwan, detailed the difficulty the&nbsp;indigenous Taiwanese faced, in the past and present,&nbsp;who make up less than 3 per cent of the island's population, and call for broad opposition to any form of discrimination.

She made it clear that the discrimination faced is not as bad as the African American community in the US, however, it still hurts and is unjust.

She alleged that the indigenous Taiwanese have to face discrimination when it comes to renting a house, or the usage of their language.

"We don't want any special treatment. What we want are the most basic rights that we deserve as human beings. We are coming out today to support this movement not because of sympathy - it is because we have also gone through the hurt of being discriminated against," she said.

(With inputs from Reuters)

As people flocked to the streets in Taiwan to show support to the 'Black lives matter' campaign that recently came to spotlight in the US, hundreds of indigenous Taiwanese joined the protest to demand justice.

As people flocked to the streets in Taiwan to show support to the 'Black lives matter' campaign that recently came to spotlight in the US, hundreds of indigenous Taiwanese joined the protest to demand justice. The 'Black lives matter' protests are to demand justice against the racism that minority groups in the US face. The presence of the indigenous Taiwanese in the protest marked the injustice faced by the island's original inhabitants. Also read| Chinese fighter jets enter Taiwan's airspace, given 'verbal warnings' The protest was a peaceful march attended by more than 500 people, with light police presence. The protest was organised to show solidarity with the millions of people fighting in the US and other parts of the world against the injustice and discrimination faced by the African-American community all over the world, especially in the US. Taiwan locals took this opportunity to highlight the problems faced by the locals in the country too. Also read| Taiwan: Populist mayor of Kaohsiung removed after heavy defeat in recall election Savungaz Valincinan, an ethnic Bunun from central Taiwan, detailed the difficulty the indigenous Taiwanese faced, in the past and present, who make up less than 3 per cent of the island's population, and call for broad opposition to any form of discrimination. She made it clear that the discrimination faced is not as bad as the African American community in the US, however, it still hurts and is unjust. She alleged that the indigenous Taiwanese have to face discrimination when it comes to renting a house, or the usage of their language. "We don't want any special treatment. What we want are the most basic rights that we deserve as human beings. We are coming out today to support this movement not because of sympathy - it is because we have also gone through the hurt of being discriminated against," she said. (With inputs from Reuters)

Indigenous Taiwanese demand justice in local Black Lives Matter protest

From Cecil Rhodes in England and Captain James Cook in Australia to Christopher Columbus in the United States and King Leopold II in Belgium, the imperialists are under attack, sometimes from the descendants of those they once colonised.

Anti-racism protestors are demanding their legacies be revisited and their often imposing statues be torn down and consigned to the trash heap of history.

The cause -- a sweeping global reassessment of history and racism triggered by the May 25 death of George Floyd, a black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes while detaining him.

Such is the anger that the movement has broadened to target colonialists, monarchs and explorers, who in some cases destroyed or enslaved local populations across the world in the European scramble for empire and treasure.

It has also reignited debate in the United States over symbols associated with the South's pro-slavery Confederacy.

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Opponents of the symbols, including monuments, memorials and the Confederate flag, consider them emblems of slavery, racism and US xenophobia. Supporters say they represent the South’s heritage and culture, and serve as a memorial to Confederate casualties during the 1861-65 Civil War.

In Britain, protestors pulled down a statue of Edward Colston, a 17th Century slave trader, in the English city of Bristol on Sunday and dumped it in the harbour. It has been retrieved and will be placed in a museum.

A statue of wartime leader Winston Churchill was scrawled with the words "was a racist" and obscene language during an anti-racist protest in central London on Sunday.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it was "absurd and shameful" that a Churchill statue should be at risk of attack, and that we should not "try to edit or censor our past." 
Italian explorer and colonialist Christopher Columbus was pulled down in Virginia on Tuesday.

In the northeastern French town of Lille, outrage over Floyd’s death has brought new energy to a campaign to remove a statue of General Louis Faidherbe, who played a role in the colonialisation of Algeria in the 1840s and was governor of Senegal under Napoleon III.

In France, along with George Floyd, protestors are chanting another name -- Adama Traore. He died on his 24th birthday in the year 2016.

The sister of the deceased black frenchman, Assa Traore, says, "George Floyd and my brother died in exactly the same way. Adama carried the weight of three gendarmes on his body. He suffered force to his abdomen -- that's what the police said on the evening of the death of my little brother."

In Australia, the movement is focussed on the mistreatment of indigenous natives.

This is, perhaps, the biggest anti-racist movement of the world in recent years. And there are bound to be chaos... But has anything been achieved without it?

From Cecil Rhodes in England and Captain James Cook in Australia to Christopher Columbus in the United States and King Leopold II in Belgium, the imperialists are under attack, sometimes from the descendants of those they once colonised.

From Cecil Rhodes in England and Captain James Cook in Australia to Christopher Columbus in the United States and King Leopold II in Belgium, the imperialists are under attack, sometimes from the descendants of those they once colonised. Anti-racism protestors are demanding their legacies be revisited and their often imposing statues be torn down and consigned to the trash heap of history. The cause -- a sweeping global reassessment of history and racism triggered by the May 25 death of George Floyd, a black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes while detaining him. Such is the anger that the movement has broadened to target colonialists, monarchs and explorers, who in some cases destroyed or enslaved local populations across the world in the European scramble for empire and treasure. It has also reignited debate in the United States over symbols associated with the South's pro-slavery Confederacy. Opponents of the symbols, including monuments, memorials and the Confederate flag, consider them emblems of slavery, racism and US xenophobia. Supporters say they represent the South’s heritage and culture, and serve as a memorial to Confederate casualties during the 1861-65 Civil War. In Britain, protestors pulled down a statue of Edward Colston, a 17th Century slave trader, in the English city of Bristol on Sunday and dumped it in the harbour. It has been retrieved and will be placed in a museum. A statue of wartime leader Winston Churchill was scrawled with the words "was a racist" and obscene language during an anti-racist protest in central London on Sunday. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it was "absurd and shameful" that a Churchill statue should be at risk of attack, and that we should not "try to edit or censor our past." Italian explorer and colonialist Christopher Columbus was pulled down in Virginia on Tuesday. In the northeastern French town of Lille, outrage over Floyd’s death has brought new energy to a campaign to remove a statue of General Louis Faidherbe, who played a role in the colonialisation of Algeria in the 1840s and was governor of Senegal under Napoleon III. In France, along with George Floyd, protestors are chanting another name -- Adama Traore. He died on his 24th birthday in the year 2016. The sister of the deceased black frenchman, Assa Traore, says, "George Floyd and my brother died in exactly the same way. Adama carried the weight of three gendarmes on his body. He suffered force to his abdomen -- that's what the police said on the evening of the death of my little brother." In Australia, the movement is focussed on the mistreatment of indigenous natives. This is, perhaps, the biggest anti-racist movement of the world in recent years. And there are bound to be chaos... But has anything been achieved without it?

Protestors target empire builders, Confederate symbols in biggest anti-racism movement since 1960s

Pockets of anti-racism protestors rallied again in various parts of Britain on Saturday as about 1,000 counter-demonstrators also took to London's streets vowing to protect historic monuments that have been targeted in recent days.

Police warned some people may bring weapons, while statues of historical figures including Winston Churchill - Britain's World War Two leader whom demonstrators call a racist - were boarded up to avoid becoming flashpoints.

Demonstrations have been taking place around the world over the death of African American George Floyd in Minneapolis after a white policeman knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.

In Britain, debate is raging over monuments to those involved in the nation's imperialist past, especially after the statue of slave trader Edward Colston was torn down and thrown into the harbour of Bristol port last weekend.

Police said on Saturday that some people were planning to come to London to cause harm. They imposed route restrictions on both groups and said rallies must end by 5 pm (1600 GMT).

"Anyone who thinks they can commit a crime or vandalise property will be arrested," Commander Bas Javid said in a statement.

"MY CULTURE UNDER ATTACK"

In and around Parliament Square in central London, hundreds of people wearing football shirts, chanting "England, England", and describing themselves as patriots, gathered alongside military veterans to guard the Cenotaph war memorial.

The group sang songs in support of right-wing activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who goes by the name of Tommy Robinson.

"Winston Churchill, he's one of our own," they also chanted, near his statue which last weekend was sprayed with graffiti reading: "Churchill was a racist".

"My culture is under attack. This is my culture and my English history: why should Churchill be boarded up? Why is the Cenotaph attacked? It is not right," said David Allen, one of the protestors.

About two miles away, around 20 anti-racism protestors gathered at Hyde Park, holding Black Lives Matter placards, even though organisers had told them not to attend fearing clashes.

There were also rallies in major northern English cities like Liverpool and Newcastle, with many protestors donning masks due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Pockets of anti-racism protestors rallied again in various parts of Britain on Saturday as about 1,000 counter-demonstrators also took to London's streets vowing to protect historic monuments that have been targeted in recent days.

Pockets of anti-racism protestors rallied again in various parts of Britain on Saturday as about 1,000 counter-demonstrators also took to London's streets vowing to protect historic monuments that have been targeted in recent days. Police warned some people may bring weapons, while statues of historical figures including Winston Churchill - Britain's World War Two leader whom demonstrators call a racist - were boarded up to avoid becoming flashpoints. Demonstrations have been taking place around the world over the death of African American George Floyd in Minneapolis after a white policeman knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. In Britain, debate is raging over monuments to those involved in the nation's imperialist past, especially after the statue of slave trader Edward Colston was torn down and thrown into the harbour of Bristol port last weekend. Police said on Saturday that some people were planning to come to London to cause harm. They imposed route restrictions on both groups and said rallies must end by 5 pm (1600 GMT). "Anyone who thinks they can commit a crime or vandalise property will be arrested," Commander Bas Javid said in a statement. "MY CULTURE UNDER ATTACK" In and around Parliament Square in central London, hundreds of people wearing football shirts, chanting "England, England", and describing themselves as patriots, gathered alongside military veterans to guard the Cenotaph war memorial. The group sang songs in support of right-wing activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who goes by the name of Tommy Robinson. "Winston Churchill, he's one of our own," they also chanted, near his statue which last weekend was sprayed with graffiti reading: "Churchill was a racist". "My culture is under attack. This is my culture and my English history: why should Churchill be boarded up? Why is the Cenotaph attacked? It is not right," said David Allen, one of the protestors. About two miles away, around 20 anti-racism protestors gathered at Hyde Park, holding Black Lives Matter placards, even though organisers had told them not to attend fearing clashes. There were also rallies in major northern English cities like Liverpool and Newcastle, with many protestors donning masks due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Anti-racism and right-wing protestors rally in Britain

The Minneapolis City Council on Friday unanimously passed a resolution to pursue a community-led public safety system to replace the police department in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd at the hands of the city's police.

The move comes days after a veto-proof majority of the council voted to disband the police department after the country erupted in protest over the killing of Floyd, a black man who died when a white police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.

According to the resolution, the city council will begin a year-long process of engaging "with every willing community member in Minneapolis" to come up with a new public safety model.

"The murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, by Minneapolis police officers is a tragedy that shows that no amount of reforms will prevent lethal violence and abuse by some members of the Police Department against members of our community, especially Black people and people of color," five council members wrote in the resolution.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/minneapolis-council-votes-to-dismantle-police-over-george-floyds-death-304094">Also read |&nbsp;Minneapolis council votes to dismantle police over George Floyd's death</a>

The movement to “defund the police” has won new support since a video of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin pressing his knee to the neck of Floyd horrified viewers around the world.

More than a dozen Minneapolis police officers published an open letter on Thursday to condemn the actions of Chauvin and express support for police reforms, the Star Tribune reported.

The city's mayor, Jacob Frey, said this week he supported "massive structural reform to revise a structurally racist system."

(with inputs from Reuters)

The Minneapolis City Council on Friday unanimously passed a resolution to pursue a community-led public safety system to replace the police department in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd at the hands of the city's police.

The Minneapolis City Council on Friday unanimously passed a resolution to pursue a community-led public safety system to replace the police department in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd at the hands of the city's police. The move comes days after a veto-proof majority of the council voted to disband the police department after the country erupted in protest over the killing of Floyd, a black man who died when a white police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. According to the resolution, the city council will begin a year-long process of engaging "with every willing community member in Minneapolis" to come up with a new public safety model. "The murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, by Minneapolis police officers is a tragedy that shows that no amount of reforms will prevent lethal violence and abuse by some members of the Police Department against members of our community, especially Black people and people of color," five council members wrote in the resolution. Also read | Minneapolis council votes to dismantle police over George Floyd's death The movement to “defund the police” has won new support since a video of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin pressing his knee to the neck of Floyd horrified viewers around the world. More than a dozen Minneapolis police officers published an open letter on Thursday to condemn the actions of Chauvin and express support for police reforms, the Star Tribune reported. The city's mayor, Jacob Frey, said this week he supported "massive structural reform to revise a structurally racist system." (with inputs from Reuters)

Minneapolis police department to be replaced with community-led model

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin could receive more than $1 million in pension benefits during his retirement years even if he is convicted of killing George Floyd.

The death of Floyd, a black man, on May 25 has become the latest flashpoint for rage over police brutality against African Americans, propelling the issue of race to the top of the political agenda ahead of the US presidential election on November 3.

Chauvin has been the subject of national fury since last month, when footage emerged of him kneeling on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes even as he begged him to stop. He was subsequently fired from the department where he had worked since 2001 amid national protests, and was eventually charged with second-degree murder. Three other officers involved with the incident were also fired and face felony charges.

But Chauvin still stands to benefit from a pension partially funded by taxpayers.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hes-going-to-change-the-world-george-floyd-hailed-at-funeral-304921">Also read |&nbsp;'He's going to change the world': George Floyd hailed at funeral</a>

The Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association confirmed to CNN that 44-year-old Chauvin would remain eligible to file for his pension as early as age 50.

Chauvin would likely be eligible for annual payments in the ballpark of $50,000 a year or more if he chose to start receiving them at age 55, according to a CNN analysis based on Chauvin's tenure, 2019 payroll data, contract details, pension plan guidance and Minneapolis Police Department salary schedules. The benefits could stretch to $1.5 million or more over a 30-year period, not including any cost of living increases.&nbsp;

Chauvin's annual payments could be even higher if he received significant amounts of overtime in prior years.

While a number of state laws allow for the forfeiture of pensions for those employees convicted of felony crimes related to their work, this is not the case in Minnesota.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-its-a-great-day-for-george-floyd-in-an-unprepared-address-303748">Also read |&nbsp;Trump says it's a 'great day' for George Floyd in an unprepared address</a>

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin could receive more than $1 million in pension benefits during his retirement years even if he is convicted of killing George Floyd.

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin could receive more than $1 million in pension benefits during his retirement years even if he is convicted of killing George Floyd. The death of Floyd, a black man, on May 25 has become the latest flashpoint for rage over police brutality against African Americans, propelling the issue of race to the top of the political agenda ahead of the US presidential election on November 3. Chauvin has been the subject of national fury since last month, when footage emerged of him kneeling on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes even as he begged him to stop. He was subsequently fired from the department where he had worked since 2001 amid national protests, and was eventually charged with second-degree murder. Three other officers involved with the incident were also fired and face felony charges. But Chauvin still stands to benefit from a pension partially funded by taxpayers. Also read | 'He's going to change the world': George Floyd hailed at funeral The Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association confirmed to CNN that 44-year-old Chauvin would remain eligible to file for his pension as early as age 50. Chauvin would likely be eligible for annual payments in the ballpark of $50,000 a year or more if he chose to start receiving them at age 55, according to a CNN analysis based on Chauvin's tenure, 2019 payroll data, contract details, pension plan guidance and Minneapolis Police Department salary schedules. The benefits could stretch to $1.5 million or more over a 30-year period, not including any cost of living increases. Chauvin's annual payments could be even higher if he received significant amounts of overtime in prior years. While a number of state laws allow for the forfeiture of pensions for those employees convicted of felony crimes related to their work, this is not the case in Minnesota. Also read | Trump says it's a 'great day' for George Floyd in an unprepared address

Officer charged with killing George Floyd eligible for pension worth more than $1 million

UK Home Secretary Priti Patel, who had recently shared her experience about facing racial abuse while growing up in Britan, has said that she will not be "silenced" by the Labour Party MPs.&nbsp;

The opposition has accused Ms Patel of using her Indian heritage to "gaslight" the "very real racism" faced by communities in Britain.

In a statement in the House of Commons earlier this week, the Indian-origin cabinet minister had spoken about her personal experience of racial abuse while growing up as an ethnic minority in the UK.

A group of 12 ethnic minority Labour Party parliamentarians, including Indian-origin Virendra Sharma, Tan Dhesi, Preet Kaur Gill, Valerie Vaz, Seema Malhotra and Nadia Whittome, wrote to Priti Patel on Thursday saying, "Being a person of colour does not automatically make you an authority on all forms of racism".

"We write to you as Black Asian and Ethnic Minority Labour MPs to highlight our dismay at the way you used your heritage and experiences of racism to gaslight the very real racism faced by Black people and communities across the UK," the MPs wrote.

Gaslighting refers to a form of psychological manipulation where seeds of doubt are planted against a particular idea.

In response to the letter, Priti Patel on Twitter said, "I will not be silenced by @UKLabour MPs who continue to dismiss the contributions of those who don't conform to their view of how ethnic minorities should behave."

A day after clashes broke out between Black Lives Matter protesters and police officers, Ms Patel had condemned the violence perpetrated by a minority of protesters in an address in the House of Commons.

Ms Patel retaliated with references to her own experiences when an Opposition Labour Party MP questioned whether she fully understood the "anger and frustration" felt by anti-racism demonstrators protesting against the brutal killing of African-American George Floyd in police custody in US.

The minister, born to Gujarati-origin parents who fled Uganda for the UK when dictator Idi Amin expelled Asians from the African country in the early 1970s, said: "On that basis, it must have been a very different Home Secretary who as a child was frequently called a Paki in the playground; a very different Home Secretary who was racially abused in the streets or even advised to drop her surname and use her husband's in order to advance her career... so when it comes to racism, sexism, tolerance or social justice, I will not take lectures from the those other sides of the House."

In their complaint letter, the group of 12 Labour MPs demand that Patel "reflect" on her words and the impact it had on black communities in the UK.

"Structures of racism, hatred and equality have many layers and therefore, whilst it is true, there are some experiences of racism that we all face, there are also some experiences of racism that we all do not face," reads the letter.

UK Home Secretary Priti Patel, who had recently shared her experience about facing racial abuse while growing up in Britan, has said that she will not be "silenced" by the Labour Party MPs.

UK Home Secretary Priti Patel, who had recently shared her experience about facing racial abuse while growing up in Britan, has said that she will not be "silenced" by the Labour Party MPs. The opposition has accused Ms Patel of using her Indian heritage to "gaslight" the "very real racism" faced by communities in Britain. In a statement in the House of Commons earlier this week, the Indian-origin cabinet minister had spoken about her personal experience of racial abuse while growing up as an ethnic minority in the UK. A group of 12 ethnic minority Labour Party parliamentarians, including Indian-origin Virendra Sharma, Tan Dhesi, Preet Kaur Gill, Valerie Vaz, Seema Malhotra and Nadia Whittome, wrote to Priti Patel on Thursday saying, "Being a person of colour does not automatically make you an authority on all forms of racism". "We write to you as Black Asian and Ethnic Minority Labour MPs to highlight our dismay at the way you used your heritage and experiences of racism to gaslight the very real racism faced by Black people and communities across the UK," the MPs wrote. Gaslighting refers to a form of psychological manipulation where seeds of doubt are planted against a particular idea. In response to the letter, Priti Patel on Twitter said, "I will not be silenced by @UKLabour MPs who continue to dismiss the contributions of those who don't conform to their view of how ethnic minorities should behave." A day after clashes broke out between Black Lives Matter protesters and police officers, Ms Patel had condemned the violence perpetrated by a minority of protesters in an address in the House of Commons. Ms Patel retaliated with references to her own experiences when an Opposition Labour Party MP questioned whether she fully understood the "anger and frustration" felt by anti-racism demonstrators protesting against the brutal killing of African-American George Floyd in police custody in US. The minister, born to Gujarati-origin parents who fled Uganda for the UK when dictator Idi Amin expelled Asians from the African country in the early 1970s, said: "On that basis, it must have been a very different Home Secretary who as a child was frequently called a Paki in the playground; a very different Home Secretary who was racially abused in the streets or even advised to drop her surname and use her husband's in order to advance her career... so when it comes to racism, sexism, tolerance or social justice, I will not take lectures from the those other sides of the House." In their complaint letter, the group of 12 Labour MPs demand that Patel "reflect" on her words and the impact it had on black communities in the UK. "Structures of racism, hatred and equality have many layers and therefore, whilst it is true, there are some experiences of racism that we all face, there are also some experiences of racism that we all do not face," reads the letter.

Won't be silenced: Priti Patel as UK opposition MPs accuse her of 'Gaslighting' racism

As protests over racism and police brutality roil the country, Democrats are putting more importance in Joe Biden choosing a black candidate or a woman of colour as his running mate.

The widescale uprisings have reshaped the national dialogue around Biden’s&nbsp;search&nbsp;for a running mate and made the issue of an African American vice presidential nominee a top consideration for the campaign.

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Biden’s list of contenders includes Sen. Kamala Harris of California, Florida Rep. Val Demings and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.

All three have seen their public profiles rise in recent weeks. Harris, the lone VP contender to have run against Biden in the primary, also saw her favorability among Democrats rise in the poll. Meantime, public attention on Bottoms has grown since her well-reviewed speech after massive protests and looting descended on her city.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-extends-lead-over-donald-trump-as-55-americans-back-him-for-presidency-survey-304298https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-extends-lead-over-donald-trump-as-55-americans-back-him-for-presidency-survey-304298">Joe Biden extends lead over Donald Trump as 55% Americans back him for presidency: Survey</a>

With the focus turning to police reform, Demings, a former metropolitan police chief, and Harris, a former district attorney and state attorney general, have leaned on their personal experiences despite the potential for backlash.

Both argue that their careers, which became a burden for Harris in the primary, are an asset in their efforts to overhaul law enforcement.

Other African American women under consideration include former national security adviser Susan Rice and Stacey Abrams, a former Democratic state House leader in Georgia who narrowly lost a race for governor in 2018.

Amid nationwide protests sweeping the nation calling for systemic change following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis at the hands of police, former vice president and presumptive Democratic Nominee Joe Biden is aware of the increased calls for him to choose a woman of color as his running mate, according to Biden’s senior adviser, Symone Sanders.

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-will-appoint-a-woman-as-vice-president-if-elected-president-biden-286568">&nbsp;I will appoint a woman as vice president, if elected president: Biden</a>

"He absolutely is. He hears the concerns of folks across this country who have asked for an African American woman vice president running mate, but also folks from the Latino community have said he should pick a Latina. There are folks that believe he should pick someone that represents the LGBTQ+ community," Sanders said in an appearance on ABC’s "The View" on Wednesday.

“Your points are well taken, and I will have to tell you that if you were to ask Joe Biden today, he would say he doesn't know who he's going to pick, but he can promise you that the person he will pick will be ready to govern on day one, will mirror the relationship he and President Obama had, and it could be a black woman but we just don't know yet. We'll have to wait and see,” Sanders added.

The campaign is also seeking to draw a sharp contrast with President Donald Trump as calls for tangible police reform grow, and Sanders argued Wednesday that the president had “abdicated” leadership on the issue and is instead “hiding in a bunker,” a reference to reports that Trump was taken to a secure location in the White House due to growing protests in the vicinity of the complex earlier this month.

"We believe that Donald Trump has abdicated his position of leadership. When Vice President Biden was out touring the unrest that happened in his own city just a couple miles from where he lived in Wilmington, Delaware last week, where was Donald Trump? He was in a bunker...hiding in a bunker," Sanders said.

Sanders also pointed to criticism of Trump from former top defense officials like former Defense Secretary James Mattis as evidence that there is a growing attitude even among Republicans that the president must be defeated in November.
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As protests over racism and police brutality roil the country, Democrats are putting more importance in Joe Biden choosing a black candidate or a woman of colour as his running mate.

As protests over racism and police brutality roil the country, Democrats are putting more importance in Joe Biden choosing a black candidate or a woman of colour as his running mate. The widescale uprisings have reshaped the national dialogue around Biden’s search for a running mate and made the issue of an African American vice presidential nominee a top consideration for the campaign. Biden’s list of contenders includes Sen. Kamala Harris of California, Florida Rep. Val Demings and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. All three have seen their public profiles rise in recent weeks. Harris, the lone VP contender to have run against Biden in the primary, also saw her favorability among Democrats rise in the poll. Meantime, public attention on Bottoms has grown since her well-reviewed speech after massive protests and looting descended on her city. Also read: Joe Biden extends lead over Donald Trump as 55% Americans back him for presidency: Survey With the focus turning to police reform, Demings, a former metropolitan police chief, and Harris, a former district attorney and state attorney general, have leaned on their personal experiences despite the potential for backlash. Both argue that their careers, which became a burden for Harris in the primary, are an asset in their efforts to overhaul law enforcement. Other African American women under consideration include former national security adviser Susan Rice and Stacey Abrams, a former Democratic state House leader in Georgia who narrowly lost a race for governor in 2018. Amid nationwide protests sweeping the nation calling for systemic change following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis at the hands of police, former vice president and presumptive Democratic Nominee Joe Biden is aware of the increased calls for him to choose a woman of color as his running mate, according to Biden’s senior adviser, Symone Sanders. Also read: I will appoint a woman as vice president, if elected president: Biden "He absolutely is. He hears the concerns of folks across this country who have asked for an African American woman vice president running mate, but also folks from the Latino community have said he should pick a Latina. There are folks that believe he should pick someone that represents the LGBTQ+ community," Sanders said in an appearance on ABC’s "The View" on Wednesday. “Your points are well taken, and I will have to tell you that if you were to ask Joe Biden today, he would say he doesn't know who he's going to pick, but he can promise you that the person he will pick will be ready to govern on day one, will mirror the relationship he and President Obama had, and it could be a black woman but we just don't know yet. We'll have to wait and see,” Sanders added. The campaign is also seeking to draw a sharp contrast with President Donald Trump as calls for tangible police reform grow, and Sanders argued Wednesday that the president had “abdicated” leadership on the issue and is instead “hiding in a bunker,” a reference to reports that Trump was taken to a secure location in the White House due to growing protests in the vicinity of the complex earlier this month. "We believe that Donald Trump has abdicated his position of leadership. When Vice President Biden was out touring the unrest that happened in his own city just a couple miles from where he lived in Wilmington, Delaware last week, where was Donald Trump? He was in a bunker...hiding in a bunker," Sanders said. Sanders also pointed to criticism of Trump from former top defense officials like former Defense Secretary James Mattis as evidence that there is a growing attitude even among Republicans that the president must be defeated in November.

Biden may select black woman candidate for post of vice president

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday it was "absurd and shameful" that a statue of Winston Churchill was at risk of attack by protestors, some of whom daubed the words "was a racist" at an earlier anti-racism demonstration.

Monuments have become major focus&nbsp;of contention in demonstrations sparked by the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer who knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes.

"It is absurd and shameful that this national monument should today be at risk of attack by violent protestors," the British leader wrote on Twitter.

"Yes, he sometimes expressed opinions that were and are unacceptable to us today, but he was a hero, and he fully deserves his memorial. We cannot now try to edit or censor our past. We cannot pretend to have a different history," he said, calling on people to avoid protests planned this weekend.

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The statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square is a permanent reminder of his achievement in saving this country – and the whole of Europe – from a fascist and racist tyranny. 1/8
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But it is clear that the protests have been sadly hijacked by extremists intent on violence. The attacks on the police and indiscriminate acts of violence which we have witnessed over the last week are intolerable and they are abhorrent. 7/8
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Meanwhile, authorities in London have boarded up the statue ahead of expected rival demonstrations by anti-racism and far-right protestors.

A protective plywood screen has been erected around Churchill's statue outside Parliament. Authorities also fenced off the nearby Cenotaph, a memorial to Britain's war dead.

Several other statues have been defaced around the country.

The statue of Mahatma Gandhi in London's Parliament Square has also been covered and boarded up ahead of another set of planned protests.

The Mayor's office confirmed that Gandhi's statue is also among the monuments being protected. Graffiti with the word "racist" near the statue at Parliament Square, which wasn't on the actual plinth as in the case of Churchill's sculpture, had evoked some anguish on social media among Indian diaspora groups.

Since then, a new petition calling for the removal of another Gandhi statue in the UK city of Leicester has attracted thousands of signatures, also triggering countering reactions.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/activists-remove-statue-of-belgian-colonial-king-leopold-ii-in-brussels-305403">Also read |&nbsp;Activists remove statue of Belgian colonial King Leopold II in Brussels</a>

Earlier, a statue of slave trader Edward Colston was hauled from its plinth by protestors in the English port city of Bristol on Sunday and dumped in the harbour.

A Black Lives Matter group in London said it was calling off a planned protest on Saturday because the presence of far-right activists would make it unsafe. Another anti-racism protest Friday is set to go ahead.

&nbsp;

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday it was "absurd and shameful" that a statue of Winston Churchill was at risk of attack by protestors, some of whom daubed the words "was a racist" at an earlier anti-racism demonstration.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday it was "absurd and shameful" that a statue of Winston Churchill was at risk of attack by protestors, some of whom daubed the words "was a racist" at an earlier anti-racism demonstration. Monuments have become major focus of contention in demonstrations sparked by the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer who knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes. "It is absurd and shameful that this national monument should today be at risk of attack by violent protestors," the British leader wrote on Twitter. "Yes, he sometimes expressed opinions that were and are unacceptable to us today, but he was a hero, and he fully deserves his memorial. We cannot now try to edit or censor our past. We cannot pretend to have a different history," he said, calling on people to avoid protests planned this weekend. The statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square is a permanent reminder of his achievement in saving this country – and the whole of Europe – from a fascist and racist tyranny. 1/8 — Boris Johnson #StayAlert (@BorisJohnson) June 12, 2020 × But it is clear that the protests have been sadly hijacked by extremists intent on violence. The attacks on the police and indiscriminate acts of violence which we have witnessed over the last week are intolerable and they are abhorrent. 7/8 — Boris Johnson #StayAlert (@BorisJohnson) June 12, 2020 × Meanwhile, authorities in London have boarded up the statue ahead of expected rival demonstrations by anti-racism and far-right protestors. A protective plywood screen has been erected around Churchill's statue outside Parliament. Authorities also fenced off the nearby Cenotaph, a memorial to Britain's war dead. Several other statues have been defaced around the country. The statue of Mahatma Gandhi in London's Parliament Square has also been covered and boarded up ahead of another set of planned protests. The Mayor's office confirmed that Gandhi's statue is also among the monuments being protected. Graffiti with the word "racist" near the statue at Parliament Square, which wasn't on the actual plinth as in the case of Churchill's sculpture, had evoked some anguish on social media among Indian diaspora groups. Since then, a new petition calling for the removal of another Gandhi statue in the UK city of Leicester has attracted thousands of signatures, also triggering countering reactions. Also read | Activists remove statue of Belgian colonial King Leopold II in Brussels Earlier, a statue of slave trader Edward Colston was hauled from its plinth by protestors in the English port city of Bristol on Sunday and dumped in the harbour. A Black Lives Matter group in London said it was calling off a planned protest on Saturday because the presence of far-right activists would make it unsafe. Another anti-racism protest Friday is set to go ahead.

Statues of Churchill, Gandhi at risk of attack by anti-racism protestors; UK PM terms it shameful

President Donald Trump defended his decision to resume campaign rallies next week on a day marking the end of US&nbsp;slavery and at the site of a black massacre 100 years ago, saying it would be a celebration.

The Republican president drew criticism for scheduling the rally on June 19, known as Juneteenth, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where white mobs attacked black citizens and businesses in one of the country’s bloodiest outbreaks of racist violence.

The rally will take place amid a backdrop of widespread protests against racism in the country after the death of a 46-year-old black man at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, who is accused of murdering him. Trump has been criticized for trying to militarize the US&nbsp;response to the protests.

"Think about it as a celebration," Trump told Fox News in an interview broadcast on Friday, in which he then boasted about the size of his campaign rallies.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-campaign-says-supporters-should-attend-his-rally-at-their-own-risk-305266">Also read |&nbsp;Trump campaign says supporters should attend his rally at 'their own risk'</a>

In the interview, Trump denied the Juneteenth date for the rally was on purpose.

The Fox interviewer, an African American, later said she was not sure if he was aware of the painful history of Tulsa to black Americans because her questions in the interview, which took place on Thursday, focused on the Juneteenth aspect of the visit.

Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States in 1865 and is celebrated as African Americans’ Independence Day.

"This isn`t just a wink to white supremacists - he's throwing them a welcome home party,” Senator Kamala Harris, a contender to be Joe Biden`s vice presidential pick, said on Twitter on Thursday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-plans-to-sidestep-another-arms-pact-to-sell-more-us-drones-305386">Also read |&nbsp;Trump plans to sidestep another arms pact to sell more US drones</a>

On Thursday, the Republican Party scheduled Trump`s speech accepting the Republican presidential nomination in Jacksonville on August&nbsp;27. That day will mark the 60th anniversary of what is called "Ax Handle Saturday," when a white mob wielding ax handles began a riot over black youth attempting to order food from a whites-only lunch counter in the Florida city.

President Donald Trump defended his decision to resume campaign rallies next week on a day marking the end of US slavery and at the site of a black massacre 100 years ago, saying it would be a celebration.

President Donald Trump defended his decision to resume campaign rallies next week on a day marking the end of US slavery and at the site of a black massacre 100 years ago, saying it would be a celebration. The Republican president drew criticism for scheduling the rally on June 19, known as Juneteenth, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where white mobs attacked black citizens and businesses in one of the country’s bloodiest outbreaks of racist violence. The rally will take place amid a backdrop of widespread protests against racism in the country after the death of a 46-year-old black man at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, who is accused of murdering him. Trump has been criticized for trying to militarize the US response to the protests. "Think about it as a celebration," Trump told Fox News in an interview broadcast on Friday, in which he then boasted about the size of his campaign rallies. Also read | Trump campaign says supporters should attend his rally at 'their own risk' In the interview, Trump denied the Juneteenth date for the rally was on purpose. The Fox interviewer, an African American, later said she was not sure if he was aware of the painful history of Tulsa to black Americans because her questions in the interview, which took place on Thursday, focused on the Juneteenth aspect of the visit. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States in 1865 and is celebrated as African Americans’ Independence Day. "This isn`t just a wink to white supremacists - he's throwing them a welcome home party,” Senator Kamala Harris, a contender to be Joe Biden`s vice presidential pick, said on Twitter on Thursday. Also read | Trump plans to sidestep another arms pact to sell more US drones On Thursday, the Republican Party scheduled Trump`s speech accepting the Republican presidential nomination in Jacksonville on August 27. That day will mark the 60th anniversary of what is called "Ax Handle Saturday," when a white mob wielding ax handles began a riot over black youth attempting to order food from a whites-only lunch counter in the Florida city.

'Think about it as a celebration': Trump on Juneteenth rally

A statue of Belgium's King Leopold II was removed from its plinth by activists in Brussels during Thursday night.

A Reuters journalist found only an empty plinth in the Auderghem neighbourhood on Friday and no sign of the statue of the king, who ruled the Congo Free State for much of his reign from 1865 to 1909.

Statues of the colonial-era monarch, whose troops killed and maimed millions of people in Congo, have become a focus of anger and debate in Belgium amid worldwide protests that followed the killing of black American George Floyd on May 25.

A number of representations of Leopold II have been vandalised, with statues burnt and daubed in red paint.

Separately, a statue of King Baudouin - Belgium's second-longest reigning monarch after Leopold II - was found smeared bright red in a park in front of Brussels' Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula on Friday. The word "reparation" was painted on the back.

The municipality of Auderghem had a few days ago removed a sentence from a memorial that honoured "those who brought civilisation to Congo".

Demonstrations have swept the United States and there have been smaller protests across Europe since Floyd's death in police custody in Minneapolis.

A statue of Belgium's King Leopold II was removed from its plinth by activists in Brussels during Thursday night. A Reuters journalist found only an empty plinth in the Auderghem neighbourhood on Friday and no sign of the statue of the king, who ruled the Congo Free State for much of his reign from 1865 to 1909.

A statue of Belgium's King Leopold II was removed from its plinth by activists in Brussels during Thursday night. A Reuters journalist found only an empty plinth in the Auderghem neighbourhood on Friday and no sign of the statue of the king, who ruled the Congo Free State for much of his reign from 1865 to 1909. Statues of the colonial-era monarch, whose troops killed and maimed millions of people in Congo, have become a focus of anger and debate in Belgium amid worldwide protests that followed the killing of black American George Floyd on May 25. A number of representations of Leopold II have been vandalised, with statues burnt and daubed in red paint. Separately, a statue of King Baudouin - Belgium's second-longest reigning monarch after Leopold II - was found smeared bright red in a park in front of Brussels' Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula on Friday. The word "reparation" was painted on the back. The municipality of Auderghem had a few days ago removed a sentence from a memorial that honoured "those who brought civilisation to Congo". Demonstrations have swept the United States and there have been smaller protests across Europe since Floyd's death in police custody in Minneapolis.

Activists remove statue of Belgian colonial King Leopold II in Brussels

The English Premier League players are set to pay tribute to the worldwide anti-racism movements by replacing their surnames on the back of the shirts with the words “Black Lives Matter” during the opening round of fixtures of the British top-flight’s restart.&nbsp;

Apart from the words “Black Lives Matter”, the BLM logo will be printed on the front. The tribute by the Premier League players comes as the worldwide protests against racial injustice continue following the killing of an unarmed African-American man George Floyd under police custody, by a policeman, in Minneapolis on May 25.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-allows-transfer-windows-to-open-before-current-season-finishes-305328" hreflang="en">FIFA allows transfer windows to open before current season finishes</a>

Many Premier League clubs have taken a knee before the start of the training with photographs viral on social media. Players like Raheem Sterling, Antonio Rudiger among many others have been pretty vocal about racial discrimination while suffering the same on the field during high-profile matches.&nbsp;

Clubs will further respect one minute’s silece for those who have lost their lives during COVID-19 pandemic and the jerseys will have a heart-shaped badge in honour of NHS and frontline staff during crisis.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/la-liga-resumes-after-three-months-away-as-sevilla-defeat-betis-305325" hreflang="en">La Liga resumes after three months away as Sevilla defeat Betis</a>

The league is set to resume on June 17 after a three-month prolonged break due to the pandemic.

Manchester City will take on Arsenal whereas Sheffield United play Aston Villa in what will be the two matches of the remaining round before others take to the field across the weekend in Premier League. 
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The English Premier League players are set to pay tribute to the worldwide anti-racism movements by replacing their surnames on the back of the shirts with the words “Black Lives Matter” during the opening round of fixtures of the British top-flight’s restart.

The English Premier League players are set to pay tribute to the worldwide anti-racism movements by replacing their surnames on the back of the shirts with the words “Black Lives Matter” during the opening round of fixtures of the British top-flight’s restart. Apart from the words “Black Lives Matter”, the BLM logo will be printed on the front. The tribute by the Premier League players comes as the worldwide protests against racial injustice continue following the killing of an unarmed African-American man George Floyd under police custody, by a policeman, in Minneapolis on May 25. ALSO READ: FIFA allows transfer windows to open before current season finishes Many Premier League clubs have taken a knee before the start of the training with photographs viral on social media. Players like Raheem Sterling, Antonio Rudiger among many others have been pretty vocal about racial discrimination while suffering the same on the field during high-profile matches. Clubs will further respect one minute’s silece for those who have lost their lives during COVID-19 pandemic and the jerseys will have a heart-shaped badge in honour of NHS and frontline staff during crisis. ALSO READ: La Liga resumes after three months away as Sevilla defeat Betis The league is set to resume on June 17 after a three-month prolonged break due to the pandemic. Manchester City will take on Arsenal whereas Sheffield United play Aston Villa in what will be the two matches of the remaining round before others take to the field across the weekend in Premier League.

Player names to be replaced by 'Black Lives Matter' in Premier League's opening round

Apple Inc&nbsp;said on Thursday it will increase spending with black-owned suppliers as part of a $100 million racial equity and justice initiative, while Google-owned&nbsp;YouTube said it will spend $100 million to fund black artists.

The efforts join a wave of actions by big companies, including banks and retailers, aiming to show support for the black community as recent protests in the United States and elsewhere call attention to longstanding discrimination against African Americans.

The protests followed the May 25 death of George Floyd, a black man, while detained by Minneapolis police.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/do-black-lives-matter-yes-say-siri-alexa-and-google-assistant-305068">Do black lives matter? Yes, say Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant</a>

Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook in a video posted to Twitter said the iPhone maker seeks to increase minority representation among the firms it does business with.

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The unfinished work of racial justice and equality call us all to account. Things must change, and Apple's committed to being a force for that change. Today, I'm proud to announce Apple’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative, with a $100 million commitment. <a href="https://t.co/AoYafq2xlp">pic.twitter.com/AoYafq2xlp</a>
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) <a href="https://twitter.com/tim_cook/status/1271113929754685441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Other moves will include programs to foster black application developers and new initiatives to increase diversity and inclusion within Apple, Cook said.

YouTube Chief Executive Susan Wojcicki said in a blog post the video service would spend $100 million over multiple years on "amplifying and developing the voices of black creators and artists and their stories."

The fund's first video project, "Bear Witness, Take Action," will premiere on YouTube at 6 p.m. ET Saturday, Wojcicki said.

Apple Inc said on Thursday it will increase spending with black-owned suppliers as part of a $100 million racial equity and justice initiative, while Google-owned YouTube said it will spend $100 million to fund black artists.

Apple Inc said on Thursday it will increase spending with black-owned suppliers as part of a $100 million racial equity and justice initiative, while Google-owned YouTube said it will spend $100 million to fund black artists. The efforts join a wave of actions by big companies, including banks and retailers, aiming to show support for the black community as recent protests in the United States and elsewhere call attention to longstanding discrimination against African Americans. The protests followed the May 25 death of George Floyd, a black man, while detained by Minneapolis police. Also read: Do black lives matter? Yes, say Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook in a video posted to Twitter said the iPhone maker seeks to increase minority representation among the firms it does business with. The unfinished work of racial justice and equality call us all to account. Things must change, and Apple's committed to being a force for that change. Today, I'm proud to announce Apple’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative, with a $100 million commitment. pic.twitter.com/AoYafq2xlp — Tim Cook (@tim_cook) June 11, 2020 × Other moves will include programs to foster black application developers and new initiatives to increase diversity and inclusion within Apple, Cook said. YouTube Chief Executive Susan Wojcicki said in a blog post the video service would spend $100 million over multiple years on "amplifying and developing the voices of black creators and artists and their stories." The fund's first video project, "Bear Witness, Take Action," will premiere on YouTube at 6 p.m. ET Saturday, Wojcicki said.

Apple, YouTube unveil $100 million funds to support racial justice amid protests

The United States Soccer Federation said Wednesday it has scrapped a controversial policy banning players from kneeling during the national anthem.

In a statement, US Soccer said the rule introduced in 2017 was wrong, and reflected a failure of the federation to address the concerns of black people and minorities.

The USSF rule mandating that players must "stand respectfully" during the national anthem was introduced three years ago.

It came after US women's team star Megan Rapinoe knelt during the anthem at a 2016 international in a gesture of solidarity with former NFL star Colin Kaepernick.

"It has become clear that this policy was wrong and detracted from the important message of Black Lives Matter," the USSF said Wednesday as it announced the rule had been repealed.

"We have not done enough to listen - especially to our players - to understand and acknowledge the very real and meaningful experiences of Black and other minority communities in our country.&nbsp;

"We apologize to our players - especially our Black players - staff, fans, and all who support eradicating racism.&nbsp;

"Sports are a powerful platform for good, and we have not used our platform as effectively as we should have. We can do more on these specific issues and we will."

The USSF had faced mounting pressure to review the no-kneeling policy on the heels of nationwide protests which have swept through the United States following the death in police custody of unarmed black man George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25.

On Monday, the powerful United States Women's National Team Players Association had called on the USSF to repeal its policy and issue an apology.

Kaepernick's take-a-knee protest has become an emblematic expression of solidarity adopted during demonstrations which have rippled across the globe.

Kaepernick had begun kneeling during the anthem in August 2016 in order to draw attention to racial injustice following the deaths of several unarmed black men during confrontations with police.

He was later released by the San Francisco 49ers in early 2017 and has not played a minute in the NFL since.

US Soccer meanwhile said it would now allow its players to protest as they see fit.

"It should be, and will be going forward, up to our players to determine how they can best use their platforms to fight all forms of racism, discrimination, and inequality," the federation said.

"We are here for our players and are ready to support them in elevating their efforts to achieve social justice.&nbsp;

"We cannot change the past, but we can make a difference in the future. We are committed to this change effort, and we will be implementing supporting actions in the near future."

The United States Soccer Federation said Wednesday it has scrapped a controversial policy banning players from kneeling during the national anthem. In a statement, US Soccer said the rule introduced in 2017 was wrong, and reflected a failure of the federation to address the concerns of black people and minorities.

The United States Soccer Federation said Wednesday it has scrapped a controversial policy banning players from kneeling during the national anthem. In a statement, US Soccer said the rule introduced in 2017 was wrong, and reflected a failure of the federation to address the concerns of black people and minorities. The USSF rule mandating that players must "stand respectfully" during the national anthem was introduced three years ago. It came after US women's team star Megan Rapinoe knelt during the anthem at a 2016 international in a gesture of solidarity with former NFL star Colin Kaepernick. "It has become clear that this policy was wrong and detracted from the important message of Black Lives Matter," the USSF said Wednesday as it announced the rule had been repealed. "We have not done enough to listen - especially to our players - to understand and acknowledge the very real and meaningful experiences of Black and other minority communities in our country. "We apologize to our players - especially our Black players - staff, fans, and all who support eradicating racism. "Sports are a powerful platform for good, and we have not used our platform as effectively as we should have. We can do more on these specific issues and we will." The USSF had faced mounting pressure to review the no-kneeling policy on the heels of nationwide protests which have swept through the United States following the death in police custody of unarmed black man George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25. On Monday, the powerful United States Women's National Team Players Association had called on the USSF to repeal its policy and issue an apology. Kaepernick's take-a-knee protest has become an emblematic expression of solidarity adopted during demonstrations which have rippled across the globe. Kaepernick had begun kneeling during the anthem in August 2016 in order to draw attention to racial injustice following the deaths of several unarmed black men during confrontations with police. He was later released by the San Francisco 49ers in early 2017 and has not played a minute in the NFL since. US Soccer meanwhile said it would now allow its players to protest as they see fit. "It should be, and will be going forward, up to our players to determine how they can best use their platforms to fight all forms of racism, discrimination, and inequality," the federation said. "We are here for our players and are ready to support them in elevating their efforts to achieve social justice. "We cannot change the past, but we can make a difference in the future. We are committed to this change effort, and we will be implementing supporting actions in the near future."

US Soccer repeals anthem kneeling ban: official

A statue of Christopher Columbus in Richmond, US was torn down by anti-racism protestors, set on fire and then thrown into a lake.

A sign that reads -- Columbus represents genocide -- was placed on the spray-painted foundation that once held the statue after it was removed from its pedestal in the city's Byrd Park around 8:30 pm on Tuesday by protestors using several ropes.

Its toppling comes amid national protests over the death of George Floyd and several days after a statue of Confederate General Williams Carter Wickham was pulled from its pedestal in Monroe Park by demonstrators who also used ropes to tear it down.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-removes-slave-trader-robert-milligans-statue-outside-london-museum-304708">Also read |&nbsp;Britain removes slave trader Robert Milligan's statue outside London museum</a>

"We have to start where it all began. We have to start with the people who stood first on this land," activist Chelsea Higgs-Wise said during her speech to a crowd gathered at Byrd Park about the struggles of indigenous people and African-Americans in America.&nbsp;

The Columbus statue was dedicated in Richmond in December 1927, and had been the first statue of Christopher Columbus erected in the South.

<img alt="statue of Christopher Columbus in Richmond" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="18722506-46ef-43d7-8117-095d4d41e1c5" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/christopher-columbus.jpg" /> 
Beheaded statue of Christopher Columbus in Richmond

Native American advocates have long pressed states to change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day over concerns that Columbus spurred centuries of genocide against indigenous populations in the Americas.

<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/british-street-artist-banksy-unveils-new-artwork-for-toppled-statue-of-slave-trader-304722">Also read |&nbsp;British street artist Banksy unveils new artwork for toppled statue of slave trader</a>

Elsewhere, protestors in Portsmouth, Virginia, covered a Confederate monument in the city with trash bags and sheets Wednesday, several hours after the city's council members had a meeting to figure out ways to relocate it.

A white sheet that read "BLM" covered the fence in front of the monument hours after the Portsmouth city council met Tuesday to discuss who owns the figure. The question about who owns the monument has been the main roadblock in the city's years-long quest to remove it.

A statue of Christopher Columbus in Richmond, US was torn down by anti-racism protestors, set on fire and then thrown into a lake. A sign that reads -- Columbus represents genocide -- was placed on the spray-painted foundation that once held the statue after it was removed from its pedestal in the city's Byrd Park around 8:30 pm on Tuesday by protestors using several ropes.

A statue of Christopher Columbus in Richmond, US was torn down by anti-racism protestors, set on fire and then thrown into a lake. A sign that reads -- Columbus represents genocide -- was placed on the spray-painted foundation that once held the statue after it was removed from its pedestal in the city's Byrd Park around 8:30 pm on Tuesday by protestors using several ropes. Its toppling comes amid national protests over the death of George Floyd and several days after a statue of Confederate General Williams Carter Wickham was pulled from its pedestal in Monroe Park by demonstrators who also used ropes to tear it down. Also read | Britain removes slave trader Robert Milligan's statue outside London museum "We have to start where it all began. We have to start with the people who stood first on this land," activist Chelsea Higgs-Wise said during her speech to a crowd gathered at Byrd Park about the struggles of indigenous people and African-Americans in America. The Columbus statue was dedicated in Richmond in December 1927, and had been the first statue of Christopher Columbus erected in the South. Beheaded statue of Christopher Columbus in Richmond Native American advocates have long pressed states to change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day over concerns that Columbus spurred centuries of genocide against indigenous populations in the Americas. Also read | British street artist Banksy unveils new artwork for toppled statue of slave trader Elsewhere, protestors in Portsmouth, Virginia, covered a Confederate monument in the city with trash bags and sheets Wednesday, several hours after the city's council members had a meeting to figure out ways to relocate it. A white sheet that read "BLM" covered the fence in front of the monument hours after the Portsmouth city council met Tuesday to discuss who owns the figure. The question about who owns the monument has been the main roadblock in the city's years-long quest to remove it.

Statue of Christopher Columbus in US toppled, thrown in lake by anti-racism protestors

Digital assistance made by tech giants like Amazon, Apple, and Google has been updated after the 'Black Lives Matter' movement. Watch report.

Siri, Alexa, respond to whether black lives matter

Protesters toppled a statue of the president of the Confederacy in the Virginia state capital of Richmond late on Wednesday -- the latest US monument to be torn down during nationwide demonstrations demanding an end to racial injustice.

The May 25 killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the global wave of anti-racism protests that followed has reignited a campaign to remove statues and other symbols honouring Confederate leaders.

Footage posted on social media showed the statue of Jefferson Davis, president of the pro-slavery Confederate states during the 1861-65 US Civil War, being pulled into a tow truck and hauled away as people cheered. The base of the statue was covered with graffiti.

The monument stood along Richmond's Monument Avenue, which is lined statues of several prominent Confederate figures. The city served as capital of the Confederacy for almost all of the war.

Many Southerners defend the monuments as tributes to war dead and part of the country's history, and vigorously oppose their removal despite their association with slavery and racism.

Earlier on Wednesday in Portsmouth, Virginia, protestors beheaded and defaced statues that were part of the city's Confederate monument.

A group of protestors also pulled down a statue of Italian explorer Christopher Columbus in Saint Paul, Minnesota, on Wednesday, and a monument to Columbus erected in Richmond in 1927 was vandalised and thrown into a lake on Tuesday.

In the early hours of Wednesday in Boston, the head of a Columbus statue was also removed.

On Monday, a judge in Richmond issued a 10-day injunction against Governor Ralph Northam’s decision to remove a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee from the city.

(with inputs from Reuters)

Protesters toppled a statue of the president of the Confederacy in the Virginia state capital of Richmond late on Wednesday -- the latest US monument to be torn down during nationwide demonstrations demanding an end to racial injustice.

Protesters toppled a statue of the president of the Confederacy in the Virginia state capital of Richmond late on Wednesday -- the latest US monument to be torn down during nationwide demonstrations demanding an end to racial injustice. The May 25 killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the global wave of anti-racism protests that followed has reignited a campaign to remove statues and other symbols honouring Confederate leaders. Footage posted on social media showed the statue of Jefferson Davis, president of the pro-slavery Confederate states during the 1861-65 US Civil War, being pulled into a tow truck and hauled away as people cheered. The base of the statue was covered with graffiti. The monument stood along Richmond's Monument Avenue, which is lined statues of several prominent Confederate figures. The city served as capital of the Confederacy for almost all of the war. Many Southerners defend the monuments as tributes to war dead and part of the country's history, and vigorously oppose their removal despite their association with slavery and racism. Earlier on Wednesday in Portsmouth, Virginia, protestors beheaded and defaced statues that were part of the city's Confederate monument. A group of protestors also pulled down a statue of Italian explorer Christopher Columbus in Saint Paul, Minnesota, on Wednesday, and a monument to Columbus erected in Richmond in 1927 was vandalised and thrown into a lake on Tuesday. In the early hours of Wednesday in Boston, the head of a Columbus statue was also removed. On Monday, a judge in Richmond issued a 10-day injunction against Governor Ralph Northam’s decision to remove a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee from the city. (with inputs from Reuters)

Anti-racism protestors topple statue of Confederate president in Virginia

A mural by secretive British street artist Banksy stolen from the Bataclan theatre in Paris has been found in a farmhouse in central Italy.

The work, one of a series of murals painted in June 2018 in the French capital, shows a veiled female figure staring mournfully downwards.

Thieves stole the mural in January last year, apparently using portable grinders to remove a fire-exit door before carrying it off in a van, the daily La Repubblica reported.

Magistrates in the central city of L'Aquila said the mural had been recovered on Wednesday morning from an attic.

The mural had been found in a house in the countryside but it appeared that the occupants may not have been aware of the value of the artwork or what it was.

The Bataclan, one of Paris' best-known rock venues, was stormed by militants during a concert in November 2015, as part of coordinated attacks around the city that killed 130 people.

Banksy, who keeps his real identity secret, has become one of the most distinctive personalities of the modern art scene with a series of witty artworks in public places that mix street art techniques with powerful political points.

He has most recently reacted to the death of black American George Floyd after a white police officer knelt on his neck.

He also proposed a new presentation of the toppling of 17th century slave owner Edward Colston that was brought down by protestors in the artist's home city of Bristol

A mural by secretive British street artist Banksy stolen from the Bataclan theatre in Paris has been found in a farmhouse in central Italy. The work, one of a series of murals painted in June 2018 in the French capital, shows a veiled female figure staring mournfully downwards.

A mural by secretive British street artist Banksy stolen from the Bataclan theatre in Paris has been found in a farmhouse in central Italy. The work, one of a series of murals painted in June 2018 in the French capital, shows a veiled female figure staring mournfully downwards. Thieves stole the mural in January last year, apparently using portable grinders to remove a fire-exit door before carrying it off in a van, the daily La Repubblica reported. Magistrates in the central city of L'Aquila said the mural had been recovered on Wednesday morning from an attic. The mural had been found in a house in the countryside but it appeared that the occupants may not have been aware of the value of the artwork or what it was. The Bataclan, one of Paris' best-known rock venues, was stormed by militants during a concert in November 2015, as part of coordinated attacks around the city that killed 130 people. Banksy, who keeps his real identity secret, has become one of the most distinctive personalities of the modern art scene with a series of witty artworks in public places that mix street art techniques with powerful political points. He has most recently reacted to the death of black American George Floyd after a white police officer knelt on his neck. He also proposed a new presentation of the toppling of 17th century slave owner Edward Colston that was brought down by protestors in the artist's home city of Bristol

Banksy mural stolen from Bataclan theatre found in Italian farmhouse

Australian Prime Minister said on Thursday that&nbsp;Black Lives Matter protesters should be charged if they defy advice and continue to march.

He accused them of&nbsp;putting ''the whole track back to economic recovery at risk''&nbsp;and their actions&nbsp;of delaying the ease&nbsp;of restrictions by a week while governments monitor signs of outbreaks.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-bans-anti-racism-protest-citing-coronavirus-pandemic-303653">Australia bans anti-racism protest citing coronavirus pandemic</a>

In an interview on 2GB on Thursday morning ahead of a national cabinet meeting on Friday, the prime minister said the weekend protests had interfered with the capacity of states to ease physical distancing rules, including allowing more people to attend funerals.

Echoing arguments&nbsp;from the US president, Donald Trump, Morrison also alleged the protests against deaths in custody were being ''taken over by other much more politically driven leftwing agendas, which are seeking to take advantage of these opportunities to push their political causes.''

It was a ''fair point''&nbsp;to raise issues about ''people’s treatment in custody or things like that''&nbsp;but he believed the activism needed to be kept in perspective. Australia was ''a pretty brutal place, but there was no slavery in Australia.''

It was important to be ''honest about our history'', he said, but he neglected to mention&nbsp;the exploitation of South Pacific Islanders&nbsp;brought to work on Queensland plantations, or the well-documented cases of Indigenous people being used for free labour in the pastoral industry and as household servants – a practice that began during colonial times and persisted well into the 20th century.

''We’ve got to acknowledge the positive and the negative,''&nbsp;he said. ''But, you know, I think we’ve also got to respect our history as well, and this is not a licence for people to just go nuts on this stuff.''

Morrison said given the public health risks, local activists needed to desist from further gatherings.

''I think they need to think carefully about that and again, I say don’t do it, and I’m glad that the police in New South Wales and the state government will take a strong approach on that,'' he said.

He said people defying that advice should be charged.

Australian Prime Minister said on Thursday that Black Lives Matter protesters should be charged if they defy advice and continue to march. He accused them of putting ''the whole track back to economic recovery at risk'' and their actions of delaying the ease of restrictions by a week while governments monitor signs of outbreaks.

Australian Prime Minister said on Thursday that Black Lives Matter protesters should be charged if they defy advice and continue to march. He accused them of putting ''the whole track back to economic recovery at risk'' and their actions of delaying the ease of restrictions by a week while governments monitor signs of outbreaks. Also read: Australia bans anti-racism protest citing coronavirus pandemic In an interview on 2GB on Thursday morning ahead of a national cabinet meeting on Friday, the prime minister said the weekend protests had interfered with the capacity of states to ease physical distancing rules, including allowing more people to attend funerals. Echoing arguments from the US president, Donald Trump, Morrison also alleged the protests against deaths in custody were being ''taken over by other much more politically driven leftwing agendas, which are seeking to take advantage of these opportunities to push their political causes.'' It was a ''fair point'' to raise issues about ''people’s treatment in custody or things like that'' but he believed the activism needed to be kept in perspective. Australia was ''a pretty brutal place, but there was no slavery in Australia.'' It was important to be ''honest about our history'', he said, but he neglected to mention the exploitation of South Pacific Islanders brought to work on Queensland plantations, or the well-documented cases of Indigenous people being used for free labour in the pastoral industry and as household servants – a practice that began during colonial times and persisted well into the 20th century. ''We’ve got to acknowledge the positive and the negative,'' he said. ''But, you know, I think we’ve also got to respect our history as well, and this is not a licence for people to just go nuts on this stuff.'' Morrison said given the public health risks, local activists needed to desist from further gatherings. ''I think they need to think carefully about that and again, I say don’t do it, and I’m glad that the police in New South Wales and the state government will take a strong approach on that,'' he said. He said people defying that advice should be charged.

Anti-racism protesters should be charged if they defy advice and march, says Scott Morrison

George Floyd, a black man whose death under the knee of a white police officer roused worldwide protests against racial injustice, was memorialised at his funeral on Tuesday. Some 2,500 people attended the funeral, after more than 6,000 people filed past Floyd's open casket on Monday.

The funeral followed two weeks of protests across the United States ignited by graphic video footage of Floyd handcuffed and lying face down on a Minneapolis street while an officer kneels into the back of his neck for nearly nine minutes. The video shows Floyd gasping for air as he cries out, "Mama," and groans, "Please, I can't breathe," before falling silent and still.

The officer, Derek Chauvin has since been charged with second-degree murder and three other officers with aiding and abetting Floyd's May 25 death. All were dismissed from the department a day after the incident.

Floyd's dying words have become a rallying cry for hundreds of thousands of protesters around the globe who have since taken to the streets, undaunted by the coronavirus pandemic, demanding justice for Floyd and an end to mistreatment of minorities by US law enforcement.
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-george-floyd-laid-to-rest-304950/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

His younger brother, Terrence Floyd, spoke about awakening in the middle of the night in recent days traumatized by the memory of seeing his older sibling calling out for their mother as he lay dying.

His older brother, Philonise, sobbing in grief, told mourners, "George was my personal superman."

Civil rights activist the Rev. Al Sharpton called Floyd "an ordinary brother" who grew up in a housing project but left behind a legacy of greatness despite rejections in jobs and sports that prevented him from achieving all that he once aspired to become.

"God took the rejected stone and made him the cornerstone of a movement that is going to change the whole wide world," Sharpton said, invoking a biblical parable from the New Testament.

Sharpton said the Floyd family would lead a march on Washington being organized for August 28 to mark the 57th anniversary of the 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech given from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial by civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., who was assassinated in 1968.

Democratic representative of Texas, Al Green said, "This country has not reconciled its differences with us. We survived slavery, but we didn't reconcile. We survived segregation but we didn't reconcile. We are suffering invidious discrimination because we didn't reconcile. It's time for a department of reconciliation."

Former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate in the November 3 election, addressed the funeral service via a video recording, lamenting that "too many black Americans wake up knowing that they could lose their life in the course of just living their life.”

“We must not turn away. We cannot leave this moment thinking we can once again turn away from racism,” he said.

Merriam-Webster to reframe definition of 'racism'

One of the most-widely used dictionaries, Merriam-Webster is set to change the definition of “racism” after a young black woman suggested the word should reflect the oppressive realities faced by many people of colour.

A graduate from Drake University in Iowa, Kennedy Mitchum contacted the dictionary makers to improve its definition of racism.

"I basically told them that they need to include that there's a systematic oppression upon a group of people," she told a local news outlet. "It's not just, 'Oh, I don't like someone.'"

Peter Sokolowski, the editorial head of Merriam-Webster told news agency AFP that Mitchum’s request will be entertained and the meaning updated.

(with inputs from Reuters) 
&nbsp;

George Floyd, a black man whose death under the knee of a white police officer roused worldwide protests against racial injustice, was memorialised at his funeral on Tuesday.

George Floyd, a black man whose death under the knee of a white police officer roused worldwide protests against racial injustice, was memorialised at his funeral on Tuesday. Some 2,500 people attended the funeral, after more than 6,000 people filed past Floyd's open casket on Monday. The funeral followed two weeks of protests across the United States ignited by graphic video footage of Floyd handcuffed and lying face down on a Minneapolis street while an officer kneels into the back of his neck for nearly nine minutes. The video shows Floyd gasping for air as he cries out, "Mama," and groans, "Please, I can't breathe," before falling silent and still. The officer, Derek Chauvin has since been charged with second-degree murder and three other officers with aiding and abetting Floyd's May 25 death. All were dismissed from the department a day after the incident. Floyd's dying words have become a rallying cry for hundreds of thousands of protesters around the globe who have since taken to the streets, undaunted by the coronavirus pandemic, demanding justice for Floyd and an end to mistreatment of minorities by US law enforcement. His younger brother, Terrence Floyd, spoke about awakening in the middle of the night in recent days traumatized by the memory of seeing his older sibling calling out for their mother as he lay dying. His older brother, Philonise, sobbing in grief, told mourners, "George was my personal superman." Civil rights activist the Rev. Al Sharpton called Floyd "an ordinary brother" who grew up in a housing project but left behind a legacy of greatness despite rejections in jobs and sports that prevented him from achieving all that he once aspired to become. "God took the rejected stone and made him the cornerstone of a movement that is going to change the whole wide world," Sharpton said, invoking a biblical parable from the New Testament. Sharpton said the Floyd family would lead a march on Washington being organized for August 28 to mark the 57th anniversary of the 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech given from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial by civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., who was assassinated in 1968. Democratic representative of Texas, Al Green said, "This country has not reconciled its differences with us. We survived slavery, but we didn't reconcile. We survived segregation but we didn't reconcile. We are suffering invidious discrimination because we didn't reconcile. It's time for a department of reconciliation." Former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate in the November 3 election, addressed the funeral service via a video recording, lamenting that "too many black Americans wake up knowing that they could lose their life in the course of just living their life.” “We must not turn away. We cannot leave this moment thinking we can once again turn away from racism,” he said. Merriam-Webster to reframe definition of 'racism' One of the most-widely used dictionaries, Merriam-Webster is set to change the definition of “racism” after a young black woman suggested the word should reflect the oppressive realities faced by many people of colour. A graduate from Drake University in Iowa, Kennedy Mitchum contacted the dictionary makers to improve its definition of racism. "I basically told them that they need to include that there's a systematic oppression upon a group of people," she told a local news outlet. "It's not just, 'Oh, I don't like someone.'" Peter Sokolowski, the editorial head of Merriam-Webster told news agency AFP that Mitchum’s request will be entertained and the meaning updated. (with inputs from Reuters)

'He's going to change the world': George Floyd hailed at funeral

The world is rocked by protests against racism and discrimination and in the line of fire are symbols of racism.

Black Lives Matter protesters are turning their attention to memorials around the UK to demolish that celebrate the country’s imperialist past.

The toppling of a statue is not just a revolt against history. It is also-- the making of history and history -- is exactly -- what is being written right now. The world is rising against racism and attacking everything that stands for racism.

In 2003, the destruction of the Firdos Square statue of Saddam Hussein was an event in the invasion of Iraq that marked the symbolic end of the Battle of Baghdad and the end of Saddam Hussein's dictatorship.

On June 4, 1989, in Beijing, &nbsp;the statue of the goddess of democracy was destroyed by soldiers clearing the protesters from Tiananmen square.&nbsp;

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Structures built on the foundations of hate and slavery they are being taken down one after another.

In London, the statue of a slave trader was taken down. His name was Robert Milligan. He was a merchant who owned 526 slaves in Jamaica. Why was his statue standing tall outside a London museum in the first place? Because he helped in founding some of the key institutions of imperial Britain.&nbsp;

For the money that he paid, Milligan's links to slavery and his racist history — were whitewashed. Just like it was — in the case of Winston Churchill. Edward Colston — another slave trader. 
Both these statues were defaced in England.

This is a movement against racism. That is exposing skeletons of the past. Countries across the world are facing a difficult question today.&nbsp;

One of the most controversial statues under threat is the monument to British colonialist Cecil Rhodes at Oriel College, Oxford University, where thousands will gather later today for a rally demanding its removal.

India is still living with the symbols of this dark era, 72 years after independence. The victoria memorial still celebrates the queen of England.

It is also a reminder of how Bengal and all of India suffered under her rule. Almost all the streets of Langford town in the city of Bengaluru are named after imperial leaders. Fort St George in Chennai is a reminder of the British raj.

These symbols of imperial pomp were imposed on India. Just like the British rule. Statues of rulers, generals and British civil servants were erected across India.&nbsp;

Many of them faced the wrath of angry Indians. In 1896, a statue of queen victoria was daubed in tar.

In 1908 another victoria statue was vandalised in Nagpur. In the 1930s, people demanded that a memorial to the black hole tragedy be removed. After independence people asked-- why should the symbols of the raj stay?

The Bombay municipal corporation adopted a resolution in 1947.

All busts and statues of imperial figures were to be replaced by those of Indians. In recent years many imperial structures have either been removed or placed in museums.

Some have also been sent abroad. But many remains as do colonial names. Today, Britons have spoken out against their queen. A statue of victoria has been attacked in the UK. And I am not justifying or promoting vandalism.

This is the right time for India to bid goodbye to every symbol of racism and oppression.

The world is rocked by protests against racism and discrimination and in the line of fire are symbols of racism. Black Lives Matter protesters are turning their attention to memorials around the UK to demolish that celebrate the country’s imperialist past.

The world is rocked by protests against racism and discrimination and in the line of fire are symbols of racism. Black Lives Matter protesters are turning their attention to memorials around the UK to demolish that celebrate the country’s imperialist past. The toppling of a statue is not just a revolt against history. It is also-- the making of history and history -- is exactly -- what is being written right now. The world is rising against racism and attacking everything that stands for racism. In 2003, the destruction of the Firdos Square statue of Saddam Hussein was an event in the invasion of Iraq that marked the symbolic end of the Battle of Baghdad and the end of Saddam Hussein's dictatorship. On June 4, 1989, in Beijing, the statue of the goddess of democracy was destroyed by soldiers clearing the protesters from Tiananmen square. Structures built on the foundations of hate and slavery they are being taken down one after another. In London, the statue of a slave trader was taken down. His name was Robert Milligan. He was a merchant who owned 526 slaves in Jamaica. Why was his statue standing tall outside a London museum in the first place? Because he helped in founding some of the key institutions of imperial Britain. For the money that he paid, Milligan's links to slavery and his racist history — were whitewashed. Just like it was — in the case of Winston Churchill. Edward Colston — another slave trader. Both these statues were defaced in England. This is a movement against racism. That is exposing skeletons of the past. Countries across the world are facing a difficult question today. One of the most controversial statues under threat is the monument to British colonialist Cecil Rhodes at Oriel College, Oxford University, where thousands will gather later today for a rally demanding its removal. India is still living with the symbols of this dark era, 72 years after independence. The victoria memorial still celebrates the queen of England. It is also a reminder of how Bengal and all of India suffered under her rule. Almost all the streets of Langford town in the city of Bengaluru are named after imperial leaders. Fort St George in Chennai is a reminder of the British raj. These symbols of imperial pomp were imposed on India. Just like the British rule. Statues of rulers, generals and British civil servants were erected across India. Many of them faced the wrath of angry Indians. In 1896, a statue of queen victoria was daubed in tar. In 1908 another victoria statue was vandalised in Nagpur. In the 1930s, people demanded that a memorial to the black hole tragedy be removed. After independence people asked-- why should the symbols of the raj stay? The Bombay municipal corporation adopted a resolution in 1947. All busts and statues of imperial figures were to be replaced by those of Indians. In recent years many imperial structures have either been removed or placed in museums. Some have also been sent abroad. But many remains as do colonial names. Today, Britons have spoken out against their queen. A statue of victoria has been attacked in the UK. And I am not justifying or promoting vandalism. This is the right time for India to bid goodbye to every symbol of racism and oppression.

India should bid goodbye to every symbol of racism and oppression

One of the four former Minneapolis police officers who were charged over the death of George Floyd, a black man whose death in custody set off protests for police reform and racial justice, was released on bail on Wednesday.

Protests flared for a 17th day early on Thursday with crowds in Portland, Oregon, flooding city-center streets with some activists throwing bottles at police and removing temporary security fencing and using it to block traffic.

The former police officer released, Thomas Lane, 37, had been held on $750,000 bail and was freed from Hennepin County jail, sheriff`s office records showed.

He was one of three officers charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter in the 46-year-old Floyd`s death on May 25.

A fourth officer, Derek Chauvin, 44, was videotaped pressing his knee to Floyd`s neck as he gasped "I can`t breathe" and called for his mother before he died. Chauvin was charged with second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

All four officers have been fired from the Minneapolis police department.

Lane`s attorney, Earl Gray, did not immediately return telephone phone calls to Reuters on Wednesday night but Gray has told media that his client tried to help Floyd.

Gray also told the media that Lane was only on his fourth day on the job on patrol duty and that Chauvin was his training officer, whom he should obey.

"What was my client supposed to do but follow what his training officer said?" Gray said in a court hearing, Forbes and other media reported.

Chauvin's lawyer was not immediately available for comment.

Many of those joining the more than two weeks of protests have been calling for a ban on choke holds and other methods of restraint used by police.

Police have also been criticized for heavy-handed tactics against protesters in various places. Indiscriminate use of tear gas, flash grenades as well as many incidents of police hitting protesters with batons have been recorded.

The protests have seen fewer clashes in recent days but in Portland, some in the crowd threw bottles at police and cut down a fence near the federal courthouse, police said on Twitter, warning that offenders are subject to arrest. It was unclear if arrests were made overnight, but Portland police tweeted that the crowd dispersed on its own about 2 a.m. local time.

Media earlier reported a crowd of more than 1,000 in Portland calling for the resignation of the mayor.

Protesters in Portsmouth, Virginia, defaced a Confederate monument and toppled parts of the statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. A man was injured when the structure tumbled down, a reporter with WAVY News said on Twitter.

Chauvin remains in jail in lieu of $1.25 million bail. The other officers, Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng, remain in jail in lieu of $750,000 bail, each charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter. 
In Minnesota, pleas are not entered in preliminary hearings.

Lane`s next hearing is scheduled for June 29 and his attorney is planning to file a motion to dismiss the charges, media reported.

One of the four former Minneapolis police officers who were charged over the death of George Floyd, a black man whose death in custody set off protests for police reform and racial justice, was released on bail on Wednesday.

One of the four former Minneapolis police officers who were charged over the death of George Floyd, a black man whose death in custody set off protests for police reform and racial justice, was released on bail on Wednesday. Protests flared for a 17th day early on Thursday with crowds in Portland, Oregon, flooding city-center streets with some activists throwing bottles at police and removing temporary security fencing and using it to block traffic. The former police officer released, Thomas Lane, 37, had been held on $750,000 bail and was freed from Hennepin County jail, sheriff`s office records showed. He was one of three officers charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter in the 46-year-old Floyd`s death on May 25. A fourth officer, Derek Chauvin, 44, was videotaped pressing his knee to Floyd`s neck as he gasped "I can`t breathe" and called for his mother before he died. Chauvin was charged with second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. All four officers have been fired from the Minneapolis police department. Lane`s attorney, Earl Gray, did not immediately return telephone phone calls to Reuters on Wednesday night but Gray has told media that his client tried to help Floyd. Gray also told the media that Lane was only on his fourth day on the job on patrol duty and that Chauvin was his training officer, whom he should obey. "What was my client supposed to do but follow what his training officer said?" Gray said in a court hearing, Forbes and other media reported. Chauvin's lawyer was not immediately available for comment. Many of those joining the more than two weeks of protests have been calling for a ban on choke holds and other methods of restraint used by police. Police have also been criticized for heavy-handed tactics against protesters in various places. Indiscriminate use of tear gas, flash grenades as well as many incidents of police hitting protesters with batons have been recorded. The protests have seen fewer clashes in recent days but in Portland, some in the crowd threw bottles at police and cut down a fence near the federal courthouse, police said on Twitter, warning that offenders are subject to arrest. It was unclear if arrests were made overnight, but Portland police tweeted that the crowd dispersed on its own about 2 a.m. local time. Media earlier reported a crowd of more than 1,000 in Portland calling for the resignation of the mayor. Protesters in Portsmouth, Virginia, defaced a Confederate monument and toppled parts of the statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. A man was injured when the structure tumbled down, a reporter with WAVY News said on Twitter. Chauvin remains in jail in lieu of $1.25 million bail. The other officers, Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng, remain in jail in lieu of $750,000 bail, each charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter. In Minnesota, pleas are not entered in preliminary hearings. Lane`s next hearing is scheduled for June 29 and his attorney is planning to file a motion to dismiss the charges, media reported.

One of four Minneapolis police charged over Floyd's death freed on bail