Greg Glassman, the CEO of CrossFit has resigned after his comments on the US protests sparked trouble for him.

Currently, major American cities are witnessing protests over the murder of George Floyd, who was murdered by a policeman named Derek Chauvin. The officer knelt his knee on the black man’s neck for almost nine minutes, which led to his death.

He decided to resign after creating ”a rift in the CrossFit community and unintentionally hurt many of its members”, Glassman said in a statement on Tuesday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="wionews.com/world/reebok-slams-crossfit-in-outrage-over-ceos-racist-tweet-304215" hreflang="en">Reebok slams CrossFit in outrage over CEO's 'racist' tweet</a>

"Those who know me know that my sole issue is the chronic disease epidemic," Glassman said.

"I know that CrossFit is the solution to this epidemic and that CrossFit HQ and its staff serve as the stewards of CrossFit affiliates worldwide. I cannot let my behavior stand in the way of HQ's or affiliates' missions”, he added.

CrossFit got involved in controversies over the past week over its silence on the murder of George Floyd, and for its failure to express solidarity with Black Lives Matter protests.

Corporations not only in the US, but across the world have openly voiced support to protesters in ending police brutality.

While referring to Floyd’s death, Glassman made a passing remark about the inclusion of racism into public health issues by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, and wrote, “Floyd-19”.

Building up on the tweet, Glassman said that the institute had failed with its coronavirus model and expressed disapproval for their “solution to racism”.

After his tweets, many brand partners like Reebok pulled out of their arrangements. Glasmman issued an apology on Sunday and asserted that the company “will not stand for racism”.

Dave Castor, the director of CrossFit games is expected to replace Glassman.

"I'm honored to take on the role of CEO of CrossFit, Inc.," Castro said in a statement.

Greg Glassman, the CEO of CrossFit has resigned after his comments on the US protests sparked trouble for him. Currently, major American cities are witnessing protests over the murder of George Floyd, who was murdered by a policeman named Derek Chauvin.

Greg Glassman, the CEO of CrossFit has resigned after his comments on the US protests sparked trouble for him. Currently, major American cities are witnessing protests over the murder of George Floyd, who was murdered by a policeman named Derek Chauvin. The officer knelt his knee on the black man’s neck for almost nine minutes, which led to his death. He decided to resign after creating ”a rift in the CrossFit community and unintentionally hurt many of its members”, Glassman said in a statement on Tuesday. Also read: Reebok slams CrossFit in outrage over CEO's 'racist' tweet "Those who know me know that my sole issue is the chronic disease epidemic," Glassman said. "I know that CrossFit is the solution to this epidemic and that CrossFit HQ and its staff serve as the stewards of CrossFit affiliates worldwide. I cannot let my behavior stand in the way of HQ's or affiliates' missions”, he added. CrossFit got involved in controversies over the past week over its silence on the murder of George Floyd, and for its failure to express solidarity with Black Lives Matter protests. Corporations not only in the US, but across the world have openly voiced support to protesters in ending police brutality. While referring to Floyd’s death, Glassman made a passing remark about the inclusion of racism into public health issues by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, and wrote, “Floyd-19”. Building up on the tweet, Glassman said that the institute had failed with its coronavirus model and expressed disapproval for their “solution to racism”. After his tweets, many brand partners like Reebok pulled out of their arrangements. Glasmman issued an apology on Sunday and asserted that the company “will not stand for racism”. Dave Castor, the director of CrossFit games is expected to replace Glassman. "I'm honored to take on the role of CEO of CrossFit, Inc.," Castro said in a statement.

Greg Glassman, CEO of CrossFit resigns after 'racist' remarks

The Trump administration on Tuesday overturned an Obama-era rule that barred hunters in Alaska national preserves from baiting bear traps or killing denning bear cubs and wolf pups or other practices that have been condemned by environmental and wildlife protection groups.Under the new National Park Service rule, effective July 9, hunting on natural preserves in Alaska will be controlled by the state, which allows baiting of brown and black bears; hunting of denning black bears with artificial light, killing of denning wolves and coyotes, hunting of swimming caribou and hunting of caribou from motorboats.

The Obama administration had banned all those practices in National Parks.

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The change stems from 2017 orders issued by then-Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to provide greater recreational access for hunting and fishing in Alaksa, National Park Service spokesman Peter Christian said, acknowledging that the rule-change was unpopular.

“I would say the vast majority of people did believe this was a controversial move and were almost entirely opposed to us lifting the ban,” he said.

"The Trump administration has shockingly reached a new low in its treatment of wildlife. Allowing the killing of bear cubs and wolf pups in their dens is barbaric and inhumane. The proposed regulations cast aside a primary purpose of national preserves to conserve wildlife and wild places," Jamie Rappaport Clark, president of Defenders of Wildlife, said in a written statement.

State officials said the Obama-era rule was wrongheaded.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nyc-police-officer-who-shoved-protester-charged-with-assault-304679" hreflang="en">NYC police officer who shoved protester charged with assault</a>

“From our perspective, the Park Service was infringing on our territory,” said Eddie Grasser, director of wildlife management for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, adding that some of the hunting practices now allowed in national preserves are part of indigenous culture.

Those practices are used by only a small number of people in a few places, Grasser said.

Another pending Trump administration rule, expected to be released on Wednesday, would overturn similar restrictions in Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.

The Trump administration on Tuesday overturned an Obama-era rule that barred hunters in Alaska national preserves from baiting bear traps or killing denning bear cubs and wolf pups or other practices that have been condemned by environmental and wildlife protection groups.

The Trump administration on Tuesday overturned an Obama-era rule that barred hunters in Alaska national preserves from baiting bear traps or killing denning bear cubs and wolf pups or other practices that have been condemned by environmental and wildlife protection groups.Under the new National Park Service rule, effective July 9, hunting on natural preserves in Alaska will be controlled by the state, which allows baiting of brown and black bears; hunting of denning black bears with artificial light, killing of denning wolves and coyotes, hunting of swimming caribou and hunting of caribou from motorboats. The Obama administration had banned all those practices in National Parks. Also read: Canada, US set to extend border closure to end-July The change stems from 2017 orders issued by then-Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to provide greater recreational access for hunting and fishing in Alaksa, National Park Service spokesman Peter Christian said, acknowledging that the rule-change was unpopular. “I would say the vast majority of people did believe this was a controversial move and were almost entirely opposed to us lifting the ban,” he said. "The Trump administration has shockingly reached a new low in its treatment of wildlife. Allowing the killing of bear cubs and wolf pups in their dens is barbaric and inhumane. The proposed regulations cast aside a primary purpose of national preserves to conserve wildlife and wild places," Jamie Rappaport Clark, president of Defenders of Wildlife, said in a written statement. State officials said the Obama-era rule was wrongheaded. Also read: NYC police officer who shoved protester charged with assault “From our perspective, the Park Service was infringing on our territory,” said Eddie Grasser, director of wildlife management for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, adding that some of the hunting practices now allowed in national preserves are part of indigenous culture. Those practices are used by only a small number of people in a few places, Grasser said. Another pending Trump administration rule, expected to be released on Wednesday, would overturn similar restrictions in Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.

Trump administration ends ban on killing Alaska bear cubs, wolf pups

A New York City police officer who was recorded on video shoving a woman to the ground during a protest against police brutality was criminally charged on Tuesday over the incident.

Vincent D'Andraia, 28, who works in the 73rd precinct in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, was charged with misdemeanor assault, criminal mischief and menacing, as well as harassment, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said.

The criminal case is the first against a New York City police officer arising from two weeks of protests after the May 25 death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, in Minneapolis police custody sparked worldwide protests against racism.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rest-in-power-george-floyd-buried-in-houston-amid-protests-304666" hreflang="en">'Rest in power': George Floyd buried in Houston amid protests</a>

D'Andraia, who had last week been suspended without pay, faces a maximum one-year prison term on the top count.

He made a brief appearance on Tuesday at a Brooklyn Criminal Court hearing. No bail was set. His lawyer was not available to comment.

The case arose from a May 29 protest near the Barclays Center arena in downtown Brooklyn.

Cellphone video showed D'Andraia appearing to shove 20-year-old Dounya Zayer to the ground and calling her a derogatory name.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-governor-andrew-cuomo-slams-trumps-claim-that-protester-fell-harder-than-was-pushed-304648" hreflang="en">New York Governor Andrew Cuomo slams Trump's claim that protester 'fell harder than was pushed'</a>

Zayer, who posted her own video from the incident online, has said D'Andraia shoved her after she asked him why he told her to move off the street. She said she suffered a concussion and has had seizures.

"The charges are a step in the right direction," Zayer's lawyer Tahanie Aboushi said. "Dounya was assaulted for the very reason she was protesting - police brutality."

Gonzalez said he could not tolerate excessive force toward peaceful protesters. "This is especially true of those who are sworn to protect us and uphold the law," he said.

Floyd died after a white officer, Derek Chauvin, kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes, in an incident also recorded on video.

Chauvin was charged last week with second degree murder.

A New York City police officer who was recorded on video shoving a woman to the ground during a protest against police brutality was criminally charged on Tuesday over the incident.

A New York City police officer who was recorded on video shoving a woman to the ground during a protest against police brutality was criminally charged on Tuesday over the incident. Vincent D'Andraia, 28, who works in the 73rd precinct in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, was charged with misdemeanor assault, criminal mischief and menacing, as well as harassment, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said. The criminal case is the first against a New York City police officer arising from two weeks of protests after the May 25 death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, in Minneapolis police custody sparked worldwide protests against racism. Also read: 'Rest in power': George Floyd buried in Houston amid protests D'Andraia, who had last week been suspended without pay, faces a maximum one-year prison term on the top count. He made a brief appearance on Tuesday at a Brooklyn Criminal Court hearing. No bail was set. His lawyer was not available to comment. The case arose from a May 29 protest near the Barclays Center arena in downtown Brooklyn. Cellphone video showed D'Andraia appearing to shove 20-year-old Dounya Zayer to the ground and calling her a derogatory name. Also read: New York Governor Andrew Cuomo slams Trump's claim that protester 'fell harder than was pushed' Zayer, who posted her own video from the incident online, has said D'Andraia shoved her after she asked him why he told her to move off the street. She said she suffered a concussion and has had seizures. "The charges are a step in the right direction," Zayer's lawyer Tahanie Aboushi said. "Dounya was assaulted for the very reason she was protesting - police brutality." Gonzalez said he could not tolerate excessive force toward peaceful protesters. "This is especially true of those who are sworn to protect us and uphold the law," he said. Floyd died after a white officer, Derek Chauvin, kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes, in an incident also recorded on video. Chauvin was charged last week with second degree murder.

NYC police officer who shoved protester charged with assault

A judge in Richmond, Virginia, on Monday issued a 10-day injunction against Governor Ralph Northam's decision to remove a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee from the city, according to the Washington Post.&nbsp;

Northam said last week that the statue should be taken down from its pedestal "as soon as possible", amid nationwide protests demanding racial equality following the death of George Floyd, a black man, in Minneapolis police custody on May 25.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-to-introduce-a-package-of-bills-to-curb-police-excesses-304438" hreflang="en">New York to introduce a package of bills to curb police excesses</a>

The injunction was issued by a Richmond City Circuit Court judge on Monday, the Post reported. A lawyer for the man who sought the injunction - William C. Gregory - did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did Northam's office.&nbsp;

Calling for the Department of General Services to remove the towering statue of Lee, Governor Northam acknowledged the move could stir anger among admirers of the commander of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia.

"Yes, that statue has been there for a long time. But it was wrong then and it is wrong now, so we're taking it down," Northam said last week.&nbsp;

At the time of the American Civil War, Virginia had been a slave-owning state, and Richmond had been the capital of the rebel Confederate states.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bail-raised-to-125-million-for-officer-charged-with-murdering-george-floyd-304432" hreflang="en">Bail raised to $1.25 million for officer charged with murdering George Floyd</a>

Waves of protests have erupted across the United States and abroad over the death of George Floyd, who died as an police officer drove a knee into his neck while he lay on the ground with his wrists handcuffed.&nbsp;

Protesters in Richmond have defaced the statue of Lee in the past week.

It has been repeatedly vandalized in recent years, while many other Confederate statues have been removed from numerous locations across the southern United States. Civil rights activists charge they promote racism while advocates of the statues contend they are a reminder of their heritage.

A judge in Richmond, Virginia, on Monday issued a 10-day injunction against Governor Ralph Northam's decision to remove a statue of Confederate General Robert E.

A judge in Richmond, Virginia, on Monday issued a 10-day injunction against Governor Ralph Northam's decision to remove a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee from the city, according to the Washington Post. Northam said last week that the statue should be taken down from its pedestal "as soon as possible", amid nationwide protests demanding racial equality following the death of George Floyd, a black man, in Minneapolis police custody on May 25. Also read: New York to introduce a package of bills to curb police excesses The injunction was issued by a Richmond City Circuit Court judge on Monday, the Post reported. A lawyer for the man who sought the injunction - William C. Gregory - did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did Northam's office. Calling for the Department of General Services to remove the towering statue of Lee, Governor Northam acknowledged the move could stir anger among admirers of the commander of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. "Yes, that statue has been there for a long time. But it was wrong then and it is wrong now, so we're taking it down," Northam said last week. At the time of the American Civil War, Virginia had been a slave-owning state, and Richmond had been the capital of the rebel Confederate states. Also read: Bail raised to $1.25 million for officer charged with murdering George Floyd Waves of protests have erupted across the United States and abroad over the death of George Floyd, who died as an police officer drove a knee into his neck while he lay on the ground with his wrists handcuffed. Protesters in Richmond have defaced the statue of Lee in the past week. It has been repeatedly vandalized in recent years, while many other Confederate statues have been removed from numerous locations across the southern United States. Civil rights activists charge they promote racism while advocates of the statues contend they are a reminder of their heritage.

Virginia judge blocks governor's demand to pull down Confederate statue

New York City, the cultural hub of the United States is currently reeling from the effects of coronavirus and the ongoing protests against the murder of George Floyd.

The murder of George Floyd in the United States has triggered protests not only in the country, but across the world. Protesters are demanding justice for Floyd while calling for an end to systemic racism which targets black people across the globe.

The governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo recently said that state legislators are coming up with an overhaul of criminal justice, which could pave the way for nationwide reform.

<h6><img alt="New York Governor Andrew Cuomo addresses a briefing on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response at the National Press Club following his meeting with U.S. President Trump in Washington, U.S., May 27, 2020" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="44c5bb3a-6968-46e6-92d6-ca0a97dff2a7" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-2_23.jpg" /> 
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo addresses a briefing on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response at the National Press Club following his meeting with US&nbsp;President Trump in Washington, U.S., May 27, 2020&nbsp;| Reuters 
&nbsp;</h6>

Derek Chauvin, the 44-year-old police officer who knelt on Floyd was charged with second and third-degree murder, with his previous bail set at $1 million. However, on Tuesday, the bail was raised by $250,000 to $1.25 million.

The package of bills will focus on curbing police excesses and abuses, and by banning the “chokehold” which led to the death of Floyd.

"If they pass the bills that we've discussed, I will sign the bills, and I will sign them as soon as they're passed," Cuomo said in a briefing.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bail-raised-to-125-million-for-officer-charged-with-murdering-george-floyd-304432" hreflang="en">Bail raised to $1.25 million for officer charged with murdering George Floyd</a>

Floyd does not mark the first incident of police excesses that include the aforementioned chokehold technique.

Eric Garner, a black man was murdered after a policeman used a similar technique. His last words were “I can’t breathe”, the same words echoed by George Floyd before he became unconsciousness.

Floyd’s murder has reignited Black Lives Matter movement&nbsp;across the globe, with new cases of police brutality across the globe being brought to attention in countries like France and the United States.

In the video that went viral after Floyd’s death, the officer was seen kneeling on the man for almost nine minutes, even when he was repeatedly telling the officer about his inability to breathe. It was only when the ambulance arrived that the officer retracted his knee from the neck. An hour later, Floyd was dead.

<h6><img alt="Current and former New York City Mayor's staff march across the Brooklyn Bridge to call for reforms during a protest against racial inequality in the aftermath of the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in New York City, New York, U.S. June 8, 202" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ec41e4aa-c404-4264-a90b-5ff6e2d4a096" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-5_6.jpg" /> 
Current and former New York City Mayor's staff march across the Brooklyn Bridge to call for reforms during a protest against racial inequality in the aftermath of the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in New York City, New York, US&nbsp;June 8, 2020 | Reuters 
&nbsp;</h6>

Calls across the country for defunding the police have gained traction. Trump recently claimed that he will protect the police, and that there will be no defunding, a sentiment which was also echoed by Joe Biden, his Democrat rival in the upcoming elections.

As part of the proposed legislation, the state of New York will make the records of police officers public, including their disciplinary records.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-restart-election-campaign-with-fresh-rallies-even-as-coronavirus-cases-climb-in-the-us-304426" hreflang="en">Trump to restart election campaign with fresh rallies even as coronavirus cases climb in the US</a>

"New York state will take this legislative action, and I hope it then becomes a model for other states to follow," Cuomo said.

Cuomo had earlier put an order in place which called for investigations into police killings of unarmed suspects. If passed, all killings will be investigated will be investigated by the state attorney general.

New York City, the cultural hub of the United States is currently reeling from the effects of coronavirus and the ongoing protests against the murder of George Floyd.

New York City, the cultural hub of the United States is currently reeling from the effects of coronavirus and the ongoing protests against the murder of George Floyd. The murder of George Floyd in the United States has triggered protests not only in the country, but across the world. Protesters are demanding justice for Floyd while calling for an end to systemic racism which targets black people across the globe. The governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo recently said that state legislators are coming up with an overhaul of criminal justice, which could pave the way for nationwide reform. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo addresses a briefing on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response at the National Press Club following his meeting with US President Trump in Washington, U.S., May 27, 2020 | Reuters Derek Chauvin, the 44-year-old police officer who knelt on Floyd was charged with second and third-degree murder, with his previous bail set at $1 million. However, on Tuesday, the bail was raised by $250,000 to $1.25 million. The package of bills will focus on curbing police excesses and abuses, and by banning the “chokehold” which led to the death of Floyd. "If they pass the bills that we've discussed, I will sign the bills, and I will sign them as soon as they're passed," Cuomo said in a briefing. Also read: Bail raised to $1.25 million for officer charged with murdering George Floyd Floyd does not mark the first incident of police excesses that include the aforementioned chokehold technique. Eric Garner, a black man was murdered after a policeman used a similar technique. His last words were “I can’t breathe”, the same words echoed by George Floyd before he became unconsciousness. Floyd’s murder has reignited Black Lives Matter movement across the globe, with new cases of police brutality across the globe being brought to attention in countries like France and the United States. In the video that went viral after Floyd’s death, the officer was seen kneeling on the man for almost nine minutes, even when he was repeatedly telling the officer about his inability to breathe. It was only when the ambulance arrived that the officer retracted his knee from the neck. An hour later, Floyd was dead. Current and former New York City Mayor's staff march across the Brooklyn Bridge to call for reforms during a protest against racial inequality in the aftermath of the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in New York City, New York, US June 8, 2020 | Reuters Calls across the country for defunding the police have gained traction. Trump recently claimed that he will protect the police, and that there will be no defunding, a sentiment which was also echoed by Joe Biden, his Democrat rival in the upcoming elections. As part of the proposed legislation, the state of New York will make the records of police officers public, including their disciplinary records. Also read: Trump to restart election campaign with fresh rallies even as coronavirus cases climb in the US "New York state will take this legislative action, and I hope it then becomes a model for other states to follow," Cuomo said. Cuomo had earlier put an order in place which called for investigations into police killings of unarmed suspects. If passed, all killings will be investigated will be investigated by the state attorney general.

New York to introduce a package of bills to curb police excesses

Two Buffalo police officers were charged with assault, after a video showed them shoving a 75-year-old protestor in recent demonstrations over the death of George Floyd to the ground.

The demonstrators in Buffalo were, like those across the country, calling for racial justice after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody.

Robert McCabe and Aaron Torgalski, who surrendered on Saturday morning, pleaded not guilty to second-degree assault. They were released without bail.

McCabe and Torgalski shoved the man down hard enough for him to fall backward and hit his head on the sidewalk.

The video taken by a reporter from local public radio station WBFO and posted on its website and Twitter account shows the white-haired man approaching a line of officers in riot gear. One officer pushes him with a baton and a second one with his hand. The sound of a crack is heard and then blood trickles from the man's head. The man was identified as long-time activist Martin Gugino.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/video-shows-police-in-buffalo-new-york-shoving-75-year-old-man-to-ground-303477">Also read | Video shows police in Buffalo, New York, shoving 75-year-old man to ground</a>

The man's identity, Martin Gugino, was confirmed by Cuomo's office. Gugino is hospitalised in serious but stable condition, authorities said.

The officers had been suspended without pay. If convicted of the felony assault charge, they face up to seven years in prison.

The video of the encounter sparked outrage online as demonstrators take to cities across the country to protest racial injustice sparked by the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after a white police officer pressed a knee into his neck for several minutes.

But at least 57 Buffalo police officers who were angered over their fellow officers' suspensions stepped down from the department's crowd control unit Friday. 
The resigning officers did not leave their jobs altogether.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/buffalo-officers-quit-special-team-after-two-suspended-for-shoving-75-year-old-to-ground-303743">Also read | Buffalo officers quit special team after two suspended for shoving 75-year old to ground</a>

Two Buffalo police officers were charged with assault, after a video showed them shoving a 75-year-old protestor in recent demonstrations over the death of George Floyd to the ground.

Two Buffalo police officers were charged with assault, after a video showed them shoving a 75-year-old protestor in recent demonstrations over the death of George Floyd to the ground. The demonstrators in Buffalo were, like those across the country, calling for racial justice after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody. Robert McCabe and Aaron Torgalski, who surrendered on Saturday morning, pleaded not guilty to second-degree assault. They were released without bail. McCabe and Torgalski shoved the man down hard enough for him to fall backward and hit his head on the sidewalk. The video taken by a reporter from local public radio station WBFO and posted on its website and Twitter account shows the white-haired man approaching a line of officers in riot gear. One officer pushes him with a baton and a second one with his hand. The sound of a crack is heard and then blood trickles from the man's head. The man was identified as long-time activist Martin Gugino. Also read | Video shows police in Buffalo, New York, shoving 75-year-old man to ground The man's identity, Martin Gugino, was confirmed by Cuomo's office. Gugino is hospitalised in serious but stable condition, authorities said. The officers had been suspended without pay. If convicted of the felony assault charge, they face up to seven years in prison. The video of the encounter sparked outrage online as demonstrators take to cities across the country to protest racial injustice sparked by the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after a white police officer pressed a knee into his neck for several minutes. But at least 57 Buffalo police officers who were angered over their fellow officers' suspensions stepped down from the department's crowd control unit Friday. The resigning officers did not leave their jobs altogether. Also read | Buffalo officers quit special team after two suspended for shoving 75-year old to ground

Two Buffalo police officers charged with assault in shoving 75-year old to ground

Watch reports of Police brutality across the United States of America. New York's governor Andrew Cuomo has condemned the police brutality. Watch this video to get more on this!

Reports of Police brutality across US, New York's governor condemns police brutality

Amid clashes between police forces and protesters, a sheriff in Michigan joined the crowd that was staging a protest in Flint Township. Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson joined the protesters by taking off his helmet and keeping his weapons down and said, "I want to make this a parade, not a protest."&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-widespread-anger-over-police-brutality-some-cops-win-hearts-in-us-302304">Amid widespread anger over police brutality, some cops win hearts in US</a>

The crowd welcomed the cop by chanting "walk with us!" Swanson told the crowd "The only reason we're here is to make sure you got a voice, that's it. Don't think for a second that he represents cops from all over the county and around this nation."

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The protests erupted in Minneapolis and then spread across the country after a video surfaced last Monday that showed a black man George Floyd pleading as a police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes following which Floyd was killed.

These protests have led to violence and looting over the weekend in the United States, but the demonstration in Flint remained peaceful.&nbsp;

"We want to be with y'all for real. I took my helmet off, lay the batons down. We want to make this a parade, not a protest," Swanson says in the video. "These cops love you. That cop over there hugs people. So, tell us what you need."

Several other videos of police coming out in support have resurfaced on the internet.&nbsp;

Amid clashes between police forces and protesters, a sheriff in Michigan joined the crowd that was staging a protest in Flint Township. Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson joined the protesters by taking off his helmet and keeping his weapons down and said, "I want to make this a parade, not a protest.

Amid clashes between police forces and protesters, a sheriff in Michigan joined the crowd that was staging a protest in Flint Township. Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson joined the protesters by taking off his helmet and keeping his weapons down and said, "I want to make this a parade, not a protest." Also read: Amid widespread anger over police brutality, some cops win hearts in US The crowd welcomed the cop by chanting "walk with us!" Swanson told the crowd "The only reason we're here is to make sure you got a voice, that's it. Don't think for a second that he represents cops from all over the county and around this nation." × The protests erupted in Minneapolis and then spread across the country after a video surfaced last Monday that showed a black man George Floyd pleading as a police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes following which Floyd was killed. These protests have led to violence and looting over the weekend in the United States, but the demonstration in Flint remained peaceful. "We want to be with y'all for real. I took my helmet off, lay the batons down. We want to make this a parade, not a protest," Swanson says in the video. "These cops love you. That cop over there hugs people. So, tell us what you need." Several other videos of police coming out in support have resurfaced on the internet.

'Walk with us!': Sheriff in Michigan shows solidarity to protestors

One of the biggest social media sites on the internet, Twitter has changed its official display image to show solidarity with the ongoing protests against racism and police brutality.

The protests, which began in the United States after a black man, George Floyd was knelt on and killed by a policeman in Minneapolis, a city in the US state of Minnesota. The man died in the process on May 25, raising concerns of race-oriented state brutality in the country.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/white-house-doubles-down-dares-twitter-to-block-another-trumps-tweet-301891" hreflang="en">White House doubles down &amp; dares Twitter to block another Trump's tweet</a>

The Black Lives Matter movement has regained&nbsp;steam&nbsp;after the incident. Thousands of people across major cities like New York and Los Angeles have taken to the streets demanding justice for the victim.

The police officer, Derek Chauvin has been charged with murdering Floyd, after the video surfaced whereby the black man was asking for respite and reiterated his inability to breathe, which did not stop Chauvin from kneeling on his neck.

Related video:&nbsp;Twitter flags Donald Trump's tweet, Twitter says post 'Glorified Violence'

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://wionews.com/videos/twitter-flags-donald-trumps-tweet-twitter-says-post-glorified-violence-301937/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Besides Chauvin, four officers have been sacked for their involvement in Floyd’s death.

“Please, I can’t breathe”, Floyd’s last words before death have become the primary slogan for the movement’s resurgence.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/twitter-says-ceo-dorsey-was-informed-in-advance-of-decision-to-hide-trump-tweet-301828" hreflang="en">Twitter says CEO Dorsey was informed in advance of decision to hide Trump tweet</a>

Twitter has been heavily involved in the movement. Recently, President Trump tweeted “When the looting starts, the shooting starts”, which was interpreted by many as an open threat to shoot protesters. The company flagged his tweet with a warning, in which he had also referred to the protesters as “thugs”.

His another factually incorrect tweet about ballot boxes was flagged by the company recently, after which Trump displayed outrage against social media companies and promised to sign a new order limiting the powers of such companies.

One of the biggest social media sites on the internet, Twitter has changed its official display image to show solidarity with the ongoing protests against racism and police brutality.

One of the biggest social media sites on the internet, Twitter has changed its official display image to show solidarity with the ongoing protests against racism and police brutality. The protests, which began in the United States after a black man, George Floyd was knelt on and killed by a policeman in Minneapolis, a city in the US state of Minnesota. The man died in the process on May 25, raising concerns of race-oriented state brutality in the country. Also read: White House doubles down & dares Twitter to block another Trump's tweet The Black Lives Matter movement has regained steam after the incident. Thousands of people across major cities like New York and Los Angeles have taken to the streets demanding justice for the victim. The police officer, Derek Chauvin has been charged with murdering Floyd, after the video surfaced whereby the black man was asking for respite and reiterated his inability to breathe, which did not stop Chauvin from kneeling on his neck. Related video: Twitter flags Donald Trump's tweet, Twitter says post 'Glorified Violence' Besides Chauvin, four officers have been sacked for their involvement in Floyd’s death. “Please, I can’t breathe”, Floyd’s last words before death have become the primary slogan for the movement’s resurgence. Also read: Twitter says CEO Dorsey was informed in advance of decision to hide Trump tweet Twitter has been heavily involved in the movement. Recently, President Trump tweeted “When the looting starts, the shooting starts”, which was interpreted by many as an open threat to shoot protesters. The company flagged his tweet with a warning, in which he had also referred to the protesters as “thugs”. His another factually incorrect tweet about ballot boxes was flagged by the company recently, after which Trump displayed outrage against social media companies and promised to sign a new order limiting the powers of such companies.

Twitter’s blue bird goes black to show solidarity with protestors in the US

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rajya-sabha-adjourned-till-2pm-after-uproar-over-jnu-fee-hike-issue-263097">Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)</a> visually impaired students' forum has called for a demonstration on Wednesday in front of Delhi Police Headquarters against alleged lathi charge by police on the students of the University and to demand justice for persons with disabilities. 
 
The demonstration is scheduled in the front of the Police Headquarter on Jaisingh Road near the Parliament. 
 
"The JNU Visually Challenged Students' Forum calls for a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jnu-administration-to-take-stringent-action-against-students-over-criminal-vandalism-262743">demonstration</a> against the brutal lathi charge of Delhi Police and demand for justice for persons with disabilities," Shaikh Mohammad Kaish, JNU Visually Challenged Students' Forum, said in a statement. 
 
On November 18, Delhi Police had denied allegations of lathi-charge levelled by some students during the protest organised to demand complete fee rollback. 
 
However, the Forum said that the lathi charge by police was a clear cut violation of the United Nation's Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2006 and Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2016 act. 
 
The forum demanded delegation-level talks with the Chief Commissioner of Delhi Police and full protection of persons with disabilities anywhere in the national capital with an immediate effect.

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) visually impaired students' forum has called for a demonstration on Wednesday in front of Delhi Police Headquarters against alleged lathi charge by police on the students of the University and to demand justice for persons with disabilities.

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) visually impaired students' forum has called for a demonstration on Wednesday in front of Delhi Police Headquarters against alleged lathi charge by police on the students of the University and to demand justice for persons with disabilities. The demonstration is scheduled in the front of the Police Headquarter on Jaisingh Road near the Parliament. "The JNU Visually Challenged Students' Forum calls for a demonstration against the brutal lathi charge of Delhi Police and demand for justice for persons with disabilities," Shaikh Mohammad Kaish, JNU Visually Challenged Students' Forum, said in a statement. On November 18, Delhi Police had denied allegations of lathi-charge levelled by some students during the protest organised to demand complete fee rollback. However, the Forum said that the lathi charge by police was a clear cut violation of the United Nation's Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2006 and Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2016 act. The forum demanded delegation-level talks with the Chief Commissioner of Delhi Police and full protection of persons with disabilities anywhere in the national capital with an immediate effect.

JNU: Visually impaired students' forum calls for protest against police brutality

President Sebastian Pinera condemned on Sunday for the first time what he called abuses committed by police in dealing with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chile-to-vote-on-new-constitution-in-response-to-protests-262297">four weeks of violent unrest</a> that have rocked Chile.

"There was excessive use of force. Abuses and crimes were committed, and the rights of all were not respected," the president said in a speech to the nation as it marked a month of turmoil that has left 22 people dead and more than 2,000 injured.

Furious Chileans have been protesting social and economic inequality, and against an entrenched political elite that comes from a small number of the wealthiest families in the country, among other issues.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-end-in-sight-to-chile-unrest-as-massive-strike-more-protests-planned-261673">Accusations of police brutality</a> and human rights violations have been levelled since the protests broke out, prompting the United Nations to send a team to investigate. Amnesty International has also sent a mission.

"There will be no impunity, not for those who committed acts of unusual violence, nor for those who committed excesses and abuses. We will do what is best for the victims," he said, referring to protesters first and then the security forces.

Pinera also praised an agreement reached last week under which Chile will draft a new constitution to replace the current one that dates back to the rightwing dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, who ruled from 1973 to 1990.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/many-wounded-in-chile-as-police-fires-rubber-bullets-and-tear-gas-at-protesters-262182">Many in Chile</a> see this step,&nbsp;getting rid of a charter that smacks of a dark, repressive chapter in the country's past,&nbsp;as a way to help end the crisis. It is a key demand of the thousands of protesters that have been taking to the streets in Santiago and elsewhere almost daily for a month.

The spasm of anger began with a rise in metro fares but quickly swelled into a broader outcry against the status quo in what is traditionally considered one of South America's most stable countries. &nbsp;&nbsp;

"If the people want it, we will move toward a new constitution, the first under democracy," Pinera said in a speech from the presidential palace.&nbsp;

President Sebastian Pinera condemned on Sunday for the first time what he called abuses committed by police in dealing with four weeks of violent unrest that have rocked Chile.

President Sebastian Pinera condemned on Sunday for the first time what he called abuses committed by police in dealing with four weeks of violent unrest that have rocked Chile. "There was excessive use of force. Abuses and crimes were committed, and the rights of all were not respected," the president said in a speech to the nation as it marked a month of turmoil that has left 22 people dead and more than 2,000 injured. Furious Chileans have been protesting social and economic inequality, and against an entrenched political elite that comes from a small number of the wealthiest families in the country, among other issues. Accusations of police brutality and human rights violations have been levelled since the protests broke out, prompting the United Nations to send a team to investigate. Amnesty International has also sent a mission. "There will be no impunity, not for those who committed acts of unusual violence, nor for those who committed excesses and abuses. We will do what is best for the victims," he said, referring to protesters first and then the security forces. Pinera also praised an agreement reached last week under which Chile will draft a new constitution to replace the current one that dates back to the rightwing dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, who ruled from 1973 to 1990. Many in Chile see this step, getting rid of a charter that smacks of a dark, repressive chapter in the country's past, as a way to help end the crisis. It is a key demand of the thousands of protesters that have been taking to the streets in Santiago and elsewhere almost daily for a month. The spasm of anger began with a rise in metro fares but quickly swelled into a broader outcry against the status quo in what is traditionally considered one of South America's most stable countries. "If the people want it, we will move toward a new constitution, the first under democracy," Pinera said in a speech from the presidential palace.

Chile: President Pinera condemns police violence as unrest stretches for over four weeks

A man accused of crashing his car into the security barriers surrounding Britain's Houses of Parliament was charged with attempted murder, police said.&nbsp

Salih Khater, 29, a Sudanese-born British national living in Birmingham, central England, will appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates Court in London on Monday, police said.&nbsp

He was charged yesterday with one count of attempting to murder members of the public and one of attempting to murder police officers following the incident outside London's iconic Palace of Westminster on Tuesday.&nbsp

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), England's state prosecutors, are treating the case as terrorism, the police said.&nbsp

"The charges follow an incident in which Khater drove his car into a stationary group of members of the public then at police officers, before crashing into the barriers outside the Houses of Parliament," London's Metropolitan Police said in a statement.&nbsp

"Due to the methodology, iconic location and the alleged targeting of civilians and police officers, the CPS are treating this case as terrorism."&nbsp

Khater is being charged under the Criminal Attempts Act 1981.&nbsp

A man accused of crashing his car into the security barriers surrounding Britain's Houses of Parliament was charged with attempted murder, police said. Salih Khater, 29, a Sudanese-born British national living in Birmingham, central England, will appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates Court in London on Monday, police said.

A man accused of crashing his car into the security barriers surrounding Britain's Houses of Parliament was charged with attempted murder, police said. Salih Khater, 29, a Sudanese-born British national living in Birmingham, central England, will appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates Court in London on Monday, police said. He was charged yesterday with one count of attempting to murder members of the public and one of attempting to murder police officers following the incident outside London's iconic Palace of Westminster on Tuesday. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), England's state prosecutors, are treating the case as terrorism, the police said. "The charges follow an incident in which Khater drove his car into a stationary group of members of the public then at police officers, before crashing into the barriers outside the Houses of Parliament," London's Metropolitan Police said in a statement. "Due to the methodology, iconic location and the alleged targeting of civilians and police officers, the CPS are treating this case as terrorism." Khater is being charged under the Criminal Attempts Act 1981.

Hong Kong unrest: Protesters clash with police at malls, face petrol bombs and tear gas

Pakistani journalists on Wednesday held a country-wide protest against police brutality on a local reporter in Lahore. 
 
The protest took place after police officials hit Pakistani journalist Usman Ahmed Bhatti for covering the appearance of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz PML(N)&nbsp;leader Hamza Shahba in court, Geo News reported. 
 
The report said the policemen not only beat-up the reporter but also hit two camerapersons for covering the appearance of Hamza Shahbaz in court. 
 
It also said that other journalists were also roughed-up to make way for the convoy of the PML(N) leader. 
 
Punjab police did not make any comment over allegations of brutality levelled by protesting journalists. 
 
Journalists had earlier come together and protested in front of the court demanding justice against the police action.

Pakistani journalists on Wednesday held a country-wide protest against police brutality on a local reporter in Lahore. The protest took place after police officials hit Pakistani journalist Usman Ahmed Bhatti for covering the appearance of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz PML(N) leader Hamza Shahba in court, Geo News reported.

Pakistani journalists on Wednesday held a country-wide protest against police brutality on a local reporter in Lahore. The protest took place after police officials hit Pakistani journalist Usman Ahmed Bhatti for covering the appearance of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz PML(N) leader Hamza Shahba in court, Geo News reported. The report said the policemen not only beat-up the reporter but also hit two camerapersons for covering the appearance of Hamza Shahbaz in court. It also said that other journalists were also roughed-up to make way for the convoy of the PML(N) leader. Punjab police did not make any comment over allegations of brutality levelled by protesting journalists. Journalists had earlier come together and protested in front of the court demanding justice against the police action.

Journalists hold protests against police brutality in Pakistan

While months of anti-government protests have taken a toll on businesses across Hong Kong, from luxury retailers and hotels to shops and restaurants, Keita Lee's pop-up stall is thriving

Gas masks and hard hats: Hong Kong hardware store capitalises on protests

Hong Kong police fired tear gas at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/outrage-in-china-as-hong-kong-democracy-supporter-assaults-mainlander-crowd-chants-go-home-254032">pro-democracy protesters</a> on Sunday after tens of thousands hit the streets once more to defy a ban on face masks despite half the city's subway stations remaining closed.

Large crowds marched through torrential rain in unsanctioned rallies on both sides of Victoria Harbour Sunday afternoon.

Clashes soon erupted as police fired tear gas at protesters blocking roads and building barricades in at least three different locations.

Protesters have staged unsanctioned flashmob rallies across the strife-torn city in recent days - some vandalising subway stations and shops - after Hong Kong's leader outlawed face coverings at protests, invoking colonial-era emergency powers not used for half a century.

Pro-democracy lawmakers went to the High Court Sunday morning seeking an emergency injunction against the ban, arguing the emergency powers bypassed the legislature and contravened the city's mini-constitution.

But a senior judge dismissed their case.

The law allows the city's unelected pro-Beijing leader Carrie Lam to make "any regulations whatsoever" during a time of public danger.

She used it to ban masks -- which protesters have used to hide their identity or protect from tear gas -- and warned she would use the powers to make new regulations if the unrest did not abate.

The ban was welcomed by government supporters and Beijing.

But opponents and protesters saw it as the start of a slippery slope tipping the international finance hub into authoritarianism.

And it has done little to calm tensions or stop crowds coming out.&nbsp;

"If Carrie Lam wants to de-escalate the situation, this is not the right way," a 19-year-old protester who gave his first name Corey, told AFP as he marched under a forest of umbrellas on the main island.

"Citizens are not afraid because of this law," added another protester, who gave his surname Leung and was dressed as a front-line protester.

"It only causes more people to defy the ban."

Two teen protesters shot

Hong Kong has been battered 18 consecutive weekends of unrest, with widespread public anger over <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-court-rejects-mask-ban-challenge-as-fresh-protests-break-out-254031">Chinese rule and the police response to protests</a>.

The rallies were ignited by a now-scrapped plan to allow extraditions to the mainland, which fuelled fears of an erosion of liberties promised under the 50-year "one country, two systems" model China agreed ahead of the 1997 handover by Britain.

After Beijing and local leaders took a hard line, the demonstrations snowballed into a wider movement calling for more democratic freedoms and police accountability.

Lam has refused major concessions but struggled to come up with any political solution, leaving police and demonstrators to fight increasingly violent battles as the city tips into recession.

The worst clashes to date erupted on Tuesday as China celebrated 70 years of Communist Party rule, with a teenager shot and wounded by police as he attacked an officer.

A 14-year-old boy was then shot and wounded Friday night when a plainclothes police officer, who was surrounded by a mob of protesters throwing petrol bombs, fired his sidearm.&nbsp;

That night, masked protesters went on a rampage in dozens of locations, trashing subway stations and businesses with mainland China ties.

Much of subway shuttered

The city's subway system -- which carries four million people daily -&nbsp;was shut down entirely Friday night and throughout Saturday, bringing much of the metropolis to a halt.

Major supermarket chains and malls announced they were closing, leading to long lines and panic buying.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-metro-system-partially-reopens-as-city-braces-for-further-protests-253992">Thousands of masked protesters</a> still came out onto the streets throughout Saturday despite the mask ban and transport gridlock, although the crowds were smaller than recent rallies.

On Sunday, the subway operator said 45 stations would open but 48 remained shuttered, many of them in the heart of the city's main tourist districts as well as those areas hit hardest by the protests and vandalism.

Lam has defended her use of the emergency powers and said that she is willing to issue more executive orders if the violence continues.

"We cannot allow rioters any more to destroy our treasured Hong Kong," Lam said in a stony-faced video statement on Saturday.

But opposition lawmakers said the use of such a law had deepened the crisis.&nbsp;

"I would say this is one of the most important constitutional cases in the history of Hong Kong," lawmaker Dennis Kwok told reporters before Sunday's ruling.

Protester demands include an independent inquiry into the police, an amnesty for the more than 2,000 people arrested and universal suffrage - all requests rejected by Lam and Beijing.

Hong Kong police fired tear gas at pro-democracy protesters on Sunday after tens of thousands hit the streets once more to defy a ban on face masks despite half the city's subway stations remaining closed.

Hong Kong police fired tear gas at pro-democracy protesters on Sunday after tens of thousands hit the streets once more to defy a ban on face masks despite half the city's subway stations remaining closed. Large crowds marched through torrential rain in unsanctioned rallies on both sides of Victoria Harbour Sunday afternoon. Clashes soon erupted as police fired tear gas at protesters blocking roads and building barricades in at least three different locations. Protesters have staged unsanctioned flashmob rallies across the strife-torn city in recent days - some vandalising subway stations and shops - after Hong Kong's leader outlawed face coverings at protests, invoking colonial-era emergency powers not used for half a century. Pro-democracy lawmakers went to the High Court Sunday morning seeking an emergency injunction against the ban, arguing the emergency powers bypassed the legislature and contravened the city's mini-constitution. But a senior judge dismissed their case. The law allows the city's unelected pro-Beijing leader Carrie Lam to make "any regulations whatsoever" during a time of public danger. She used it to ban masks -- which protesters have used to hide their identity or protect from tear gas -- and warned she would use the powers to make new regulations if the unrest did not abate. The ban was welcomed by government supporters and Beijing. But opponents and protesters saw it as the start of a slippery slope tipping the international finance hub into authoritarianism. And it has done little to calm tensions or stop crowds coming out. "If Carrie Lam wants to de-escalate the situation, this is not the right way," a 19-year-old protester who gave his first name Corey, told AFP as he marched under a forest of umbrellas on the main island. "Citizens are not afraid because of this law," added another protester, who gave his surname Leung and was dressed as a front-line protester. "It only causes more people to defy the ban." Two teen protesters shot Hong Kong has been battered 18 consecutive weekends of unrest, with widespread public anger over Chinese rule and the police response to protests. The rallies were ignited by a now-scrapped plan to allow extraditions to the mainland, which fuelled fears of an erosion of liberties promised under the 50-year "one country, two systems" model China agreed ahead of the 1997 handover by Britain. After Beijing and local leaders took a hard line, the demonstrations snowballed into a wider movement calling for more democratic freedoms and police accountability. Lam has refused major concessions but struggled to come up with any political solution, leaving police and demonstrators to fight increasingly violent battles as the city tips into recession. The worst clashes to date erupted on Tuesday as China celebrated 70 years of Communist Party rule, with a teenager shot and wounded by police as he attacked an officer. A 14-year-old boy was then shot and wounded Friday night when a plainclothes police officer, who was surrounded by a mob of protesters throwing petrol bombs, fired his sidearm. That night, masked protesters went on a rampage in dozens of locations, trashing subway stations and businesses with mainland China ties. Much of subway shuttered The city's subway system -- which carries four million people daily - was shut down entirely Friday night and throughout Saturday, bringing much of the metropolis to a halt. Major supermarket chains and malls announced they were closing, leading to long lines and panic buying. Thousands of masked protesters still came out onto the streets throughout Saturday despite the mask ban and transport gridlock, although the crowds were smaller than recent rallies. On Sunday, the subway operator said 45 stations would open but 48 remained shuttered, many of them in the heart of the city's main tourist districts as well as those areas hit hardest by the protests and vandalism. Lam has defended her use of the emergency powers and said that she is willing to issue more executive orders if the violence continues. "We cannot allow rioters any more to destroy our treasured Hong Kong," Lam said in a stony-faced video statement on Saturday. But opposition lawmakers said the use of such a law had deepened the crisis. "I would say this is one of the most important constitutional cases in the history of Hong Kong," lawmaker Dennis Kwok told reporters before Sunday's ruling. Protester demands include an independent inquiry into the police, an amnesty for the more than 2,000 people arrested and universal suffrage - all requests rejected by Lam and Beijing.

Police fire tear gas as large crowds defy Hong Kong mask ban

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday expressed concern over growing crimes, stating that the city is witnessing a 'dangerous spurt'&nbsp;in serious crimes.

Slamming the Delhi Police for the alleged increase in crime rate, Kejriwal asked, "Whose door should be knocked for the safety and security of Delhiites?"

"Delhi is witnessing a dangerous spurt in serious crimes. An elderly couple and their domestic help murdered in Vasant Vihar. Nine murders reported in the last 24 hours across the city. Whose door should be knocked for the safety and security of Delhiites?" the Chief Minister wrote on his official Twitter handle.

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Delhi is witnessing a dangerous spurt in serious crimes. An elderly couple and their domestic help murdered in Vasant Vihar. Nine murders reported in last 24 hours across the city. Whose door should be knocked for safety &amp; security of Delhiites ?
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal/status/1142776819780734976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The tweet, which seems to be a sharp attack on the Central government over the present law and order situation in Delhi, comes after bodies of an elderly couple and their caretaker was found with their throats slit at a house in southwest Delhi's Vasant Vihar on Sunday morning.

Soon after Kejriwal's tweet, Delhi Police responded on the microblogging site claiming that heinous crimes in the city were in fact down by 10 per cent in comparison to 2018.

"No such increase in crime in Delhi. Overall heinous crimes down by 10 per cent this year compared to 2018. Similarly, heinous crimes committed against senior citizens also down by 22 per cent due to preventive efforts of Delhi Police," the tweet read.

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No such increase in crime in Delhi. Overall heinous crimes down by 10 % this year compared to 2018. Similarly 
heinous crime committed against senior citizens also down by 22% due to preventive efforts of Delhi police. <a href="https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ArvindKejriwal</a> <a href="https://t.co/FaAA5PvLnK">pic.twitter.com/FaAA5PvLnK</a>
— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/DelhiPolice/status/1142821771701174274?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"Also, two of the three incidents of murder which Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is referring have been committed by family members or persons living in the house. Both cases are solved and accused arrested. In the Vasant Vihar case also entry is friendly and police has vital leads," it added.

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Also two of the three incidents of murder which Hon’ble CM <a href="https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ArvindKejriwal</a> is referring have been committed by family members or persons living in the house. Both cases are solved &amp; accused arrested. In the Vasant Vihar case also entry is friendly and police has vital leads.
— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/DelhiPolice/status/1142822028631670785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi also blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party over the rising crime rate in Delhi.

"Law and order situation has dropped to a very pathetic level in Delhi. Nine murders have taken place in the past 24 hours. Also, close to 200 gunshots have been reported in the last 30 days. The BJP and all its elected MPs in Delhi are responsible for this," Atishi told ANI.

"We have given 24 hours time to BJP to explain the responsibilities of the Home Ministry, LG and Delhi MPs. Criminals know that they can easily escape after committing a crime. Now people are afraid of their safety even inside their houses," she added.&nbsp;

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday expressed concern over growing crimes, stating that the city is witnessing a 'dangerous spurt' in serious crimes. Slamming the Delhi Police for the alleged increase in crime rate, Kejriwal asked, "Whose door should be knocked for the safety and security of Delhiites?

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday expressed concern over growing crimes, stating that the city is witnessing a 'dangerous spurt' in serious crimes. Slamming the Delhi Police for the alleged increase in crime rate, Kejriwal asked, "Whose door should be knocked for the safety and security of Delhiites?" "Delhi is witnessing a dangerous spurt in serious crimes. An elderly couple and their domestic help murdered in Vasant Vihar. Nine murders reported in the last 24 hours across the city. Whose door should be knocked for the safety and security of Delhiites?" the Chief Minister wrote on his official Twitter handle. Delhi is witnessing a dangerous spurt in serious crimes. An elderly couple and their domestic help murdered in Vasant Vihar. Nine murders reported in last 24 hours across the city. Whose door should be knocked for safety & security of Delhiites ? — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) June 23, 2019 × The tweet, which seems to be a sharp attack on the Central government over the present law and order situation in Delhi, comes after bodies of an elderly couple and their caretaker was found with their throats slit at a house in southwest Delhi's Vasant Vihar on Sunday morning. Soon after Kejriwal's tweet, Delhi Police responded on the microblogging site claiming that heinous crimes in the city were in fact down by 10 per cent in comparison to 2018. "No such increase in crime in Delhi. Overall heinous crimes down by 10 per cent this year compared to 2018. Similarly, heinous crimes committed against senior citizens also down by 22 per cent due to preventive efforts of Delhi Police," the tweet read. No such increase in crime in Delhi. Overall heinous crimes down by 10 % this year compared to 2018. Similarly heinous crime committed against senior citizens also down by 22% due to preventive efforts of Delhi police. @ArvindKejriwal pic.twitter.com/FaAA5PvLnK — Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) June 23, 2019 × "Also, two of the three incidents of murder which Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is referring have been committed by family members or persons living in the house. Both cases are solved and accused arrested. In the Vasant Vihar case also entry is friendly and police has vital leads," it added. Also two of the three incidents of murder which Hon’ble CM @ArvindKejriwal is referring have been committed by family members or persons living in the house. Both cases are solved & accused arrested. In the Vasant Vihar case also entry is friendly and police has vital leads. — Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) June 23, 2019 × Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi also blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party over the rising crime rate in Delhi. "Law and order situation has dropped to a very pathetic level in Delhi. Nine murders have taken place in the past 24 hours. Also, close to 200 gunshots have been reported in the last 30 days. The BJP and all its elected MPs in Delhi are responsible for this," Atishi told ANI. "We have given 24 hours time to BJP to explain the responsibilities of the Home Ministry, LG and Delhi MPs. Criminals know that they can easily escape after committing a crime. Now people are afraid of their safety even inside their houses," she added.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal shows concern over rising crimes in city, police claim situation better than 2018

Police in Minnesota were startled by a loud sound prior to fatally shooting an unarmed Australian woman who had called them to report a possible assault, US investigators revealed Tuesday.

The state agency probing the killing of Justine Damond, also known by her maiden name Justine Ruszczyk, &nbsp;interviewed one of the two officers who responded to her emergency call on Saturday night in Minneapolis. &nbsp;

It was the first time since the incident that authorities offered more information about the circumstances, as community leaders and Damond&#39;s family complained they had few details over a killing that reverberated in her native Australia.&nbsp;

Damond had called Minneapolis police Saturday around 11:30 pm to report a possible assault occurring near her home. Two officers responded with their police car&#39;s emergency lights off.&nbsp;

Officer Matthew Harrity told investigators Tuesday that he had been &quot;startled by a loud sound&quot; near the squad car just before Damond approached, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) said in a statement.&nbsp;His partner, Officer Mohamed Noor, was in the passenger seat.

&quot;Harrity indicated that Officer Noor discharged his weapon, striking Ruszczyk through the open driver&#39;s side window,&quot; the agency said.

The BCA did not identify the startling sound, but an unidentified officer recorded on a police radio conversation published by the website Minnesota PoliceClips, speculated it may have been fireworks that sounded like gun shots.&nbsp;

After the shooting, the officers provided medical aid until paramedics arrived, but Damond died at the scene of a gunshot wound to the abdomen, authorities said.&nbsp;

The officers&#39; body-worn cameras were not on during the incident, and investigators appealed for witnesses to come forward.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Minneapolis officials pressed for patience, saying the state investigation took precedence and city authorities therefore had little information of their own to share.&nbsp;

&quot;We don&#39;t have all the answers,&quot; Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges said at a Tuesday night news conference. &quot;But, the information the BCA shared this evening gets us closer to having answers, closer to seeing justice done,&quot; she said.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Australia mourns

Damond, a 40-year-old meditation instructor and life coach, was an Australian national who had moved to the US to marry her fiance Don Damond -- who on Monday had criticized a lack of information from investigators.&nbsp;Her death reverberated around the world, from a makeshift memorial at the Lake Harriet Spiritual Community center where Damond worked, to her native Australia.

Hundreds of family and friends gathered for an emotional vigil at Sydney&#39;s Freshwater beach at daybreak on Wednesday, standing in silence and holding candles before casting pink flowers into the water.

In an interview with Australia&#39;s Channel Nine, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Wednesday expressed shock. &nbsp;&quot;It is inexplicable,&quot; he said. &quot;We are demanding answers on behalf of her family. And our hearts go out to her family, and all of her friends and loved ones.&quot;

A day earlier, Damond&#39;s father John Ruszczyk addressed Australian media at a news conference, calling for justice. &nbsp;&quot;Justine was a beacon to all of us. We only ask that the light of justice shine down on the circumstances of her death,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Officer &#39;a caring person&#39;

Noor, who has been with the Minneapolis police force for 21 months, declined investigators&#39; requests for an interview, the BCA said Tuesday. &nbsp;&quot;We cannot compel Officer Noor to make a statement,&quot; Mayor Hodges said, &quot;I wish that he would... because he has a story to tell that no one else can tell.&quot;

In a statement, Noor&#39;s attorney Tom Plunkett called the officer &quot;a caring person,&quot; who &quot;empathises with the loss others are experiencing.&quot; But Plunkett said ongoing investigations prevented the officer from saying any more.&nbsp;

There are three investigations, one conducted by the BCA which takes precedence, a police department use of force review, and a civilian oversight civil rights probe that has not yet begun.&nbsp;

Damond&#39;s case was the latest high-profile police shooting. Most others involved white police officers and African American victims. In this case, Noor is Somali American, while Damond was white.

&quot;Justine&#39;s death shows no one should assume &#39;officer-involved shootings&#39; only happen in a certain part of town or to certain kinds of people,&quot; Congressman Keith Ellison, who represents Damond&#39;s district in the US House of Representatives, said in a statement.&nbsp;

Justine Damond was unarmed when she was fatally shot by a police officer, after calling them to report a possible assault

Police in Minnesota were startled by a loud sound prior to fatally shooting an unarmed Australian woman who had called them to report a possible assault, US investigators revealed Tuesday. The state agency probing the killing of Justine Damond, also known by her maiden name Justine Ruszczyk, interviewed one of the two officers who responded to her emergency call on Saturday night in Minneapolis. It was the first time since the incident that authorities offered more information about the circumstances, as community leaders and Damond's family complained they had few details over a killing that reverberated in her native Australia. Damond had called Minneapolis police Saturday around 11:30 pm to report a possible assault occurring near her home. Two officers responded with their police car's emergency lights off. Officer Matthew Harrity told investigators Tuesday that he had been "startled by a loud sound" near the squad car just before Damond approached, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) said in a statement. His partner, Officer Mohamed Noor, was in the passenger seat. "Harrity indicated that Officer Noor discharged his weapon, striking Ruszczyk through the open driver's side window," the agency said. The BCA did not identify the startling sound, but an unidentified officer recorded on a police radio conversation published by the website Minnesota PoliceClips, speculated it may have been fireworks that sounded like gun shots. After the shooting, the officers provided medical aid until paramedics arrived, but Damond died at the scene of a gunshot wound to the abdomen, authorities said. The officers' body-worn cameras were not on during the incident, and investigators appealed for witnesses to come forward. Meanwhile, Minneapolis officials pressed for patience, saying the state investigation took precedence and city authorities therefore had little information of their own to share. "We don't have all the answers," Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges said at a Tuesday night news conference. "But, the information the BCA shared this evening gets us closer to having answers, closer to seeing justice done," she said. Australia mourns Damond, a 40-year-old meditation instructor and life coach, was an Australian national who had moved to the US to marry her fiance Don Damond -- who on Monday had criticized a lack of information from investigators. Her death reverberated around the world, from a makeshift memorial at the Lake Harriet Spiritual Community center where Damond worked, to her native Australia. Hundreds of family and friends gathered for an emotional vigil at Sydney's Freshwater beach at daybreak on Wednesday, standing in silence and holding candles before casting pink flowers into the water. In an interview with Australia's Channel Nine, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Wednesday expressed shock. "It is inexplicable," he said. "We are demanding answers on behalf of her family. And our hearts go out to her family, and all of her friends and loved ones." A day earlier, Damond's father John Ruszczyk addressed Australian media at a news conference, calling for justice. "Justine was a beacon to all of us. We only ask that the light of justice shine down on the circumstances of her death," he said. Officer 'a caring person' Noor, who has been with the Minneapolis police force for 21 months, declined investigators' requests for an interview, the BCA said Tuesday. "We cannot compel Officer Noor to make a statement," Mayor Hodges said, "I wish that he would... because he has a story to tell that no one else can tell." In a statement, Noor's attorney Tom Plunkett called the officer "a caring person," who "empathises with the loss others are experiencing." But Plunkett said ongoing investigations prevented the officer from saying any more. There are three investigations, one conducted by the BCA which takes precedence, a police department use of force review, and a civilian oversight civil rights probe that has not yet begun. Damond's case was the latest high-profile police shooting. Most others involved white police officers and African American victims. In this case, Noor is Somali American, while Damond was white. "Justine's death shows no one should assume 'officer-involved shootings' only happen in a certain part of town or to certain kinds of people," Congressman Keith Ellison, who represents Damond's district in the US House of Representatives, said in a statement.

'Loud sound' preceded US police shooting Australian woman

The parents of black teenager Michael Brown and the city of Ferguson, Missouri, have settled a lawsuit over his fatal shooting by a white city police officer in 2014, according to a court document filed on Monday.

Brown&#39;s death triggered sometimes violent protests in Ferguson and around the United States, fuelled by later police killings of unarmed black men in other cities. It also helped spark debate about racial bias in the US&nbsp;justice system.

Terms of the wrongful death settlement between Ferguson and Brown&#39;s parents, Michael Brown Sr&nbsp;and Lesley McSpadden, were not disclosed. US&nbsp;District Judge E&nbsp;Richard Webber approved the settlement and ordered it sealed.

&quot;The gross settlement amount is fair and reasonable compensation for this wrongful death claim and is in the best interests of each plaintiff,&quot; Webber wrote.

Both James Knowles, the mayor of the blue-collar, largely black St. Louis suburb, and Anthony Gray, the lead attorney for Brown&#39;s parents, declined to comment.

Brown and McSpadden, his ex-wife, sued the city, former Police Chief Tom Jackson, and former police officer Darren Wilson in 2015. Wilson shot Brown, 18, multiple times after a confrontation in August 2014 as Brown and a friend walked through their neighbourhood.

Images of the teen&#39;s body, which lay in the street for more than four hours, and an aftermath in which police officials defended Wilson&#39;s actions and characterised Brown as a thief, enraged many in the black community.

A federal probe of Brown&#39;s killing found systematic racial discrimination that targeted black residents and created a &quot;toxic environment&quot; in Ferguson.

The report said the city overwhelmingly arrested and issued traffic citations to blacks to boost city coffers, used police as a collection agency and fomented a culture of distrust that exploded when Brown was shot.

A grand jury decided not to charge Wilson, and the US&nbsp;Justice Department declined to bring any charges of civil rights violations against him.

Brown&#39;s death helped spark the &quot;Black Lives Matter&quot; movement protesting what was widely seen as the use of unrestrained lethal force against minorities by police.

(Reuters)

The terms of the wrongful death settlement between Brown's family and city officials have not been disclosed in public

The parents of black teenager Michael Brown and the city of Ferguson, Missouri, have settled a lawsuit over his fatal shooting by a white city police officer in 2014, according to a court document filed on Monday. Brown's death triggered sometimes violent protests in Ferguson and around the United States, fuelled by later police killings of unarmed black men in other cities. It also helped spark debate about racial bias in the US justice system. Terms of the wrongful death settlement between Ferguson and Brown's parents, Michael Brown Sr and Lesley McSpadden, were not disclosed. US District Judge E Richard Webber approved the settlement and ordered it sealed. "The gross settlement amount is fair and reasonable compensation for this wrongful death claim and is in the best interests of each plaintiff," Webber wrote. Both James Knowles, the mayor of the blue-collar, largely black St. Louis suburb, and Anthony Gray, the lead attorney for Brown's parents, declined to comment. Brown and McSpadden, his ex-wife, sued the city, former Police Chief Tom Jackson, and former police officer Darren Wilson in 2015. Wilson shot Brown, 18, multiple times after a confrontation in August 2014 as Brown and a friend walked through their neighbourhood. Images of the teen's body, which lay in the street for more than four hours, and an aftermath in which police officials defended Wilson's actions and characterised Brown as a thief, enraged many in the black community. A federal probe of Brown's killing found systematic racial discrimination that targeted black residents and created a "toxic environment" in Ferguson. The report said the city overwhelmingly arrested and issued traffic citations to blacks to boost city coffers, used police as a collection agency and fomented a culture of distrust that exploded when Brown was shot. A grand jury decided not to charge Wilson, and the US Justice Department declined to bring any charges of civil rights violations against him. Brown's death helped spark the "Black Lives Matter" movement protesting what was widely seen as the use of unrestrained lethal force against minorities by police. (Reuters)

Michael Brown: Ferguson settles lawsuit over black teenager killed by police officer in Missouri

Two Saudi suspects killed when their car exploded in a mainly Shiite district of the kingdom were wanted for murdering police officers, the interior ministry said on Tuesday.

DNA testing identified Fadil al-Hamada and Mohammed al-Suwaimil, both Saudis, as the men who died on June 1 in Qatif city.

Qatif and its environs have seen criminal violence as well as protests among the Sunni-dominated kingdom&#39;s Shiite minority.

A rights group alleged that authorities &quot;extra judicially executed&quot; Hamada and Suwaimil, and also used &quot;indiscriminate and excessive force&quot; this week against civilians in the Qatif district town of Awamiya.

The ministry said Hamad and others were involved in the killings of 10 security forces members over the past two years in the Dammam and Qatif areas.

Suwaimil was linked to two of those killings, a ministry statement said. Officers took &quot;necessary action&quot; after spotting their stolen vehicle, the ministry said at the time, without detailing how it was stopped.

&quot;As a result, it caught fire and exploded,&quot; killing the two occupants, the ministry said.

The vehicle was found to contain weapons and materiel which exploded, the ministry said on Tuesday.

But the Berlin-based European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights (ESOHR) issued a statement accusing authorities of killing the men.

&quot;It is the first time that the Saudi authorities have resorted to explosives to extra-judicially execute people in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia,&quot; it said, without adding how it believed the blast occurred.

A witness told AFP there was a &quot;very huge&quot; explosion. Last month, violence escalated around a redevelopment project in the old Almosara section of Awamiya, a Qatif district town.

Three UN rights experts called on Saudi Arabia to halt demolition of the neighbourhood which, they said, reportedly caused &quot;injury, deaths and material losses to the civilians&quot;.

The interior ministry said criminals engaged in the drug and arms trade were involved in the Almosara unrest, which earlier led to the death of a policeman -- killed by a rocket-propelled grenade -- and at least two civilians.

&nbsp;

&#39;Heavy shooting&#39;

A homemade explosive device on Sunday killed a police major, the latest victim in Almosara. Since then, security forces &quot;have been resorting to excessive and indiscriminate force by firing directly at civilian targets in the neighbourhoods and on the streets adjacent to the Awamiya Police Station,&quot; ESOHR said on Tuesday.

It detailed gunshot injuries to five civilians, but said many more had been wounded. Residents late Tuesday told AFP that one of the injured had died.

Asked about the allegations, the Interior Ministry directed inquiries to the Foreign Ministry. Authorities have spoken of &quot;foreign plans&quot; to destabilise security, a reference to Riyadh&#39;s rival, Shiite-majority Iran.

Two Awamiya residents contacted on Tuesday night by AFP said they had come under fire after the major&#39;s death.

&quot;I was going to be killed,&quot; one man said, recounting a brush with death as bullets &quot;hit the ground around the car&quot; while he drove home.

He said he turned off the car&#39;s lights and sped away but, nearby, the rear of his brother-in-law&#39;s car was hit by gunfire. They were near the police station, the man said, blaming security forces. &quot;No one (was) there, only them.&quot;&nbsp;

A second resident told AFP he heard &quot;heavy shooting&quot; near the police station as he drove home from work in the early hours of Monday morning.

The man said he tried to turn the car around but a bullet hit the back door and he is &quot;100 percent&quot; sure it came from security forces.

Gunfire continued late Tuesday, residents said.

(AFP)

A rights group alleged that authorities 'extra judicially executed' Hamada and Suwaimil

Two Saudi suspects killed when their car exploded in a mainly Shiite district of the kingdom were wanted for murdering police officers, the interior ministry said on Tuesday. DNA testing identified Fadil al-Hamada and Mohammed al-Suwaimil, both Saudis, as the men who died on June 1 in Qatif city. Qatif and its environs have seen criminal violence as well as protests among the Sunni-dominated kingdom's Shiite minority. A rights group alleged that authorities "extra judicially executed" Hamada and Suwaimil, and also used "indiscriminate and excessive force" this week against civilians in the Qatif district town of Awamiya. The ministry said Hamad and others were involved in the killings of 10 security forces members over the past two years in the Dammam and Qatif areas. Suwaimil was linked to two of those killings, a ministry statement said. Officers took "necessary action" after spotting their stolen vehicle, the ministry said at the time, without detailing how it was stopped. "As a result, it caught fire and exploded," killing the two occupants, the ministry said. The vehicle was found to contain weapons and materiel which exploded, the ministry said on Tuesday. But the Berlin-based European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights (ESOHR) issued a statement accusing authorities of killing the men. "It is the first time that the Saudi authorities have resorted to explosives to extra-judicially execute people in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia," it said, without adding how it believed the blast occurred. A witness told AFP there was a "very huge" explosion. Last month, violence escalated around a redevelopment project in the old Almosara section of Awamiya, a Qatif district town. Three UN rights experts called on Saudi Arabia to halt demolition of the neighbourhood which, they said, reportedly caused "injury, deaths and material losses to the civilians". The interior ministry said criminals engaged in the drug and arms trade were involved in the Almosara unrest, which earlier led to the death of a policeman -- killed by a rocket-propelled grenade -- and at least two civilians. 'Heavy shooting' A homemade explosive device on Sunday killed a police major, the latest victim in Almosara. Since then, security forces "have been resorting to excessive and indiscriminate force by firing directly at civilian targets in the neighbourhoods and on the streets adjacent to the Awamiya Police Station," ESOHR said on Tuesday. It detailed gunshot injuries to five civilians, but said many more had been wounded. Residents late Tuesday told AFP that one of the injured had died. Asked about the allegations, the Interior Ministry directed inquiries to the Foreign Ministry. Authorities have spoken of "foreign plans" to destabilise security, a reference to Riyadh's rival, Shiite-majority Iran. Two Awamiya residents contacted on Tuesday night by AFP said they had come under fire after the major's death. "I was going to be killed," one man said, recounting a brush with death as bullets "hit the ground around the car" while he drove home. He said he turned off the car's lights and sped away but, nearby, the rear of his brother-in-law's car was hit by gunfire. They were near the police station, the man said, blaming security forces. "No one (was) there, only them." A second resident told AFP he heard "heavy shooting" near the police station as he drove home from work in the early hours of Monday morning. The man said he tried to turn the car around but a bullet hit the back door and he is "100 percent" sure it came from security forces. Gunfire continued late Tuesday, residents said. (AFP)

Saudis killed in car blast 'wanted' for police murders

Saudi Arabia denied on Tuesday claims by Pakistani activists that two transgender women from Pakistan were beaten to death in police custody after being arrested in Saudi Arabia along with more than 30 other members of the community.

Reports of the deaths had been carried in Pakistani media and decried in an activists&#39; media conference on Monday. However, a statement from the Saudi interior ministry early on Tuesday said the reports were &quot;totally wrong and nobody was tortured&quot;.

The ministry acknowledged that one Pakistani had died in custody after the arrests.

&quot;One 61-year-old person suffered a heart attack and died in the hospital after being treated,&quot; the interior ministry statement said. &quot;The Pakistani embassy looked into this case and another one. Procedures have started to send the body back to his country,&quot; it said.

Saudi media reported last week that police had arrested around 35 people after they raided a party where men were dressed as women and were wearing make-up. The Saudi outlets did not use the word transgender, nor say anyone had been killed.

In Pakistan, transgender activist Farzana Riaz told a news conference on Monday that sources in the transgender community in Saudi Arabia had told her the two Pakistanis were beaten to death with sticks.

&quot;We are deeply saddened by the deaths of these two innocent trans persons in Saudi Arabia,&quot; Riaz, a leader of the group Trans Action Pakistan, said in Peshawar.

Riaz showed journalists several photos of those still in custody that she said had been sent to her by contacts in Saudi Arabia, along with messages sent via cellphone.

Qamar Naseem, a rights activist from the Blue Veins group, told the same news conference he had shared available information about the incident with members of Pakistan&#39;s parliament.

The Pakistani Interior Ministry was not available for comment on Monday.

Saudi Arabia has no law against transgender people, but the kingdom has carried out arrests for cross-dressing and ordered the imprisonment and flogging of men accused of behaving like women, according to US-based Human Rights Watch.

In Pakistan, transgender people are often shunned by their families and forced into begging or prostitution to support themselves.

Recently, however, a nascent transgender activist movement has gained attention and legal rights.

In January, a Pakistani court ruled that transgender people would be counted in the national census for the first time. In 2012, the Supreme Court declared equal rights for transgender citizens. They were guaranteed the right to vote a year earlier.

(Reuters)

Sources in Saudi Arabia's transgender community told a Pakistani activist that police beat the two women to death with sticks

Saudi Arabia denied on Tuesday claims by Pakistani activists that two transgender women from Pakistan were beaten to death in police custody after being arrested in Saudi Arabia along with more than 30 other members of the community. Reports of the deaths had been carried in Pakistani media and decried in an activists' media conference on Monday. However, a statement from the Saudi interior ministry early on Tuesday said the reports were "totally wrong and nobody was tortured". The ministry acknowledged that one Pakistani had died in custody after the arrests. "One 61-year-old person suffered a heart attack and died in the hospital after being treated," the interior ministry statement said. "The Pakistani embassy looked into this case and another one. Procedures have started to send the body back to his country," it said. Saudi media reported last week that police had arrested around 35 people after they raided a party where men were dressed as women and were wearing make-up. The Saudi outlets did not use the word transgender, nor say anyone had been killed. In Pakistan, transgender activist Farzana Riaz told a news conference on Monday that sources in the transgender community in Saudi Arabia had told her the two Pakistanis were beaten to death with sticks. "We are deeply saddened by the deaths of these two innocent trans persons in Saudi Arabia," Riaz, a leader of the group Trans Action Pakistan, said in Peshawar. Riaz showed journalists several photos of those still in custody that she said had been sent to her by contacts in Saudi Arabia, along with messages sent via cellphone. Qamar Naseem, a rights activist from the Blue Veins group, told the same news conference he had shared available information about the incident with members of Pakistan's parliament. The Pakistani Interior Ministry was not available for comment on Monday. Saudi Arabia has no law against transgender people, but the kingdom has carried out arrests for cross-dressing and ordered the imprisonment and flogging of men accused of behaving like women, according to US-based Human Rights Watch. In Pakistan, transgender people are often shunned by their families and forced into begging or prostitution to support themselves. Recently, however, a nascent transgender activist movement has gained attention and legal rights. In January, a Pakistani court ruled that transgender people would be counted in the national census for the first time. In 2012, the Supreme Court declared equal rights for transgender citizens. They were guaranteed the right to vote a year earlier. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia denies Pakistani reports police killed transgender women

A retired policeman testified before a Philippine Senate hearing on Monday to killing nearly 200 people as part of a &quot;death squad&quot; under President Rodrigo Duterte when Duterte was Davao City mayor, and said he came clean because of his &quot;fear of God&quot;.

Arturo Lascanas admitted to lying in October during a Senate inquiry into alleged extrajudicial killings linked to Duterte, but said he did so only because he feared for his family&#39;s safety and because police had warned him to &quot;deny everything&quot;.

He said he had personally killed 300 people, about 200 as a member of a &quot;Davao death squad&quot;, with his last in 2015. He also detailed two cases where he had murdered critics of Duterte, under the instruction of the then-mayor&#39;s bodyguard.

Lascanas, who broke down in tears before the media when he revealed his story two weeks ago, is the second person to testify before lawmakers to Duterte&#39;s alleged links to a clandestine hit squad.

Duterte&#39;s allies dismiss the claims as a plot by his opponents to discredit a popular leader and his war on drugs, a campaign that critics say has disturbing similarities to a pattern of mysterious killings in Davao.

&quot;I feared for the life of my loved ones,&quot; Lascanas said when asked why he had earlier denied the death squad existed.

He said he changed testimony because he was tormented by what he had done and wanted the truth to &quot;set me free&quot;.

It was &quot;because of my desire to tell all the truth, not only because of my spiritual renewal, but the fear of God, I wanted to clear my conscience&quot;, he said.

Duterte has repeatedly denied involvement in summary executions, either as president or during his 22 years as Davao mayor. His police chief Ronald dela Rosa, a former Davao police chief under Duterte, has dismissed the death squad claims as a myth created by the media.

Human rights groups have documented about 1,400 suspicious killings in Davao while Duterte was mayor and critics say the war on drugs he unleashed as president has the same hallmarks. Numerous investigations have found no proof linking Duterte to those deaths.

More than 8,000 people have been killed nationwide since Duterte took office eight months ago, mostly drug users killed by mysterious gunmen in incidents authorities attribute to vigilantes, drugs gang members silencing informants, or unrelated murders.

Police reject activists&#39; allegations that they are behind most of those killings. Police say they were responsible for 2,555 of those cases, when drug suspects had resisted arrest.

On Monday, dela Rosa announced the re-launch of police anti-narcotics operations after a month-long suspension of police involvement in the campaign.

(Reuters)

He said police ordered him to deny everything so he lied to the Senate in fear for his family's safety. Now he is clearing his conscience

A retired policeman testified before a Philippine Senate hearing on Monday to killing nearly 200 people as part of a "death squad" under President Rodrigo Duterte when Duterte was Davao City mayor, and said he came clean because of his "fear of God". Arturo Lascanas admitted to lying in October during a Senate inquiry into alleged extrajudicial killings linked to Duterte, but said he did so only because he feared for his family's safety and because police had warned him to "deny everything". He said he had personally killed 300 people, about 200 as a member of a "Davao death squad", with his last in 2015. He also detailed two cases where he had murdered critics of Duterte, under the instruction of the then-mayor's bodyguard. Lascanas, who broke down in tears before the media when he revealed his story two weeks ago, is the second person to testify before lawmakers to Duterte's alleged links to a clandestine hit squad. Duterte's allies dismiss the claims as a plot by his opponents to discredit a popular leader and his war on drugs, a campaign that critics say has disturbing similarities to a pattern of mysterious killings in Davao. "I feared for the life of my loved ones," Lascanas said when asked why he had earlier denied the death squad existed. He said he changed testimony because he was tormented by what he had done and wanted the truth to "set me free". It was "because of my desire to tell all the truth, not only because of my spiritual renewal, but the fear of God, I wanted to clear my conscience", he said. Duterte has repeatedly denied involvement in summary executions, either as president or during his 22 years as Davao mayor. His police chief Ronald dela Rosa, a former Davao police chief under Duterte, has dismissed the death squad claims as a myth created by the media. Human rights groups have documented about 1,400 suspicious killings in Davao while Duterte was mayor and critics say the war on drugs he unleashed as president has the same hallmarks. Numerous investigations have found no proof linking Duterte to those deaths. More than 8,000 people have been killed nationwide since Duterte took office eight months ago, mostly drug users killed by mysterious gunmen in incidents authorities attribute to vigilantes, drugs gang members silencing informants, or unrelated murders. Police reject activists' allegations that they are behind most of those killings. Police say they were responsible for 2,555 of those cases, when drug suspects had resisted arrest. On Monday, dela Rosa announced the re-launch of police anti-narcotics operations after a month-long suspension of police involvement in the campaign. (Reuters)

Philippines ex-policeman admits to killing 200 people under President Duterte

Defense attorneys urged a South Carolina jury on Wednesday (November 30) to look beyond a shocking video of a white police officer shooting a fleeing black motorist to death last year and consider all the evidence presented at the former policeman&#39;s murder trial.

Lawyers were making their closing arguments to jurors who will decide whether Michael Slager, 35, committed a crime when he killed 50-year-old Walter Scott in North Charleston.

Slager testified on Tuesday that he was afraid when he shot Scott, who state prosecutors said fled a traffic stop because he was behind on child-support payments and feared he might be arrested.

Attorney Andy Savage told the jury of 11 white people and one black person to consider not just the video, captured by a bystander and viewed by millions of Americans, but all the evidence presented since testimony began earlier this month.

Warning: Video contains graphic violence and language.&nbsp;

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XKQqgVlk0NQ" width="560"></iframe>

&quot;Setting the false narrative aside, let&#39;s look at the truth,&quot; he told jurors in a Charleston courtroom.

Earlier on Wednesday, the jury visited the empty lot in North Charleston where the shooting occurred, taking in a final bit of evidence in a case that intensified national debate about racial bias in law enforcement. The April 4, 2015, incident began when Slager stopped Scott&#39;s car for a broken brake light, and Scott fled. Slager chased the man, first firing a Taser stun gun at him and then drawing his firearm after a tussle.

Savage said Slager shot him &quot;in fear of his life&quot;, noting that the officer did not know at the time that Scott was unarmed.

He said the video transformed Slager into a national symbol for a wave of controversial police killings of black men in cities including New York, Baltimore and Ferguson, Missouri. Slager was fired, arrested and charged with murder.

Solicitor Scarlett Wilson told jurors that they had to find Slager acted with malice to convict him of murder.

&quot;It can be meanness. It can be ill will. It can be just a plain and reckless indifference to human life - like eight shots in the back,&quot; she said.

Prosecutors contend Slager did not appear to be in danger when he hit Scott with five of those shots. The jury could also weigh a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter for Slager, who faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted of murder.&nbsp;

(Agencies)

11 white and 1 black jurors were told to take all evidence into account, not just the video of the killing seen by millions of Americans

Defense attorneys urged a South Carolina jury on Wednesday (November 30) to look beyond a shocking video of a white police officer shooting a fleeing black motorist to death last year and consider all the evidence presented at the former policeman's murder trial. Lawyers were making their closing arguments to jurors who will decide whether Michael Slager, 35, committed a crime when he killed 50-year-old Walter Scott in North Charleston. Slager testified on Tuesday that he was afraid when he shot Scott, who state prosecutors said fled a traffic stop because he was behind on child-support payments and feared he might be arrested. Attorney Andy Savage told the jury of 11 white people and one black person to consider not just the video, captured by a bystander and viewed by millions of Americans, but all the evidence presented since testimony began earlier this month. Warning: Video contains graphic violence and language. "Setting the false narrative aside, let's look at the truth," he told jurors in a Charleston courtroom. Earlier on Wednesday, the jury visited the empty lot in North Charleston where the shooting occurred, taking in a final bit of evidence in a case that intensified national debate about racial bias in law enforcement. The April 4, 2015, incident began when Slager stopped Scott's car for a broken brake light, and Scott fled. Slager chased the man, first firing a Taser stun gun at him and then drawing his firearm after a tussle. Savage said Slager shot him "in fear of his life", noting that the officer did not know at the time that Scott was unarmed. He said the video transformed Slager into a national symbol for a wave of controversial police killings of black men in cities including New York, Baltimore and Ferguson, Missouri. Slager was fired, arrested and charged with murder. Solicitor Scarlett Wilson told jurors that they had to find Slager acted with malice to convict him of murder. "It can be meanness. It can be ill will. It can be just a plain and reckless indifference to human life - like eight shots in the back," she said. Prosecutors contend Slager did not appear to be in danger when he hit Scott with five of those shots. The jury could also weigh a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter for Slager, who faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted of murder. (Agencies)

Closing arguments presented in trial for ex-cop who killed unarmed black man, Walter Scott

Two&nbsp;American publications&nbsp;have released&nbsp;incredibly damning&nbsp;reports, both about the Chicago Police.

Shaun King, publishing in the <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/2-cops-sodomized-man-screwdriver-working-article-1.2820609?utm_content=bufferf56cd&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter.com&amp;utm_campaign=NYDailyNewsTw">NY Daily News</a>, writes about a Chicago police officer who was found guilty in court of a violent sexual&nbsp;assault&nbsp;against a suspect,&nbsp;yet is still employed by&nbsp;the Chicago Police Department&nbsp;years later.&nbsp;

Jamie Kalven, writing in <a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/10/06/in-the-chicago-police-department-if-the-bosses-say-it-didnt-happen-it-didnt-happen/">The Intercept,</a> has written a very in-depth case&nbsp;in a&nbsp;four-part series, showing how for years the Chicago Police Department permitted&nbsp;officers&nbsp;within&nbsp;its own forces to act as, essentially, a criminal gang.&nbsp;

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<h5>A Chicago Police Department sergeant named Ronald Watts was running an elaborate criminal enterprise within the depatment, extorting a &#39;tax&#39; from drug dealers and targeting their rivals.</h5>
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King&#39;s article&nbsp;details how, in the summer of 2004, a young African American&nbsp;man named Coprez Coffie, employed as a security guard at a nearby hotel, was&nbsp;said to be taking part in a drug deal when&nbsp;he was pulled over by Chicago Police Officer Scott Korhonen. He was&nbsp;then&nbsp;driven to an alley, handcuffed and strip-searched. Next,&nbsp;Officer&nbsp;Korhonen&nbsp;placed a screwdriver inside his anus, causing injuries.

After three years, where Coffie and his attorneys fought&nbsp;to go to trial, and after&nbsp;the Chicago Police&nbsp;Department&nbsp;refused to investigate or discipline Officer Korhonen, a jury found the officers guilty of &quot;unreasonable search&quot; and ordered the city to pay $4 million in settlements, plus over half a million dollars to cover Mr Coffie&#39;s legal fees.&nbsp;

The investigation showed that the officers had screwdrivers in the glove compartment&nbsp;of their car, where human fecal matter was found. The injuries to Mr Coffie&#39;s rectum were confirmed on the record.

The judge called it a &quot;clear case&quot; with a &quot;preponderance of evidence&quot; and accused the officers of giving false testimony under oath. Despite this, and costing the city $5 million dollars in settlements and legal fees, both officers avoided jail time and to this day are gainfully employed by the Chicago Police Department,&nbsp;making&nbsp;about $90,000 a year.

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Kalven&#39;s article&nbsp;at The Intercept is of a different, deeper&nbsp;nature. Its&nbsp;subject is a specific, yet more&nbsp;widespread, instance&nbsp;of systemic police criminality, complete with cover up.&nbsp;These&nbsp;accusations have been made before,&nbsp;but&nbsp;because police seldom accuse their own and because they&nbsp;know better than anyone how to cover up crime,&nbsp;they are&nbsp;seldom accompanied by&nbsp;so much evidence.&nbsp;

As he sums up the allegations, &quot;A Chicago Police Department sergeant named Ronald Watts was running an elaborate criminal enterprise within the depatment, extorting a &#39;tax&#39; from drug dealers and targeting their rivals&quot;. Even&nbsp;murder is alleged. The story is about the two police members who spent years trying&nbsp;to investigate their colleagues, and in return were ostracised and retaliated against. For all the two&nbsp;endured, on May 31,&nbsp;2016,&nbsp;they received a settlement in a whistleblower lawsuit from the city of Chicago for $2 million.

Each of Kalven&#39;s four segments are long, and the story it details covers a ten-year period,&nbsp;so it&#39;s much beyond the scope of this article to summarise fully.&nbsp;It&#39;s a must-read article, specifically because&nbsp;the police likely settled rather than allow these whistleblowers&#39; damning testimony to be made in a public court under oath.&nbsp;The articles are&nbsp;the testimony&nbsp;the court didn&#39;t get to hear.&nbsp;

But the true link between King and Kalven&#39;s writings is not simply the criminal, even grotesquely criminal, dealings of Chicago police officers. It is&nbsp;the near impunity&nbsp;these officers had to commit crimes within the very institutions meant to prevent crime. The &quot;code of silence&quot;, the atmosphere wherein police give their&nbsp;loyalty to fellow cops, no matter their&nbsp;guilt, rather than to the oath they swore&nbsp;&quot;to serve and protect&quot;. This is the real topic. These are&nbsp;stories about &nbsp;a few bad&nbsp;apples, but more than that&nbsp;they are stories about a police system that needs&nbsp;reforming&nbsp;because it so often permits bad apples.

Sadly, the complex topic of policing is often, but not always, boiled&nbsp;down&nbsp;to two monolithic camps; &quot;pro&quot; and &quot;anti&quot; police. Some interpret this conversation as a choice between the two.&nbsp;Everyone should be &quot;pro justice&quot;, and actually&nbsp;probably&nbsp;everyone currently is,&nbsp;just they&nbsp;differ vastly on&nbsp;where they think&nbsp;justice lies.&nbsp;

Kalven&#39;s story couldn&#39;t exist without the dogged work of two police officers who&nbsp;did in fact uphold&nbsp;the job&#39;s highest calling,&nbsp;and took on&nbsp;great risk to do so. They are&nbsp;a fantastic credit to police everywhere. When police do their difficult and important job&nbsp;well, they should be commended and honoured.

But when police rape, extort, steal or&nbsp;kill people, which&nbsp;happens more than many people would like to admit,&nbsp;blind allegiance to the institution called police&nbsp;is unacceptable.&nbsp;A&nbsp;cop who isn&#39;t guilty of these crimes&nbsp;but permits their&nbsp;continuation&nbsp;is&nbsp;guilty.&nbsp;

Everyone should want the same basic things:&nbsp;peace and security for all. Whether in Chicago or anywhere else in the world, it shouldn&#39;t be much&nbsp;to ask.

(WION)

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Two separate publications looked at cases of heinous police misconduct, and the protection given at nearly levels of the police hierarchy

Two American publications have released incredibly damning reports, both about the Chicago Police. Shaun King, publishing in the NY Daily News, writes about a Chicago police officer who was found guilty in court of a violent sexual assault against a suspect, yet is still employed by the Chicago Police Department years later. Jamie Kalven, writing in The Intercept, has written a very in-depth case in a four-part series, showing how for years the Chicago Police Department permitted officers within its own forces to act as, essentially, a criminal gang. A Chicago Police Department sergeant named Ronald Watts was running an elaborate criminal enterprise within the depatment, extorting a 'tax' from drug dealers and targeting their rivals. × King's article details how, in the summer of 2004, a young African American man named Coprez Coffie, employed as a security guard at a nearby hotel, was said to be taking part in a drug deal when he was pulled over by Chicago Police Officer Scott Korhonen. He was then driven to an alley, handcuffed and strip-searched. Next, Officer Korhonen placed a screwdriver inside his anus, causing injuries. After three years, where Coffie and his attorneys fought to go to trial, and after the Chicago Police Department refused to investigate or discipline Officer Korhonen, a jury found the officers guilty of "unreasonable search" and ordered the city to pay $4 million in settlements, plus over half a million dollars to cover Mr Coffie's legal fees. The investigation showed that the officers had screwdrivers in the glove compartment of their car, where human fecal matter was found. The injuries to Mr Coffie's rectum were confirmed on the record. The judge called it a "clear case" with a "preponderance of evidence" and accused the officers of giving false testimony under oath. Despite this, and costing the city $5 million dollars in settlements and legal fees, both officers avoided jail time and to this day are gainfully employed by the Chicago Police Department, making about $90,000 a year. Kalven's article at The Intercept is of a different, deeper nature. Its subject is a specific, yet more widespread, instance of systemic police criminality, complete with cover up. These accusations have been made before, but because police seldom accuse their own and because they know better than anyone how to cover up crime, they are seldom accompanied by so much evidence. As he sums up the allegations, "A Chicago Police Department sergeant named Ronald Watts was running an elaborate criminal enterprise within the depatment, extorting a 'tax' from drug dealers and targeting their rivals". Even murder is alleged. The story is about the two police members who spent years trying to investigate their colleagues, and in return were ostracised and retaliated against. For all the two endured, on May 31, 2016, they received a settlement in a whistleblower lawsuit from the city of Chicago for $2 million. Each of Kalven's four segments are long, and the story it details covers a ten-year period, so it's much beyond the scope of this article to summarise fully. It's a must-read article, specifically because the police likely settled rather than allow these whistleblowers' damning testimony to be made in a public court under oath. The articles are the testimony the court didn't get to hear. But the true link between King and Kalven's writings is not simply the criminal, even grotesquely criminal, dealings of Chicago police officers. It is the near impunity these officers had to commit crimes within the very institutions meant to prevent crime. The "code of silence", the atmosphere wherein police give their loyalty to fellow cops, no matter their guilt, rather than to the oath they swore "to serve and protect". This is the real topic. These are stories about a few bad apples, but more than that they are stories about a police system that needs reforming because it so often permits bad apples. Sadly, the complex topic of policing is often, but not always, boiled down to two monolithic camps; "pro" and "anti" police. Some interpret this conversation as a choice between the two. Everyone should be "pro justice", and actually probably everyone currently is, just they differ vastly on where they think justice lies. Kalven's story couldn't exist without the dogged work of two police officers who did in fact uphold the job's highest calling, and took on great risk to do so. They are a fantastic credit to police everywhere. When police do their difficult and important job well, they should be commended and honoured. But when police rape, extort, steal or kill people, which happens more than many people would like to admit, blind allegiance to the institution called police is unacceptable. A cop who isn't guilty of these crimes but permits their continuation is guilty. Everyone should want the same basic things: peace and security for all. Whether in Chicago or anywhere else in the world, it shouldn't be much to ask. (WION)

Chicago Police Dept protected officers who commited rape, theft, extortion: Reports

In&nbsp;the&nbsp;recent fatal encounter between a US&nbsp;police officer and an African-American man, the evidence against the police is very damning. Footage from later-released two police cameras majorly contradicts the initial claims made by the Tulsa Police Department. A full investigation has been promised, but here is what&#39;s known so far.

Terence Crutcher, a 40-year-old pastor and a father of four, was driving home from a music appreciation class at Tulsa&nbsp;Community College when his car stalled. His car was idling&nbsp;the centre line,&nbsp;the driver&#39;s door was open. Betty Shelby was the first officer on the&nbsp;scene.&nbsp;This&nbsp;was&nbsp;7:40&nbsp;pm,&nbsp;Friday,&nbsp;September 16. Officer Shelby had been dispatched for a completely separate call, and just happened to come upon the stalled vehicle. 
 
Officer&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/09/20/terrence-crutcher-walked-to-police-for-help-they-shot-him-dead.html">Shelby</a> is a decorated officer hired in 2011 after working in the county sherrif&#39;s office for four years. She is&nbsp;a field trainer&nbsp;and is&nbsp;married to another officer. She has twice been accused&nbsp;of using <a href="http://heavy.com/news/2016/09/betty-jo-shelby-tulsa-oklahoma-police-officer-cop-terence-crutcher-photos-pictures-shooting-video-charlton-sanders-holycross/">excessive force</a>&nbsp;(both times were reportedly determined to be unfounded). 
 
Officer Shelby did not turn on her siren, so her dash cam wasn&#39;t activated. There is no footage of the first&nbsp;two minutes of her encounter with&nbsp;Crutcher.&nbsp;But she called for back up,&nbsp;claiming&nbsp;Crutcher &quot;never makes any response&quot; to her. The&nbsp;dashcam footage from&nbsp;this&nbsp;second police car, as well as from a police helicopter flying above, is what shows&nbsp;Crutcher had his hands up&nbsp;and never made any sudden movements in the moments leading up to his death. 
 
[Warning: this video is graphic&nbsp;] 
 
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/98R4e0RSry8" width="560"></iframe> 
 
Four officers are on the scene. One of the&nbsp;back up officers, Tyler Turnbough, deploys his Taser. Right at the same time, Officer Shelby fires what is the fatal shot into his chest, and Crutcher collapses in a pool of blood. 
 
The police and the Crutcher family&#39;s&nbsp;attorney&nbsp;issued&nbsp;contrasting&nbsp;claims about what occured, and also about some of the facts colouring the interpretation of the incident. ? 
 
The police initially&nbsp;claimed&nbsp;that Crutcher had been reaching into his car, against&nbsp;police orders.&nbsp;But the family&#39;s attorney has since held a press conference showing&nbsp;a&nbsp;<a href="http://ktul.com/news/local/terence-crutchers-family-calls-news-conference-to-discuss-new-developments-in-case">zoom-in</a> from the police cam that shows&nbsp;blood on the driver&#39;s window, which he says proves that the window of the car was closed when&nbsp;the fatal shot was fired. One <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/king-arrest-tulsa-officer-killed-terence-crutcher-article-1.2798021">eyewitness </a>who spoke to Fox 23 in Tulsa&nbsp;contradicts the police&#39;s narrative entirely. The video seems to support&nbsp;this.&nbsp; 
 
Crutcher was unarmed,&nbsp;police found no weapon inside his car.&nbsp;It&#39;s worth repeating:&nbsp;Crutcher&nbsp;was not even&nbsp;suspected of a&nbsp;crime. His car had simply stalled when police happened to pass him. Yet these police killed him. 
 
Overheard from the police helicopter is audio indicating&nbsp;Crutcher was not a threat. &quot;He&#39;s got his hands up there for now,&quot; said the officer, who pretty incredibly is believed&nbsp;to be the husband of Officer Shelby. He is then recorded saying what will undermine his wife&#39;s near-future statement:&nbsp;&quot;This guy is walking and following commands.&quot;&nbsp;Despite Crutcher&#39;s evident compliance,&nbsp;an unknown officer in the same helicopter is soon heard saying:&nbsp;&quot;That&nbsp;looks like a bad dude.&quot; 
 
How is it that one cop saw a man obeying&nbsp;police, while the other, looking at&nbsp;the exact same person, saw an&nbsp;apparent&nbsp;threat? Terence Crutcher was a&nbsp;pastor and&nbsp;father of four, with his hands and fingers in the air. But&nbsp;one cop, from the distance of a&nbsp;helicopter flying overhead, seemed to just see&nbsp;a physically large, black man and&nbsp;deemed him &quot;bad&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
From the police side, Officer Shelby claims to have believed that Crutcher was&nbsp;high on PCP, or angel dust, a drug that can make&nbsp;users aggressive. She had&nbsp;recently undergone drug-training recognition, and believed he was acting erratically, her attorney told the <a href="http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/local/police-say-pcp-found-in-vehicle-occupied-by-terence-crutcher/article_d965a1f2-072b-57bf-a682-6b1cfb22b246.html">Tulsa World</a>. ABC reports that Shelby claims to have believed that she thought Crutcher was attempting to retrieve a weapon when she thought he was reaching into the car. In an interview with homicide detectives, her lawyer relates that Officer Shelby&nbsp;said, &quot;I was never so scared in my life as in that moment right then.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
But, again, the&nbsp;video&nbsp;shows a compliant man with&nbsp;his hands&nbsp;up. Also, Crutcher couldn&#39;t have been reaching in the car if the window was up. Maybe Officer Shelby&#39;s memory was foggy because this was surely a rattling experience, or maybe she was consciously trying to change the narrative so the killing appears to have mitigating circumstances.&nbsp; 
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<h5>It&#39;s worth repeating:&nbsp;Crutcher&nbsp;was not even&nbsp;suspected of a&nbsp;crime. His car had simply stalled when police happened to pass him. Yet these police killed him.</h5>
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<div class="share-blockquote"><a a="" car="" class="twitter popup" crime.="" crutcher="" even="" had="" happened="" him.="" his="" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=It" killed="" not="" of="" pass="" police="" repeating:="" s="" simply="" stalled="" suspected="" these="" to="" was="" when="" worth="" yet="">&nbsp;</a></div>
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Tulsa Police sgt Dave Walker said the cops found a vial of PCP inside the car, but declined to say where in the car it was found, and did not&nbsp;determine&nbsp;whether or not&nbsp;Crutcher was under the influence of it.&nbsp;Toxicology reports have not confirmed what is even in the vial.&nbsp;&quot;If they did find it,&quot; said Tiffany Crutcher, Terence&#39;s&nbsp;twin sister, &quot;it was after he was shot and murdered.&quot; She added that discovering drugs is not justification for using lethal force. His car&nbsp;stalled; police&nbsp;had no reason to search his car, let alone shoot and kill him. 
 
Local, state and federal investigators will run an investigation, and as per protocol officer Shelby is on paid administrative leave. But&nbsp;an unarmed man accused of no crime was killed, and the&nbsp;discrepency between the initial police accounting of the incident with the later released video and physical&nbsp;evidence appears&nbsp;impossible to reconcile.&nbsp; 
 
But it&#39;s&nbsp;wrong to think that evidence this strong against the police will fundamentally change mainstream American opinion.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Protests to police killing 
 
African Americans have protested against&nbsp;police brutality for decades, but, for some people, smartphones and police camera documentation has made what once seemed&nbsp;impossible to believe now impossible to deny. But, to put it lightly, this is not true&nbsp;for everyone.&nbsp; 
 
Probably&nbsp;the most high-profile protest of African American deaths at the hands of police apart from the Black Lives Matter movement&nbsp;is that of&nbsp;Colin Kaepernick,&nbsp;an NFL quarterback who&nbsp;since the football pre-season&nbsp;has refused to stand up for the singing&nbsp;of the American national anthem. He has sat down or taken a knee instead.&nbsp; 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/gettyimages-607547124-20160921120257.jpg" />

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Colin Kaepernick kneels in protest during the singing of the Star Spangled Banner. He is joined here by teammate Eric Reid.
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He has received support on social media, and from fellow NFL players and from other athletes. But more than galvanising,&nbsp;Kaepernick has received hate mail,&nbsp;death threats, and boos from thousands everytime he touches the football. This is just the start.&nbsp;In Miami, the union that represents the Sherrif&#39;s office&nbsp;called on the department to stop providing Miami Dolphin players security detail, after four Dolphin players&nbsp;knelt during the anthem in solidarity with Kaepernick. Several&nbsp;<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3768174/NFL-executives-hate-Colin-Kaepernick-call-traitor-believe-unlikely-play-pro-ball-again.html">NFL executives</a> call Kaepernick a traitor, and&nbsp;reportedly hate him&nbsp;even more than a player who is currently in jail for plotting to murder his girlfriend. This protest has apparently put&nbsp;his professional career in jeopardy. 
 
Kaepernick justified his&nbsp;protest&nbsp;thusly:&nbsp;&quot;I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of colour.&nbsp;To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.&quot; 
 
Since Kaepernick began protesting one month ago, at least <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/colin-kaepernick-police-killings_us_57e14414e4b04a1497b69ba6?">16&nbsp;African American</a> men have been killed with encounters&nbsp;police, including Crutcher. 
 
Why do so many&nbsp;value&nbsp;an American song more than&nbsp;American lives? Why is kneeling during a song a bigger outrage than actual people dying? 
 
NFL Super Bowl champion Richard Sherman refused to answer questions at a press conference Wednesday evening, and instead explained Kaepernick&#39;s stand: 
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.<a href="https://twitter.com/RSherman_25">@RSherman_25</a>, truth-teller. ???. <a href="https://t.co/2oZFodvzOs">pic.twitter.com/2oZFodvzOs</a>
&mdash; deray mckesson (@deray) <a href="https://twitter.com/deray/status/778804891934334976">September 22, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 
 
It might seem puzzling that there&#39;s such&nbsp;mass fury directed at a black man&#39;s&nbsp;peaceful, non-disrupive protest against&nbsp;innocent Americans&nbsp;killed by&nbsp;officials who are sworn to protect them. Kaepernick&#39;s gesture was&nbsp;so quiet and inconspicuous nobody even noticed it for weeks.&nbsp;Anyway, most fans use the singing of the national anthem at football games&nbsp;as a time to piss or buy beer.&nbsp; 
 
But racism isn&#39;t sensible. Neither is the automatic connection many make between the national anthem and the military, rather than a vast range of other American values or qualities. The hysterically&nbsp;hostile reaction to Kaepernick&#39;s protest makes as much sense as&nbsp;the&nbsp;police officer who from&nbsp;a helicopter&nbsp;saw a &quot;bad dude&quot;, and as much sense as killing this perfectly innocent man.&nbsp; 
 
(WION)

If this doesn't convince you there's a major problem with American policing, nothing will

In the recent fatal encounter between a US police officer and an African-American man, the evidence against the police is very damning. Footage from later-released two police cameras majorly contradicts the initial claims made by the Tulsa Police Department. A full investigation has been promised, but here is what's known so far. Terence Crutcher, a 40-year-old pastor and a father of four, was driving home from a music appreciation class at Tulsa Community College when his car stalled. His car was idling the centre line, the driver's door was open. Betty Shelby was the first officer on the scene. This was 7:40 pm, Friday, September 16. Officer Shelby had been dispatched for a completely separate call, and just happened to come upon the stalled vehicle. Officer Shelby is a decorated officer hired in 2011 after working in the county sherrif's office for four years. She is a field trainer and is married to another officer. She has twice been accused of using excessive force (both times were reportedly determined to be unfounded). Officer Shelby did not turn on her siren, so her dash cam wasn't activated. There is no footage of the first two minutes of her encounter with Crutcher. But she called for back up, claiming Crutcher "never makes any response" to her. The dashcam footage from this second police car, as well as from a police helicopter flying above, is what shows Crutcher had his hands up and never made any sudden movements in the moments leading up to his death. [Warning: this video is graphic ] Four officers are on the scene. One of the back up officers, Tyler Turnbough, deploys his Taser. Right at the same time, Officer Shelby fires what is the fatal shot into his chest, and Crutcher collapses in a pool of blood. The police and the Crutcher family's attorney issued contrasting claims about what occured, and also about some of the facts colouring the interpretation of the incident. ? The police initially claimed that Crutcher had been reaching into his car, against police orders. But the family's attorney has since held a press conference showing a zoom-in from the police cam that shows blood on the driver's window, which he says proves that the window of the car was closed when the fatal shot was fired. One eyewitness who spoke to Fox 23 in Tulsa contradicts the police's narrative entirely. The video seems to support this. Crutcher was unarmed, police found no weapon inside his car. It's worth repeating: Crutcher was not even suspected of a crime. His car had simply stalled when police happened to pass him. Yet these police killed him. Overheard from the police helicopter is audio indicating Crutcher was not a threat. "He's got his hands up there for now," said the officer, who pretty incredibly is believed to be the husband of Officer Shelby. He is then recorded saying what will undermine his wife's near-future statement: "This guy is walking and following commands." Despite Crutcher's evident compliance, an unknown officer in the same helicopter is soon heard saying: "That looks like a bad dude." How is it that one cop saw a man obeying police, while the other, looking at the exact same person, saw an apparent threat? Terence Crutcher was a pastor and father of four, with his hands and fingers in the air. But one cop, from the distance of a helicopter flying overhead, seemed to just see a physically large, black man and deemed him "bad". From the police side, Officer Shelby claims to have believed that Crutcher was high on PCP, or angel dust, a drug that can make users aggressive. She had recently undergone drug-training recognition, and believed he was acting erratically, her attorney told the Tulsa World. ABC reports that Shelby claims to have believed that she thought Crutcher was attempting to retrieve a weapon when she thought he was reaching into the car. In an interview with homicide detectives, her lawyer relates that Officer Shelby said, "I was never so scared in my life as in that moment right then." But, again, the video shows a compliant man with his hands up. Also, Crutcher couldn't have been reaching in the car if the window was up. Maybe Officer Shelby's memory was foggy because this was surely a rattling experience, or maybe she was consciously trying to change the narrative so the killing appears to have mitigating circumstances. It's worth repeating: Crutcher was not even suspected of a crime. His car had simply stalled when police happened to pass him. Yet these police killed him. Tulsa Police sgt Dave Walker said the cops found a vial of PCP inside the car, but declined to say where in the car it was found, and did not determine whether or not Crutcher was under the influence of it. Toxicology reports have not confirmed what is even in the vial. "If they did find it," said Tiffany Crutcher, Terence's twin sister, "it was after he was shot and murdered." She added that discovering drugs is not justification for using lethal force. His car stalled; police had no reason to search his car, let alone shoot and kill him. Local, state and federal investigators will run an investigation, and as per protocol officer Shelby is on paid administrative leave. But an unarmed man accused of no crime was killed, and the discrepency between the initial police accounting of the incident with the later released video and physical evidence appears impossible to reconcile. But it's wrong to think that evidence this strong against the police will fundamentally change mainstream American opinion. Protests to police killing African Americans have protested against police brutality for decades, but, for some people, smartphones and police camera documentation has made what once seemed impossible to believe now impossible to deny. But, to put it lightly, this is not true for everyone. Probably the most high-profile protest of African American deaths at the hands of police apart from the Black Lives Matter movement is that of Colin Kaepernick, an NFL quarterback who since the football pre-season has refused to stand up for the singing of the American national anthem. He has sat down or taken a knee instead. Colin Kaepernick kneels in protest during the singing of the Star Spangled Banner. He is joined here by teammate Eric Reid. He has received support on social media, and from fellow NFL players and from other athletes. But more than galvanising, Kaepernick has received hate mail, death threats, and boos from thousands everytime he touches the football. This is just the start. In Miami, the union that represents the Sherrif's office called on the department to stop providing Miami Dolphin players security detail, after four Dolphin players knelt during the anthem in solidarity with Kaepernick. Several NFL executives call Kaepernick a traitor, and reportedly hate him even more than a player who is currently in jail for plotting to murder his girlfriend. This protest has apparently put his professional career in jeopardy. Kaepernick justified his protest thusly: "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of colour. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder." Since Kaepernick began protesting one month ago, at least 16 African American men have been killed with encounters police, including Crutcher. Why do so many value an American song more than American lives? Why is kneeling during a song a bigger outrage than actual people dying? NFL Super Bowl champion Richard Sherman refused to answer questions at a press conference Wednesday evening, and instead explained Kaepernick's stand: .@RSherman_25, truth-teller. ???. pic.twitter.com/2oZFodvzOs — deray mckesson (@deray) September 22, 2016 It might seem puzzling that there's such mass fury directed at a black man's peaceful, non-disrupive protest against innocent Americans killed by officials who are sworn to protect them. Kaepernick's gesture was so quiet and inconspicuous nobody even noticed it for weeks. Anyway, most fans use the singing of the national anthem at football games as a time to piss or buy beer. But racism isn't sensible. Neither is the automatic connection many make between the national anthem and the military, rather than a vast range of other American values or qualities. The hysterically hostile reaction to Kaepernick's protest makes as much sense as the police officer who from a helicopter saw a "bad dude", and as much sense as killing this perfectly innocent man. (WION)

US cop kills African-American, recorded on two video cameras

Tension gripped Milwaukee on Monday as officials hoped a late night curfew imposed on teenagers would deter another outbreak of rioting that hit the US Midwestern city the past two nights in response to the police shooting of an armed African-American man.&nbsp; 
 
Late on Monday afternoon, dozens of police, some in riot gear, erected fencing to cordon off Sherman Park, the center of the neighbourhood that was the scene of the weekend shooting and subsequent disturbances. Nearby, about 100 people held a picnic in a grassy area. 
 
&quot;Things got a little bit quieter last night, although there were still disturbances,&quot; Wisconsin governor Scott Walker told Fox News, &quot;but our hope is tonight things will finally quiet down thanks in large part to the leadership of many pastors and other church leaders in the Milwaukee community.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
&#39;Teenagers better be home&#39;&nbsp; 
 
As the sun set, there was notably lower foot traffic in the neighbourhood ahead of the 10 pm CDT (0300 GMT Tuesday) curfew. Police vehicles were seen parked in alleys and along major thoroughfares in that area of the city. 
 
&quot;There is a curfew that will be more strictly enforced tonight for teenagers,&quot; mayor Tom Barrett told a news conference. &quot;So parents, after 10 o&#39;clock your teenagers better be home or in a place where they&#39;re off the streets.&quot; 
 
Barrett renewed his call for state officials to release a video of the Saturday night shooting in hopes it would convince angry protesters that deadly force against Sylville K. Smith, 23, was justified. 
 
Milwaukee has become the latest American city to be gripped by violence over the past two years in response to fatal police confrontations with African-American men.&nbsp; 
 
Famed for its breweries, Milwaukee is also one of the most segregated cities in America, with a large concentration of unemployed African-American men in the inner city separated from the mostly white suburbs. 
 
Such inequality has afflicted many US cities as a result of the loss of manufacturing jobs over the past three decades, sometimes stoking unrest when police use deadly force. 
 
Police say Smith was stopped on Saturday afternoon for behaving suspiciously and that he then fled on foot between two homes. Smith was carrying a stolen handgun he refused to drop before he was killed, police said. 
 
The shooting led to the&nbsp;first night of violence in which gunshots were fired, six businesses were torched and 17 people were arrested. Police reported four officers were injured and police cars were damaged before calm was restored. 
 
On Sunday night, when police in riot gear faced off with protesters throwing bottles and bricks, four officers were injured and one other person suffered a gunshot wound, police said. Three police squad cars were damaged and 14 people were arrested, authorities said. 
 
 
&#39;Want the video released&#39; 
 
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker activated the National Guard on Sunday in case more trouble flared, but despite the violence, police said the guardsmen were not called in. 
 
The weekend shooting in Milwaukee was distinct in that the person killed was armed, according to the police account. The officer who fired the deadly shot was also&nbsp;African-American.&nbsp; 
 
The mayor would like Wisconsin state officials to release the video to the public in order to corroborate the police account. State law requires all police shootings to be investigated by an independent state agency, giving the state control over such evidence. 
 
&quot;I want the video released...I&#39;m going to urge that it be released as quickly as possible,&quot; said Barrett, who has yet to see it. 
 
Police chief Edward Flynn said on Sunday that video from the officer`s body camera showed Smith had turned toward the officer with a gun in his hand. 
 
The video appeared to show the officer acting within the law, Flynn said, but because the audio was delayed, it was unclear when the officer fired his weapon.&nbsp;Police had stopped Smith&#39;s car, leading to the chase on foot. 
 
Police said Smith&#39;s car was stopped because he was acting suspiciously, raising skepticism within largely African-American neighborhoods where people report racial discrimination from police. Smith also had a lengthy arrest record, officials said. 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp;

Milwaukee has become the latest American city to be gripped by violence in response to fatal police confrontations with African-American men

Tension gripped Milwaukee on Monday as officials hoped a late night curfew imposed on teenagers would deter another outbreak of rioting that hit the US Midwestern city the past two nights in response to the police shooting of an armed African-American man. Late on Monday afternoon, dozens of police, some in riot gear, erected fencing to cordon off Sherman Park, the center of the neighbourhood that was the scene of the weekend shooting and subsequent disturbances. Nearby, about 100 people held a picnic in a grassy area. "Things got a little bit quieter last night, although there were still disturbances," Wisconsin governor Scott Walker told Fox News, "but our hope is tonight things will finally quiet down thanks in large part to the leadership of many pastors and other church leaders in the Milwaukee community." 'Teenagers better be home' As the sun set, there was notably lower foot traffic in the neighbourhood ahead of the 10 pm CDT (0300 GMT Tuesday) curfew. Police vehicles were seen parked in alleys and along major thoroughfares in that area of the city. "There is a curfew that will be more strictly enforced tonight for teenagers," mayor Tom Barrett told a news conference. "So parents, after 10 o'clock your teenagers better be home or in a place where they're off the streets." Barrett renewed his call for state officials to release a video of the Saturday night shooting in hopes it would convince angry protesters that deadly force against Sylville K. Smith, 23, was justified. Milwaukee has become the latest American city to be gripped by violence over the past two years in response to fatal police confrontations with African-American men. Famed for its breweries, Milwaukee is also one of the most segregated cities in America, with a large concentration of unemployed African-American men in the inner city separated from the mostly white suburbs. Such inequality has afflicted many US cities as a result of the loss of manufacturing jobs over the past three decades, sometimes stoking unrest when police use deadly force. Police say Smith was stopped on Saturday afternoon for behaving suspiciously and that he then fled on foot between two homes. Smith was carrying a stolen handgun he refused to drop before he was killed, police said. The shooting led to the first night of violence in which gunshots were fired, six businesses were torched and 17 people were arrested. Police reported four officers were injured and police cars were damaged before calm was restored. On Sunday night, when police in riot gear faced off with protesters throwing bottles and bricks, four officers were injured and one other person suffered a gunshot wound, police said. Three police squad cars were damaged and 14 people were arrested, authorities said. 'Want the video released' Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker activated the National Guard on Sunday in case more trouble flared, but despite the violence, police said the guardsmen were not called in. The weekend shooting in Milwaukee was distinct in that the person killed was armed, according to the police account. The officer who fired the deadly shot was also African-American. The mayor would like Wisconsin state officials to release the video to the public in order to corroborate the police account. State law requires all police shootings to be investigated by an independent state agency, giving the state control over such evidence. "I want the video released...I'm going to urge that it be released as quickly as possible," said Barrett, who has yet to see it. Police chief Edward Flynn said on Sunday that video from the officer`s body camera showed Smith had turned toward the officer with a gun in his hand. The video appeared to show the officer acting within the law, Flynn said, but because the audio was delayed, it was unclear when the officer fired his weapon. Police had stopped Smith's car, leading to the chase on foot. Police said Smith's car was stopped because he was acting suspiciously, raising skepticism within largely African-American neighborhoods where people report racial discrimination from police. Smith also had a lengthy arrest record, officials said. (Reuters)

Curfew imposed on teens in US city of Milwaukee to quell rioting; tension continues

Thousands of people took to the streets in US cities on Friday to denounce the fatal police shootings of two black men this week, marching the day after a gunman killed five police officers watching over a similar demonstration in Dallas. 
 
Protesters clogged roadways in New York City, Atlanta and Philadelphia on Friday evening, and events were also planned for San Francisco and Phoenix. Local media reports did not indicate any immediate instances of major clashes or injuries. 
 
Thousands marched in Atlanta in what appeared to be the largest demonstration, chanting and waving signs demanding justice, video posted on social media showed. Footage from local broadcasters showed the massive crowd facing off with dozens of police vehicles that were stopped on a local interstate highway.&nbsp; 
 
Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed tweeted that the rally was largely peaceful, though about 10 people had been arrested. 
 
Friday was the second day of widespread demonstrations against use of force by police in the wake of the fatal shootings of 32-year-old Philando Castile near St Paul, Minnesota and 37-year-old Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 
 
Castile was killed by the police during a traffic stop late on Wednesday, and his girlfriend posted live video on the internet of the bloody scene minutes afterward. 
 
Sterling was killed during an altercation outside a convenience store with two white police officers. Graphic video of that incident caused an outcry on social media. 
 
The two shootings stoked racial tensions that have flared repeatedly across the country following the 2014 killing of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teen, by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri. 
 
Thursday&#39;s demonstrations were largely peaceful until gunfire erupted at a Dallas rally that was winding down. 
 
Authorities said 25-year-old Micah Johnson, a black US military veteran of the Afghan war who said he wanted to &quot;kill white people&quot;, launched a sniper attack that killed five police officers and wounded nine other people. 
 
Police killed the gunman with a bomb-carrying robot after cornering him in a parking garage, ending an hours-long standoff. 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp;

Friday was the second day of protests against police brutality in the wake of fatal shootings of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling

Thousands of people took to the streets in US cities on Friday to denounce the fatal police shootings of two black men this week, marching the day after a gunman killed five police officers watching over a similar demonstration in Dallas. Protesters clogged roadways in New York City, Atlanta and Philadelphia on Friday evening, and events were also planned for San Francisco and Phoenix. Local media reports did not indicate any immediate instances of major clashes or injuries. Thousands marched in Atlanta in what appeared to be the largest demonstration, chanting and waving signs demanding justice, video posted on social media showed. Footage from local broadcasters showed the massive crowd facing off with dozens of police vehicles that were stopped on a local interstate highway. Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed tweeted that the rally was largely peaceful, though about 10 people had been arrested. Friday was the second day of widespread demonstrations against use of force by police in the wake of the fatal shootings of 32-year-old Philando Castile near St Paul, Minnesota and 37-year-old Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Castile was killed by the police during a traffic stop late on Wednesday, and his girlfriend posted live video on the internet of the bloody scene minutes afterward. Sterling was killed during an altercation outside a convenience store with two white police officers. Graphic video of that incident caused an outcry on social media. The two shootings stoked racial tensions that have flared repeatedly across the country following the 2014 killing of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teen, by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri. Thursday's demonstrations were largely peaceful until gunfire erupted at a Dallas rally that was winding down. Authorities said 25-year-old Micah Johnson, a black US military veteran of the Afghan war who said he wanted to "kill white people", launched a sniper attack that killed five police officers and wounded nine other people. Police killed the gunman with a bomb-carrying robot after cornering him in a parking garage, ending an hours-long standoff. (Reuters)

Thousands take to streets across US to protest police violence

Louisiana police have shot and killed a black man selling CDs outside a convenience store, triggering protests over the latest in a string of cases of alleged police brutality against black suspects. 
 
A video shot by a witness and circulated online showed two officers ordering a tall black man to the ground early Tuesday. 
 
As he remained standing, the officers wrestled him onto the roof of a car and then to the ground. While he was pinned down by the officers, one pulled a gun and shot him four times at close range. 
 
&quot;They shot him? Oh my fucking goodness!&quot; a witness can be heard as exclaiming in the background of the video. 
 
At least one woman can be heard wailing and repeating &quot;Oh my God!&quot; 
 
Police in the state&#39;s capital Baton Rouge identified the man as Alton Sterling, 37, saying two officers &quot;made contact&quot; with him in the parking lot of the convenience store. 
 
The shooting took place at 12:35 am (0435 GMT) Tuesday after police received a tip from an anonymous caller saying they had been threatened by a man with a gun, according to a police statement. 
 
&quot;An altercation between Sterling and the officers ensued. Sterling was shot during the altercation and died at the scene,&quot; police said on Facebook. 
 
They said that in accordance with &quot;standard procedure,&quot; the two officers involved in the shooting had been placed on administrative leave during the ongoing investigation. 
 
The East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner&#39;s Office said Sterling was killed by multiple gunshot wounds to the chest and back, WAFB television reported. 
 
News reports said the officers were wearing body cameras, which police said fell off during the confrontation. 
 
However, in addition to the witness video, the shooting was captured by the store&#39;s surveillance camera and at least one patrol car dashboard camera, state representative C. Denise Marcelle told news media after being briefed by the police chief. 
 
About 100 people, including friends and relatives of Sterling, protested outside the convenience store after shooting, some blocking roads, The Advocate newspaper reported. 
 
Holding up handmade signs, they chanted: &quot;Black lives matter&quot; and &quot;Hands up, don&#39;t shoot.&quot; 
 
&quot;Justice for Alton&quot; and &quot;Justice 4 CD Man&quot; read some of the signs. 
 
&quot;What I said to the (police) chief is he has to have transparency in this matter because as you can see, this is getting out of hand. People are clearly upset and they want transparency,&quot; Marcelle said. 
 
&#39;Legal lynching&#39; 
 
Edmond Jordan, an attorney representing Sterling&#39;s family, said the shooting was completely unjustified. 
 
&quot;That police officer fired two shots and he seemed to pause for a while and shot him two more times. I don&#39;t think any of those shots were justified, but I&#39;m curious as to why he paused for such a long time and then fired two more times,&quot; he told CNN. 
 
Jordan, who is also a state legislator, added that Sterling was selling CDs with the permission of the convenience store owner. 
 
Triple S store owner Abdullah Muflahi told The Advocate that he witnessed police retrieving a gun from Sterling&#39;s pocket after the shooting, although Sterling did not hold a weapon during the altercation. 
 
&quot;They were really aggressive with him from the start,&quot; Muflahi said about the police officers, adding that they were &quot;freaking out&quot; after the incident. 
 
Muflahi said he heard one of the officers say: &quot;Just leave him.&quot; 
 
Civil rights group Black Lives Matter, which was referenced by many protesters in Louisiana, tweeted: &quot;Enough is enough. #AltonSterling.&quot; 
 
African American civil rights leader Jesse Jackson also expressed outrage over the shooting today. 
 
&quot;The shooting of #AltonSterling in #BatonRouge is a legal lynching. Justice must prevail. #Outraged,&quot; Jackson wrote on Twitter. 
 
(AFP)

The shooting took place after police were tipped off by an anonymous caller saying they had been threatened by a man with a gun

Louisiana police have shot and killed a black man selling CDs outside a convenience store, triggering protests over the latest in a string of cases of alleged police brutality against black suspects. A video shot by a witness and circulated online showed two officers ordering a tall black man to the ground early Tuesday. As he remained standing, the officers wrestled him onto the roof of a car and then to the ground. While he was pinned down by the officers, one pulled a gun and shot him four times at close range. "They shot him? Oh my fucking goodness!" a witness can be heard as exclaiming in the background of the video. At least one woman can be heard wailing and repeating "Oh my God!" Police in the state's capital Baton Rouge identified the man as Alton Sterling, 37, saying two officers "made contact" with him in the parking lot of the convenience store. The shooting took place at 12:35 am (0435 GMT) Tuesday after police received a tip from an anonymous caller saying they had been threatened by a man with a gun, according to a police statement. "An altercation between Sterling and the officers ensued. Sterling was shot during the altercation and died at the scene," police said on Facebook. They said that in accordance with "standard procedure," the two officers involved in the shooting had been placed on administrative leave during the ongoing investigation. The East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner's Office said Sterling was killed by multiple gunshot wounds to the chest and back, WAFB television reported. News reports said the officers were wearing body cameras, which police said fell off during the confrontation. However, in addition to the witness video, the shooting was captured by the store's surveillance camera and at least one patrol car dashboard camera, state representative C. Denise Marcelle told news media after being briefed by the police chief. About 100 people, including friends and relatives of Sterling, protested outside the convenience store after shooting, some blocking roads, The Advocate newspaper reported. Holding up handmade signs, they chanted: "Black lives matter" and "Hands up, don't shoot." "Justice for Alton" and "Justice 4 CD Man" read some of the signs. "What I said to the (police) chief is he has to have transparency in this matter because as you can see, this is getting out of hand. People are clearly upset and they want transparency," Marcelle said. 'Legal lynching' Edmond Jordan, an attorney representing Sterling's family, said the shooting was completely unjustified. "That police officer fired two shots and he seemed to pause for a while and shot him two more times. I don't think any of those shots were justified, but I'm curious as to why he paused for such a long time and then fired two more times," he told CNN. Jordan, who is also a state legislator, added that Sterling was selling CDs with the permission of the convenience store owner. Triple S store owner Abdullah Muflahi told The Advocate that he witnessed police retrieving a gun from Sterling's pocket after the shooting, although Sterling did not hold a weapon during the altercation. "They were really aggressive with him from the start," Muflahi said about the police officers, adding that they were "freaking out" after the incident. Muflahi said he heard one of the officers say: "Just leave him." Civil rights group Black Lives Matter, which was referenced by many protesters in Louisiana, tweeted: "Enough is enough. #AltonSterling." African American civil rights leader Jesse Jackson also expressed outrage over the shooting today. "The shooting of #AltonSterling in #BatonRouge is a legal lynching. Justice must prevail. #Outraged," Jackson wrote on Twitter. (AFP)

Video shows Louisiana cops holding black man down, shooting him point-blank 4 times

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