The killing of George Floyd is further evidence that there is a significant problem with the way some police officers approach their work, especially when it concerns African Americans. Most officers serve honorably, but the actions of those who do not—and a police culture that too often protects them—is a threat to all of us. If trust is to be restored, there must be criminal consequences for criminal behavior by officers. But the problem goes much deeper. Some Americans, even in 2020, still hold the evil view that African American lives matter less than others. Confronting and addressing that atrocious untruth will take a lot more than revising police policies and procedures. It will require a social transformation—and for many still in denial to face reality and commit to change. —Evan McMullin
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1. 'When the looting starts, the shooting starts'
After a chaotic night in the city of Minneapolis, where tensions reached a fever pitch following the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man who died in police custody after pleading that he could not breathe, President Trump poured gasoline on the flames. As a police precinct was set ablaze in the city and the National Guard was called up to help restore order, Trump tweeted, "Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!" The tweet was swiftly slapped with a rule violation notice by Twitter for 'glorifying violence.' As it should be. —Bloomberg
- — Officer finally arrested. Derek Chauvin, the Minneapolis police officer seen in the bystander video kneeling on Floyd's neck, was arrested today. The arrest came three days too late for the city. In an address this morning, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz acknowledged the "abject failure" of the response and called for swift justice for the police involved. —Associated Press
- — CNN reporter arrested at scene. CNN reporter Omar Jimenez resumed covering the protests after being arrested on live television by Minnesota State Patrol early this morning. Jimenez and his crew were released about an hour later, but the arrest of a journalist sparked outrage across social media. Walz later issued an apology for the "totally unacceptable" arrest. —Newsweek
- — Violence breaks out in Kentucky. As hundreds gathered in Louisville last night to protest the shooting of Breonna Taylor, also at the hands of police officers, what started out as a peaceful rally quickly turned violent. Seven people were shot, one of whom was in critical condition. Police Special Adviser Jessie Halladay said, "What we are seeing tonight in this community is the obvious frustration of the tension between police and residents." No police officers were reportedly involved in the shootings. —NBC News
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- — Congress pushes for probe. Due to the recent high-profile killings of Floyd, Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery—all unarmed African Americans—the House Judiciary Committee has written to Attorney General Bill Barr to request a Department of Justice investigation. The DOJ is currently investigating whether the Arbery case warrants federal hate crime charges, and the FBI has opened a separate investigation into the Taylor case. —The Hill
More: Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey calls Minneapolis unrest 'unacceptable' (Star Tribune)
Thank you, Twitter. Known slander, lies, and libel that damage citizens emotional health should be posted with a warning or not posted. —Ricki I., California
While it is worthy to promote truth on social media, we must be very careful how we do it. I see a lot of sentiment that Twitter, Facebook, and other social media giants should remove or flag posts with questionable correctness. This may seem like a great solution, but this kind of strategy runs headlong into the territory of supression of free speech. Worse, this kind of thing is not very likely to accomplish what it aims to do (which is create a better informed population). With our current state of politics, this strategy is more likely to only deepen the mistrust of the media and cement far-right anti-establishment narratives. Social media posts that are flagged or removed actually rise in credibility in certain circles. —Eliza C., Texas
Re: What the Miami Chief of Police said about George Floyd ("Do not defend the undefendable, attempt to justify the unjustifiable, or excuse the inexcusable."). Couldn't the same thing be said about what the president has done? Why do U.S. senators, representatives, and other seemingly intelligent people keep defending him, trying to justify what he says and does, and keep making excuses for that man? —Clyde K., Minnesota
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