Large crowds gathered in Washington, D.C., and in cities across the
U.S. and around the world for demonstrations amid continued demands for
justice-system reform sparked by the killing of George Floyd.
A memorial service for Mr. Floyd was held near his birthplace in North Carolina.
Two Buffalo, N.Y., police officers were charged with felony assault in connection with a Thursday altercation that injured a 75-year-old protester.
The Trump administration’s deployment of officers in military-style riot gear has stirred tensions with demonstrators and concerns about accountability.
This live-coverage page provides continuous rolling updates. For a look back at the last 24 hours, read our article here.
NYPD Officers Believes There Going To Be A Terrorists In New York
City Once Again This Will Shut Down Lock Down America Once Again
Another 9/11 This What The NYPD Chief Nilda Irizarry Hofmann File This
Report To The FBI Investigate Attack on Officers as Possible Terrorism By Ben Chapman
The New York Police Department and the FBI are investigating the
stabbing of a police officer last week as a possible terrorist attack,
NYPD officials said Saturday.
An
NYPD officer guarding against looters in Brooklyn during protests over
George Floyd's killing was stabbed in the neck and two other officers
were shot on Wednesday night. The suspect, who is Muslim and lives in
Brooklyn, shouted “Allahu akbar” before stabbing the officer on a street
in a commercial district, police officials said. The suspect was
shot during the incident, although it is unclear by whom. It is also
unclear who shot the officers. All three officers were in stable
condition and expected to recover. NYPD Deputy Commissioner of
Intelligence and Counterterrorism John Miller said at a press briefing
Saturday that the stabbing had the hallmarks of a terrorist attack.
Surveillance video of the attack shows the suspect ambushing a pair of
officers from behind, and stabbing one of the officers in the neck,
according to police officials. The suspect was arrested on the
scene and is being held with serious injuries and is unable to
communicate for an interview, the officials said. The suspect is
expected to be charged with attempted murder of a police officer,
according to the officials. Activists and city officials were
preparing for huge gatherings Saturday in Washington, D.C.
Demonstrations were also planned in other cities, and a memorial for
George Floyd in North Carolina. Two Buffalo, N.Y., police
officers were charged with felony assault in connection with a Thursday
altercation that injured a 75-year-old protester. The Trump
administration’s deployment of officers in military-style riot gear has
stirred tensions with demonstrators and concerns about accountability.
Facebook said it would review policies on how it handles content
related to civil unrest or violence, following criticism over its
decision to not moderate or take down controversial posts. Two
NYPD officers have been suspended without pay and face disciplinary
action over alleged misconduct during protests in Brooklyn.
7 minutes ago
Protesters March Past Fire, Police Union Offices in Minneapolis
Hundreds of protesters marched past the city's fire and police union offices in Minneapolis in a rally to defund the police. Carrying signs saying, "Reimagine Public Safety" and "Cops give pigs a
bad name," the Saturday crowd stopped at one point and kneeled for the
nearly nine minutes that the police officer, Derek Chauvin, kneeled on
George Floyd’s neck. "It's a really long time," said Emily Green, 55. "One of the most powerful things for me is realizing that." Her daughter, 19-year-old Sophia Manolis, said doing away with the
police wouldn't happen all at once. It could start with building up a
force of people who can deal with mental health crises and even traffic
stops peacefully. "What the police do best is respond with guns and
violence," she said. "It's not impossible to change."
18 minutes ago
Sydney Protest Proceeds After Appeals Court Overturns Ban
Aboriginal
protesters perform a traditional ceremony before a demonstration in
Sydney on Saturday in solidarity with protests in the U.S., and to
demand an end to Aboriginal deaths in custody in Australia.peter parks/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images
In
Australia, thousands gathered in central Sydney on Saturday not knowing
if they would be allowed to protest the killing of George Floyd and
other deaths of black citizens in custody without risking arrest. A judge in New South Wales state on Friday had prohibited the protest
on the grounds that it breached pandemic-restrictions on large
gatherings. Word reached protesters at the last minute that the state
appeals court had overturned the decision, allowing the event to
proceed. Local police said around 20,000 protesters took to the streets in
Sydney, with several smaller protests across the state including in
Outback towns such as Broken Hill, where indigenous Australians make up
nearly 10% of the local population. Organizers of the protest drew parallels between the killing of Mr.
Floyd and the 2015 death of Dunghutti man David Dungay, who died while
being restrained by guards at Long Bay prison. Mr. Dungay’s final words
were “I can’t breathe,” they said, mirroring Mr. Floyd’s pleas as he was
restrained by a knee on his neck. His mother, Leetona Dungay, spoke at
the event. The country's colonial past is an ongoing flashpoint for indigenous
Australians. They make up about 3% of the population but face higher
unemployment, lower homeownership and higher incarceration rates than
other Australians.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, second from left, took part in a demonstration in Ottawa on Friday.dave chan/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images
Thousands
of protesters from several marches crowded Toronto's downtown core
Saturday, in largely peaceful demonstrations that were only marred by
one known arrest. A man in black face appeared at a protest in front of Toronto city
hall. He was jeered by protesters and arrested for breaching the peace,
according to a Toronto police spokesman, No charges have officially been
filed and the spokesman declined to give the man’s name. Mary Jubran, a 27 year-old videographer, said that incident was the
only disruption she noticed during the day, which included an 8 minute
and 46 second pause in front of the U.S. Consulate General. Protestors
kneeled in silence to mark the time Minneapolis police officer Derek
Chauvin pressed his knee on George Floyd’s neck. On Friday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appeared at a
demonstration in Ottawa. Surrounded by security and accompanied by a
Somali-born cabinet minister, Ahmed Hussen, he knelt and held what
appeared to be a black T-shirt with the slogan, “Black Lives Matter.” Earlier in the week, Mr. Trudeau caused a stir when paused for more
than 20 seconds before answering a question at a press conference about
what he thought of the decision to forcibly remove a crowd of peaceful
protesters in front of the White House.
46 minutes ago
How Atlanta's Mayor Found the Right Words Keisha Lance Bottoms And Atlanta Mayor, Police chief
On
the evening of May 29, when a peaceful demonstration in Atlanta took a
violent turn, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms understood the outrage driving
the protests. But if she failed to restore order, the city could burn. She needed to find the perfect words. And she did, writes Sam Walker, whose column The Captain Class focuses on leadership: The mayor’s speech that night lasteda little more than four minutes.
She aimed her remarks directly at the rioters. As an African-American
mother of four, she told them, “You’re not going to outconcern me and
outcare about where we are in America. I wear this each and every day. I
pray over my children each and every day.” She reminded them of Atlanta’s long tradition of black leadership
and the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. “This is not a protest,” she
said, “this is chaos…. A protest has purpose…. If you love this city, if
you care about this city, then go home.” It was a remarkable and seamless blend of personal narrative, raw
emotion and searing anger. It was a master class in handling one of the
most delicate functions of management: constructive scolding. Within two days, peace had largely been restored in Atlanta, although National Guard troops and a curfew surely helped.
1 hour ago
Allegations of Police Misconduct Get Swift Response, But Is It a Tipping Point?
Police outside a station in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday.Brian L. Frank for The Wall Street Journal
In
the days since George Floyd was killed during his arrest by Minneapolis
police officers, police departments and elected officials across the
U.S. have responded with unusual swiftness to allegations of police misconduct. Advocacy groups and law-enforcement officials agree that structural
changes to policing will take time, and experts dispute whether
disciplinary actions against officers will have a lasting effect. “We try to fix policing on the back end, with punishment for things
that have gone wrong. It doesn’t work very well,” said Barry Friedman, a
professor at New York University School of Law and director of its
Policing Project, an organization focused on police accountability. He
said many of the country’s policing problems are systemic and not about
individual events or bad apples. But some police chiefs and elected officials said they believe Mr. Floyd’s killing could prove to be a tipping point. “You’re going to have officers that make bad decisions. The key is
what is our response,” said Sheriff Chris Swanson of Genesee County,
Mich., who took off his helmet and joined protesters. “The decision to walk was the best decision I’ve ever made in my
career,” Mr. Swanson said. “George Floyd changed American policing
forever.”
2 hours ago
D.C. Mayor Makes Case for Statehood, Criticizes Trump
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser at Saturday's protest.eric thayer/Reuters
"Welcome
to Black Lives Matter Plaza," Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser
said Saturday afternoon before a packed crowd at an intersection in
front of the White House renamed by the city a day before. "It's so wonderful to see everybody peacefully protesting, wearing
your mask, she said. "You know, if you're like me, on Monday you saw
something you hoped you'd never see in the United States of America:
federal police moving on American people peacefully protesting in front
of the people's house." Ms. Bowser again made the case for statehood for the District of Columbia and took a shot at President Trump. "If he can take over Washington D.C., he can come for any state and
none of us will be safe," she said. "So today we pushed the Army away
from our city. Our soldiers should not be treated that way. They should
not be asked to move on American citizens. Today we say no. In November,
we say 'next.' " Mr. Trump hasn't yet commented on the demonstrations swelling around the White House. The large group of law enforcement officers that stood watch over the
protests near the White House earlier in the week had been scaled back.
As of late Friday afternoon, there were no authorities guarding the
fence that had been constructed nearby at Lafayette Square.
2 hours ago
In Europe, Demonstrations Defy Coronavirus Bans Against Large Gatherings
Protesters
attend a demonstration in Parliament Square in central London on
Saturday to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.Daniel Leal-Olivas/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images
Protests
have spread outside the U.S. Thousands of people took to the streets in
cities like Sydney, London and Berlin, many defying government bans on
large gatherings meant to stem the spread of the coronavirus. Some held
signs reading "I Can't Breathe." Several thousand people demonstrated Saturday in Paris. French
protesters have drawn parallels to the 2016 death of Adama Traoré, a
Frenchman of Malian origin. A postmortem report commissioned by Mr.
Traoré's family concluded Tuesday that the young man likely suffocated
after police pinned him to the ground. Marches were held in cities around the U.K., where Police
Commissioner Cressida Dick called the gatherings unlawful. In London,
thousands of people gathered in Parliament Square and outside the U.S.
Embassy, despite wet and cloudy weather, to protest police abuses.
2 hours ago
D.C. Protesters Call for Spotlight on Systemic Racism
Protesters in Washington, D.C. on Saturday.Dee Dwyer for The Wall Street Journal
Protesters
amassed in Washington, D.C., took aim at systemic racism in the U.S.,
expressing skepticism that reforms would be effective. In the crowd was April Cole, 60 years old. “Older people need to
stand beside the younger people,” she said as she walked with her
daughter. She called for foundational changes to the political system,
starting with electing leaders who support policies that help black
people. “I don’t believe in reform,” she said. “I believe in wiping it
all out and starting over.” Sadiki Harriott, an Army veteran, said he was pessimistic that
meaningful policy changes would result, despite repeated tragedies over
the years involving police brutality and other violence. “Voting is great, but that doesn’t change racism,” Mr. Harriott said.
“That starts at the dinner table. It starts inside of people’s hearts.” Melinda Moyo Turner, 33, said criminal justice reforms won’t fix
underlying problems that are manifest when black men such as George
Floyd are killed by police officers. Malachi Richardson, a 31-year-old psychologist from Washington,
expressed more optimism that the country might be at a tipping point.
“It seems like a cross section of the country is awake now,” Mr.
Richardson said. “For years that hasn’t been the case. It was just us.
That’s what feels different.” James Gaylor, a 34-year-old a physician, said many of his patients
are black and noted that systemic racism puts many people of color at a
disadvantage that can result in health problems. “Race shouldn’t
determine your lifespan,” Mr. Gaylor said.
2 hours ago
Hoke County, N.C., Sheriff: 'George Died, We Can't Let the Story Die'
By Josh Barbanel
A casket carrying the body of George Floyd was brought in for Saturday's memorial service in Raeford, N.C.Pool/Reuters
At
the religious service in Raeford, N.C., near where George Floyd was
born, friends and family paid tribute. Hoke County Sheriff Hubert
Peterkin, who helped organize the event, said that though “George died,
we can't let the story die.” He said having a badge and a gun doesn't give law enforcement
officers the authority to bully and kill people. But he said there are a
lot of "good peace officers in the world," and asked that they all
repeat six words: “We are part of the problem.” Sheriff Peterkin said he had dreamed of becoming a law enforcement
officer since he was 10 years old. "That dream is now turning into a
nightmare," he said. "If I deny what law enforcement is doing here
today, I am denying the color of my skin and I won't do that."
Trahern Pollard and his We Push For Peace roadside pantry.Joe Barrett/The Wall Street Journal
In
neighborhoods where most grocery stores have been looted and burned
down by the unrest following the killing of George Floyd, makeshift
outdoor food pantries are springing up in front yards and on street
corners. Bernice Arias, who works for a large health-care provider, said she
and some neighbors started off giving away food from a single table on
their block about a week ago. Slowly the operation has grown. On
Saturday, about 10 volunteers stacked and arranged food and other
supplies on a half dozen tables under the shade of tents. “The neighborhood has really come together,” she said. Corinna Wiese said a friend she knows from college had raised about
$3,000 in donations and had parceled out the money to a team of
volunteers. Ms. Wiese, 23, who lost her job as a waitress because of coronavirus,
had been driving all day to different stores in suburban Minneapolis,
spending $600, filling her car, and then dropping off the bounty at
different small-scale pantries. “We’re trying to spread the wealth,” she
said. Hodan Duale, a Somali-American mother of two, filled a bag with
noodle soup,diapers and other goods at a makeshift stand on the side of a
road set up by Trahern Pollard, a city bus driver with a nonprofit
called We Push for Peace. “I was really worried because I don’t have a car,” she said. “This is really helpful.”
Protesters marched down San Francisco's Mission Street.Brian L. Frank for The Wall Street Journal
In
San Francisco, a small but energized crowd of about 1,000 protesters
took over the intersection of 24th and Mission, in a historically Latino
neighborhood to decry what they called police brutality and racism. Speakers led the crowd in English and Spanish, chanting “No police
murder!” and “No White Supremacy.” Protesters raised their fists and
waved signs such as “Mommies for George Floyd” amid the beating of
drums. “I feel like racism is a systemic problem in this country,” said a
nurse who would only give her first name as Becky, 32, as she held up a
banner that said “Nurses for Black Lives.” Dave Parks, a 75- year- old retiree from San Francisco, said the
protests will continue until the system fundamentally changes. “Ever
since Reagan, the whole far-right has taken over,” Mr. Parks said.
Demonstrators attended a rally against racial inequality in Los Angeles on Saturday.patrick t. fallon/Reuters Protesters
gathered in Los Angeles Saturday at the storied intersection of
Hollywood Blvd. and Vine Street to express their outrage at the killing
of George Floyd by Minneapolis police.The protest began at noon and quickly attracted hundreds of
protesters and halted traffic at the center of Hollywood before marching
south down Vine Street. The demonstrators chanted expletives about
President Trump and called for his resignation.“I’m here for people I know personally who have been brutalized by
police,” said Adrienne Smith of Los Angeles. Ms. Smith, a Baltimore
native, said she doesn’t want people living in fear of the police. Concerns about the coronavirus had played a part at keeping her away
until now. “This is more important,” she said, adding, “it’s ironic we
have to fight for our lives in the middle of a pandemic.” Early on in the protest the police maintained a distance from the
crowd. There were some National Guardsmen scattered about and
helicopters circling overhead. Johanna Moran held a sign that read “Latinas for Black Lives Matter”
and spent the last several days educating herself on issues of race and
American history. “I want this to be a long-term goal to end racism and police
brutality.” She acknowledged racism in her own family toward black
people. “It starts with black lives because they have been getting
oppressed for hundreds of years. And as my parents, they looked as
foreigners and they feel threatened by black people, which I am trying
to eliminate at all costs because there's not multiple races, there's
one and it's the human race.” At one point, most protesters dropped to their knees and began chanting “George Floyd, Enough is Enough.”
3 hours ago
George Floyd Protests Prompt Europe to Reckon With Racist Legacies
Protesters in Berlin on Saturday.omer messinger/EPA/Shutterstock
Protests over the killing of George Floyd have revived calls to take down symbols of colonial oppression
that have long been controversial and tackle the persistent
discrimination and racism in several European nations, including the
U.K., Germany, France and Spain. Across Europe, statues have been
defaced, street names questioned and historic pageants pilloried on an
exceptional scale. In Belgium, which controlled and exploited the Congo for decades,
calls are increasing to remove statues of King Leopold II, who
established the colony as his personal territory in the 1880s and was
responsible for the death and mutilation of millions of people there. In the Netherlands, an early colonial power whose trading companies
were instrumental in carrying African slaves to America for more than
two centuries, the prime minister has acknowledged racism as a problem
following massive antiracism demonstrations. “It’s not just an American
phenomenon,” Prime Minister Mark Rutte said. “It’s also a Dutch problem.
There is racism here, too. There is discrimination here, too.” Mr. Rutte on Thursday abandoned his yearslong support for the
traditional Dutch Christmastime character known as Black Pete. The
mischievous sidekick to Santa Claus, clad in a Renaissance-era costume,
is usually portrayed by a white boy in blackface, curly black wig, red
lipstick and big golden earrings—a costume reminiscent of the slave
trade.
4 hours ago
Photos: Black Lives Matter Protests Sweep the Nation
Protesters demonstrated against the killing of George Floyd in New York on Saturday. Gabriela Bhaskar for The Wall Street Journal Protesters
took to the streets nationwide Saturday for the 12th consecutive day of
protests, with calls on social media for one million demonstrators to
gather at the White House and other Washington landmarks amid continued
demands for reform to the American justice system sparked by the killing
of George Floyd. You can see photos from the events here.
People protested the death of George Floyd in New York on Saturday.Gabriela Bhaskar for The Wall Street Journal
Protests
in New York on Saturday brought new faces to the street. Sean
McManamon, a history teacher at Brooklyn Technical High School, said it
was the first protest he had attended since the killing of George Floyd. “It’s getting to be too much,” said Mr. McManamon, as he watched a
demonstration in Washington Square Park with his wife and daughter from a
park bench to socially distance because of the new coronavirus. Elsewhere in the park, protesters stood shoulder to shoulder, toting
hand-drawn signs while the hum of a helicopter could be heard overhead.
Speakers led many chants of “Black lives matter” and “I can’t breathe.” Speakers stressed the need for elected officials to respect the
sanctity of black lives, with one woman reading out the names of black
men and women who have died over the years during interactions with the
police. Others spoke of the weariness of living in constant fear of
encounters with law enforcement. One man called out Mayor Bill de
Blasio’s handling of the demonstrations and the police response, saying
that the mayor was hypocritical for relying on his family-- his wife is
black and his son and daughter are half-black--as a cover for shoddy
leadership. Mr. McManamon, who was born in New York, was 10 years old in 1977
when a massive electricity blackout led to widespread looting in the
Bronx, where he lived. “It was like a bomb hit the place,” Mr McManamon
said. “When I see looting, I have a certain emotional reaction to that." A police vehicle was set afire outside the school where he teaches in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Fort Greene, he said. The demonstration on Saturday was peaceful. “When I see this, I think this is alright,” he said.
5 hours ago
NYPD, FBI Investigate Attack on Officers as Possible Terrorism
The New York Police Department and the FBI are investigating the stabbing of a police officer last week as a possible terrorist attack, NYPD officials said Saturday. An NYPD officer guarding against looters in Brooklyn during protests
over George Floyd's killing was stabbed in the neck and two other
officers were shot on Wednesday night. The suspect, who is Muslim and
lives in Brooklyn, shouted “Allahu akbar” before stabbing the officer on
a street in a commercial district, police officials said. The suspect was shot during the incident, although it is unclear by
whom. It is also unclear who shot the officers. All three officers were
in stable condition and expected to recover. NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism John
Miller said at a press briefing Saturday that the stabbing had the
hallmarks of a terrorist attack. Surveillance video of the attack shows the suspect ambushing a pair
of officers from behind, and stabbing one of the officers in the neck,
according to police officials. The suspect was arrested on the scene and is being held with serious
injuries and is unable to communicate for an interview, the officials
said. The suspect is expected to be charged with attempted murder of a
police officer, according to the officials.
5 hours ago
Washington Officials Expect Largest Marches Yet
By Warren P. Strobel, Paul Kiernan and Andres R. Martinez
A protest in front of the U.S. Capitol on Saturday.Dee Dwyer for The Wall Street Journal
Washington,
D.C., authorities said they expected the largest crowds yet as
protesters amassed early afternoon near the White House and at the
Lincoln Memorial. Other events were scattered around the city and a
march to the newly named Black Lives Matter Plaza—where the city has
painted “Black Lives Matter” in giant yellow letters on the street—is
planned for early evening. Estimates of the size of Washington’s crowd were difficult for
various reasons, local officials said. There is no single organizing
group and word of the protests spread across various social media
platforms. Unlike past major demonstrations in the nation's capital,
there isn't a formal stage for speeches. The city's police chief, Peter Newsham, cited coronavirus as another
complication. Normally, authorities can track how many buses are coming
into the city, but charters are not operating as usual due to the
pandemic. In recent days the protests have been estimated to be as large
as 5,000, spread among different parts of the city. Across Washington, where the temperature was set to reach 92F,
restaurants, night clubs, office buildings and others opened their doors
to protesters, offering their bathrooms, water and snacks.
A
large crowd amassed in front of the Dirksen Senate Office Building on
Capitol Hill, planning to march toward the White House. The group of
largely white protesters donned face masks and held signs saying, “Black
Lives Matter” and “Silence is violence.” At times they stood quietly;
at others they broke into call-and-answer cheers. A 20-year State Department veteran at the protest, who declined to be
named, said he was outraged by the clearing of protesters by
authorities in Lafayette Square Monday, which was followed by President
Trump and other officials walking to nearby church for photos. “It’s very challenging for us to advance democracy and a human rights agenda abroad given what we are doing at home,” he said. Crowd estimates weren't available but it took more than 30 minutes
for the protesters to clear out of the space in front of the Dirksen
office building.
7 hours ago
Protesters Start Gathering for Rally Near White House
Demonstrators massing Saturday in Washington, D.C.Jacquelyn Martin/Associated Press
In
Washington on Saturday, small groups of demonstrators were streaming
along the major thoroughfares to the center of the district near the
White House, the main protest zone, where an estimated thousand-plus had
gathered by early afternoon. Special police divisions and
military-style vehicles blocked traffic and were parked at the side of
the road.The early protest in downtown Washington had a party atmosphere, with
music playing, volunteers handing out free food and water, and one
group posing with National Guard personnel for a picture while others
chanted, "No justice, no peace." A high black metal fence kept
demonstrators from Lafayette Park, outside the White House, and no
security forces were visible behind the fence or in the park.Courtney Ross, 28, a D.C. resident originally from Georgia, said she
came to the protests because her female antecedents had contended with
racism. “My mother couldn’t be here, so I wanted to be here for her,”
she said.Reba McGinnis, a 48-year-old federal employee from Washington, D.C.,
attending the protest Saturday with her husband and 13-year-old
daughter. "I'm here so we can have a better future for my daughter," she
said. She added George Floyd’s killing left her feeling angry and
saddened, but also inspired by the number of people in the U.S. and
abroad rallying around a common cause. “It was so egregious to see it
play out national television, that was just the straw that broke the
camel’s back.”The weather Saturday was cloudy with scattered thunder showers
forecast for the afternoon, when protesters were expected to amass near
the White House, the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol, as well as in
smaller groups around town.
7 hours ago
Buffalo Police Officers Plead Not Guilty Over Charges of Assaulting 75-Year-Old Protester
Two Buffalo, N.Y., police officers were charged with felony assault
Saturday in connection with a Thursday night altercation that injured a
75-year-old protester, Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn
said. Officers Aaron Torgalski and Robert McCabe were arraigned virtually
and released on their own recognizance by Buffalo City Court Judge Craig
Hannah, Mr. Flynn said at a news conference. Video posted by WBFO, a public radio station, shows the officers
pushed protester Martin Gugino as they cleared the city’s central square
shortly after an 8 p.m. curfew took effect. Messrs. Torgalski and McCabe pleaded not guilty to the charges,
according to Tom Burton, a lawyer for the Buffalo Police Benevolent
Association, which represents the officers. Mr. Burton called the felony
charges—which require a showing that officers intended to cause
physical injury—aggressive. Mr. Gugino remains in serious condition at Erie County Medical Center hospital, Mr. Flynn said Saturday. Mr. Flynn said the officers “crossed the line” by shoving Mr. Gugino
and were charged with second-degree assault, a felony, because the
protester was more than 65 years old and the officers were more than 10
years younger. “I’m not on anyone’s side. I’m on this country’s side,” Mr. Flynn
said. He described officers as his teammates in maintaining public
safety, and said his office is also prosecuting 39 protesters—including
people charged with attempting to light City Hall on fire and running
over police officers who were clearing protesters on Monday. “There was no intent to hurt this fellow at all. They were just
trying to clear the area, and nobody’s happy the man fell backward,” Mr.
Burton said.
8 hours ago
Mourners Pay Their Respects to George Floyd Near His Birthplace
By Josh Barbanel
Mourners praying during the public viewing for George Floyd in Fayetteville, N.C.Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images Hundreds
of mourners lined up to pay their respects to George Floyd at a
Baptist-affiliated conference center in Raeford, N.C., near
Fayetteville, where he was born.
His coffin was wheeled into a sanctuary by two men wearing face masks
shortly before 11 a.m. as crowds gathered outside. Some mourners for
the public viewing wore black t-shirts with “I can't breathe” printed in
large type.
The two-hour public viewing period was due to be followed by a
private memorial service with prayer, scripture readings, song, short
speeches and a eulogy for family members and friends.
8 hours ago
Mothers Whose Sons Were Killed by Police Fight for Reform
Kadiatou Diallo, left, and mural artist Hawa Diallo (no relation) at the mural for Kadiatou Diallo's slain son. M. Stan Reaves/Zuma Press
One
day as Kadiatou Diallo babysat her grandchildren, her daughter called
with news that reignited her despair over the 1999 killing of her son,
Amadou, by four white police officers in New York’s Bronx borough.“She said, ‘Mom, something has happened,’ so I went and watched the
video of George Floyd,” she said. “That was unbelievable. I can’t
describe the feelings I felt.”Ms. Diallo is part of a growing cadre of black families
that are thrust into the spotlight after a family member is killed by
police in a highly publicized case. In situations in which officers are
acquitted or face few consequences for their roles in the deaths, the
survivors are often called upon to speak publicly.Some have become outspoken activists for social-justice causes, while
others maintain low profiles. But Ms. Diallo said they have at least
one thing in common: Their trauma is retriggered by graphically violent
videos of new assaults or killings of black men and women by police.“Behind all the headlines, after all the televisions are gone, people
go back to their daily lives. For us, there is no going back,” she
said. “We live with it, we breathe with it, we sleep with it and wake up
with it. It will never, ever go away.”9 hours agoThe Rules on Which Law-Enforcement Agents Must Wear ID
A
Seattle police officer wears a mourning band on his badge in memory of a
fallen colleague, but his name is still visible on his uniform.Lindsey Wasson/Reuters
The
Trump administration’s deployment of hundreds of officers in
military-style riot gear, sometimes without identifying insignia, has stirred tensions with demonstrators and concerns among watchdog groups and lawmakers about accountability.Attorney General William Barr has sent hundreds of agents from the
Justice Department’s law-enforcement units—the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration
and the federal Bureau of Prisons, in particular—to conduct crowd
control and investigate crimes. Adding in thousands of National Guard
troops from 10 states, plus local police, makes for a confusing brew.Many of the officers whose agencies aren’t identifiable by markings
on their uniforms are from federal Bureau of Prisons tactical teams.
They normally respond to riots behind bars, where, officials said, the
agency they work for is understood and such markings are generally
unnecessary. As the violence escalated, Mr. Barr temporarily empowered
the bureau to make arrests in the continuing protests, according to a
law-enforcement official.Many local police departments require officers to have some sort of
identification, including their names, on their uniforms. Rachel Harmon,
a former prosecutor in the Justice Department’s civil rights division
who specialized in criminal cases against law-enforcement officials,
said she knows of no federal law requiring U.S. officers to identify
their agency, either visually or verbally.That said, most federal law-enforcement agencies require officers in
tactical gear to have patches or markings on their uniforms that
identify their parent agencies, except in undercover situations, former
law-enforcement officials said. Federal agents don’t typically wear name
badges on their uniforms.
10 hours agoChicago Police Board President Struck by Officer During Protest By Joe BarrettChicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot told Mr. Foreman to file a complaint with the Civilian Office of Police Accountability.
Terrence Antonio James/Zuma Press
Chicago's
Police Board President Ghian Foreman said Saturday he hoped the city
could learn from an incident Sunday when he was physically hit by police
officers during a protest in Hyde Park.
In a brief interview, Mr. Foreman, who heads the group that rules on
complaints against police officers, said he was struck five times by a
police baton. “The main point is let’s see if we can make this a
learning experience. I have a perspective now that I didn’t have,” he
said.
"This is the duality I live with as a Black man in America, even one
who is privileged to be part of systems of power. I am not exempt from
what any other Black man faces on the streets," Mr. Foreman said in a
statement Friday.
Mr. Foreman said he wasn't taking part in the protest but came upon
the protest as it was turning confrontational, he said in the statement.
“It hurts,” he said Saturday of his injuries, though it didn’t prevent him from going on a 40-mile bicycle ride that morning.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a news conference that she told
Mr. Foreman to file a complaint with the Civilian Office of Police
Accountability, which is investigating.
Chicago police said in a statement that any officers found to have used excessive force would be held accountable.
Demonstrators in Washington on Thursday.Erin Scott/Reuters
Activists and city officials were planning for huge gatherings on Saturday
near the White House and other Washington landmarks as demonstrators
push on with their call for wholesale justice reform after the killing
of George Floyd.
Washington, D.C., Police Chief Peter Newsham said he expected
Saturday’s crowd to be larger than any of the other protests in the city
since Mr. Floyd was killed by police in Minneapolis on May 25.
The District of Columbia’s government vividly expressed its
solidarity with protesters on Friday, when city-authorized volunteers
painted the words “Black Lives Matter” in huge yellow letters on 16th
Street just north of the White House.
“I want to welcome all peaceful protesters to Washington, D.C.,”
Mayor Muriel Bowser said on Friday as she stood near St. John’s Church,
where on Monday President Trump had held a Bible aloft after law-enforcement personnel forcibly cleared the area of peaceful protesters.
As demonstrators gathered near St. John’s Church Friday, workers were
erecting tall steel interlocking gates around the White House complex
and federal land stretching to Constitution Avenue. But gone was the
shoulder-to-shoulder military police unit that had spanned along one
side of nearby Lafayette Square earlier in the week.
The largest gatherings were expected in the early afternoon Saturday
near the White House and Lincoln Memorial. A peaceful protest also was
planned for Saturday afternoon on Capitol Hill. In addition, a march to
the newly named Black Lives Matter Plaza, near the White House complex,
was planned for the early evening.
Protesters marched Friday night in New York in defiance of the city's curfew.Scott Heins/Getty Images
Protesters planned to take to the streets nationwide
again over the weekend, with calls on social media for one million
demonstrators to gather in Washington, D.C., amid continued demands for
reform to the American justice system sparked by the death of George
Floyd.
Despite 11 consecutive days of protests in cities large and small,
there were few signs that anger over the death of Mr. Floyd and police
treatment of black Americans was waning. Protests have largely remained
peaceful, as arrests related to looting and destruction have declined.
Gatherings were also planned for New York, Los Angeles, San
Francisco, Philadelphia and Boston. A memorial was scheduled Saturday in
the town of Raeford, N.C., near where Mr. Floyd spent his early years.
Representatives for Mr. Floyd’s family told the media that former
Vice President Joe Biden is expected to attend the service, along with
other dignitaries.
In some cities Friday night, protesters continued to march after
curfews. Shay McNeil, 26, attending a protest in Brooklyn, N.Y., said it
was her third over the past week. She said her cousin was nervous to
come to Brooklyn because of the violence portrayed on social media,
though Ms. McNeil said she hadn’t personally experienced anything of the
sort.
“It seems like people are taking initiative,” she said, and that she
didn’t expect protests to lose momentum over the next few days. “We have
to go beyond that and push it.”
13 hours ago
Family of Man Fatally Shot by New Jersey State Police Officer Wants Answers
The
family of a 28-year-old black man who was killed by a New Jersey State
Police officer on the Garden State Parkway last month says it wants answers from authorities after weeks of scant information.
The state Attorney General’s Office says it is still investigating
the fatal shooting of Maurice Gordon Jr. by a member of the state police
in Bass River, Burlington County, at 6:30 a.m. on May 23.
The family’s lawyer, William O. Wagstaff III, said Friday his work
has been hampered because he hasn't been allowed to see full video
footage from the officer’s car, the medical examiner's report, or the
name of the officer involved. He said he doesn’t know whether any
officers were disciplined.
Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said this week details were being
withheld to maintain the integrity of the inquiry, and the video would
be released after the investigation is substantially complete. A
spokesperson for the New Jersey State Police couldn't be reached
immediately for comments 13 hours ago
Facebook to Review Content Policies Related to Civil Unrest, Violence
Facebook CEO Mark ZuckerbergMandel Ngan/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images
Facebook Inc. Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg said the company would review existing policies on how it handles content related to civil unrest or violence, following criticism over its decision to not moderate or take down controversial posts. Facebook said it would review its policies on content containing
threats of state use of force as well as content in countries with civil
unrest or violent conflicts. While the company has some policies in
place that call for greater restrictions during emergencies and in
countries experiencing conflict, "there may be additional policies or
integrity measures to consider around discussion or threats of state use
of force when a country is in this state," Mr. Zuckerberg said. Mr. Zuckerberg's memo—which was posted publicly on Facebook—comes
after employees staged a virtual walkout Monday over the chief
executive's decision to leave up a post from President Trump about the
recent social unrest which critics say violated the company's rules
about inciting violence.
13 hours ago
NYPD Suspends Two Officers for Alleged Misconduct During Brooklyn Protests
New
York Police Department Commissioner Dermot Shea said Friday two
officers have been suspended without pay and face disciplinary action
over alleged misconduct during protests in Brooklyn. Video of the
incidents were shared on social media. One officer is seen in a video on May 30 pulling down a protester's
mask and pepper spraying him, according to Mr. Shea. The other officer
is seen on video pushing a woman to the ground in Brooklyn on May 29, he
said. The officer's supervisor on the scene will also be transferred,
according to the commissioner. Mr. Shea called both incidents "disturbing." "While the investigations have to play out, based on the severity of
what we saw, it is appropriate and necessary to assure the public that
there will be transparency during the disciplinary process," he said.
13 hours ago
Roger Goodell Says NFL Was Wrong, Encourages Players to Peacefully Protest
Colin Kaepernick, middle, took a knee during the national anthem before a San Francisco 49ers home game on Oct. 2, 2016.John G. Mabanglo/Shutterstock
One of the most divisive issues in sports reignited late Friday, as NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league encourages players to “speak out and peacefully protest” shortly after President Trump revived his criticism of players who have knelt in the past during the national anthem.
The NFL for years has been deeply divided after players, led by
former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, protested
racial injustices by kneeling during the national anthem.
In two tweets Friday, Mr. Trump addressed remarks by New Orleans
Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who on Thursday apologized for earlier
comments that took issue with players protesting during the anthem “I am a big fan of Drew Brees,” Mr. Trump tweeted. “I think he’s
truly one of the greatest quarterbacks, but he should not have taken
back his original stance on honoring our magnificent American Flag. …”
“We should be standing up straight and tall, ideally with a salute,
or a hand on heart,” the president added. “There are other things you
can protest, but not our Great American Flag - NO KNEELING!”
A short while later, Mr. Goodell released a video in which he took a
much different stance on the issue of player protest than he has in the
past. Mr. Goodell didn’t address Mr. Trump’s comments but confronted the
concerns raised by players in recent days.
“We, the National Football League, admit we were wrong for not
listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and
peacefully protest,” Mr. Goodell said. “I personally protest with you
and want to be part of the much needed change in this country.”
13 hours ago
Latest Developments
The words "Black Lives Matter" were painted on a street Friday in Washington.Khalid Naji-Allah/Executive Office of the Mayor/Reuters
Welcome
to The Wall Street Journal’s live coverage for June 6, 2020 of the
unrest sparked by the killing of George Floyd and the widespread
demonstrations against police brutality. Here are the latest major developments:
Activists and city officials were preparing for huge gatherings Saturday in Washington. Demonstrations were also planned in other cities, and a memorial for George Floyd in North Carolina.
The Buffalo Police Department suspended without pay two officers
seen on camera knocking down a 75-year-old man during a protest, in what
was the latest in a string of videos
from recent demonstrations that have inflamed the debate over
law-enforcement tactics. On Friday, 57 members of the Buffalo Police
Department resigned from the unit assigned to mass gatherings, according
to city and union officials.
Minneapolis's city council said it would ban police chokeholds and
require officers to immediately report and intervene in any such
unauthorized use of force. California Gov. Gavin Newsom called for state
police to stop using strangleholds.
The killing of George Floyd has sparked marches and sporadic vandalism in Europe. In France, it has rekindled controversies over institutional racism and police violence in a society divided after the monthslong yellow-vest protests.
Previous live event coverage of the George Floyd protests is available here.
The Myth of Systemic Police Racism
Hold officers accountable who use excessive force. But there’s no evidence of widespread racial bias.
By
Heather Mac Donald
A demonstrator kneels before a police line in Washington, May 31.
Photo:
samuel corum/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images
George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis has revived the Obama-era
narrative that law enforcement is endemically racist. On Friday, Barack
Obama tweeted that for millions of black Americans, being treated
differently by the criminal justice system on account of race is
“tragically, painfully, maddeningly ‘normal.’ ” Mr. Obama called on the
police and the public to create a “new normal,” in which bigotry no
longer “infects our institutions and our hearts.”
Joe Biden released a video the same day
in which he asserted that all African-Americans fear for their safety
from “bad police” and black children must be instructed to tolerate
police abuse just so they can “make it home.” That echoed a claim Mr.
Obama made after the ambush murder of five Dallas officers in July 2016.
During their memorial service, the president said African-American
parents were right to fear that their children may be killed by police
officers whenever they go outside.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz denounced the “stain . . . of
fundamental, institutional racism” on law enforcement during a Friday
press conference. He claimed blacks were right to dismiss promises of
police reform as empty verbiage. This charge of systemic police bias was wrong during the Obama
years and remains so today. However sickening the video of Floyd’s
arrest, it isn’t representative of the 375 million annual contacts that
police officers have with civilians. A solid body of evidence finds no
structural bias in the criminal-justice system with regard to arrests,
prosecution or sentencing. Crime and suspect behavior, not race,
determine most police actions.
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In 2019 police officers fatally shot 1,004 people, most of whom
were armed or otherwise dangerous. African-Americans were about a
quarter of those killed by cops last year (235), a ratio that has
remained stable since 2015. That share of black victims is less than
what the black crime rate would predict, since police shootings are a
function of how often officers encounter armed and violent suspects. In
2018, the latest year for which such data have been published,
African-Americans made up 53% of known homicide offenders in the U.S.
and commit about 60% of robberies, though they are 13% of the
population. The police fatally shot nine unarmed blacks and 19 unarmed
whites in 2019, according to a Washington Post database, down from 38
and 32, respectively, in 2015. The Post defines “unarmed” broadly to
include such cases as a suspect in Newark, N.J., who had a loaded
handgun in his car during a police chase. In 2018 there were 7,407 black
homicide victims. Assuming a comparable number of victims last year,
those nine unarmed black victims of police shootings represent 0.1% of
all African-Americans killed in 2019. By contrast, a police officer is
18½ times more likely to be killed by a black male than an unarmed black
male is to be killed by a police officer. On Memorial Day weekend in Chicago alone, 10 African-Americans
were killed in drive-by shootings. Such routine violence has continued—a
72-year-old Chicago man shot in the face on May 29 by a gunman who
fired about a dozen shots into a residence; two 19-year-old women on the
South Side shot to death as they sat in a parked car a few hours
earlier; a 16-year-old boy fatally stabbed with his own knife that same
day. This past weekend, 80 Chicagoans were shot in drive-by shootings,
21 fatally, the victims overwhelmingly black. Police shootings are not
the reason that blacks die of homicide at eight times the rate of whites
and Hispanics combined; criminal violence is. The latest in a series of studies undercutting the claim of systemic police bias was published
in August 2019 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The researchers found that the more frequently officers encounter
violent suspects from any given racial group, the greater the chance
that a member of that group will be fatally shot by a police officer.
There is “no significant evidence of antiblack disparity in the
likelihood of being fatally shot by police,” they concluded. A 2015 Justice Department analysis
of the Philadelphia Police Department found that white police officers
were less likely than black or Hispanic officers to shoot unarmed black
suspects. Research by Harvard economist Roland G. Fryer Jr. also found
no evidence of racial discrimination in shootings. Any evidence to the
contrary fails to take into account crime rates and civilian behavior
before and during interactions with police. The false narrative of systemic police bias resulted in
targeted killings of officers during the Obama presidency. The pattern
may be repeating itself. Officers are being assaulted and shot at while
they try to arrest gun suspects or respond to the growing riots. Police
precincts and courthouses have been destroyed with impunity, which will
encourage more civilization-destroying violence. If the Ferguson effect
of officers backing off law enforcement in minority neighborhoods is
reborn as the Minneapolis effect, the thousands of law-abiding
African-Americans who depend on the police for basic safety will once
again be the victims. The Minneapolis officers who arrested George Floyd must be held
accountable for their excessive use of force and callous indifference
to his distress. Police training needs to double down on de-escalation
tactics. But Floyd’s death should not undermine the legitimacy of
American law enforcement, without which we will continue on a path
toward chaos.
Woman Makes History with the NYPD as Their First Female Chief of Counterterrorism Bureau
Martine Materasso will be in charge of several NYPD
units, including the Critical Response Command, the World Trade Center
Command, and the NYPD Bomb Squad
Martine Materasso is breaking down barriers for women in the NYPD.
Materasso, 42, was recently named Chief of NYPD’s
Counterterrorism Bureau — marking the very first time that a female
officer has served in the role, according to WABC.
As chief, Materasso will be responsible for leading
several NYPD units, including the Critical Response Command, the World
Trade Center Command, and the NYPD Bomb Squad, and keeping the city safe
against terrorism, the outlet reported.
She will also oversee approximately 1,000 officers, according to News 12 The Bronx.
“Never in my wildest dreams would I imagine that
I’d even be sitting in this seat,” Materasso told WABC after officially
making history.
Materasso’s drive to become a leader started when
she was young, after being born in the Bronx and raised by a father who
served as an NYPD commanding officer, News 12 The Bronx reported.
“I can remember as a little girl coming into the
precinct, coming to the Christmas parties, sitting at his desk, seeing
him work with these officers, and I said from the beginning, ‘Wow this
is something that I want to do,'” she recalled to the outlet.
When it came time for Materasso to go to college,
the Long Island resident decided to head south and attend Miami’s
Florida International University, where she played on their soccer team
as a goalkeeper, News 12 The Bronx reported.
During those years, Materasso said she had an opportunity to develop her leadership skills.
“I think 100% it helped,” she told News 12 The
Bronx of her time on the soccer team. “You’re a leader, so you’re on
that team and the girls on that team, or whatever team I was part of,
they look to you, they want to see that direction, and I [now] apply
that here.”
After graduating, Materasso entered the NYPD, where
she has worked for the last 20 years to protect the city, according to
the outlet.
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She previously made history when she was named the
first commanding officer of the NYPD’s 41st precinct, WABC reported —
and now, Materasso is continuing to pave the way for females in the
NYPD.
“I was in complete shock and awe,” she recalled to
News 12 The Bronx of learning about her promotion. “I probably turned
green, white, pink. I didn’t know what to think actually.”
The mother of two told WABC she believes her
experience working in the department for so long has played a crucial
role in getting her to this point — and will only continue to benefit
her as she leads her colleagues.
“Every single role that I’ve held, inside to
outside — I think it all really shapes you as a leader,” Materasso told
the outlet. “As long as you lead from the front — you get out there and
show the guys and the girls that work for you that you’re going to be
out there with them, then they will have no problem jumping on board and
being right behind you.”
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“I don’t think I go into the position saying, ‘I’m a
woman in the position,’ but I go in saying, ‘I’m a leader and I’m going
to do the best job that I can with the men and women that are serving
with me,'” she added to News 12 The Bronx.
Besides leaving an impact on her colleagues,
Materasso said she hopes serving in the chief role will influence her
two daughters.
“I think they are proud of the things that I’ve
accomplished here,” she explained to WABC, adding that it was important
for the girls to see their mother working in this prominent position.
Community Affairs
Chief of Community Affairs: Nilda Irizarry Hofmann The Community Affairs Bureau (CAB) plays a critical role in the
department's refocused approach to achieving and sustaining gains
against crime by strengthening community relationships and trust. The
bureau partners with community leaders, civic organizations, block
associations, and concerned citizens to educate them on police policies
and practices, and to develop solutions to challenges that arise within
the city's many diverse communities. CAB also provides young people with
enrichment, diversion, and intervention programs, helping to reduce
youth crime. Community affairs officers, crime prevention officers, and
youth officers are assigned to each police precinct and stay closely
connected with the community. The Community Affairs Bureau oversees four divisions: Community
Outreach Division, Crime Prevention Division, Youth Strategies Division,
and School Safety Division, which provide a number of community-related
programs and educational videos.
It issues crime prevention tips that help prevent community members
from being victimized. The bureau also participates in local and
national annual events. For additional information about the work of the
bureau or the programs it provides, please contact the Community
Affairs Bureau by email at communityaffairs@nypd.org, visit the Community Affairs officer at a local police precinct, or call 646-610-5323. Community Outreach Division
develops strong partnerships with communities likely to experience
challenges, and works to resolve these issues through the division's
liaison units. Department members introduce various communities to the
many NYPD programs and other services offered by other city agencies as
part of the department's ongoing efforts to enhance quality of life and
to reduce fear and crime. The division's outreach units, listed below,
stay closely linked with various groups through meetings and events, and
foster tolerance and understanding among diverse communities.
Crime Prevention Division informs community members and local
businesses about crime trends and threats, and works with them on
preventive measures and security. Crime prevention officers provide
valuable information about a number of topics, including safeguarding
businesses, homes, vehicles, and personal property, as well as
protecting oneself in the subway, while shopping or on the street, and
against identity theft and bogus solicitations. Officers also conduct
free confidential security surveys for businesses and provide VIN
etching for vehicles and etching on personal property. Visit Property Protection Services, Security and Safety Services, and Crime Prevention Tips for additional information. Youth Strategies Division focuses on the well-being of the
city's young people, working collaboratively with various department
commands and other agencies to prevent and reduce youth crime and
victimization. Department members also identify "at-risk" youth and
design diversion, intervention, and educational programs for these
groups. Please visit our youth services section to learn more about the programs the Community Affairs Bureau provides for young people, or learn about the services from your local precinct's youth officer. School Safety Division works with the city's Department of
Education to provide a safe environment for public school students that
is conducive to learning, and a place where students, faculty, and other
personnel can be free from any hostility or disruptions. NYPD school
safety agents, assigned to every New York City public school, receive 17
weeks of training at the police academy in various disciplines. Police
officers are assigned to schools that are more likely to experience
conflict. Division staff members continually monitor existing strategies
for effectiveness and implement new ones as needed.
New York's finest! Sexy female cop arrests suspects by day, and works as a lingerie model by night
Samantha Sepulveda is a officer in Freeport, Long Island, making $143,000
But when not in uniform, she is posing in her underwear for her other job
Cop of seven years has also been working as a lingerie model for four years
Bikini-clad pictures have also earned her more than 110,000 followers
She even claims she is so attractive that suspects come along willingly
Said raunchy pictures raised eyebrows but was no different than male cops moonlighting as plumbers or electricians
A sexy New York cop catches crooks by day and shows off her curves by night working a a lingerie model.
Samantha Sepulveda is an officer in Freeport, Long Island, according to a New York government website, making $143,000 last year.
But
when she's not heating the beat, she's hitting the beach to show off
her bikini-clad body for her Instagram account which has got more than
110,000 followers.
Young Cop Seems Like A Model Police Officer Until Her Secret Double Life Is Exposed
By all accounts, Officer Samantha Sepulveda was one of the more
renowned members of the Freeport Police Department in Long Island, New
York. During her first several years, she was determined to break down
every possible gender barrier that could set her back in what was, by
and large, a male-dominated field. Even in the face of criminals and officers alike doubting her ability
to get the job done, she remained a consummate professional. That’s
exactly why it was so difficult for everyone to understand when her
partner discovered her shocking secret one day…
Samantha
Sepulveda came to New York City from the Dominican Republic at the
tender age of five. Her mother knew she had to seize the opportunity to
work in a factory so her young daughters would one day have better
career opportunities.
Samantha’s first love was always sports and, after high school,
she earned a lacrosse scholarship to the University of Massachusetts.
While there, she worked for a BA in management, and then went on to get
her masters degree in finance from Hofstra University.
Samantha was small in stature—just five feet two inches—but she
was incredibly tough and hardworking. Although she’d earned a degree in
finance, she ultimately decided a career on Wall Street wasn’t for her.
Instead, she decided to become a New York police officer.
Samantha realized she wanted to dedicate her life to helping
others, which drove her to enroll in the police academy. Before long,
she’d become an officer at the Freeport Police Department in Long
Island, New York. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing... here was no getting around it: being a police officer was
extremely difficult, especially for a small woman in a historically
male-dominated field. Still, Samantha managed to overcome every hurdle
her chosen career path brought her way.
What Samantha lacked in physical size she more than made up for
with her amazing interpersonal skills. By all accounts, she was a
consummate professional and great police officer.
Still, in order to avoid being undermined as a female police
officer, Samantha began resorting to a few tactics—like wearing less
makeup and a larger uniform than needed in order to hide her figure.
Sure enough, with her grit and determination, Samantha became
one of the most well-regarded members on the force. She’d reached her
goal! That’s what made it all the more surprising when it was discovered
that she was leading a double life…
Even though Samantha was arguably one of the best officers on
the force, her colleagues couldn’t help but sense she’d become distant
at work. Soon, they began to suspect she was hiding something. But what?
While rumors swirled around the break room, evidence seemed to
be mounting that Samantha was up to something. What could this highly
educated, hardworking officer have been doing to arouse their
suspicions? Samantha became aware of the rumors, and she decided that she
could no longer keep her double life from her colleagues. All of their
years of conducting investigations was bound to reveal the truth anyway.
With that, she decided to reveal her secret…
Though she’d tried her best to hide it, Samantha had been
working a second job… as a model! A lingerie company had even invited
her to appear in their fashion show. Nevertheless, she wasn’t sure how
news of her second job would be received.
Samantha hoped that they would understand and support her. After
all, she’d begun modeling three years after becoming a police officer
because it gave her the same sense of empowerment as law enforcement.
Since she wasn’t sure whether she wanted to give up her career
as a police officer, Samantha simply began performing both jobs
simultaneously. For a long time, this routine had worked, but eventually
it had to come to an end.
Not only was she frequently traveling due to her modeling
career, but Samantha was really picking up steam in the business. In
fact, she was becoming so popular that her fellow officers soon learned
all about her shocking secret. So, how did they respond?
Unfortunately, many mocked her—and they did it relentlessly.
Although she’d remained a dedicated officer, there was something about
Samantha’s modeling career that caused some of her fellow officers to
ridicule her.
Samantha couldn’t help but feel the perception of her modeling
career by her colleagues was a huge double standard. She noted that no
one else on the force with a second job was ever mocked for whatever
else they were doing to pay the bills.
Samantha was also sure to clear things up, stating that her
career choice was about celebrating women’s bodies. “If people find it
offensive, they can close their eyes!” she explained in one interview.
Despite her colleagues’ reactions, since debuting as a model,
Samantha has garnered quite a social media following. With upwards of
250,000 Instagram followers, as well as being featured in Maxim magazine, she was more than on the right track—she was full-on established.
Nowadays, some time after her big reveal, Samantha remains
extremely proud to be successfully leading two separate career paths.
She gets a great deal of joy out of protecting the people of New York,
as she does the same with being a professional model.
Due to finding success as both a police officer and a professional model, Samantha has even decided to write a book called American Beauty, in which she plans to detail the struggles of her work as a female police officer.
While finding
success in utterly different fields, Samantha’s hope was to inspire and
empower young girls to achieve their dreams, regardless of the line of work they choose pursue. And, so far, it’s definitely working!
Hopefully young women everywhere will be able to find
inspiration in what Samantha has managed to do with her life. At the end
of the day, that’s all she’s hoping to do with her career choices. You
go, girl!
Samantha is truly an inspiration. She is certainly free to pursue
whatever career path she wants, and anyone who disagrees with her can
just choose to ignore her success.
LLC 501C- 4 UCC 1-308.ALL RIGHTS RESERVED WITHOUT PREJUDICE
Demonstrators attended a rally against racial inequality in Los Angeles on Saturday.patrick t. fallon/Reuters Protesters
gathered in Los Angeles Saturday at the storied intersection of
Hollywood Blvd. and Vine Street to express their outrage at the killing
of George Floyd by Minneapolis police.The protest began at noon and quickly attracted hundreds of
protesters and halted traffic at the center of Hollywood before marching
south down Vine Street. The demonstrators chanted expletives about
President Trump and called for his resignation.
“I’m here for people I know personally who have been brutalized by
police,” said Adrienne Smith of Los Angeles. Ms. Smith, a Baltimore
native, said she doesn’t want people living in fear of the police.
Kadiatou Diallo, left, and mural artist Hawa Diallo (no relation) at the mural for Kadiatou Diallo's slain son. M. Stan Reaves/Zuma Press
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot told Mr. Foreman to file a complaint with the Civilian Office of Police Accountability. 
Demonstrators in Washington on Thursday.Erin Scott/Reuters
Protesters marched Friday night in New York in defiance of the city's curfew.Scott Heins/Getty Images 
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot told Mr. Foreman to file a complaint with the Civilian Office of Police Accountability. 
Demonstrators in Washington on Thursday.Erin Scott/Reuters 
Protesters marched Friday night in New York in defiance of the city's curfew.Scott Heins/Getty Images 
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