Can't believe it!

Maizie, the 80s are a long time ago. I truly believe our police are better now.

Claudette Colvin's name became immortalised in the history of black segregation. Now George Floyd's name will be forever linked to the reigniting of the black struggle for equality. Claudette would have been so devastated to hear and see what is happening today, 55 years on from her protest. Unbelievable...?

What on earth makes you think that, Annaram1?

It’s not because we’re not thinking about it phoenix. I can’t stop thinking about it. The footage really upset me. Trump is fuelling racism and hatred. He’s totally out of his depth.

Absolutely horrific. The aftermath has been even more awful with Trump fanning the flames for his own political motives. I think that we are seeing on both sides of the Atlantic the results of inept government.

Annaram1 Quote [ Maizie, the 80s are a long time ago. I truly believe our police are better now.] End Quote.

Annaram1, do truly believe that the policies of Donald Trump are more favourable than the policies of Lyndon Johnson, Bill Clinton or Barack Obama when it comes to Civil Rights and Equality in the United States.

It would seem to me that Donald Trump does not even speak in a manner that is favourable to the maintenance of civil order in America.

For a country that is so religious, I'm always staggered by USA's record with racial equality and guns. Not that UK is perfect, but a darn sight better.

Written by an African American friend who is usually not particularly political. She has a lot of white friends, probably most of her friends are caucasian because she went to a prestigious, Ivy League uni. I copied this with her permission.

“I jUsT wIsH tHe PrOtesTs weRe mOre PeACeFuL!”

This is because I’m tired of commenting this on individual “well-intentioned” posts.

Allies,
Of all the issues you can use your platform to critique, why are you centering your response on the condemnation of looting and rioting (the symptom rather than the root problem)? Why are you constricting the narrative to people destroying minority and immigrant owned businesses, without the context of mentioning that a non-violent protest was met with disproportionate state sanctioned violence. Black people have been systematically dehumanized and oppressed despite years of peaceful protest and civil disobedience.

Yes, it’s unfortunate that small businesses were destroyed, but also talk about the fact that Target was looted for denying protestors the ability to buy milk and water when they were tear gassed or the fact that Target has been funding the MPD since at least 2004 under the guise of “charitable giving”. Additionally, businesses that had signs up saying that they were Black or immigrant owned or posted on social media stating this were spared in the subsequent nights of protest and people are already raising money for those that weren’t. Some of the businesses have even spoken out in solidarity with the movement.

We don’t need an echo chamber of “I don’t know what the answer is…but this is not it…” from those who DO NOT share nor live these experiences. At best it’s tone policing and telling people how to direct their rage and worse the premise is “I hear you, I see you, BUT please prioritize order over justice…” Please do not ask the marginalized and unheard to buy into a system that was never designed to work for them under the guise of caring about small businesses and economic opportunities in these communities.

So you don’t support rioting and violence, so be it. You act like you’re being conscripted...You have no desire to do it? Don’t. However, I genuinely and openly ask in good faith if you were able to…did you go out to demonstrate peacefully in your own community? Have you donated? Have you taken a good hard look at the records and policies of the people that you plan to vote into office?

I understand that you think there are “better ways”, so you can pursue those other avenues if you want to be an ally. People are tired of watching this narrative play out and the wheels of justice turn slowly. It is not a coincidence that after several days of demonstrations and the day after the third precinct was breached and destroyed that Chauvin was arrested. In the future, if you want to be an ally please spare us the banal speech about why this isn’t the answer. Don’t waste your voice and privilege to ask victimized communities to continue to grant forbearance to a government that has consistently demonstrated that it just doesn’t care.

You tried it...thanks, but no thanks. ??‍♀️

By the way we still have 3 more officers to charge and arrest in Minneapolis AND we still want justice for BREONNA TAYLOR AND for the prosecutors that kicked Ahmaud Arbery’s case around like a freaking hacky sack for months to be FIRED!

I watched the footage and it was truly horrendous. But yes, I am sure these things happen all the time in the USA to black people. It was maybe the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back this time. Rioting is awful but really, it's not hard to understand

You'd think the police would know better by now!!

Just because we haven't put it on gransnet doesn't mean we dont care. I have discussed it with my husband but putting on gransnet wouldn't occur to me.

I was appalled when I saw the pictures of the policeman with his knee on the man's neck. I was utterly shocked when we heard the man had died. A disgraceful, dreadful situation. It doesn't matter if it happened in America, Timbuktoo or here in Britain, it's murder.

And also, the chief of police in Minneapolis is black - but still white officers did this.....

George Floyd posed no risk to anyone, he was handcuffed and pleading for his life.
The police officer seemed to be enjoying wielding power over his victim. Telling George Floyd “You’re not gonna win”.
I understand he has been involved in heavy handed techniques in the past.
I felt sickened to the core, and still do, seeing the video.
I’d be so scared if I were black and living in America. The racism is endemic and frankly Trump encourages it.
I cannot imagine what George’s family must have felt if they have seen the video of their son being killed. Absolutely horrific.
What can we do? How can we change racist people’s attitudes towards black people? This whole situation is so incredibly sad, children are not born racist, they learn from others.

I've been off line since Thursday and have just caught up with this dreadful story. As someone said, black/white racism is still endemic in the USA. And Trump won't do anything to improve things.

Horrified - this is the US at its absolute worst and the riots across the country only reinforce the anger and frustration many Americans are feeling.
That it started in Minneapolis came as a shock, because DD was working there in January and February and said what a nice, friendly place it was, relaxed, law abiding and welcoming.
Those poor people - and getting no guidance from Washington where Trump seems hell bent on inflaming things further ??

CherryCezzy---then why pick me up on it, eh ?? Troublemaker !

I saw a video on I think Twitter of a policewoman arresting a black man because he was having a socially distant chat outside with a friend. She said she believed a drug transaction might be taking place. The man was an ambulance driver.

Should have mentioned that this was in the UK.

My D stayed in Minneapolis some years ago when she followed Prince, who hailed from there and didn't feel as threatened there as she does in parts of this country ! Says it all really.

Just because I haven't posted about it here doesn't mean I haven't been thinking about George Floyd every day and praying for him and his family every night. What happened is a stain on the human race.

When, oh when is everyone to learn that we are all people? I watched this incident and wept.

Re-read To Kill A Mockingbird and it would seem that not a lot has changed in USA.
Much as I abhor violence and civil disobedience, it seems that this is all that can raise awareness of a culture that is not changing.

This is America for you ,what do you expect to have a president who is racist , encouraged violence even you lived in Americam for generations you are still a second rate citizen, always addressed African Americans, Chinese American , Japanese Americans etc 139 disable people were killed last year because they were deaf ,could not hear to put the hands up ,or understand or too stress, one even shot 47 time in his front garden holding a stick who was an adult with the mind of a child.
I was sick with the people in UK followed the way they talk , copyed their customs,worse of all the politicians like an obedient dog sniffing the USA track's

Only just watched the video as I knew by reports it was bad. Cold blooded murder, discrimination the whole world through is still very much alive which is sad beyond believe. Just as well technology is so readily available and has been used in this incident, it doesn't bare thinking about how this officer treated others who were never videoed.