Several hundred, mostly masked, protesters gathered in Peters Park in the South End this afternoon to protest George Floyd's death in Minneapolis, then marched to Nubian Square to continue the protest.
Greg Cook reports protesters called for the arrests of the three officers who stood by as Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin killed Floyd by keeping his knee on Floyd's neck even as Floyd said he couldn't breathe.
Protesters marched down Harrison Avenue, stopping to protest outside the D-4 police station on Harrison Avenue, where they chanted "I can't breathe!" Most then continued marching towards Nubian Square. A few stayed behind, several were arrested and police fired pepper spray.
The Dorchester Reporter reports that about 100 people gathered for a standout in Dorchester's Peabody Square yesterday to protest the killing.
Separately, Mayor Walsh announced that he, Police Commissioner William Gross and local clergy will hold a prayer vigil tomorrow "in response to the acts of violence and racism experienced throughout the United States." It starts at 12:30 p.m. at City Hall, will be livestreamed on boston.gov.
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Comments
Order of magnitude difference?
By Ron Newman
Fri, 05/29/2020 - 7:54pm
Your headline says "Hundreds". Greg Cook's says "Thousands". Who's right?
100s
By nathaniwasthere
Fri, 05/29/2020 - 9:24pm
it was like 300-500 people, then by the time the scuffles started it was down to maybe 100.
I'm with you.
By Old Groucho
Sat, 05/30/2020 - 7:12am
Lazy reporting like this (I'm not blaming Adam here, i have a feeling Cook got carried away in his quest for breathless coverage) does a disservice to everyone.
To be clear I fully side with the protestors, believe America has failed, and is now disintegrating before our eyes but it's these kinds of stupid details that leave the door wide open for the Trümpian cries of "FAKE NEWS!" that only divide us more.
November's election is looking less and less likely and unfortunately, I don't think we recover from this criminal administration intact as a Union.
#WINNING
Question on MN riots
By Doug1001
Sat, 05/30/2020 - 2:39pm
They’ve been under democratic leadership forever, and Klobuchar (once a presumptive VP pick) did nothing to reign in a number of officers who killed citizens throughout her time as chief prosecutor, including the asshole who murdered Floyd (we all agree that video was horrible and all of the officers on scene deserve life in prison).
Was that because Orange Man Bad? The Trump angle is confusing.
Educate yourself about systemic and structural racism
By SwirlyGrrl
Sat, 05/30/2020 - 3:02pm
This is centuries in the making. https://www.americanprogress.org/press/statement/2...
Start here for larger context: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_People%27s_History...
Read your way through this, too: https://www.charisbooksandmore.com/understanding-a...
And then keep quiet while the grownups are talking. You might learn something.
Thanks for the links...
By Doug1001
Sat, 05/30/2020 - 6:00pm
I think you made my point... much appreciated. Please continue with your grownup discussion...
Contracts...
By Pete Nice
Sat, 05/30/2020 - 4:37pm
Police officers in most rural areas and the south dont have contracts and can be fired at will. That’s one of the reasons.
orange man bad
By berkleealum
Sat, 05/30/2020 - 5:41pm
when orange man tweet stupid threat at own constituents. make sense or need explain more?
What was the threat?
By Doug1001
Sat, 05/30/2020 - 6:01pm
If he threatened people, that’s not good. Let me know which tweet to review. Thanks
Really my dude?
By lbb
Sat, 05/30/2020 - 7:41pm
Don't be so lazy. Do your own homework.
Really...
By Doug1001
Sat, 05/30/2020 - 7:57pm
Thanks for the link. I offered to look for it.
I’m sorry he worded it in a way you took as a threat. It’s not. When the looting starts (thugs) the shooting starts (by thugs).... which is what we saw. Fires and other forms of violence too.
Remember when the messiah (Obama, of course) used to refer to looters and such as thugs? I sure do. But he’s not the Orange Man, so its all good.
obama reflex
By berkleealum
Sun, 05/31/2020 - 12:46am
not sure what he has to do with anything at all
The use of “thugs”
By Doug1001
Sun, 05/31/2020 - 3:16am
MSM is angry Trump used that word, but when the messiah used it, no problem. Thought that was obvious, but maybe not.
who fuckin cares
By berkleealum
Sun, 05/31/2020 - 9:13am
what obama did and didn’t do?
donald trump threatened to turn the military on his own constituents. end of story. i don’t care if jesus christ did the same thing, we’re talking about donald trump.
i get the sense that you know it too, considering your little attempt at sleight of hand with the tweet.
You’re upset at the comparison, you obviously care
By Doug1001
Sun, 05/31/2020 - 1:04pm
I missed him threatening to turn the military on his own constituents haha. I don’t even know what the hell you’re talking about...
You’re making up weird shit that doesn’t exist.
sure i am
By berkleealum
Sun, 05/31/2020 - 3:37pm
he didn’t say that. and if he did, he didn’t mean it. and if he did, you just didn’t get it. if you did, then others have said worse...
Strange quote...
By Doug1001
Sun, 05/31/2020 - 6:29pm
Can’t help you with that one either. You feeling ok today? Lots of comments out of left field. Anyway, stay safe out there.
Would you say that they had
By throw-away
Fri, 05/29/2020 - 8:07pm
Would you say that they had "exploded in anger?"
Please check yourself...
By Ctygrl
Sat, 05/30/2020 - 1:31am
I know it was just in jest but also in extremely poor taste. The fact that you can joke about it (and people actually liked it) shows how disconnected you are from your neighbors, friends, etc who are in pain right now. The universe is pushing back with great force right now after millennia/centuries of mistreatment in all forms. CHECK YOURSELVES PLEASE
Sidenote to Adam: I'm trying to figure out why my account has been disabled. Please email. Thank you
Contacting Adam
By Belmont
Sat, 05/30/2020 - 11:04am
Adam may not read your comment.
You may wish to e-mail him at "[email protected]" as a backup.
What's your user name?
By adamg
Sat, 05/30/2020 - 11:15am
I tried "Ctygrl" and it doesn't come up in the system.
As for the previous comment, his snark was more directed at me, because of the way I described Police Commissioner Gross "exploding in anger" in this post about Gross and the quintuple shooting the other night.
'...quintuple shooting...'
By dmcboston
Sun, 05/31/2020 - 5:12pm
Anyone that does not show emotion at a 'quintuple shooting' in his city ain't doing it right.
I, for one want the Commissioner to be good and pissed at a 'quintuple shooting'. Explode in anger? I [i] want [/i] that.
Keep in mind
By anon
Fri, 05/29/2020 - 9:16pm
It’s important to have solidarity with Minneapolis and the rest of the country, but we should remember that we’re very fortunate to have one of the best police departments in the country before you feel the need to direct your anger at officers
"very fortunate"
By Old Groucho
Sat, 05/30/2020 - 8:55am
Last time I saw peaceful protestors on The Commons they were outnumbered by busloads of Staties in riot gear itching for a fight and sucking up that sweet Sunday overtime.
And sure, whatever, there are "good ones" if you say so, but if you happen to know some of these very fine people maybe ask them to step up because personally I'm still waiting for these "good cops" to say or do something meaningful and call out their brothers and sisters instead of having "coffee with a cop" like some Mayberry cosplay event.
"Staties" aren't BPD
By mg
Sat, 05/30/2020 - 2:43pm
.
How about Flint Michigan?
By dmcboston
Sun, 05/31/2020 - 5:37pm
[img]https://i.imgur.com/EWGl8R4.jpg[/img]
That ain't a 'Mayberry cosplay event.' It's the real world. Maybe you're just too old to see it. The rioters and looters will lose this one.
Unless, of course you [i] want[/i] this to play out poorly.
Is this Flint?
By Old Groucho
Mon, 06/01/2020 - 7:55am
Reread my comment.
While true compared to other
By Alex Sm
Sat, 05/30/2020 - 9:04am
While true compared to other police departments, don't think for one minute this can't and won't happen here. We have some real trigger-happy cops here too who see the people they serve as the enemy.
"Real Trigger-Happy Cops"
By John Costello
Sat, 05/30/2020 - 12:30pm
Adam - Please stop posting generalizations from Anon accounts about "Real Trigger-Happy Cops".
It is disingenuous. It is a statement with no proof, just some random thought from an unchecked source.
You actually have a lot of Boston cops and other law enforcement people who read this site (and are on this site). I know, they've told me. I know a cop who I went to high school who is a good, good man. He has worked with nearly every person in the BPD on de-escalation and how to treat people with dignity and respect. He is one of the reasons that the BPD is not a bunch of Mickey Roche era idiots with clubs anymore. He is upset as hell with what happened in Minneapolis but sees the Camberville Sympathetic Contingent, labelling him and other cops as the enemy despite his good works and the good works of others.
People say Com. Gross blew up the other day. I saw a man concerned about his city and the safety of its people. I guess some transplant living in Allston from some white as fresh snow Philadelphia burb who is really into smashing the system sees it as oppression because it's you know, fight the power, until he gets married and moves to Shrewsbury.
Allowing someone past your gatekeeping, and it is your gatekeeping, with idiotic statements is detrimental to the credibility of this site. Thanks.
Don't worry, everybody!
By fungwah
Sat, 05/30/2020 - 9:11pm
This white dude from the suburbs is friends with a Boston cop who says that actually Boston cops are doing a great job, so no need to talk about police violence or reform in the Boston area - it's been completely solved forever. Phew, what a relief!
Don't worry, everybody!
By dmcboston
Sun, 05/31/2020 - 6:02pm
A fung go will explain it to all to us. Apparent don't listen to old folks that know shit, just listen to him.
Commissioner Gross is a good man that cares about the people of his city. John Costello is absolutely right.
Keep in mind
By fungwah
Sat, 05/30/2020 - 12:07pm
the only reason we know about what happened to George Floyd and many like him is because of videos taken by bystanders and released, even as the official police line was that nothing wrong happened. As such we should keep in mind that we have no way of knowing how often things like this may have happened with the Boston Police Department and what lengths officers may have gone to to cover up for each other. As such as we should be vigilant about demanding more from our police and specifically demanding that they break the "thin blue line" and work to protect everyone instead of each other.
You mean...
By lbb
Sat, 05/30/2020 - 7:50pm
...like John Danilecki? The BPD captain who stood by while his officers knelt on a protester's head?
Police in Louisville
By dmcboston
Sat, 05/30/2020 - 4:00am
Police in Louisville taking aim at an NBC affiliate news crew. Direct deliberate aim, shooting pepper balls at the camera and reporter.
https://www.wave3.com/2020/05/29/lmpd-officer-fire...
Happened in Denver as well.
By J.R. Dobbs
Sat, 05/30/2020 - 7:23am
Camerman took one right in the lens;
https://mobile.twitter.com/winterothree/status/126...
I hope we keep it together here but I'm even losing faith that the country can even survive this presidency.
It's a race between Covid and civil war as to what's gonna kill us all first.
We’re tougher than that
By fenway_guy
Sat, 05/30/2020 - 9:56am
Turn your pessimism around or you’ll be miserable
No, just no.
By dmcboston
Sun, 05/31/2020 - 5:29pm
Damn. That's some good shooting. Right in the lens. That's some Carlos Hathcock level shit.
Respect.
'I hope we keep it together here but I'm even losing faith that the country can even survive this presidency.
It's a race between Covid and civil war as to what's gonna kill us all first.'
No, not at all. We'll be fine. Covid is about a 0.26% overall death rate. Latest CDC numbers. As far as civil war, don't believe the bullshit artists. Antifa thugs get busted left and right over state lines. Feds can do that.
We will survive, there will be an election in November.
Bad news...Trump wins, landslide, House goes Republican, Senate picks up a few members.
More 'Bad news'...more local elections fall to the Republicans than fell a while back...
So, cheer up. Better times are coming.
So Boston all the sudden is
By anon
Sat, 05/30/2020 - 9:23am
So Boston all the sudden is not social distancing? I thought Boston was all about social distancing and keeping people inside?
Oh, concern trolling is lovely this time of year
By adamg
Sat, 05/30/2020 - 11:20am
First, unlike in the "Reopen" rallies, pretty much everybody was wearing a mask.
Second, one thing I've learned is that cameras, especially when the zoom lens is in use, tend to compress the actual distance between people in crowds. Yes, in general, it's not a good idea to get into a crowd even with a mask on, and what happened at D-4 involved some people getting in the face of cops, but no, we haven't suddenly turned into Lake of the Ozarks.
Third, compared to the turnout for past demonstrations in Boston, the number of people involved was relatively small, so many people did stay away.
Four cops should have been charged w/ First Degree Murder
By O-FISH-L
Sat, 05/30/2020 - 2:41pm
FWIW, every police officer I know believes ex-Officer Chauvin should have been arrested immediately. The Chief should have put the handcuffs on him. I would add that I believe all four should have been arrested for premeditated murder with extreme cruelty. The length of premeditation is for the jury to decide but there are grounds to make the arrest. During the almost nine minute knee-on-neck atrocity, Officer Chauvin, a trained first responder, was fully aware that Mr. Floyd couldn't breathe. Training and common sense should have told the officer that his actions were killing the man. He had time to deliberate and persisted. That's an arrest for first degree murder all day long. The others would be arrested on the joint venture theory. They may not have plotted to kill a black man that night but by standing by and doing nothing, they gave their approval for the murder and allowed it. Arrest them and let judge and jury see and hear the evidence.
I believe a lot of the rioting could have been prevented by swift arrests of the officers, an arrest that the authorities knew they had to make anyway. The good news is the charges can be increased but the bad news is the damage done and lives lost. I think officers are disgusted by what happened to Mr. Floyd and stand with the peaceful protesters. As for the reflexive blaming of Trump by some here, keep in mind that Minneapolis and the state of Minnesota is entirely run by Democrats who looked the other way on almost two dozen prior complaints against this ex-officer. If the Trump administration can be criticized on this, AG Barr should have quickly brought the inevitable federal death penalty charge of Violation of Civil Rights involving death, a capital punishment case. That won't matter as much a month from now. Terrible situation all around. Prayers for Mr. Floyd and family.
Right twice a day
By SwirlyGrrl
Sat, 05/30/2020 - 3:05pm
But do understand that in Minneapolis, the 4th night of "rioting" was led and conducted by "some very fine people". The MN Governor and AG have both stated that 100% of those arrested last night were not from the area, and that right wing hate groups have been encouraging their members to go to Minneapolis to "get their riot on".
This is why they are not discouraging bringing in the military - the hate groups want a race war and would happily turn Minneapolis into another Tulsa.
Is Soros right wing all of a sudden?
By Doug1001
Sat, 05/30/2020 - 11:59pm
Missed the memo on that. Can you send a link at your convenience? Thanks in advance, dear.
EDIT: since you kindly provided links for me earlier, here’s one for you. So much for that far right thing and 100% of arrests being outsiders huh?
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/05...
Leggat, the security consultant, said intelligence reports from his colleagues indicate most of the hard-core protesters in Minneapolis are far-left or anarchists, and that far-right groups have not yet made a significant appearance
whoa
By berkleealum
Sat, 05/30/2020 - 5:43pm
did someone with a brain take over this account?
for the record
By berkleealum
Sat, 05/30/2020 - 5:47pm
nobody criticizes democrats more than actual lefties. american establishment democrats are only a tad less authoritarian leaning than republicans.
How convenient
By anon
Sat, 05/30/2020 - 6:38pm
You left out the fact 4 officers were injured.
But on the bright side, a hell of a lot less violent then we’ve seen across the county. ANTIFA must not have felt safe riding the commuter rail from mommies basement in Concord.
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