Seven Stories 10/6/20

Takudzwa Musavengana

DEREK CHAUVIN BOND SET

Derek Chauvin, the ex-Minneapolis PD police officer accused of the murder of George Floyd, has had his bail set at $1.25m in his first brief court appearance. The reason for this figure being the “severity of the charges” and public global unrest. The ex-policeman faces the charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter. The other three officers involved in the incident face charges of aiding and abetting a murder. President Trump’s opponent in the upcoming presidential election Joe Biden privately met with the family of George Floyd in Houston on Monday.

DEREK CHAUVIN POTENTIAL SENTENCE

Two weeks since the death of George Floyd, worldwide protests against systemic racism have taken over many cities and towns. On Monday, Chauvin is set to make an ‘virtual’ appearance at Hennepin County Court in Minneapolis. Chauvin, who has now become infamous for keeping his knee on Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, and 2 minutes 53 seconds of this time was while Floyd was unresponsive. The Minnesota Attorney General upgraded Chauvin’s charges from third degree to second degree murderer. Chauvin could face up to a 40-year prison sentence, or up to 10 years for the manslaughter charge.

UK HOME SECRETARY SEEKS “JUSTICE”

UK home secretary Priti Patel has told the public that “justice will follow”, replying to some of the events which have occurred at anti-racism protests. Patel insinuated she empathized with the peaceful protestors and their message, however, she intends to ‘rain bricks’ on those she deemed unpeaceful or unlawful. In London on Sunday, 36 arrests were made for reasons such as criminal damage, violent disorder and assaulting police, with 35 police officers injured, of whom two required hospital treatment.

AHMAUD ARBERY KILLERS IN CUSTODY

Gregory and Travis McMichael are in custody at the Glynn County Sheriff's Department. The Father and Son face charges of murder and aggravated assault, after shooting and killing unarmed black man Ahmaud Arbery who was on a routine jog, before his life was taken for no reason by the two McMichaels. They claimed Arbery resembled a local robber, but the police submit that no reports had been even filed for the investigation or detainment of this wanted individual. A neighbour, William Bryan, who recorded the incident also faces charges of criminal attempt to commit false imprisonment. While at a preliminary hearing, the judge claimed there was enough evidence to try all three men for murder, but all three men have denied the charges.

NEW ANTI-POLICE BRUTALITY LEGISLATION

Democrats in congress have introduced new legislation on Monday which intends to end the excessive use of force by the police. This legislation would supposedly make tracking, identifying and prosecuting officer misconduct easier. This was introduced in response to the death of George Floyd. Catie Edmondson from the New York Times stated that the legislation has been the “most expansive intervention into policing that lawmakers have proposed in recent time”. The law would lessen the legal protection officers have, and also require them to abstain from using deadly force until in a situation of ‘last resort’.

PROTESTORS VS THE GOVERNMENT

135 people over 200 Black Lives Matter protests in the UK have been arrested. The Home Secretary, Priti Patel, claims that “the thugs and criminals responsible are already being brought to justice". The demolition of a statue of 17th century slave trader Edward Colston and its subsequent migration to a river in Bristol after approximately 10 years of asking from Bristol residents was also something Patel found “utterly disgraceful”. The Prime Minister’s view is that democratic processes must always be followed to rectify an issue. However, protestors believe democracy has failed them, thanks to the apathy of politicians towards the issue. The Leader of the House, Jacob Reece Mogg, for example, disregarded a petition for discussion purely because it was hosted on change.org instead of the government website.

A NEW LONDON?

Recent protests have identified issues worldwide. One observation from London Mayor Sadiq Khan, is that the UK’s statues, plaques and street names largely reflect the Victorian era, while London has since become one of the world’s most culturally diverse cities. As a result, some London Landmarks could be renamed, including the TATE galleries after a review from The Commission for Diversity in Public Reform.