Death of George Floyd: Obama hails protesters' “change of mentality”

Text by: RFI Follow

The former American president spoke for the first time this Wednesday, June 3, by videoconference on the wave of protest that is shaking the country, since the death of an African-American asphyxiated by a white police officer in Minneapolis. Barack Obama sees reason to hope in this broad mobilization, unlike Donald Trump who continues to denounce a movement manipulated by groups with evil intentions.

Publicity

With our correspondent in Washington, Anne Corpet

A tragedy. This is how Barack Obama described the death of Georges Floyd , and those of several other black Americans killed by the police in recent months, whose former president has cited the names. But resolutely optimistic, Barack Obama sees what to hope for in the movement that has thrown hundreds of thousands of Americans on the street, reports our correspondent in Washington, Anne Corpet.

"  There is a change of mind that is taking place, " said Donald Trump's predecessor. Greater recognition that we can do better. And it is the direct result of the activity, the organizational capacity, the mobilization, the commitment of so many young people across the country, who have put themselves on the front line to make a difference. And I just want to say thank you.  "

Local police reforms

For the former American president, this change could also lead to reforms at the national level but also at the local level. "  I urge every mayor in this country to review their policies on the use of force with members of their community and to commit to being accountable for the promised reforms  ," he said.

A few minutes after Barack Obama's intervention, Donald Trump was questioned on Newsmax, an ultra-conservative site. "Right now, the country needs law and order," said the president, " because there are many harmful people who use the death of Georges Floyd to do bad things.  Two radically opposite visions of the crowds who continue to beat the American pavement to demand more justice.

► Read also: Is racism in the police specifically American?

"The two presidential candidates, Donald Trump and Joe Biden, have a lot to lose from this crisis."

Lauric Henneton, professor of American civilization at the University of Saint Quentin

Newsletter Receive all international news directly in your mailbox

Follow all international news by downloading the RFI application

• United States
• Racism
• Barack Obama

On the same subject

The death of George Floyd reclassified as murder, the four ex-agents prosecuted

United States: Obama indirectly criticizes Trump for his management of the epidemic

"Obamagate", a new fable by Donald Trump?