The death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American who was killed by a white police officer on May 25, has sparked violence in many cities in the United States. On Wednesday, his death was reclassified as "murder" by the authorities, which did not prevent the holding of new demonstrations, nevertheless quieter than at the start of the week.

THE ESSENTIAL

Since the May 25 death in Minneapolis of George Floyd, a black man asphyxiated by a white police officer, a wave of historic anger has risen in American cities, denouncing racism, police violence and social inequalities. On Wednesday, hundreds of thousands of protesters again protested peacefully across the country, far from the looting and riots that marred the movement earlier this week. For his part, Donald Trump remains silent about the evils denounced by the movement, but on the other hand has threatened to resort to the army to subdue the street.

Information to remember:

  • George Floyd's death has been reclassified as "murder", and the four police officers behind his arrest have been charged
  • Thousands of protesters gathered again in several American cities on Wednesday, without major overflow
  • Police have made 10,000 arrests nationwide since the start of the movement

Death of George Floyd reclassified as "murder", four police officers charged

The four police officers who arrested George Floyd in Minneapolis are now all on trial and his death has been classified as "murder", as claimed by hundreds of thousands of Americans who have demonstrated since last week, authorities announced on Wednesday. .

Derek Chauvin, the police officer who, on May 25 in Minneapolis, knelt on the neck of the forties for more than eight minutes, causing his death, was initially charged only with manslaughter. The charges against him were reclassified Wednesday as "unpremeditated murder", more serious and punishable by 40 years in prison.

The three other officers who accompanied him, also fired from the police since, are now also being prosecuted for complicity. Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane were all detained in turn. "We are deeply pleased that Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has acted decisively in arresting and charging all officers involved in the death of George Floyd," said the family’s lawyer.

New events

In many cities thousands of protesters were again on the streets, some determined to brave the curfew as the previous nights. The protests continued, however, with no major overflows reported on Wednesday afternoon. In New York, where the curfew was extended until Sunday, and in Los Angeles, the situation seemed to be easing, after scenes of violence and looting that went around the world in the very beginning of week. 

A large police force was again deployed to seal off access to the White House, although authorities said they expected peaceful rallies. On Monday evening, the outskirts of the White House had been evacuated manu militari to allow Donald Trump to go out on the street and pose with a copy of the Bible in front of the small church which faces the center of American executive power.

10,000 arrests across the country

In total, the police have carried out in recent days almost 10,000 arrests across the country, according to an estimate taken up by the American media, for acts of violence, degradations but also for non-compliance with the curfew. Three far-right activists were notably indicted in Las Vegas on Wednesday for inciting violence, local authorities said.

According to the American media, far-right activists, sometimes heavily armed, have infiltrated numerous demonstrations. Many of these activists claim to be part of the "Boogaloo" movement - a term used by extremists who promote civil war and the downfall of society - and among other things have adopted Hawaiian shirts as a sign of recognition.

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Critics of the political class against Donald Trump

In apparent disagreement with Donald Trump, the US Secretary of Defense said himself on Wednesday against the idea of ​​deploying soldiers in major cities. "I am not in favor of the insurgency decree", which would allow the republican billionaire to deploy active soldiers in front of American citizens, and not National Guard reservists as is currently the case said Mark Esper.

Jim Mattis, the former Defense Minister of Donald Trump who had resigned, in turn stepped up to accuse the president of "dividing" America. "In my lifetime, Donald Trump is the first president who does not try to bring the Americans together, who does not even pretend to try," wrote the former Marine General, who had never been out before. of his reserve. The President's reaction was immediate. In a tweet, Donald Trump called him "the most overestimated general in the world" and "crazy dog". "I'm glad he left!" Insisted the White House tenant.

Probably the only thing Barack Obama & I have in common is that we both had the honor of firing Jim Mattis, the world's most overrated General. I asked for his letter of resignation, & felt great about it. His nickname was “Chaos”, which I didn't like, & changed to “Mad Dog” ...

- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 4, 2020

Donald Trump now appears as the first result of the accounts suggested by typing in English the word "racist" in the Twitter search. The result of an algorithm that should not fix the already strained relations between the American president and the platform. 

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Barack Obama hails "change of mentality" among American protesters

Former President Barack Obama on Wednesday welcomed the "change of mentality" made among Americans demonstrating against racism and police violence, which he said could lead to reforms at the national level. "It is very important for us to seize this moment that has just been created as a society, as a country, and to use this to finally have an impact," Barack Obama said during a videoconference with activists, referring to the thousands of people who took to the streets to denounce police brutality, racism and social inequalities. 

Donald Trump's predecessor also urged state and local authorities to review their policy on the use of force in his first video comment since the death of George Floyd.