May 31 George Floyd protest news

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11:39 p.m. ET, May 31, 2020

Fire at St. John's Church in Washington, DC is being extinguished

From CNN’s Greg Clary

The Washington DC fire department is extinguishing a fire in the basement of St. John's Church, it said on Twitter.

The iconic church is just blocks from the White House, and is known as the “Church of the Presidents” because many presidents have attended services there, including President Donald Trump.

There have been protests in the area all day, and protesters set several fires there Sunday evening.

The city is now under curfew, which went into effect at 11 p.m. local time and will be active until 6 a.m. Monday morning.

11:40 p.m. ET, May 31, 2020

The Floyd family and Minneapolis police have their first contact live on CNN 

Earlier tonight, the George Floyd family had their first direct communication with the Minneapolis Police Department live on CNN's special program "I Can't Breathe: Black Men Living and Dying in America."

George Floyd's brother, Philonise Floyd, asked Police Chief Medaria Arradondo whether he would arrest the officers and get justice for George's death.

Speaking directly to Philonise, Arradondo said those decisions would come through the County Attorney's Office.

He also took off his hat every time he addressed the Floyd family to show respect, and said those who stood silent in the face of injustice were complicit.

"Being silent or not intervening to me, you're being complicit," Arradondo said. "My decision to fire all four officers was not based on some sort of hierarchy. Mr. Floyd died in our hands."

Attorney Ben Crump, who consoled Philonise during the exchange, thanked Arrandondo.

"He was very respectful to the family, and we thank him for that," Crump said. "This family is in great pain ... They need these officers to be arrested."

11:31 p.m. ET, May 31, 2020

Boston mayor thanks peaceful protesters, condemns violence

Demonstrators protest in response to the recent death of George Floyd on May 31 in Boston.
Demonstrators protest in response to the recent death of George Floyd on May 31 in Boston. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

In a statement on Sunday, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh thanked peaceful protesters in the city but criticized those who committed "destruction and violence."

"I want to thank the protestors who exercised their right to free speech effectively and peacefully, making sure everyone hears their message. Tonight's protests were motivated by a righteous desire for equality, justice, and accountability in our country. I see you. I hear you. I will use my voice for you," he said.
"I am angered, however, by the people who came into our city and chose to engage in acts of destruction and violence, undermining their message. If we are to achieve change and if we are to lead the change, our efforts must be rooted in peace and regard for our community."

He also thanked the city's police and public safety agencies for their work.

10:59 p.m. ET, May 31, 2020

Cleveland extends its curfew through Tuesday

From CNN’s Ganesh Setty

The city of Cleveland, Ohio, has extended its curfew for the Downtown and Market districts through Tuesday evening, according to an update from the Cleveland City Hall. 

The curfew will now be active until 8 p.m. June 2.

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson signed a Proclamation of Civil Emergency on Sunday to extend the curfew, under which people may only travel for essential activities, and businesses are urged to close.

The city also said that while protests downtown had started peacefully on Saturday, 65 adults and one minor had been arrested during the protests that night, and that more arrests are expected.

Cleveland’s Fire Division responded to two structure fires, 10 vehicle fires (including four police cars), and 11 additional fires involving dumpsters, trash cans, ticket booths, and other items, the city said. 

Multiple first responders were injured, and emergency medical services transported 20 people to hospitals in the area, said the Cleveland City Hall.

10:54 p.m. ET, May 31, 2020

White House tells staff to hide passes until they reach entry point

From CNN's Kaitlan Collins

The White House tonight has cautioned staffers who must come to work Monday to hide their passes until they reach a Secret Service entry point and to hide them as they leave, in an email viewed by CNN.

The email repeated mandates for maximum telework status, and said there is still an “elevated security posture” due to the protests. 

“If you must come to the complex, keep your pass and PIV cars hidden until you reach a USSS (United States Secret Service) entry point,” said the email. 

10:58 p.m. ET, May 31, 2020

There are fires raging and tear gas fired in Washington D.C., as city approaches curfew

Demonstrators protest the death of George Floyd on May 31 near the White House in Washington.
Demonstrators protest the death of George Floyd on May 31 near the White House in Washington. Alex Brandon/AP

Anger is erupting in Washington D.C., with large fires near Lafayette Park and police firing tear gas and pepper spray.

Protests are focused in the center of the US capital, just a few blocks away from the White House.

There are several fires happening, one near the historic St. John's Church, and another at a public facilities building at the edge of the park. People are throwing branches and fireworks into the fires -- there's even a wooden park bench in the doorframe of the park building, feeding the flames.

Police are now working to clear the area, advancing forward in a line and pushing back the crowds.

The city is supposed to go under curfew in just 10 minutes or so, at 11 p.m. local time. It will be lifted Monday morning at 6 a.m., said Mayor Muriel Bowser.

WATCH:

10:48 p.m. ET, May 31, 2020

Washington governor activates National Guard to respond to looting in Bellevue

Washington Governor Jay Inslee has activated 200 additional members of the state's National Guard to respond to looting in Bellevue, east of Seattle, Inslee said in a tweet.

Inslee said he activated the additional members at the request of King County to help protect property, manage crowds and traffic, and respond to looting. 

Guard personnel will be unarmed, the governor tweeted.

10:47 p.m. ET, May 31, 2020

Australia PM says he is "disturbed" by US protests and looting

From CNN's Angus Watson in Sydney 

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was “disturbed” by images of protests in the United States, and that he would "welcome" an invitation from President Donald Trump to join the upcoming G7 summit.

Speaking to Sydney radio station 2GB on Monday morning local time, Morrison said the death of George Floyd was "upsetting and terrible."

Morrison, who is the leader of the ruling Liberal Party, a center-right political party, added, “Martin Luther King (Jr.) didn't change anything by burning anything down or looting shops."

He also commented on a Black Lives Matter solidarity protest scheduled in Sydney on Tuesday, saying, "The United States is going through a difficult time ... (but) there is no need to import things that are happening in other countries into Australia."

The G7 summit: Morrison told 2GB that he would “welcome” an invitation from Trump to join the G7 summit.

"We are expecting an invitation there," Morrison said. "We welcome that and it's a good opportunity to deal with likeminded countries."

10:43 p.m. ET, May 31, 2020

Tennessee governor authorizes deployment of National Guard to Murfreesboro 

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has authorized the deployment of the National Guard to Murfreesboro, where protests are still ongoing even as night falls.

"The protests in Murfreesboro are no longer peaceful demonstrations but have escalated to overt threats to public safety and property," he tweeted. "I support Mayor McFarland’s 7 p.m. curfew and have authorized both the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the National Guard to provide support on the ground in restoring order for the safety of our citizens."