June 10 Black Lives Matter protests

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he expects to sign newly passed state legislative police reform bills by the end of the week, including a ban on chokeholds by police officers and the repeal of civil rights law 50-A. 

Section 50-a of the New York State Civil Rights Law, was originally enacted to exempt police officers from being cross-examined during criminal prosecutions, according to the bill.

Cuomo said today marks the 17th day of civil unrest following George Floyd’s killing.

“I think it is going to turn out for the good, I said when this first started I understand what the protestors are saying and feeling, and I stand with the protestors,” Cuomo said.

National Urban League President Marc Morial warned Congress that this is not the time for politics but "time for bold and courageous action."

Addressing lawmakers during a hearing on police reform, he said the "Justice in Policing Act" represents a bold and clear step forward and an opportunity.

"This is a moment not of politics, not of black or white, but of morality," he added.

Morial urged Congress to realize the gravity of the moment and "to stand with people of this nation to say enough is enough, Black Lives Matter."

Ben Crump called for justice for George Floyd and told lawmakers in a House hearing that they have the power to make sure his death "is not in vain."

"We are better than this," Crump said. "Chairman, members of the committee, you have the power to make this moment in history the tipping point."

"You have the power to make sure that George Floyd's death is not in vain," Crump continued.

Crump said that changing the police's behavior and their relationship with the community "starts at the top," saying the country needs a "national standard" for policing behavior built on transparency and accountability.

Crump noted that the only reason the world knows what happened to George Floyd was because it was captured on video.

Floyd "literally narrated a documentary of his death, begging for his life saying I can't breathe and calling for his mama," Crump said.

Crump said the advent of video evidence is bringing to light what "long was hidden."

"It is revealing what black Americans have known for a long, long time that it is dangerous for a black person to have an encounter with a police officer," Crump said.

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Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo responded to a question during his news conference today about complaints that journalists have been shot at with rubber bullets and tear gassed during the George Floyd protests, saying, "Our media must be protected."

He said the media has an "immense importance," adding, "I am so fortunate that all of you are here. This story has to be told." 

Arradondo said he will be looking into incidents where media were fired upon and tear gassed, saying, "That can't happen."

Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo said that it was difficult for him to watch the video of former officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on George Floyd’s neck. 

Arradondo said what he observed on the video was not indicative of police training that officers have to go through. 

“We do not shape our policies based on your years of service. We expect you to be professional. We expect you to have a duty and care for life. And if you come into conflict with policy or subculture, I expect your humanity to rise above that, and our communities expect that,” he said. 

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Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo was asked today to respond to statements that attorneys for the other officers charged in George Floyd's death have made arguing that they were rookie cops following Derek Chauvin's lead.

Arradondo said, "The policies that I put out for our department, those policies are not guided in years of service. I don't put policies out to say that you should only react or respond if you're a two-year member or a five-year member or a ten-year member."

He said that if the policies or culture "get in the way" that he expects an officer's "humanity to rise above."

He said that the actions he observed from the officers involved in Floyd's death, "was not training that I ever participated in, none that I observed."

Pushed on whether being a rookie cop was a legitimate excuse by the officers in the Floyd incident, Arradondo said, "When our members put on this badge our communities should not expect any service or treatment different because you are two days on or 20 years on." 

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Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo said that racism in the US needs to be tackled as policing reform moves forward. 

Arradondo, who was born and raised in Minneapolis, said he didn’t see many black police officers when he was growing up. He emphasized that the officers of color who he did see “were my true sheroes and heroes.”

Arradondo said he is committed to changing the history of the city and the country with changes in policing. 

“I also recognize that parts of this department were broken, and I brought attention to that several years ago, but I did not abandon this department then, and I will not abandon this department now,” he said. “History is being written now, and I am determined to make sure that we are on the right side of history.”

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Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo said the department will soon use officer performance data to "identify early warning signs of misconduct" as part of his plan to reform the department.

The new systems can "use research on police behavior to connect officer performance data so department leaders can identify early warning signs of misconduct and provide proven strategies to intervene," he said.

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Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo announced today that he is withdrawing from negotiation's with the city's police union to conduct a "thorough review" of the city's contract with its officers.

"Beginning today as chief I am immediately withdrawing from the contract negotiations with the Minneapolis police federation," Arradondo said today during a press conference. 

The chief outlined how he plans the contract review will go:

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