June 13 Black Lives Matter protests

Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard said in a statement he believes the NBA and other forms of entertainment are an unneeded distraction from important issues facing the nation and the black community right now. Howard states that as much as he would like to resume the NBA season, he feels that the opportunity for unity among "my people" is a bigger priority. 

Here is Howard's full statement:

This statement comes as the NBA and the NBA Players Association work to finalize a comprehensive season restart plan following the NBA Board of Governors' approval of a plan to resume the NBA season with 22 teams competing in Orlando, Florida.

A statement from former Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields:

France’s High Court, the Council of State, lifted the ban on people protesting in public spaces, Saturday.

In a statement, the court writes that it ended the ban on gatherings of more than 10 people, for the purpose of protesting, after calls from organizations, like France’s Human Rights League, that contested the rules, which are part of France’s coronavirus state of emergency. 

The Court relied on recommendations from the High Council for Public Health, which said there was no reason to restrict movement "as long as some measures are respected (distance of 1 meter or wearing a mask in particular)."

The Council of State added that police still have the authority to ban protests in instances where there is a "disturbance to public order" or for health reasons, and protests of more than 5,000 people are still banned.

UK Home Secretary Priti Patel urged citizens not to protest Saturday because of the ongoing coronavirus threat.

Here is her full statement:

"Well I think it's just stating the facts. We are in a health emergency right now. I think the fact that we have made this clear in terms of 'people should not gather', 'they should not protest', the police are saying this every single day as well, really speaks to a very real public health message that we are restating to the British public. I would also say one other thing, right now we are seeing the silent law-abiding majority - the British public - who are staying at home, who are following the rules, and who are thinking of the safety and the public health of others following the rules very clearly. I would urge everybody else not to protest, not to participate in these mass gatherings. This is a threat to public health, but also, we're seeing a small minority use these gatherings to subvert particular causes and to participate in thuggery and violence, that is simply wrong and as I've said they will face the full force of the law but I think we should all be very mindful of the fact that these gatherings will spread this disease and put people's health at risk, and that is simply not acceptable and we want to prevent that."

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced the city's Police Chief Erika Shields was stepping down Saturday.

Rodney Bryant will become the interim Chief of Police in Atlanta.

Bottoms also called for the termination of an officer who killed Rayshard Brooks. Brooks was shot and killed at a Wendy’s drive-thru in south Atlanta on Friday night after he resisted arrest and a struggle over an officer’s Taser ensued, according to a statement from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Watch more:

Rayshard Brooks' cousin, Decatur Redd, provided two photos of the man who was shot and killed by Atlanta police Friday.

Brooks was shot and killed at a Wendy’s drive-thru in south Atlanta on Friday night after he resisted arrest and a struggle over an officer’s Taser ensued, according to a statement from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Read more here

Around 450 businesses across New York City had storefront damage and in some cases were looted in late May and early June, according to the Department of Small Business Services.

The department does not have an estimate for the total cost of damages and notes the estimate of the amount of buildings damaged may change, according to Samantha Keitt, the department's spokeswoman.

Keitt said the estimate covers damage reported between May 29 and June 9.

Last week, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the Small Business Emergency Grant, which would give grants of up to $10,000 to small businesses impacted by looting and damage to their storefronts, starting in the Bronx. These grants will help "impacted minority and women-owned businesses as well as those with annual revenues of less than $1.5 million, with their recovery efforts, including repairs, security systems, locks, inventory and more," according to a press release.

Funding for the grant was provided by SOMOS Community Care, which pledged $500,000 and Signature Bank, which donated $750,000.

Police arrested more than 100 people Saturday across London for protest-related offenses, according to a tweet from the Metropolitan Police.

Protesters showing solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, as well as counterprotesters, demonstrated across London on Saturday, mostly peacefully.

NFL defensive end Michael Bennett isn't buying NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's video statement where Goodell said last week: "We, the National Football League, believe Black Lives Matter."  

Goodell said the league should have listened to players earlier about racism concerns in response to NFL players calling on the league to condemn racism and support its black players. 

"Is the intent of the NFL to really make a positive impact or is it not to be seen as if they don’t respect the players?" Bennett asked. 

"We have to continuously push the NFL to change its core values and change its moral compass on a consistent basis. If not, shame on us and shame us for real. We have the opportunity to hold Roger Goodell and the rest of the bosses," including team owners like Jerry Jones, he said, to account, and face "the reality of the suppression and oppression of the people."

Bennett goes on to say about team owners backing President Donald Trump, "If you're supporting him, then your letter is really null and void."

In 2018, the three-time Pro Bowler published "Things That Make White People Uncomfortable," a book in which he discussed racism, police brutality and the role black athletes play as political activists.

Bennett told CNN in 2017 that he would not stand for the National Anthem until he saw "equality and freedom" as he took a stance against police brutality and injustice when he played for the Seattle Seahawks. But in 2019, as a member of the Dallas Cowboys, Bennett stood for the anthem because, according to him, his teammates asked him to.