Prominent Civil Rights Lawyer Slams ‘Democratic Silence’ On Floyd Riots

Since Floyd’s death 25th May, angry citizens in virtually every major city in America have taken to the streets to demand justice for Floyd, who died after now-former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for over eight minutes.

Prominent civil rights lawyer Leo Terrell has called for Democrats pinning recent protest violence on Donald Trump to refocus their ire, and condemn the incendiary activities of certain rioters.

Minnesota governor Tim Walz issued a curfew in response to widespread insurrection in his state, and called for an end to “looting and recklessness.”

Some Democrats have blamed the President for the unrest – California lawmaker Maxine Waters said she was “thinking about the way that the president conducts himself”.

However, Terrell dismissed such accusations, thanking Trump “for prompt action”, “getting the attorney general involved in this and the county district attorney for filing charges”.

Floyd died 25 May in Powderhorn, a neighbourhood south of downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. While Floyd was handcuffed and lying face down on a city street during an arrest, police officer Derek Chauvin kept his knee on the right side of Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, 2 minutes and 53 seconds of which occurred after Floyd became unresponsive. 

Ever since, major US cities have been rocked by vast protests, which have extended to rioting and looting.

Chauvin, who has a documented history of heavy-handed behaviour, was charged 29th May with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. No charges have been brought against the three officers also present at the time.

The same day Chauvin was arrested and charged, Democrats in Congress announced a plan to convene hearings on racial violence and use of force by police.

Sourse: sputniknews.com