Trump wanted 10,000 troops to quell protests

Protests are expected throughout the U.S., as one city expects 100,000 people.

June 6, 2020, 11:19 PM

The death of George Floyd, a black man who died on Memorial Day after he was pinned down by a white Minnesota police officer, has sparked outrage and protests in Minneapolis, across the United States and across the world.

Second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter charges have been filed against Derek Chauvin, the ex-officer who prosecutors say held his knee on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes. The three other officers have been charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting manslaughter. All four officers have been fired.

Governors in 32 states and Washington, D.C., have activated more than 32,400 members of the National Guard.

Today's biggest developments:

  • Trump wanted 10K troops in DC
  • Denver PD ordered to limit using chemicals in protests
  • Broncos join Denver protests
  • Hundreds march across Golden Gate Bridge
  • Here is how the news unfolded on Saturday. All times Eastern.

    11:14 p.m.: Minneapolis mayor booed after saying he does not support abolishing police

    Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey was booed out of a protest after he said he did not support abolishing the police department.

    A protester asked Frey if he supported defunding the police department, however, he did not answer that question and instead said he "did not support the full abolition of the police."

    Boos quickly permeated through the crowd and protesters chanted, "Go home Jacob! Go home!"

    Activists have called for defunding police departments in the U.S., often meaning taking money out of the police budget and putting it toward the community. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced such a measure earlier this week.

    10:30 p.m.: 'Black Lives Matter = Defund the Police' painted in Washington, DC

    As the crowds dispersed Saturday in Washington, D.C., a new mural was revealed.

    "Black Lives Matter = Defund the Police" was painted in yellow on 16th Street in front of the White House.

    PHOTO: Demonstrators paint the words "defund the police" as they protest Saturday, June 6, 2020, near the White House in Washington, over the death of George Floyd, a black man who was in police custody in Minneapolis.
    Demonstrators paint the words "defund the police" as they protest Saturday, June 6, 2020, near the White House in Washington, over the death of George Floyd, a black man who was in police custody in Minneapolis.
    Jacquelyn Martin/AP

    The "Black Lives Matter" mural was already in place, however, the "Defund the Police" was new.

    D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser revealed the "Black Lives Matter" painting on Friday.

    9:02 p.m.: Trump wanted 10,000 troops to quell protests

    At a heated White House meeting last Monday morning, President Donald Trump said he wanted 10,000 troops in Washington, D.C., and other cities to quell that protests over police brutality in the wake of George Floyd's death, according to a senior U.S. Department of Defense official.

    However, Defense Secretary Mark Esper, Gen. Mark Milley and Attorney General Bill Barr all opposed such a move, the senior official told ABC News.

    In the end, there were 1,600 active duty troops sent to the D.C. region on standby in case they were needed.

    It was the National Guard that was the primary force, with 5,100 guardsman called up, all of whom remain in Washington, D.C.

    8:15 p.m.: Protester dies from injuries after being struck by car

    A protester has died from his injuries after he was struck by a vehicle in California, police said.

    A video of the incident on June 3 showed a crowd marching westbound on California Avenue toward Oak Street in Bakersfield, according to police. The protester, who was only identified as an adult male, was then seen moving northbound across the eastbound lanes when a vehicle struck him.

    Police initially reported he suffered "major injuries." On Saturday afternoon, his death was reported.

    The vehicle had its headlights on and was not driving above the speed limit, police said.

    There were no drugs or alcohol in the protester's system, police said.

    Police are still investigating and have asked the public to come forward with any information.

    Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the Bakersfield Police Department at (661) 327-7111, or by emailing Officer C. Ott at cott@bakersfieldpd.us

    7:47 p.m.: Large peaceful protesters crowd Washington

    Thousands flooded the streets of Washington, but there was a different tone from a week ago.

    The protests were not just peaceful, but joyous too. People were out celebrating, dancing in the streets, with vendors giving away hot dogs and selling ice cream cones.

    A DJ played music on 16th Street.

    The diversity of the crowd was notable with a wide range of ages and a lot of families.

    Courtney Walker told ABC News she brought her 2- and 4-year-old sons out today despite the risk of the pandemic, because the risk of not protesting is too great.

    PHOTO: DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, center, speaks to demonstrators gathered on the newly named Black Lives Plaza during a peaceful protest against police brutality and racism, on June 6, 2020 in Washington.
    DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, center, speaks to demonstrators gathered on the newly named Black Lives Plaza during a peaceful protest against police brutality and racism, on June 6, 2020 in Washington.
    Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

    "I feel like if I don't come, I'm risking their lives," she said.

    Michael Howard marched while holding hands with his 10-year-old son Christopher saying he hopes to "chip away" at the systemic racism plaguing this country, and set an example for his son.

    "For things to happen in this society it takes all of us, and this is the part he's playing," he said.

    PHOTO: Demonstrators protest Saturday, June 6, 2020, near the White House in Washington.
    Demonstrators protest Saturday, June 6, 2020, near the White House in Washington.
    Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo

    In front of the White House, we encountered passionate protests and frustration with the lack of action in Washington.

    Allison Jennings has been here all week and stressed that white Americans have to get more involved -- and educated.

    "The reality is that we are the ones who have more power. We need to be the ones to make the change," she said.

    6:20 p.m.: Protests sweep NYC

    An estimated 20,000 people protested throughout the New York City, according to ABC New York station WABC.

    Protests in Manhattan saw thousands march from Union Square to Washington Square, while in Brooklyn protests thousands marched over the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan.

    PHOTO: Demonstrators gather at Washington Square Park, during a protest against the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in New York City, June 6, 2020.
    Demonstrators gather at Washington Square Park, during a protest against the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in New York City, June 6, 2020.
    Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

    Other protests took place throughout Harlem in the morning.

    The city is still under an 8 p.m. curfew, but people have been out peacefully protesting beyond that time.

    5:29 p.m.: Protest spreads to small NJ township

    It is not just big cities that are seeing protests against police brutality, as residents of a small New Jersey township also took to the streets.

    A march in Saddle Brook Township began at 3 p.m. and drew about 200 people.

    Saddle Brook police joined the protests, and a Bergen County sheriff's deputy raised his fist in solidarity.

    Saddle Brook Township is home to about 13,500.

    4:49 p.m.: Hundreds march across Golden Gate Bridge

    Hundreds of protesters in San Francisco marched on the Golden Gate Bridge, through traffic and in lanes on the bridge.

    Several other protests are planned for Saturday in the Bay Area, in Oakland, Berkeley and at the former site of Candlestick Park, according to ABC San Francisco station KGO-TV.

    3:47 p.m.: Broncos join protests in Denver

    Broncos players joined a protest in Denver at the Capitol.

    Jeremiah Attaochu, a linebacker, started the demonstration off with a prayer.

    He thanked God for "bringing all of us together for one purpose and one purpose alone: to address the issue of racism."

    Attaochu also thanked the crowd for "stepping out on the battlefield of life today."

    Von Miller, also a linebacker for the team, addressed the crowds as well.

    "The time is always right to do what's right," Miller said. "It's 2020. Muhammad Ali, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jim Brown ... still fighting this fight, and it's up to us to keep it going."

    Saturday marks the first full day protests after the citywide curfew expired and after new restrictions were placed on Denver police. A federal judge ruled Friday that the Denver Police Department must scale back its use of chemicals and projectiles in protests.

    3:14 p.m.: NYC Health Department shares tips on how to safely protest amid COVID

    The New York City Health Department has released tips for how to safely protest during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The department noted that it's still recommending to avoid large gatherings.

    However, if one is planning on to go out, officials recommend the following: Wear a face covering and make sure it fully covers your nose, mouth and chin; carry only what you need ( including goggles, hand sanitizer, your own water bottle, snacks, an ID, any medication you may need); carry saline in a squirt bottle; go with a small group; and have a plan for safely exiting.

    PHOTO: A man holds a photograph of Breonna Taylor on her birthday as he kneels with other protesters on Atlantic Avenue during a solidarity rally for George Floyd on Atlantic Avenue, June 5, 2020, in the Brooklyn borough of New York.
    A man holds a photograph of Breonna Taylor on her birthday as he kneels with other protesters on Atlantic Avenue during a solidarity rally for George Floyd on Atlantic Avenue, June 5, 2020, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Taylor, a black woman, was fatally shot by police in her home in March.
    Frank Franklin II/AP

    Once at the protest, the department recommends using noisemakers, drums or written signs to protest rather than shouting, which could possibly increase exposure. The NYC Health Department also recommends maintaining as much physical distance as possible between you and those not in your group, practicing healthy hand hygiene, not sharing water bottles or megaphones, and being aware of both your physical and mental health.

    Upon returning, immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and assume you have been exposed to COVID-19 so avoid contact with others, particularly those over 50 or who have a serious health condition.

    2:30 p.m.: Thousands gather in US cities for more protests

    Thousands of people have taken to the streets of Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., to protest police brutality. The two protests are among many planned throughout the country.

    In Philadelphia, thousands gathered at the city's art museum before making their way to City Hall.

    Organizers and the crowd chanted "No justice, no peace. No racist police."

    PHOTO: Demonstrators raise their fists at the Lincoln Memorial during a protest against police brutality and racism, on June 6, 2020, in Washington.
    Demonstrators raise their fists at the Lincoln Memorial during a protest against police brutality and racism, on June 6, 2020, in Washington.
    Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

    In Washington, D.C., 3,000 people were at The Lincoln Memorial and another 3,000 were near Lafayette Square, according to DC Police Traffic.

    Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy told the Associated Press on Friday that local officials were projecting between 100,000 and 200,000 protesters.

    PHOTO:Protesters gather along 16th Street NW near the White House during George Floyd protests, on June 6, 2020, in Washington, on the 12th day of protests.
    Protesters gather along 16th Street NW near the White House during George Floyd protests, on June 6, 2020, in Washington, on the 12th day of protests.
    Samuel Corum/Getty Images

    10 a.m.: Floyd protests even more widespread than Women's March

    Far more places have held protests already than held Women's Marches in January 2017, according to preliminary data from The Washington Post.

    Women's Marches occurred in 650 locations -- and then had more participants than any other single-day demonstration in U.S. history.

    The Floyd protests are the broadest in U.S. history -- and are spreading to white, small-town America, the data revealed.

    7:33 a.m.: NYPD arrests 40

    The NYPD arrested at least 40 people during largely peaceful protests Friday night.

    6:10 a.m.: Trump retweets video attacking George Floyd

    Hours after saying he hoped George Floyd was looking down "from heaven" and saying, "This is a great thing happening for our country," in regards to May's unemployment numbers, President Donald Trump retweeted a video that attacked Floyd's character.

    The video clip was from conservative radio host Glenn Beck.

    "I don't care WHAT George Floyd did. The officer should have never treated him like that and killed him! But we still must ask: Is he a HERO?" Beck tweeted.

    In the clip that Trump retweeted, Beck and conservative commentator Candace Owens attack Floyd's character, bring up his alleged criminal background and question why people are using his death as a call to action for social justice.

    "This is a guy with a very long record and a very long criminal record," Beck said. "He was said to be cleaning up his life by his family, I hope that was true. Is this really the guy that black America ... is this the symbol of black America today?"

    "Yes," Owens responds. "The fact that he has been held up as a martyr sickens me."

    She said he's a symbol "of the broken culture of black America today ... George Floyd was not a good person."

    4:53 a.m.: Judge orders Denver PD to limit chemical use in protests

    A federal judge ruled Friday that the Denver Police Department must scale back its use of chemicals and projectiles in protests.

    Judge R Brooke Jackson of U.S. District Court, District of Colorado, said some actions of "what I hope and believe to be a minority of the police officers in Denver and the nation during recent days (and before) not only vis a vis persons of color but against peaceful protesters of all backgrounds have been disgusting."

    Jackson ruled that tear gas and non-lethal projectiles can only be used after a supervisor at the rank of Captain or above at the scene "specifically authorizes such use of force in response to specific acts of violence or destruction of property that the command officer has personally witnessed."

    The court's ruling also said that projectiles may never be shot toward the head, pelvis or back and that they are not to be shot indiscriminately into a crowd.

    "Although I do not agree with those who have committed property damage during the protests, property damage is a small price to pay for constitutional rights—especially the constitutional right of the public to speak against widespread injustice," Jackson wrote in his ruling. "If a store's windows must be broken to prevent a protestor's facial bones from being broken or eye being permanently damaged, that is more than a fair trade. If a building must be graffiti-ed to prevent the suppression of free speech, that is a fair trade. The threat to physical safety and free speech outweighs the threat to property."

    Additionally, all officers deployed to demonstrations must have their body cameras worn at all times and must not intentionally obstruct the camera from recording.

    The judge's ruling, according to ABC affiliate KMGH in Denver, came after four residents filed a lawsuit against the city of Denver, claiming police officers violated protesters' constitutional rights. They also asked the judge to temporarily halt the use of tear gas, pepper balls, spray and other non-lethal projectiles.

    PHOTO: A demonstrator wears a face mask and latex gloves while waving a placard along Lincoln Avenue during a protest Tuesday, June 2, 2020, in Denver over the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man in police custody in Minneapolis.
    A demonstrator wears a face mask and latex gloves while waving a placard along Lincoln Avenue during a protest Tuesday, June 2, 2020, in Denver over the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man in police custody in Minneapolis.
    David Zalubowski/AP

    Denver PD said it would comply with the judge's ruling and that most of the orders are in line with department policy already.

    "A federal judge issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) clarifying #DPD use of non-lethal dispersant devices," the department said in a statement. "In the meantime, we will comply with the judge's directions, many of which are already in line with our community-consulted Use of Force Policy."

    ABC News' Aaron Katersky, Mary Bruce, Luis Martinez, Matt Hosford, Matthew Fuhrman, Ely Brown, Joshua Hoyos, Jeffrey Christman and Lauren Lantry contributed to this report.

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