June 2 George Floyd protest news

In Houston, where a public memorial for George Floyd will take place next week, tens of thousands of people marched to City Hall to shout his name and call for justice after his death.

The marchers, who chanted "no justice, no peace" and "Peace on the left, justice on the right," walked or rode horses from Discovery Green park toward their destination, where organizers were scheduled to speak.

George Floyd's brother, Philonise Floyd, addressed the crowd asking for a peaceful protest. He told them to be steadfast in the quest for police reform.

A large, peaceful protest marched through Midtown Atlanta on Tuesday evening before the city's curfew.

"It had gravity and meaning, voices of all creeds united in purpose for what’s right and just," said Thom Henkel, who captured a video from his apartment.

Hundreds of people are out beyond the District of Columbia’s 7 p.m. ET curfew, lining an entire city block, waiting for one thing: To vote.

It’s a remarkable scene along U Street in Washington, alongside the African American Civil War Memorial, as people stand in a long line to take part in the city’s primary election.

A man who is nearing the front says he’s been in line for nearly three hours. 

Never mind there are virtually no seriously contested races on the ballot. The line stretches from 9th to 10th streets and U to T streets. Virtually everyone is masked, somewhat socially distanced, and waiting to cast their ballots tonight.

It’s the Shaw neighborhood of Washington, a long-gentrifying section of town not far from Howard University, that was one of the epicenters of the race riots a half-century ago in Washington. 

Polls are open until 8 p.m. ET, but an election worker says the doors will stay open later — beyond curfew — until everyone in line can vote.

Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen, who marched arm-in-arm with protesters Monday in his city, told CNN that the demonstrators' words inspired him and will help guide his police department "as we recognize that we have room to improve."

He told CNN's Erin Burnett that the protesters he spoke with this week, "indicated they were tired ... fearful, and didn't want to feel like this anymore."

Asked about the 54 arrests that occurred Monday during protests in downtown Denver — many for curfew violations — the chief said he wants "dialogue over destruction" and he "supports peaceful protests."

Pazen defended the decision to arrest people for curfew violations, saying the officers used "good judgment on curfew arrests." He added that the same will "take place tonight as well."

Asked about his decision to fire a police officer who posted on social media "let's start a riot" and how he'll ensure that doesn't happen again, Pazen said, "it's about accountability...this is not an issue of us versus them."

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Two senior White House officials said it was President Trump who came up with the idea of the visit to St. John's church, but that Hope Hicks, Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump, and chief of staff Mark Meadows were involved in the initial planning of the operation. 

The decision to visit the church came early yesterday afternoon, roughly five hours before police and military forces swarmed Lafayette park to clear out the protesters. Officials in the press office were not looped into the plan until later in the afternoon, shortly before the operation.

One senior official said the initial plan was to establish a security perimeter around St. John's church and the White House neighborhood to protect the church. Then Trump, Hicks and the others hatched the plan for the church visit.

Both officials said there has not been much second guessing about the church visit among senior members of the team. They said they feel good they "restored law and order," the official said. 

Another White House official confirmed to CNN the bible that Trump held up at St. John’s church Monday was carried over by Ivanka Trump in her white designer bag. The official said the President noticed Ivanka was carrying her purse and asked her to put it in there, and then she removed it and handed it to him at the church patio.

Hundreds of people were gathered peacefully tonight at the base of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC — a mix of black and white, young and old, looked out toward the Washington Monument.

Several dozen uniformed guardsmen and women, along with Park Police, were standing on the steps of the monument.

There were speakers and prayers and signs, calling for justice and an end to police brutality.

On a breezy spring evening in Washington, this scene illustrates the peaceful demonstration that is starkly at odds with violent rioting and looting.

“Make it quick,” one man said, “curfew is coming up in 30 minutes.”

The peaceful demonstration concluded when the 7 p.m. curfew in DC went into effect.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced today that the state would be reducing its National Guard presence in Louisville.

“That is a recommendation by our adjutant general that we will be following,” Beshear said.

The governor also spoke about the death of David McAtee, who was fatally shot as police and the Kentucky National Guard dispersed a large crowd early Monday. 

According to the preliminary first results of an autopsy, McAtee appears to have died from a single gunshot wound to the chest, said Michael Brown, secretary for the governor’s Executive Cabinet, who spoke about the state of the investigation surrounding McAtee’s shooting.

Brown said tests on bullet fragments will have to be conducted at the Kentucky State Police crime lab to determine what type of bullet McAtee was struck by. “At this time, we do not know that. We do believe it was a single bullet,” Brown said.

“It is our belief at this time that approximately 18 shots were fired between the Kentucky National Guard and the Louisville Metro Police that evening. Those weapons are also in our custody for further testing, and they will be tested for DNA and any other things we can get from them,” Brown added

These are the cities and states with curfews Tuesday night due to the protests across the country in response to George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Former NBA player Stephen Jackson said the reason his longtime friend George Floyd moved away from his hometown of Houston, Texas, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, was to "provide for his family, be a better father."

"That was the main reason for moving. When he called me, his whole reason coming was to get here, get away from Texas so he could provide for his family, be a better father, be a better father. His whole reason being in Minnesota was to work be drive trucks, and he was doing that. He was doing great here, turning a curve, and then this happened. So he was doing his part," he said.

Jackson joined Roxie Washington, the mother of George Floyd's 6-year-old daughter, as she delivered emotional remarks to the media this afternoon.

Washington described Floyd as a good father.

"He was a good man as a father," Washington said of Floyd as she wept. "He was so happy to have her... he loved her. He loved her so much."

"He took care for us, he provided for us," she added.

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