June 3 George Floyd protest news

By Jessie Yeung, Steve George, Laura Smith-Spark, Peter Wilkinson, Meg Wagner, Melissa Macaya, Mike Hayes and Fernando Alfonso III, CNN

Updated 7:15 p.m. ET, June 4, 2020
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9:04 p.m. ET, June 3, 2020

Final autopsy report on George Floyd finds death due to cardiopulmonary arrest

From CNN’s Andy Rose

George Floyd’s death was due cardiopulmonary arrest – or the stopping of his heart – according to the final autopsy results released by the Hennepin County medical examiner. 

The report from Dr. Andrew Baker says Floyd’s neck was compressed when former officer Derek Chauvin’s knee was on it for more than eight minutes, but does not conclude that it was the direct cause of his death.

The new report does indicate that Floyd had a number of bruises and cuts on his head, face, mouth, shoulders, arms and legs. But it found no evidence that any of those injuries directly would have killed him. 

An independent autopsy commissioned by the Floyd family disagreed with the conclusion of the county, saying that Floyd died of “asphyxiation from sustained pressure.”

The autopsy says Floyd had heart disease and a history of high blood pressure. A preliminary toxicology report found moderate levels of fentanyl and methamphetamine. The family’s independent autopsy did not include a toxicology report.

The county autopsy also indicates that Floyd had recently tested positive for coronavirus, although there is no indication that it was a factor in his death.

7:15 p.m. ET, June 4, 2020

Scenes from peaceful protests around the US

Peaceful protesters took to the streets around the US today to demand justice for George Floyd and other black Americans who have recently died following police violence.

Protesters cheered Wednesday by news that four Minneapolis officers are now charged in Floyd's death.

Earlier in the day, three former Minneapolis police officers on the scene when Floyd was killed were charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced today.

Ellison said he's upgrading the charge against Derek Chauvin, the officer who had his knee pressed into Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes, from third- to second-degree murder.

Here's what the protests look like around the US:

Philadelphia

Activists gather in protest outside the 26th Police Precinct on June 3 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Activists gather in protest outside the 26th Police Precinct on June 3 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mark Makela/Getty Images

Washington, DC

Twenty-nine-year old DC resident, George (L), slaps hands with three-year-old Mikaela (R) in front of a police barricade on a street leading to the front of the White House during protests on June 3.
Twenty-nine-year old DC resident, George (L), slaps hands with three-year-old Mikaela (R) in front of a police barricade on a street leading to the front of the White House during protests on June 3. Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images

Protesters demonstrate near the White House on June 3 in Washington, DC.
Protesters demonstrate near the White House on June 3 in Washington, DC. Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

Demonstrators lay down on Pennsylvania Avenue during a peaceful protest against police brutality and the death of George Floyd on June 3.
Demonstrators lay down on Pennsylvania Avenue during a peaceful protest against police brutality and the death of George Floyd on June 3. Win McNamee/Getty Image

St. Charles, Missouri

City of St. Charles Mayor Dan Borgmeyer walks with protesters during a demonstration against police brutality and the death of George Floyd on June 3.
City of St. Charles Mayor Dan Borgmeyer walks with protesters during a demonstration against police brutality and the death of George Floyd on June 3. Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images

Seattle

KOMO
KOMO

Fort Worth

KTVT
KTVT

Los Angeles

Demonstrators hold signs in front of the district attorney's office protesting the death of George Floyd on June 3 in Los Angeles. 
Demonstrators hold signs in front of the district attorney's office protesting the death of George Floyd on June 3 in Los Angeles.  Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images

This post has been updated with more details about the protests.

8:10 p.m. ET, June 3, 2020

Virginia governor to announce plans to remove Lee monument in Richmond

From CNN's Ryan Nobles

Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam will announce plans to remove the controversial Robert E. Lee Monument from Richmond’s historic Monument Avenue during a press event in Richmond tomorrow, a source told CNN.

Lee was a confederate soldier in the American Civil War.

CNN reported on Monday that police had deployed tear gas against peaceful protesters near the monument. 

Police warned protesters that they were placing themselves and others “in grave jeopardy” by attempting to pull down statues on Monument Avenue.

“They are extremely heavy and would crush anyone standing too close. Please be aware of the danger. Stand down!” the Richmond Police Department (RPD) tweeted.

7:59 p.m. ET, June 3, 2020

Obama closes forum: "Just remember, this country was founded on protest"

From CNN's Dan Merica and MJ Lee

Former President Barack Obama closed his event on Wednesday with a veiled message to those Americans who have criticized or are worried about the ongoing protests: “Just remember, this country was founded on protest. It is called the American revolution.”

The line was the closest Obama got to criticizing those who question the protests and he framed it as those “who have been talking about protests.”

“And for those who have been talking about protests, just remember, this country was founded on protest. It is called the American revolution,” he said. “And every step of progress in this country, every expansion of freedom, every expression of our deepest ideals, has been won through efforts that made the status quo uncomfortable. And we should all be thankful for folks who are willing in a peaceful, disciplined way to be out there making a difference.”

To young people, Obama kept up his hopeful message and cheered on the protests in the streets.

“Keep working. And stay hopeful,” he told them. “This is a moment and we have had moments like this before where people are paying attention. And that doesn’t mean that everything will get solved, so don’t get disheartened because this is a marathon not a sprint. But the fact that people are paying attention provides an opportunity to educate, activate, mobilize and act. And I hope we are able to seize this moment.”

He added: “I hope all the young people who have been inspired and engaged an involved, they keep at it.”

Watch:

7:32 p.m. ET, June 3, 2020

6 Atlanta police officers booked on charges related to tasing incident

From CNN’s Dianne Gallagher, Pamela Kirkland, Jessica King and Jamiel Lynch

Fulton County Sheriff's Office
Fulton County Sheriff's Office

Six Atlanta police officers have been booked after charges were filed against them related to a tasing incident in Atlanta on Saturday night.

The officers were filmed in downtown Atlanta breaking windows of a vehicle, yanking a woman out of the car and tasing a man. Both were later identified as students from Spelman College and Morehouse College.

District Attorney Paul Howard announced charges against the officers on Tuesday.

CNN has reached out to the police union for comment.

7:21 p.m. ET, June 3, 2020

US Park Police investigates incident with Australian press

From CNN's Angus Watson in Sydney 

The US Park Police said on Twitter Wednesday it is investigating an incident involving Australian journalists covering protests in Washington, DC, on Monday.

The tweeted statement attributed to acting Chief Gregory Monahan said two officers have been placed on administrative duties while the investigation takes place.

CNN has previously reported that Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison called for an investigation after two of the country's journalists were attacked Monday.

During a live morning newscast on the program "Sunrise" on Tuesday in Australia, police were seen using their shields to clear Channel 7 News US correspondent Amelia Brace and photojournalist Tim Myers from the scene. The Australian outlet is a CNN affiliate. 

The video showed police hitting Myers and punching his camera. Another officer then directs the pair, who were trapped against a wall, to move on, before appearing to smack Brace in the back with a baton.

Hear more:

7:25 p.m. ET, June 3, 2020

All former officers involved in George Floyd's death are now in custody

From CNN’s Eric Fiegel

Derek Chauvin, Tou Thao, Thomas Lane Kiernan, and J. Alexander Kueng.
Derek Chauvin, Tou Thao, Thomas Lane Kiernan, and J. Alexander Kueng. Hennepin County Sheriff's Office

All of the former Minneapolis Police officers charged in connection with the death of George Floyd are now in custody. 

Thomas Lane and Tou Thao both were processed into the Hennepin County jail around 5 p.m. local time Wednesday, according to jail records.

Former officer J. Alexander Kueng turned himself in earlier in the afternoon, his attorney Thomas Plunkett told CNN. 

Derek Chauvin – whose knee was on Floyd’s neck and is accused of second-degree murder – has been in custody since last week. All four are being held on $1 million bail.

7:55 p.m. ET, June 3, 2020

Charges filed against dozens for crimes during protests in Los Angeles

From CNN's Cheri Mossburg

More than 60 people are facing charges for crimes during recent protests in Los Angeles.

Most of the charges filed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office were for looting, but others include assault and/or battery of a peace officer, robbery, burglary, and receiving stolen property.

The charges are related to incidents in downtown L.A., Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Long Beach, and other areas throughout the county.

The district attorney’s office said it expected more cases to be presented later this week.

Between Friday and Monday, the Los Angeles Police Department arrested about 2,700 people, Officer Rosario Cervantes told CNN. They are still tabulating arrests from Tuesday, she said.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department did not provide the number of people arrested in connection with protests. Deputy Trina Schrader told CNN that release of numbers could be further delayed, as sheriff's offices will likely close due to a large crowd of protesters currently outside.

6:50 p.m. ET, June 3, 2020

Walmart removes firearms and ammo from some stores due to protest concerns

From CNN's Allen Kim

Walmart is removing firearms and ammunition from sales floors in some of its stores following nationwide protests sparked by the death of George Floyd.

Floyd, an unarmed 46-year-old black man, died last week at the hands of police in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Protests erupted across the US, demanding justice for Floyd and an end to police brutality.

Many businesses — including major retailers such as Target — were damaged or looted during the unrest. Cities across the US have imposed curfews in an attempt to avoid violent protests.

"As a responsible seller of hunting and sporting firearms, we have temporarily removed firearms and ammunition from the sales floor in some stores out of an abundance of caution," Walmart said in a statement to CNN.

Walmart does not sell firearms or ammunition in many of the areas that have experienced issues due to looting, but the retailer made the precautionary move with protests still ongoing.