June 11 Black Lives Matter protests

By Meg Wagner, Melissa Macaya, Mike Hayes, Joshua Berlinger, Steve George, Laura Smith-Spark and Peter Wilkinson, CNN

Updated 12:41 AM ET, Fri June 12, 2020
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12:28 p.m. ET, June 11, 2020

A&E is stopping production of "Live PD" amid a nationwide protests

From CNN’s Jennifer Henderson

A&E's "Live PD" Cast: From left: Dan Abrams, Sean "Sticks" Larkin, and Tom Morris Jr.
A&E's "Live PD" Cast: From left: Dan Abrams, Sean "Sticks" Larkin, and Tom Morris Jr. A&E

The A&E television network is stopping production of "Live PD," a show that follows police officers around the nation, amid the ongoing protests, the network said in a statement.

Here's what A&E said:

“This is a critical time in our nation’s history and we have made the decision to cease production on Live PD. Going forward, we will determine if there is a clear pathway to tell the stories of both the community and the police officers whose role it is to serve them. And with that, we will be meeting with community and civil rights leaders as well as police departments.”

A&E's decision comes shortly after "Cops" was canceled after a 30 year-run. A spokesperson for Paramount Network said that it has no "current or future plans for it to return."

8:58 a.m. ET, June 11, 2020

Houston mayor signs executive order on police reform that bans chokeholds

From CNN’s Jennifer Henderson

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner speaks during the funeral for George Floyd on June 9, at The Fountain of Praise church in Houston.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner speaks during the funeral for George Floyd on June 9, at The Fountain of Praise church in Houston. Godofredo A. Vasquez/AFP/Getty Images

Houston,Texas, Mayor Sylvester Turner signed an executive order on police reform on Wednesday.

At a news briefing announcing the order, Turner said he was listening to concerns "and taking some immediate steps which we believe will create a much better system for everyone involved."

Here are some of the things included in the order, according to Turner:

  • Officers should only use the amount of "objectively reasonable force necessary" to protect themselves or others when dealing with members of the community, suspects or prisoners.
  • Officers should use de-escalation techniques to avoid or minimize use of physical force.
  • De-escalation techniques should be continuously developed and made part of the training delivered to all police officers.
  • Each officer should make their intent to arrest or search a person clear. They need to identify themselves as a police officer before using force.
  • Prior to the use of "deadly force," officers need to exhaust all other "reasonably available alternatives," such as other de-escalation techniques.
  • If de-escalation and other ways to reduce the conflict are not successful, the use of deadly force by a firearm can only be used when an officer believes that it is necessary to protect themselves or others from "serious bodily injury or death." 
  • Police officers will not be allowed to shoot at a moving vehicle unless it is to protect themselves or others from "serious bodily injury or death." 
  • All uses of deadly force by a police officer will be reported to the Independent Police Oversight Board.
  • Techniques such as a neck restraint, or carotid artery holds – also known as chokeholds – whether by using an object, or a body part, are prohibited.
  • Officers cannot place their knee, foot or body weight on the neck of a suspect to control, or contain the suspect’s movement.
  • Police officers are prohibited from executing a no-knock warrant, unless the warrant has been approved in writing.
  • Any officer present and observing another police officer using force "that is beyond that which is reasonable under the circumstances," is required to prevent the use of such force.
8:59 a.m. ET, June 11, 2020

George Floyd's brother talks about his Congressional testimony on CNN

Philonise Floyd, George Floyd's brother, holds up his fist as he marches with the Black Lives Matter protest near the White House, in Washington DC, on June 10.
Philonise Floyd, George Floyd's brother, holds up his fist as he marches with the Black Lives Matter protest near the White House, in Washington DC, on June 10. Jose Luis Magana/AFP/Getty Images

Philonese Floyd, George Floyd's brother, joined CNN to discuss his testimony today in the US House of Representatives.

Floyd said he went to Capitol Hill because he "wanted to let them know about how the officer put his knee on my brother's neck, and how my brother pleaded for his life."

"I talk for a while trying to let them know that my brother, his death will not be in vein. I didn't want him to be another guy on a t-shirt. I told them how much I loved him, how much he was a role model to people growing up around me," he said.

When asked by CNN's Don Lemon if his message got across, Floyd said: "I think they heard me loud and clear."

Benjamin Crump, the Floyd family attorney who appeared beside Philonese Floyd during the interview, said he came away encouraged.

"For the first time, I believe that we have a real opportunity of getting people to come from across the aisle and change the culture and behavior of people across America," Crump said. "We went to congress because we know if there's a change in policing in America, it has to start at the top. And so, the lawmakers even on the other side of the aisle were literally saying that we have to do something about this. 

Crump said key issues mentioned were qualified immunity for police, chokeholds and the use of body cameras

"That's what the George Floyd law is going to speak to," Crump said. "This is our time. This is our time."

Watch:

11:29 p.m. ET, June 10, 2020

Sen. Kamala Harris calls for review of the use of rubber bullets by police

US Sen. Kamala Harris said she and her colleagues are calling for an "immediate review" of the use of rubber bullets by police following their use last week by authorities to dispel protesters across the country.

Rubber bullets, flash bang grenades and tear gas are among some of the "less lethal" options commonly used by police trying to disperse large crowds.

Rubber bullets have the potential to maim, blind, disfigure and even kill people.

When aimed at the legs, rubber bullets can stop a dangerous person or crowd from getting closer to a police officer, Dr. Douglas Lazzaro, a professor and expert in eye trauma at NYU Langone Health, told Kaiser Health News.

But when fired at close range rubber bullets can penetrate the skin, break bones, fracture the skull and explode the eyeball, he said.