A al sharpton that makes an impassioned plea for justice and tells police it get your knees off our next point also coming up. Huge crowds in hong kong a defiant ban on gatherings to hold a massive vigil on this the 31st anniversary of the chinaman square massacre. Im Claire Richards and welcome to the show in minneapolis minnesota thousands of people have come together to remember the life of george floyd it is the 1st of 3 planned Memorial Services for the African American man who died in Police Custody last month mourners at the ceremony stood out for a total of 8 minutes and 46 seconds thats the amount of time that the Police Officer held his knee on floyds neck according to a criminal complaint the timespan has become a potent symbol of Police Brutality in the days since floyds death with protesters using it as a way to honor him. All the veterans. Of all rights activists the activist the reverend al sharpton led the service and delivered a fiery eulogy a stake a listen to what he had to say george freuds story has been the story of black folks because ever since 401 years ago. The reason we could never be who we wanted and dream debian is you kept your me on ive made what happened of from oh it happens every day in this country and a education in Health Services and in every area of American Life its time for us to stand up in charges me and say good show me off on. Im joined now from minneapolis by g. W. Correspondent stuff and simons chef and it was a powerful message there from the civil rights activist reverend al sharpton and floyds death is of course the latest in a long history of black americans dying in Police Custody can you tell us will this finally be the tragedy to turn his demands into action. Well i can tell you that there is. Thousands of people here not right behind me right now but here in minneapolis probably also across the United States who wish for nothing else but that this is the final straw which broke the camels so to speak. They are all and they were as fiery is the reverend sharpton speech was there reacted as fiery as his speech was with applause and cheering to what he said and after this memorial downtown in minneapolis at the northern. University there they came up here this is the. Vigil they put up here the day after george died. Mr. The thing is that this is the people spock here this is set up 24. 00 sevenths and of course theres no one here we talked to that said now that they are not willing to bring the cost because of george. Because of forwards because he died and because the pain and suffering here is actually so deeply experience then not going to let this up i think and well see more protests here and across the country maybe not violent protests but the cost is going on there understanding themselves now as a movement well lets talk more about the political ramifications there has been outrage over president Donald Trumps handling of the crisis and his posing outside of a washington d. C. Church holding a bible as a prop has his handling of George Floyds death affected his chances of reelection in november. I would certainly think so the gap between the democratic some to some joe president ial candidate joe biden and president all trump is actually white and the latest polls say end the disapproval ratings of the president are actually hitting a 6 month high this month so having said that i can hardly imagine that the president with his displayed behavior or and lack of leadership and compassion throwing the george. Floyd crisis and i want to call it that way has. Made many friends the people we have talked to are shaking their heads raising their eyebrows or are visibly angry and saying that the president s actions are are a sheer disappointment that they do not feel represented by him whatsoever and that he. Lacks compassion for their cause some say he just simply doesnt understand what is going on in the country and step on from where you stand how much longer do you expect the protests to go on. I think there will be going on in one form or another i think that if this comes to bear what people think and trying to do here to create really a movement and to see to it to really gain change and to get rich or at least tackle actively with other involved parties with the other side this is stanek racism the Structural Racism which exists in the Justice System in the United States to war to africanamericans and minorities and. Police brutality if theyre keeping this up and find a way to prolong this and think they i think they can then this protest wont be over it will find different ways and channels but it wont be over nationwide i think it wont be over Stefan Simons in minneapolis thank you. In a separate case a court in the u. S. State of georgia has found there is enough evidence to try 3 white men over the murder of a model arbor a 25 year old black man who was shot while jogging in february the court heard from an investigator who said one of the men in charge had used a racial slur moments after allegedly shooting starbury the investigator also rejected the defendants claim of selfdefense the judge found the case should proceed to trial officials took more than 3 months to bring the charges following a public outcry. In hong kong thousands of demonstrators have turned out to mark the 31st anniversary of the massacre in tenements square Authorities Say they refused to allow a rally because of the coronavirus but opponents insist its a curb on freedom. An act of defiance. Protestors pushed down the barriers meant to stop them from congregating thousands flooded into hong kongs Victoria Park lighting up the evening with a sea of candles candlelight vigils and minutes of silence were held across the city some scuffles broke out when protesters tried to set up roadblocks police used pepper spray to disperse them and several people were arrested. It was the 1st time unrest took place on the tenement anniversary and the 1st time that hong kong authorities banned all commemoration they said it was necessary to enforce social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic but to protesters it looked like an excuse to limit their freedom. People must be concerned and worried but we cant stop commemorating just because we are afraid or worried we can only do it step by step we can only try our best to safeguard our freedom to march and assemble and try to remind the people around us our next generation and even the older generation how unbearable our region is. China has started clamping down on protesters in hong kong after a year of demonstrations on the streets of the city. Earlier on thursday a controversial law was approved making it a crime to disrespect chinas National Anthem beijing also plans to impose National Security laws on hong kong the fear is they will allow china to tighten its grip and suppress freedom in hong kong. Well lets go now to some other stories making news around the world russia has intensified efforts to clean up a major fuel spill in northern siberia environmentalists say its the worst such incident in the arctic and the ecosystem will need at least a decade to fully recover president Vladimir Putin has ordered a state of emergency. German chancellor Angela Merkel has firmly rejected suggestions that she might seek a 5th term in 2018 merkel said she would step down when her current government leaves office which is due to happen next year it remains unclear who will replace merkel as chancellor. Is to be removed from germanys blue chip index decks says its operators. The coronavirus pandemic has sent of tons as value plunging last week of the government agreed to a 9 a 1000000000 euro rescue package for the countrys biggest airline. A town in central germany has reimposed some coronavirus restrictions not long after they were lifted dozens of people celebrated the end of ramadan together setting off a new wave of infections. Justice corona restrictions were being loosened in this german town now the threat of a 2nd lockdown loons and all because some residents in this apartment block breached rules by meeting on mass getting in citizens off urias that some of the newly restored freedoms have now been rescinded as the algo i find that really annoying because they are in danger in everyone not just themselves and i find that damned inconsiderate a complete physical but i was angry because i thought that if everyone sticks to the rules then things will turn out ok. There are still people who appear not to be taking it seriously and thats worrying 30 family members from this apartment block celebrated the end of ramadan violating hygiene and social distancing rules several of them also met an illegally opened shisha and shared the same mouthpiece now over 100. 00 people have tested positive for the current virus 5 Daycare Centers all schools and one Swimming Pool have now been closed the town sports clubs will also have to shut again but these measures may not be enough. We cant rule out the fact that we may reach a point where we have to impose a stricter form of lockdown. 700. 00 residents in the apartment block must now be tested but whether everyone will cooperate with the authorities is another matter but the town is depending on them to do so to prevent another total lockdown. Well today is the United NationsWorld Environment Day which encourages awareness and action to protect the environment even though c o 2 emissions have slowed worldwide due to the chrono virus restrictions environmentalists fear a spike in waste from protective equipment which often ends up in the worlds oceans and seas. The air is clean in paris with most Airline Flights grounded and many people stuck at home. But the sea is another story here off the mediterranean coast of france masks and gloves are plentiful. And. This is the 1st sign of an advanced type of pollution and if nothing is done. Beautiful coast we know that as soon as it starts to rain all the rubbish coming from the gutters in the sea and we could see more in the weeks to come. This. Plastic personal protective equipment or p. P. E. Has helped millions of people to deal with the pandemic its allowed businesses to reopen and travel to resume and many people are reluctant to give it up like here in italy. I see everybody being very careful all of us travel with our kid. Im in favor of facemasks i wear a double mask Health Authorities around the world warn against reusing plastic p. P. Eat the risk of infection is too high. Meanwhile researchers are experimenting with disinfecting masks with u. V. Light. Widespread mask use is expected to continue for years to come billions and billions more of these are likely to end up in the ocean and most people figure out a better way to stay safe car well germany striker team of an hour is set to leave the bundesliga to join chelsea in Englands Premier League in the upcoming transfer window 24 year old banner who had expressed his desire to play abroad in multiple interviews has a 55 a 1000000 euro release clause on his current contract with rb leipzig set to expire in mid june veteran chelsea have reportedly agreed on a weekly wage he is the 2nd top scorer in the bundesliga this season with 25 goals. And a reminder of our top story at this hour a Memorial Service is taking place in minneapolis for george floyd who died in Police Custody last month thousands have gathered in the city at the memorial has been held in a private inside inside a university. Youre watching t w news from berlin and im Kyra Phillips and thanks so much for joining us. The global corona crisis you can find more Information Online at d. W. Dot com and on t. W. Social media channels. Were learning glued to our fighters want to stop bombers to become farmers or engineers every one of them has a plan im looking for you