A ban on gatherings to hold a mass vigil on this the 31st anniversary of the chinaman square massacre. And as the United Nations marks World Environment Day activists warn that billions of protective masks are expected to end up in the worlds oceans and seems. Im going to richardson 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 Service says for the africanamerican man who died in Police Custody last month mourners at the ceremony started for a total of 8 minutes and 46 seconds thats the amount of time that the Police Officer held his knee on floyds neck. Adding to a criminal complaint that time has become of potent symbol of Police Brutality in the days since floyds death with protesters using it as a way to honor him. Well veteran civil rights activist the reverend al sharpton led the service and delivered a fiery eulogy lets take a listen to what he had to say you know much throwing. Has been the story of black folk because every 401 years ago. The reason we could never be who we wanted in dream debian is you kept your old me or not me what happened prefer it happens every day in this country in education in Health Services and in every area of American Life its time for us to stand up in chargers maine 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 and to action. Well i can tell you that there is. Thousands of people here and 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 sort of 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 then not going to let this off i think and well see more protests here and across the country maybe not violent protests but the call 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 the assumption president ial candidate joe biden and president all trump is actually white and the latest polls say ends 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 to step on from where you stand how much longer do you expect the protests to go on. I think they 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 the systemic 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 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 our brave a 25 year old black man who was shot while jogging in february the court heard from an investigator who said one of the accused used a racial slur moments after allegedly shooting are barry the investigator also rejected of the defendants claim of self defense officials took more than 3 months to bring charges over mr r. Berrys murder following a public outcry well the white house has called on china to fulfill its commitments on hong kong and end the persecution of ethnic and religious minorities the statement came on the 31st anniversary of the massacre in tenement square in hong kong thousands of demonstrators have turned out to mark the anniversary Authorities Say they refused to allow a rally because of the coronavirus but opponents insist its a curb on freedom. An act of defiance. Protesters 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 10 men anniversary and the 1st time that hong kong authorities banned all commemoration they said it was necessary to enforce social distancing there in the corona virus pandemic but to protesters it looked like an excuse to limit their freedom. That 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 and northern siberia and vajra mentalists 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 and 2018 markel said she would step down when her current government leaves office which is due to happen next year it remains unclear who will replace spackle as chancellor. Is to be removed from germanys blue chip index dax says its operator. The coronavirus pandemic has sent a live tonnes as value plunging last week the government agreed to a 9000000000 euro rescue package for the countrys biggest airline. Well 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 wave of new infections just as corona restrictions were being loosened in this german town now the threat of a 2nd lockdown looms until 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 i find that really annoying because they are in danger in everyone not just themselves and i find that damned inconsiderate peaceful 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. And she said we cant rule out the fact that we may reach a point where we have to impose a stricter form of lockdown that. All 700. 00 residents in the apartment block must now be testers 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 encouraging awareness and action to protect the environment even though c o 2 emissions have slowed worldwide to toronto 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. On our beautiful coast we know that is soon as it starts to rain all the rubbish coming from the gutters will end up in the sea and we could see more in the weeks to come in the world of. Plastic personal protective equipment or p. P. He 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. Its routines but i see everybody being very careful all of us travel with our kid on the im in favor of face masks i wear a double mask Health Authorities around the world warned against reusing plastic p p e 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 unless people figure out a better way to stay safe ok. Many governments have told people to keep the 2 meters apart to stop the spread of the corona virus but some people find it hard to stick to the rule a shoemaker in romania has now come up with a way of forcing people to take steps to keep their distance. With. A square meter of leather and 2 days of work go into making this you know its not for a clown. Its a european size 75 social distancing chute made by romanian shoemaker to go to you. Is to people wear the shoes at the same time they will be 1. 00 metres apart. So people not respecting the social distancing rules and i said to myself thats my issue either to punish them or that they could actually wear and maybe that way theyll keep their distance. Luke has been making shoes since the age of 16 and many of his designs end up in theaters and opera houses and what about his social distancing shoes well hes already received 5 orders. And youre watching news im Claire Richardson in bel air thanks so much for watching. Im neal im good welcome to the 2nd season of only. The planet on the brink of disaster we did that interview experts about one question how to change the only reason