A warm welcome to you youre watching r. T. International with me niki error and now another night of violence on cities that ablaze amid protests sparked by the death in minneapolis of george floyd at the hundreds of police 1700 people have been arrested across the u. S. Meanwhile in new york city alone 30 officers have been injured. Ok. Thank you thank you was. Like you. Live. Look. At your life now by it will that why when a freelance journalist reporting to was it from Brooklyn New York will get to give the dup an update from where you are. Well ok so things are yet to kick off again today yes today protests began around 3 pm. I myself was there i attended there was the beginning where we saw a series of of speech is given by various local activists regarding the situation with Police Violence and racism in the United States and specifically in new york in majority or traditional African American working class communities and it started off as a peaceful protest although i myself witnessed and filmed while i was there a unprovoked attack by the n. Y. P. D. We were standing along in the street in flatbush and a line of police assembled next to us protesters stood holding the signs with their hands in the air and then all of a sudden the the police just rushed forward and attacked completely unprovoked it was a very shocking sight as the day progressed things started to get increasingly more and more violent we saw various crime issues between police and demonstrators and at the end of all of that though the blast made a statement urging new yorkers and violent protests. If you went out peacefully to make a point about the need for change you have been heard and change is coming in the city i have no doubt about that its time to go home so we can all move forward but those who are out there simply to create violence those who are out there to express hatred towards our Police Officers we wont tolerate that if youre out there to commit not to violence youre going to get arrested. Should be noted however as you pointed out earlier only the last year when all the. Fan the Police Officer who maliciously rammed the s. U. V. Vehicles into lines of protesters i myself was actually that this happened more than once and he said you know these protesters should have just got out of the way but the thing about motor cars i mean theyre really quite remarkable invention they can actually move backwards as well as forward so i mean thats a fact thats perhaps maybe lost on the math in this outrage not a great response from representative. Who wins on to criticize the. Defending and making excuses fully n. Y. P. D. Running s. U. V. S into crowds was wrong it makes you have to deescalate the situation he said. Violent protests going on around the country as they have now for days in a row despite resource civil unrest breaking out yet again in countries in cities such as los angeles philadelphia. Cincinnati Portland Oregon and louisville kentucky. And dallas chicago seattle Salt Lake City where an individual. On demonstrators and attempted to fire on them with a long. Before he was tackled to the ground by demonstrators as well as clevelands weve also seen violent scenes in las vegas where the police and protesters clashed along the main street there were several very severe violent scenes dad along what is one of one of americas most iconic capitalist. There has been much made about. By the establishment in this country of the i suppose its outside elements being what is to blame here its not the fact that the police have a large number of races murders amongst them is that. People are upset and its outside elements which of course it is apparently. So i mean we saw yesterday i think it was that minnesotas governor said that 80 percent of those arrested were actually from out of town however we later found out subsequently the same day that 81 percent of those arrested according to Court Documents were actually from minnesota so that completely. Completely contradicts that theres a lot of hype being made about the sort of radical surprise the radical left behind this i myself yesterday witnessed many things which were in direct contrast to this a large number of the socialist groups who were involved in organizing yesterdays protest in brooklyn were actively intervening to start to deescalate situations i saw members of various groups intervene to actually protect Police Officers when they became isolated from. Members of the police force so this directly contradicts what is being said regardless of. The president here has just recently tweeted saying that the United States is going to designate and tif as a terrorist organization its always a positive sign when an increasingly authoritarian government starts branding an Organization Established in germany to fight against the nazis as a terrorist group you know or whatever and trump is very much in favor of the National Guard deployed and increase in the militarization of the response to these protests and we have seen as weve seen from my tweets of theres a run. The National Guard is being released in minneapolis to do the job that the democrats could do should have been used 2 days ago and they would not have been damaged had cujus would not have been taken over and ruined a great job by the National Guard know. Pretty desperate state of affairs over here in the states and it looks as if this violence is going to continue. You have to take into consideration that obviously the officer in question here with the killing. Of floyd was has been arrested and charged with 3rd degree murder and manslaughter however certainly one thing that brought this was right as it was saying where i was yesterday was. It was a manslaughter this was clearly a murder if you need on someones neck the 9 minutes thats the right thats the right so i doubt that well be seeing any subsiding of violence certainly seems that curfews if anything or actually encouraging violence to spread more so it remains to be seen what happens next well thank you for that update thats why ive been freelance journalist from Brooklyn New York. Well a concrete wall has been built around the Minneapolis Police departments 1st precinct station as a defense against protesters with a metal barriers also blocking off the street. We have from dave backing in minneapolis hes a member of Communities United against Police Brutality and says warnings about the lack of discipline among officers have been falling on deaf ears. Or is only hope the protests like this continue and the people demand that change because weve had a history in minneapolis and where of one after another of these Police Murders and each time you told that theres going to be a chain that were going to listen to the community that were going to make this or other policy change and each time its an absolutely empty promises as soon as the t. V. Cameras go away the if you were there they were organizations recommended many many changes over the years its virtually impossible to get the city council or the mayor or the police chief to pay any attention to those and do what is necessary to stop this kind of violence pointed out over the years how virtually no officers are disciplined in minneapolis and no one in the city council wants to hear that no one wants to do that we have statistics we have all documented research and they just continue to succeed in practice out on the street a makeshift memorial has been set up at the place where george floyd died mourners come here to pay their respects leaving flowers and messages the site has also become a place of peaceful protest against Police Brutality contrasting with the anger that has boiled over in other parts of the city following several months of protests in minneapolis that at times descended into vandalism and often on sunday volunteers armed with brooms and been by. Arrived to help clean up the mess they helped remove the charred remains of buildings that had earlier listen the night sky orange some of them shared their thoughts about whats been happening in their city. They think its really important right now as we look at this area completely decimated. By so many different emotions its so important to come together as a community and to start putting it together in some way shape or form but were out here theres a lot of positivity theres people cleaning the streets the churches untouched everybodys coming together were all just here for each other in the end of the day you know were not fighting each other killing each other or anything like that but were out here just cleaning up as much as we can here right now in front of the post office just trying to do anything we can to yeah just some support if you believe me i dont know if ive ever seen well leave the city be united around Something Like this i even want to feels like theres no you to be at all. Curfews have been imposed in 28 cities across the us meaning people are prohibited from being outside off the 8 pm but that didnt stop the riot has reportedly 75 cities still protests spill into the streets National Guards have been called in and at least 10 states. All right. Thanks. To police and then around and through lunch all they do is corruption is corruption from the presence of oppression because more problems may help. About taxpayers dollars we are paying them our money to protect us this is what this is amounted to ended today thanks for the protection. Were joined live by Octavius Williams who says he worked in a nightclub in minneapolis web both jewish floyd and the Police Officer charged for his death with his well welcome to the program its great to have you with us now how closely did you know these 2 men. I knew both of them pretty well i work with floyd is where we all knew him by. I was there welcome to the day his 1st day coming in. Back in 2000 and i believe 15 Something Like that you know when he 1st came in. So he answered that the owner had put out for the cloak and so i eat just was showed up to winding up in the work that weekend and he was there i was there at a security i wasnt aware was employment was hiring but the moment i saw. I knew i needed that guy. I tell us more about what kind of man was saying. Was genuine this is what i mean this guy would give you the shirt off his back. And it was such a. Such a big he was true to touch i was. Which is a wiki. Leaks. You know i think the difficulty for floyd didnt have to do that it was he was able to. Talk people out of the class. In get them out with respect and he gave respect from the people that came to the globe because. They were thinking of yes you would want to try to think so derek saving oh say you also worked with him in a nightclub tell us more about handle. Yes and lets be clear about this that people together its club because its not like you work you shoulder to shoulder i described to sit in this but. Its all right we dont even know whos in the squad cars they show up they stay on our side they dont come here and they dont assist ok. Just. Come out so we dont really. Think youre. Employed by the same people ok so their childrens relationship with floyd was very short because there wasnt a clear cut the road that was. Going to work on the road they also be clear that. Ok and that was a very short lived relationship so they spent most of this time. That was not shot because. I dont officers that what that what they said i was. Going to be telling i cant even name. Those but that is what i would put him in the reach of. The bici officer so thats how i know this he worked up to me at the retail environment as well as the clubs that i worked in as well but yeah i understand thats a different relationship so knowing both of these men how did you feel what was your reaction when you 1st saw the video. I was horrified i mean come on i mean come on that was me on every level. It was i was horrified. I knew who thought this was right away at this scene in the video but i just didnt understand why he was doing this i never knew he was to people of color Something Like that so i was absolutely shocked and horrified in then i was waged and saddened all of acting you know. And im still just. Decided that. I didnt do you think i should even recognize floyds joining the arrest. Its possible that maybe. They did die in that moment because you know i think of my sister recognizes you in my business here that usually gives you some type of insight but with that officer some type of time in level with that officer that usually helps you out a situation so you got called over for speeding you knew enough signatures what with the music you know people like that so no no officer will usually help you now are you you know so you know to work any disputes between floyd and shaven no not at all not at all. Not at all do you think do you think there was no well go ahead to place i was going so i dont i do not believe that there was any previous messages between these 2 and i would like to clear that up but i do not believe that. I knowingly knowing both of these men on a personal level do you expect to have to testify do you want to. No. Ive ive tried to mention be doing this honestly it does i still work in the retail environment i still practice security. And i do need Police Officers and we do at the end of the day you know ideally dangerous environment when youre stopping people like that and so when you deal with officers on that level when im trying to apprehend somebody for that. And im usually giving it to a scuffle with that person you know youll meet those officers to help you subdue that person so that you can regain control of the situation so i have relied on officers to help me get people down subdued and you often happy when that he comes on them get the need somewhere to get kind of up a compliance so that we could get control of the scenario and once you get the person under control i mean then the situation should be under control so i told me when that when i went out with someone is an aggressive mode you know officer has to step it up but thats not what we saw through i was not being aggressive he was already detained so thats why i am confused because if youre fighting with the guy i mean honestly getting me anywhere you can to get the cuffs on him but that was not what we saw for i was compliant he was down. But it was over. At how do you know how do you feel about this this nation might reaction to floyds death did you anticipate they say you shocked by it i am absolutely shocked by it i looked up to the have it on my floor you know let me know what you wanted from this is this what you wanted because im absolutely shocked i didnt think the nation was going to respond like this i think the video was you can feel the emotion just coming from a video in. I guess its just a rep the country up in that im so thankful that everyone paid into action. This is a little bit nuts for sure yeah it just feels like a death today the emotions just getting stronger and stronger so how do you see things playing out whats the word on the street. One of the strange is that people are far from arrested they want all 4. I can agree off or should be charged in some way and manner. For the officers to the same well as yes i would and maybe not but i do so either one of our arrested. I mean so i think that theres going to be a little bit on rest and so that happens i really fear that. I get and i was ever the last 2 decades no more weve seen so many cases involving Police Brutality and the black community do you how do you find the situation can pray. Yes i do. And it can improve. In my view if the black leaders of the community actually. Spearheaded this a true agenda now ok we heard we thank you for the energy. And all of that you think actually think hes done generation for that so now i shut up and we can we tweet down that we can read. The message i think this Community Leadership to be some. Other people that are not right and those who are even the right approach are in they decide they did the entire scene this injustice and they put the fire just played in the destruction everyone should come together for the rebuild and have an agenda behind that repeal you know now these are communities stories that you want to see you know what others are not maybe you can put a mom and pop shop there now thats going to keep those doors open because you make sure it stays open now you know if thats simply the message trying to get angry with these general young guys. I think thats just going to create more divide so. As not to use the less of an agenda really gender less. On top yes thank you very much for talking to as the author of tough years williams an acquaintance and former colleague in minneapolis where both george cloyed with george floyd and the Police Officer charged over his death thank you. Now crowds also to the streets in los angeles on sunday as protests turned violent people explained why they were out. He. Was. The. Ultimate. Chronos taking pictures is trying to get journalism whats happening here and were shooting off for a couple of kids to be back and its also for time its been like. Im so tired im tired of. The kind of hours on a hot spots in the kind of i was. When we spoke to clients pickett an activist from minneapolis he says people are risking their lives to get that message across there are a great number of people here are here to protest peacefully like change who are here she didnt and if you are guilty and want to be a part of the solution here in the streets demanding justice because you want to long they will have not had it not what i witnessed the great number of people where they d are for the right reason who are demanding accountability and who stand together in unity. In the danged old the under arrest thats happened there is a tremendous spirit of connectedness a tremendous spirit of unity people are risking their lives to be a part of the protest all of the cleanup because they see the need for greater action a lot of the reason folks are there is because they want to. The journey in the face of violence were our humanity as it relates to this and then we are in the humanity of other people so people are the reason in the big world be able to demand change protests are spread beyond the u. S. Border with people gathering in Trafalgar Square in london the crowd then set off on a march past the houses of parliament and on sunday there was another protest in berlin where a crowd gathered outside the u. S. Embassy chanting slogans and Holding Signs with the phrase black lives matter. Thanks. Thank us. In the u. K. Anger is mounting over the lack of help for families whove lost loved ones in the pandemic we heard from a woman whose father succumbs to covert 19 catherine to prove joses he was turned away in his hour of need. Hasnt really been very much attention paid to the families by the government in the daily briefings and else and remember every day and as if it were a figure on a spreadsheet not realized of people and families left devastated who live in real shock because my dad was sick stay and he was fit and healthy a. Summer we certainly wont expect saying and to lose him to correct 95 day before or die and he started to really deteriorate very rough play and he felt very say disorientate states he was vomit saying and then in the early hours of the morning he got up to go to the bathroom and he fell. And my mom said he didnt know where we will all be stricken she is just worthless lad. Couldnt really stand. She called the ambulance. And by the time we got to the hospital and hed suffered a heart attack and he had a blade on his brain. He tested positive for cocaine 90. An overdose course of the next 3 days today was in intensive care and he was initially on the same path and is breathing continued to deteriorate. And the more in the morning of the 14th of april he was on to a ventilator and but we were told that because of the damage to his heart there was only a 20 percent chance that he would survive being ventilated. And later that day started going to renal failure and we were asked if the connection to withdraw lexus or and he died after a. This photo was taken 3 weeks before catherines father died she says theres no psychological support for families with europes worst infection rate the u. K. Has registered over 38000 deaths catherine to protest again believes it was the governments delay in imposing a nationwide lockdown that led to the storing number of cases. Just i feel dont respect the people that have died and the families. If different decisions have been made in march. My dad would have been able to fly to the u. K. Because wed have been a lockdown and he would still safely be in a French Village where there were no cases. Flown in and had been tested in the air or all the people all the people on the flight had been tested. And maybe it would have been identified sooner you might of call it a lockdown that happened earlier bill that the government not giving in to educate people about the risks and so because of that people are now taking british. And were not being asked to wear masks theres no emotional support available to families grieving family been affected by the virus. Thanks for joining us here on r. T. International were back at the top of the hour with all the latest we see them. You know nico one of my difficulties if you dont focus the muscle he played badly i doubt the media knows the laws of this bozo now. Not just one of a whole heap i might want. To. Believe because it gives me my 1st big call couple of good players here but im we said it could. Be. Someplace he most people almost couldnt be imo skimming over to go on believing that it was when he was he took his photo you can only try to coax. That article