June 4, 2020
Fading clouds tonight, sunny tomorrow. Showers and thunderstorms are possible in southern Minnesota tonight. The sun’s back tomorrow, with highs in the upper 60s to the lower 80s across the state. ‘Get your knee off our necks’: Family, friends remember George Floyd, demand justice. In a fiery eulogy at a memorial service to honor George Floyd in Minneapolis, the Rev. Al Sharpton said what happened to Floyd is symbolic of the long oppression of African Americans. “We could do whatever anybody else could do, but we couldn’t get your knee off our neck. It’s time for us to stand up in George’s name and say, ‘Get your knee off our necks.’” Many local authorities, including Minneapolis, used tear gas to quell protests. But it is way more dangerous than many think. Tear gas can cause long-term harm, by making people more susceptible to contracting influenza, pneumonia and other illnesses, ProPublica reports, and it’s even more dangerous in this time of a respiratory pandemic. The chemical agent also seeps into homes, contaminates food, furniture, skin and surfaces, which can hurt those who aren’t the intended targets, including people inside their homes. Two of 4 officers charged in Floyd’s killing had been on the job for a few days. Bail was set at $1 million each for three ex-Minneapolis officers charged with aiding and abetting in George Floyd’s killing. Two of those officers had only been on the job a few days. The training officer for one was Derek Chauvin, who is now charged with murder in Floyd’s killing. COVID-19 in Minnesota today: 404 new cases, 29 new deaths reported. Thursday’s new numbers bring the state’s death toll to 1,115, and the total confirmed cases to 26,273. Current hospitalizations were at 512, down 25 from Wednesday while the number of intensive care patients fell by 10, to 244. — Jiwon Choi, MPR News | 