New York, United States | AFP | Anti-racism protesters have rolled out a creative batch of chants to soundtrack the ongoing US demonstrations, but both fresh music and timeless classics are also front and center. Rapper YG’s recently released “FTP” — Fuck The Police — has become a de-facto anthem for …
Read More »America’s original sin: Floyd death prompts historical soul-searching
Washington, United States | AFP | Confederate monuments are coming down and statues of Christopher Columbus are being toppled as Americans grapple with the ghosts of the country’s racial history in the wake of George Floyd’s death. “It seems like maybe we’ve hit a tipping point in the retelling of the …
Read More »Protests show ‘progress’ on diversity, says ‘Star Trek’ icon Takei
Los Angeles, United States | AFP | George Takei, the pioneering Asian American “Star Trek” actor and LGBTQ icon, said massive anti-racism protests this month show the US is “making progress” on diversity, but warned the pandemic is renewing deep-rooted prejudices. Speaking to AFP ahead of his address at the University …
Read More »US retailers condemn racism but critics say profiling persists
New York, United States | AFP | As racial justice protests have swept the US, leading retailers have taken to social media to proclaim their commitment to equality. But such statements decrying racism in the wake of the George Floyd killing have been met with incredulity by some non-white customers, who …
Read More »‘Stop the pain’, George Floyd’s brother tells US Congress
Washington, United States | AFP | The brother of George Floyd, whose killing by police sparked worldwide protests against racism made an emotional plea on Wednesday to the US Congress to “stop the pain” and pass reforms that make officers accountable for brutality. One day after burying his brother in Houston, …
Read More »Death of George Floyd prompts soul-searching among US minority communities
Washington, United States | AFP | The posters began appearing at protests rocking the United States, all with the same message of support — Arabs, Latinos and South Asians for “Black Lives Matter.” George Floyd’s shocking death in police custody has prompted many minority communities across the country to begin reflecting …
Read More »After George Floyd, pressure on Biden to pick black VP
Washington, United States | AFP | George Floyd’s death and the resulting wave of rage against racism and police brutality may have changed the political calculus for US presidential contender Joe Biden, who faces pressure to pick a black female running mate. Senator Kamala Harris, an early favorite, House Democrat Val …
Read More »Floyd brother tells US Congress ‘stop’ pain, pass police reform
Washington, United States | AFP | The brother of George Floyd, whose killing by police sparked worldwide protests against racism, told the US Congress Wednesday to “stop the pain” by passing reforms to address and reduce police brutality. One day after burying his brother in Houston, Philonise Floyd appeared in person before a House hearing, …
Read More »PM says France ‘not racist’ as Floyd tribute held in Paris
Paris, France | AFP | Thousands paid tribute to George Floyd in Paris on Tuesday as the prime minister insisted that France and its security forces were “not racist”, following a string of allegations of heavy-handedness and police brutality. Some placards at the rally, which took place at the same time …
Read More »UK’s Johnson says will not ignore anger over racial injustice
London, United Kingdom | AFP | British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has acknowledged the “cold reality” behind angry protests against racial injustice, but warned he would not tolerate violence or the breaking of coronavirus distancing laws. Demonstrations have broken out across Britain following the death of George Floyd in the United …
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