The mayor of Los Angeles is being pressed by the public to take action against the police chief who placed the blame of the riots into the hands of the protesters. It began during a press conference when Michel Moore said that George Floyd's death was equally "on the hands" of looters as much as it is on the police officers who killed Floyd.
"We didn't have protests last night. We had criminal acts," Moore said. "We didn't have people mourning the death of this man, George Floyd. We had people capitalizing. His death is on their hands, as much as it is those officers."
With over 700 people arrested in the midst of the protests, there were around 10 percent of them actually connected to burglary or looting, per Newsweek.
Though Moore attempted to backtrack on the comments by saying that Floyd's death was "at the hands of a police officer and officers who stood by," it wasn't enough for people to urge the mayor to fire Floyd.
"The responsibility for George Floyd’s death rests solely with the police officers involved. Chief Moore regrets the words he chose this evening and has clarified them," the mayor wrote.
"I misspoke when I said his blood is on their hands, but certainly their actions do not serve the enormity of his loss and cannot be in his memory," Moore stated. "I regret the remarks of that characterization, but I don't regret and nor will I apologize to those who are out there today committing violence, destroying lives and livelihoods and creating this destruction."
If you're looking for more information to help the Black Lives Matter movement and protesters, we've compiled a list of resources and petitions here.
Louisville Police Chief Fired After David McAtee Killing
Louisville police chief Steve Conrad has been fired after the fatal shooting of David McAtee during the city’s protests.
Following the fatal shooting of David McAtee, a local business owner in Louisville, Kentucky, police chief Steve Conrad has been fired according to CNN.
People took to the streets this week in Louisville to protest following the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. After police tried to disperse a group of protestors, they were informed to “return fire” into the crowd. As a result, David McAtee was killed.
“This type of institutional failure will not be tolerated,” said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer after the shooting. “Accordingly, I have relieved Steve Conrad of his duties as chief of Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD).”
Fischer went on to speak about McAtee, who owned a local barbecue restaurant.
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“We lost a wonderful citizen named David McAtee,” said Fischer. “David was a friend to many, a well-known Barbecue man. They’ve nurtured so many people in their bellies and in their hearts before, and for him to be caught up in this, not to be with us today is a tragedy.”
David McAtee was 53-years-old. His mother has spoken out about the death of her son.
“They killed him for no reason,” said Odessa Riley. “All I want to do is just see my son before they bring him out, that’s all I want.”
Riley says that her son was “trying to make an honest dollar to take care of his rent and his bills.”
Rest in peace, David McAtee.
