What A Day

Protests against racial violence continued in well over 100 cities, leading local officials to continue to take drastic measures like curfews and calling up the National Guard. Police in Washington, DC charged a group of peaceful protestors so that Trump could take a bad photo in front of a church. 

The organization Campaign Zero gathers data on policies aimed at ending police violence. We discuss the policy changes they’ve found to be successful and unsuccessful. 

And in headlines: the United States sends a dubious COVID-19 drug to Brazil, seven states hold their primaries today, and Trump brings big bridezilla energy to planning the RNC.

Gideon & Akilah's recommendations:

Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor twitter.com/KeeangaYamahtta

Ethel's Club instagram.com/ethelsclub

Rachel Cargle instagram.com/rachel.cargle

Watchman (HBO)

Protests in response to the police killing of George Floyd continued throughout the weekend. There were demonstrations in over 75 American cities, leading local officials to activate the National Guard in at least 11 states, and impose curfews. At one point, Trump hid underground. 

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter for his role in George Floyd's killing, but three other officers who stood by have not been charged. 

And in headlines: Trump says the US will stop working with the WHO, the CDC releases guidelines for how to reopen offices, and Chrissy Teigen demonstrates the ‘spite donation.’

Where to Donate:

Minnesota Freedom Fund: minnesotafreedomfund.org/donate

Brooklyn Bail Fund: brooklynbailfund.org/donate

Reclaim the block: reclaimtheblock.org

Black Visions Collective: blackvisionsmn.org

Mass Defense Program: nlg.org/donate/massdefense

President Trump signed an executive order aimed at social media companies yesterday. We explain what's behind it and why legal experts don't think it's going anywhere.

Varshini Prakash is the co-founder and executive director of Sunrise Movement. She's also an advocate for the Green New Deal who’s been appointed to Joe Biden’s climate change task force. We speak with her about what she’s pushing for with Biden. 

And in headlines: the Justice Department announced that investigating the death of George Floyd is a "top priority," NASA wants Tom Cruise in space, and Cyprus invites the world to visit for a “corona-cation.”

The planned site of the Republican National Convention this August is North Carolina, one of the states where coronavirus case numbers are currently on the rise. Governor Roy Cooper’s understandable concerns about this event going forward have led to a low-tier scramble, with Georgia and Florida offering to host. 

Also in Florida… key American innovation Walt Disney World has announced reopening plans for July. And the NBA might finally be making its 2019-2020 season return nearby.

And in headlines: Mike Pompeo declares that Hong Kong is no longer autonomous from China, Jennifer Carrol Foy seeks to be America’s first black woman governor, and Facebook knew it’s platform turned people into maniacs.

George Floyd was killed by police officers in Minneapolis this week, in an abusive and excessive show of force. We discuss his murder and the incident in Central Park this Monday where a white woman threatened Christian Cooper, a black man, distorting the facts in an apparent attempt to evoke an aggressive law enforcement response. Click here for anti-racism resources and organizations to follow.

This election will be unlike any other and will require a specialized approach from organizers and activists. We talk to Crooked’s political director Shaniqua McClendon about the Adopt-A-State program, and how we can help get out the vote in key battleground states from the comfort of our homes. Head to votesaveamerica.com/adopt to find out more.

And in headlines: Twitter fact checks Trump, SpaceX to launch its first crewed-shuttle today, and St. Louis asks people to self-quarantine if they partied in the Ozarks.