A moment of silence for the first amendment

[Gold Dragon]

ABC (AUS) - Australian journalists assaulted as police clear George Floyd protesters outside White House

Channel 7 News US correspondent Amelia Brace and cameraman Tim Myers were reporting live on Sunrise on Tuesday morning when police in riot gear moved in to clear the protesters from the area about 6:25pm Monday (local time) before the curfew at 7:00pm.

After the protesters were removed, President Donald Trump emerged from the White House to speak to media in front of a church across the road.

....

Ambassador Mr Culvahouse later said in a statement: "Freedom of the press is a right Australians and Americans hold dear.

"We take mistreatment of journalists seriously, as do all who take democracy seriously."

He then quoted US Senator Mike Pompeo's May 2019 World Press Freedom Day statement: "At all levels, the Department of State works tirelessly to advance press freedom, and we honour those who have dedicated and even sacrificed their lives to sustaining democracy through journalism."

The ambassador concluded: "We remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting journalists and guaranteeing equal justice under law for all."

....

US Press Freedom Tracker claims to have verified and documented more than 100 incidents involving journalists including:

• 20 arrests
• 60 assaults with both physical and with ranged weapons
• 13 reports of damaged equipment
• Nine reports of assaults with damage
• 25 others including tear gassing and building damage

Independent investigative organisation Bellingcat claims to have evidence of more than 50 incidents were journalists have been attacked by law enforcement during the protests.

ABC (AUS) - Donald Trump criticised by religious leaders after protesters forcefully removed for President's photo opportunity

Moments before Mr Trump's address, US Secret Service agents, Park Police and National Guardsmen suddenly marched forward, directly confronting the protesters as many held up their hands, saying, "don’t shoot".

Law-enforcement officers then aggressively forced the protesters back, firing tear gas and deploying flash bangs into the crowd to disperse them from the park for seemingly no reason.

The park was cleared for the President, who walked through it minutes later to the church, for a photo opportunity in which he posed with a Bible.

Mr Trump, standing alone in front of cameras, raised the black-covered Bible for reporters to see.

"We have a great country," Mr Trump said. "Greatest country in the world."

The Right Reverend Mariann Budde, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, to which St John’s belongs, said she was "outraged" by the moment and noted that Mr Trump didn't pray during his visit.

"He took the symbols sacred to our tradition and stood in front of a house of prayer in full expectation that it would be a celebratory moment," Rev Budde told The Associated Press.

"There was nothing I could do but speak out against that."

NPR - Park Police Tear Gas Peaceful Protesters To Clear Way For Trump Church Photo-Op

The impromptu visit came just after Trump delivered remarks at the White House, declaring himself "your president of law and order" and demanding that governors deploy National Guard units and "dominate the streets."

St. John's Church opened in 1816 and is known as "the Church of the Presidents," having hosted every U.S. president since James Madison. On this occasion, however, the president's visit was unannounced, and church authorities were furious that the White House did not bother to alert them beforehand.

"There was no reaching out, no sense that it would require some sort of authorization before using the church as a backdrop in that way," said The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Episcopal Bishop of Washington, with oversight responsibilities for the church.

When the president held up the Bible, without praying or quoting a verse appropriate for the moment, Budde was further incensed.

"It almost looked like a prop," she told NPR. "That is the most sacred text of the Judeo-Christian tradition. It speaks messages of love, of God, love of neighbor. I was outraged that he felt that he had the license to do that, and that he would abuse our sacred symbols and our sacred space in that way."

...

A former St. John's minister, Gini Gerbasi, was among those attending to the protesters in front of the church when the police moved in.

"We were literally DRIVEN OFF of the St. John's, Lafayette Square patio with tear gas and concussion grenades and police in full riot gear," she wrote in a Facebook post. "PEOPLE WERE HURT SO THAT [President Trump] COULD HAVE A PHOTPPORTUNITY IN FRONT OF THE CHURCH!!! HE WOULD HAVE HAD TO STEP OVER THE MEDICAL SUPPLIES WE LEFT BEHIND BECAUSE WE WERE BEING TEAR GASSED!!!!"

A sad day for America and all of us in the free world. It is impressive how Trump can so easily make a mockery of the Bible and the US Constitution all in one photo op. Cue the Trump supporters twisting and rationalizing, blaming the "violent" protestors who weren't doing anything violent, the "biased" media from the other side of the world just standing and filming, and the "liberal" church leaders who were forced with tear gas and police in riot gear to vacate their property for the state to use for propaganda purposes without being asked. Blame anyone but the person who wanted the photo op.

 

[RighteousnessTemperance&]

In honor of the title of the thread, perhaps the admin should delete the actual posts so that there really is silence? Or maybe we’re not really there yet after all.

 

[Revmitchell]

Grenell Corrects CNN Analyst For Reporting on DC Protests: 'You Watched It on TV and Think You Saw Everything?'

Former acting DNI Richard Grenell wasn’t about to let CNN political analyst Jackie Kucinich get away with reporting that tear gas was used on peaceful protesters so President Trump could walk to St. John’s Church across from the White House for a “photo op.”

Grenell informed Kucinich she was “wrong” because he witnessed firsthand what happened just prior to the president leaving the White House.

“I am temporarily living on the block in question,” he replied. “Where were you? Because property continues to be destroyed. Stop giving aid and comfort to rioters.”

“No one was rioting when the police advanced. You should know that from where you were standing? Watching? It was pretty clear on TV,” she responded.

Grenell couldn’t believe she’d make that assessment without witnessing what occurred firsthand.

“You watched it on TV and think you saw everything? Dear God. Journalism is watching it on TV now? I’m here...and the property destruction was real – again,” he responded.


Grenell Corrects CNN Analyst For Reporting on DC Protests: 'You Watched It on TV and Think You Saw Everything?'

 

[Revmitchell]

In honor of the title of the thread, perhaps the admin should delete the actual posts so that there really is silence? Or maybe we’re not really there yet after all.

A foreigner who doesn't live here but only hates Trump likes to think he knows about our constitution creates an ignorant thread only because he thinks it makes Trump look bad.

 

[Adonia]

Cue the Trump supporters twisting and rationalizing, blaming the "violent" protestors who weren't doing anything violent,

I see, so all those buildings have just spontaneously burst into flames on their own and all the stuff inside those buildings is just walking out on their own? Sorry "mate", we are having a full blown insurrection here started not by the peaceful protestors acting in accordance with our Constitution, but with the leftist ANTIFA types and your standard thugs and assorted lowlife's.

A sad day for America and all of us in the free world.

A great day for America and the free world where a real leader is standing up for the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law. See the leadership of President Trump side by side with the weak Democrat Governors and Mayors, many of whom claim everything is just fine and nice and peaceful like, when the truth is completely different.

The Mayor of New York said just last night that everything was "under control" as high end stores like Prada and Rolex were being looted. They are trying, but the leftist media and the leftist politicians cannot hide what everyone is seeing with their own eyes.

All these riots are basically happening in Democrat run cities and states, they set the stage for all this with their policies and mandates and when the violence and mayhem erupts they have no idea how to end it. They are to blame for all this madness, not President Trump who seems to be the only politician who is trying to stop it.

 

[Wingman68]

ABC (AUS) - Australian journalists assaulted as police clear George Floyd protesters outside White House




ABC (AUS) - Donald Trump criticised by religious leaders after protesters forcefully removed for President's photo opportunity



NPR - Park Police Tear Gas Peaceful Protesters To Clear Way For Trump Church Photo-Op



A sad day for America and all of us in the free world. It is impressive how Trump can so easily make a mockery of the Bible and the US Constitution all in one photo op. Cue the Trump supporters twisting and rationalizing, blaming the "violent" protestors who weren't doing anything violent, the "biased" media from the other side of the world just standing and filming, and the "liberal" church leaders who were forced with tear gas and police in riot gear to vacate their property for the state to use for propaganda purposes without being asked. Blame anyone but the person who wanted the photo op.

We don’t care what you think about our President. You see what you want to see. Not all Aussies agree with you, btw.

 

[Adonia]

We don’t care what you think about our President. You see what you want to see. Not all Aussies agree with you, btw.

They have their own problems, just read the Daily Mail Australia section. Their cops treat their aboriginals terribly according to the last story I read. And there are reasons their leftist governments have been voted out of power too. Not all Aussies are dumb enough to keep them running things.

But now, I wish our friend would tell us about their great Constitution. Oops, that's right, they still owe allegiance to a Queen who lives thousands of miles away in Britain.

 

[Gold Dragon]

Ankorage Daily News: Inside the push to tear-gas protesters ahead of a presidential photo op

And so - shortly before the president addressed the nation from the Rose Garden at 6:43 p.m. Monday and roughly a half-hour before the District of Columbia's 7 p.m. curfew went into effect - authorities fired flash-bang shells, gas and rubber bullets into the crowd, clearing a path for Trump to visit the church immediately after his remarks.

...

"We long ago lost sight of normal, but this was a singularly immoral act," said Brendan Buck, a longtime former congressional aide who is now a Republican operative. "The president used force against American citizens, not to protect property, but to soothe his own insecurities. We will all move on to the next outrage, but this was a true abuse of power and should not be forgotten."

...

Inside the West Wing, aides were torn on the proposed spectacle. One official argued that it was necessary, allowing Trump to demonstrate that he was not hunkered down and was out of the White House, as well as standing with evangelical voters by visiting the church. But two others worried it could backfire.

"It was just to win the news cycle," one Trump adviser said. "I'm not sure that things are any better for us tomorrow."

...

The action began less than an hour before the curfew, and in the moments before Trump was set to speak. Just after 6 p.m., hundreds of protesters were gathered facing Lafayette Square. Though members of the National Guard - wielding shields that said "Military Police" - were lined up behind barricades, along with Secret Service and other law enforcement officers, the protesters remained peaceful. Several played music, and one painted on an easel.

Shortly thereafter, Attorney General William Barr visited the scene, and, at about 6:30 p.m., the National Guard moved just yards from the protesters, prompting some screams. Some protesters threw water bottles, but many simply stood with their arms raised.


Then the chaos began.

Members of the National Guard knelt briefly to put on gas masks, before charging eastward, pushing protesters down. Authorities shoved protesters with their shields, fired rubber bullets directly at them, released tear gas and set off flash-bang shells in the middle of the crowd.

Protesters ran, many still with their hands up, shouting, "Don't shoot." Others were vomiting, coughing and crying.

 

[Gold Dragon]

 

[Wingman68]

 

[InTheLight]

Cue the Trump supporters twisting and rationalizing, blaming the "violent" protestors who weren't doing anything violent

I watched the whole thing on TV. From the speech to the photo-op.

The protesters were violating the curfew. IIRC, it was past 7 pm when Trump started walking to the church. I have to believe every protester knew the curfew was at 7 pm. The news has been blaring the fact that people will be removed and/or arrested if they are not in their homes for curfew.

Now throw in the fact that the police tried to remove these people peacefully before resorting to tear gas.

I don't know how to break this to you, but if the President of the United States wants to go for a walk and you don't clear out of his way, you will be dealt with.

 

[Gold Dragon]

I watched the whole thing on TV. From the speech to the photo-op.

The protesters were violating the curfew. IIRC, it was past 7 pm when Trump started walking to the church. I have to believe every protester knew the curfew was at 7 pm. The news has been blaring the fact that people will be removed and/or arrested if they are not in their homes for curfew.

Now throw in the fact that the police tried to remove these people peacefully before resorting to tear gas.

I don't know how to break this to you, but if the President of the United States wants to go for a walk and you don't clear out of his way, you will be dealt with.

Trump spoke at 6:43 pm. Clearing the protesters happened at around 6:30.

 

[church mouse guy]

They don't have a Bill of Rights in Australia.

 

[InTheLight]

Trump spoke at 6:43 pm. Clearing the protesters happened at around 6:30.

OK, so what?

"The President of the United States is coming through here in one-half hour. The curfew is in one-half hour. Please leave the park now or you will be forcibly removed."

<no one moves>

Guess what happens next?

 

[Gold Dragon]

OK, so what?

"The President of the United States is coming through here in one-half hour. The curfew is in one-half hour. Please leave the park now or you will be forcibly removed."

<no one moves>

Guess what happens next?

Please show a source that this is what happened.

All the news outlets I read said no warning was given and nobody knew why they were being fired at or forcibly moved.

 

[church mouse guy]

The rioters burnt an historic church that was about 200 years old. If caught, they should get the maximum number of years in prison without parole.

No one has a legal right to impede the US President at any time for any reason.

 

[Revmitchell]

U.S. Park Police have told reporters they did not use tear gas in LaFayette Square last night ahead of the President’s walk to St. John’s Church. Instead, police officers used smoke canisters to disperse protesters who were hurling bottles at them.

Park Police Say They Didn't Use Tear Gas Before Trump Walked to St. John's Church

 

[canadyjd]

U.S. Park Police have told reporters they did not use tear gas in LaFayette Square last night ahead of the President’s walk to St. John’s Church. Instead, police officers used smoke canisters to disperse protesters who were hurling bottles at them.

Park Police Say They Didn't Use Tear Gas Before Trump Walked to St. John's Church

Once again, you are going to confuse some people with facts that are contrary to their bias. Thanks for the info.

peace to you

 

[Revmitchell]

Speaking to WTOP in Washington, D.C., Tuesday morning, though, the Park Police defended themselves, correcting reports that they fired tear gas into the crowd of protesters and claiming that protests outside the White House had been far from peaceful, with demonstrators hurling bottles and rocks at members of law enforcement and scaling national monuments.

“A source says tear gas was never used — instead smoke canisters were deployed, which don’t have an uncomfortable irritant in them,” WTOP reporter Neil Augenstein claimed on social media.” And, the source says Park Police didn’t know President Trump would be walking across the park several minutes later.”

US Park Police Say They Did NOT Fire Tear Gas At White House Protesters, Claim Demonstrators Were Attacking Cops

 

[Gold Dragon]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrMoqSPZym0

Warning : unfiltered video from Reuters.

Police movement starts at 28 minutes, no warnings can be heard but the protests are loud so possible it was not heard. Some footage on people’s response to the gas. It may have been smoke only but clearly irritating eyes.