3 Things To Know Today

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1 Crowds Out Past Curfew In Minnesota As Protests Continue

For the third night in a row, crowds in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota defied a curfew to protest the police shooting of Daunte Wright. Hundreds of people gathered in front of the fenced off police station – and police declared an unlawful assembly after some in the crowd tossed objects at officers. At times, police used pepper spray and flash grenades to try to clear the crowd, 20-year-old Wright was shot and killed during a traffic stop Sunday. Kim Potter, the officer who shot Wright and the police chief have tendered their resignations. Tensions are especially high in the area as Washington County Attorney Pete Orput is expected to announce a decision about charging Potter later today.

2 Chief Of Police, Officer Who Shot Daunte Wright Resign

The white officer who shot 20-year-old unarmed Black man Daunte Wright just outside Minneapolis and her police chief have tendered their resignations. Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott made the announcement yesterday. While Chief Tim Gannon’s exit was approved – with an acting chief already in place – the same is not true for Kim Potter. As Elliott explained, he was "appreciative" that Potter submitted her resignation but that he had not asked for it. That’s because many are hoping Potter will be fired instead. Why? Resigning leaves the door open for Potter to receive her pension – a firing may not. Elliot says he’s hoping that the structural changes already in motion will bring calm and lay the path toward justice. "That's what we're going to continue to work for," Elliott said. "We have to make sure that justice is served, justice is done. Daunte Wright deserves that, his family deserves that." Shortly after the announcement, activists began berating Elliott and the new acting police chief, Tony Gruenig, over what they say is ongoing violence against Black people. Elliott stood at his podium and patiently listened to the shouting and attempted to address the concerns of the activists.

3 Chauvin Murder Trial: The Prosecution Rests, The Defense Begins

The prosecution has rested and Derek Chauvin’s defense is officially taking the stage – and out of the gate? His attorneys are highlighting George Floyd's drug use. But they’re also offering testimony about use of force. An expert on police use-of-force said Chauvin was justified when he knelt on George Floyd's neck while trying to arrest him – and said it wasn’t necessarily “force.” Unlike the cavalcade of expert taking the stand for the prosecution, former police officer Barry Brodd said Chauvin was following his police training during the arrest and was acting with “objective reasonableness.” But once the prosecution had their turn with cross examination? Brodd admitted that perhaps Chauvin could have handled things differently.


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