Updated June 10, 2020 Civil Rights
Critical Rights and Rule-of-Law Concern
George Floyd Protests: Lafayette Square Clearing, Militarized Response, Threat to Invoke Insurrection Act
The clearing of Lafayette Square occurred approximately 30 minutes before the 7:00 PM curfew was to take effect. Independent investigators and journalists documented that the protesters were peaceful at the time of the clearing. The chemical agent used was later identified as a pepper chemical agent (technically not 'tear gas') deployed without warning. Trump had convened a call with governors the same day, calling them 'weak' and urging them to 'dominate' protesters. Attorney General Barr appeared in person to supervise the clearing. The Bible photo-op that followed was condemned by Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde, whose church was used as a prop without her knowledge or consent.