Tag

#George-Floyd

2 incidents

Grade 3 of 5: Serious Rights Violation

Portland: Federal Agents in Unmarked Vehicles Abduct Protesters Without Identifying Themselves

Federal agents from CBP, ICE, BORTAC, and other agencies, deployed by Trump to Portland amid George Floyd protests, began conducting clandestine arrests: pulling protesters into unmarked vans without identifying themselves, not stating reasons for arrest, and holding them briefly at the federal courthouse before release. Trump's acting DHS secretary and senior officials defended the tactics. Oregon's AG filed suit; a federal court issued a temporary restraining order protecting journalists and legal observers.

Grade 3 of 5: Serious Rights Violation

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 Park Police used pepper balls and OC spray; the Interior Inspector General found three dispersal warnings were broadcast by loudspeaker but not everyone could hear them, and that CS gas used nearby on 17th Street was deployed by D.C. police. 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.