Cop’s role reversed in new world order
WHITE cop Derek Chauvin, charged with the murder of black man George Floyd, made his first appearance in court, where his bail was set at a whopping $A1.8 million.
His brief appearance came as the “de-fund cops” movement continued to gain voice in the US, threatening to derail the election campaign of Democrat contender Joe Biden who desperately tried to distance himself from calls to dismantle police departments in the US.
Chauvin, 44, appeared via video link to face second-degree murder charges, handcuffed in an orange jailhouse jumpsuit with a white T-shirt. Chauvin stated his name and address, then answered several questions from the judge, including that he still has guns at his property.
The ex-officer appeared in court for only 11 minutes.
He will next appear on June 29. Three other officers have been charged with aiding and abetting.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump slammed Leftwing Democrats calling for police departments to be dismantled or “de-funded”.
Some far-Left Democrats advocated for a “police-free America” to appease Black Lives Matter protesters – potentially creating a nightmare “law and order” showdown for Mr Biden with President Donald Trump in the lead-up to the November presidential election.
The president of the Minneapolis City Council Lisa Bender even said people who expect to be able to call police when their home is broken into come from “a place of privilege”.
A majority of members of her council have said that they will move to “dismantle” the city’s police department – a move opposed by its Mayor Jacob Frey.
“And I know that comes from a place of privilege, because for those of us for whom the system is working, I think we need to step back and imagine what it would feel like to already live in that reality, where calling the police may mean more harm is done.”
Mr Trump tweeted: “Now the Radical Left Democrats want to Defund and Abandon our Police. Sorry, I want LAW & ORDER!”
Mr Biden responded through a statement from a spokesman saying that he did not support “de-funding cops”. But it looms as a painful issue for him, with many young Democrat supporters aligned with former candidate Bernie Sanders supporting the movement.
Meanwhile, Floyd’s family and friends paid their respects at a memorial in Texas ahead of his funeral.
Thousands of mourners have braved sweltering heat to view the casket (inset) of George Floyd, whose death from a police officer kneeling on his neck ignited worldwide protests against mistreatment of African Americans and other minorities by US police.
American flags fluttered along the route to the Fountain of Praise church in Houston, where Floyd grew up.