Jul 25, 2020 - Politics & Policy

In photos: Armed militias protest in downtown Louisville

Grandmaster Jay, leader of NFAC, leads a march on July 25, 2020 in Louisville. Photo: Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

Members of two opposing militia groups armed with guns held counter-protests in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, on Saturday, the Courier Journal reports.

Why it matters: The NFAC, a Black militia that stands for "Not F**king Around Coalition," announced earlier this week that it would hold a demonstration in the city to demand justice for Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman who was fatally shot by police in March.

  • The Three Percenters, a far-right militia group, announced it would have "boots on the ground" in the city in response to the NFAC's announcement.

Louisville Metro Police Department Police Chief Robert Schroeder said three people were hit by gunfire Saturday when someone’s gun discharged at the NFAC demonstration, according to the Courier Journal.

  • All three victims went to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
In photos:
Members of NFAC, most carrying firearms, gather to march on July 25 in Louisville. Photo: Brett Carlsen/Getty Images
Grandmaster Jay speaking with police on July 25. Photo: Brett Carlsen/Getty Images
Members of NFAC resting on July 25. Photo: Brett Carlsen/Getty Images
A NFAC member's holster calling for a response to the killing of Breonna Taylor. Photo: Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

Go deeper

Rebecca Falconer
10 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Seattle police chief to resign as council votes for department cuts

A "Defund the Police" march in Seattle, Washington, on Aug. 5. Photo: Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images

Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best has written a resignation letter, effective Sept 2., as the city's council voted to cut the police budget Monday night, KING-TV first reported.

Why it matters: Best is Seattle's first Black police chief, AP notes. The council voted to reduce the $409 million annual police budget by $3.5 million for the rest of the year, cut about 100 officers' jobs from the 1,400-strong department and invest $17 million in "community public safety programs," Reuters reports. The one council member to vote against the changes said the action "does not do enough to defund the police," per AP.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Fadel Allassan
2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

IG report: Saudi arms sales were legal but didn't weigh civilian casualties

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Photo: Gabriel Kuchta/Getty Images

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo acted legally when he bypassed Congress to approve $8 billion in arms sales to Saudi Arabia, but failed to "fully assess risks and implement mitigation measures to reduce civilian casualties" that resulted from the deal, according to a report by the State Department inspector general.

Why it matters: The 2019 sale drew bipartisan ire among lawmakers, who worried it could lead to a pattern of the administration using "emergency declarations" to circumvent Congress to approve weapons deals. The report comes two months after former Inspector General Steve Linick testified that he was pressured by a top Pompeo aide to drop the investigation.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Orion Rummler
2 hours ago - Health

Florida reports another daily record for coronavirus deaths

Nurse practitioner Barbara Corral and a research assistant conduct a COVID-19 vaccination study on August 7 in Hollywood, Florida. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Florida's health department on Tuesday reported 276 new coronavirus deaths, surpassing the state's record from July 31.

The big picture: The state also recorded over 5,800 new cases — on the low side for a state that is one of the domestic epicenters for the virus.

Go deeper (<1 min. read)Arrow