CHAOS on the horizon: Derek Chauvin will appeal his sentence in court



On May 25, 2020, George Floyd Jr. was arrested by Minnapolis law enforcement after using a counterfeit bill to purchase cigarettes at a local convenience store. White cop Derek Chauvin was convicted of second-degree murder and other charges in Floyd's death after he pinned him to the ground, kneeling on his neck for several minutes.

There are many who refuse to accept Chauvin’s charges as a reflection of what actually happened.

Chauvin certainly doesn't agree with his conviction and plans to appeal his sentence at the Supreme Court after being denied a hearing in the Minnesota Supreme Court.

“[Chauvin’s] attorney said that they are going to raise the issue of whether [he] was denied a fair trial due to pretrial publicity and potential violence had he been acquitted,” Sara Gonzales reports.

Further, Judge Peter Cahill “wrote in a memorandum that Chauvin’s sentence,” which was 22.5 years in prison, “was harsher than the state’s guidelines of 10-15 years.”

Blake Kresses, Kaden Lopez, and Gabe Victal of “The KGB Show” join Sara to discuss the situation.

Kresses welcomes the appeal, as he’s certain Floyd “died of a fentanyl overdose.”

“George Floyd was shouting ‘I can’t breathe’ while he was still sitting in his car,” and “there were no verifiable physical ailments that led to his death,” according to the autopsy, he tells Sara.

While Kresses does agree that the cop violated some civil rights, “the idea that Chauvin murdered George Floyd is out of the question,” he says.

Lopez agrees, claiming “Chauvin should not be in prison,“ although he probably needs “a different job.”

“[Chauvin] did not get a fair trial” because “everyone was scared that … they were going to have their houses burned down by BLM,” Victal adds.

While all on the panel agree that Chauvin should not be convicted of murder, they acknowledge that his acquittal will almost certainly mean “violence like we’ve never seen before.”

“What sort of calamity is going to be caused if and when this occurs?” Kresses asks.

Chauvin’s appeal “just happens to be coming around the corner of an election year, where BLM is most prominent typically,” Lopez adds.

Could it be that this is all part of the left’s plan?

Will there be a “BLM part two”?


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Black Lives Matter Minnesota says Derek Chauvin 'guilty' verdict not enough, calls for reparations



Activists in Minnesota are calling for reparations after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murdering George Floyd.

Advocates of police reform celebrated the verdict, which they have described as a step in the right direction toward their goal of holding police officers accountable for killing civilians.

But, according to Insider, "organizers and family members of victims of police violence are careful not to label his conviction as anything more than a step in the direction toward justice."

In fact, Black Lives Matter Minnesota is now saying that full-scale reparations is the solution needed to atone for what they say has been generational institutionalized racism.

"It's about direct cash payments," Trahern Crews, a spokesperson for BLM Minnesota, told Insider. "Reparations is cause for a cessation, which means stop killing them, or stop harming them."

"That's not stopping, so we don't get a chance to heal," Crews added.

More from Insider:

Chauvin's guilty conviction gave protesters in Minneapolis a brief moment of respite, Floyd's family members and activists on the ground said. But convictions represent just one aspect of reparations. "There's going to be change in the future, and we still have a lot of reparations to make from the past so cases need to be re-opened and we need to re-examine them," said Floyd's girlfriend, Courteney Ross.

"This is what justice feels like: gut-wrenching relief, exhaustion. It's not sweet or satisfying. It's necessary, important, maybe even historic," Philonise Floyd, brother to George Floyd, wrote in an op-ed for the Washington Post. "But only with the passage of time will we know if the guilty verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin is the start of something that will truly change America and the experience of Black Americans."

Anything else?

While national reparations will likely never happen in the U.S., one Illinois city recently became the first municipality in America to enact a reparations program.

Evanston, Illinois, a city north of Chicago, began the first phase of their reparations program in March.

Overall, the city plans to distribute $10 million over the next 10 years using revenue collected from taxes on recreational marijuana sales.

Public high school meeting on 'police brutality' lists separate Zoom links — one 'for Parents of Color' and the other 'for White Parents'



A public high school in Madison, Wisconsin, posted a notice "to parents of students of color only" announcing a Thursday Zoom meeting to discuss "police brutality" and related topics such as the "verdict of Derek Chauvin and the murder of another young Black female" — the latter presumably referring to the knife-wielding teen girl fatally shot by police in Columbus, Ohio, this week.

Thing is, the West High School notice about the meeting listed two Zoom links for accessing it: One "for Parents of Color" and another "for White Parents."

Image source: West High School website screenshot

TheBlaze on Friday afternoon located the meeting notice by starting at the high school's main site, then navigating to the "for families" section, then choosing the "communication headquarters" link, which displays a list of events.

An event titled "Affinity Space for Parents of Students of Color" addressed "to parents of students of color only" was listed Wednesday. On Thursday an updated Zoom link for the same event was listed:

Image source: West High School website screenshot

Clicking on the above line items displays the meeting description, which includes the Zoom links for "Parents of Color" and "White Parents."

How is the meeting described?

The meeting description addressed to "West Families" reads as follows:

Looking back on all the police brutality and violence that is going on in our country and or communities and even after the verdict of Derek Chauvin and the murder of another young Black female, it is very necessary to have space for our families to discuss and process. The most important thing we can do for our students and their families is to continue our work to build strong, trusting relationships as we engage them through virtual and face-to-face learning. Only after we establish these strong connections can we expect students and families to openly share and dialog around such complex issues. We want to work together to help our students and families feel safe, discuss challenging issues productively, and think about how they can make positive changes in our community. Please join us tomorrow (Thursday, April 22nd) at 4:30pm to have these difficult but necessary conversations.

The Zoom links for "Parents of Color" and "White Parents" are listed below the meeting description.

Image source: West High School website screenshot

What did the school district have to say?

The Madison Metropolitan School District on Friday didn't immediately respond to TheBlaze's request for comment, which inquired why there was a Zoom link "for Parents of Color" and a separate Zoom link "for White Parents." TheBlaze also asked who authorized the notice and requested reasoning behind the decision to divide the meeting according to race.

How did folks react to the notice?

Wisconsin talk-show host Vicki McKenna posted an image of the notice on Twitter, and as you might guess, reaction to it was pointed:

  • "How racist!! They keep it separate and all about color," one commenter wrote.
  • "Was Brown vs. Board of Education overturned[?]" another user quipped. "I must have missed it."
  • "I'm mostly white, and my wife is not white, so which link do we click on?" another commenter wondered.
  • "When do they start using the 'Colored Only' signs?" another user asked.
  • "What is scary is people think this is OK," another commenter observed. "Soon we will have separate bathrooms, seats on trains and planes, restaurant seating times and more. MLK fought to end this ... Racism was on life support until the @DNC brought it back full swing."

Anything else?

The high school on Wednesday posted a response to the "George Floyd Murder Verdict," calling the decision to find former Minneapolis police officer Chauvin guilty on all counts "monumental as it represents a shift in how our judicial system responds to acts of violence by police towards people of color."

"We know we can only truly become the antiracist school we aspire to be when we are in partnership with you, our families," the note concluded. "At West, we are grounded in our equity vision for all students: West is committed to being an intentionally anti-racist school community, and we will be inclusive and student centered, uplifting and valuing the diverse identities of all students and families."

Brett Favre sparks vicious backlash after saying he doesn't believe Derek Chauvin ‘intentionally killed’ George Floyd



NFL legend Brett Favre received heavy backlash after he admitted he finds it "hard to believe" that former Minneapolis, Minnesota, police officer Derek Chauvin intentionally killed George Floyd.

A jury on Tuesday pronounced Chauvin guilty on all three charges of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. The former police officer is awaiting sentencing.

What are the details?

On Wednesday, the former football player said that Chauvin's use of force was undoubtedly excessive, but that he does not believe the former officer intended to kill Floyd.

"I find it hard to believe — and I'm not defending Derek Chauvin in any way — I find it hard to believe, first of all, that he intentionally meant to kill George Floyd," he said during Wednesday's "Bolling with Favre" podcast. "That being said, his actions were uncalled for. I don't care what color the person is on the street. I don't know what led to that video that we saw where his knee is on his neck, but the man had thrown in the towel."

Elsewhere during the podcast, Favre pushed back on any backlash he'd receive as a result of the remarks.

"I just gave my opinion," he said. "I'm certainly not a racist in spite of what some people might think, and, you know, I'm for unity and I just feel like there's a better way to unify our country. That being said, there's a lot of things that need to stop."

What was the response?

Daily Best writer Wajahat Ali tweeted, "Brett Favre was the same dude who said he wants to keep politics out of sports ... except when it comes to defending a white cop who murdered an unarmed black man."

Brett Favre was the same dude who said he wants to keep politics out of sports...except when it comes to defending… https://t.co/qB9zbiX49u
— Wajahat "Fasting" Ali (@Wajahat "Fasting" Ali)1619042319.0

Scott Dworkin, co-founder of the Democratic Coalition, said the Hall of Fame player is a "hall of fame racist."

William LeGate, chief executive officer at Blockchain Financial Company, tweeted, "Brett Favre says kneeling during the anthem is bad but kneeling on the necks of black people is good — got it."

Brett Farve says kneeling during the anthem is bad but kneeling on the necks of black people is good – got it.
— William LeGate (ig: @legate) (@William LeGate (ig: @legate))1619060276.0

Former wide receiver Torrey Smith added, "I'm 1000% comfortable saying if it isn't about playing quarterback...Don't ask @BrettFavre."

On Instagram, Carolina Panthers legend Steve Smith added, "I have so much respect for the career you had. HOF, awards, etc.... However on this subject, yo Mr. Favre STFU respectfully real talk! Privilege ass!"

Anything else?

In a Tuesday statement, the NFL expressed its solidarity with the jury's decision.

"Today's outcome in the Derek Chauvin trial in Minneapolis does not undo the loss of life," the football organization's statement read. "Mr. George Floyd should be here with us today. Our hearts remain with the Floyd Family, and we understand the pain, anger and frustration does not go away even when justice is delivered."

Angry demonstrators swarm, scream at NYC diners: 'We don't want your f***ing taqueria, owned by f***ing white men!'



Demonstrators swarmed people dining outside of a Brooklyn taqueria, according to the New York Post, demanding they take their business elsewhere.

What are the details?

Dozens of protesters gathered outside of the Maya Taqueria in Prospect Heights on Tuesday following the guilty verdicts of Minneapolis former police Officer Derek Chauvin, demanding the outdoor diners leave.

Newsweek reported that the protesters, purported to be with NYC group Shut it Down, stopped outside of the restaurant to "castigate the outdoor diners."

"Stay the f*** outta New York!" some could be heard shouting, while others chanted, "We don't want you here!"

"We don't want your f***ing money! We don't want your f***ing taqueria, owned by f***ing white men!" the apparent leader screamed at the customers.

A video obtained by the Post showed the melee unfolding, and author Andy Ngo also tweeted footage of the protest, captioning it, "New York: #BLM protesters tell white people dining outside to 'get the f— out of New York' & that their white-owned taquerias aren't welcomed. The crowd chant [sic] along."

(Content warning: Rough language):

New York: #BLM protesters tell white people dining outside to “get the f— out of New York” & that their white-owned… https://t.co/XbuDfGWpQG
— Andy Ngô (@Andy Ngô)1618966174.0

What else?

Earlier in April, the owner, Daniel Nassar, said that the restaurant's staffers relied on a paycheck to survive during the pandemic.

"Some of our biggest concerns relating to COVID-19 have been just how much everybody relies on us," he said in a recent interview with ChowNow. "I think we ultimately face that when we see that there's employees that need their paychecks on a weekly basis to support their families, as well as keeping up with our bills and our vendors. Online ordering is here to stay and I think that if customers are able to order better through Maya Taqueria directly, or any restaurant directly, or through online platforms like ChowNow, it'll help us save our profits rather than giving them away to third-party platforms that are commission-based."

(Content warning: Rough language):

Teen girl swung knife at two people before police fatally shot her, bodycam video shows



Police bodycam video shows that a teenage girl fatally shot by an officer Tuesday in Columbus, Ohio, swung a knife at two people before the shooting, the Associated Press reported.

What are the details?

The outlet said the the 10-second clip begins with an officer exiting his vehicle at a house where police had been dispatched after someone called 911 about being physically threatened, according to interim Police Chief Michael Woods.

The officer moves toward a group of people in the driveway when a black girl starts swinging a knife at another female who falls backward, the AP said, adding that the officer shouts several times to get down.

Image source: YouTube screenshot

The girl with the knife then charges at another female who's pinned against a car, the outlet said.

Image source: YouTube screenshot

Then the officer fires four shots, and the teen slumps to the ground, the outlet said, adding that a black-handled blade similar to a kitchen knife or steak knife lies on the ground next to her.

A man yells at the officer that he didn't have to shoot the girl, and the officer is heard saying, "She had a knife. She just went at her," the AP said.

The outlet said the girl was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead, police said, adding that it remains unclear whether anyone else was injured.

Police did not identify the girl or her age Tuesday, the AP said, adding that one family member said she was 15, while another said she was 16.

Fast release of bodycam video

Police showed part of the video Tuesday night just hours after incident, an unusual decision for the department, the outlet said, as it contends with public outcry over police-involved shootings. What's more, the incident took place just minutes before the Derek Chauvin verdict was read, the outlet said.

Interim Chief of Police Michael Woods told WCMH-TV the quick release of the bodycam video is an effort to be transparent with the public. He added that state law allows police to use deadly force to protect themselves or others, and investigators will determine if that force was justified in this instance, the AP said.

Image source: YouTube screenshot

Protest takes place

After the shooting, hundreds of protesters pushed past barriers outside police headquarters and approached officers as city officials were showing the bodycam video inside, the AP said, adding that many chanted, "Say her name!" and yelled that "she was just a kid!"

Officers with bicycles pushed protesters back and threatened to use pepper spray on the crowd, the outlet added.

Image source: YouTube screenshot

Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther defended the officer's use of deadly force, the AP said: "We know based on this footage the officer took action to protect another young girl in our community."

Columbus Police release body cam footage of officer shooting, killing girl, 16youtu.be

Family of teen girl with knife tells different story

The family of the teen girl with the knife, Ma'Khia Bryant, reportedly said she was trying to defend herself from women who confronted her and that she was the one who called police, the Daily Beast said.

"She was a good kid. She was loving," Hazel Bryant, who said Ma'Khia was her niece, told reporters, the outlet noted. "She was 15 years old. She didn't deserve to die like a dog in the street."

Bryant said Ma'Khia had been living in a foster home and that several adult women came to the home and began an altercation with her, after which Ma'Khia called police for help, as well as her biological father and grandmother, the Daily Beast said. Ma'Khia grabbed a knife to defend herself, Bryant also said, according to the outlet.

Bryant — who said the grandmother and father told her what happened — noted that Ma'Khia was in front of the house fending off a physical attack when police arrived, the Daily Beast said, and the police shot her without any warning.

"The police are going to lie. I'm so thankful that someone from the family was actually on the scene," Bryant said before the release of the bodycam video, the outlet noted. "The police are going to lie. The police are going to cover up for themselves. They don't care. At this point, I feel like they're just out to kill black people. They're not here to protect and serve. That isn't happening. That's been over a long time ago. They're not here to protect and serve. They're here to kill black folks."

Ma'Khia's mother, Paula Bryant, told WBNS that her daughter "was a very loving, peaceful little girl ... She was an honor-roll student, and Ma'Khia had a motherly nature about her. She promoted peace. And that's something that I want to always be remembered."

“Ma’Khia had a motherly nature about her. She promoted peace,” said the 16 year-old girl’s mother, Paula. https://t.co/vhBauZn3Kc
— Lacey Crisp (@Lacey Crisp)1618968027.0

Ocasio-Cortez declares Chauvin guilty verdict not enough: 'It's not justice!'



Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) addressed the guilty verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial on social media and declared that it wasn't enough, nor was it justice in her opinion.

Ocasio-Cortez took to her Instagram account to post a 16 minute video from outside the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday.

"I want to just let you all know and create the affirmation that this isn't justice, it's not justice!" she declared.

"It's not justice, and I'll explain to you why it's not justice. It's not justice because justice is George Floyd going home tonight to be with his family," she added.

"Justice is Adam Toledo getting tucked in by his mom tonight," she continued, referring to a 13-year-old who was shot and killed by a police officer in Chicago after the teen threw a gun to the ground.

"Justice is when you're pulled over, there not being a gun that's part of that interaction, because you have a headlight out," she added.

"Justice is your school system not having or being a part of the school to prison pipeline. Justice is a municipality and a government that does not, because it trickles down, right, that does not value military and armaments more than it values healthcare, education, and housing," Ocasio-Cortez added.

"So no, this verdict is not justice," she said.

She also went on to assail the leadership in her own party for funding the military instead of using that money for more social programs, and angrily denounced Democrat-controlled local governments that overfunded their police departments.

A jury found Derek Chauvin guilty of the murder of George Floyd on Tuesday. The former Minneapolis police officer faces 40 years, 25 years, and 10 years in prison over the separate charges.

Ocasio-Cortez has more than 8.8 million followers on her Instagram account. Her video on the verdict garnered more than a million views in just two hours.

Here is the video of Ocasio-Cortez's comments:

"This Is Not Justice": AOC Says System Is Not Working, Demands Policy Change After Chauvin Verdictwww.youtube.com