Hundreds of cities have imposed curfews to keep the peace during a week of violent unrest across the U.S., employing a tactic that gives law enforcement sweeping arrest powers but is frequently criticized as being unconstitutional.
Stories by Associated Press
Protesters Invoke Different Names to Decry Police Treatment
In Baltimore, protesters shouted the name of Freddie Gray. In Topeka, Kansas, T-shirts were emblazoned with the name of Dominique White. Protesters used their names to drive home the point that Floyd is part of a larger story about the dangers of being black in the U.S.
Democratic Governors Reject Trump’s Call to Send in Military
Several Democratic governors, including Gov. J.B. Pritzker, pushed back against President Donald Trump’s threat to deploy the U.S. military unless they dispatch National Guard units to “dominate the streets” in reaction to violence.
Officials See Extremist Groups, Disinformation in Protests
U.S. officials sought to determine Sunday whether extremist groups had infiltrated police brutality protests across the country and deliberately tipped largely peaceful demonstrations toward violence.
Target, CVS Temporarily Close Stores Due to Protest Dangers
Target and CVS are temporarily closing certain locations after some were damaged during weekend protests over the death of George Floyd.
World Alarmed by Violence in US; Thousands March in London
Nations around the world have watched in horror at the five days of civil unrest in the United States following the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after a white police officer pressed his knee on his neck until he stopped breathing.
‘We’re Sick of It’: Anger Over Police Killings Shatters US
Americans awoke Sunday to charred and glass-strewn streets in dozens of cities after another night of unrest fueled by rage over the mistreatment of African Americans at the hands of police, who responded to the violence with tear gas and rubber bullets.
US Cities Fear Protests May Fuel New Wave of Virus Outbreaks
The massive protests sweeping across U.S. cities following the police killing of a black man in Minnesota have elevated fears that the huge crowds will lead to a new surge in cases of the coronavirus.
‘Back In The Game’: SpaceX Ship Blasts Off With 2 Astronauts
A rocket ship built by Elon Musk’s SpaceX company thundered away from Earth with two Americans on Saturday, ushering in a new era in commercial space travel.
Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to Limits on Church Services
A divided Supreme Court on Friday rejected an emergency appeal by a California church; an appeal from two churches in the Chicago area was also rejected.
Protests, Some Violent, Spread in Wake of George Floyd Death
Demonstrators marched, stopped traffic and in some cases lashed out violently at police as protests erupted Friday in dozens of U.S. cities following the killing of George Floyd after a white officer pressed a knee into his neck while taking him into custody in Minnesota.
Trump Strikes China Over Virus, Hong Kong and Student Visas
President Donald Trump announced Friday he would withdraw funding from the World Health Organization, end Hong Kong’s special trade status and suspend visas of Chinese graduate students suspected of conducting research on behalf of their government.
Minneapolis Cop Who Knelt on Man’s Neck Charged with Murder
The police officer who was seen on video kneeling on the neck of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man who died in custody after pleading that he could not breathe, was arrested Friday and charged with murder.
US Consumer Spending Sinks by Record 13.6% in Face of Virus
U.S. consumer spending plunged by a record-shattering 13.6% in April as the viral pandemic shuttered businesses, forced millions of layoffs and sent the economy into a deep recession.
AP-NORC Poll: Half of Americans Would Get a COVID-19 Vaccine
Only about half of Americans say they would get a COVID-19 vaccine if the scientists working furiously to create one succeed, a number that’s surprisingly low considering the effort going into the global race for a vaccine.
Worker Shortage Concerns Loom in Immigrant-Heavy Meatpacking
There are roughly 175,000 immigrants in U.S. meatpacking jobs. The industry has historically relied on foreign-born workers, but now that reliance and uncertainty about a virus that's killed at least 20 workers and temporarily shuttered several plants fuels concerns about possible labor shortages to meet demand for beef, pork and chicken.
US Communities Face Tough Choices on Opening Public Pools
Public pools will look very different this summer if they open at all with the coronavirus threat still looming.
US Faces Memorial Day Like No Other Under Virus Restrictions
Americans marked a Memorial Day like no other Monday as the coronavirus pandemic upended traditional commemorations. In Chicago, a neighborhood group that’s been holding a parade for more than a half century moved its event online.
US Muslims Try to Balance Eid Rituals With Virus Concerns
Eid al-Fitr — the feast of breaking the fast — marks the end of Ramadan, when Muslims abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. Just like they did during Ramadan, many are resorting to at-home worship.
White House Goal on Testing Nursing Homes Unmet
Nearly two weeks ago the White House urged governors to ensure that every nursing home resident and staff member be tested for the coronavirus within 14 days. It’s not going to happen.
Holiday Amid Pandemic: Americans Divided on How to Respond
President Donald Trump played golf at one of his courses Saturday during the Memorial Day weekend as he urged U.S. states to reopen after coronavirus-related lockdowns. Yet many Americans remained cautious.
NBA Says It Is Talking with Disney About Resuming Season
The NBA is in talks with The Walt Disney Company on a single-site scenario for a resumption of play in Central Florida in late July, the clearest sign yet that the league believes the season can continue amid the coronavirus pandemic.
AP FACT CHECK: Trump Trashing Virus Science He Doesn’t Like
When President Donald Trump doesn’t like the message, he shoots the messenger. A look at recent rhetoric and reality as the pandemic’s death toll approached 100,000 in the U.S.
Memorial Day Tempts Americans Outdoors, Raising Virus Fears
Medical experts warn that the virus won’t take a holiday for the unofficial start of summer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people stay home, avoid crowds and connect with family and friends by phone or video chat.
Trump Deems Churches ‘Essential,’ Calls for Them to Reopen
President Donald Trump said Friday that he has deemed churches and other houses of worship “essential” and called on governors across the country to allow them to reopen this weekend despite the threat of spreading the coronavirus.
