Firefighter testifies against Minneapolis cops, Black executives fight voter suppression, Migos rapper involved in physical altercation with girlfriend, and more in The Daily Rundown
Firefighter's Tearful Testimony Reveals Officers Barred Her From Rendering Lifesaving Aid To George Floyd
Tuesday, Genevieve Hansen, 27, testified that she was not permitted to offer aid to George Floyd following his fatal run-in with Minneapolis Police last spring, The Hill reports. Hansen told jurors that she witnessed officers “leaning over” Floyd and appearing to press “the majority of their weight” onto his body.
“He was not moving,” the first responder recalled. “The first thing that concerned me was his face was like … smushed into the ground, swollen.”
Hansen added that she recognized that the victim had lost consciousness and was in need of medical attention. She says that she identified herself as a Minneapolis firefighter and attempted to intervene, but was told by Officer Tou Thao not to get involved.
"He said something along the lines of 'If you really are a Minneapolis firefighter, you would know better than to get involved,'" Hansen said.
Ex-Minneapolis officers Thao, Thomas Lane, and J. Alexander Kueng have been charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.
Black Executives Challenge Corporations To Fight Suppressive Voter Laws
A group of Black business leaders have joined forces to use their influence to challenge corporate America and speak out against a swiftly passed restrictive Georgia law that will make it more difficult for Black people to vote in future elections, the New York Times reports. At the helm of the campaign against the suppressive law are Kenneth Chenault, former CEO of American Express, and Kenneth Frazier, CEO executive of Merck. Most major corporations have not spoken out against the law and many others have only offered lukewarm, general statements in support of voter rights.
“This impacts all Americans, but we also need to acknowledge the history of voting rights for African-Americans,” Chenault told the Times. “And as African-American executives in corporate America, what we were saying is we want corporate America to understand that, and we want them to work with us.”
The effort includes a letter signed by 72 Black executives. The hope is that the leaders of prominent corporations will raise their voices and use their power and financial resources to oppose the new law.
Steve Harvey To Host The Isley Brothers & Earth, Wind, And Fire Verzuz
Steve Harvey has been tapped to host an iconic Verzuz battle featuring The Isley Brothers and Earth, Wind, and Fire. According to the Verzuz Twitter account, The virtual showdown will take place Easter Sunday, April 4 on Instagram at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT.
New York Legalizes Recreational Marijuana
New York has joined the growing list of states to legalize recreational marijuana. According to ABC News, the New York State Assembly voted 100-49 to pass the marijuana legalization bill on Tuesday night. The criminal records of those previously convicted of possession of marijuana will be expunged.
Elevator Camera Captures Physical Altercation Between Migos Rapper Quavo And Ex-Girlfriend
Migos rapper Quavo, birth name Quavious Marshall, 29, is the subject of newly released elevator footage, which shows him engaged in a physical altercation with his ex-girlfriend, rapper Saweetie. In the video clip obtained by TMZ, Saweetie, whose birth name is Diamonté Harper, can be seen swinging at Marshall outside of the elevator before the two begin to scramble for a case that was dropped by Marshall. Marshall grabs Harper, 27, by the arm and slings her inside of the elevator as they continue to struggle over the case. They both fall to the ground and Marshall collects the case and exits the elevator, but continues holding the door as Harper sits rocking on the floor, apparently injured and seemingly upset. After several seconds pass, Harper picks herself up from the floor and limps out of the elevator.
