In photos: Authentic wins Kentucky Derby amid protests, no fans in the stands
05 September 2020
Authentic won the 146th annual Kentucky Derby on Saturday, where the typical crowds were cast aside to promote social distancing.
Why it matters: Besides the anticipation for and attraction to the competition, the coronavirus, social and racial justice were visible themes in Louisville ahead of the Derby.
The state of play: Like most sporting events this spring, the first leg of the American Triple Crown of horse racing was postponed from its traditional first Saturday in May to the new September date due to the pandemic. Demonstrators gathered in front of the venue, chanting, "No justice, no Derby," Friday and Saturday, as groups called for justice in the wake of the shooting death of Breonna Taylor.
Authentic wins the Kentucky Derby!! pic.twitter.com/OiSrJEcvZz
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) September 5, 2020
A heavily armed group calling themselves American Patriots gathered Saturday at Carrie Gaulbert Cox Park in Louisville. "The citizens asked us to be here," said Dylan Stevens, who calls himself the "Angry Viking". Members of the Three Percenters, My Militia also spoke. pic.twitter.com/eBRqqrCsek
— Lexington Herald-Leader (@heraldleader) September 5, 2020
- Activists broke out in a chorus of, "Say her name: Breonna Taylor," met by an armed group, which responded by chanting: "All lives matter," "U-S-A" and "Back the blue," referring to law enforcement, USA Today reports.
Churchill Downsissued a statement about racial injustice on Thursday, saying: “We are not doing enough, quickly enough. That is true in our country, in our city and in our sport.” The organization promised that the “atmosphere of the Kentucky Derby will be different this year as we respond to those calls for change.”
What to watch: Post time is set for 7:01 p.m. ET.
In photos:
Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Photo: Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Photo: Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
A general view of the paddock at Churchill Downs. Photo: Rob Carr/Getty Images
Empty seats at Churchill Downs. Photo: Rob Carr/Getty Images
Transcripts show George Floyd told police "I can't breathe" over 20 times
Section2Newly released transcripts of bodycam footage from the Minneapolis Police Department show that George Floyd told officers he could not breathe more than 20 times in the moments leading up to his death.
Why it matters: Floyd's killing sparked a national wave of Black Lives Matter protests and an ongoing reckoning over systemic racism in the United States. The transcripts "offer one the most thorough and dramatic accounts" before Floyd's death, The New York Times writes.
The state of play: The transcripts were released as former officer Thomas Lane seeks to have the charges that he aided in Floyd's death thrown out in court, per the Times. He is one of four officers who have been charged.
- The filings also include a 60-page transcript of an interview with Lane. He said he "felt maybe that something was going on" when asked if he believed that Floyd was having a medical emergency at the time.
What the transcripts say:
- Floyd told the officers he was claustrophobic as they tried to get him into the squad car.
- The transcripts also show Floyd saying, "Momma, I love you. Tell my kids I love them. I'm dead."
- Former officer Derek Chauvin, who had his knee on Floyd's neck for over eight minutes, told Floyd, "Then stop talking, stop yelling, it takes a heck of a lot of oxygen to talk."
Read the transcripts via DocumentCloud.