U.K. Stiffens Penalties for Violence, Clash Fears: Protest Wrap

(Bloomberg) -- The U.K. plans to fast-track cases related to protest vandalism or assaulting police officers in an escalated judicial approach that echoes that of the 2011 London riots, the Times reports. The moves come amid worries that counterprotesters seeking to defend statues and memorials may clash with Black Lives Matter protesters this weekend.

Companies are yielding to pressure to respond to racism inside and outside the workplace. Disney, T-Mobile and Papa John’s cut off advertising on Fox News host Tucker Carlson’s show after controversial comments about the Black Lives Matter movement. Audrey Gelman, chief executive officer of The Wing, resigned from the women’s co-working space amid complaints from employees about “systemic” mistreatment of minorities, Vice reported. Amazon is considering pulling the “Dukes of Hazzard,” while the country-music band Lady Antebellum changed its name, which evoked the pre-Civil War South. Nike made Juneteenth -- a celebration of the end of slavery in the U.S. -- a company holiday.

President Donald Trump rejected calls to overhaul law enforcement or cut funding for police departments in the wake of George Floyd’s death. At an event in Dallas on Wednesday, he instead backed new training programs, as well as economic development, school choice and improved health care in minority communities.

Elsewhere, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says systemic racism exists in institutions around the country. An Australian court ruled against a weekend rally in support of refugee rights over coronavirus fears. And a day after one protester in Melbourne, Australia tested positive, local officials said none of the four new virus cases in Victoria state are believed to be linked to the Black Lives Matter protests there last weekend.

Key developments:

• Amazon Considers Pulling ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ From Video Service
• Trump Touts Economy as Racial-Justice Fix, Snubs Police Overhaul
• Top General Apologizes for Taking Part in Trump Photo at Church
• Microsoft Won’t Sell Face Recognition Software to Police
• You Can be Fired for Protesting in Most States (Podcast)
• Apple Commits $100 Million to Racial Equity and Justice Program

Here’s the latest from QuickTake:

More statues were felled in America, while in England a statue of Edward Colston was pulled out of the water.

President Donald Trump has warned Seattle to crack down on its police-free protest neighborhood, saying if they didn’t he would. Here’s a look inside that place.

Americans are changing the media they consume, while stock car racing popular in the Deep South is back -- without the oft-seen but now banished Confederate flag.

Some companies, like Sephora, are making business moves to show support for the black community.

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With assistance from Bloomberg