Protests have broken out across the country in response to the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, ending the federal constitutional right to an abortion. Twenty-six states are expected to ban or severely restrict abortion rights as a result.

The first protests started in front of the Supreme Court building in Washington D.C., where demonstrators on both sides of the issue have been largely present since the leaked draft opinion of the Supreme Court's intentions to overturn the landmark case was reported by Politico in early May.

Protests have also started to form in almost every major city around the country, and they are expected to continue to grow throughout the day and into the night.

Washington D.C.

Police in the nation’s capital are bringing in additional officers and mobilizing in anticipation of the protests growing outside the U.S. Supreme Court.

“I can’t believe it’s real,” Lauren Marlowe, 22, an anti-abortion demonstrator, said to The Washington Post. Marlowe shrieked and embraced her friends when the decision came down. “I just want to hug everyone. … We’re in a post-Roe America now.”

Tanya Matthews, a 26-year-old masters student from Charleston, South Carolina, also spoke to The Washington Post, telling them she had an abortion at 19, supports abortion rights and was dismayed by the celebratory crowd of anti-abortion activists.

“It feels like we’re at a Justin Bieber concert,” Matthews said. “They don’t understand the gravity of this decision. Just because it’s not legal doesn’t mean it isn’t going to happen.”

It was also being reported that traffic on Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, just a few miles away from the Supreme Court, was shut down in the morning due to a demonstrator who climbed to the top of a 70-foot-tall archway, displaying a flag or a banner reading: “Don’t tread on my uterus.”

Protests have also started to form in almost every major city around the country, and they are expected to continue to grow throughout the day and into the night.

Boston, Massachusetts

Thousands of protesters marched through the streets of downtown Boston Friday evening, hours after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

The abortion-rights advocates blocked traffic and in some cases were sitting in intersections between Boston Common and Copley Square.

Video below: Downtown Boston protest following SCOTUS abortion

The protesters were calling for abortion rights for women and reproductive rights for people, according to sister station WCVB.

Louisville, Kentucky

An abortion rights rally is underway at the federal courthouse in downtown Louisville.

It started at 4:30 p.m. with several people gathering in opposition to Friday's Supreme Court ruling. They started marching just before 6 p.m.

Video below: Abortion rights rally outside Louisville's federal courthouse

Roe v. Wade has been in place for nearly 50 years, protecting abortion rights. Overturning it now puts abortion laws in the hands of the states.

For Kentucky, that meant an immediate ban on abortions because the state has had a "trigger law" in place since 2019. That law guaranteed that if Roe v. Wade was ever overturned, abortions would abruptly become illegal.

Madison, Wisconsin

After the U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, dozens of people took to Capitol Square in Madison — some in celebration and others in protest.

There's one word that reporters from sister station WISN said they heard over and over again when they asked protesters why they were there: anger.

But there is a small minority who are also there celebrating the news.

Within minutes of the ruling being announced, protestor Jessica Warwick went out to buy poster board and a marker, and then went straight to the Capitol.

Video below: Protesters gather at Wisconsin's Capitol after U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Roe v. Wade

"Right now, the only power that a lot of us have is to stop working. Don't do it. Withhold your labor. Because this is — because what's going on right now is wrong. It's wrong," Warwick said.

As the day went on, the numbers gathered on the Capitol steps grew.

"My anger was so overwhelming I felt that I needed to do something, and this was all I could do at the moment," protester Donna Volk said.

Manchester, New Hampshire

The decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to invalidate Roe v. Wade and overturn the constitutional right to abortion drew strong reactions in New Hampshire from people on both sides of the issue.

Outside the state Supreme Court, a large crowd of supporters of abortion rights gathered to speak out against the decision and call for abortion to remain accessible in the Granite State.

"I think this is going to be painful and dangerous and everyone is going to suffer," said one woman at the rally, who said she remembers what it was like 50 years ago, before Roe v. Wade. "This is a big mistake, and I think there are going to be political repercussions all the way down the line."

Devon Chaffee, of the ACLU of New Hampshire, said the legal implications of the Supreme Court decision will likely be sorted out in the coming months and years. But in dozens of states across the country, pregnant people are already being faced with new challenges.

Video below: Rallies held after US Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade

In New Hampshire, abortion is legal up to 24 weeks.

"So, if people want to access an abortion, they can," Chaffee said. "If they have an appointment, they should keep it."

"We've been preparing for this moment for years," said Kayla Montgomery, of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England.

Opponents of abortion rights said Friday was a day for celebration and something they have been waiting for for 49 years. Jason Hennessey, of New Hampshire Right to Life, said the decision is a cause for relief and joy.

"In New Hampshire, this has actually been a year of jubilee," he said. "We have the first protections for the unborn in years that came into effect in January, and now this, in the 49th year of Roe v. Wade, New Hampshire is now free to protect the life and liberty of all its citizens."

Some lawmakers said the decision opens the door to changes in the law, though nothing changes immediately in New Hampshire in the wake of the decision.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hundreds of people have gathered in downtown Pittsburgh at a rally for abortion rights, following the U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

The event is being held outside the City-County Building on Grant Street.

Speakers include Mayor Ed Gainey and state Rep. Summer Lee, the Democratic nominee for Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District.

People who support the Supreme Court decision are also in the crowd.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

An abortion rights rally is underway in Lancaster.

The event that started at 6 p.m. at Musser Park is being hosted by Lancaster Stands Up, Planned Parenthood Keystone and YWCA Lancaster.

It comes after the U.S. Supreme Court ended constitutional protections for abortion by overturning Roe v. Wade.

Video below: Abortion rights rally held in Lancaster

The Department of Homeland Security intelligence branch is warning law enforcement, first responders and private sector partners nationwide Friday of potential domestic violence extremist activity in response to the Supreme Court's decision on abortion, according to a memo obtained by CNN.

The memo from the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis says federal and state government officials, including judges, "probably are most at risk for violence in response to the decision."

It also includes warnings about "First Amendment protected events," reproductive and "family advocacy health care facilities," and faith-based organizations being targets for violence or criminal incidents.

"Americans' freedom of speech and right to peacefully protest are fundamental Constitutional rights. Those rights do not extend to violence and other illegal activity. DHS will continue working with our partners across every level of government to share timely information and to support law enforcement efforts to keep our communities safe," a Homeland Security spokesperson told CNN in a statement.

DHS previously released a National Terrorism Advisory System bulletin warning of potential violence surrounding the Supreme Court ruling on abortion rights.

The memo notes that potential violence is expected "for weeks" following Friday's decision given that domestic violent extremists "may be mobilized to respond to changes in state laws and ballot measures" related to abortion. The assessment, DHS said in the memo, is based on an increase in violent incidents after a draft was leaked last month.

Some of those earlier incidents are cited throughout the memo, including arson attacks targeting pregnancy resource centers and incidents of vandalism threatening violence targeting "religious facilities perceived as being opposed to abortion."

The DHS intelligence arm relied on a variety of sources, including news media accounts, open source reporting and Justice Department press releases, for its assessment.

PARIS —

Rioting raged in cities around France for a fourth night despite a huge police deployment and 1,311 arrests, with cars and buildings set ablaze and stores looted, as family and friends prepared Saturday to bury the 17-year-old whose killing by police unleashed the unrest.

France's Interior Ministry announced the new figure for arrests around the country, where 45,000 police officers fanned out in a so-far unsuccessful bid to quell violence.

Despite an appeal to parents by President Emmanuel Macron to keep their children at home, street clashes between young protesters and police raged on. About 2,500 fires were set and stores were ransacked, according to authorities.

The funeral ceremony for the teen, identified only as Nahel, who was killed by police in the Paris suburb of Nanterre on Tuesday, began on Saturday. Family and friends were viewing the open coffin before it will be taken to a mosque for a ceremony and later burial in a town cemetery.

As the number of arrests continued to mount, the government suggested the violence was beginning to lessen thanks to tougher security measures.

Still, the damage was widespread, from Paris to Marseille and Lyon and even far away, in the French territories overseas, where a 54-year-old died after being hit by a stray bullet in French Guiana.

Video below: French president says violence 'unjustifiable'

France’s national soccer team — including international star Kylian Mbappe, an idol to many young people in the disadvantaged neighborhoods where the anger is rooted — pleaded for an end to the violence.

“Many of us are from working-class neighborhoods, we too share this feeling of pain and sadness” over the killing of 17-year-old Nahel, the players said in a statement. “Violence resolves nothing. … There are other peaceful and constructive ways to express yourself.”

They said it's time for “mourning, dialogue and reconstruction” instead.

The slaying of Nahel stirred up long-simmering tensions between police and young people in housing projects who struggle with poverty, unemployment and racial discrimination. The subsequent rioting is the worst France has seen in years and puts new pressure on Macron, who blamed social media for fueling violence.

Anger erupted in the Paris suburb after Nahel's death there Tuesday and quickly spread nationwide.

Early Saturday, firefighters in Nanterre extinguished blazes set by protesters that left scorched remains of cars strewn across the streets. In the neighboring suburb Colombes, protesters overturned garbage bins and used them for makeshift barricades.

Video below: Police in France conduct raids across country after violence

Looters during the evening broke into a gun shop and made off with weapons in the Mediterranean port city of Marseille, police said. Officers in Marseille arrested nearly 90 people as groups of protesters lit cars on fire and broke store windows to take what was inside.

Buildings and businesses were also vandalized in the eastern city of Lyon, where a third of the roughly 30 arrests made were for theft, police said. Authorities reported fires in the streets after an unauthorized protest drew more than 1,000 people earlier Friday evening.

In Friday's night violence, 917 people were arrested nationwide, 500 buildings targeted, 2,000 vehicles burned and dozens of stores ransacked.

While the number of overnight arrests was the highest yet, there were fewer fires, cars burned and police stations attacked around France than the previous night, according to the Interior Ministry. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin claimed the violence was of “much less intensity.”

Hundreds of police and firefighters have been injured, including 79 overnight, but authorities haven't released injury tallies for protesters.

Nanterre Mayor Patrick Jarry said that France needs to “push for changes” in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Despite repeated government appeals for calm and stiffer policing, Friday saw brazen daylight violence, too. An Apple store was looted in the eastern city of Strasbourg, where police fired tear gas, and the windows of a fast-food outlet were smashed in a Paris-area shopping mall, where officers repelled people trying to break into a shuttered store, authorities said.

In the face of the escalating crisis that hundreds of arrests and massive police deployments have failed to quell, Macron held off on declaring a state of emergency, an option that was used in similar circumstances in 2005.

Instead, his government ratcheted up its law enforcement response, with the mass deployment of police officers, including some who were called back from vacation.

Video below: Aftermath of violent clashes between police and protesters in France

Darmanin ordered a nationwide nighttime shutdown Friday of all public buses and trams, which have been among rioters’ targets. He also said he warned social networks not to allow themselves to be used as channels for calls to violence.

“They were very cooperative,” Darmanin said, adding that French authorities were providing the platforms with information in hopes of cooperation identifying people inciting violence.

“We will pursue every person who uses these social networks to commit violent acts,” he said.

Macron, too, zeroed in on social media platforms that have relayed dramatic images of vandalism and cars and buildings being torched. Singling out Snapchat and TikTok, he said they were being used to organize unrest and served as conduits for copycat violence.

The violence comes just over a year before Paris and other French cities are due to host 10,500 Olympians and millions of visitors for the summer Olympic Games. Organizers said they are closely monitoring the situation as preparations for Paris 2024 continue.

The police officer accused of killing Nahel was handed a preliminary charge of voluntary homicide. Preliminary charges mean investigating magistrates strongly suspect wrongdoing, but need to investigate more before sending a case to trial. Nanterre prosecutor Pascal Prache said that his initial investigation led him to conclude that the officer’s use of his weapon wasn’t legally justified.

Nahel’s mother, identified as Mounia M., told France 5 television that she was angry at the officer, but not at the police in general. “He saw a little Arab-looking kid, he wanted to take his life,” she said.

“A police officer cannot take his gun and fire at our children, take our children’s lives,” she said. The family has roots in Algeria.

Race was a taboo topic for decades in France, which is officially committed to a doctrine of colorblind universalism. In the wake of Nahel’s killing, French anti-racism activists renewed complaints about police behavior.

Thirteen people who didn’t comply with traffic stops were fatally shot by French police last year. This year, another three people, including Nahel, died under similar circumstances. The deaths have prompted demands for more accountability in France, which also saw racial justice protests after George Floyd’s killing by police in Minnesota.

This week’s protests echoed the three weeks of rioting in 2005 that followed the deaths of 15-year-old Bouna Traoré and 17-year-old Zyed Benna, who were electrocuted while hiding from police in a power substation in Clichy-sous-Bois.

___

Lewis Joly reported from Nanterre. Claire Rush in Portland, Oregon, and Angela Charlton in Paris, contributed to this report.

Iranian authorities arrested one of the country’s most famous actresses on charges of spreading falsehoods about nationwide protests that grip the country, state media said Saturday.

The report by IRNA said Taraneh Alidoosti, star of the Oscar-winning movie "The Salesman," was detained a week after she made a post on Instagram expressing solidarity with the first man recently executed for crimes allegedly committed during the nationwide protests.

IRNA also said several other Iranian celebrities had "been summoned by the judiciary body over publishing provocative content." It did not say how many or provide further details.

According to the report published on the state media’s official Telegram channel, Alidoosti was arrested because she did not provide "any documents in line with her claims."

In her post, the 38-year-old actress said: "His name was Mohsen Shekari. Every international organization who is watching this bloodshed and not taking action, is a disgrace to humanity."

Shekari was executed on Dec. 9 after being charged by an Iranian court with blocking a street in Tehran and attacking a member of the country's security forces with a machete.

Last Week, Iran executed a second prisoner, Majidreza Rahnavard, in connection with the protests. Rahnavard's body was left hanging from a construction crane as a gruesome warning to others. Iranian authorities alleged Rahnavard stabbed two members of its paramilitary force.

Both men were executed less than a month after they were charged, underscoring the speed at which Iran now carries out death sentences imposed for alleged crimes related to the demonstrations. Activists say at least a dozen people have been sentenced to death in closed-door hearings.

Alidoosti has made at least three posts on her Instagram account expressing solidarity with protesters since the demonstrations broke out in September. Her account, which had some 8 million followers, has been suspended.

Iran has been rocked by protests since the Sept. 16 death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died after being detained by the morality police. The protests have since morphed into one of the most serious challenges to Iran’s theocracy installed by the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Alidoosti has previously criticized the Iranian government and its police force.

In June 2020, she was given a suspended five-month prison sentence after she criticized the police on Twitter in 2018 for assaulting a woman who had removed her headscarf.

Other movies Alidoosti has starred in include “The Beautiful City” and “About Elly.”

Hengameh Ghaziani and Katayoun Riahi, two other famous actresses in Iran, were arrested by authorities for expressing solidarity with protesters on social media. Both have been released.

At least 495 people have been killed in the demonstrations amid a harsh security crackdown, according to Human Rights Activists in Iran, a group that has been monitoring the protests since they began. Over 18,200 people have been detained by authorities.

Starbucks has displayed “egregious and widespread misconduct” in its dealings with employees involved in efforts to unionize Buffalo, New York, stores, a National Labor Relations Board judge said in an order Wednesday.As a result, the company must reinstate and make whole a number of workers who were let go from locations in or around Buffalo, among other remedies, NLRB administrative law judge Michael Rosas said.The case includes 32 unfair labor charges made by Workers United against the company for its actions between August 2021 and July 2022 at 21 stores in the Buffalo area, including the first Starbucks location to unionize.The company, which has been facing a wave of unionization across the country since December 2021, must also post a notice in its stores nationally, the judge ruled. That notice informs workers that they have the right to join a union, and lays out a lengthy list of what the company will refrain from doing, like surveilling workers or making other efforts to dissuade union activity.Rosas also said that interim CEO Howard Schultz and another company leader must read the notice to employees, or be present at a meeting where the rights are read.Schultz, who will soon hand over the reins to incoming CEO Laxman Narasimhan, has been a vocal opponent of the union since he rejoined the company as interim CEO last year.“I don’t think a union has a place in Starbucks,” Schultz recently told CNN’s Poppy Harlow. If workers “file for a petition to be unionized, they have a right to do so. But we as a company have a right also to say, we have a different vision that is better,” he said.Schultz recently declined a request from U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and the rest of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee to testify in an upcoming hearing on Starbucks’ compliance with labor laws. Starbucks said its chief public affairs officer AJ Jones II will attend instead.For union leaders, Wednesday’s order was a win.“This is truly a historic ruling,” Gary Bonadonna Jr., manager of the Rochester Regional Joint Board of Workers United, SEIU, said in a statement issued by Starbucks Workers United. “We will not rest until every Starbucks worker wins the right to organize.”Michelle Eisen, a worker who was among those that Starbucks must make whole according to Wednesday’s order, said “this decision results from months of tireless organizing by workers in cafes across the country demanding better working conditions in the face of historical, monumental, and now deemed illegal union-busting.”Both parties have until March 28 to appeal the decision, according to the NLRB.Starbucks said in a statement that it is “considering all options to obtain further legal review,” adding that “we believe the decision and the remedies ordered are inappropriate given the record in this matter.”

OTTAWA, Ontario — Police in Ottawa said they have made 70 protest-related arrests as of Friday afternoon.

Truckers have gathered at the Canadian capital for three weeks now, protesting the country’s COVID-19 restrictions.

Protests have affected the economy on both sides of the border.

Several arrests were made Thursday, but more were made Friday morning when hundreds of officers moved into Ottawa’s downtown area.

Protest organizers, Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, were arrested Thursday night.

They’re charged with counseling to commit mischief.

Barber was also charged with counseling to commit the offense of mischief, according to Canadian outlet CityNews.

Big rigs that were blocking streets were also towed away Friday.

Police report many truckers left on their own.

Interim Ottawa Police Chief Steve Bell says the situation on the ground is under control.

One officer suffered a minor injury, according to Bell.

No protesters have been hurt.

KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced Friday that approximately 500 troops from the Wisconsin Army National Guard have been authorized to support authorities in Kenosha following the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse.

Members of the National Guard will stage outside Kenosha in a standby status to respond if requested by local law enforcement agencies, officials say. The Rittenhouse trial has entered its final stages.

“We continue to be in close contact with our partners at the local level to ensure the state provides support and resources to help keep the Kenosha community and greater area safe,” said Gov. Evers. “The Kenosha community has been strong, resilient, and has come together through incredibly difficult times these past two years, and that healing is still ongoing. I urge folks who are otherwise not from the area to please respect the community by reconsidering any plans to travel there and encourage those who might choose to assemble and exercise their First Amendment rights to do so safely and peacefully.”

Maj. Gen. Paul Knapp, Wisconsin's adjutant general, said the National Guard is ready to support communities during times of need.

“In close coordination with the governor, we have assembled approximately 500 soldiers to help keep the Kenosha community safe, should a request from our local partners come in," Knapp said.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys for Rittenhouse returned to the courthouse without the jury present on Friday to finalize how jurors will be instructed when they get the case next week and begin deliberating.

Jury instructions will be worked out on Friday, and closing arguments are expected on Monday.

This story was originally published by staff at WTMJ.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Protests erupted nationwide in response to George Floyd's death after Minneapolis police officers knelt on him and pinned him to the ground on May 25. In Columbus, those protests began Thursday night and lasted into Friday morning, ending with damage to the Ohio Statehouse and other downtown buildings.

Thursday night saw a heavy police presence as the protest escalated -- where pedestrians were barred from joining the protest as it began to grow.

Ben Asks a Question is a feature we started as a way to help give you a voice during Gov. Mike DeWine's daily press briefings. Since then, Ben has gotten hundreds of questions a day. If you'd like to ask a question, find us on Facebook and feel free to message us there, or send us an email at newsdesk@wcpo.com.

At his press briefing Friday, I asked Gov. Mike DeWine if similar protest precautions to the ones taken in Columbus are being planned in other Ohio cities as more protests remain a possibility.

DeWine said local mayors are the ones responsible for their cities, but his administration will be ready to help if needed.

“I’ve had the opportunity every day to talk, most days, to talk to the mayors of our major cities,” said DeWine. “They are the ones that have primary responsibility for their cities. But they know that if they need assistance and help, we will work with them on any issue, certainly including this issue. But I know that we have good mayors; they’re very concerned about making sure that things are always done right in their cities. So I have confidence in these mayors. We are in touch. It’s not like we don’t talk, so certainly the first line of responsibility is with their police department, and with those mayors."

Friday’s press briefing was DeWine’s first briefing not related to COVID-19 since the state began ordering businesses to shut down.

DeWine said the actions of police involved in Floyd’s death “violates every principle of human decency" and "any kind of basic police training."

He is scheduled to address the public next on Tuesday, June 2.

CINCINNATI — Protests in response to the death of George Floyd remained peaceful in Cincinnati until about 11:00 p.m. Friday, when police administered smoke canisters around protesters and some demonstrators began smashing out windows of businesses in Over-The-Rhine.

Eleven people had been arrested during violence and property destruction lasting until 5 a.m., Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot Isaac said at a Saturday press conference. Their charges ranged from burglary to resisting arrest, theft and more.

Isaac said as people threw rocks and bottles, multiple rounds of pepper ball irritant and gas were used to disperse crowds. Two officers had minor injuries.

WCPO’s Jasmine Minor said some small boutique owners near the corner of 12th Street and Vine Street will have to spend Saturday morning dealing with the broken glass in their shops and on the sidewalks. The extent of that damage around the neighborhood is still unclear.

According to WCPO’s Courtney Francisco, some threw large rocks at police cars and slit the tires on a police cruiser. The main group of protesters who started the night before around 6:00 p.m. condemned the actions of these individuals, saying they want their message against police brutality to be heard.

Most of the damage was limited to the windows of shops and boutiques, and several stores were looted overnight.

Peacefully, some lined up in front of police on their knees while others chanted. Police eventually threw smoke canisters to clear out violent crowds while other demonstrators caused damage to area businesses for hours into the night.

Isaac said he stands with protesters outraged at the death of Floyd and others at the hands of police, but he is urging people to be respectful of property and others.

“Feel free to come out and express your right to a peaceful demonstration, but respect people’s property, respect each other's physical person. Make sure everyone is safe,” Isaac said. “We are still in a pandemic. This was a large crowd of people in very close proximity. It’s very concerning.”

Other organizers planned to hold peaceful protests Saturday in Washington Park and Lincoln Statue Park in Avondale. A protest in Northside’s Jacob Hoffner park has been canceled -- organizers said they want everyone to stay home and stay safe.

Mayor John Cranley has ordered a curfew for Downtown and Over-The-Rhine starting at 10 p.m. Saturday and ending 6 a.m. Sunday.

ONGOING COVERAGE

During a speech in Cape Canaveral, Florida, President Donald Trump addressed the ongoing anti-police brutality protests throughout the country, saying that he would not allow "radical left criminals, thugs and others" to "set communities ablaze."

"We support the right of peaceful protesters, and we hear their pleas," Trump said. "But what we're seeing now in the streets of our cities has nothing to do with justice or peace."

Trump said that he "stands in opposition to anyone using (Floyd's death) as an opportunity to loot and rob"

Trump also called Floyd's death a "grave tragedy," and said that he spoke with Floyd's family earlier this week.

"(Floyd's death) should have never happened," Trump said.

Trump has previously asked the Department of Justice to investigate Floyd's death. but also made clear that he and his administration "support the overwhelming majority of police officers."

Earlier this week, Trump tweeted threatened to have the National Guard shoot at anyone looting at the site of protests across the country, adding that "when the looting starts, the shooting starts." That particular phrase

has ties to Civil Rights opponents,

dating back to the 1960s. Twitter later hid Trump's tweet from his timeline, saying that the message

violated its terms of service by "glorifying violence."

A person who was participating in anti-police brutality protests in St. Louis was killed earlier Saturday morning when he was run over by a FedEx truck.

KSDK-TV

and

KMOV-TV

in St. Louis both confirm that the incident began when a two-trailer FedEx semi was re-routed off of a local highway when it was shut down by protesters.

After leaving the highway, another group of protesters forced the truck to crawl to a stop. KMOV reports that some rioters attempted to grab packages off the back of the truck.

At that point, two men climbed onto the passenger side of the truck. That's when police say the men flashed their guns to the driver.

The driver sounded his horn and tried to drive away. Police say the driver wasn't aware that there was a man between the trailers at the time he started driving. That man fell and became trapped under the truck.

Bystander video shows others screaming and yelling, trying to tell the driver he was dragging a man under his truck.

FedEx released a statement Saturday.

"Our hearts go out to all those who are grieving the events of this week," the company said. "We are deeply saddened to learn of a tragic situation involving a demonstrator in St. Louis and one of our vehicles. We offer our sincerest condolences to the family of the individual involved. There is no higher priority for FedEx than safety, and we are cooperating fully with the investigating authorities at this time."

Former President Barack Obama will address the massive anti-police brutality protests that have been sparked by the death of George Floyd on camera on Wednesday.

Obama's comments will come during the My Brother's Keeper Alliance Town Hall Series. He'll be joined by police reform activists and public figures, including former Attorney General Eric Holder.

The stream will mark Obama's first on-camera comments since Floyd's death while in police custody sent shockwaves through the U.S. and inspired peaceful protests in dozens of major cities — some of which have developed into riots.

Obama previously addressed Floyd's death and protest movement

in an essay published Monday.

In that essay, Obama condemned violent protests, lauded those who were demonstrating peacefully and outlined ways that protesters could appropriately affect change in their communities.

My Brother's Keeper Alliance

is an arm of the Obama Foundation that aims to inspire young men of color in America by building safe and supportive communities and give them a chance for success.

Obama's comments will be streamed

live on his website

beginning at 5 p.m. ET.

As the nation struggles to get a handle on the novel coronavirus pandemic and confronts the issues of police reform and systemic racism, some of the country’s mental health hotlines are seeing a growing number of calls.

“We have seen an exponential increase in the demand for mental health services,” said Kimberly Williams, with Vibrant Emotional Health.

A recent survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation showed that nearly half, approximately 45 percent, of American adults said their mental health has been negatively impacted by the coronavirus.

Yet, mental health hotlines are 10-digits long, can be hard to remember and impede access to immediate help.

“I say the road to seeking mental health services is paved in Swiss cheese,” said Becky Stoll of Centerstone, which focuses on behavioral health services. “And if you don't know how to get yourself around some of those holes, it's tough.”

One solution is to make the National Suicide Prevention hotline a simple, three-digit number: 988.

Late last year, the Federal Communications Commission recommended the number become a national crisis hotline.

“It's just going to be transformative, if we can get it done,” Stoll said.

It’s an effort that’s slowly gaining traction on Capitol Hill because of COVID-19.

A recent letter, signed by a bi-partisan group of Senate and House members, calls for any future coronavirus-related stimulus bill to include funding for 988. Congress could take up another stimulus bill later this summer.

“988 would essentially destigmatize mental health and suicide by promoting easily accessible, help-seeking behavior and ultimately save lives,” Williams said.

This, as lives around the nation continues to be impacted by tumultuous events and a pandemic, with no vaccine available yet.

“We don't know how long it's going to go,” Stoll said. “So, I think we're going to see more and more people, who've not [had] access behavioral health services in the past, need to do that.”

If you are suffering from mental health distress or need counseling, there are several numbers you can call for help.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or text ‘HOME’ to 741741

The Disaster Distress Helpline, for calls related to COVID-19: 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746

The Veterans Crisis Line, for veterans in crisis: 1-800-273-8255 and press 1 or text 838255.

The TrevorLifeline, for those who identify as part of the LGBTQ community: 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678

For Frontline workers who have emotional or mental health needs: text FRONTLINE to 741741

Police reform has been at the forefront of protests the past few weeks, following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

The qualified immunity doctrine is getting a lot of attention.

“Qualified immunity is a doctrine that was created by the Supreme Court in 1967 in a case called Pierson v. Ray, and when the Supreme Court announced the existence of qualified immunity, they described it as a good faith defense,” Joanna Schwartz, a professor at the UCLA School of Law, said.

However, there have been debates on how this doctrine can be used.

In recent weeks, Congressman Justin Amash proposed the “Ending Qualified Immunity Act” (H.R. 7085).

“Qualified immunity is just another example of a justice system that is not working for people, and preventing people from getting the redress they deserve,” Representative Justin Amash (L-Michigan) said.

So, we dove into qualified immunity with Joanna Shwartz, a law professor who studies civil rights litigation, and Justin Smith, a sheriff in Larimer County, Colorado.

“Qualified immunity first of all has nothing to do with criminal immunity,” Sheriff Justin Smith said.

Smith has been with the Larimer County Sheriff’s Department for nearly three decades.

“Who in their right mind would build a career on running towards gun fire and confronting an armed suspect? Why would you do it without some type of civil protection?,” he explained.

We sat down with him as he explained why qualified immunity is important for his officers.

“I’d simply ask the question to the average American, is a police officer expected to be perfect in all of their actions in a split second?,” he asked.

Smith said without qualified immunity, one incorrect decision made by an officer could cost a lot.

“If you didn’t call that exactly right by one judges interpretation, that's a lawsuit,” he said.

“Every time the officer puts on the shirt, the badge, straps on the firearm, comes to work, every action they take responding to a case essentially is as if they went to Vegas and they walked up to the table, placed a five dollar bet, and in Colorado for example, would cost them up to $100,000. Who's going to make that bet?,” Smith explained.

However, those who want qualified immunity removed say the doctrine has changed over the years and it’s not necessary to protect officers who act in good faith when it comes to protection of rights.

“Concerns about split second decision making...are already protected from liability by the Supreme Court's construction of what the Fourth Amendment allows. Qualified immunity is unnecessary to do that,” Schwartz explained.

She went on to explain why she believes that qualified immunity isn’t necessary for the protection of money, either.

“I studied lawsuit payouts across the country over several years, I found that police officer personally contributed .02 percent of the total dollars paid to plaintiffs,” she said.

Schwartz said while the doctrine was originally created as a good faith defense, it has changed over the years to make it harder for people to file lawsuits against officers.

“In order to defeat qualified immunity, find a prior case with virtually identical facts in which a court announced that that conduct was unconstitutional,” she said.

Which has been an issue for James King from Michigan, who told a reporter he was assaulted by an officer in plain clothes in a mistaken identity case. The incident was caught on camera back in July 2014.

“The simple fact is the majority of this time this situation happens to anyone, they have no recourse,” King said.

Officers are often forced to make decisions in a split second.

“This is a risk taking profession,” Smith said. “We can say the criminal justice system isn't perfect and that's accurate. Nothing in society is perfect. I think it’s overall improved significantly over the years.”

But Schwartz thinks officers acting in good faith can be protected by other measures.

“Qualified immunity is not necessary or well suited to play that role in weeding out insubstantial cases,” she said.

Both Smith and Schwartz agree that when looking at proposed changes to qualified immunity on the federal and state level, it’s important to look at what officers the bill is including -- whether that be local, county, state, or federal officers.

“Congress’ bills at this moment only end qualified immunity for state and local officials,” Schwartz explained. “As we are thinking about state and local law enforcement, we should not overlook the role of federal law enforcement and other government officials.”

Nearly two months after the killing of George Floyd, protesters continue to march in cities nationwide. Many are demanding a change in how the country polices.

"I think the murder of George Floyd was a watershed incident," said Sue Rahr, a 36-year law enforcement veteran.

Rahr worked her way up the ranks to the sheriff of King County, home to Seattle. The final years of her career have been with the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC), where she serves as executive director.

"Because there was no way to explain it away by a rapidly-evolving situation with split-second decision making, it wasn't that. What it portrayed was just a callous disregard for a human being," said Rahr.

When Rahr came to the state's centralized training academy, she brought with her a new mindset.

"We talk more about looking at yourself as a guardian of the community, rather than a warrior coming in to fight a war."

Rahr says recruits still learn the skills of a warrior, from firearms to defensive tactics. However, she believes this is just one piece of a complex equation.

"We talk about the importance of procedural justice, communication, emotional intelligence, all of those things that contribute to building trust," said Rahr.

De-escalation tactics are at the forefront of training.

"The use of good patrol tactics to control the pace of the event increases the likelihood of a favorable outcome. It's not always going to be the case because we're dealing with human beings. But on the side of the police, what we're trying to give them is the tools, the tactics, the strategies to slow the pace down," said Sean Hendrickson, program manager for de-escalation training for the State of Washington.

Early on, recruits learn that discretion is a critical part of their job.

In one training exercise, a man is caught shoplifting diapers and formula. Officers learn the man has no criminal history, recently lost his job, and stole the items in a moment of despair for his newborn child. While officers were in their rights to arrest him, recruits were told to use critical thinking to find other ways within the law to proceed.

"Doing some of that due diligence, being able to call the manager, tell him the story, tell him what's going on. Offer some solutions and then go from there," a training officer said during the exercise. "He did break the law, and you have the legal authority to arrest him. But just because you can doesn't mean you should."

But training at the academy only goes so far.

"Once we send them out of here, they're going to an agency that may have a different culture, which culture is deep-seated. They may have a different outlook on training," said Hendrickson.

A new state law hopes to address this problem. Hendrickson is now leading the effort to teach enhanced de-escalation tactics to recruits and veteran officers statewide.

"The real goal is from day one of starting the academy, until the day you retire, you get one consistent message. And as far as I know, at least in this state, that has never been done before," said Hendrickson.

The new law also tackles another complex layer of policing.

"In my experience, 10 years ago, all of us in law enforcement, myself included, were very uncomfortable talking about race," said Rahr.

With help from professors from the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the training commission is developing an extensive curriculum on the history of race and policing. It aims to educate new and veteran officers on the historical roots of how the system is structured.

"If a community has a belief system based on its history, we as law enforcement need to understand what contributes to that belief system so that we can break down the barriers and build a relationship with the community," said Rahr.

As efforts to de-fund the police gain momentum nationwide, Hendrickson worries training budgets will be the first to go.

"Police officers need more training, but that requires time and money, and probably not the message most people want to hear," he said.

The state of Washington requires 720 hours of training at the academy; compare that to 1,600 hours needed to get a cosmetology license in the state.

"My opinion is that police officers are woefully under-trained to meet the expectation, the current expectation, of the community," said Hendrickson.

But with the nation's deep wounds reopened, he's hopeful the state's new training efforts could one day help in healing.

"It's very early in the process, and I believe we will be successful," he said.

PORTLAND, Ore. — The mayors of six U.S. cities are appealing to Congress to make it illegal for the U.S. government to deploy militarized agents to cities that don’t want them.

The mayors of Portland, Oregon; Seattle; Chicago; Kansas City; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Washington wrote to leaders of the U.S. House and Senate pushing for limits on agent deployments.

The move came Monday as a top official said federal militarized officers would remain in Portland until attacks on the U.S. courthouse cease.

Early Monday, U.S. agents repeatedly fired what appeared to be tear gas, flash bangs and pepper balls at protesters.

Federal agents have been patrolling Portland over a little over a week. They were sent to the city by the Department of Homeland Security as part of President Donald Trump's crackdown on the defacement of federal property, statues and monuments.

Protests have taken place nightly in Portland for 60 straight days, since the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis. While the vast majority of those demonstrating have been peaceful, a federal courthouse has been defaced with graffiti, some protesters have thrown fireworks and other projectiles toward officers and others have attempted to breach fencing surrounding the courthouse.

Federal agents have responded by using tear gas, pepper balls and the use of batons to disperse protesters on several occasions. They've also grabbed protesters off the streets and detained them in unmarked cars.

Protests have escalated in intensity since federal agents have arrived in the city, which has forced Oregon Gov. Kate Brown and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler to call for their removal.

For a fourth straight night, protests are taking place in Kenosha, Wisconsin, as demonstrators demand justice for Jacob Blake, a man shot in the back by police during a Sunday confrontation.

The protests are taking place hours after a 17-year-old Illinois boy was arrested and charged with shooting three protesters in the city on Tuesday night. Two of those protesters died, the third was hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

To the west, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has requested help from the National Guard following unrest in his city. The protests are related to a Wednesday shooting death that was rumored to have involved police officers. After video of the incident was shared on social media, rioting and looting took place at a local mall.

However, the Minneapolis Police Department released footage Wednesday that they say showed the shooting was self-inflicted.

The nationwide protests are also taking place hours after the Milwaukee Bucks refused to take the court, citing frustration with continued police brutality. Several other pro sports teams, including the MLB's Milwaukee Brewers, also took part in the strike.

Blake was shot at least seven times in the back by Officer Rusten Sheskey as he entered his car after officers were called over a "domestic dispute." Police say Blake had possession of a knife in his vehicle.

Blake’s family said on Tuesday that the 29-year-old is partially paralyzed, but was fortunate to survive from his injuries.

Hundreds of law enforcement officers have mobilized across Washington as thousands of supporters who refuse to accept President Donald Trump's election loss have flocked to the nation's capital to protest when Congress gathers Wednesday afternoon to put the final stamp on President-elect Joe Biden's victory.

By Wednesday afternoon, the U.S. Capitol was placed on lockdown, a CNN reporter tweeted.

Thousands of protesters gathered around the Washington Monument Wednesday morning as the Elton John song "Tiny Dancer" played from loud speakers. The song was interrupted by an announcement telling people to leave behind backpacks, chairs and flagpoles so people could get through a security checkpoint. Hundreds of people carried flags. Some were American, some were Trump 2020 flags, among others.

As part of their preparations, police posted signs around the district warning of the illegality of gun possession during protests as Trump tweeted his support for the protesters, saying, "Our Country has had enough, they won't take it anymore!" and "We Hear you (and love you) from the Oval Office."

The Department of Homeland Security, which has staffed a "Virtual Situation Room" to help communication between different agencies, is "not currently tracking any active threats," spokesman Alexei Woltornist said.

This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Trump traveled a short distance from the White House to the rally Wednesday morning. About 20 aides were outside awaiting Trump's departure, audibly shouting "Save our country" as he boarded his SUV. Trump gave a fist bump and appeared to blow a kiss.

Trump addressed a large, tightly packed and largely maskless crowd of supporters on the Ellipse. His remarks got off to an inauspicious start as Trump's microphone appeared to be turned off as he began speaking.

"We can't hear you!" members of the audience were heard shouting on the video feed, though he appeared unaware and kept speaking.

Moments later, audio was restored, and Trump was railing against the media.

Trump's speech included calls for his vice president to step outside his constitutional bounds and overturn the results of the election.

"Hope Mike is going to do the right thing," Trump said at a rally on the Ellipse. "If Mike Pence does the right thing, we win the election."

Pence released a letter he wrote to congress Wednesday just after noon, saying he wouldn't object to Biden's victory.

A large glass barrier shielded Trump from the crowd, similar to when he spoke in front of the Lincoln Memorial on the Fourth of July 2019.

Ahead of Trump's speech, Rudy Giuliani was addressing the rally on the Ellipse, baselessly repeating claims that voting machines were "crooked," and continuing to insist that Pence can do something today to change the election's outcome, which he does not have power to do. There is no evidence of widespread voter fraud.

"Let's have trial by combat!" Giuliani told the enthusiastic crowd.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said the District is "absolutely prepared" for protests and announced that that at least ten people were arrested overnight related to the protests. At least one person was arrested for carrying an unlicensed gun and six people were charged with assault, including one for assaulting a police officer.

"We had several arrests related to that activity, but not a single one of them was a D.C. resident," she said.

Authorities — a mix that includes local police, National Guard and federal uniformed officers — had already arrested several people ahead of demonstrations including the leader of the Proud Boys, a far-right group that Trump directly addressed during an autumn debate to "stand back and stand by."

The Proud Boys' leader, Henry Tarrio, who goes by Enrique Tarrio, was released from police custody Tuesday on charges related to a protest last month and ordered by a local judge to stay out of DC as he awaits trial, including during this week's protests.

WASHINGTON —

Several prominent Cincinnati area lawmakers have condemned protesters who stormed the U.S. Capitol Wednesday afternoon.

Here is was several local lawmakers are saying.

---

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, R

This is an embarrassment to our country. This must stop immediately. The President should call for the demonstrators to leave our Capitol Building. The final step in the constitutional process of electing our president has been disrupted. The stopping of the count of the Electoral College votes has occurred because the security of the U.S. Capitol has been breached by a violent mob. As a nation of laws, this is simply not acceptable. Lawlessness is not acceptable. This is an affront to our Constitution and everything we hold dear. Those who breached the Capitol breached the Constitution. Peaceful demonstrations outside the Capitol are an exercise of the demonstrators’ First Amendment rights. Stopping the constitutional process by which we elect the president is not.

This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

The situation at the U.S. Capitol is an embarrassment to our country. This must stop immediately. The President should call for the demonstrators to leave our Capitol Building. The final step in the constitutional process of electing our president has been disrupted.

— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) January 6, 2021

---

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, D

Today is a tough day for our country. Domestic terrorists have stormed and infiltrated our U.S. Capitol building, a building that stands for American Democracy. Yes, I called them domestic terrorists. When you try to use force and intimidation to get what you want -- to overthrow an election, to stop the business of Congress -- yes, you are acting as a domestic terrorist.

This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

---

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, R

It’s both saddening and sickening to watch a mob devolve into thinking their rules would ever replace the rule of law. I unequivocally condemn the violence at the U.S. Capitol that we are now witnessing. Passion, patriotism and love for our nation should always and only be expressed in constructive ways that seek to honor the ideals on which our nation was founded. Any means of violence runs counter to who we are and is never acceptable.

This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

It’s both saddening and sickening to watch a mob devolve into thinking their rules would ever replace the rule of law. I unequivocally condemn the violence at the U.S. Capitol that we are now witnessing.

— Governor Eric Holcomb (@GovHolcomb) January 6, 2021

---

Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R, Ohio's 2nd District

This violence must stop. The criminals who have broken into the U.S. Capitol, injured law enforcement, and disrupted the constitutional process are not patriots. No matter what flag one is carrying, people violating the law need to be held accountable.

I condemn these actions and stand behind Capitol Police and our law enforcement in restoring order. Again, the violence must stop.

This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

This violence must stop. The criminals who have broken into the U.S. Capitol, injured law enforcement, and disrupted the constitutional process are not patriots. No matter what flag one is carrying, people violating the law need to be held accountable. 1/2

— Rep. Brad Wenstrup (@RepBradWenstrup) January 6, 2021

---

Sen. Rob Portman, R, Ohio

The right to protest peacefully is protected under the Constitution but the actions by violent mobs against our law enforcement and property at the US Capitol building today are not. (President Donald Trump) should condemn this unacceptable vandalism and violence.

This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

The right to protest peacefully is protected under the Constitution but the actions by violent mobs against our law enforcement and property at the @USCapitol building today are not. @realdonaldtrump should condemn this unacceptable vandalism and violence.

— Rob Portman (@senrobportman) January 6, 2021

---

Sen. Sherrod Brown, D, Ohio

My staff and I are safe. The violence at the Capitol needs to end now.

The lives of countless workers – journalists, staff, and Capitol Police are being put at risk by this attack on our democracy.

This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

My staff and I are safe.

The violence at the Capitol needs to end now.

The lives of countless workers – journalists, staff, and Capitol Police are being put at risk by this attack on our democracy.

— Sherrod Brown (@SenSherrodBrown) January 6, 2021

---

Sen. Rand Paul, R, Kentucky

Violence and mob rule is wrong and un-American, and it will not bring about election reform.

Today’s mayhem sets back any intelligent debate for a generation. Just stop it.

This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Violence and mob rule is wrong and un-American, and it will not bring about election reform.

Today’s mayhem sets back any intelligent debate for a generation. Just stop it.

— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 6, 2021

---

Rep. Steve Chabot, R, Ohio's 1st District

What is occurring right now at the Capitol is completely unacceptable. In America, we have the right to peacefully assemble and protest.

But, we do not, under any circumstances, have the right to violently storm government buildings and threaten the safety of our police officers and our fellow citizens.

The disturbing violence being reported must stop immediately, and anyone participating in such violent acts must be held accountable.

Respecting those with whom we disagree is not a matter of politics; it’s a fundamental principle upon which this nation was founded.

And it is critical that we, as a nation, find a way to put our differences aside, and focus on those basic beliefs that unite us as Americans.

This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

What is occurring right now at the Capitol is completely unacceptable. In America, we have the right to peacefully assemble and protest.

— Rep. Steve Chabot (@RepSteveChabot) January 6, 2021

---

Rep. Warren Davidson, R, Ohio's 8th District

I want to thank the Capitol Police for its dedicated service and for keeping everyone--from members to staff--safe. I have every confidence that they will be able to handle this situation.

This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

I want to thank the Capitol Police for its dedicated service and for keeping everyone--from members to staff--safe. I have every confidence that they will be able to handle this situation.

— Warren Davidson (@WarrenDavidson) January 6, 2021

---

Rep. Steve Stevers, R, Ohio's 15th District

Protestors have a right to be heard – a right that I’ve fought overseas for - but there is a difference between protesting and rioting. Destruction and lawlessness are not acceptable.

Many of those protesting today are carrying flags in support of the Thin Blue Line and law enforcement - I’m calling on everyone at the Capitol to obey the law and follow all instructions given by Capitol police and other law enforcement.

This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Many of those protesting today are carrying flags in support of the Thin Blue Line and law enforcement - I’m calling on everyone at the Capitol to obey the law and follow all instructions given by Capitol police and other law enforcement.

— Steve Stivers (@RepSteveStivers) January 6, 2021

---

Rep. Thomas Massie, R, Kentucky's 4th District

I’m safe.

This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

---

Jane Timken, Ohio GOP Chairwoman

As Americans we have the constitutional right to redress our grievances but not with violence. What’s happening in the Capitol is wrong and not the way forward.

Pray for law enforcement protecting the US Capitol.

This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

As Americans we have the constitutional right to redress our grievances but not with violence. What’s happening in the Capitol is wrong and not the way forward.

— Jane Murphy Timken (@JaneyMurph) January 6, 2021

---

Dave Yost, R, Ohio Attorney General

I condemn the storming of the Capitol. This is not protest, but lawlessness.

My prayers are with the law enforcement officers trying to restore order.

The color of your skin or the slogan upon your banner do not change what is acceptable and what is not.

Let all of us in Ohio remain peaceful. Do not let a sense of injustice produce more injustice.

The rule of law means the same rules for everybody. Those of us who called for prosecution of the people who stormed the federal courthouse in Portland must apply the same demand to those who stormed the Capitol today