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Hurricane Laura Slams into Gulf Coast; Boycott of NBA Season; Feds Launch Civil Rights Probe; Pence Accepts GOP Nomination. Aired 6:30-7a ET

Aired August 27, 2020 - 06:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:31:11]

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: We want to give you an update on where Hurricane Laura is and what's happening right now. It made landfall this morning in Cameron, Louisiana, with ferocious winds of 150 miles per hour. That's a category four, but it's bumping right against a category five, which is 157 miles per hour.

The storm surge is still the big concern. Chad was telling us, it went from one foot to four and a half feet in just the past hour. Obviously, people there are very concerned about the flooding that could follow. And it's just -- people are in the thick of it right now.

Our own Gary Tuchman is in Lake Charles where the storm is hitting right now. It's passing over there. And Gary has just described to us what a frightening night you've already had.

So, Gary, tell us what the situation is at this moment.

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: And then indeed it was, Alisyn. And I presume for people in their houses right now, particularly, as I mentioned before, with small children, that's all I keep thinking about. If you're a small child and it's nighttime and you hear these winds, how long you'll stay frightened for after this happens, how that affects you. And that's what's going on as we speak right now here in southwestern Louisiana and the upper gulf coast of Texas.

My producer, Ann Clifford and I, just gingerly took a walk around to try to get an initial look at damage, even though it's still pitch dark outside, and there's a lot of damage. This behind me is a large casino hotel. The power is out, like it is in much of the city, and lots of parts of this building have flown off. There's another casino hotel in front of me. Lots of that building's damaged also.

I think what's important to point out is an observation I made yesterday. We were doing our live reporting yesterday from the Calcasieu River here in Calcasieu Parish, and I was standing on a man- made beach by the river, and the river is very placid. There was a little current to it. And it was just a really nice beach. And you could see, if you were going for a vacation and staying in the casino hotels here, and it's a big history here in Lake Charles, the casinos, it would be nice to be out there on the beach, be on the sand. But I made this guess that that beach would be gone today. We I just took a walk to that beach. It is a raging rapids. The beach has disappeared. It looks like an angry ocean right now.

But so far that water hasn't washed -- we're very close to the river -- hasn't washed over to us. It's just kind of up to our ankles when we were in that parking lot. And that's a relatively good sign, I think, at this point.

Alisyn. John.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Gary Tuchman, stay safe there. Every step you take is so dangerous while it's still dark out as you try to access the damage. You just don't know where the power lines are, where the debris is. You have to be so careful there. We appreciate you trying to get a sense of the situation on the ground.

Again, you can see, this storm is still very powerful. We are still very much in the now.

So let's go to Chad Myers to get a sense of where things stand.

Chad.

CHAD MYERS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: John, river flood gauges are working again in Lake Charles, and the river flood gauge says we're 3 inches from major flood stage and 3 feet from record flood stage. And that water in the river is still flowing the wrong way, still going upriver. Saltwater going up a freshwater river.

So how did we get here? How did we get to Laura? How do we get to Marco?

Well, back in May we had Arthur, then we had Bertha, the shortest living tropical storm before it made landfall ever. Then Cristobal. Remember that one kind of coming up here. If it's red, the line means that it was a hurricane. Then we go -- had Fay, we had Hanna, we had Isaias. And then we had Laura and Marco simultaneously. But Laura developed first. And that's how Marco got its "m" and not the "l." Marco was down here in the Caribbean and then made landfall up here, or at least close.

But Laura was way out in the Atlantic and it took a long time to get Laura to the U.S. So that's why -- how we are already at the "m" name, as we get -- continuing to move towards September 10th.

[06:35:07]

September 10th is the peak of hurricane season. So we're not even there yet.

There is the storm right now, 110 miles per hour. It's down to a category two. It is going to continue to slow down in speed, but certainly not slow down in the amount of damage that's being done.

The reason why Ft. Polk is going to see damage is because you're still at 110 miles per hour. The reason why Lake Charles is still going to see possible water damage is because now the wind is coming from the wrong way, from the south, and pushing that water up the river. So even though this is landfall, this is not over.

Guys.

BERMAN: All right, Chad, we know you're watching it very closely. Please keep us posted.

In the meantime, a lot of other major news, unprecedented news developing overnight. Two of the biggest teams in the NBA have reportedly voted to boycott the rest of the season in protest over the police shooting in Wisconsin. The details, next.

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[06:40:00]

BERMAN: All right, more breaking news. Not just sports history, but social history. ESPN reports that two of basketball's biggest teams, the Lakers and Clippers, have voted to boycott the rest of the NBA season in protest after the police shooting of Jacob Blake. Unclear what happens next there.

But we've already seen NBA playoffs games canceled, players refusing to play. Baseball games canceled, players refusing to play. Soccer, tennis, remarkable acts of protest.

Andy Scholes joins us now with the breaking details.

Andy, what have you learned?

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Well, John, I'll tell you what, you know, it certainly was an historic day. You know, athletes saying, enough is enough and they are demanding change.

And, you know, the big question after those NBA games were called off last night is, you know, what's next? Well, the NBA players, and they're in the bubble, holding a meeting last night. According to multiple reports, the Lakers and Clippers players' voted to end the season, end the bubble. Now, every other team is reportedly in favor of continuing. According to ESPN, the vote was more of a poll rather than a final vote and the players are set to meet again later this morning.

Now, this all started with the Milwaukee Bucks not coming out of their locker room before their scheduled game against the Orlando Magic in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin. And while in the locker room, the Bucks players spoke with Wisconsin's attorney general and other state leaders and hours later eventually came out to make this statement.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) GEORGE HILL, MILWAUKEE BUCKS GUARD: When we take the court and represent Milwaukee and Wisconsin, we are expected to play at a high level, give maximum effort and hold each other accountable. We hold ourself to that standard. And, in this moment, we are demanding the same from lawmakers and law enforcement. We are calling for justice for Jacob Blake and demand the officers be held accountable.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Now, there were powerful messages being sent across the sports world last night. TNT analyst Kenny Smith walking off the set in unity with the players during last night's "Inside the NBA." The WNBA also deciding to postpone its games in solidarity with the NBA. The six teams scheduled to play posed together for a photo on court with some players wearing t-shits spelling out Jacob Blake's name. Those white shirts were marked with bullet holes on the back to signify the seven shots that were fired by police.

Now, players from the Brewers and Reds also deciding not to play their game in Milwaukee last night. Milwaukee about 40 miles away from Kenosha. In all, three Major League Baseball games postponed with several other players opting not to play.

And Mets slugger Dominic Smith getting very emotional when speaking about (INAUDIBLE) his game.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DOMINIC SMITH, NEW YORK METS OUTFIELDER: I think the most difficult part is to see, like, people still don't care. And for -- for this to continually happen, I mean, it just shows, um, just the hate in people's heart. And, I mean -- I mean that -- that just sucks, you know? And being a black man in America is not easy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: Such a powerful, powerful message. And women's tennis star Naomi Osaka also announcing she's not going to be playing her semifinals match at the Western and Southern Open. Major League Soccer, guys, postponing all five of their games last night in solidarity with athletes across the country.

And I actually, you know, texted with a member of an NBA team yesterday asking, you know, what does he expect to happen with the league? He said, you know, nothing is for certain, but he says, you know, it's not like they can just start playing in a couple of days as they try to make this stand for equality.

BERMAN: It really is remarkable and a moment in history.

Andy Scholes, please keep us posted throughout the morning. Appreciate it.

CAMEROTA: Developing overnight, federal investigators launching a civil right probe into the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin. And new details emerging about the 17-year-old charged with killing two people during protests yesterday.

CNN's Shimon Prokupecz is live in Kenosha with the latest.

What is the latest, Shimon?

SHIMON PROKUPECZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, good morning, Alisyn.

That's right, federal authorities here -- investigators here in Kenosha have launched that civil rights probe into the shooting of Jacob Blake by police. And after days of virtual silence from authorities here, they have finally started to release some information which is beginning to paint a picture of what happened here Sunday night.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PROKUPECZ (voice over): After days of protest and unrest in Wisconsin, investigators releasing a basic timeline of events of what led to a police officer shooting Jacob Blake in the back seven times. The Wisconsin attorney general says police were called to the scene to respond to a domestic incident. It is unclear what happened when officers arrived but eventually officers attempted to arrest Jacob Blake and used a Taser on him before shots were fired.

[06:45:00]

Investigators says Blake told officers he had a knife in his possession and that a knife was later recovered in Blake's car.

JOSH KAUL, WISCONSIN ATTORNEY GENERAL: Mr. Blake walked around his vehicle, opened the driver's side door, and leaned forward. While holding on to Mr. Blake's shirt, Officer Rusten Sheskey fired his service weapon seven times.

PROKUPECZ: Officer Rusten Sheskey has been on the Kenosha police force for seven years and is now on administrative leave. Meanwhile, 17- year-old Kyle Rittenhouse has been arrested and charged with first- degree intentional homicide after allegedly shooting and killing two protesters Tuesday night. Social media accounts believed to belong to Rittenhouse show his affinity for guns and police, writing, quote, blue lives matter. He also voiced his support for President Trump, even posted video of a Trump rally he attended at Drake University.

Police are investigating whether it is Rittenhouse in the videos that have surfaced online of a man walking with a gun with his hands up in front of police. Authorities are also investigating whether the shooting was part of a conflict between demonstrators and a group of armed men claiming to be protecting businesses during the protests.

SHERIFF DAVID BETH, KENOSHA COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT: We had a person call me and say, why don't you deputize citizens who have guns to come out and patrol the city of Kenosha? And I'm like, oh, hell, no.

They are a liability.

PROKUPECZ: A video that was posted to a Milwaukee-based right-wing website shows the glaring difference in how law enforcement has treated protesters and armed men on the streets in Kenosha. Officers are seen showing their appreciation for the armed men by offering them water.

OFFICER: Hey, thank you guys again. Do you need water? Seriously. Guy to our right, do you need water?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can you throw one up here? Officer, can you throw one here?

OFFICER: We've got a couple. We've got to save a couple, but we'll give you a couple. We appreciate you guys, we really do.

PROKUPECZ: The Kenosha sheriff responding to the video.

BETH: Our deputies would toss a water to anybody.

PROKUPECZ: But Jacob Blake's uncle sees it differently.

JUSTIN BLAKE, JACOB BLAKE'S UNCLE: We think that would be the perfect example of white privilege. We didn't get the benefit of getting handcuffed and being taken in easily and arrested. Rather, our nephew was approached in vigorous forms and led to what everybody saw in the video.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PROKUPECZ: And, Alisyn, the ultimate decision on whether this officer is going to be charged in the shooting of Jacob Blake is up to the district attorney's office. They have about 30 days or so before the results of the investigation get handed to them. And then a decision, at some point, would be made after that.

Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: Thirty days is a long time. I mean, obviously, the people in Kenosha, as well as Jacob Blake's family, want some answers now, but they're happy that an investigation is ongoing.

Shimon, thank you very much for the latest from the ground there.

So, will Hurricane Laura affect the RNC planned tonight? We have new reporting on what to expect and a recap from last night, next.

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[06:51:42]

BERMAN: All right, new this morning, Trump campaign officials tell CNN that President Trump is moving forward with tonight's acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention from the White House despite Hurricane Laura. You know, we should note, there is precedent for parties to delay or postpone or even cancel nights at conventions with hurricanes bearing down. Not only are they going to hold this event, apparently, but they're going to have a lot of people at the White House in these moments dealing with the pandemic. More than a thousand people expected there. That would be the biggest, most populated event since the president's rally in Tulsa back in June.

Meanwhile, Vice President Pence, he gave his speech last night.

CNN's Jeff Zeleny live at the White House with the very latest.

Jeff.

JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: John, good morning.

President Trump, we're told, is going ahead with that speech here this evening to make his case for a second term. Aides say he will be echoing and amplifying Vice President Mike Pence's call last night that Joe Biden, he says, would be dangerous for America.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mike Pence.

ZELENY: Vice President Mike Pence accepted his nomination for a second term against the backdrop of a country in crisis. Pence sending support to those in the path of Hurricane Laura.

MIKE PENCE, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: My prayers are with you tonight. And our administration is working closely with authorities in the states that will be impacted.

ZELENY: But he did not mention Jacob Blake, whose shooting by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, has sparked more protests against racial injustice.

PENCE: President Trump and I will always support the right of Americans to peaceful protest, but rioting and looting is not peaceful protest. Tearing down statues is not free speech. And those who do so will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

ZELENY: Instead, he pushed President Trump's law and order message.

PENCE: So let me be clear, the violence must stop, whether in Minneapolis, Portland, or Kenosha.

We will have law and order on the streets of this country for every American of every race and creed and color.

ZELENY: While also blasting Joe Biden's candidacy as dangerous for America.

PENCE: The hard truth is, you won't be safe in Joe Biden's America. And under President Trump, we will always stand with those who stand on the thin, blue line and we're not going to defund the police, not now, not ever.

ZELENY: The Democratic nominee has spoken against calls to defund police, but that was not the picture Republicans tried to paint on the third night of their convention.

GOV. KRISTI NOEM (R-SD): Democrat-run cities across this country are being overrun by violent mobs.

People that can afford to flee have fled, but the people that can't, good, hard-working Americans, are left to fend for themselves.

LARA TRUMP, SENIOR ADVISER, TRUMP CAMPAIGN: Joe Biden will not do what it takes to maintain order.

President Trump will keep America safe.

ZELENY: Pence also praised the Trump administration's handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

PENCE: President Trump marshalled the full resources of our federal government from the outset. He directed us to forge a seamless partnership with governors across America.

[06:55:00]

ZELENY: But that's not true. Many experts say Trump waited too long to organize a response and both Democrat and Republican governors struggled getting federal help.

Pence, who leads the White House Coronavirus Task Force, also gave this promise.

PENCE: We're on track to have the world's first safe, effective coronavirus vaccine by the end of this year.

ZELENY: But that claim is highly optimistic. Many medical experts don't believe a vaccine will be ready until 2021 at the earliest.

Before Trump joined the vice president on stage at historic Ft. McHenry, Pence sent this warning to voters.

PENCE: The choice in this election is whether America remains America.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ZELENY: Now, President Trump did make a brief appearance at Ft. McHenry last night, but the big show is tonight. We are getting our first look this morning at the stage on the South Lawn, an unprecedented place for a president to accept his party's nomination. There will be a fireworks show, as well as a tough speech against Joe Biden, we are told.

Of course, the White House is keeping a close eye on Hurricane Laura and the aftermath of that, but we are told, as of now, this speech is going on.

John.

BERMAN: Yes, with a thousand people. And my understanding is, people who get close to the president have been tested or will be tested for coronavirus, but not everyone else at this point.

ZELENY: Indeed. BERMAN: So we will see the product of that.

Jeff Zeleny at the White House, thank you very much.

ZELENY: Sure.

BERMAN: So one of the most powerful storms to ever make landfall in the United States. It is hitting the south now, as we speak. We are contacting as many people as we can to get a sense of the destruction. More coming up.

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