Return to Transcripts main page
Don Lemon Tonight
Colin Powell Contradicts President Trump's Leadership; Democrats Proposed A Bill In Honor Of George Floyd And Others; Protesters On The Street Of Brooklyn Tonight; Protesters Call To Defund The Police In Aftermath Of George Floyd's Killing; Interview With Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) About More And More Americans Thinking Racism Is A Big Problem In This Country; NASCAR Legends Voice Support For George Floyd Protests. Aired 10-11p ET
Aired June 08, 2020 - 22:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[22:00:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
DON LEMON, CNN HOST: Yes, you're on.
CHRIS CUOMO, CNN HOST: Just scary window into our future, brother.
LEMON: What are you talking about?
CUOMO: The lawyer for the one of the three officers.
LEMON: Yes.
CUOMO: First of all, it's totally right that he's gotten to see the body camera footage. No question about it. I know there's a law in place. I know there's a prosecution coming.
However, I just think as a matter of law and policy, you have to have people see the body camera footage in these situations. I know there's a prosecution. I know you want to preserve testimony. I get it. I'm a lawyer. But this is bigger than that.
LEMON: Yes.
CUOMO: He's saying what this guy said. What George Floyd was doing. What this officer was saying. And this whole dialogue. We don't have any access to it.
LEMON: yes.
CUOMO: These are the police for the community that work for this community? It's just not right, Don.
LEMON: Well, I agree with you. And listen, I'm always a bit leery sometimes when I think the best place to fight your case is in the courtroom.
CUOMO: Of course. LEMON: I think they're going to work that out. I didn't get to see a lot of it because I was getting ready for this. And quite frankly, I was reading over Dr. King's I have a dream speech. I agree there is one -- there's a section that sticks out to me, Chris. That I think America needs to hear. Because of all that's all going on. And I just want to read some of it and then we're going to move on.
CUOMO: Please. Please.
LEMON: Where he talks about the fierce urgency of now. He says we have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy.
My Lord, now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.
That is where we are right now in this moment. When people are finally willing to stand up and say, I'm ready to listen. What can I do? Now is the time. When protestors are out there saying we don't want the status quo. We want you to come with us into the future where we don't have to deal with people dying at the hands of police officers who are brutalizing people.
Now is the time for racial justice and equality. That is where we are and that's what we need to keep our eyes on in this very moment.
CUOMO: Can't disagree with any of that nor should I.
LEMON: Yes.
CUOMO: But, you know, look, inspiration. Aspiration.
LEMON: yes.
CUOMO: It's only as good as the perspiration that follows it.
LEMON: Yes.
CUOMO: And if people don't come together and realize the basic rule of politics. That politicians act out of fear of consequence more than out of good conscious.
LEMON: Yes.
CUOMO: And if you come together and you come and you say what you want you got a good chance of getting it.
LEMON: Yes.
CUOMO: But I've got to tell you all the pressure that's on this prosecution, and so many seeing it as a kind of spring board to a new normal. This case against these other officers is going to get tricky.
LEMON: Yes.
CUOMO: And we don't have the evidence of the body camera footage and what was said that may give a different flavor. I do not see how they're going to be able to depict George Floyd as resisting in a way that warranted what was done to him. Not just to the standard of your training.
LEMON: Yes.
CUOMO: But of decency and of criminality.
[22:04:54]
LEMON: I've got to run. I don't -- I don't disagree with you. I think that this obviously George Floyd sparked this. And that will work itself out in the courtroom. And I think better minds than me are going to make sure that that happens.
But I'm speaking to the larger issue here. Why people are on the street. It's beyond that. They are tired of injustice.
I have to run because we are way over here. But thank you for listening. I'll talk to you soon. Mr. Christopher Cuomo, I love you, brother. I'll see you soon.
CUOMO: I love you, Don Lemon.
LEMON: Thank you very much.
So, this is where we are tonight. This is CNN TONIGHT. I'm Don Lemon.
And I want to talk about the moment that we're in and how we move forward. And offer people not only some advice on how to move forward, but also something that will help you understand and not be so depressed. A little bit of hope.
Because now is the time it's not the time, now is not the time to stay on the sidelines. It's time to take action. It is time to stand up. To stand up like in your very own way. Like Mitt Romney. Like Generals Jim Mattis and Colin Powell. Even Roger Goodell and NASCAR. Now is the time.
The protestors are out there on the streets tonight they are calling for action. They are making their voices heard. They are demanding justice for George Floyd and beyond. Demanding that this president hear them. Demanding that he stand up and not hide behind fences or in a bunker. Now is the time.
Instead, this president who is literally and figuratively in a bunker behind a wall, confined to the White House. The people's house is now a fortress. Hemmed in by protesters in the streets of America. And by his sagging poll numbers.
Those poll numbers in a free fall. Down seven points in just one month. And I want you to take a look at this. This is from a brand-new CNN poll. Eighty-four percent of Americans say peaceful protests of police violence against African-Americans are justified. Look at that number. Eighty-four percent.
Given the chance today to say something those 84 percent of Americans about them to tell these protestors that he hears them. The president says this. This is at a round table with law enforcement officials.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: We want to make sure we don't have any bad actors in there. And sometimes you'll see some horrible things like we witnessed recently. But 99, I say 99.9 but let's go with 99 percent of them are great, great people. And they've done jobs that are record setting.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: With thousands and thousands of peaceful protestors flooding the streets. Live pictures now of New York protesters are out flooding the streets with 84 percent of Americans. When did 84 percent of us ever agree on anything? Eighty-four percent saying those protests are justified.
This president doesn't mention the protests. He doesn't mention George Floyd's name. We know what this president thinks about police brutality. He told us.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: Like when you guys put somebody in the car and you're protecting their head, you know. The way you put the hand -- like don't hit their head and they've just killed somebody. Don't hit their head. I said you can take the hand away, OK?
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: We know what he thinks about peaceful protests. Peaceful protests by NFL players taking a knee to protest police brutality and racial inequality. Even after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell admitted the league was wrong for not listening to those players.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Does he still believe the NFL players who kneel as a form of protest against police brutality should be fired?
KAYLEIGH MCENANY, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: The president is very much against kneeling in general. The president has made clear for years that kneeling is tied to our national anthem. That it does not respect our military men and women across this country. He's not a fan of the kneeling movement. He's made that very clear. Particularly because he thinks it's disrespectful to our military as the kneeling originated at the kneeling during the national anthem.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: So, tone deaf. That's a talking point. It's not what it's about. We know what the president thinks about NFL players peacefully protesting police brutality. He told us.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
[22:10:01]
TRUMP: Wouldn't you love to see one of these NFL owners when somebody disrespects our flag to say get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out. He's fired. He's fired.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: His words. I don't have to tell you. Just let him say it. We know what this president thinks about peaceful protestors like the ones in Lafayette Square just one week ago who were gassed and he could just so he could have his law and order tough guy photo-op in front of St. John's Church.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is there any regret on the part of the president or anyone here about how people treated, people who were peacefully protesting and how they were rushed out so violently?
MCENANY: No. There's no regret on the part of this White House.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: No regrets gassing people. We know what this president thinks about those peaceful protesters. He told us.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: I am your president of law and order and ally of all peaceful protestors. But in recent days, our nation has been gripped by professional anarchists, violent mobs, arsonists, looters, criminals, rioters, antifa, and others.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: People show you who they are the first time. Believe them. They show you who they are the second time. You should really believe them especially if there's a second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh and 12th time and more. And so on, and so on, and so on. They show you who they are. Believe them.
All he cared about and cares about law enforcement. His tough guy moment. Law and order. Law and order. Tough guy moment. And he didn't care who he had to be who had to be gassed to get it. CNN was in that crowd last week. And what we saw was entirely peaceful. That is all the reporting we're getting back. Entirely peaceful. But it's hard to call yourself the law and order president when so
many military leaders turn against you. Remember what I said that now is the time? Well now is the time that multiple retired four-star generals and admirals including the president's handpicked former defense secretary apparently agree.
They are denouncing the president's threat to use active military to put down protests around the country. The latest is the very respected Colin Powell.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COLIN POWELL, FORMER UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR: We are in a turning point. I mean, the Republican Party, the president thought they were so immune. They can go and say anything they wanted. And even more troubling the Congress who just sit there and not in any way resist what the president is doing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: One Republican senator showing up at the president this weekend. It's Trump nemesis. And former presidential candidate Mitt Romney taking to the streets with Evangelical protestors yesterday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. MITT ROMNEY (R-UT): to end violence and brutality and to make sure that people understand that black lives matter.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Did you hear him? He actually mouthed the words and he actually said it. Black lives matter. Mitt Romney. A Republican. I said earlier that the president was in a literal and figurative bunker.
Sources telling CNN that he was forced to cancel a trip to his private golf club in New Jersey this weekend when aides raise concerns about what it would look like if the president were to go golfing while thousands of protesters were out in the street. But he's clearly itching to get out of the White House of 1600 black lives matter avenue.
He's planning a restart to campaign rallies sometime in the next week or so. One adviser telling CNN why should anti-Trump protestors be out there and not us? But about that bunker.
Remember how mad the president reportedly was when word leaked that the Secret Service had rushed him to the underground bunker for about an hour along with the first lady Melania Trump and their son Barron during protests? Remember when he insisted that it wasn't true. Insisted he was just inspecting the bunker.
(BEGIN VOICE CLIP)
TRUMP: Well it was a false report. I wasn't down. I went down during the day. And I was there for a tiny little short period of time. And there's much more for an inspection. There was no problem during the day.
[22:14:59]
The problem, I saw Leland got whacked pretty good, but that was during the night and this problem, these problems are during the night not during the day.
And I go down, I've gone down two or three times all for inspection. And you go there, someday you may need it, but you go there, and I went down, I looked at it, it was during the day. It was not a problem. And I read about it like a big thing.
(END VOICE CLIP)
LEMON: This maybe shocking to you, but it turns out that was a lie.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WILLIAM BARR, UNITED STATES ATTORNEY GENERAL: Things were so bad that the Secret Service recommended the president go to the bunker. We can't have that in our country.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: The attorney general completely contradicting the president. It was not an inspection. It wasn't a little bitty time this inspection. That was a lie. How many times does someone have to lie to you before you figure out that they're just a liar?
They have an issue with telling the truth. Just one of thousands and thousands of lies. Lies on top of lies. Lies, lies and more lies. Big and small from this president. Listen to Colin Powell.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
POWELL: The one word I have to use with respect about what he's been doing for the last several years is the word I would never have used before. I never would have used with any of the four presidents I've worked for. He lies. he lies about things. And he gets away with it because people would not hold him accountable.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: You have to call things what they are. Colin Powell is right. Remember the first time I called this president a liar I said to you, man, it's really hard to call the president a liar. But as a journalist, as someone who conveys information and truth, you have to call it what it is. He's a liar. He lied. And continues to. And it's not the first time. And sure, it won't be the last.
The president could have just said you know what, the Secret Service does a great job protecting me and my family. If they say we've got to the bunker, we go to the bunker. He could have said that. Could have told the truth. That's what a lot of presidents would have done. Most of them, I think. But not this one. Instead, he blew it up into a lie. And when somebody lies about little
things, you know the lie about big things too. This president will lie about anything. Even the bunker story. Because he cannot tolerate looking weak. That's why he stood in the Rose Garden last week declaring himself the law and order president while peaceful protestors were gassed so he could march over to St. John's Church scowling with a borrowed bible in his hand.
He did all that because he couldn't take looking weak. And now we know what we knew all along. He lied. I'll end this where I began. If that doesn't convince you now is the time, don't know what will.
Thousands are coming to pay respects to George Floyd today at a public viewing in his hometown of Houston. And joining me now is the attorney for the Floyd family. That is Ben Crump. And also, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee also with him. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas as well, of course.
It's -- thank you so much. I hope you both can hear me. I appreciate you joining. It's OK, they can talk. We're all -- it's just us family here, Ben. Thank you so much. I appreciate it.
Ben, listen, we just heard from Earl Gray the attorney for Thomas Lane, one of the fired Minneapolis officers charged. He says George resisted. I want you to watch this and listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
EARL GRAY, THOMAS LANE'S ATTORNEY: They then took Mr. Floyd out of the -- his vehicle because they were going to arrest him. And he resisted leaving his vehicle. He finally got him out of his vehicle. It wasn't a violent resistance. But it was not the kind of non-resistance that an individual should do when a police officer is arresting them. He should get out of his vehicle and follow the orders of the police officer. He didn't do that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[22:19:58]
LEMON: OK, so, I don't know. Whatever. he went on to say that George Floyd resisted again when they tried to get him inside the squad car by falling to the ground. Is this relevant to what we later saw on camera? Eight minutes and 46 seconds.
BENJAMIN CRUMP, ATTORNEY FOR FLOYD FAMILY: Don lemon, I believe and Philonise right in Florida here with me (Inaudible) they believe everybody who looks at that video believes, Don, it is completely irrelevant because we saw for eight minutes and 46 seconds George Floyd face down and handcuffed with that police officer knee on his neck where he said I can't breathe and called for his mother.
LEMON: The former vice president Joe Biden met with George Floyd's family today. Tell us what you can share about the meeting, please.
CRUMP: Certainly, Don, it was very confident to the family. He tried to use his personal experiences of loss and grief to help them get ready for the funeral here in Houston, Texas tomorrow. And in many ways and comforting them, Don. He was also trying to comfort our country.
And so, the family is extremely grateful to Vice President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden who was also there. I mean, really reached out to this family in a way that was quite incredible. Quincy, George's son. Dr. Jill Biden said she wanted to stay in contact with him to offer him grief counselling. And I just thought that was incredibly special.
LEMON: Let's listen to what the former vice president said about that meeting with the Floyd family.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE BIDEN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Jill and I talked to him about it's hard enough to grieve but it's much harder to do it in public and it's much harder with the whole world watching. They're an incredible family. His little daughter was there. The one who said daddy is going to change the world. And I think her dad is going to change the world.
I think what's happened here is one of those great inflection points in American history for real in terms of civil liberties, civil rights and just treating people with dignity.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Listen, in our conversation last week, I know that is in stark contrast from what Philonise said how his conversation with the current president went. What does that mean to have the presumptive Democratic nominee for president say that about George Floyd?
CRUMP: You know, Don, I think to his family and to most black people in the America to have the person who is, I guess a few months possibly away from being the president of the United States to come and say your brother life mattered. Your father life mattered. And that all America is grieving with you. That is something that many black people never see in our lifetime.
So, to have that is important. And we'll try to back it up with action at this funeral by having legislation passed in George Floyd's name.
LEMON: Congresswoman, I want to talk about. Speaking of legislation, I want to talk to the congresswoman you helped to write that legislation and make it happen. Thousands of turning out to pay their respects to George Floyd. Fourteen days later large protests happening. Why do you think his death has resonated for people all around the globe, Congresswoman?
REP. SHEILA JACKSON LEE (D-TX): We're at (Inaudible) high school. Thousands of people came out to honor their brother along with the family, Don. And thousands are in the streets, millions are in the streets around the nation.
Because no one can understand eight minutes and 46 seconds as the life seeped out of George Floyd and we heard him cry I can't breathe. And we heard him cry for his mama and we heard him murdered on the streets of Minneapolis on the streets of this nation.
No one can equate that to the values of America. The fact of liberties and civil rights and due process and the right to free speech. And they also cannot equate that to the truth. Their eyes told them the truth. And then the officers tried to perpetrate the untruth.
The tragedy of what we have now, Don, is we have a commander in chief, a president, that is not reached out his hand to comfort this family in the way that it should or the nation. And so, the protestors are saying that we want our country back. We are not going to stop. Until the most powerful lawmaking body in the nation.
And I'm proud of the Democrats today that took the George Floyd trust and integrity act. Law enforcement trust and integrity act working with the Congressional Black Caucus chairwoman Karen Bass and Speaker Pelosi and Mr. Schumer and all of the leadership.
[22:25:02]
We stood up today. We collectively stood up today. George Floyd's bill is the anchor of this legislation. And what we have said to the protestors, Don, is what you have been saying every night. We hear you. We hear you. Ben Crump, we hear you.
LEMON: Yes.
LEE: Family of Floyd, George Floyd, big Floyd, Perry Floyd, we hear you. And I tell you I don't see any way we're going to be able to stop. I don't think Leader McConnell is going to be able to stop what is good.
LEMON: Yes.
LEE: And so, we're here to fight for this legislation. But tomorrow, if I might, we're here to honor this family tomorrow in a humble and spiritual way.
LEMON: Well, I appreciate your very powerful words.
CRUMP: Amen.
LEMON: And Ben Crump, I appreciate you joining us, and for the folks behind you, the family and the friends and all the people out there, please give them our regards. Thank you both. I appreciate it.
LEE: Pray for us.
LEMON: Up next, CNN is out in the streets of Brooklyn with protestors headed for the Barclay Center. We will certainly pray for everyone. This country especially.
[22:30:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: We are following the story and the protest who are out in the streets in cities all across this country. Two weeks after the death of George Floyd in police custody. Let's check in with Bill Weir now, out in Brooklyn. Bill, where are you? What are you seeing?
BILL WEIR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Do, we're right by the Barclay Center. Home of the Brooklyn Nets and boy, it's been a long day. I have been following different groups all over Brooklyn all day. Today a 100 days after the first coronavirus case was confirmed.
We started to reopen in New York City. So, 400,000 people went back to work, but obviously there are 10s of thousands, hundreds of thousands still out of school, out of work. Full of rage. And motivated to stay in these streets. So, who knows how long it will go on?
But one sign that this is working today, New York assembly passed the Eric Garner chokehold bill. Eric Gardner, of course, 2014 Staten Island. Cop stop him for selling loose cigarettes. One officer put a chokehold on him and killed him. Took five years for him to be fired without a pension. Nobody went to jail for that. City had to pay $6 million.
But if the Senate passes it, the governor signs it, he's legacy of I can't breathe same last words of George Floyd. Will be that a cop was caught making that choke hold move to go to jail for 15 years. So, there is real fruit of this labor. How long it will go they seem to have plenty of energy, Don.
LEMON: All right. Bill, they are wearing you out that's for sure, out there all day. Bill Weir, thank you very much. We'll check back with you throughout the program.
Two weeks of protests over George Floyd death as a new CNN poll shows more and more Americans think racism is a big problem in this country. Well, they are right. Senator Cory Booker is here to talk about all of this and more. There he is. After the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[22:35:00]
LEMON: As the protests continue tonight. The killing of George Floyd is leading to widespread calls for police reform. Democrats in Congress have released a sweeping bill aimed at reform. But will it be enough for protestors calling to defund the police? Interesting. Let's discuss now.
Senator Cory Booker. Senator, always good to see you. Thank you so much for joining tonight. You know, these protests all over the George Floyd death and the larger issue of police brutality have been going on for two weeks now. Give me your reaction to seeing people out there taking the streets all across this country and for this long?
SEN. CORY BOOKER (D-NJ): It's incredible. And frankly it's the only thing that really has made real change in this country. There's an old saying in Washington that if change doesn't come from Washington it comes to Washington by people who demand the change. And from the workers' rights movement to the suffrage movement, to the
civil rights movement. All the great strides we have made in issues of justice and fairness really have come from mass non-violent protests around this country.
And even legislation like the Americans with disability act, people forget that there were incredibly courageous Americans with disabilities who do protest. Throwing themselves in front of buses in courageous action. So, this gives me incredible hope. Especially the diversity of the protesters, all ages, a rainbow coalition of individuals. Different religious background. All 50 states. More than a dozen other countries all talking about the -- pandemic challenge -- country with racism and structural racism.
LEMON: It really is quite remarkable to watch. In a short time we have a lot to get to in a short time we have together, but I want to talk to you about this, because I don't know if -- who understands what this term means, defund the police. Because one of the rallying cries in this protest has been to defund the police. I'll play what Joe Biden said about it and talk to you. Here it is.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE BIDEN, FORMER VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, 2020 U.S. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: No, I don't support defunding the police. I support conditioning federal aid to police based on whether or not they meet certain basic standards of decency honorableness and in fact are able to demonstrate they can protect the community and everybody in the community.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: So many people are not sure. Including myself. I have been trying to read up on exactly what it means. It's kind of nebulous, it means certain things to some people and certain things to other people. So, you said that you don't support that slogan. Are you worried that it could actually harm the larger cause here of police reform?
BOOKER: Well, I think my worry is that Donald Trump and others of his (inaudible) are going to weaponized that slogan and distorts and pervert the sentiment and the substance that are coming from many of the great artists of activism out there right now, who are actually calling for things that widely, 80, 90 percent of Americans agree with.
America knows that we are treating mental illness with this country. Not with healthcare. But tragically with police and prisons and jail. We are treating addiction in this country. Not with treatment, but with prisons and jail and police. And we know fundamentally I can show you data, you know, I cite of Seattle study that was done where they found what was more expensive to the city of Seattle? Leaving people on the streets with mental illness or putting them in supportive housing which is very expensive.
And they actually found out that it was cheaper to put them in supporting housing for taxpayers, because of the cost of the police and the jail and the hospital emergency room that folks would end up on. So, we don't have a society whose structure reflects our values of decency and love for one another.
And so, when people are saying defund the police, what I hear from the activists that are often saying this is that there are better ways to go about -- that actually lower levels of crime. And elevate human potential that are lower cost to taxpayers, but are better investments in human potential and human possibility.
[22:40:07]
And so I don't -- I think we are going to create a false debate around this. Where it's a zero some gain. The reality is we as a society need to reimagine how to create police. Let me give you - this is an important story. I'm a new mayor in Newark, I'm meeting with the FBI on gang prevention. Violent crime is spiking in my city and they just give me a sober intelligence report about gang activity in Newark.
I ask the guy, how do we stop this? And the head of the FBI looks at me and says we don't stop this. In other words, he began to tell me that the police, the law enforcement they're treating this symptoms of a deeper problem. They can arrest a lot of people. But they are not going to stop it. There must be a different way. This is law enforcement saying there must be a different way to get the roots of the issue.
LEMON: And listen, I don't disagree with you. I do think though that we all know that police reform is needed. And I agree someone -- taking a slogan and mischaracterizing what people -- what the intentions are, I think is a real possibility. Because even someone who studies up on this, I'm trying to figure out exactly what people mean by defunding the police.
Yes, we need to reimagine the police department. Yes, it needs to be (inaudible) you know, any organization can you know, bear his looking at. But you're right, what does it actually mean when you say defund the police and not have someone create a false argument around it?
I think you're spot on with that. Senator, I have to run. I got to go, but I appreciate you joining us. We are going to talk more. This deserves a longer conversation. And we promise to have you back, thanks so much. And be safe.
BOOKER: Thank you. You as well.
LEMON: Yes. The prosecutor says a man accused of driving his car through a group of peaceful protestors in Virginia is an admitted KKK leader. And now the prosecutor there is looking into hate crime charges. She joins me next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[22:45:00]
LEMON: Virginia officials say a man accused of driving his car through a group of protestors admitted to being a leader of Ku Klux Klan, the KKK. He's name is Harry Rogers, he's charged an attempted malicious wrong doing, felony vandalism, assault and battery. Officials are now investigating whether hate crime charges are appropriate.
So, let's talk now to Shannon Taylor, she an attorney for Henrico County Commonwealth. And we appreciate you joining us. Shannon, thank you very much.
SHANNON TAYLOR, ATTORNEY, HENRICO COUNTY COMMONWEALTH: Thank you, Don.
LEMON: You say the man that you have charged Harry Rogers is admitted KKK leader. Give us the facts please, about this incident and his involvement. What can you tell us?
TAYLOR: Yes, so right now we have our witnesses who have described Mr. Rogers, driving his vehicle in what was an erratic manner. Approaching the peaceful protestors who are walking along the road. And when he gets to the group the back of the group, he stops the car. But then he revs that engine. And then proceeds to move forward and that's when he struck our victim. Who was on the bike? Struck the victim's bike and injured our individual.
LEMON: OK, I just want to -- Shannon, let me -- this video. It's Harry Rogers from 2013. Displaying his confederate flag. This according to our affiliate WTBR. As we look at this, what exactly are you learning about his ideology? And I'm always shocked like this is 2013. I mean, who is in the KKK? I mean, Come on. But anyway. Go on.
TAYLOR: It's not just 2013. And we documented in 2014, as well as documented 2017.
LEMON: And now.
TAYLOR: In Charlottesville.
LEMON: Right.
TAYLOR: And now. And so, I think when we talk about how this speaks to this racist ideology. This is an individual who is devoted to this ideology. And as we indicated to the judge this morning is self- proclaimed. Being a high ranking official and appears to very proud of that.
LEMON: CNN reached out to Rogers' attorney for comment. But we haven't heard back. He is being held without bond. How will you determine if hate crime charges are warranted in addition to the assault and battery and other charges?
TAYLOR: Well, Don, I think when we all hear the word hate crime. We all know that this is criminal action that one is taking upon somebody merely because of their skin or their religious practice or sexual orientation. And we coerce have to believe that someone has to have hate in their heart to do that.
But when we talked about the legal idea of what hate crimes are, we will be looking at the definition with the code of Virginia and to see if we can fit the facts from all of the witnesses there. Through video footage, through social media and of course in addition to Mr. Rogers' statements. To see if we can be able to fit those elements of the crime. If we're able to do that, we will be charging.
LEMON: Shannon, thank you. Best of luck. Please come back and update us. Thank you.
TAYLOR: Yes, sir. Thank you so much for having me.
LEMON: Absolutely.
NASCAR drivers, NASCAR drivers, speaking out against racism. In support of protests. Yep. The base. Bubba Wallace even wearing a Black Lives Matter shirt before Sunday's race. He joins me next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[22:50:00]
LEMON: As marchers and protests continue over the death of George Floyd more athletes are using their platform to speak out. Here's what drivers for NASCAR's cup series have to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The events of recent weeks.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Highlighted the work we still need to do as a nation to condemn racial inequality and racism.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The deaths of George Floyd.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and countless others in the black community are heart breaking.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are heart breaking.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are heartbreaking and can no longer be ignored. The process begins with us listening.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And learning.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Because understanding the problem is the first step in fixing it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are committed to listening with empathy and with an open heart.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: To better educate ourselves.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will use this education to advocate.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: For change in our nation, our communities.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And most importantly in our own homes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: My next guest was one of those drivers and yesterday's NASCAR race in Atlanta he wore a t-shirt with George Floyd's last words I can't breathe on it as well as black lives matter. So, joining me now NASCAR driver Bubba Watson.
Bubba, thank you so much for joining us. I appreciate you joining us here. I know that you are very busy and this is a, you know, a topic that some people are actually don't want to come on and talk about because they are concerned how it might affect them. So, I want to thank you for doing this and being brave enough to do it.
BUBBA WALLACE, NASCAR DRIVER: Sure.
LEMON: Tell me how that video came together and what it means for your sport.
WATSON: Well, first off its Wallace not Watson. I'm not the golfer. I'm the racer.
LEMON: What did I say? I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I don't know why I did that man. I'm sorry, man. Sorry. My apologies.
WALLACE: No. All good. I get that a lot. No, I thought the video was well put together and you get to see, you know, mostly guys, you know, and how they come together, how we come together as a sport and as a community to stand up for what we believe in and what is right.
So, Jimmie Johnson took on the initiative and I have been in contact with Jimmie the most I ever have this week in the last seven days we have talked almost every day. And that is simply him wanting to learn and figure out how to be better as a human being so he can raise his daughters the right way and prep the next generation and show that we are all created equally. So utmost respect to all the guys that are in that and I still encourage from all series and all forms of motor sports to speak up and stand up and speak up and let your voice be heard.
LEMON: You know, I heard on Friday, late Friday, that Jimmie was working on something and that he was reaching out to people to figure out exactly how to do it, but he wanted to do it and my reaction was after I got off the air on Friday, and I said, wow. NASCAR. That is going to be really interesting to see what they actually put together.
[22:55:04]
And when I saw the video I was just amazed by it. And then now, apparently going to back it up with some action. As the top African- American driver in NASCAR, your experiences with this issue going to be way different than others. What are your conversations like with those other drivers?
WALLACE: Yeah, I think, you know, it really started with Todd Dillon. He wanted to have an Instagram live conversation and just hear my stories and I let it all out on the line. I told him the discrimination that I had went through with law enforcement and how I was treated and it's the wording that really stuck out to me of how I was treated. It wasn't any brutality. It wasn't anything with force.
It was the words that were said. And that is what some people don't realize. It's the words and how they say it really triggers African- American people because it's like, what makes you say that? What makes you think that way?
So you know, NASCAR has stepped up to the plate big time. And they have reached out, the high ups at NASCAR, every single one of them reached out, and they have my utmost respect and they give me their support and the direction that we're heading so I am proud of NASCAR for stepping up to the plate and delivering in a huge way. The moment of silence that we had before we fired off in Atlanta.
I sat there at the start/finish line with tears in my eyes seeing every crew member stand on the wall, my crew members standing there proudly holding up the shirt that I wore prerace with I can't breathe black lives matter and we had our official you know, crisis -- kneel during the anthem. A member of our community, kneel during the African-American man that kneeled during the anthem had also served our country. That speaks volumes. And I talked to Jimmie about that.
LEMON: What was the reaction? What was the reaction?
WALLACE: I didn't see it until after I got home. And I was blown away by that. And it was further up the grid so I didn't see it. But I told Jimmie today, I seen it, if I would have seen it I would have went there and stood next to him. Kneeled next to him, because it is such a powerful move. A man, an incredible man that has served our country kneeling down that people think it is disrespecting the flag and going against our military. It's definitely not.
I was so uneducated on what the kneeling meant when it started. But now reading about it and what it stands for and what it goes after and I'm still doing a lot of learning myself. Don't get me wrong. I don't know everything about you know, what is going on in the world but that is what we are trying to deliver the message across, listen and learn. To be able to better educate ourselves.
LEMON: Listen, we're over. I'm sorry, can we just figure this time thing. Because I think what you are saying is very important. So sorry, my apologies to the producers. You could be mad at me. Blame me. So, I think it is important what you're saying that you have to learn and I'm just wondering the other -- the reaction from others in NASCAR.
Listen, this is quite honestly the president's base, right? These are the people he is speaking to when he calls people sons of bitches and when he says that, you know, it is disrespecting the flag, that whole narrative, to have NASCAR come out. What are you going to do if someone raises a confederate flag? What is the next action, Bubba? I don't know.
WALLACE: That is a good question. That is why these conversations are being had right now each and every day. I need to get a new battery for my phone. It's been going through so much. But we are taking -- we are trying to figure out next steps and my next step would be to get rid of all confederate flags.
There should be no individual that is uncomfortable showing up to our events to have a good time with their family that feels some type of way about something they've seen, an object they've seen flying. No one should feel uncomfortable when they come to a NASCAR race.
So, it starts with confederate flags. Get them out of here. They have no place for them. The narrative on that before is, you know, I wasn't bothered by it but I don't speak for everybody else. I speak for myself what I am chasing is checkered flags. That was kind of my narrative but diving more into it and educating myself, people feel uncomfortable about that.
People talk about that. That is the first thing they bring up. So, you know, there's going to be a lot of angry people that carry those flags proudly but it's time for change. We have to change that and I encourage NASCAR, we will have those conversations to remove those flags.
LEMON: So, OK, so let me ask you. I'm from Louisiana so this is a term that we use all the time and even among friends. So, what are you going to do when -- you know, because NASCAR is viewed as the good ole boy sport, right?
What are you going to do, when, you know, because you know there are going to be people there who disagree with you and who are vehemently opposed to all of this.
WALLACE: Absolutely.
LEMON: How do you keep the -- how do you have the back bone to stand up to -- this is your profession, this is your livelihood, this is what you love. And I would imagine in this profession especially among the fans you're in the minority, Bubba.
WALLACE: Absolutely. I've been a minority all my life even in this world outside of racing we're a minority.
