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Don Lemon Tonight

George Floyd's Brother Speaks To Congress; President Trump Refuses To Rename U.S. Military Bases; CNN Fights Back At Trump Campaign's Cease And Desist Order; NYPD Commissioner On Calls For Police Reform; NASCAR Bans Confederate Flags At Its Races And Venues; Jalen Rose Teaming Up With Lebron James, Draymond Green And Others For Non-Profit To Protect Voting Rights; HBO Max Temporarily Removes "Gone With The Wind." Aired 10-11p ET

Aired June 10, 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]

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN HOST: Don't wait for them to do the right thing. Make them do the right thing. Come together. The key is the we.

Thank you for watching. "CNN TONIGHT" with D. Lemon right now.

DON LEMON, CNN HOST: It is so disgusting. That photograph. I mean, really? Come on. It's really gross. It shows the worst, the worst of America, the worst of people. Those people should be embarrassed. Everybody watching should be embarrassed by those people. I have a lot of names that I could use but -- come on. Who does that?

CUOMO: Those guys. And a lot of ore people like them. People who want the confederate flag to keep flying, who see it as heritage, who, somehow, cultivated an audience with the president, who, will see keeping confederate commanders names on military bases as respecting our military.

LEMON: You know who that is? That's people who don't want to move forward and embrace what America is right now. America is not that. That's not --

(CROSSTALK)

CUOMO: Not right now. Always. That's why that war was fought.

LEMON: yes.

CUOMO: We settled it.

LEMON: I have been -- listen, I've been talking to folks to something I'm working on. And my thought is that there is a reason that our founding fathers said a more perfect union. They didn't say perfect. They say a more union.

That means that every step that we are as an American society in this grand experiment it can always be better. It can always be more exclusive. Things don't have to stay the same. Because when they do, they get stagnant. That is the opposite of creation is to stay the same. And to be -- and not evolving.

So those people can stay there and yell and put their knee on someone's neck. And you know, whatever they want to do. But eventually they will get left behind by all those people and people like you and I who are doing the right thing, trying to pull America and everybody into not only the future but the current reality.

Is that we are all in this together. I would prefer instead of those idiots and those dumb you know what's. Dumb -- you know, donkey's butts. Instead of that, I'd rather do what you -- what we did today. Talk about are we having lunch, are we going to -- are you going to help me with a project that I need. And you came to help me with the project that I need.

Didn't think about we, my gosh, we think differently we come from a different place. We look different. Nobody thought about that. We just thought about being friends and enjoying each other's company today and trying to help someone out and being a decent person.

That's what we should focus on, those Yahoos. Those people, they're going to get left behind and they are to get angrier and angrier. And that's it. So, I say there are a whole bunch of words I'd like to say but I like having my job and I like being able to pay my mortgage. So, I just won't say how can you --

(CROSSTALK)

CUOMO: I think you have a job because of the words you say and what you express. Anybody can read the news, Don.

LEMON: Yes, I know, but it's just the things that I want to say about that, having grown up with that in Louisiana, having grown up with one of my best friends, one of the leaders of the KKK lived in the next, either the next property or the property over from that. And did not have -- I mean, I'm just going to be honest here. Did not have the sort of upbringing and that my family had.

I mean, quite frankly, my best friend lived in trailer. Right? Nothing wrong with living in a trailer. I -- we lived in -- we had the WEB Du Bois talented tent neighborhood that we lived in.

This was pre-Cosby. This is where people -- this is where Cosby got the idea from of professors and doctors and engineers. Those were my neighbors. That was my upbringing. And then you have some people who are not educated. Right? Not everybody can have degrees or have doctorates and masters, who are telling me that they are better than me simply because of the color of their skin and that they were born a certain way in this country.

It makes absolutely no sense. So, all those people can go have several seats and continue to live the way they live and they will be gone and forgotten because people like you and me were going to get together and we're going to make this a different place.

So, I've got to say, I want to hear from you. We'll talk about it tomorrow. But I have someone -- (CROSSTALK)

CUOMO: It's your show, brother.

LEMON: Someone -- no. These guys are waiting on a plane. So, I'm going to put my open off, I'm going to let Chris talk tomorrow. And I have to get to this real quick because it's important guest, OK?

CUOMO: I love you, Don. Be you. Tell the truth.

LEMON: I love you, brother. Thank you for your help today. I really appreciate it. Thank you.

CUOMO: You never mention lunch, by the way, but I digress. I'll talk to you later.

LEMON: You can buy it next time.

CUOMO: Yes.

LEMON: This is CNN TONIGHT. I'm Don Lemon.

As I said, we're going to do something different because we're going to take the take that I usually talk about. You don't want to miss it because something is happening here. And these two people are affecting how it's happening.

[22:05:05]

I've got special guests now. Let's bring in Ben Crump, the attorney for the Floyd family and Philonise Floyd, George Floyd's brother.

Thank you so much. I know that you guys have to catch a plane. So, because of I am so enamored by -- I should say honored by how you have handled yourself, Philonise, you and your entire family, and what you have done for this country. I want to make sure that I got you in at the top of the show. The lead story.

So, thank you for waiting. You gave some emotional testimony on Capitol Hill today. What did you think? How did it go?

BENJAMIN CRUMP, ATTORNEY FOR FLOYD FAMILY: This testimony on Capitol Hill, how did it go.

PHILONISE FLOYD, GEORGE FLOYD'S BROTHER: We wanted to come to Washington. I wanted to let them know about how the officers put his knee on my brother's neck and my brother pleaded for his life. And I knew if I had them there, while I was asking for help to get those guys convicted. I can do the same thing because we all want unity in this world.

LEMON: So, while I have you here I just, I want the audience to know some of what you said. OK? So, I'm going to play it and then we'll get your response. Here it is.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) FLOYD: Genders and races have come together to demand change. Honor them. Honor George. And make the necessary changes that make law enforcement the solution and not the problem. Hold them accountable when they do something wrong. Teach them what it means to treat people with empathy and respect. Teach them what necessary force is. Teach them that deadly force should be used rarely and only when life is at risk.

George wasn't hurting anyone that day. He didn't deserve to die over $20. I'm asking you is that -- is that what a black man's worth, $20? This is 2020. Enough is enough.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: After that I understand you marched in Washington.

CRUMP: We did.

LEMON: Talk to me about that. Do you think -- people want to -- right now, Philonise, people want to be heard. Do you think that lawmakers heard you? Do you think Washington heard you?

FLOYD: Yes, I think they heard me. I think they heard me loud and clear. I talk for a while trying to let them know that my brother his death will not be in vain. And I didn't want him to be another guy on a t-shirt. I told them how much I love him, how much he was a role model to people that's growing up around me. We all loved him and the world loved him too. Because we all protesting because we're tired of what's going on right now.

LEMON: Listen, I just want to -- Philonise, you can hear me, right? Because I'm not sure if you're having trouble hearing me. You guys can hear me, right?

FLOYD: Yes. Sometimes it goes out a bit but, yes.

LEMON: OK. So, here's my question, Philonise. Two weeks ago, you're a normal guy, living your life. And then all of a sudden, now you're speaking in front of lawmakers. Your entire family is on display and your life for the world. What is going through your head right now? This has to be surreal but just unreal to you, unbelievable to you. What is this like?

FLOYD: I'm just looking back at Martin Luther King, guys like Al Sharpton, people who went through a struggle trying to get unity in this world. My brother he was killed for nothing. He was an innocent man. So, I'm not going to let his death be in vain. I'm going to speak out as much as I can because he has a platform now. And he also elevated me to be able to speak for him in his death.

So, basically, that's all I'm trying to do. Trying to make sure his death is not in vain. And make sure he lives on as a legacy in his life.

LEMON: You know -- you know, last night, Ben, you know, the I did the Sam Cook song. "A Change is Going to Come." That was the theme of my show. Tonight, I think the theme is there's something happening here. Right? These are protest songs. What is happening here, Ben Crump?

CRUMP: You know, it's certainly is something happening, Don Lemon. For the first time I believe that we have a real opportunity of getting people to come from across the aisle and change the culture and the behavior of policing in America.

[22:10:07]

And, Don, we went to Congress because we know if there's going to be a change in policing in America, it has to start at the top. And so, the lawmakers even on the other side of the aisle were literally saying that we have to do something about this. This qualified immunity. These choke holds, these body camera videos. That's what the George Floyd law is going to speak to.

These issues (AUDIO GAP) and these are the impediments that prevent from getting justice. So, this is our time, Don Lemon. This is our time.

LEMON: Philonise, are you OK? Are you going to be all right?

FLOYD: Trying my best. I haven't had a chance to grieve like I want to because I've been trying to get his message across. But I'm on my way. Hopefully I'll have a chance to just sit back and think about what's going on because everything has been coming so fast right now.

LEMON: You take care of yourself. You take care of your family. And we thank you for helping to change the world. Thank you so much. And I just over the past couple of days just watching your family is just dignified grace. Class. Thank you both. Have a safe flight. I appreciate you waiting this long. Don't miss your flight. I'll talk to you guys later. Thank you so much.

FLOYD: Thank you, Don.

CRUMP: Thank you.

LEMON: Thank you.

OK. So, here's this is -- just -- I mean, just imagine. Imagine that was your -- you know, I said to Van Jones yesterday we were on with Wolf. And recently I had a loss in my family. My sister died in 2018. I had to give -- I had spoken about her, didn't give the eulogy. But it was one of -- I was one of the speakers. And I didn't write anything down. I just got up there and I started talking about my sister, sudden death, accidental.

But imagine someone dying in your family a loved one and how you dealt with it. Just in your own personal life among your family and friends. And then imagine having to do that in front of the world. Because we all know there is no one way to act. There's no correct way to act when you suffer a tragic loss. The way you deal with it is the way you deal with it when someone dies.

And so -- even if you yell and scream which people do all the time, out of nowhere. My sister and my mom start crying or yelling and screaming. What do you do? There's no rational - there's nothing rational about death and especially a sudden death.

So, imagine having to do that in front of the world. And then having people judge you and then you see those you know what's. That -- that Chris just showed. You see those people spoofing your loved one's death. Just imagine that. What kind of grace that takes and restraint? Not to go off on people and yell and just be mad as hell. Just be mad as hell.

Monumental dignity. I'm going to pause because I need to collect myself. And I'm going to give you my take on the other side of this break and you definitely want to hear it so don't go anywhere. We'll be right back.

[22:15:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Stop. What's that sound? Everybody, look what's going down. I've been thinking a lot about protest songs and about the struggle in the 60s. That was stop, hey, what's that sound Buffalo Springfield, 1966. That was the year I was born. That's when that song came out.

There's something happening here. There's something happening here. Tonight, the president and this White House want to maintain certain ties to the confederacy while NASCAR of all entities of all sports rejects them. As that protest anthem goes. Something is happening here.

And what it is the song says it's not exactly clear is exactly clear for me. Is that the man of the top just can't or just won't see it? So, ask yourself why. This president loves to tell you how much he has done for black people. MAGA loves people. Someone actually said that. I think he actually said something like that.

He loves to tell you that he's done more than any president since Abraham Lincoln. That is a lie. Time and time again he refused to support efforts to make this country more equal. Let me show you how.

He's gassed peaceful protestors demanding justice and equality. He's falsely accused them of being criminals. And when this president and his administration as thousands and thousands of Americans peacefully protest racism and police brutality. When they won't even admit, admit, that systemic racism exists in our society and in our police departments, well, don't take my word for it. Just listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You said you don't believe systemic racism exists in the United States?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I do -- I do not.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: At all in the U.S.?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I do not.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: you don't think there's any systemic racism against African-Americans in the United States?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I will say it again. I do not.

[22:19:56]

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We want to make sure we don't have 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.

WILLIAM BARR, UNITED STATES ATTORNEY GENERAL: I think there's racism in the United States still. But I don't think the law enforcement system is systemically racist.

JAKE TAPPER, CNN HOST: Do you think systemic racism is a problem in law enforcement agencies in the United States?

ROBERT O'BRIEN, U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: No. I don't think there's systemic racism. I think 99.9 percent of our law enforcement officers are great Americans.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Listen, I'm going to say it. I'm just going to say this stuff from now on, and I'm not going to like, kowtow. You know, people say black folks, white folks whatever. And whisper white people, black people. We don't have to whisper anymore. I'm just going to say it.

White men denying the existence of systemic racism, that is the essence of white entitlement. We do not need their permission or their sign off on what we know to be true. And what we have lived. That is white mansplaining.

How can you solve this problem? The systemic racism that is killing people of color if you won't even admit there's a problem. First step is admitting there's a problem. America knows which way the wind is blowing. Even NASCAR is banning confederate flags right now because people including one of their own drivers spoke up loud and clear.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: What are you going to do if someone raises a confederate flag? What's the next action, Bubba? I don't know.

BUBBA WALLACE, NASCAR DRIVER: That's a good question. That's 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 -- we are taking we are trying to figure out next steps. And my next step would be to get rid of all confederate flags.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: But not this president. He's refusing to consider renaming military bases bearing the names of confederate military commanders. Tweeting, these monumental and very powerful bases have become part of a great American heritage and a history of winning victory and freedom.

But they lost. They didn't win. They actually were going against what America wanted. But you want to name a military base after you're going to fight for that. OK. Do your thing.

The president going against his own defense secretary and secretary of the army both open to discussing renaming the bases. Bases named after confederate and military commanders. In other words, the people -- listen to me -- the people these bases honor by bearing their names are traitors who lost. You want to defend that? Go right ahead.

Yes, many American heroes trained at those bases and fought and won battles and wars, the fight for freedom and liberty for America. Many -- many of them black and brown. We can rename the bases after some of them. President Trump doesn't have to keep confederate names on our military bases. Our military bases. He is choosing to. He says he's done so much for black people.

Let's remember what he does when he has the choice. Which choice does he make? He and his administration choose to gas peaceful protestors marching for racial equality so he could have a photo-op. He chose to launch his climb to power by promoting the racist birther lie that the former President Barack Obama was not born in this country, chose to attack athletes taking a knee, to protest police brutality and racial inequality.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

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.

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Chose to support maintaining confederate statues and monuments when white supremacists and neo- Nazis marched in Charlottesville with tiki torches and violence. Listen to that. Listen to that. Jews will not replace us. Did all this when violence swirled around those monuments.

[22:25:04]

This is the president who said this about it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: You had people that were very fine people on both sides. You had people in that group -- excuse me. Excuse me. I saw the same pictures as you did.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Chose to dodge repeated questions about whether he disavowed David Duke, David Duke from Louisiana. That's where I'm from. He is the former leader of the Ku Klax Klan, chose to call African nations sending immigrants to this country, quote, "shithole countries."

He even chose to spike the effort to Harriet Tubman's face on the $20 bill, calling it pure political correctness.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: Harriet Tubman is fantastic. I would love to -- I would love to leave Andrew Jackson and see if we can maybe come up with another denomination. Maybe we do the $2 bill or we do another bill. I don't like seeing it. Yes, I think it's pure political correctness.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Harriet Tubman was an escaped slave and conductor of the underground railroad who led countless other slaves to freedom. President Andrew Jackson was a slave owner who forced tens of thousands of Native Americans off their land and onto the famous Trail of Tears where many died.

These are all points where Donald Trump could have chosen to reject racism, the legacy of white supremacy, could have chosen to support a move toward equality and recognition for black people in this country. And what we have faced. What do you got to lose? What have you got to lose? That's what he said.

And now this president who is itching to get back out on the campaign trail is having a campaign rally on June 19, which is Juneteenth. The very day that marks the end of slavery in this country. And he is having it in Tulsa where in 1921 hundreds of African-Americans were killed by a white mob in the section of Tulsa known as Black Wall Street.

Is it any surprise that this president and his administration that they don't think that systemic racism exist in this country? No. What he's really worked up about is bad poll numbers.

His campaign sending a cease and desist letter to CNN demanding a retraction and apology for a recent poll that showed he is behind the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. Apparently, this president just couldn't take it. Maybe he needs another bunker moment. I don't know.

David Vigilante who is CNN's general counsel firing back in a letter saying, "To my knowledge, this is the first time in its 40-year history that CNN had been threatened with legal action because an American politician or campaign did not like CNN's polling results. To the extent we have received legal threats from political leaders in the past, they have typically come from countries like Venezuela or other regimes where there is little or no respect for a free and independent media."

Going on to say this. "Your letter is factually and legally baseless. It is yet another bad faith attempt by the campaign to threaten litigation to muzzle speech it does not want voters to read or hear. Your allegations and demands are rejected in their entirety."

And as we say, period.

This president is so upset about our poll that he doesn't want you to hear about it. Think about that. But you know why your polls might be low? Maybe because you suggested that people ingest disinfectant while the coronavirus which you downplayed for months is still killing Americans.

Maybe because you gassed peaceful protestors demanding justice and an end to police brutality. Listen again to George Floyd's brother. What he told Congress today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FLOYD: George wasn't hurting anyone that day. He didn't deserve to die over $20.

[22:30:01]

I'm asking you, is that what a black man's worth, $20? This is 2020. Enough is enough.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: He's right. Enough is enough. America is demanding change right now. Demanding justice. Demanding. Welcome to 2020. Remember that song I talked about at the top for what it's worth. What's the name of it? The lyric something is happening here -- America knows. Doesn't seem like this president knows. So, what do you have to lose? The answer to that question is takes more time than I have on this program this evening.

Protestors in the streets, communities across the country calling for police reform. How will departments respond? I'm going to ask New York City's police commissioner. I can't wait to speak with him. We always have a very fruitful and candid conversation. There he is. After the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[22:35:00]

LEMON: So the police commissioner of New York City Dermot Shea here. Were; just going to get right to it, because calls are growing for police reform at departments all across this country. And I'm so happy that you're here. NYPD officers who was caught on camera shoving a woman to the pavement during a protest charged with assault. New York Times is reporting that we can see misconduct or criminal charges against as many as 40 more officers involved in clashes with protestors. Do you believe the officers need to be held accountable for these actions, Commissioner?

DERMOT SHEA, NYPD COMMISSIONER: Yes. Don, thanks for having me on. Absolutely officers that do not uphold the standards that we set have to be held accountable. The good news here Don, now is the 40 number I heard that earlier today too. I don't know where that's coming from. We believe it's going to be a very small number of cases over all. Considering the interactions that we have had. We have good news the last couple days. Very calm and peaceful demonstrations. We're looking for that to continue.

LEMON: So, that 40 is incorrect? You're saying, right?

SHEA: To my knowledge.

LEMON: That's what the Times are reporting. OK.

SHEA: I heard that earlier. I don't think that's accurate.

LEMON: OK. Commissioner, there's a lot of tension between police and the people they're meant to protect. A New York State police union leader, Michael O'Meara, I'm sure you know him. He spoke to the press yesterday. He is angry, he thinks police officers are being vilified by legislators and the media. Watch some of this and then we'll talk about it.

SHEA: Yes.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL O'MEARA, NEW YORK STATE POLICE UNION LEADER: We all read in the papers that in the black community, mothers are worried about their children getting home from school without being killed by a cop. What world are we living in? That doesn't happen. It does not happen. I am not Derek Chauvin. They are not him. This isn't stained by someone in Minneapolis. It's still got a shine on it. And so does this. So do theirs. Stop treating us like animals and thugs and start treating us with some respect.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Listen, Mr. O'Meara is perfectly -- you know, he can have he's own opinion about things, whatever. I can tell you as the fact that black mothers are worried about their kids not coming home. And listen, I'll give you my mom's phone number if you don't believe that. And I'm a 54 year-old man. What is your response to this comments?

SHEA: I was going to say exactly what you just said. I think that everyone has value -- you see the passion on this from both side, Don. Everyone has their own opinions. But you have to sit in other people's chair too. And you have to see the world through their lens. And the sad truth is just what you said. People do feel that way. And people are worried. And we wish it wasn't so.

But at times it's a fact. And when we come to grips with that and we start having that difficult conversation, I think we get a little bit closer to where we want to go. Unfortunately that's the reality. I have talked to many people over the years. In a variety of formats. Listen. I feel very strongly about law enforcement.

And I do not think, Don, that law enforcement is the problem. I think law enforcement is part of the solution. I hope you think the same way. But to say that people don't or to dismiss people's concerns and fears, I think is a big mistake. I think we should work together. LEMON: I think law enforcement can be part of the solution,

Commissioner. I don't know if they are part of the solution right now. Denial -- I'm not saying that everyone in law enforcement is in denial. But admitting that there is a problem is a first step. And I see -- I do see from departments around the country and I commended you on the stance you took for George Floyd and his family and the entire department. But I think that we can all be better including the police department. Right?

And again as you said work together. So, listen. You know that activists are calling defund police. I've been wanting to talk to you about this. Thought there are a lot of people who want to put the brakes on that kind of talk. Mayor De Blasio announcing that some funding for the NYPD will move to youth and social services. And he's not saying much about this, but you say that you support that. You're worried about potential consequences. Explain that to me, commissioner.

SHEA: Yes. So, when you look at -- when I came in about six months ago. One of the first things I've stressed was I wanted a new youth initiative. We just allocated the offices to this youth initiative when the coronavirus hit. Unfortunately.

[22:40:06]

What I think right now is look at the unprecedented time we're in. Look at the fiscal crisis that we're about to be met by. Everyone is going to have to tighten their belts including the NYPD. When I heard that the services were going to be cut for kids, I can't think of anything that would hit me worse.

So, I made the statement. I absolutely do and I standby it right now. I absolutely do commit to taking some money out of the NYPD budget and if it can be used to restore programs for kids. I think that's crime fighting. I think its crime fighting in a different way. I think it's by far the best use of our money and resources.

I view that separately, Don, than this defund the police movement which is a greater conversation. And to be honest I don't know that many people speak the same language here in terms of what it actually means. I think that law enforcement is part of the solution. I would go a little stronger than you. You said they can be. I think they are. We're not perfect. But we are out there.

Listen, this is such a complicated issue. We have to do a better job of making sure that the people we are striving to protect do not feel alienated by the way we're protecting them. And we are not perfect, Don. And it's a much larger issue than keeping crime down. We can't keep crime down and alienate the very people that we're trying to serve and protect.

We've been performing here in the NYPD, Don, for the last six years. Great strides, I like that you can hold up the NYPD as a model for this country. A model that is not finished, but a model. In terms of training, de-escalation, body cameras, neighborhood policing. Now our youth strategy. It is a work in progress. LEMON: Yes. Listen, the videos that you see. I'm sure you don't like

them. And that certainly doesn't help with the image and what you're trying to convey right now. Listen, commissioner, I have to tell you again, you're always welcome.

I thank you for coming on, you take the tough questions. And listen I appreciate you waiting, because I know we moved you back because we had a change at the top of the show with them waiting to get their plane or trying to rescue at the plane. So, thank you for your patience. And thank you for coming on, we hope to see you soon.

SHEA: Thank you, Don. Bye-bye.

LEMON: Thank you very much.

NASCAR is banning confederate flags at their races. And that's not the only thing professional sports are doing to combat racism. My next guest is teaming up with other athletes to protect African-American's voting rights. Former NBA player Jalen Rose. Next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[22:45:00]

LEMON: Basketball super-star LeBron James is teaming up with other high profile athletes in entertainment to launch a non-profit group called more than a vote. The group will work towards protecting black voting rights and turning out the vote in November. So, let's discuss now. A member of Lebron's new group. Basketball legend Jalen Rose. Jalen, I'm so happy to have you on. Don't tell CNN that I watch you all the time and almost every day I'm watching you on ESPN. You guys are great.

JALEN ROSE, NBA BASKETBALL LEGEND: Thanks for the love. That's mutual by the way. We are fighting the good fight, Don.

LEMON: Thank you. Thank you. So Jalen, thank you for coming on. There's some big news tonight. We saw last night just how urgent this is with the primary in Georgia and voters waiting in line for hours. On Twitter yesterday, the people were posting all this stuff. So, Lebron said that we should be asking if how we vote is also structurally racist. What's the focus when you look ahead to November?

ROSE: Well, this is what we have to understand, the system isn't broken. It was built this way. And when we understand that's the reality, now we must navigate and figure out how we can systemically implement change. And you see over the last 16 days that people can mobilize like it's the 60s when they're truly fed up with government and the brutality of the police. And in particular the final killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

And you know we can go down the line. To Merritt Rice, Ahmaud Arbery, Eric Garner, Breonna Taylor, like the unfortunate deaths that keep happening. And so you asked yourself how can I be a beacon for change. How can we keep the same energy? Because, Don, you know, we are going to have this energy. Everybody is in a pandemic. We are at home watching the nine minute video. And everybody is stomping for change.

LEMON: You say --

ROSE: What happens when sports start back up? When businesses open back up? So, now we have to use this energy to mobilize people. In particular black and brown people. To use their voice by voting and not just for the president. For Senators, for governors. For prosecutors. This is one way we can institute change.

LEMON: That was me applauding in case you couldn't hear it. You said something I thought was very profound the other day, Jalen. I just want to make sure everyone hears it. You said, I wish America loved black people as much as they love black culture. How can we change that?

ROSE: And I know that one hurts. It should hit right between the eyes, because I remember in America where it was divided, where the people who were listening to rap music and playing it in their houses and singing the beats, were people that look like you and I. And then all of the sudden they went mainstream.

[22:50:02]

And when it went mainstream, it all of a sudden created a melting pot of individuals that now you see white people holding signs that say black lives matter. And that can be a scary thought to people, older than me, maybe that lived in a different America, 55 or older, the way you view America and you may -- support the confederate flag or, you know, distance and segregation and looking at blacks like we're beneath you.

Your kids and grandkids and your nieces and nephews, they don't necessarily feel that way. And now that we have this sea change that's happening, we must continue to empower one another, and I'm really -- I really feel encouraged by the energy that I'm feeling in our country right now.

LEMON: I said that there was -- I'm inspired. I'm tired but I'm also inspired by the energy. Jalen, I'm going to have to have you back so that we can have a much longer conversation, because you know I had George Floyd's brother at the top of the show and we had to move things around. I wanted to have you longer, but thank you so much.

I appreciate how you -- love that you speak your mind. You say what you mean. You said what you said, right? And that you're using your platform and you're standing up, and it's really important right now and I just want to commend you for that. I just had to say that to you, brother. Thank you so much.

ROSE: Thank you very much. I appreciate the love. See you soon.

LEMON: Thank you. I'll see you soon.

So, HBO Max removing "Gone With The Wind" late last night and today it is topping Amazon's best-sellers list. Was it the right decision to remove it or did it backfire? I'm going to ask the Oscar-winning screenwriter of 12 years of slave, next.

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[22:55:00]

LEMON: The outrage and calls for action after the death of George Floyd in police custody making waves in the entertainment industry. This week HBO Max temporarily removing Gone With The Wind until it can be returned with historical context. It's one of many examples of how Hollywood is reacting to this moment. So, joining me now is John Ridley, Oscar-winning screenwriter of 12 years a slave. It's so good to see you again. Are you doing OK?

JOHN RIDLEY, AMERICAN OSCAR-WINNING SCREENWRITER, 12 YEARS A SLAVE: How are you doing, Don?

LEMON: Thanks for coming back on.

RIDLEY: My pleasure. Hope you're holding up.

LEMON: Let me read a clip -- this is a clip from an op-ed that you wrote in the L.A. Times on Monday calling on HBO Max to remove Gone With The Wind. You write, it is a film that glorified the antebellum south.

It is a film that when it is not ignoring the horrors of slavery, pauses only to perpetuate some of the most painful stereotypes of people of color. It does whitewash slavery and it glorifies white (inaudible) culture, but I mean, some people argue that it should be seen for exactly what it is, a window into America's racist past. Why is that wrong?

RIDLEY: It's not wrong? And in the piece I say that I do not want the film buried in a vault in Burbank which is where the Warner studios are. But if you're really going to do a deep dive in history, Don, first of all, I know you know, it is not historic, it is not a documentary, it is not built on actual narratives. This was a story that was written 70 years after the civil war and then released in 1939, part of a greater narrative of lost cause.

So, I agree with everything you're saying. That's what's in the piece. Is just put it in context. And by the way, Warner Media already does that on, for example, Turner classic movies where they take films that are beyond just slightly difficult and put them into context. So, all Warner Media doing is doing is doing their best practices as they do in other places. And by the way, I commend Warner Media for that.

LEMON: OK. So, listen, you know, CNN is part of Warner Media, but let's just talk here because I worry, though about art, right? I worry about books, you know, you hear people talking about Huckleberry Fin and you know, taking the n word out and all of that.

I guess with historical context, you need to explain because a lot of it is not taught in history. But you're not concerned about this is going to go too far and where does this end. You know the argument about this. RIDLEY: Yes, an argument only counts if it's built on fact. So, when

you say go too far, I would say that Gone With The Wind and other films, song of the south, they died with their boots on went just as far to perpetuate the sense that the slavery was -- the confederacy was noble, that is was about something more or better than subjecting humans to commerce. To be treated as commerce.

So, if you're saying that actually studying that era and knowledge, and I know that, Don, look, you're playing the devil's advocate. I know you don't believe that. But on the other side of it, you know, we're here where we are because of films like that. We in Hollywood -- look, you just had Jalen on. He could not have been more on point about what we all have to do in our spaces.

And, you know, before the break you said, hey, is this backfiring because people are going out and buying the film? If one little thing that I wrote is causing millions of people across the country to adjust their lifestyle, that's about all I can do, Don, in this space.

So, if people have to react, if they have to modify their behavior, this is something I learned very early on when I was doing commentaries at NPR. You know, people would write me letters, oh, I hate you. It's like, you got to adjust your schedule. You just wrote a letter to me. I don't know who you are.

LEMON: Yes.

RIDLEY: So, you know, look, Don, compared to what other people are doing, whether it's about racial injustice, whether it's about covid- 19, people literally putting flesh in the game, this is a small thing, but the reaction has been huge. And, again, I got to complement Warner Media. I don't know that what I wrote caused them to do what they do. They did it so swiftly I have to believe that Warner Media was prepared to do this. And again, that's what they are doing.