The Los Angeles sun is back out and the damages are being assessed citywide after an extremely violent night.
National Guard troops were deployed onto the streets of Los Angeles early this morning as looting, vandalism, and violence intensified overnight, and the police department had seemingly struggled to restore order after two days of chaos.
Photos showed five military Humvees parked at 3rd and Hill streets downtown early this morning. Guardsmen dressed in full combat gear currently stand guard at several shattered storefronts and buildings where broken windows, trash, and graffiti create a seldom seen landscape.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in the city and county of Los Angeles shortly before midnight.
The National Guard was called in to assist police after two days of violent demonstrations sparked by the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who was pinned down by the neck by a white police officer in Minneapolis.
Kathryn Barger, Board of Supervisors Chair announced Sunday that she has proclaimed a state of emergency as well, which will facilitate interagency response coordination and mutual aid, accelerate the procurement of vital supplies, and enable future state and federal reimbursement of costs incurred by the county.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti joined other politicians with statements referring to the protests. “With liberty comes responsibility to be able to peacefully protest,” Garcetti said. “For that one or two percent of the protesters who think that (violence) is the way to make a statement, do not do a disservice to the memory of George Floyd (and) the folks who have died at the hands of the brutality that we all stand against.”
We will report more on the progress of Los Angeles as more details are made available.
Countries in Europe and Canada are seemingly standing with Americans in protest for the death of George Floyd.
The Black Lives Matters movement in America has crossed continents in the wake of recent fatal police shootings of black men in the United States. Demonstrations erupted in Europe and Canada after thousands began protesting across the U.S.
Pictures and videos show people in Berlin, London, Toronto, and more holding signs that say “Black Lives Matter” and chanting the same lines heard in cities across the United States.
Hundreds of protesters gathered in Central London at Trafalgar Square Sunday afternoon and marched toward the United States Embassy. So far, this has been the most visible sign of popular support overseas for the protests across the U.S. against police killings of black people.
As many as 4,000 people gathered in Toronto on Saturday to protest Canada’s racism. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said it is a very “real” issue in his country. The protests, though, remained peaceful as protesters dispersed around nightfall.
More protests are planned over the next couple weeks in cities around the world as people continue to demand justice and reform to police systems protesters see as extremely flawed
Tsu Surf proves consistently that he more than whatever box you put him in: more than a battle rapper, commercial emcee, author, scholar, gamer, businessman, gang member, etc. Activates his circle of influence to protest in silence … well except to say ‘F*ck the police,’ ‘We not breaking our sh*t’ and ‘I love you and thank you’ to a little girl.
Where are the rappers?
Hip-Hop used to be the voice of the streets and the perspective that the world used to check for to understand what urban America is feeling … but not anymore.
To put it mildly, tweets have replaced feet and artists are more concerned with where the next dollar is coming from than thinking about liberating their own people. And while everyone doesn’t have to be a Kendrick Lamar or a J-Cole, emcees from a plethora of different experiences still can pop out and show support to the thousands of Black and brown bodies getting banged on my cops and wannabe vigilantes.
Think about it … just like there was a Public Enemy … there was also a Niggaz with Attitudes.
That is why, more so than names like Jay-Z, Nas, Snoop, and 50 Cent, a rapper like Tsu Surf matters.
The Crip understands his circumference of influences and activates them on multiple levels, tapping into points of commerce responsibly, why also taking it to the pavements, and being accessible in times of protest with the people.
What makes him even more unique, a gentleman usually associated with violence (in 2019 he was infamously shot in his stomach and almost died), he organized a silent protest in his community to bring awareness and move in solidarity with various victims that found themselves murdered at the hands of police.
Moving through the hood, walking peacefully on the pavement, you can hear the trail of activist (some who had never marched before in their lives) chanting:
“No justice, no peace. F*ck these racist @ss police!”
As they walked through the streets, he reminded people that the goal was to honor and not disrespect, build, and not destroy.
“When it is time to walk, we gonna walk you did?” Surf informed. “And we not breaking sh*t, it’s ours.”
Like a Pied Piper, this former college basketball star and English major, organized his protest so that at one point the walked over a chalked list of deceased names retroactively dating from 2020 with the recent name of Texas rapper and DJ Screw affiliate Big Floyd (known to the world as George Floyd) back to the 1955 death of Emmett Till.
Once passing by white allies that signs that read “Black Lives Matter,” he offered gratitude for their support. What makes this so powerful, giving the world a glimpse into this gangsta rapper’s heart is how he melted in front of the little tousled-hair blonde toddler. The Wave says to the little girl, “I love you. Thank you.” Beneath her mask, you can’t tell but it seemed she had to smile.
In a rare moment of humanity, two worlds seemingly remote —find intersection. THAT IS THE MAGIC OF REAL ARTISTS … THE ABILITY TO CONNECT WITH EVERYONE.
Tsu Surf is dropping his long-anticipated project MSYKM on June 10th. The album is sure to be another hood banger as the features include G Herbo, Mozzy, Jim Jones, Benny the Butcher, Lady London, Justin Love, Dave East, Guodon, Earthquake Jones and BBY HNDRXX.
The complete that the “Regular Day” rapper submitted with the instructions to say their name is as follows:
2HRS OF SILENCE FOR GEORGE FLOYD 
2 HRS OF SILENCE FOR GEORGE FLOYD