Good thursday morning, everyone. The city of minneapolis is preparing to honor the memory of george floyd today. At the same time this afternoon the former Police Officer is now being charged in his death are scheduled to appear in court. All four officers at the scene that day are now in custody. Prosecutors have upgraded the most serious charge against former officer Derek Chauvin. Overnight, this powerful scene. Protesters shining the lights from their cell phones, the crowd in denver fell silent for nearly nine minutes, the amount of time chauvin kept his knee on floyds neck. In a Bombshell Development from washington, former defense secretary james mattis is now speaking out slamming President Trump for the way he responded to protesters. We will get to that in just a moment, but first abcs Megan Tevrizian with the scenes unfolding overnight. We have been being killed all over, you know, all over the place, everywhere, you know, our black men are being killed. You know what im saying, and it never used to matter. Reporter this morning a new step towards justice. And i feel that this is going to be the time when we can finally get some justice. I think that its going to be all right. Reporter all four fired minneapolis Police Officers are now charged in connection to George Floyds death. [ crowd chanting ] reporter Derek Chauvin now facing upgraded charges including second and third degree murder along with manslaughter while the other three former officers are now charged with aiding and abetting. I dont think we get another chance to fix this in the country. I really dont. They need to make an example of these four cops so these other cops wont think about doing that again. Reporter but for many somebody to lean on reporter its not enough. For africanamericans justice comes in a drizzle when it should come in a thunderstorm. Reporter thousands packing into the streets overnight. Police and crowds clashing after curfew in brooklyn. Dozens rounded up and arrested. Earlier in the day Peaceful Protesters including children were nearly run down in Southern California after a car barreled through their march while this group in connecticut staged a mock funeral procession for floyd ahead of todays memorial in minneapolis, and now conflicting autopsies are raising questions among those who were closest to floyd. Im pretty sure if they look at the autopsies hes done, i bet he messed up before. Reporter while both autopsies determined floyds death was a homicide, the medical Examiners Office found he died of cardopulmonary arrest but the independent autopsy ordered by his family says it was caused asphyxia. It was just a cruel, cruel thing to see. The way he did it is like its like it was a pleasure to him like, you know, this is the norm, you know . Theres no big deal. A black guy, so what . Reporter minnesotas attorney general Keith Ellison says he will continue to upgrade the charges against those four exPolice Officers if the evidence supports it, but he warns that juries have a tendency to side with police. The net effect is that its very difficult to hold the Police Accountable even when there is a violation of law. Reporter the three former Police Officers who stood by as floyd died are expected in court later this afternoon. The floyd family attorney credits the protests nationwide for these new charges against them. Kenneth, mona. Megan, thank you. Abc news will bring you live coverage of todays Memorial Service for george floyd beginning around 2 00 p. M. Eastern. Breaking news overnight in california where police admit a suspected looter was kneeling when he was shot and killed by police. An officer near San Francisco shot and killed 22yearold Sean Monterrosa early tuesday after Police Responded to a looting call at a walgreens. The police chief says the officer opened fire when monterrosa got on his knees mistaking a hammer in his waistband for a gun. The officer who shot him is on paid leave. New video overnight from huntsville, alabama, where police ended a peaceful rally with tear gas and rubber bullets. One officer appears to get out of his car and calmly use pepper spray on people. A lieutenant says the crowd was not violent but says they dispersed the crowd because officers were not going to, quote, roll the dice. One alabama congressman is now comparing the scene to bloody sunday in selma. In los angeles, protesters calling for the Police Departments budget to be cut are getting their wish granted. Mayor Eric Garcetti has announced plans to slash about 100 million from the lapds budget. He wants to divert the money to address problems in disenfranchised communities of color. We turn to former defense secretary james mattis accusing President Trump of being a threat to the constitution. In a remarkable and rare statement, mattis accuses trump of actively dividing the nation. This morning former secretary of Defense James Mattis tearing into President Trump writing, we are witnessing the consequences of three years without mature leadership. We can unite without him. In an essay published in the atlantic magazine, mattis blasts him for threatening to deploy the military to crack down on protests in u. S. Cities. I am your president of law and order. Reporter general mattis writing, donald trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the american people, does not even pretend to try. The former defense secretary took aim at the administrations decision to disperse Peaceful Protesters near the White House Monday clearing the way for a trump photoop outside a Church Vandalized the previous night. The general saying he took an oath to defend the constitution, and never did i dream that troops taking that same oath would be ordered under any circumstance to violate the Constitutional Rights of their fellow citizens, much less to provide a bizarre photoop for the elected commander in chief with military leadership standing alongside. In a new interview, the president defended that photoop. I went there because somebody suggested it was a good idea, and i thought it was a great idea and it was a great idea. I didnt know if there were people around there or not. Somebody said, oh, they were so peaceful. Well, they tried to burn down the church the day before. They almost succeeded and the church was badly hurt. Reporter overnight trump also fired back at mattis calling him the worlds most overrated general adding, i didnt like his leadership style or much else about him, and many others agree. Glad he is gone. And the White House Press secretary called mattis statement a selfpromotional stunt to appease the d. C. Elite. President trump is the law and order president that has restored peace to our nations streets. Back in 2016 then president elect called him one of the great generals. They say hes the closest thing to general George Patton that we have, and its about time. Its about time. Reporter general mattis resigned as defense secretary in 2018 over trumps plans to pull troops out of syria. Abcs Martha Raddatz spoke to mattis last night shortly after his criticism of the president was published. He said, enough is enough, that he really had tried to stay out of it, that he really didnt want to directly attack donald trump for all this time. I have known him for so many years. I have known him in iraq and in other real battle spaces, and he is the most apolitical person youve ever wanted to meet, so this is really quite remarkable. Reporter and now an abrupt reversal from current defense secretary mark esper. The pentagon had ordered 200 active duty military troops in the d. C. Area to go home but after espers meeting with the president , the pentagon announced wednesday night the troops will remain in place. Earlier esper told reporters he opposes deploying active duty troops in response to the protest. The option to use active duty forces in a Law Enforcement role should only be used as a matter of last resort and only in the most urgent and dire of situations. We are not in one of those situations now. The former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff is also condemning the use of tear gas on Peaceful Protesters. Mark mullen says the incident outside the White House Monday risks further politicizing our armed forces. A 5. 5 earthquake jolted Southern California centered northeast of los angeles near rid ridgecrest last night. The shaking interrupted a city council meeting. Some say it was actually an aftershock of a quake last july. Interesting. In northern california, a large grass fire has destroyed at least eight homes threatening nearly 100 more in suisun city. No reports of injuries overnight. Time for a look at your thursday morning weather. Severe storms with hurricaneforce winds roared through parts of the northeast. Downed trees claimed three lives near philadelphia plunging 300,000 power customers into the dark. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm cristobal is soaking mexico with up to 25 inches of rain. The storm is expected to move into the gulf and could hit the u. S. Coast sunday. Looking at todays high temperatures, 88 degrees in new orleans. Memphis and chicago also in the 80s in the northeast today, and er o coming up, las vegas getting back to business today. But first nfl quarterback drew brees under fire for his comments about players who kneel during the national anthem. The message this morning from one of his teammates. Plus, a state of emergency after a Massive Oil Spill in the arctic circle. Hi, america. Hey, there, america. Hi, america. Hi, america. During this crisis. Over 37 million people. Dont have access. To nutritious foods. But there is a way we can all help. With feeding america. Their network of 200 food banks are up and running. Distributing food to people and communities they serve. Across the country. Please visit feedingamerica. Org. To locate a food bank in your community. Together. Together. Together. Lets feed the love. There is a change in mindset thats taking place, a greater recognition that we can do better. Former president barack obama is telling people protesting the death of george floyd that their lives and dreams matter, and hes calling on all mayors to review their use of force policies. Nfl star drew brees is under fire for his comments about players kneeling during the national anthem. Brees was asked about players protesting again when the nfl season starts. Abcs ines de la cuetara reports his answer is drawing widespread criticism. Reporter this morning future hall of fame quarterback drew brees facing backlash across the sports world including from his own teammates. You are part of the problem. Reporter it comes after brees reiterated his stance against players kneeling during the anthem in the wake of protests over the killing of george floyd. I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of america or our country. At the twilights last gleaming reporter cin kaepernick started the Movement Across sports in 2016 kneeling during es taking part then made it clear they were protesting racial inequality and Police Brutality, not the flag. This morning, star athletes are slamming brees including Aaron Rodgers writing, it has never been about an anthem, not then, not now, and brees teammate Malcolm Jenkins getting emotional in this instagram video. The onslaught of the [ bleep ] that we have to deal with is crazy right now. The whole country is on fire and the first thing that you do is criticize ones peaceful protest . The same brothers that you break the huddle down with before every single game, the same guys that you bleed with and go into battle with every single day go home to communities that have been decimated. Reporter in response to the criticism, brees telling espn this morning, i love and respect my teammates, and i stand right there with them in regards to fighting for racial equality and justice. As for kaepernick, he was never offered another contract to play. His lawyer insisting the nfl has a racism problem. Its probably one of the sing single worst sports when it comes to minority hiring and minority inclusion. Reporter in the meantime, Dallas Cowboys quarterback dak prescott is pledging 1 million to help improve Police Training and address, quote, systemic racism in the country. Kenneth and mona. Ines, thank you. And coming up, the return of the nba. But first, a massive landslide caught on camera next. Ask sherwinwilliams. Were offering curbside pickup. Call your local store or order online and pick up color chips, paint, and supplies without leaving your car. This is a surprisingly filling snack in a little can. V8. The original plantpowered drink. Veg up. Less oral steroids. Taking my treatment at home. Nucala is a oncemonthly addon injection for severe eosinophilic asthma. Not for sudden breathing problems. Allergic reactions can occur. Get help right away for swelling of face, mouth, tongue, or trouble breathing. Infections that can cause shingles have occurred. Dont stop steroids unless told by your doctor. Tell your doctor if you have a parasitic infection. May cause headache, injection site reactions, back pain, and fatigue. Ask your doctor about nucala at home. Find your nunormal with nucala. Try natures bounty sleep3, ask your doctor about nucala at home. A unique trilayer supplement that calms you, helps you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer great sleep comes naturally with sleep3. Only from natures bounty. Your dog is your best friend. But your dogs best friend is your exgirlfriend. Because she always has irresistible pupperoni. Be your best friends best friend. Pupperoni. Were back with a massive landslide destroying eight homes in norway. Look at that. The slide was more than 2,000 feet wide, and no one was injured. Officials say the unsteady ground could continue to give way for several more days. And another disaster unfolding overseas. This river in siberia has turned red after 20,000 tons of oil leaked from a power plant in the arctic circle. The oil has drifted more than seven miles. And back to the protests across america putting race and Police Brutality in the spotlight, many are calling this a Tipping Point for racism. Earlier i spoke with civil rights attorney Subodh Chandra and we talked about why the death of george floyd kicked off this movement when the violent deaths of other black americans did not. Good evening, mr. Chandra, appreciate having you on the show. You represented the family of tamir rice, 12yearold cleveland boy shot and killed by police. That case was one of several in this country that put a spotlight and called into question Police Tactics and use of force. Years later what are your thoughts now on how the george floyd case is unfolding . Two things stand out, first, it is remarkable to me that it is this case that finally was the Tipping Point to create the level of protest that weve seen in this country. Why that didnt happen with tamir rice, why that didnt happen with eric garner in new york, why that didnt happen on such a national and International Scale with michael brown, i dont really fully understand, but it is remarkable and it is welcome. The second thing that stands out is that the Hennepin County prosecutor in minnesota deferred to the Minnesota Attorney general Keith Ellison. That is remarkable. And Minnesota Attorney general Keith Ellison announced the charges against Derek Chauvin have been upgraded to Second Degree murder. Can you explain the difference between the third degree murder charge that he was initially charged with and Second Degree murder . Now, both charges are very serious, make no mistake, but a charge of third degree murder in minnesota means that the defendant acted with a depraved heart or a depraved mind and placed others in imminent danger of death and disregarded human life. That would be Something Like shooting a gun into a crowd for fun but not intending to kill anyone. That has a penalty of up to 25 years in prison. Second degree murder, a step higher, requires one of two things, either that the prosecutors have to prove that the officer intended to kill floyd, but without premeditation, without advanced planning like an assassination or it can mean causing somebodys death without intending the death of anyone but while committing a felony such as a felonious assault, for example. That has a penalty up to 40 years. How effective is public outcry when it comes to situations like this . Well, i think it has its effect. It has its place. Clearly the world is watching. Cle