Axios PM: Suppressed footage unveiled after 2 years

Plus: End of an era for desktop icon | Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Open in app View in browser   Presented By Facebook   Axios PM By Mike Allen ·May 19, 2021 Today's PM — edited by Justin Green — is 489 words, a 2-minute read.     1 big thing: Suppressed footage unveiled after 2 years Family members of Ronald Greene listen to speakers as demonstrators gather for the March on Washington in 2020. Photo: Michael M. Santiago/Pool via AP Bodycam footage shows Ronald Greene's 2019 death was not as Louisiana law enforcement initially described, reports AP, which obtained and released the video. Why it matters: Greene's case has been shrouded in secrecy and accusations of a cover-up. Greene, a 49-year-old Black man, had been stopped after a high-speed chase that reached 115 mph when he failed to stop for an unspecified traffic violation. Police initially told his family he died after crashing into a tree. State Police released a one-page statement acknowledging only that Greene struggled with troopers and died on his way to the hospital. State Police brass argued the use of force was justified and didn't open an administrative investigation until 474 days after Greene's death. Greene's family was shown footage last year, but it wasn't made public. The 46-minute clip shows one trooper wrestling Greene to the ground, putting him in a chokehold and punching him in the face while another can be heard calling him a "stupid motherf-----." Greene wails "I'm sorry!" as another trooper delivers another stun gun shock to his backside and warns, "Look, you're going to get it again if you don't put your f------ hands behind your back!" Another trooper can be seen briefly dragging Greene facedown after his legs had been shackled and his hands cuffed behind him. The troopers then left Greene unattended for more than nine minutes, facedown and moaning. In a statement to AP, Louisiana State Police said "premature public release of investigative files and video evidence in this case is not authorized and ... undermines the investigative process and compromises the fair and impartial outcome." The bottom line: While noting Greene "was not without fault" and appeared to resist the troopers' orders, former Boca Raton police chief and frequent expert witness Andrew Scott said dragging Greene facedown by his ankle shackles was "malicious, sadistic, completely unnecessary."     2. Fears of third intifada Palestinian protesters in Nablus in the West Bank. Photo: Ayman Nobani/Xinhua via Getty Images   Israel is concerned that further escalation in the West Bank could turn into a third intifada, reports Axios From Tel Aviv author Barak Ravid. Why it matters: The Second Intifada, or Palestinian uprising against Israel, lasted from 2000 to 2005 and left about 1,000 Israelis and over 3,000 Palestinians dead.     A message from Facebook The internet has changed a lot since 1996 - internet regulations should too     It's been 25 years since comprehensive internet regulations passed. See why we support updated regulations on key issues, including: Protecting people's privacy. Enabling safe and easy data portability between platforms. Preventing election interference. Reforming Section 230.     3. Catch up quick "Zombie fires" — which ignite in one season, smolder through the winter, then erupt into flames the next spring — are lurking in Alaska and Canada and are set to increase with climate change. Go deeper. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed a bill banning abortions as early as six weeks and before many people know they are pregnant. Go deeper. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell publicly announced his opposition to a 9/11-style commission to investigate the Capitol riot. Go deeper.     4. End of an era: Microsoft retiring Explorer Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios   Internet Explorer is going away for good on June 15, 2022, Microsoft announced today. Why it matters: Explorer truly dominated the browser market in its prime. The browser had more than 90% market share at one point, Axios' Ina Fried tells me. Microsoft has since moved to focus on a newer browser, called Edge, based on the same underlying engine as Google's rival browser Chrome. It was at the heart of the antitrust megafight that began in 1997, Axios' Scott Rosenberg tells me. The Department of Justice and Microsoft critics feared it would swallow the entire web. Between the lines: In 2022, it might just mean one fewer browser for people looking to dodge monthly article limits.     A message from Facebook Why Facebook supports updated internet regulations     2021 is the 25th anniversary of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the last major update to internet regulation. It's time for an update to set clear rules for addressing today's toughest challenges. See how we're taking action on key issues and why we support updated internet regulations.     Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Axios, 3100 Clarendon B‌lvd, Suite 1300, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.   Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get Axios in your inbox.   Follow Axios on social media: