The California Desert District has lifted seasonal fire restrictions, effective immediately, to allow campfires and target shooting on BLM-managed public lands in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, Imperial, southern Inyo, eastern Mono, San Diego, and eastern Kern counties.

“Fire safety is one of our biggest priorities,” said BLM California Desert District Manager Shelly Lynch. “Although the District is lifting seasonal fire restrictions, we still urge the public to be very careful when using fire or participating in recreational target shooting on public lands. The BLM appreciates the public’s cooperation to help minimize the number of human-caused wildfires.”

Easing of fire restrictions means that campfires, barbecues, and gas stoves are allowed with a valid California campfire permit. Campfire permits are required outside of developed campgrounds. They are available free online at www.ReadyForWildfire.org and at BLM, Forest Service and CAL FIRE offices.

Restrictions on smoking and recreational target shooting also have been lifted on BLM-managed public lands within San Diego, eastern Kern, western Riverside, western San Bernardino, and eastern Los Angeles counties.

During Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches, as determined by the National Weather Service, all recreational target shooting, and use of campfires will be temporarily suspended to reduce the potential of unintended wildland fire ignitions. Check with the local BLM Field Office for more information on specific locations.

Year-round fire restrictions including the statewide Fire Prevention Order and the California Desert District Year-Round Fire Prevention Order, remain in place for all BLM-managed public lands in California. Year-round fire restrictions provide a year-round campfire permit requirement, maintaining a five-foot diameter clearance around campfires, guidance for extinguishing campfires on BLM-managed public lands in California, and prohibit the possession and use of steel jacketed or steel core ammunition for recreational target shooting. All campfires and recreational shooting is prohibited during any Red Flag Warning or Fire Weather Watch.

The public is reminded to exercise extreme caution when using fire and to follow these precautions:

• Always have a five-foot circle cleared around your campfire.

• Always have a shovel and plenty of water on hand and put your campfire DEAD OUT, before leaving.

• Never use steel targets, steel jacketed or steel core ammunition for recreational shooting as they are more likely to cause a fire.

• Always park vehicles away from areas where exhaust could cause grass or other combustibles to ignite.

An interactive map and list of fire restrictions throughout BLM California, are available at https://go.usa.gov/xmUEG. For alternative recreational target shooting locations visit www.wheretoshoot.org.

Additional information about wildfires is on CAL FIRE’s website at http://www.readyforwildfire.org/One-Less-Spark-Campaign/.

For more BLM information about wildfire prevention, please contact the California Desert District Office at 951-697-5200; Barstow Field Office at 760-252-6000; El Centro Field Office at 760-337-4400; Needles Field Office at 760-326-7000; Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office at 760-833-7100; or Ridgecrest Field Office at 760-384-5400.

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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jury selection in the trial of a former Minneapolis officer accused in the death of George Floyd was put on hold Monday while an appeals court considers whether to reinstate a third-degree murder charge against him.

Derek Chauvin is already facing a second-degree unintentional murder charge and a manslaughter charge. He has pleaded not guilty.

Floyd, who was Black, died May 25 after Chauvin, who is white, pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck while he was handcuffed on the ground, pleading that he couldn’t breathe. Floyd’s death sparked months of mass protests nationwide over police brutality and race. In Minneapolis and some other areas, the civil unrest spiraled into violence. Other former officers who were present when Floyd died will face trial later this year.

Here’s a look at why the charge plays such a large role in the trial.

WHAT DO THE DIFFERENT DEGREES MEAN?

The degrees denote the seriousness of a crime. The more serious the crime, the higher the benchmarks that prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt to convict. First-degree murder is the most serious and results in life in prison if convicted. To convict, prosecutors must prove either that the act was pre-planned or that other major crimes were committed with it, among other things. Second-degree murder in Minnesota can be “intentional” or “unintentional,” which is the charge Chauvin faces, and is punishable by up to 40 years in prison if convicted.

Third-degree murder would require a lower standard of proof than second-degree. To win a conviction, prosecutors would have to show only that Floyd’s death was caused by an act that was obviusly dangerous, though not necessarily a felony. That would result in a maximum sentence of 25 years.

But there are caveats. Chauvin has no criminal history, which means he will probably end up serving about 12 1/2 years whether he is convicted of second or third-degree murder. Manslaughter, the least serious charge but also the one with the lowest burden of proof, means a maximum of just 10 years behind bars if convicted. For those seeking justice in Floyd’s death, anything less than murder is likely to feel like injustice.

WHY WAS THAT CHARGE DISMISSED TO BEGIN WITH?

Chauvin’s lawyer sought to dismiss the charge, arguing there was not probable cause to charge him with third-degree murder. A Minnesota judge ruled last October that third-degree murder under Minnesota law requires proof that someone’s conduct was “eminently dangerous to others,” plural, not just to Floyd. The judge said there was no evidence that Chauvin endangered anyone else and threw out the charge. Prosecutors appealed.

WHY PUSH TO HAVE IT ADDED AGAIN?

Very simply, reinstating the count could i ncrease the prosecution’s odds of getting a murder conviction in what will be one of the highest-profile police trials in the U.S.

CAN HE BE CONVICTED WITHOUT IT?

Yes. But it’s not going to be as easy as some might think. Even with the bystander video that showed Chauvin pressing his knee into George Floyd’s neck and ignoring the man’s pleas, legal experts say the case isn’t a slam dunk.

“It’s hard not to watch the video and conclude that the prosecutors will not have any trouble with this case,” said Susan Gaertner, the former head prosecutor in neighboring Ramsey County. “But it’s not that simple.”

The trial will come down to two key questions: Did Chauvin’s actions cause Floyd’s death, and were his actions reasonable?

The second-degree murder charge requires prosecutors to prove Chauvin caused Floyd’s death while committing or trying to commit a felony — in this case, third-degree assault. Prosecutors don’t have to prove that Chauvin was the sole cause of Floyd’s death — only that his conduct was a “substantial causal factor.” The manslaughter charge has a lower bar, requiring proof that Chauvin caused Floyd’s death through negligence that created an unreasonable risk, and consciously took the chance of causing severe injury or death.

Chauvin’s attorney, Eric Nelson, argues in court documents that Floyd likely died from fentanyl he consumed, or a combination of fentanyl, methamphetamine and underlying health conditions — not as a result of Chauvin’s knee on his neck.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

Prosecutors filed a request with the state’s Court of Appeals to put the trial on hold until the issue is resolved. They worry, in part, that they could lose the chance to try Chauvin later on the third-degree murder charge if the current trial goes forward while the appeal is ongoing.

The judge overseeing the case, Peter Cahill, sent potential jurors home for the day, while prosecutors tried to contact the appellate court. Cahill took a recess to give the Court of Appeals time to respond, but planned to bring attorneys back into the courtroom Monday afternoon to deal with other matters.

Cahill said he would proceed with the trial unless the higher courts told him to stop.

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The vitriol of some of Donald Trump’s supporters was put on display in downtown Riverside when Black Lives Matter activists responded to a rally in favor of the president Oct. 18.

At one point, Black Lives Matter activists Junior Vilchiz, Azley Tellez Rivera and Kai King walked over to the pro-Trump demonstration and were met by police who urged them to stay on their side of the street.

The activists continued through the Trump rally as officers stood by. An unidentified man and a pro-Trump demonstrator began pushing each other, but police quickly intervened. 

A Viewpoints photographer was shoved by a pro-Trump demonstrator during the altercation. 

Trump supporters, who refused to identify themselves, became increasingly hostile toward Viewpoints reporters as the Black Lives Matter activists reached the southern end of the rally.

“Your professors are pieces of s—,” they angrily and repeatedly told Viewpoints reporters. “You guys are indoctrinated. Got enough photos for your lying a– newspaper?”

Some also said BLM stands for “Black Lazy Morons.”

Police presence dwindled as the Black Lives Matter supporters returned to their side of the street.

The two groups met at the intersection of Market and Third streets. A few dozen demonstrators lined each side of Market Street carrying Black Lives Matter, F— Trump and Trump 2020 flags.

“F— Donald Trump,” a song by rapper YG, blasted on the Black Lives Matter side as demonstrators echoed the lyrics. 

“F— Black Lives Matter,” the Trump supporters responded.

Vilchiz noted that the Black Lives Matter protest was there to stand for Black and indigenous people.

“All power to the people,” Vilchiz said. “Since 1492, indigenous and Black people have been through so much pain. We’re tired of this corrupt system. We want equal rights for Brown and Black people.”

Vanessa Bramlage, 55, of Riverside, said she helped organize the Trump rally to support police as well as the president.  

“They’re under the possibility of being defunded,” she said about law enforcement. “They need our support too. It’s not just about Trump. We want freedom of speech, freedom of religion. We believe all lives matter, including Black lives.”

Bramlage maintained that she does not have a problem with the opinions of Black Lives Matter activists, but that she wishes demonstrators on her side would not be targeted. She alleged they have had water bottles thrown at them by passing vehicles and been approached with weapons at past rallies.

The two groups first met at a demonstration at the intersection of Tyler Street and Magnolia Avenue on Oct. 11. Black Lives Matter activists alleged that, at that rally, Trump supporters yelled racial slurs at them, including the n-word.

Bramlage admitted that some on the Trump side hurled racial slurs that day, although she argued both groups were disruptive.

“Yes, there were racial slurs,” she said. “Last weekend, both sides were out of hand.”

After walking through the Trump rally Oct. 18, King said the president’s supporters were unwilling to engage in productive conversation.

“These people are disillusioned,” he said. “Every time we go over there, we’re greeted by slurs. They need to look in the mirror. When we went to the other side, we were peaceful.”

Rivera, like Bramlage, maintained that everyone is entitled to their opinion, but urged participation in the upcoming election.

“It’s time for unity,” she said. “This election is like none other. We have an opportunity to make life for the next generation better than ours. If Trump wins, God help us.”

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