George Floyd Protests: Rumor Roundup
Sorting fact from fiction, fast as we can.
3 June 2020 Editor's PickSnopes
/snoʊps/ NOUN and sometimes VERBWe are the internet’s go-to source for discerning what is true and what is total nonsense. Before you scroll further, a few tips on how to “snopes”:
-
Search
Thousands upon thousands of fact checks and investigations live in our archives. You might want to bookmark this page.
-
Discover
Shortcut to the most popular or most recent content when you visit the Hot 50 and What’s New pages.
-
Submit
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Send us a note. Your tip could be our next assignment.
We bring you fact-checking and original, in-depth reporting.
We fight misinformation — with your support.
To do this work effectively, Snopes relies on a community of readers, supporters and now members.
Limited Time Offer: Become a Founding Member Today!
Get exclusive members-only swag by joining today.
Latest Articles View all
Officer Involved in Breonna Taylor Shooting To Be Fired
Mayor Greg Fischer said interim Louisville police Chief Robert Schroeder has started termination proceedings for Officer Brett Hankison.
AMC Theaters Reverses Course on Masks After Backlash
he nation’s largest movie theater chain changed its position on mask-wearing less than a day after the company became a target on social media for saying it would defer to local governments on the issue.
Atlanta Police Call Out Sick Over Charges in Fatal Shooting
Atlanta police officers called out sick to protest the filing of murder charges against an officer who shot a man in the back, while the interim chief acknowledged members of the force feel abandoned.
Was ‘Terminator 2’ Villain Created as a Commentary on Policing?
Director James Cameron said, "The 'Terminator' films are not really about the human race getting killed off by future machines."
Did Trump Tweet a Doctored Video of a ‘Racist Baby’?
The fake video joked that the baby must be a Trump supporter.
Civil Rights Groups Call for ‘Pause’ on Facebook Ads
Several civil rights and other advocacy groups are calling on large advertisers to stop Facebook ad campaigns during July because they say the social network isn’t doing enough to curtail racist and violent content on its platform.
How Black History is Taught in Schools Faces New Scrutiny
There is no national curriculum or set of standards for teaching Black history in America. Only a small number of states, including Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Mississippi and New York, have laws requiring that it be taught in public schools.
Twitter Flags Trump’s Tweet of Doctored ‘Racist Baby’ Video
After President Trump tweeted the video, Twitter took the rare step of adding a warning saying the video is "manipulated media."
‘Chariots of Fire,’ ‘Lord of the Rings’ Actor Ian Holm Dies
A star of stage and screen, the actor played countless roles and portrayed Bilbo Baggins in the "Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" trilogies.
Did the Woman Behind Aunt Jemima Die a Millionaire?
“The available evidence suggests otherwise,” one historian told us.
Are These Claims About the Effectiveness of Face Masks True?
A widely shared Facebook post from June 2020, purportedly citing the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, offered numerous claims but little evidence.
Is This the NFL’s New COVID-19 Helmet?
The 2020 NFL season will certainly be unique in some ways.
Facebook Removes Trump Ads with Symbols Once Used by Nazis
Facebook has removed a campaign ad by President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence that featured an upside-down red triangle, a symbol once used by Nazis to designate political prisoners, communists and others in concentration camps.
Juneteenth Marks When Slaves Were Freed
While the Emancipation Proclamation freed some slaves in the South in 1863, it wasn’t enforced in many places until after the end of the Civil War two years later.
Atlanta Police Call Out in Protest; Force Says It’s Managing
The Atlanta Police Department tweeted that it had more officers calling out than normal but that it had “enough resources to maintain operations & remain able to respond to incidents.”
Study Ties Blood Type to COVID-19 Risk; O May Help, A Hurt
A genetic analysis of COVID-19 patients suggests that blood type might influence whether someone develops severe disease.
Is NASCAR Banning MAGA Hats, ‘Political’ Clothing?
A routine review of content labeled satire.
Deputies Kill Half-Brother of Black Man Found Hanged in Park
The half-brother of a black man found hanged in a California park was killed in a gunbattle with Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies seeking him as kidnap and assault suspect.
EPA Drops Regulation for Contaminant Harming Babies’ Brains
The Environmental Protection Agency has ended an Obama-era drive to regulate a widespread contaminant in drinking water linked to brain damage in infants.
Slave’s Grave Vandalized in Bristol in Apparent Retaliation
British officials said the grave of an enslaved African man has been vandalized in an apparent “retaliation attack” after protesters in the city of Bristol toppled the statue of a prominent slave trader.
Most Popular View all
Background Check: Investigating George Floyd’s Criminal Record
The question of past arrests often surfaces among people who want to rationalize police officers' actions when Black men are killed in custody.
Did Pelosi Give George Floyd’s Family a US Flag Meant To Honor Vets?
The claim circulated after Floyd's brother called attention at a Congressional hearing to racism by American cops.
Is This Aracely Henriquez, the Woman George Floyd Allegedly Assaulted?
The police encounter that led to Floyd's death in Minneapolis in 2020 was centered around reports about a counterfeit $20 bill, not any of his past actions.
Did 5 Black Men Found Hanging Dead From Trees Die by Suicide?
A meme surfaced amid international protests following the death of a Black man in police custody in Minneapolis.
Did COVID-19 Kill Chuck Norris?
Norris, now 80, has been a frequent subject of hoaxes over the years.
Most Searched
Did Pelosi Give George Floyd’s Family a US Flag Meant To Honor Vets?
The claim circulated after Floyd's brother called attention at a Congressional hearing to racism by American cops.
Is This Aracely Henriquez, the Woman George Floyd Allegedly Assaulted?
The police encounter that led to Floyd's death in Minneapolis in 2020 was centered around reports about a counterfeit $20 bill, not any of his past actions.
Background Check: Investigating George Floyd’s Criminal Record
The question of past arrests often surfaces among people who want to rationalize police officers' actions when Black men are killed in custody.
Did COVID-19 Kill Chuck Norris?
Norris, now 80, has been a frequent subject of hoaxes over the years.
Were Lawn Jockeys Used as Underground Railroad Symbols?
A viral Facebook post described these common lawn ornaments as symbolic aids to escaping slaves on the Underground Railroad.