thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-05--Trump’s Occupation Of D.C. Fuels Calls For Statehood

The District of Columbia faced an overwhelming federal law enforcement presence this week as its residents protested police brutality against Black people .
And the district could do little to stop it , thanks to politically motivated opposition to granting statehood to the majority Democratic city — with its plurality of Black residents — or giving it voting members in Congress .
Residents of the district have pushed to be admitted to the Union as a state as far back as Frederick Douglass .
The famed writer and abolitionist called the city “ the one spot where there is no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , and by the people ” and said its people , “ are relegated to the position of neuters.
” Even then , Douglass ’ call for D.C. statehood was linked to the issue of race , as thousands of freedmen and women had fled to the city during and after the Civil War .
More recently , Congress blocked laws passed by the locally elected district government .
It blocked abortion funds in 1988 , domestic partnership benefits for same-sex couples in 1992 , clean needle exchanges in 1996 and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have seen these intrusions as acts of racial paternalism by white lawmakers acting as if a Black municipality could not govern itself .
But since the passage of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act in 1973 , the city had not seen itself occupied by the federal government against its wishes until this week .
That action is prompting renewed calls to make the district the 51st state or at the very least to finally take action to give local officials authority over the deployment of the National Guard and to restrict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control of the local police force .
“ This is the only place in the United States where this can really happen in this way , ” said Bo Shuff , executive director of D.C. Vote , a pro-statehood group .
“ We have seen just immense federal force come into the district , unrequested by local law enforcement , unrequested by the mayor , and some of the examples have been egregious.
” Since the district is not a state , its elected officials have little or no say over the deployment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or prison guards on their streets .
The president can seize control of the Metropolitan Police Department if he wants .
“ People have to understand the root cause and be willing to do something about the root cause , ” Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser , a Democrat , said at a Thursday news conference in response to questions about whether residents felt they were under an unwanted occupation .
“ We ’ re more than 700,000 taxpaying Americans who don ’ t have full representation in the Congress and don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ And so until we fix that , we are subject to the whims of the federal government .
Sometimes they ’ re benevolent , and sometimes they ’ re not.
” Washington ’ s population currently exceeds 700,000 .
Until 2011 , the majority of its residents were Black ; they now represent 46 % of the population .
Supporters of statehood point out that the city ’ s population is larger than that of Wyoming or Vermont , each of which has a majority of white residents .
“ If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussion about race ― we don ’ t run away from that ; we , in fact , embrace that , ” Rep. Gerry Connolly ( D-Va. ) told D.C. Vote on Thursday , “ I believe that in the aftermath of George Floyd ’ s murder , there ’ s a more receptive atmosphere to reexamining the issue of D.C. statehood in that context.
” Washington ’ s nonvoting House delegate , Eleanor Holmes Norton ( D ) , introduced a landmark statehood bill .
The bill would turn a two-mile section @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the White House to the Capitol and federal land including the National Mall — into the Federal District .
It would also turn the rest of the residential and commercial city into the state of Washington , Douglass Commonwealth .
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has already held hearings on the bill .
“ President Trump ’ s behavior in the District of Columbia in recent days , as well as his threats to impose his dangerous and callous will on a city about which he has proven again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has underscored in dramatic terms the urgency of giving the District the same constitutional rights and authorities that the nation ’ s 50 states have had since 1789 , ” Hoyer said in a statement .
“ DC must be granted statehood.
” Final passage will almost certainly have to wait until Democrats control both the White House and the Senate , as Republicans are in near total opposition to the bill .
Republicans argue that statehood for the district can only be achieved through a constitutional amendment , as the Constitution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seat of the federal government .
Norton ’ s bill circumvents this concern by carving a separate Federal District out of the new state of Washington , D.C. “ They want to do that so they pick up two automatic Democrat — you know it ’ s a 100 percent Democrat , basically — so why would the Republicans ever do that ?
” Trump told the New York Post on May 5 .
“ That ’ ll never happen unless we have some very , very stupid Republicans around that I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand that , right ?
”

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The District of Columbia faced an overwhelming federal law enforcement presence this week as its residents protested police brutality against Black people. And the district could do little to stop it, thanks to politically motivated opposition to granting statehood to the majority Democratic city — with its plurality of Black residents — or giving it voting members in Congress.
Residents of the district have pushed to be admitted to the Union as a state as far back as Frederick Douglass. The famed writer and abolitionist called the city “the one spot where there is no government for the people, of the people, and by the people” and said its people, “are relegated to the position of neuters.” Even then, Douglass’ call for D.C. statehood was linked to the issue of race, as thousands of freedmen and women had fled to the city during and after the Civil War.
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Since then, district residents have been subjected to countless indignities over the years. More than 700,000 residents lack any voting representation in Congress. Racist lawmakers in Congress were able to impose segregationist and discriminatory policies on the district in the 1930s and ’40s.
More recently, Congress blocked laws passed by the locally elected district government. It blocked abortion funds in 1988, domestic partnership benefits for same-sex couples in 1992, clean needle exchanges in 1996 and the legalization of marijuana in 2014. Residents have seen these intrusions as acts of racial paternalism by white lawmakers acting as if a Black municipality could not govern itself.
But since the passage of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act in 1973, the city had not seen itself occupied by the federal government against its wishes until this week. That action is prompting renewed calls to make the district the 51st state or at the very least to finally take action to give local officials authority over the deployment of the National Guard and to restrict the president’s ability to seize control of the local police force.
Federal forces deployed by President Donald Trump and under the direction of Attorney General Bill Barr violently dispersed a peaceful protest on district streets on Tuesday.
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Military helicopters harassed fleeing protesters by flying below the height of buildings over the streets of Chinatown. And on Wednesday, a phalanx of federal forces — some appearing to violate district law by not bearing identification — occupied streets far from federal land immediately in front of the White House.
Federal security forces occupied Washington streets during Black Lives Matter protests on Wednesday. Bill Clark via Getty Images
“This is the only place in the United States where this can really happen in this way,” said Bo Shuff, executive director of D.C. Vote, a pro-statehood group. “We have seen just immense federal force come into the district, unrequested by local law enforcement, unrequested by the mayor, and some of the examples have been egregious.”
Since the district is not a state, its elected officials have little or no say over the deployment of federal troops, the National Guard or prison guards on their streets. The president can seize control of the Metropolitan Police Department if he wants.
“People have to understand the root cause and be willing to do something about the root cause,” Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, said at a Thursday news conference in response to questions about whether residents felt they were under an unwanted occupation.
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“We’re more than 700,000 taxpaying Americans who don’t have full representation in the Congress and don’t have full autonomy,” Bowser said. “And so until we fix that, we are subject to the whims of the federal government. Sometimes they’re benevolent, and sometimes they’re not.”
Bowser sent a letter to Trump asking that he remove all federal forces from Washington on Thursday.
Washington’s population currently exceeds 700,000. Until 2011, the majority of its residents were Black; they now represent 46% of the population. Supporters of statehood point out that the city’s population is larger than that of Wyoming or Vermont, each of which has a majority of white residents.
“If we insist that D.C. statehood is a discussion about race ― we don’t run away from that; we, in fact, embrace that,” Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) told D.C. Vote on Thursday, “I believe that in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, there’s a more receptive atmosphere to reexamining the issue of D.C. statehood in that context.”
There are currently three bills in the Democratically controlled House of Representatives that would either completely rectify the root cause of the district’s problems or ameliorate some of its worst ones.
Washington’s nonvoting House delegate, Eleanor Holmes Norton (D), introduced a landmark statehood bill. The bill would turn a two-mile section of downtown Washington — encompassing federal buildings from the White House to the Capitol and federal land including the National Mall — into the Federal District. It would also turn the rest of the residential and commercial city into the state of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has already held hearings on the bill.
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District voters approved statehood in a near-unanimous vote on a 2016 ballot initiative.
Norton also introduced bills that would strip the president of the authority to seize control of the Metropolitan Police Department and empower the mayor to call up the National Guard without the president’s permission.
The federal occupation of district streets could well push Congress to act on all of these fronts.
The district government ordered streets near the White House painted with a giant Black Lives Matter sign on Friday. The streets were previously occupied by federal forces. DANIEL SLIM via Getty Images
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), who only endorsed district statehood in 2019, had promised a vote on Norton’s statehood bill this year. He said on Wednesday this was even more necessary after Trump’s deployment of federal forces into the city.
“President Trump’s behavior in the District of Columbia in recent days, as well as his threats to impose his dangerous and callous will on a city about which he has proven again and again he has no understanding of, has underscored in dramatic terms the urgency of giving the District the same constitutional rights and authorities that the nation’s 50 states have had since 1789,” Hoyer said in a statement. “DC must be granted statehood.”
Other Democratic lawmakers have issued calls for D.C. statehood following the unwanted deployment of forces onto district soil.
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“This senseless, violent incident underscores the urgency of getting my bill with @EleanorNorton passed that would finally make our nation’s capital a state and ensure that only @MayorBowser is in charge of directing the District of Columbia’s police force,” Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), the lead Senate sponsor of the statehood bill, tweeted on Tuesday.
“DC police are required by law to wear badges that must be visible ‘even if wearing riot gear,’” Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) tweeted Wednesday about the unidentified federal forces. “But because Trump called in federal agencies to crack down on peaceful protests, people in the nation’s capital once again are treated as second class citizens.”
“DC Statehood,” Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) tweeted.
“Now,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) responded.
Final passage will almost certainly have to wait until Democrats control both the White House and the Senate, as Republicans are in near total opposition to the bill. Republicans argue that statehood for the district can only be achieved through a constitutional amendment, as the Constitution mandates a separate Federal District for the seat of the federal government. Norton’s bill circumvents this concern by carving a separate Federal District out of the new state of Washington, D.C.
Republicans have positioned their opposition to district statehood as a constitutional issue and not blatant partisanship (party registration among district voters heavily favors Democrats). But Trump recently ripped the veil off such arguments.
“They want to do that so they pick up two automatic Democrat — you know it’s a 100 percent Democrat, basically — so why would the Republicans ever do that?” Trump told the New York Post on May 5. “That’ll never happen unless we have some very, very stupid Republicans around that I don’t think you do. You understand that, right?”
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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has simply referred to efforts to grant the district statehood as “full bore socialism.”
Even if Democrats take back control of the Senate, there are still 11 current Democratic senators who have not co-sponsored Carper’s statehood bill. That could change after Trump’s threatening intrusion onto district streets.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-06--Ivanka Trump Gets A Blunt Reminder Of Her Own Complicity After ‘Free Speech’ Call

Twitter users pointed out Ivanka Trump ’ s rank hypocrisy when it comes to free speech after she railed against being removed as a main speaker at WSU Tech in Kansas ’ virtual commencement on Saturday .
“ Our nation ’ s campuses should be bastions of free speech , ” tweeted President Donald Trump ’ s daughter and adviser on Friday , alongside a video of the address she ’ d pre-recorded for the ceremony .
“ Cancel culture and viewpoint discrimination are antithetical to academia , ” she added .
“ Listening to one another is important now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ message I recorded on May 18th for the Graduates of WSU-Tech .
I know that all of these talented graduates will dream big and aspire to make the world a better place !
— Ivanka Trump ( @ IvankaTrump ) June 5 , 2020 Our nation ’ s campuses should be bastions of free speech .
Cancel culture and viewpoint discrimination are antithetical to academia .
Listening to one another is important now more than ever !
https : //t.co/VW6W8TIL9c — Ivanka Trump ( @ IvankaTrump ) June 5 , 2020 Critics , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s violent and divisive rhetoric about anti-racism demonstrators who are protesting nationwide .
Many noted her reported involvement when federal authorities on Monday used tear gas to clear peaceful protesters from near the White House so that the president could pose with a Bible in front of St. John ’ s Church .
The stunt has been widely condemned .
So should our streets , but nooo , you and daddy gas protesters so he can do a photo-op .
Suck it up , buttercup !
https : //t.co/TMJkMcsXBd — Jamie Holly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 Can you tell me where you got your purse ?
The one you wore to watch peaceful protestors get tear gassed while your dad held a book for the first time ?
Drop a link babe ?
— carolina barlow ( @ Carolina_Barlow ) June 6 , 2020 WSU Tech drew backlash from students and faculty members on Thursday after announcing it would broadcast a pre-recorded message from Ivanka Trump during its commencement , being held online amid the coronavirus pandemic .
An open letter condemning her involvement in the ceremony garnered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , obviously , represents her father ’ s administration as one of his closest advisors , ” it read .
“ To many Americans , that administration has come to signify the worst of our country , particularly in its recent actions toward those peacefully protesting against racist police brutality.
” Wichita State University and WSU Tech jointly announced late Thursday that the WSU Tech commencement plans had been “ refocused more centrally on students.
” Instead , a “ practical nursing graduate , will now be the only commencement speaker during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president of WSU Tech , explained in a separate statement how the invitation to Ivanka Trump has been “ extended in February ” to “ record a congratulatory message to graduates to be played during our event.
” “ In light of the social justice issues brought forth by George Floyd ’ s death , I understand and take responsibility that the time of the announcement was insensitive , ” said Utash .
“ For this , I ’ m sorry that was never the intent and I want you to know I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

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Twitter users pointed out Ivanka Trump’s rank hypocrisy when it comes to free speech after she railed against being removed as a main speaker at WSU Tech in Kansas’ virtual commencement on Saturday.
“Our nation’s campuses should be bastions of free speech,” tweeted President Donald Trump’s daughter and adviser on Friday, alongside a video of the address she’d pre-recorded for the ceremony.
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“Cancel culture and viewpoint discrimination are antithetical to academia,” she added. “Listening to one another is important now more than ever.”
Here is the message I recorded on May 18th for the Graduates of WSU-Tech. I know that all of these talented graduates will dream big and aspire to make the world a better place! — Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) June 5, 2020
Our nation’s campuses should be bastions of free speech. Cancel culture and viewpoint discrimination are antithetical to academia.
Listening to one another is important now more than ever!https://t.co/VW6W8TIL9c — Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) June 5, 2020
Critics, however, reminded Trump of her father’s violent and divisive rhetoric about anti-racism demonstrators who are protesting nationwide.
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Many noted her reported involvement when federal authorities on Monday used tear gas to clear peaceful protesters from near the White House so that the president could pose with a Bible in front of St. John’s Church. The stunt has been widely condemned.
Your father tear gassed people exercising their right to free speech.
Take a seat. https://t.co/tYaqgghPV1 — Bill Prady (@billprady) June 6, 2020
So should our streets, but nooo, you and daddy gas protesters so he can do a photo-op. Suck it up, buttercup! https://t.co/TMJkMcsXBd — Jamie Holly (@JamieHolly) June 6, 2020
"Free speech!" cries Sweatshop Barbie, who walked alongside her fascist daddy, carrying his prop bible in her purse, as he gassed peaceful protestors along the way to a photo op. https://t.co/OXO1uXf8Zb — Randi Mayem Singer (@rmayemsinger) June 6, 2020
Shame on you — Katie Krause #BlackLivesMatter (@Katie_Krause) June 5, 2020
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Can you tell me where you got your purse? The one you wore to watch peaceful protestors get tear gassed while your dad held a book for the first time? Drop a link babe? — carolina barlow (@Carolina_Barlow) June 6, 2020
Is that before you gas them and hit them with plastic bullets for a photo op with a bible? https://t.co/u33x4lckdH — We Know what Trump is but who are we? (@jojake111) June 6, 2020
You helped daddy gassed peacefully citizens protesting on Monday. Where is that apology? — Denise Wu (@denisewu) June 5, 2020
WSU Tech drew backlash from students and faculty members on Thursday after announcing it would broadcast a pre-recorded message from Ivanka Trump during its commencement, being held online amid the coronavirus pandemic.
An open letter condemning her involvement in the ceremony garnered almost 500 signatures. “Ivanka Trump, obviously, represents her father’s administration as one of his closest advisors,” it read. “To many Americans, that administration has come to signify the worst of our country, particularly in its recent actions toward those peacefully protesting against racist police brutality.”
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Wichita State University and WSU Tech jointly announced late Thursday that the WSU Tech commencement plans had been “refocused more centrally on students.” Instead, a “practical nursing graduate, will now be the only commencement speaker during the ceremony.”
Dr. Sheree Utash, the president of WSU Tech, explained in a separate statement how the invitation to Ivanka Trump had been “extended in February” to “record a congratulatory message to graduates to be played during our event.”
“In light of the social justice issues brought forth by George Floyd’s death, I understand and take responsibility that the timing of the announcement was insensitive,” said Utash. “For this, I’m sorry that was never the intent, and I want you to know I have heard you and we are responding.”
“Our graduates will also be invited to separately view congratulatory messages from over 30 voices, including Ms. Trump and community members,” Utash added.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-06--'A Coward And A Commander': Attack On Trump By Jim Mattis Stars In Lacerating GOP Ad

The Never Trumper Republicans of The Lincoln Project have mobilized former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis ’ s scathing broadside against the president in their latest attack on Donald Trump .
“ This is the story of a coward and a commander , ” begins the ad released Friday .
It notes that Trump “ dodged the draft , ” and now the “ frightened ” president “ hides from protesters in a deep bunker — firing off tweets.
” Mattis , a retired Marine Corps general , “ does what he ’ s always done : leads ” — and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the ad says .
The narrator reads some of the bombshell lines from a statement Wednesday by Mattis in The Atlantic : “ Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people — does not even pretend to try .
Instead , he tries to divide us .
We know that we are better than the abuse of executive authority .
We must reject and hold accountable everyone who would make a mockery of our Constitution.
” Mattis attacked Trump for “ militarizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the death of African American George Floyd during a brutal arrest by white officers in Minneapolis .
Trump ’ s strategy “ erodes the moral ground that ensures a trusted bond between men and women in uniform and the society they are sworn to protect , ” he wrote .
Lincoln Project co-founder George Conway , who ’ s married to White House counselor Kellyanne Conway , piled on with another attack on Trump in an op-ed in The Washington Post on Friday .
The president has failed miserably at handling the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the racial justice protests , Conway charged .
They have not only revealed the incompetence of the “ failing , flailing ” president , but his inhumanity as well , Conway argued .
“ Trump ’ s behavior is conscienceless , showing utter disregard for the safety of others , consistent irresponsibility , callousness , cynicism and disrespect of other human beings , ” George Conway concluded .
“ We remain governed by a soulless man with a broken mind , ” he warned .
“ The damage will continue , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end it .
”

The Never Trumper Republicans of The Lincoln Project have mobilized former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis’s scathing broadside against the president in their latest attack on Donald Trump.
“This is the story of a coward and a commander,” begins the ad released Friday. It notes that Trump “dodged the draft,” and now the “frightened” president “hides from protesters in a deep bunker — firing off tweets.”
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Mattis, a retired Marine Corps general, “does what he’s always done: leads” — and deserves to be heard by all Americans, the ad says.
The narrator reads some of the bombshell lines from a statement Wednesday by Mattis in The Atlantic: “Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people — does not even pretend to try. Instead, he tries to divide us. We know that we are better than the abuse of executive authority. We must reject and hold accountable everyone who would make a mockery of our Constitution.”
Mattis attacked Trump for “militarizing” the response to protests triggered by the death of African American George Floyd during a brutal arrest by white officers in Minneapolis. Trump’s strategy “erodes the moral ground that ensures a trusted bond between men and women in uniform and the society they are sworn to protect,” he wrote.
The ad concludes: “Who do you trust: the coward or the commander?″
Check it out in the video up top.
Lincoln Project co-founder George Conway, who’s married to White House counselor Kellyanne Conway, piled on with another attack on Trump in an op-ed in The Washington Post on Friday. The president has failed miserably at handling the first serious challenges of his presidency: COVID-19 and the racial justice protests, Conway charged. They have not only revealed the incompetence of the “failing, flailing” president, but his inhumanity as well, Conway argued.
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“Trump’s behavior is conscienceless, showing utter disregard for the safety of others, consistent irresponsibility, callousness, cynicism and disrespect of other human beings,” George Conway concluded.
“We remain governed by a soulless man with a broken mind,” he warned. “The damage will continue, and it won’t stop until voters end it.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-05--Trump Demeans Female Black Reporter As She Challenges Him On Black Unemployment

President Donald Trump attempted to silence then angrily demeaned Yamiche Alcindor , a Black female reporter , on Friday when she pressed him on rising unemployment figures for Black and Asian workers .
The put-down occurred after Trump crowed in a Rose Garden statement about a better-than-expected 13.3 % unemployment figure for the nation in May .
The president shockingly claimed that it was a “ great day ” for George Floyd — the Black man a white police officer killed last month in Minneapolis — because he would be pleased “ looking down ” at the jobs stats .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 12.4 % in May , the jobless rate for Black and Asian workers increased slightly .
Black unemployment rose from 16.7 % to 16.8 % .
When Alcindor , who works for PBS , asked the president to explain how he plans to address systemic racism in the country , he held a finger to his lips , then seconds later said : “ A strong economy.
” When she asked how worsening jobless figures for Asians and Blacks were “ a victory , ” as Trump had claimed , he shook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ You are something else.
” ( Check it out in the video above . )
My Q to President Trump just now : Overall , U.S. unemployment rate fell by 1 % .
Black unemployment rate went up .1 % .
Asian American rate went up by .5 % .
How is that a victory ?
His response to me : “ You are something.
” Note : It ’ s a crucial question .
— Yamiche Alcindor ( @ Yamiche ) June 5 , 2020 Trump ’ s dismissive attitude toward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — only amplified the cause of the anti-racism protests riveting the nation .
The gap in the job stats is significant .
Economists fear that COVID-19 , which has already claimed a disproportionate number of Black lives , could destroy hard-fought job gains over the last decade .
“ The thing that disturbs me is how much longer it will take them to make up the gap , ” Jared Bernstein , a fellow at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and member of former President Barack Obama ’ s economic team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rose Garden appearance had been billed as a press conference , but he instead made a short speech and refused to take questions from the press .
Chairs for the media were initially spaced six feet apart to comply with guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
But they were then moved close together because it “ looks better , ” the White House press office said .
Jonathan Karl of ABC News , president of the White House Correspondents ’ Association , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to serve as a “ prop ” for a press conference that wasn ’ t .

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President Donald Trump attempted to silence then angrily demeaned Yamiche Alcindor, a Black female reporter, on Friday when she pressed him on rising unemployment figures for Black and Asian workers.
The put-down occurred after Trump crowed in a Rose Garden statement about a better-than-expected 13.3% unemployment figure for the nation in May. The president shockingly claimed that it was a “great day” for George Floyd — the Black man a white police officer killed last month in Minneapolis — because he would be pleased “looking down” at the jobs stats.
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Though white unemployment fell from 14.2% to 12.4% in May, the jobless rate for Black and Asian workers increased slightly. Black unemployment rose from 16.7% to 16.8%.
When Alcindor, who works for PBS, asked the president to explain how he plans to address systemic racism in the country, he held a finger to his lips, then seconds later said: “A strong economy.”
When she asked how worsening jobless figures for Asians and Blacks were “a victory,” as Trump had claimed, he shook his head angrily and told her: “You are something else.” (Check it out in the video above.)
My question to President Trump just now: Why haven’t you laid out a plan to address systemic racism? What is the plan?
His response: A strong economy. — Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) June 5, 2020
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My Q to President Trump just now: Overall, U.S. unemployment rate fell by 1 %. Black unemployment rate went up .1%. Asian American rate went up by .5%. How is that a victory?
His response to me: “You are something.”
Note: It’s a crucial question. — Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) June 5, 2020
.@Yamiche: "Black unemployment went up by 0.1%, Asian American unemployment went up by 0.5% how is that a victory?"
President Trump: "You are something else." pic.twitter.com/1B5IqBNzWz — PBS NewsHour (@NewsHour) June 5, 2020
Trump’s dismissive attitude toward Alcindor — and the issues she raised — only amplified the cause of the anti-racism protests riveting the nation.
The gap in the job stats is significant. Economists fear that COVID-19, which has already claimed a disproportionate number of Black lives, could destroy hard-fought job gains over the last decade.
“The thing that disturbs me is how much longer it will take them to make up the gap,” Jared Bernstein, a fellow at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and member of former President Barack Obama’s economic team, told CNBC.
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Trump’s Rose Garden appearance had been billed as a press conference, but he instead made a short speech and refused to take questions from the press.
Chairs for the media were initially spaced six feet apart to comply with guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. But they were then moved close together because it “looks better,” the White House press office said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-06--Ex-Defense Secretary: White House Is ‘Leading Us Down The Trail Toward A Dictatorship’

Former Defense Secretary William Cohen on Friday called out President Donald Trump ’ s violent rhetoric about anti-racism protesters , warning the White House is “ leading us down the trail toward a dictatorship.
” Cohen argued to CNN ’ s “ Newsroom ” host Jim Sciutto that Trump ’ s dismissal of some protesters , by sharing a letter which called them “ terrorists , ” meant that “ he has no understanding of what the rule of law really means in this country.
” “ He has declared he wants to be the ‘ president of law and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not what the declaration of this country is , ” said Cohen , the GOP former senator for Maine who headed the Pentagon during Bill Clinton ’ s administration .
“ If you go over to the Supreme Court , you see cut in stone , it is equal protection or equality under law , equality under law , ” he explained .
“ So when he says law and order , he ’ s missing something , the word justice has to be there and that is what people of this country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. government that there will be laws , there will be justice , and so law and order.
’ Cohen then recalled a professor once telling him that “ liberty without order is a mess , but order without liberty is a menace.
” “ What I see taking place is the White House engaging in very menacing activity and leading us down the trail toward a dictatorship where it is only the law of rule , not the rule of law , ” he added .

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Former Defense Secretary William Cohen on Friday called out President Donald Trump’s violent rhetoric about anti-racism protesters, warning the White House is “leading us down the trail toward a dictatorship.”
Cohen argued to CNN “Newsroom” host Jim Sciutto that Trump’s sharing of a letter that called protesters “terrorists” meant that “he has no understanding of what the rule of law really means in this country.”
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“He has declared that he wants to be the ‘president of law and order,’ but that’s not what the declaration of this country is,” said Cohen, the GOP former senator for Maine who headed the Pentagon during Bill Clinton’s administration.
“If you go over to the Supreme Court, you see cut in stone, it is equal protection or equality under law, equality under law,” he explained. “So when he says law and order, he’s missing something. The word ‘justice’ has to be there, and that is what people of this country expect when they sign a contract with the U.S. government, that there will be laws, there will be justice, and so law and order.”
Cohen then recalled a professor once telling him that “liberty without order is a mess, but order without liberty is a menace.”
“What I see taking place is the White House engaging in very menacing activity and leading us down the trail toward a dictatorship where it is only the law of rule, not the rule of law,” he added.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-05--White House Forces Press To Breach Social Distancing Guidelines Because It 'Looks Better'

Journalists were furious Friday after chairs for them at President Donald Trump ’ s unemployment statement were moved closer together because it “ looks better ” than the social distancing recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Photos show that the chairs in the Rose Garden were initially set up at least 6 feet apart , as recommended by the CDC to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
Reporter seating has followed the guidelines since April .
But the chairs were rearranged Friday because it “ looks better , ” the press office told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House billed Trump ’ s statement as a press conference , he took no questions , so the journalists didn ’ t even need to be there .
Jonathan Karl , chief White House correspondent for ABC News and president of the correspondents association , attacked the move as a “ flagrant violation of CDC guidelines on social distancing.
” He charged that reporters were put at risk to serve as a “ prop for a so-called ‘ press conference ’ where the president refuses to answer a single question.
” This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on social distancing and a move that puts reporters at risk for the purpose of turning the press corps into a prop for a so-called `` press conference '' where the president refuses to answer a single question .
https : //t.co/dgImSBblaO — jonkarl ( @ jonkarl ) June 5 , 2020 Trump commented positively on the seating change , despite the health risks .
“ You ’ re getting closer together , even you , I noticed , ” Trump told reporters .
“ I noticed you ’ re starting to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere told CNN that it was his decision to make the change .
“ It looks better , ” he said in an email .
“ I would remind you that those in the pool are tested .
Everyone is temperature-checked and asked if they have had symptoms.
” The reporters attending Trump ’ s statement , however , were not all tested because they included journalists outside the regular pool of correspondents who cover the president , noted CNN , which also characterized the reporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s statement .
COVID-19 can be spread by people with the illness even if they don ’ t exhibit symptoms , including fever .
Incredible .
WH made reporters , including myself , sit *closer together* at the president 's remarks in the Rose Garden today and *violate the federal government 's social distancing policy for the pandemic* because they thought the seating arrangement `` looks better . ''
From @ whca : pic.twitter.com/WiJV27Ivbg — Yamiche Alcindor ( @ Yamiche ) June 5 , 2020 People responding to journalists ’ tweets criticized the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the social distancing “ ship has sailed , ” given the ongoing protests in the wake of the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd on May 25 .
Several also urged journalists to take charge of the chairs — or leave and stop covering the president .

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Journalists were furious Friday after chairs for them at President Donald Trump’s unemployment statement were moved closer together because it “looks better” than the social distancing recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Photos show that the chairs in the Rose Garden were initially set up at least 6 feet apart, as recommended by the CDC to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Reporter seating has followed the guidelines since April. But the chairs were rearranged Friday because it “looks better,” the press office told the White House Correspondents Association.
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Though the White House billed Trump’s statement as a press conference, he took no questions, so the journalists didn’t even need to be there.
Jonathan Karl, chief White House correspondent for ABC News and president of the correspondents association, attacked the move as a “flagrant violation of CDC guidelines on social distancing.” He charged that reporters were put at risk to serve as a “prop for a so-called ‘press conference’ where the president refuses to answer a single question.”
This is a flagrant violation of CDC guidelines on social distancing and a move that puts reporters at risk for the purpose of turning the press corps into a prop for a so-called "press conference" where the president refuses to answer a single question. https://t.co/dgImSBblaO — jonkarl (@jonkarl) June 5, 2020
Trump commented positively on the seating change, despite the health risks. “You’re getting closer together, even you, I noticed,” Trump told reporters. “I noticed you’re starting to get much closer together. Looks much better.”
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White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere told CNN that it was his decision to make the change. “It looks better,” he said in an email. “I would remind you that those in the pool are tested. Everyone is temperature-checked and asked if they have had symptoms.”
The reporters attending Trump’s statement, however, were not all tested because they included journalists outside the regular pool of correspondents who cover the president, noted CNN, which also characterized the reporters as “props” for Trump’s statement. COVID-19 can be spread by people with the illness even if they don’t exhibit symptoms, including fever.
Incredible.
WH made reporters, including myself, sit *closer together* at the president's remarks in the Rose Garden today and *violate the federal government's social distancing policy for the pandemic* because they thought the seating arrangement "looks better."
From @whca: pic.twitter.com/WiJV27Ivbg — Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) June 5, 2020
People responding to journalists’ tweets criticized the seating maneuver, but some also claimed the social distancing “ship has sailed,” given the ongoing protests in the wake of the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd on May 25. Several also urged journalists to take charge of the chairs — or leave and stop covering the president.
Let’s Elect a President that prioritizes Americans Health over the Visual Optics of their 15 minutes of spotlight on tv. #VoteJoeBiden2020 — 🌎𝐖𝐞𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞🌍 (@American4Love) June 5, 2020
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Jeopardizing the health of reporters, then not taking any questions; right on brand for Trump. — Stealthgirl 😷 (@Stealthgirl21) June 5, 2020
the Wh is trying to project that the pndemic is over.. when it is not. — christina m. brooks (@runewarrior) June 5, 2020
They're literally trying to kill journalists. — Janice Hough (@leftcoastbabe) June 5, 2020
With all due respect, spread the seats back out again. For your own safety, why don't reporters stand up and fight back? — Iryshgirl (@iryshgirl) June 5, 2020
Why did none of you leave? Why stay and be props? — Sideline_Observer (@Chris79699884) June 5, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-05--Drew Brees Stands Against Trump: Racial Justice Protests 'Not About The American Flag'

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees urged President Donald Trump on Friday night to stop describing NFL players ’ silent actions during the national anthem as disrespect for the U.S. flag as he walked back his own comments earlier this week about patriotism and protests .
In an Instagram post addressed directly to Trump , who had defended Brees ’ s criticism of social justice protests , the quarterback said : “ Through my ongoing conversations with friends , teammates , and leaders in the black community , I realize this is not an issue about the American flag.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added .
“ We can no longer use the flag to turn people away or distract them from the real issues that face our black communities.
” Brees had told Yahoo Finance on Wednesday that he would “ never agree with anyone ” participating in national anthem protests during the NFL ’ s 2020 season .
“ I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America , ” he had said .
But after many people , including his teammates and other NFL players , criticized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and vowed to be an ally for the Black community in its fight against “ systematic racial injustice.
” I am a big fan of Drew Brees .
I think he ’ s truly one of the greatest quarterbacks , but he should not have taken back his original stance on honoring our magnificent American Flag .
OLD GLORY is to be revered , cherished , and flown high ... — Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) June 5 , 2020 Brees posted his first apology to Instagram on Thursday , acknowledging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and any type of compassion or empathy.
” I am sick about the way my comments were perceived yesterday , but I take full responsibility and accountability .
I recognize that I should do less talking and more listening ... and when the black community is talking about their pain , we all need to listen .
For that , I am very sorry and I ask your forgiveness .
Brees later posted a video of him speaking to the camera , offering an apology again and drawing attention to the police killing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ahmaud Arbery , both of which have sparked nationwide protests against racism and police brutality .
“ I know that there ’ s not much I can say that would make things any better right now .
I just want you to see in my eyes how sorry I am for the comments that I made yesterday , ” he said .
In a tweet , Armstead said he chose to speak to Brees personally about the remarks he made , which Armstead described as “ extremely insensitive , dismissive , and flat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accountability and responsibility is the only way to move forward from this.
” “ One of my brothers made a public statement yesterday that I disagreed with .
He apologized & I accept it because that ’ s what we are taught to do as Christians , ” Armstead said .
“ Now back to the movement !
” Trump has made it clear that he loathes NFL players who take a knee during the national anthem to protest racial injustice and police brutality against Black people .
The protest movement was launched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarterback Colin Kaepernick .
On Friday , however , NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell admitted that the league was wrong to not listen to its players and encouraged them to participate in the anti-racism protests that have been held across the U.S .

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New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees urged President Donald Trump on Friday night to stop describing NFL players’ silent actions during the national anthem as disrespect for the U.S. flag as he walked back his own comments earlier this week about patriotism and protests.
In an Instagram post addressed directly to Trump, who had defended Brees’s criticism of social justice protests, the quarterback said: “Through my ongoing conversations with friends, teammates, and leaders in the black community, I realize this is not an issue about the American flag.”
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“It has never been,” he added. “We can no longer use the flag to turn people away or distract them from the real issues that face our black communities.”
Brees had told Yahoo Finance on Wednesday that he would “never agree with anyone” participating in national anthem protests during the NFL’s 2020 season.
“I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America,” he had said.
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But after many people, including his teammates and other NFL players, criticized Brees, he offered an apology Thursday and vowed to be an ally for the Black community in its fight against “systematic racial injustice.”
Trump tweeted on Friday, however, that Brees should not have disavowed his original statement.
I am a big fan of Drew Brees. I think he’s truly one of the greatest quarterbacks, but he should not have taken back his original stance on honoring our magnificent American Flag. OLD GLORY is to be revered, cherished, and flown high... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2020
...We should be standing up straight and tall, ideally with a salute, or a hand on heart. There are other things you can protest, but not our Great American Flag - NO KNEELING! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2020
Brees posted his first apology to Instagram on Thursday, acknowledging that his initial remarks “lacked awareness and any type of compassion or empathy.”
In the caption of a photo of a Black and white hand linked, Brees wrote:
I am sick about the way my comments were perceived yesterday, but I take full responsibility and accountability. I recognize that I should do less talking and more listening...and when the black community is talking about their pain, we all need to listen. For that, I am very sorry and I ask your forgiveness.
Brees later posted a video of him speaking to the camera, offering an apology again and drawing attention to the police killing of George Floyd and the murder of Ahmaud Arbery, both of which have sparked nationwide protests against racism and police brutality.
“I know that there’s not much I can say that would make things any better right now. I just want you to see in my eyes how sorry I am for the comments that I made yesterday,” he said.
Some players on the Saints, including wide receiver Michael Thomas, linebacker Demario Davis and left tackle Terron Armstead, accepted Brees’s apology.
In a tweet, Armstead said he chose to speak to Brees personally about the remarks he made, which Armstead described as “extremely insensitive, dismissive, and flat out disappointing.”
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He added that “accountability and responsibility is the only way to move forward from this.”
“One of my brothers made a public statement yesterday that I disagreed with. He apologized & I accept it because that’s what we are taught to do as Christians,” Armstead said. “Now back to the movement!”
Trump has made it clear that he loathes NFL players who take a knee during the national anthem to protest racial injustice and police brutality against Black people. The protest movement was launched in 2016 by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
Trump has referred to the athletes as sons of bitches and has called on fans to boycott the NFL.
In 2018, the NFL attempted to ban kneeling during the national anthem by requiring all players on the field to stay standing.
On Friday, however, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell admitted that the league was wrong to not listen to its players and encouraged them to participate in the anti-racism protests that have been held across the U.S.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-05--George Floyd Survived The Coronavirus. Then The Police Killed Him.

Star Tribune via Getty Images via Getty Images People gathered in the middle of the street at the site of George Floyd 's death to listen to audio from Floyd 's memorial service on June 4 , 2020 , in south Minneapolis .
At the beginning of April , George Floyd contracted the coronavirus .
It ’ s unclear how severe his case was and if he struggled to recuperate , but he did recover .
He survived one possibly fatal threat , only to succumb to another : the Minneapolis police .
Floyd , a 46-year-old Black man who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after a police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes .
He had recently lost his job at a restaurant due to the COVID-19 outbreak and was accused of using a counterfeit bill to buy cigarettes when a store clerk called the cops .
The medical examiner , who deemed Floyd ’ s death a homicide “ caused by asphyxia due to neck and back compression , ” confirmed in his autopsy this week that Floyd had tested positive for COVID-19 .
Although the coronavirus was present in Floyd ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not necessarily mean he was contagious at the time he died , and the virus didn ’ t have an impact on his death .
But it does illustrate a sad , glaring truth : the Black community is facing a multitude of fatal threats .
Some of these threats are new : the coronavirus has disproportionately affected the Black community .
Some are as old as the country itself .
As is often the case , economic turmoil has disproportionately affected the Black community , and the record unemployment rate has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was not the coronavirus pandemic that killed George Floyd , ” Ben Crump , the attorney for Floyd ’ s family , said at Floyd ’ s memorial on Thursday .
“ I want to make it clear , on the record .
It was that other pandemic that we ’ re far too familiar with in America ― the pandemic of racism and discrimination ― that killed George Floyd.
” Ultimately , this boils down to a government response that treats Black people as if we are disposable.
” Scott Roberts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Color Of Change The coronavirus outbreak has hit communities of color hardest across the U.S .
In Minnesota , where Floyd lived , Black people make up around 5 % of the population , but accounted for 22 % of total coronavirus cases in the state , the Minnesota Health Department reported .
In the last few months , Black people in the U.S. have contracted COVID-19 at a disproportionate rate for a variety of reasons , like the lack of access to affordable and equitable health care , that experts say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minneapolis police are seven times more likely to use force against Black people than against white people , according to data collected by the city .
And while Black people account for only 20 % of the Minneapolis population , around 60 % of the time that police use force , it ’ s against a Black person .
It ’ s no surprise that these instances of systemic racism have built up to the current explosive moment .
“ What we ’ re seeing is a response to years and years of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , senior director of criminal justice campaigns at Color Of Change .
“ The Black community has simply had enough.
” Through all of this , the common thread is that the government refuses “ to make the changes needed to protect and affirm Black lives , ” Roberts said .
“ Ultimately , this boils down to a government response that treats Black people as if we are disposable.
” Dr. Tamara Lee , an associate professor at Rutgers University and a member of the Justice League NYC , told HuffPost the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of threats to the Black community is to look at the history of racism in the U.S. and address it head-on .
“ We have to have a serious conversation , as activists , as legislators , as a judicial system , ” she said , “ about how we repair 400 years of what this country has done that ’ s put Black people in the position they ’ re in right now .
”

People gathered in the middle of the street at the site of George Floyd's death to listen to audio from Floyd's memorial service on June 4, 2020, in south Minneapolis. Star Tribune via Getty Images via Getty Images
At the beginning of April, George Floyd contracted the coronavirus. It’s unclear how severe his case was and if he struggled to recuperate, but he did recover. He survived one possibly fatal threat, only to succumb to another: the Minneapolis police.
Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man who leaves behind five children, was killed after a police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. He had recently lost his job at a restaurant due to the COVID-19 outbreak and was accused of using a counterfeit bill to buy cigarettes when a store clerk called the cops.
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The medical examiner, who deemed Floyd’s death a homicide “caused by asphyxia due to neck and back compression,” confirmed in his autopsy this week that Floyd had tested positive for COVID-19. Although the coronavirus was present in Floyd’s system, the report stated, it does not necessarily mean he was contagious at the time he died, and the virus didn’t have an impact on his death.
But it does illustrate a sad, glaring truth: the Black community is facing a multitude of fatal threats. Some of these threats are new: the coronavirus has disproportionately affected the Black community. Some are as old as the country itself. As is often the case, economic turmoil has disproportionately affected the Black community, and the record unemployment rate has hit the Black community hardest.
And then there is the constant threat that the police will kill you. That’s what finally ended Floyd’s life.
“It was not the coronavirus pandemic that killed George Floyd,” Ben Crump, the attorney for Floyd’s family, said at Floyd’s memorial on Thursday. “I want to make it clear, on the record. It was that other pandemic that we’re far too familiar with in America ― the pandemic of racism and discrimination ― that killed George Floyd.”
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“Ultimately, this boils down to a government response that treats Black people as if we are disposable.” - Scott Roberts, senior director of criminal justice campaigns at Color Of Change
The coronavirus outbreak has hit communities of color hardest across the U.S. In Minnesota, where Floyd lived, Black people make up around 5% of the population, but accounted for 22% of total coronavirus cases in the state, the Minnesota Health Department reported. In the last few months, Black people in the U.S. have contracted COVID-19 at a disproportionate rate for a variety of reasons, like the lack of access to affordable and equitable health care, that experts say are often due to systemic racism.
Minneapolis police are seven times more likely to use force against Black people than against white people, according to data collected by the city. And while Black people account for only 20% of the Minneapolis population, around 60% of the time that police use force, it’s against a Black person.
It’s no surprise that these instances of systemic racism have built up to the current explosive moment. “What we’re seeing is a response to years and years of racial hatred,” said Scott Roberts, senior director of criminal justice campaigns at Color Of Change. “The Black community has simply had enough.”
Through all of this, the common thread is that the government refuses “to make the changes needed to protect and affirm Black lives,” Roberts said. “Ultimately, this boils down to a government response that treats Black people as if we are disposable.”
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Dr. Tamara Lee, an associate professor at Rutgers University and a member of the Justice League NYC, told HuffPost the only way to fix this layered onslaught of threats to the Black community is to look at the history of racism in the U.S. and address it head-on.
“We have to have a serious conversation, as activists, as legislators, as a judicial system,” she said, “about how we repair 400 years of what this country has done that’s put Black people in the position they’re in right now.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-05--Police Critics Secure Some Gains In 11th Day Of Racial Justice Protests

Christopher Mathias/HuffPost Protesters gather at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn , where a 35-year-old inmate , Jamel Floyd , died in custody Wednesday after guards pepper-sprayed him in his cell .
In Brooklyn , New York , a large crowd of protesters gathered outside a federal jail where a Black man with the same last name ― 35-year-old inmate Jamel Floyd ― died in custody on Wednesday after guards pepper-sprayed him in his cell .
Demonstrators held signs that read “ Don ’ t be shy !
Defund the police !
” and “ Justice for Jamel.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today , ” she said .
“ I ’ m going to become an advocate and walk in these marches .
This is important .
I didn ’ t know that I had this support behind me.
” The protests have continued despite assaults from police , numerous arrests and a war-like presence of law enforcement and military .
The ultimate goals ― such as defunding police forces or major criminal justice reform ― are still far away .
But on Friday , there were signs that the protests are breaking through , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In California on Friday , Gov .
Gavin Newsom ( D ) called for new police standards , including legislation to ban holds that put pressure on the neck that can render subjects unconscious .
Officials in multiple cities said they ’ ll adopt changes intended to reduce police use of force laid out by Campaign Zero ’ s “ 8 Can ’ t Wait ” campaign .
In Minneapolis , the City Council approved an agreement to ban police officers from using chokeholds .
Louisville , Kentucky , temporarily halted the use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one used when police burst in to Breonna Taylor ’ s home and shot her .
And Seattle temporarily banned the use of tear gas on protesters .
The protests continued after an 8 p.m. curfew in New York City , which Mayor Bill de Blasio ( D ) left in effect until Monday despite heavy criticism that it was being used as an excuse to target and arrest largely peaceful demonstrators .
On Thursday evening , New York City police arrested protesters en masse after the curfew , sometimes by force .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington , have lifted curfews imposed earlier in the week .
In Buffalo , New York , on Thursday , police shoved an older man to the ground as he approached them , seriously injuring him .
After two officers were suspended over the incident , the rest of the Buffalo Police Department ’ s Emergency Response Team resigned from the unit in a show of support for the two officers .
On Monday , law enforcement officers used tear gas to drive protesters out of Lafayette Square , across from the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hard-line speech by Donald Trump and then an easy walk for the president and his entourage to stand in front of a nearby church for photographs .
Meanwhile , the coronavirus pandemic still rages , as does its economic fallout ― both of which have hit Black communities particularly hard .
And though Trump touted the generally positive job figures released Friday , the unemployment picture continued to deteriorate for Black people , especially Black women .
And an autopsy this week noted that Floyd had survived COVID-19 weeks before he died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans demanded racial justice in American streets , Trump traveled to Maine on Friday , where he signed a proclamation to slash protections for a marine national monument off the Northeast coast ― one of many environmental rollbacks in recent weeks .
At the event , he railed against those calling for defunding police departments and said Maine Gov .
Janet Mills ( D ) was “ like a dictator ” for moving slowly to reopen the state after its COVID-19 shutdown .
And the entire city of Washington , long denied statehood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activity , has been occupied by federal forces .
The Trump administration brought in military troops and deployed a slew of federal agents to crack down on the city ’ s demonstrations .
Late Friday , Trump attacked his presumptive Democratic opponent , former Vice President Joe Biden , by falsely claiming Biden supports defunding the police and retweeted a message from conservative commentator and conspiracy theorist Glenn Beck questioning whether George Floyd was being wrongly lauded .
The president has always fanned the flames of white supremacy , and his response to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ punitive , with some perfunctory sympathy for Floyd thrown in .
“ ‘ Shut up and die ’ is basically what we ’ re being told , and we ’ re tired of it , ” she said .
“ I ’ m doing this today so the next generation doesn ’ t have to do it , because our parents and grandparents did it so we didn ’ t have to do it , but here we are today .
There needs to be bigger change.
” There are indications the protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school board voted this week to cut ties with the police department , a step that could reduce arrests of students and the school-to-prison pipeline .
Portland , Oregon , is doing the same .
Multiple states took down monuments to racists .
And police have faced consequences for their actions : The officers involved in Floyd ’ s death were charged with crimes , as were six Atlanta police officers who violently pulled students from a car last weekend .
Other officers , though , such as the ones who killed Breonna @ @ @ @ @

Protesters gather at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where a 35-year-old inmate, Jamel Floyd, died in custody Wednesday after guards pepper-sprayed him in his cell. Christopher Mathias/HuffPost
For the 11th straight day, thousands gathered in cities across the nation to protest racism and police brutality, sparked by the May 25 killing of George Floyd, a Black man, in Minneapolis.
In Brooklyn, New York, a large crowd of protesters gathered outside a federal jail where a Black man with the same last name ― 35-year-old inmate Jamel Floyd ― died in custody on Wednesday after guards pepper-sprayed him in his cell. Demonstrators held signs that read “Don’t be shy! Defund the police!” and “Justice for Jamel.”
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“Free them all,” they chanted as inmates could be heard cheering and banging on cell windows.
“He was supposed to be protected here,” an emotional Donna Mays, Jamel Floyd’s mother, said at the rally. “He got killed and murdered and Maced.”
He had recently been moved to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn after serving 13 years in prison, and he was slated to be released in three months, Mays said.
“I need change and I need it today,” she said. “I’m going to become an advocate and walk in these marches. This is important. I didn’t know that I had this support behind me.”
Don’t remember seeing too many (if any?) DEFUND THE NYPD signs years ago during the Eric Garner protests. Now those signs are everywhere, including front and center pic.twitter.com/ZO3RSvhWT5 — Christopher Mathias (@letsgomathias) June 6, 2020
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The protests have continued despite assaults from police, numerous arrests and a war-like presence of law enforcement and military. The ultimate goals ― such as defunding police forces or major criminal justice reform ― are still far away. But on Friday, there were signs that the protests are breaking through, though some gains were merely temporary.
In California on Friday, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) called for new police standards, including legislation to ban holds that put pressure on the neck that can render subjects unconscious. Officials in multiple cities said they’ll adopt changes intended to reduce police use of force laid out by Campaign Zero’s “8 Can’t Wait” campaign.
In Minneapolis, the City Council approved an agreement to ban police officers from using chokeholds. Louisville, Kentucky, temporarily halted the use of no-knock warrants, such as the one used when police burst in to Breonna Taylor’s home and shot her. And Seattle temporarily banned the use of tear gas on protesters.
The protests continued after an 8 p.m. curfew in New York City, which Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) left in effect until Monday despite heavy criticism that it was being used as an excuse to target and arrest largely peaceful demonstrators. On Thursday evening, New York City police arrested protesters en masse after the curfew, sometimes by force. Other cities, including Los Angeles and Washington, have lifted curfews imposed earlier in the week.
In Louisville, thousands of protesters gathered to honor Breonna Taylor, who would have turned 27 on Friday, chanting her name and carrying cards for her family. Protesters in Los Angeles, Washington and Atlanta also sang “Happy Birthday” in her honor.
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Demonstrators nationwide have faced violence from the very police they’re protesting against.
In Buffalo, New York, on Thursday, police shoved an older man to the ground as he approached them, seriously injuring him. After two officers were suspended over the incident, the rest of the Buffalo Police Department’s Emergency Response Team resigned from the unit in a show of support for the two officers.
On Monday, law enforcement officers used tear gas to drive protesters out of Lafayette Square, across from the White House, providing a background track for a hard-line speech by Donald Trump and then an easy walk for the president and his entourage to stand in front of a nearby church for photographs.
And it’s not just protesters facing violence from the police.
On June 1, police in Los Angeles started to arrest Black store owners who had flagged them down for help as people looted their store.
Police have abused and arrested medics in Austin, Texas; New York City; and Asheville, North Carolina. The Geneva Convention, which states that even in times of war, medical personnel “shall be respected and protected in all circumstances.”
Police have also arrested journalists, including CNN correspondent Omar Jimenez, who is Black, while he was broadcasting live in Minneapolis last week.
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Meanwhile, the coronavirus pandemic still rages, as does its economic fallout ― both of which have hit Black communities particularly hard. And though Trump touted the generally positive job figures released Friday, the unemployment picture continued to deteriorate for Black people, especially Black women. And an autopsy this week noted that Floyd had survived COVID-19 weeks before he died at the hands of police.
As Americans demanded racial justice in American streets, Trump traveled to Maine on Friday, where he signed a proclamation to slash protections for a marine national monument off the Northeast coast ― one of many environmental rollbacks in recent weeks. At the event, he railed against those calling for defunding police departments and said Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) was “like a dictator” for moving slowly to reopen the state after its COVID-19 shutdown.
And the entire city of Washington, long denied statehood that would allow it to block such activity, has been occupied by federal forces. The Trump administration brought in military troops and deployed a slew of federal agents to crack down on the city’s demonstrations.
Late Friday, Trump attacked his presumptive Democratic opponent, former Vice President Joe Biden, by falsely claiming Biden supports defunding the police and retweeted a message from conservative commentator and conspiracy theorist Glenn Beck questioning whether George Floyd was being wrongly lauded. The president has always fanned the flames of white supremacy, and his response to the protests has ranged from dismissive to punitive, with some perfunctory sympathy for Floyd thrown in.
“This stuff would still be happening, but just the things he’s been saying in general is just making the whole situation worse ― he’s escalating it,” said Ashley Ezekieva, a 23-year-old protesting outside the White House on Thursday evening.
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“‘Shut up and die’ is basically what we’re being told, and we’re tired of it,” she said. “I’m doing this today so the next generation doesn’t have to do it, because our parents and grandparents did it so we didn’t have to do it, but here we are today. There needs to be bigger change.”
There are indications the protests are having an effect. The Minneapolis school board voted this week to cut ties with the police department, a step that could reduce arrests of students and the school-to-prison pipeline. Portland, Oregon, is doing the same. Multiple states took down monuments to racists. And police have faced consequences for their actions: The officers involved in Floyd’s death were charged with crimes, as were six Atlanta police officers who violently pulled students from a car last weekend. Other officers, though, such as the ones who killed Breonna Taylor, remain free.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-05--Obama Says We Should Learn 'Impatience' From Young Protesters

Former President Barack Obama said Friday that he is “ inspired ” by the young people taking to the streets to protest against racism : “ They ’ re saying we don ’ t accept the status quo.
” Rep. John Lewis , the civil rights legend , and Bryan Stevenson , a civil rights attorney and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative , also joined the conversation .
It was organized by the Obama Foundation ’ s My Brother ’ s Keeper initiative .
“ Older folks I think can learn from young people ― impatience , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ massive protests around the nation and world against systemic racism and police brutality , which are largely being led by young Black activists .
“ There has been as much honest conversation in this country on the topic of race in the past week as has taken place in my living memory , ” said Obama , who was born in 1961 .
He noted that protests for racial justice have taken place not only in large cities but also in small towns .
“ The white community oftentimes just doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re playing the race card or you ’ re exaggerating .
But part of what ’ s happening with videos is now you can ’ t ignore it , ” Obama added , referring in particular to the viral video of George Floyd ’ s death .
Floyd , who was Black , was killed when a white police officer , Derek Chauvin , knelt on his neck for nearly 9 minutes .
Since Floyd ’ s death set off the protests , Obama ― who had stayed largely out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidency ― has spoken out more frequently .
On Wednesday , he said in another virtual town hall that he was “ proud of you guys , ” referring to protesters , and on Monday , he wrote a post on the need for both “ protests and politics ” to bring about change .
“ To see all of the young people ... not just men of color , but Black , white , Latino , Asian American , Native American , all of the young women , standing up , speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Lewis said of the current protesters .
“ They ’ re going to help redeem the soul of America.
” Stevenson — who is a death row lawyer and whose organization opened a museum in Alabama dedicated to victims of lynching — spoke of the long legacy of racism impacting generations of Black people in the U.S. , from slavery through Jim Crow segregation to today .
“ In this era , so many of us have so much hope and here we still find ourselves over-policed and over-prosecuted and over-convicted and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Stevenson said .
He recalled his own encounter with police in Atlanta , a few years after graduating from Harvard Law School , when he said the cops pointed a gun at his head .
“ I had to calm those officers down , ” Stevenson said , adding how “ exhausted ” he was from bearing the “ burden ” of being Black and “ presumed dangerous and guilty.
” Stevenson noted that he is the great-grandson of people who had been enslaved .
“ Despite all those things — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ segregation , the mass incarceration , the police violence ― I am here , ” he said .

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Former President Barack Obama said Friday that he is “inspired” by the young people taking to the streets to protest against racism: “They’re saying we don’t accept the status quo.”
“Those people out on the streets — that’s a sea change,” Obama said in a virtual town hall titled “Mental Health and Wellness in a Racism Pandemic.”
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Rep. John Lewis, the civil rights legend, and Bryan Stevenson, a civil rights attorney and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, also joined the conversation. It was organized by the Obama Foundation’s My Brother’s Keeper initiative.
“Older folks I think can learn from young people ― impatience,” the former president said, speaking of the massive protests around the nation and world against systemic racism and police brutality, which are largely being led by young Black activists.
“There has been as much honest conversation in this country on the topic of race in the past week as has taken place in my living memory,” said Obama, who was born in 1961. He noted that protests for racial justice have taken place not only in large cities but also in small towns.
“The white community oftentimes just doesn’t want to hear it or says you’re playing the race card or you’re exaggerating. But part of what’s happening with videos is now you can’t ignore it,” Obama added, referring in particular to the viral video of George Floyd’s death. Floyd, who was Black, was killed when a white police officer, Derek Chauvin, knelt on his neck for nearly 9 minutes.
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Since Floyd’s death set off the protests, Obama ― who had stayed largely out of the political fray since the end of his presidency ― has spoken out more frequently. On Wednesday, he said in another virtual town hall that he was “proud of you guys,” referring to protesters, and on Monday, he wrote a post on the need for both “protests and politics” to bring about change.
Both Lewis and Stevenson spoke Friday of their own intimate experiences with police violence.
Lewis, now a veteran Georgia congressman, recounted his infamous beating by state troopers during the 1965 march for Black voting rights from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama.
“To see all of the young people ... not just men of color, but Black, white, Latino, Asian American, Native American, all of the young women, standing up, speaking out, being prepared to march,” Lewis said of the current protesters. “They’re going to help redeem the soul of America.”
Stevenson — who is a death row lawyer and whose organization opened a museum in Alabama dedicated to victims of lynching — spoke of the long legacy of racism impacting generations of Black people in the U.S., from slavery through Jim Crow segregation to today.
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“In this era, so many of us have so much hope and here we still find ourselves over-policed and over-prosecuted and over-convicted and over-sentenced and marginalized and frequently denied opportunities,” Stevenson said.
He recalled his own encounter with police in Atlanta, a few years after graduating from Harvard Law School, when he said the cops pointed a gun at his head.
“I had to calm those officers down,” Stevenson said, adding how “exhausted” he was from bearing the “burden” of being Black and “presumed dangerous and guilty.”
Stevenson noted that he is the great-grandson of people who had been enslaved. “Despite all those things — the slavery, the lynching, the segregation, the mass incarceration, the police violence ― I am here,” he said.
“Black people in this country are undefeated in our resolve that we will be free,” said Stevenson. “That’s the thing that sustains me.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-05--Trump's Approval Among White Catholics Has Slipped

The president ’ s approval rating among white evangelical Protestants , a key constituency , also dropped , from March ’ s peak of 77 % to 62 % in May .
This is about the same as his average favorability among this group throughout 2019 , which was 64 % .
March ’ s bump in favorability among white Catholics and white evangelicals was prompted by a patriotic “ rally ’ round the flag ” effect brought on by the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic , according to PRRI .
The PRRI survey was conducted via telephone from May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reacted to the May 25 police killing of George Floyd , a Black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes .
PRRI recorded a shift in opinion among all white Christians within the time that the survey was conducted .
During the first half of the survey period , Trump ’ s favorability was 57 % among white Christians .
By the second half , as Trump pushed a militaristic response to protests , it had slipped down to 46 % .
These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same time that the Republican Party ’ s white evangelical base is shrinking .
The religious group was 21 % of the U.S. population in 2008 ; today it makes up just 15 % of the country , according to PRRI .
Catholics made up 17 % of the electorate in 2008 and are just 12 % today , according to the Jesuit magazine America .
Trump needs both white Catholics and white evangelicals to show up for him in November if he ’ s to win reelection .
These two groups were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election than any other religious groups , according to the Pew Research Center .
White Catholics , in particular , tend to be swing voters .
Many live in Rust Belt states that are key for the president .
On Monday , Trump posed with a Bible in front of an Episcopal church near the White House after federal law enforcement officers aggressively cleared the area of peaceful protesters .
On Tuesday , the president and his wife , Melania Trump , who identifies as Catholic , visited an important Roman Catholic shrine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harshly criticized by both the Episcopal and Roman Catholic prelates of Washington .
But Trump ’ s closest evangelical allies have stuck by his side , praising him for his “ law and order ” approach to the civil unrest across the country .
In addition , favorability ratings may not necessarily indicate how these groups will vote on Election Day , given their longstanding ties to the GOP .
Over the course of his tenure at the White House , Trump has delivered on issues that are important to both of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of American evangelicalism at Messiah College , told HuffPost on Thursday that he believes even though some rank-and-file white evangelicals are disgusted by Trump ’ s photo-op in front of the Episcopal church , many will still vote for him in November because he shared their views on social issues that they believe are non-negotiable ― such as abortion and the appointment of conservative judges .
“ Trump holds them captive .
They must support Trump because they need him to win in November so that their more important social issues such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an attempt to ‘ make America great again , ’ code for ‘ make America a Christian nation again .
’ ”

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President Donald Trump’s favorability ratings have recently dipped among two religious groups that make up a core part of his religious base: white Catholics and white evangelicals.
Only 37% of white Catholics held a favorable view of Trump in May, down from a peak of 60% in March, according to a Public Religion Research Institute survey published Friday.
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The low rating is even starker when compared to the fact that Trump managed to maintain an average favorability of 49% among white Catholics throughout 2019.
The president’s approval rating among white evangelical Protestants, a key constituency, also dropped, from March’s peak of 77% to 62% in May. This is about the same as his average favorability among this group throughout 2019, which was 64%.
March’s bump in favorability among white Catholics and white evangelicals was prompted by a patriotic “rally ’round the flag” effect brought on by the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, according to PRRI.
But as the pandemic continued and protests over police brutality toward Black Americans erupted around the country, that wave of support began to recede.
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President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump visit St. John Paul II National Shrine on Tuesday in Washington. Patrick Semansky/Associated Press
The PRRI survey was conducted via telephone from May 26 through May 31 as the country reacted to the May 25 police killing of George Floyd, a Black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes. PRRI recorded a shift in opinion among all white Christians within the time that the survey was conducted. During the first half of the survey period, Trump’s favorability was 57% among white Christians. By the second half, as Trump pushed a militaristic response to protests, it had slipped down to 46%.
These drops in favorability are happening at the same time that the Republican Party’s white evangelical base is shrinking. The religious group was 21% of the U.S. population in 2008; today it makes up just 15% of the country, according to PRRI. Catholics made up 17% of the electorate in 2008 and are just 12% today, according to the Jesuit magazine America.
Trump needs both white Catholics and white evangelicals to show up for him in November if he’s to win reelection. These two groups were more supportive of him in the 2016 election than any other religious groups, according to the Pew Research Center. White Catholics, in particular, tend to be swing voters. Many live in Rust Belt states that are key for the president.
Trump made a nod to both these groups during controversial photo-ops at two Washington, D.C., churches this week.
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On Monday, Trump posed with a Bible in front of an Episcopal church near the White House after federal law enforcement officers aggressively cleared the area of peaceful protesters. On Tuesday, the president and his wife, Melania Trump, who identifies as Catholic, visited an important Roman Catholic shrine in the city.
The visits were harshly criticized by both the Episcopal and Roman Catholic prelates of Washington. But Trump’s closest evangelical allies have stuck by his side, praising him for his “law and order” approach to the civil unrest across the country.
Notably, the PRRI survey concluded before these visits took place and don’t measure the effect they had on Trump’s favorability among white evangelicals and white Catholics.
Sister Quincy Howard, center, a Dominican nun, protests the arrival Tuesday of President Donald Trump at the St. John Paul II National Shrine in Washington. AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
In addition, favorability ratings may not necessarily indicate how these groups will vote on Election Day, given their longstanding ties to the GOP. Over the course of his tenure at the White House, Trump has delivered on issues that are important to both of these groups.
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John Fea, a historian of American evangelicalism at Messiah College, told HuffPost on Thursday that he believes even though some rank-and-file white evangelicals are disgusted by Trump’s photo-op in front of the Episcopal church, many will still vote for him in November because he shared their views on social issues that they believe are non-negotiable ― such as abortion and the appointment of conservative judges.
Since the turn of the 20th century, conservative evangelicals have believed that converting people through evangelism and winning the culture wars are more important than questions of social justice, Fea said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-05--Mark Zuckerberg Says He'll Review Policies That Allowed Trump's Inflammatory Post

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced Friday that the company will conduct a review of the policy he cited when allowing President Donald Trump ’ s violence-inciting post to remain up on the site .
“ We ’ re going to review our policies allowing discussion and threats of state use of force to see if there are any amendments we should adopt , ” Zuckerberg wrote in a lengthy statement days after his employees staged a virtual walkout in protest of his response to Trump ’ s post .
The outrage at Zuckerberg started after Trump published an inflammatory post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warning that “ when the looting starts , the shooting starts.
” The phrase originated with a combative Miami police chief threatening the young , largely Black , people involved in the civil rights movement in the 1960s .
Facing calls to take the post down or put a warning on it , as Twitter did , Zuckerberg initially responded to upset civil rights leaders and his own employees by saying the post did not violate any of Facebook ’ s policies .
In a leaked call with around 25,000 employees this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used “ has no history of being read as a dog whistle for vigilante supporters to take justice into their own hands.
” He made the same argument in a statement earlier that week .
The statement Zuckerberg issued Friday signals he ’ s taken some of that criticism to heart .
He said Facebook will consider new rules for two specific types of posts .
The first category is posts of excessive use of police or state force .
“ Given the sensitive history in the US , this deserves special consideration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that in cases of ongoing unrest or conflict , “ We already have precedents for imposing greater restrictions during emergencies and when countries are in ongoing states of conflict , so there may be additional policies or integrity measures to consider around discussion or threats of state use of force when a country is in this state.
” Zuckerberg also revealed that Facebook will review its policies on monitoring posts that could create confusion about voting or suppress voter turnout .
He cited a hypothetical newspaper article warning people about COVID-19 risk if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example of the type of post the company would monitor .
He also hinted that Facebook may mimic how Twitter handles posts that invite violence .
Twitter covered Trump ’ s recent inflammatory tweet with a message that it was “ glorifying violence ” and required users to click through to remove the warning to see the post .
While Zuckerberg said he likes that Facebook ’ s policy is to fully remove any posts that violate the guidelines , he ’ s open to hearing new ideas .
“ In general , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk of leading us to editorialize on content we don ’ t like even if it doesn ’ t violate our policies , ” he wrote , “ so I think we need to proceed very carefully .
”

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It turns out protests work.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced Friday that the company will conduct a review of the policy he cited when allowing President Donald Trump’s violence-inciting post to remain up on the site.
“We’re going to review our policies allowing discussion and threats of state use of force to see if there are any amendments we should adopt,” Zuckerberg wrote in a lengthy statement days after his employees staged a virtual walkout in protest of his response to Trump’s post.
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The outrage at Zuckerberg started after Trump published an inflammatory post on the platform about anti-racism protests, warning that “when the looting starts, the shooting starts.” The phrase originated with a combative Miami police chief threatening the young, largely Black, people involved in the civil rights movement in the 1960s.
Facing calls to take the post down or put a warning on it, as Twitter did, Zuckerberg initially responded to upset civil rights leaders and his own employees by saying the post did not violate any of Facebook’s policies. In a leaked call with around 25,000 employees this week, he argued that the language Trump used “has no history of being read as a dog whistle for vigilante supporters to take justice into their own hands.” He made the same argument in a statement earlier that week.
The statement Zuckerberg issued Friday signals he’s taken some of that criticism to heart. He said Facebook will consider new rules for two specific types of posts.
The first category is posts of excessive use of police or state force. “Given the sensitive history in the US, this deserves special consideration,” he wrote. He added that in cases of ongoing unrest or conflict, “We already have precedents for imposing greater restrictions during emergencies and when countries are in ongoing states of conflict, so there may be additional policies or integrity measures to consider around discussion or threats of state use of force when a country is in this state.”
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Zuckerberg also revealed that Facebook will review its policies on monitoring posts that could create confusion about voting or suppress voter turnout. He cited a hypothetical newspaper article warning people about COVID-19 risk if they go to the polls as an example of the type of post the company would monitor.
He also hinted that Facebook may mimic how Twitter handles posts that invite violence. Twitter covered Trump’s recent inflammatory tweet with a message that it was “glorifying violence” and required users to click through to remove the warning to see the post. While Zuckerberg said he likes that Facebook’s policy is to fully remove any posts that violate the guidelines, he’s open to hearing new ideas.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-06--Buffalo Mayor Says Police Union Is 'On The Wrong Side Of History'

Buffalo , New York , Mayor Byron Brown said Friday that the local police union was on the “ wrong side of history ” in a controversy surrounding two officers who were suspended without pay after a 75-year-old man was shoved to the ground at a protest , causing him to be seriously injured .
In an interview with CNN , Brown was asked about dozens of members of the Buffalo Police Department ’ s Emergency Response Team resigning from their posts in the special unit earlier Friday .
John Evans , president of the Buffalo Police Benevolent Association union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of disgust ” over “ the treatment ” of the two suspended officers .
“ That was pushed by the police union , ” Brown told CNN .
“ The police union indicated if those officers continued to participate in that unit they would lose the support of the Police Benevolent Association in Buffalo.
” Two unnamed officers reportedly told the local ABC news station similarly that they didn ’ t resign out of solidarity with the officers suspended but because the union wasn ’ t “ legally backing ” them .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members on Friday morning also suggests the union wouldn ’ t be paying for the legal defense of ERT officers moving forward .
“ The Buffalo police union is on the wrong side of history .
They are wrong in this situation , ” the mayor continued .
“ They have been a barrier to further police reform in the city of Buffalo , and that barrier that the police union presents needs to be addressed.
” Late Thursday , a viral video showed police in Buffalo pushing an older man who approached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backward , hitting the ground with a resounding crack before he begins bleeding from his ear .
The man was taken to the hospital , where he was listed in serious but stable condition Friday night .
After an initial statement said the man “ tripped and fell , ” the police commissioner ordered an investigation and the two officers were suspended without pay .
The incident came amid nationwide protests over racism and police brutality , after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week .
There have been dozens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country in response to these protests , including the use of tear gas , rubber bullets and batons .

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Buffalo, New York, Mayor Byron Brown said Friday that the local police union was on the “wrong side of history” in a controversy surrounding two officers who were suspended without pay after a 75-year-old man was shoved to the ground at a protest, causing him to be seriously injured.
In an interview with CNN, Brown was asked about dozens of members of the Buffalo Police Department’s Emergency Response Team resigning from their posts in the special unit earlier Friday. John Evans, president of the Buffalo Police Benevolent Association union, said it had been “out of disgust” over “the treatment” of the two suspended officers.
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“That was pushed by the police union,” Brown told CNN. “The police union indicated if those officers continued to participate in that unit they would lose the support of the Police Benevolent Association in Buffalo.”
Two unnamed officers reportedly told the local ABC news station similarly that they didn’t resign out of solidarity with the officers suspended but because the union wasn’t “legally backing” them. A copy of an email that Evans sent members on Friday morning also suggests the union wouldn’t be paying for the legal defense of ERT officers moving forward.
HuffPost did not immediately receive a response for comment from the Buffalo Police Benevolent Association.
“The Buffalo police union is on the wrong side of history. They are wrong in this situation,” the mayor continued. “They have been a barrier to further police reform in the city of Buffalo, and that barrier that the police union presents needs to be addressed.”
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“The Buffalo police union is on the wrong side of history. They are wrong in this situation.” - Mayor Byron Brown on CNN. pic.twitter.com/tNei8sHhdL — John Vogl (@BuffaloVogl) June 6, 2020
Late Thursday, a viral video showed police in Buffalo pushing an older man who approached them. The man is seen falling backward, hitting the ground with a resounding crack before he begins bleeding from his ear. The man was taken to the hospital, where he was listed in serious but stable condition Friday night.
After an initial statement said the man “tripped and fell,” the police commissioner ordered an investigation and the two officers were suspended without pay.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-06--Justin Trudeau Takes A Knee During Anti-Racism Protest

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took a knee during an anti-racism demonstration on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday .
Trudeau , wearing a face mask , joined other protesters kneeling for the symbolic period of 8 minutes and 46 seconds ― the amount of time a white police officer pressed his knee into the neck of George Floyd , a Black man , in Minneapolis last week .
Floyd ’ s death in police custody has inspired protests worldwide .
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took a knee during an anti-racism protest on Parliament Hill in Ottawa .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trudeau to stand up to President Donald Trump 's violent rhetoric about demonstrators .
Some protesters urged Trudeau to stand up to U.S. President Donald Trump ’ s violent rhetoric about demonstrators , reported the Canadian Press .
On Tuesday , Trudeau ― who became embroiled in his own racism/blackface scandal in 2019 ― paused for around 20 seconds after being asked to comment on Trump ’ s call for military action to deal with the protests .
“ We all watch in horror and consternation what ’ s going on in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It is a time to pull people together but it is a time to listen , to learn what injustices continue despite progress over years and decades.
” Trudeau ’ s taking of a knee split opinion on Twitter .
Critics accused him of opportunism .
Canada ’ s Families Minister Ahmed Hussen , who is Somali-Canadian , accompanied Trudeau to the rally .
He described the gesture as “ powerful.
” Trudeau on Monday acknowledged that anti-Black racism and systemic discrimination is a “ real aspect ” of Canadian life @

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took a knee during an anti-racism demonstration on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, on Friday.
Trudeau, wearing a face mask, joined other protesters kneeling for the symbolic period of 8 minutes and 46 seconds ― the amount of time a white police officer pressed his knee into the neck of George Floyd, a Black man, in Minneapolis last week. Floyd’s killing has inspired protests worldwide.
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Trudeau clapped as speakers demanded officials tackle systemic racism.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took a knee during an anti-racism protest on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Some protesters reportedly urged Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to stand up to President Donald Trump's violent rhetoric about demonstrators. DAVE CHAN via Getty Images
Some protesters urged Trudeau to stand up to U.S. President Donald Trump’s violent rhetoric about demonstrators, the Canadian Press reported..
On Tuesday, Trudeau ― who became embroiled in his own racism/blackface scandal in 2019 ― paused for around 20 seconds after being asked to comment on Trump’s call for military action to deal with the protests.
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“We all watch in horror and consternation what’s going on in the United States,” Trudeau eventually said. “It is a time to pull people together, but it is a time to listen, to learn what injustices continue despite progress over years and decades.”
Trudeau’s taking of a knee split opinion on Twitter. Critics accused him of opportunism. Canada’s Families Minister Ahmed Hussen, who is Somali Canadian, accompanied Trudeau to the rally. He described the gesture as “powerful.”