thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-13--Secret Service Finally Admits Using Pepper Spray On Protesters Ahead Of Trump's Bible Pose

The Secret Service reversed an earlier claim and admitted Saturday that it did use pepper spray on protesters to clear the way before President Donald Trump held aloft a Bible outside a church for a photo op nearly two weeks ago .
“ After further review , the U.S. Secret Service has determined that an agency employee used pepper spray on June 1st to secure the area near Lafayette Parks , ” said the new statement .
The oleoresin capsicum spray was “ used in response to an assaultive individual , ” the statement added .
Details about the behavior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Disease Control and Prevention considers pepper spray a “ riot control agent , ” which it notes is “ sometimes referred to as ‘ tear gas ’ ” — along with compounds more widely associated with tear gas , including chloroacetophenone ( CN ) and chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile ( CS ) .
The U.S. Park Police also initially denied using tear gas .
But a spokesman later said it was a “ mistake ” to say “ tear gas ” wasn ’ t used , because the pepper balls officers fired burn and make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Following the Secret Service reversal , the American Civil Liberties Union issued a statement noting that “ once again , yet another federal agency is pulling back yet another lie meant to cover up the administration ’ s unlawful firing of tear gas and other weapons outside the White House on June 1.
” Critics erupted after the brutal law enforcement crackdown on anti-racism protesters that evening to clear the way way so Trump could pose with a Bible at St. John ’ s Episcopal Church across the street from the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have sued the Trump administration for what they labeled an “ unconstitutional ” and “ frankly criminal attack ” that evening .
Cell phone and media videos of the crackdown showed peaceful protesters struck with batons and shields , manhandled by law enforcement , and apparently gassed .
Attorney General William Barr , who ordered the removal of the protesters before Trump ’ s photo op , insisted in an interview last week that pepper spray is “ not a chemical irritant.
” He also claimed protesters were “ not peaceful , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extensive video coverage of law enforcement action .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
The Secret Service reversed an earlier claim and admitted Saturday that its agents had used pepper spray on protesters to clear the way for President Donald Trump’s photo op outside a church nearly two weeks ago.
“After further review, the U.S. Secret Service has determined that an agency employee used pepper spray on June 1st to secure the area near Lafayette Parks,” said a statement from the agency.
Advertisement
The spray was “used in response to an assaultive individual,” the statement said. Details about the behavior were not provided.
Last week the agency insisted that “no agency personnel used tear gas or capsicum spray.”
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers pepper spray a “riot control agent,” and says it is “sometimes referred to as ‘tear gas,’” as are compounds more widely associated with tear gas.
The U.S. Park Police also initially denied using tear gas. But a spokesman later said it was a “mistake” to say “tear gas” wasn’t used, because the pepper balls that officers fired make it difficult for targets to breathe.
Advertisement
Following the Secret Service reversal, the American Civil Liberties Union issued a statement saying, “Once again, yet another federal agency is pulling back yet another lie meant to cover up the administration’s unlawful firing of tear gas and other weapons outside the White House on June 1.”
Law enforcement faced criticism for cracking down on anti-racism protesters that evening in order to clear the way for Trump to pose with a Bible in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church, which is across the street from the White House. The ACLU and Black Lives Matter have sued the Trump administration for what they labeled an “unconstitutional” and “criminal attack” that evening.
Cell phone and media videos of the incident showed peaceful protesters struck with batons and shields, manhandled by law enforcement, and apparently gassed.
Attorney General William Barr, who ordered the removal of the protesters before Trump’s photo op, insisted in an interview last week that pepper spray is “not a chemical irritant.” He also claimed protesters were “not peaceful,” though that is contradicted by extensive video coverage of law enforcement’s action.
We've ID'ed the 4th canister @wusa9 collected Monday H & 17th as a Stinger Ball Grenade carrying OC gas and spreading rubber pellets at high speeds launched by police at crowds. Thanks to @Brian_Castner for help. https://t.co/RVP52fBv1n pic.twitter.com/9ck6POWkDX — Nathan Baca (@NathanBacaTV) June 5, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-13--Florida Hits Biggest Daily COVID-19 Jump As It Gears Up For GOP Convention

Florida coronavirus cases jumped 35 % Saturday over the previous day , smashing a single-day record just as state officials are gearing up to host thousands of visitors for major events of the Republican National Convention in August .
It was the third record jump in three days running of new COVID-19 cases , The Miami Herald noted .
The number of coronavirus cases rose 2,581 Saturday morning from 1,902 Friday to hit a total of 73,552 .
Deaths among Florida residents reached 2,925 , a 1.7 % increase from the previous day .
Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump — has not been a big backer of business and behavior restrictions to stem the spread of the virus .
He was one of the last governors to issue a statewide stay-at-home order — on April 1 .
Florida already began re-opening the economy in early May , and many businesses — including restaurants — are nearly back to normal activity .
On Friday DeSantis shrugged off the continuing increase in the state ’ s COVID-19 cases .
He attributed the rise to more testing at nursing homes and an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state has a record number of residents over the age of 65 , who are most vulnerable to COVID-19 .
DeSantis triggered an uproar in April when he called Florida “ God ’ s waiting room ” because of its elderly population .
The key events of the Republican National Convention are now set for August 24-27 in Jacksonville , after convention organizers and the president complained about COVID-19 social distancing requirements in the original location in Charlotte , North Carolina .
A limited number of delegates ― about 330 ― will officially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president on a single day in August in Charlotte .
DeSantis told ABC affiliate WPLG Local 10-TV that he ’ s convinced adequate precautions can be taken to protect the health of those attending the convention .
People flying into Florida to attend the convention from across the nation will also pose a safety risk to the surrounding community as they pour into shops , hotels and restaurants .
Officials are “ really working hard on it , ” said DeSantis .
“ They are working hard with the folks at the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his acceptance speech on August 27 at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena , which holds 15,000 people .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to warn against large gatherings as a serious risk for COVID-19 .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert , said in an interview Friday that any large group remains “ risky ” and “ a danger ” at this time .
He added that it would be safer if Americans avoided all big gatherings , period .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Florida coronavirus cases jumped 35% over the previous day on Saturday, smashing a single-day record, just as state officials are gearing up to host thousands of visitors for the Republican National Convention in August.
It was the third day in a row in which the state hit a record number of new COVID-19 cases, The Miami Herald noted.
Advertisement
The number of coronavirus cases reported on Saturday morning was 2,581. Friday’s total number of new cases was 1,902. So far, there have been 73,552 cases in the state, with 2,925 deaths.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) — a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump — has not supported business and behavior restrictions meant to stem the spread of the virus. He was one of the last governors to issue a statewide stay-at-home order, which took effect in Florida on April 1.
The state began reopening in early May, and many businesses — including restaurants — are nearly back to normal activity.
On Friday, DeSantis shrugged off the continuing increase in the state’s COVID-19 cases. He attributed the rise to more testing at nursing homes and an outbreak of the coronavirus among farmworkers.
Advertisement
More than 20% of Floridians are 65 and older, a demographic that is particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. DeSantis triggered an uproar in April when he called Florida “God’s waiting room” because of its elderly population.
The key events of the Republican National Convention are now set for Aug. 24 to 27 in Jacksonville, after convention organizers and the president complained about COVID-19 social distancing requirements in Charlotte, North Carolina, where it was initially supposed to be held. A handful of official Republican party events will still be held in Charlotte.
DeSantis told a Florida TV station that he’s convinced that adequate precautions can be taken to protect the health of those attending the convention, and those they may interact with.
Officials are “really working hard on it,” said DeSantis. “They are working hard with the folks at the White House.”
Trump is expected to give his acceptance speech on August 27 at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, which holds 15,000 people.
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-12--As Greens Reckon With Racism, Staff At A Major Group Challenge Pro-Trump Board Member

Andrew H. Walker via Getty Images Billionaire real estate tycoon Stephen Ross buddies up with Donald Trump at an event in 2010 .
Roughly a quarter of the World Resources Institute ’ s 1,000-person staff signed a lengthy letter demanding that the management at the deep-pocketed nonprofit “ embark on an institutional anti-racist journey ” that includes rooting out white supremacy in the work culture , overhauling human resources practices , and paying employees more for spending time on anti-racism work .
The real-estate magnate , whose fortune Forbes pegged at $ 7.6 billion , “ has not taken any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overtly racist President who has also encouraged the use of force against unarmed civilians , ” according to the letter , a copy of which was obtained by HuffPost .
Since anti-racism demonstrations kicked off earlier this month , Trump has threatened to send the military in to quell the unrest , encouraged police to use violence against peaceful protesters , and tear-gassed religious leaders to clear the way for a personal photo-op in front of an Episcopal church .
This week , the president ’ s reelection campaign announced its first in-person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ― the site of a 1921 massacre where white lynch mobs killed more than 800 Black Americans .
The rally is expected to take place on June 19 , the holiday known as Juneteenth , which celebrates the end of U.S. slavery .
Black Tulsans called the timing a “ slap in the face.
” “ Leadership warmly welcomes the ideas brought forward in the recent letter from staff , ” a spokesperson for WRI said in a statement to HuffPost , adding that it would “ engage with an external expert ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steps to address racism .
“ There is absolutely no disagreement within the organization that we must do more to address systemic and institutional racism , ” the statement read .
“ Regarding Stephen Ross , he has been a longtime supporter of WRI and has shown a steadfast commitment to our work and mission.
” The concerns about Ross are not new .
Last August , nearly 200 staffers signed an internal petition demanding that WRI ’ s management hold an open meeting to discuss the role of board members .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold a fundraiser for Trump triggered a national boycott against SoulCycle and Equinox , the popular luxury fitness chains he owns .
The move also followed WRI ’ s decision to quietly cut ties with another board member , former New Mexico Gov .
Bill Richardson , who was named in the late financier and accused pedophile Jeffrey Epstein ’ s child sex ring scandal .
( A spokesperson for Richardson denied that the Democrat ’ s resignation from the board had anything to do with the allegations . )
Each year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a business , nonprofit or local government that has brought “ transformative change ” to a “ city ’ s economic vitality , resilience , environmental sustainability or quality of life.
” The $ 250,000 prize was the same amount Ross charged for a VIP ticket to the controversial fundraiser he hosted for Trump last year in the Hamptons .
“ While we understand the importance of funding to WRI ’ s fiscal health , we believe that key steps still need to be taken given Mr. Ross ’ s sizable contribution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ongoing prominent association with the organization , which exposes WRI to significant and potentially lasting reputational harm , ” staff wrote in the letter .
Yet , WRI ’ s leadership appears to have openly deepened its relationship with Ross .
The nonprofit , whose most recent tax filings show revenue topping $ 140 million in 2018 , recently accepted “ a substantial contribution from Mr. Ross without adequately addressing the concerns that a significant number of staff expressed last year and without consulting staff in any meaningful way about the implications of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the letter read .
“ Ross has met with several representatives of our cities and climate teams ” and participated in “ regular communications ” with staff , the organization told HuffPost .
But employees said the billionaire snubbed a meeting with the staff from other teams after last year ’ s petition .

Billionaire real estate tycoon Stephen Ross buddies up with Donald Trump at an event in 2010. Andrew H. Walker via Getty Images
As nationwide protests against racism force a reckoning in the historically white environmental movement, the staff at one major green group mounted a new challenge against a billionaire board member with ties to President Donald Trump.
Roughly a quarter of the World Resources Institute’s 1,000-person staff signed a lengthy letter demanding that the management at the deep-pocketed nonprofit “embark on an institutional anti-racist journey” that includes rooting out white supremacy in the work culture, overhauling human resources practices, and paying employees more for spending time on anti-racism work.
Advertisement
Two thirds of the letter detailed “specific suggestions for accountability and action that are essential for WRI to become the organization that it should be.”
But “an important place to start,” the letter highlighted, was “addressing the situation involving Stephen Ross.”
The real-estate magnate, whose fortune Forbes pegged at $7.6 billion, “has not taken any clear steps to distance himself from an overtly racist President who has also encouraged the use of force against unarmed civilians,” according to the letter, a copy of which was obtained by HuffPost.
Since anti-racism demonstrations kicked off earlier this month, Trump has threatened to send the military in to quell the unrest, encouraged police to use violence against peaceful protesters, and tear-gassed religious leaders to clear the way for a personal photo-op in front of an Episcopal church.
Advertisement
This week, the president’s reelection campaign announced its first in-person rally in months in Tulsa, Oklahoma ― the site of a 1921 massacre where white lynch mobs killed more than 800 Black Americans. The rally is expected to take place on June 19, the holiday known as Juneteenth, which celebrates the end of U.S. slavery. Black Tulsans called the timing a “slap in the face.”
“In light of President Trump’s disturbing actions and words, we have deep, ongoing concerns over Mr. Ross’s failure to renounce his support for the President,” the letter read.
A spokesperson for The Related Companies, Ross’ real estate firm, declined to comment on behalf of Ross.
“Leadership warmly welcomes the ideas brought forward in the recent letter from staff,” a spokesperson for WRI said in a statement to HuffPost, adding that it would “engage with an external expert (or experts) to help implement” steps to address racism.
It also said the organization analyzed employees’ salaries last year and found “that all African American staff are paid within established salary ranges.”
Advertisement
“There is absolutely no disagreement within the organization that we must do more to address systemic and institutional racism,” the statement read. “Regarding Stephen Ross, he has been a longtime supporter of WRI and has shown a steadfast commitment to our work and mission.”
The concerns about Ross are not new. Last August, nearly 200 staffers signed an internal petition demanding that WRI’s management hold an open meeting to discuss the role of board members. The petition came after Ross’ decision to hold a fundraiser for Trump triggered a national boycott against SoulCycle and Equinox, the popular luxury fitness chains he owns.
The move also followed WRI’s decision to quietly cut ties with another board member, former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who was named in the late financier and accused pedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s child sex ring scandal. (A spokesperson for Richardson denied that the Democrat’s resignation from the board had anything to do with the allegations.)
“The concerns that animated the staff statement last August still remain today,” staff wrote in this week’s letter.
Ross has long had a visible imprint on the organization. WRI’s Cities program ― which aims “to make urban sustainability a reality” ― bears his name: the WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities.
Advertisement
“In light of President Trump’s disturbing actions and words, we have deep, ongoing concerns over Mr. Ross’s failure to renounce his support for the President.” - Letter from World Resources Institute employees
Each year, WRI grants a Ross Prize for Cities to a business, nonprofit or local government that has brought “transformative change” to a “city’s economic vitality, resilience, environmental sustainability or quality of life.” The $250,000 prize was the same amount Ross charged for a VIP ticket to the controversial fundraiser he hosted for Trump last year in the Hamptons.
“While we understand the importance of funding to WRI’s fiscal health, we believe that key steps still need to be taken given Mr. Ross’s sizable contribution to WRI’s budget and his ongoing prominent association with the organization, which exposes WRI to significant and potentially lasting reputational harm,” staff wrote in the letter.
Yet, WRI’s leadership appears to have openly deepened its relationship with Ross. The nonprofit, whose most recent tax filings show revenue topping $140 million in 2018, recently accepted “a substantial contribution from Mr. Ross without adequately addressing the concerns that a significant number of staff expressed last year and without consulting staff in any meaningful way about the implications of this decision for our collective work,” the letter read.
WRI said Ross gave a “new gift” of $600,000 in March to beef up funding for the cities program.
“Ross has met with several representatives of our cities and climate teams” and participated in “regular communications” with staff, the organization told HuffPost. But employees said the billionaire snubbed a meeting with the staff from other teams after last year’s petition.
Advertisement
“We are extremely disappointed that Mr. Ross has failed to meet with a representative group of staff from across the organization, despite explicit indications from senior management that such a meeting would take place,” the letter said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-14--Protests Continue In U.S. After Deaths Of More Black Men

ASSOCIATED PRESS A protester yells during protests Saturday , June 13 , 2020 , near the Atlanta Wendy 's where Rayshard Brooks was shot and killed by police Friday evening following a struggle in the restaurant 's drive-thru line in Atlanta .
( AP Photo/Brynn Anderson ) Early Sunday , Atlanta police announced that an officer , Garrett Rolfe , had been fired following the fatal shooting of Rayshard Brooks , 27 , on Friday night , and another officer , Devin Brosnan , had been placed on administrative duty .
On Saturday , Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms had called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who opened fire on Brooks and announced that she had accepted the resignation of Police Chief Erika Shields .
Roughly 150 protesters marched outside the Wendy ’ s restaurant outside where Brooks was shot , reigniting demonstrations that had largely simmered in the Georgia capital nearly three weeks after George Floyd , another black man , died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee to his neck .
Both Rolfe and Brosnan are white .
The Wendy ’ s was set aflame at one point Saturday night , although the fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bureau of Investigation said that Brooks , who was seen on body camera video sleeping in a car blocking the Wendy ’ s drive thru , failed a sobriety test and was shot in a struggle over a police Taser .
In Palmdale , California , hundreds of people on Saturday marched to demand an investigation into the death of Robert Fuller , 24 , who was found hanging from a tree early Wednesday near city hall .
The protesters marched from where the body was found to a sheriff ’ s station @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Justice for Robert Fuller.
” Fuller ’ s death has brought to light the death of another black man found hanging from a tree on May 31 in Victorville , a desert city 45 miles ( 72 kilometers ) east of Palmdale .
A sheriff ’ s spokeswoman , Jodi Miller , told Victor Valley News foul play was not suspected in 38-year-old Malcolm Harsch ’ s death but the man ’ s family said they were concerned it will be ruled a suicide to avoid further attention .
Meanwhile , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statues in the U.S. grew over the weekend .
In Richmond , Virginia , a police SUV drove up on a curb and struck multiple protesters who were blocking the vehicle ’ s path during a demonstration Saturday night at the Robert E. Lee statue , which has become a gathering place for racial justice demonstrations .
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that no one appeared to be seriously injured .
In messages posted on Twitter early Sunday morning , the Richmond Police Department said police are investigating the incident , including what it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an officer who was inside the vehicle .
The department said it is also investigating reports on social media “ that a person in the crowd may have been struck by the vehicle.
” Protesters in New Orleans tore down a bust of a slave owner Saturday who left part of his fortune to New Orleans ’ schools and then took the remains to the Mississippi River and rolled it down the banks into the water .
The pedestal is left after protesters removed a bust of John McDonogh , Saturday , June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in New Orleans .
Demonstrators pulled down the bust of McDonogh , a slave owner who left his wealth to build schools , took the remains to the Mississippi River and rolled it into the water .
( AP Photo/Rebecca Santana ) Also Saturday , members of the Clemson University football team led hundreds of demonstrators on the school ’ s campus in South Carolina .
The march came a day after Clemson trustees voted to rename its honors college , stripping from the program the name of former vice president and slavery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Italy , protesters scrawled ‘ ’ rapist ’ ’ and ‘ ’ racist ’ ’ in Italian on the statue of a late Italian journalist who had acknowledged having had a 12-year-old Eritrean bride while stationed in the Italian colony on the horn of Africa in the 1930s .
The statue of Indro Montanelli , inside a Milan park that bears his name , has been a flashpoint in Italy ’ s Black Lives Matter protests .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
The fatal shooting of a black man by a white Atlanta police officer and the death of another black man found hanging from a tree outside a city hall in California ignited new anti-racism protests over the weekend.
Early Sunday, Atlanta police announced that an officer, Garrett Rolfe, had been fired following the fatal shooting of Rayshard Brooks, 27, on Friday night, and another officer, Devin Brosnan, had been placed on administrative duty. On Saturday, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms had called for the immediate firing of the officer who opened fire on Brooks and announced that she had accepted the resignation of Police Chief Erika Shields.
Advertisement
“I do not believe that this was a justified use of deadly force,” Bottoms said.
Roughly 150 protesters marched outside the Wendy’s restaurant outside where Brooks was shot, reigniting demonstrations that had largely simmered in the Georgia capital nearly three weeks after George Floyd, another black man, died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee to his neck. Both Rolfe and Brosnan are white.
A person looks back as officials move closer during protests Saturday, June 13, 2020, near the Atlanta Wendy's where Rayshard Brooks was shot and killed by police Friday evening following a struggle in the restaurant's drive-thru line in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson) ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Wendy’s was set aflame at one point Saturday night, although the fire was out before midnight. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said that Brooks, who was seen on body camera video sleeping in a car blocking the Wendy’s drive thru, failed a sobriety test and was shot in a struggle over a police Taser.
Atlanta police said Sunday that 36 people had been arrested in connection with the protests, but gave no further details.
Advertisement
Ashley Dopson paints a picture of Rayshard Brooks in the parking lot of the Wendy's in Atlanta where Brooks, a 27-year-old black man, was shot and killed by Atlanta police Friday evening during a struggle in the Wendy's drive-thru line. (Steve Schaefer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) ASSOCIATED PRESS
In Palmdale, California, hundreds of people on Saturday marched to demand an investigation into the death of Robert Fuller, 24, who was found hanging from a tree early Wednesday near city hall. The protesters marched from where the body was found to a sheriff’s station, with many carrying signs that said “Justice for Robert Fuller.”
Authorities said the death appeared to be a suicide, but an autopsy was planned. The city said there were no outdoor cameras that could have recorded what happened.
Fuller’s death has brought to light the death of another black man found hanging from a tree on May 31 in Victorville, a desert city 45 miles (72 kilometers) east of Palmdale. A sheriff’s spokeswoman, Jodi Miller, told Victor Valley News foul play was not suspected in 38-year-old Malcolm Harsch’s death but the man’s family said they were concerned it will be ruled a suicide to avoid further attention.
Meanwhile, the rapidly unfolding movement to take down Confederate statues in the U.S. grew over the weekend. In Richmond, Virginia, a police SUV drove up on a curb and struck multiple protesters who were blocking the vehicle’s path during a demonstration Saturday night at the Robert E. Lee statue, which has become a gathering place for racial justice demonstrations.
Advertisement
Hundreds of people turned out for the BLACK PRIDE RVA March to protest police killing George Floyd and racial justice on June 12, 2020 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Eze Amos/Getty Images) Eze Amos via Getty Images
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that no one appeared to be seriously injured. In messages posted on Twitter early Sunday morning, the Richmond Police Department said police are investigating the incident, including what it called “a possible assault” on an officer who was inside the vehicle. The department said it is also investigating reports on social media “that a person in the crowd may have been struck by the vehicle.”
Spokespersons for the department did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Sunday morning.
In Philadelphia, a group of about 100 people, some carrying guns and baseball bats, gathered around a statue of Christopher Columbus in Philadelphia on Saturday, saying they intended to protect it from vandals amid recent protests.
“It would be over my dead body before they got to this statue,” Anthony Ruggiero, 41, told The Philadelphia Inquirer. “This is a part of history.”
Advertisement
Mayor Jim Kenney condemned the “groups of armed individuals ‘protecting’” the statue in a Twitter post on Sunday.
Meanwhile, three people were charged in the vandalism of a Christopher Columbus statue in Providence, Rhode Island.
Protesters in New Orleans tore down a bust of a slave owner Saturday who left part of his fortune to New Orleans’ schools and then took the remains to the Mississippi River and rolled it down the banks into the water.
The pedestal is left after protesters removed a bust of John McDonogh, Saturday, June 13, 2020, in Duncan Plaza in New Orleans. Demonstrators pulled down the bust of McDonogh, a slave owner who left his wealth to build schools, took the remains to the Mississippi River and rolled it into the water. (AP Photo/Rebecca Santana) ASSOCIATED PRESS
And in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, the Cherokee Nation’s principal chief watched as two Confederate monuments were removed that were placed in its tribal headquarters nearly a century ago by the Daughters of the Confederacy.
Advertisement
Also Saturday, members of the Clemson University football team led hundreds of demonstrators on the school’s campus in South Carolina. The march came a day after Clemson trustees voted to rename its honors college, stripping from the program the name of former vice president and slavery proponent John C. Calhoun.
European protesters sought to show solidarity with their American counterparts and to confront bias in their own countries on Sunday. The demonstrations also posed a challenge to policies intended to limit crowds to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
In Milan, Italy, protesters scrawled ‘’rapist’’ and ‘’racist’’ in Italian on the statue of a late Italian journalist who had acknowledged having had a 12-year-old Eritrean bride while stationed in the Italian colony on the horn of Africa in the 1930s. The statue of Indro Montanelli, inside a Milan park that bears his name, has been a flashpoint in Italy’s Black Lives Matter protests.
In Germany, protesters in Berlin on Sunday formed 5 ½-mile (9-kilometer) chain in a message against racism, among a range of other causes. Demonstrators were linked by colored ribbons, forming what organizers called a “ribbon of solidarity” that stretched southeast from the Brandenburg Gate to the Neukoelln neighborhood.
___
This story corrects the summary to reflect that announcement of officer’s firing was Sunday, not Friday. The story also corrects the last name of the fired officer to Rolfe.
Advertisement
___


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-14--White House Adviser: No 'Transparency' Promise Ever Made Over Billions In Loans

Drew Angerer via Getty Images Larry Kudlow , director of the U.S. National Economic Council , speaks to reporters outside White House on May 15 .
White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow on Sunday claimed that the administration never promised to disclose which businesses received more than $ 500 billion in coronavirus relief loans , contradicting an earlier statement by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin .
Kudlow , director of the U.S. National Economic Council , made his statement to Jake Tapper on CNN ’ s “ State of the Union ” about the Paycheck Protection Program , which Congress authorized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the coronavirus pandemic .
When asked whether Americans deserve to know which wealthy companies have received taxpayer-funded bailouts , Kudlow said , “ As far as naming each and every company , I don ’ t think that promise was ever made , and I don ’ t think it ’ s necessary.
” Mnuchin in March promised that the administration would “ have full transparency on anything we do .
We will be reporting to the public.
” But on Wednesday , he told the Senate Committee on Small Business and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confidential.
” The administration of President Donald Trump has tried to walk back that promise for the last week .
Several Democratic legislators have sounded the alarm on the potential for corruption amid reports that several large companies — including some belonging to wealthy Trump campaign donors — received tens of millions of dollars in loans earmarked for small businesses .
The Trump administration ’ s lack of transparency undermines years of precedent established by similar loan programs .
The Small Business Administration normally discloses the names of borrowers benefiting from the program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to The Washington Post .
The Paycheck Protection Program has largely benefited companies with close ties to banks while neglecting businesses without those relationships .
Ethnic minorities own a disproportionately high percentage of such businesses .
In May , Trump removed the inspector general responsible for overseeing the $ 2 trillion in coronavirus relief funds , including the PPP program .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow on Sunday claimed that the administration never promised to disclose which businesses received more than $500 billion in coronavirus relief loans, contradicting an earlier statement by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.
Kudlow, director of the U.S. National Economic Council, made his statement to Jake Tapper on CNN’s “State of the Union” about the Paycheck Protection Program, which Congress authorized in March to bail out companies harmed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Advertisement
When asked whether Americans deserve to know which wealthy companies have received taxpayer-funded bailouts, Kudlow said, “As far as naming each and every company, I don’t think that promise was ever made, and I don’t think it’s necessary.”
Mnuchin in March promised that the administration would “have full transparency on anything we do. We will be reporting to the public.” But on Wednesday, he told the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship that information is now considered “confidential.”
Larry Kudlow, director of the U.S. National Economic Council, speaks to reporters outside White House on May 15. Drew Angerer via Getty Images
The administration of President Donald Trump has tried to walk back that promise for the last week.
Several Democratic legislators have sounded the alarm on the potential for corruption amid reports that several large companies — including some belonging to wealthy Trump campaign donors — received tens of millions of dollars in loans earmarked for small businesses.
Advertisement
The Trump administration’s lack of transparency undermines years of precedent established by similar loan programs. The Small Business Administration normally discloses the names of borrowers benefiting from the program on which the PPP is based, according to The Washington Post.
The Paycheck Protection Program has largely benefited companies with close ties to banks while neglecting businesses without those relationships. Ethnic minorities own a disproportionately high percentage of such businesses.
In May, Trump removed the inspector general responsible for overseeing the $2 trillion in coronavirus relief funds, including the PPP program.
Watch the excerpt from CNN’s “State of the Union.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-14--Health Expert Calls Trump's Tulsa Rally 'Extraordinarily Dangerous Move’

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — After months away from the campaign trail , President Donald Trump plans to rally his supporters this coming Saturday for the first time since most of the country was shuttered by the coronavirus .
Trump will head to Tulsa , Oklahoma — a state that has seen relatively few COVID-19 cases .
But health experts question the decision , citing the danger of infection spreading among the crowd and sparking outbreaks when people return to their homes .
The Trump campaign itself acknowledges the risk in a waiver attendees must agree to absolving them of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What Makes The Rally Really High Risk ?
Trump ’ s rally will be held indoors , at a 19,000-seat arena that has canceled all other events through the end of July .
Scientists believe the virus spreads far more easily in crowded enclosed spaces than it does outdoors , where circulating air has a better chance of dispersing virus particles .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention outlines the highest risk events for transmission of the coronavirus this way : “ Large in-person gatherings where it is difficult for individuals to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and attendees travel from outside the local area.
” The CDC recommends cloth masks in places where people might shout or chant .
Trump ’ s rallies typically draw tens of thousands of supporters .
They usually stand outside in line for hours before passing through airport-style security and cramming into an arena , where they sit side by side or stand shoulder to shoulder .
The rallies are typically raucous , with much shouting , cheering and chanting .
Some people dance and jeer at reporters .
Sometimes protesters are met with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In its final phase of reopening , Oklahoma now allows public gatherings of any size as long as organizers consider social distancing .
Participants at any large gathering should stay 6 feet ( 1.8 meters ) apart and wear a cloth face covering when distancing is a challenge , the state health department said .
The state has a relatively low death rate compared with the rest of the nation , but new cases are rising .
In Tulsa , cases are increasing , with 71 new cases reported Friday .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak linked to an indoor gathering of a large group of people .
“ I have concerns about large groups of people gathering indoors for prolonged lengths of time , ” Bruce Dart , executive director of the Tulsa Health Department , said in a statement Friday .
“ It is imperative that anyone who chooses to host or attend a gathering take the steps to stay safe.
” Trump has made clear that he believes empty seats are bad optics .
“ I can ’ t imagine a rally where you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every six seats are empty for every one that you have full .
That wouldn ’ t look too good , ” he said in April .
Trump has been eager to resume the rallies that are the centerpiece of his campaign .
The president revels in his large crowds .
The events let him vent and gauge the kind of rhetoric that will appeal to his ardent political base .
They also help his campaign expand its voter databases and will serve as a contrast to Democratic challenger Biden , who has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hasn ’ t attracted the same size of crowds .
But the decision to pull the trigger now was driven , in large part , by the mass anti-racism protests that have taken place across the country in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death in Minneapolis .
Campaign and White House officials say the protests — and the limited public health outcry they generated — gave them cover .
If it was OK for tens of thousands of people to march through the streets , demanding racial justice , why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , too ?

LOADING ERROR LOADING
WASHINGTON (AP) — After months away from the campaign trail, President Donald Trump plans to rally his supporters this coming Saturday for the first time since most of the country was shuttered by the coronavirus. Trump will head to Tulsa, Oklahoma — a state that has seen relatively few COVID-19 cases.
But health experts question the decision, citing the danger of infection spreading among the crowd and sparking outbreaks when people return to their homes. The Trump campaign itself acknowledges the risk in a waiver attendees must agree to absolving them of any responsibility should people get sick.
Advertisement
What Makes The Rally Really High Risk?
Trump’s rally will be held indoors, at a 19,000-seat arena that has canceled all other events through the end of July. Scientists believe the virus spreads far more easily in crowded enclosed spaces than it does outdoors, where circulating air has a better chance of dispersing virus particles.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention outlines the highest risk events for transmission of the coronavirus this way: “Large in-person gatherings where it is difficult for individuals to remain spaced at least 6 feet apart and attendees travel from outside the local area.” The CDC recommends cloth masks in places where people might shout or chant.
Trump’s rallies typically draw tens of thousands of supporters. They usually stand outside in line for hours before passing through airport-style security and cramming into an arena, where they sit side by side or stand shoulder to shoulder. The rallies are typically raucous, with much shouting, cheering and chanting. Some people dance and jeer at reporters. Sometimes protesters are met with violence before they are removed by security.
Many attendees are older, which would put them at higher risk of severe complications from COVID-19. It’s not unusual for several individuals in the crowd to require medical attention when the temperature rises.
Advertisement
The rallies also typically draw supporters from surrounding towns and states. Some die-hard fans travel across the country from rally to rally like groupies for a band.
Dr. Ashish Jha, director of Harvard’s Global Health Institute, called the upcoming Trump rally “an extraordinarily dangerous move for the people participating and the people who may know them and love them and see them afterward.”
Trump supporters coming from neighboring cities and states could carry the virus back home, Jha said. “I’d feel the same way if Joe Biden were holding a rally.”
Oklahoma Cases Low But Rising
In its final phase of reopening, Oklahoma now allows public gatherings of any size as long as organizers consider social distancing. Participants at any large gathering should stay 6 feet (1.8 meters) apart and wear a cloth face covering when distancing is a challenge, the state health department said.
The state has a relatively low death rate compared with the rest of the nation, but new cases are rising. In Tulsa, cases are increasing, with 71 new cases reported Friday. The Tulsa Health Department already was investigating an outbreak linked to an indoor gathering of a large group of people.
Advertisement
“I have concerns about large groups of people gathering indoors for prolonged lengths of time,” Bruce Dart, executive director of the Tulsa Health Department, said in a statement Friday. “It is imperative that anyone who chooses to host or attend a gathering take the steps to stay safe.”
Dart said the risk of spreading the virus increases with higher numbers of people congregating for longer periods of time.
Oklahoma health authorities said that anyone who attends a large public event should get tested for COVID-19 shortly afterward.
Shelley Payne, director of the LaMontagne Center for Infectious Disease at the University of Texas at Austin, said the Trump rally meets every criteria for the riskiest type of event.
“I would certainly recommend that people wear masks and try to keep as much distance as possible,” Payne said.
Advertisement
Julie Fischer, an associate research professor of microbiology and immunology at Georgetown University, said the event could have wide repercussions for the country.
“With a little bad luck, that scenario could end in the seeding of community outbreaks of COVID-19 across the U.S.,” she said.
Masks And Precautions
The Trump campaign has declined to respond to repeated questions about whether it will require attendees to wear masks, socially distance or take other measures to reduce the risk of virus transmission.
Trump has made clear that he believes empty seats are bad optics. “I can’t imagine a rally where you have every fourth seat full. Every — every six seats are empty for every one that you have full. That wouldn’t look too good,” he said in April.
Trump also insisted that the marquee event of the Republican National Convention — his acceptance of his party’s nomination for reelection — be moved from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Jacksonville, Florida, after North Carolina’s Democratic governor refused to promise he would not impose restrictions.
Advertisement
Why Now?
Trump has been eager to resume the rallies that are the centerpiece of his campaign. The president revels in his large crowds. The events let him vent and gauge the kind of rhetoric that will appeal to his ardent political base. They also help his campaign expand its voter databases and will serve as a contrast to Democratic challenger Biden, who has suspended campaign events because of the virus and hasn’t attracted the same size of crowds.
But the decision to pull the trigger now was driven, in large part, by the mass anti-racism protests that have taken place across the country in the wake of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis. Campaign and White House officials say the protests — and the limited public health outcry they generated — gave them cover. If it was OK for tens of thousands of people to march through the streets, demanding racial justice, why can’t Trump rally his supporters, too?
Of course, the protests were held outside, with many participants wearing masks.
“Any large gathering, whether of protesters or ralliers, is dangerous,” Jha said. But infection is less likely at an outdoors moving march than at a crowded event in an enclosed space, he said, citing the air flow.
The Waiver
The Trump campaign, in recognition of the risk, has tried to protect itself from lawsuits with waiver language on its registration website.
“By clicking register below, you are acknowledging that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present,” the campaign advised those signing up for the rally. “By attending the Rally, you and any guests voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and agree not to hold Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.” liable for illness or injury.
Advertisement
___


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-14--Fox News is Lying About Seattle’s 'Autonomous Zone'

These people are not describing a foreign war zone or a fallen city .
They are describing the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone , a roughly six-block area of Seattle taken over by protesters this week and declared a sovereign territory .
Since the zone was established Monday , the internet has been filled with rumors about what it looks like and how it works .
Fox News posted a photo of an armed guard at the entrance to the zone and said residents were being forced to show their IDs to get inside .
Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protection money .
Something something Antifa something , cried various online pundits .
All of these rumors are false , and all of these people are lying to you .
I live less than a mile from the autonomous zone .
I have been there every day this week , in daylight and in darkness , speaking with protesters , meeting with friends , seeing movies and eating pizza .
Don ’ t believe the right-wing hype .
The Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone is just the latest in a series of cities demonized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the circumstances on the ground .
In the early 2010s , Rush Limbaugh , Bill O ’ Reilly and other conservative pundits spread the rumor that Dearborn , Michigan , had converted its legal system to sharia law .
Since then , Fox News and other conservative outlets have aired warnings of “ no-go zones , ” neighborhoods of European capitals so overwhelmed with immigrants and crime that police officers have abandoned them .
These overblown stories have been debunked , but conservative pundits are attempting to run the same playbook .
Fox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ otherwise benign pictures to make the zone appear more threatening .
( The website later pulled the photos and added an editors ’ note apologizing for the error . )
Take it from me : Capitol Hill is still a functioning neighborhood — as functioning as it can be in the midst of a global pandemic , anyway — and has not suspended the rule of law or the norms of civilization .
The CHAZ is the most vibrant public space in Seattle .
On a recent afternoon , sunny for the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letters of a giant “ Black Lives Matter ” mural painted on the street .
A pair of women wandered through the crowd handing out free , handwoven face masks .
On a corner somewhere nearby , a man in his 60s played a Marvin Gaye song on an electric keyboard .
That ’ s not to say that the farmers market vibe detracts from the fundamental purpose of the zone — to eradicate radicalized police brutality .
Signs featuring the names of Black victims of police violence are everywhere .
“ Fuck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all cops are bastards ) and anarchy signs are graffitied onto every flat surface .
Outside the police precinct on the corner of Pine Street and 12th Avenue , a middle-aged Black man with a microphone is describing what it felt like to be beaten by six cops after they accused him of stealing a pack of gum .
The autonomous zone was established here , around the East Precinct , after more than a week of nonstop protests .
Since June 1 , the first day of nationwide unrest following the Minneapolis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seattle Police Department has steadily eroded its credibility by brutalizing peaceful protesters and retaliating against people who documented acts of police violence .
On June 7 , police arrested a man who had taken a video of an SPD officer dousing a 9-year-old with pepper spray at the first day ’ s protest .
Police claimed the man had “ unlawfully discharged ” a laser pointer .
They also arrested ( and pepper-sprayed ) a woman in front of her children four days after she had allegedly attacked police at a protest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , cited the fact that she had posted anti-police “ Star Wars ” memes to social media .
There was also the near-daily footage of police violence against peaceful protesters outside the precinct .
In one incident , an officer tried to grab a pink umbrella from a protester .
When she resisted , he sprayed her in the face with pepper spray .
At one point , Mayor Jenny Durkan declared a moratorium on the use of tear gas .
Just a few days later , police used tear gas on protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members and state representatives who were in the crowd .
Durkan later clarified that police could override the moratorium if the chief deemed tear gas necessary to “ protect life and to end standoff situations.
” But then , suddenly , all the chaos was over .
On June 9 , the police boarded up the windows and abandoned the East Precinct .
That ’ s when protesters took over the building , blocked off the surrounding streets and declared the autonomous zone .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
SEATTLE — On Fox News, host Tucker Carlson called it “chaos and craziness.” Laura Ingraham said it was “a Marxist cultural revolution” intended to “destroy everything that came before it.” In a tweet, President Donald Trump said it was being run by “Domestic Terrorists.”
These people are not describing a foreign war zone or a fallen city. They are describing the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone, a roughly six-block area of Seattle taken over by protesters this week and declared a sovereign territory. Since the zone was established Monday, the internet has been filled with rumors about what it looks like and how it works. Fox News posted a photo of an armed guard at the entrance to the zone and said residents were being forced to show their IDs to get inside. Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best claimed that protesters were shaking down businesses for protection money. Something something Antifa something, cried various online pundits.
Advertisement
The antifa #CapitalHillAutonomousZone in Seattle has a subreddit set up. They are posting about making homemade chemical weapons, maintaining supply lines, & how to use those armed with guns to push police back. #antifa @FBISeattle pic.twitter.com/gDub2G49KU — Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) June 10, 2020
All of these rumors are false, and all of these people are lying to you. I live less than a mile from the autonomous zone. I have been there every day this week, in daylight and in darkness, speaking with protesters, meeting with friends, seeing movies and eating pizza.
Don’t believe the right-wing hype. The Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone is just the latest in a series of cities demonized in right-wing media with no regard to the circumstances on the ground. In the early 2010s, Rush Limbaugh, Bill O’Reilly and other conservative pundits spread the rumor that Dearborn, Michigan, had converted its legal system to sharia law. Since then, Fox News and other conservative outlets have aired warnings of “no-go zones,” neighborhoods of European capitals so overwhelmed with immigrants and crime that police officers have abandoned them.
These overblown stories have been debunked, but conservative pundits are attempting to run the same playbook. Fox News even Photoshopped an armed guard into otherwise benign pictures to make the zone appear more threatening. (The website later pulled the photos and added an editors’ note apologizing for the error.)
Advertisement
Fox News has used the original image on the left, by photographer David Ryder, to edit the armed man into photos of other scenes, implying that the autonomous zone is guarded by armed militias. HuffPost Illustration/Getty Images/FoxNews.com
Take it from me: Capitol Hill is still a functioning neighborhood — as functioning as it can be in the midst of a global pandemic, anyway — and has not suspended the rule of law or the norms of civilization.
The Autonomous Zone Is Pretty Chill
The CHAZ is the most vibrant public space in Seattle. On a recent afternoon, sunny for the first time in days, families decorated the letters of a giant “Black Lives Matter” mural painted on the street. A pair of women wandered through the crowd handing out free, handwoven face masks. On a corner somewhere nearby, a man in his 60s played a Marvin Gaye song on an electric keyboard.
That’s not to say that the farmers market vibe detracts from the fundamental purpose of the zone — to eradicate radicalized police brutality. Signs featuring the names of Black victims of police violence are everywhere. “Fuck 12,” “ACAB” (all cops are bastards) and anarchy signs are graffitied onto every flat surface. Outside the police precinct on the corner of Pine Street and 12th Avenue, a middle-aged Black man with a microphone is describing what it felt like to be beaten by six cops after they accused him of stealing a pack of gum.
The autonomous zone was established here, around the East Precinct, after more than a week of nonstop protests. Since June 1, the first day of nationwide unrest following the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd, the Seattle Police Department has steadily eroded its credibility by brutalizing peaceful protesters and retaliating against people who documented acts of police violence.
Advertisement
CHAZ, the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone, was set up in Seattle as a counteraction against violent police tactics during the anti-racism protests. Michael Hobbes/HuffPost
On June 7, police arrested a man who had taken a video of an SPD officer dousing a 9-year-old with pepper spray at the first day’s protest. Police claimed the man had “unlawfully discharged” a laser pointer. They also arrested (and pepper-sprayed) a woman in front of her children four days after she had allegedly attacked police at a protest. The charging documents, among other things, cited the fact that she had posted anti-police “Star Wars” memes to social media.
There was also the near-daily footage of police violence against peaceful protesters outside the precinct. In one incident, an officer tried to grab a pink umbrella from a protester. When she resisted, he sprayed her in the face with pepper spray. At one point, Mayor Jenny Durkan declared a moratorium on the use of tear gas. Just a few days later, police used tear gas on protesters, including a handful of City Council members and state representatives who were in the crowd. Durkan later clarified that police could override the moratorium if the chief deemed tear gas necessary to “protect life and to end standoff situations.”
“The greatest perpetrators of violence in the autonomous zone was the Seattle Police Department,” said Shaun Scott, a community organizer and former City Council candidate who ran on a platform of, among other things, abolishing the police department.
But then, suddenly, all the chaos was over. On June 9, the police boarded up the windows and abandoned the East Precinct. That’s when protesters took over the building, blocked off the surrounding streets and declared the autonomous zone.
Advertisement
Sreet art reads "Welcome to CHAZ" on Thursday inside what is being called the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone in Seattle. Following days of violent confrontations with protesters, police in Seattle have largely withdrawn from the neighborhood, and protesters have created a festival-like scene that has President Donald Trump fuming. Ted S. Warren/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Since then, protesters have released a set of demands, mostly organized around the principles of defunding the police, reallocating resources to social services and releasing protesters from jail without charge.
“Everything we’re seeing from Fox News is intended to make us forget that there are specific political demands at the center of the autonomous zone,” Scott said.
While it’s not clear — by design — who is now in charge of the autonomous zone, various groups have organized public lectures, movie nights and ongoing negotiations with the police. A socialist member of the Seattle City Council, Kshama Sawant, has suggested converting the precinct into a community center.
And though supporters have intermittently shown up to patrol the zone carrying weapons, they have not checked IDs or carried out any harassment. Neither local journalists nor the Chamber of Commerce could confirm any reports of extortion payments.
Advertisement
As for the future of the zone, Scott said the city’s response will depend on how much local politicians buy in to the myth being spread by Fox News and other conservative pundits.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-14--Joe Biden Has Problems He Can’t Solve From His Basement

The months Vice President Joe Biden spent in his basement were good ones for his campaign .
From March 10 , the day Biden retreated to his recreation room-turned-broadcast center , until May 26 , when he and his wife emerged to attend a Memorial Day service , Biden ’ s lead over incumbent Republican President Donald Trump in public polling swelled .
Since then , Biden hasn ’ t exactly started criss-crossing the country .
All of his public events in recent weeks have been in the Philadelphia metro area , and he flew to Houston to meet privately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And in that time , which coincided with Trump ’ s near-constant delivery of divisive rhetoric about the death of George Floyd , racism and police brutality , Biden ’ s lead has grown even more .
This trend has led to a loose conventional wisdom that Biden should continue to shun the spotlight .
After all , Biden has a penchant for gaffes or cringe-worthy lines , and campaign officials have long said a straight-up referendum on Trump is a race they win ― an idea many Republican strategists agree with .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ Oh , we got to get the vice president out of the basement , ’ ” former Virginia Gov .
Terry McAuliffe , a Biden ally and advisor , told a group of Democrats in footage obtained by Fox News .
“ He ’ s fine in the basement .
Two people see him a day : his two body people .
That ’ s it .
Let Trump keep doing what Trump ’ s doing.
” Biden ’ s team and other Democrats , however , are increasingly battling for more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While Biden ’ s lead in public polling is substantial ― essentially every political forecaster of note believes Biden is a heavy favorite to win the presidency at the moment ― he still has weaknesses that can ’ t be solved by simply sitting back and hoping Trump ’ s racism and lack of interest in battling the coronavirus continue to alienate swing voters .
A CNN poll earlier this week that showed Biden with an enormous lead over Trump also found that a significant majority of his supporters , 60 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to vote against Trump .
By comparison , 70 % of the Trump backers said they were voting mostly as a way to support the president .
So while Biden ’ s dominance among swing voters has given him a formidable lead , the lack of enthusiasm for the Democrat ― especially among young , progressive and Latino voters ― could dog him if that dominant position weakens in the fall .
And while Biden has moved to the left on a host of issues , including student debt , and will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s difficult for his campaign to fix its enthusiasm problems without voters hearing from him directly .
Guy Cecil , the chair of Priorities USA , the largest Democratic super PAC , downplayed Biden ’ s enthusiasm problems , pointing out that Trump was able to win in 2016 even though most of his supporters said they were primarily casting ballots against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton .
But he was also pleased that Biden had adopted a more active posture .
“ What you ’ re starting to see over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign , the vice president himself getting out there more ... and more public activities , ” Cecil told reporters during a briefing earlier this week , noting the Biden campaign had dramatically increased its spending on Facebook .
( In the past week , Biden has spent $ 2.6 million on the platform , more than twice what the Trump campaign has spent . )
The Biden team argues that the vice president has never been as absent as some of his critics claim ; he ’ s participated in more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
But Biden ’ s increased activity doesn ’ t mean much if voters don ’ t see it , and campaign staffers are often frustrated by the lack of coverage many of the vice president ’ s events receive , especially when a stray Trump utterance while waiting for Marine One can drive a news cycle .
“ There are two candidates running for president of the United States , and they both deserve to make their case to the American people , ” said T.J. Ducklo , a Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not piloting a mini-series here .
This is about our country ’ s future.
” Essentially , Democrats and the Biden campaign are arguing that news organizations allowing Trump to dominate coverage are putting a thumb on the scale in the same way they did in 2016 , when Trump won the GOP nomination on the back of $ 2 billion ’ s worth of earned media .
“ In 2016 , the networks greatly advantaged Trump with billions of dollars worth of free airtime , and that ’ s a large part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s been no reckoning since , ” said Eric Schultz , a former White House spokesman and an adviser to former President Barack Obama .
“ There ’ s been no sign of soul-searching ever since .
Executives have been clear that he ’ s good for business , that he ’ s good for profits.
” Behind the scenes , the Biden campaign has been pushing the cable news networks to take him live more frequently , and for nightly network newscasts to increase coverage of his events after-the-fact , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden gave a speech on race , which was heavily covered , but most of his subsequent events have gotten little live coverage .
But two stray comments from Biden ― questioning whether Trump would accept an election loss during an interview with Trevor Noah on “ The Daily Show , ” and calling the president ’ s coronavirus failures “ almost criminal ” during a tele-town hall with members of the American Federation of State , County and Municipal Employees ― picked up some attention .
“ We formally join Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the national news media , particularly cable and broadcast television outlets , to carry Biden ’ s remarks and unscripted events in their entirety , ” Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale said in a statement .
“ The failure to expose the American people to these rambling displays of incoherence , ineptitude , and forgetfulness is depriving voters of a clear picture of Biden ’ s inability to execute the duties of the office he seeks .
Stop protecting Biden .
Air the events .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
The months Vice President Joe Biden spent in his basement were good ones for his campaign. From March 10, the day Biden retreated to his recreation room-turned-broadcast center, until May 26, when he and his wife emerged to attend a Memorial Day service, Biden’s lead over incumbent Republican President Donald Trump in public polling swelled.
Since then, Biden hasn’t exactly started criss-crossing the country. All of his public events in recent weeks have been in the Philadelphia metro area, and he flew to Houston to meet privately with the family of George Floyd. And in that time, which coincided with Trump’s near-constant delivery of divisive rhetoric about the death of George Floyd, racism and police brutality, Biden’s lead has grown even more.
Advertisement
This trend has led to a loose conventional wisdom that Biden should continue to shun the spotlight. After all, Biden has a penchant for gaffes or cringe-worthy lines, and campaign officials have long said a straight-up referendum on Trump is a race they win ― an idea many Republican strategists agree with.
“People say all the time, ‘Oh, we got to get the vice president out of the basement,’” former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a Biden ally and advisor, told a group of Democrats in footage obtained by Fox News. “He’s fine in the basement. Two people see him a day: his two body people. That’s it. Let Trump keep doing what Trump’s doing.”
Biden’s team and other Democrats, however, are increasingly battling for more news coverage of the former vice president. While Biden’s lead in public polling is substantial ― essentially every political forecaster of note believes Biden is a heavy favorite to win the presidency at the moment ― he still has weaknesses that can’t be solved by simply sitting back and hoping Trump’s racism and lack of interest in battling the coronavirus continue to alienate swing voters.
A CNN poll earlier this week that showed Biden with an enormous lead over Trump also found that a significant majority of his supporters, 60%, were backing Biden primarily as a way to vote against Trump. By comparison, 70% of the Trump backers said they were voting mostly as a way to support the president.
Advertisement
So while Biden’s dominance among swing voters has given him a formidable lead, the lack of enthusiasm for the Democrat ― especially among young, progressive and Latino voters ― could dog him if that dominant position weakens in the fall. And while Biden has moved to the left on a host of issues, including student debt, and will unveil a plan for Latinos soon, it’s difficult for his campaign to fix its enthusiasm problems without voters hearing from him directly.
Guy Cecil, the chair of Priorities USA, the largest Democratic super PAC, downplayed Biden’s enthusiasm problems, pointing out that Trump was able to win in 2016 even though most of his supporters said they were primarily casting ballots against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. But he was also pleased that Biden had adopted a more active posture.
“What you’re starting to see over the last week is an increasingly public Biden campaign, the vice president himself getting out there more ... and more public activities,” Cecil told reporters during a briefing earlier this week, noting the Biden campaign had dramatically increased its spending on Facebook. (In the past week, Biden has spent $2.6 million on the platform, more than twice what the Trump campaign has spent.)
The Biden team argues that the vice president has never been as absent as some of his critics claim; he’s participated in more than 50 television interviews since the start of the pandemic. But Biden’s increased activity doesn’t mean much if voters don’t see it, and campaign staffers are often frustrated by the lack of coverage many of the vice president’s events receive, especially when a stray Trump utterance while waiting for Marine One can drive a news cycle.
“There are two candidates running for president of the United States, and they both deserve to make their case to the American people,” said T.J. Ducklo, a Biden campaign spokesman. “We’re not piloting a mini-series here. This is about our country’s future.”
Advertisement
Essentially, Democrats and the Biden campaign are arguing that news organizations allowing Trump to dominate coverage are putting a thumb on the scale in the same way they did in 2016, when Trump won the GOP nomination on the back of $2 billion’s worth of earned media.
“In 2016, the networks greatly advantaged Trump with billions of dollars worth of free airtime, and that’s a large part of why he was elected. There’s been no reckoning since,” said Eric Schultz, a former White House spokesman and an adviser to former President Barack Obama. “There’s been no sign of soul-searching ever since. Executives have been clear that he’s good for business, that he’s good for profits.”
Behind the scenes, the Biden campaign has been pushing the cable news networks to take him live more frequently, and for nightly network newscasts to increase coverage of his events after-the-fact, with mixed results. Earlier this month, Biden gave a speech on race, which was heavily covered, but most of his subsequent events have gotten little live coverage.
The Thursday rollout of a plan to reopen the economy, which included provisions to guarantee coronavirus testing and personal protective equipment for workers and the creation of a workforce of 100,000 contract tracers, did little to drive the news cycle.
But two stray comments from Biden ― questioning whether Trump would accept an election loss during an interview with Trevor Noah on “The Daily Show,” and calling the president’s coronavirus failures “almost criminal” during a tele-town hall with members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees ― picked up some attention.
Advertisement
Republicans have reacted to Biden’s push for more media coverage with at least a facade of glee, reflecting how Biden’s increasing visibility will almost certainly generate more moments for the Republican National Committee to clip and blast out on Twitter.
“We formally join Joe Biden’s campaign in their call for the national news media, particularly cable and broadcast television outlets, to carry Biden’s remarks and unscripted events in their entirety,” Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale said in a statement. “The failure to expose the American people to these rambling displays of incoherence, ineptitude, and forgetfulness is depriving voters of a clear picture of Biden’s inability to execute the duties of the office he seeks. Stop protecting Biden. Air the events.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-14--Ex-Defense Secretary: ‘Time Has Come’ To Strip Military Bases Of Confederate Names

Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Sunday said the “ time has come ” to rename U.S. military bases named after Confederate officers amid a nationwide reckoning on systemic racism and police brutality .
Gates , who served under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama , told NBC ’ s “ Meet The Press ” that some of the 10 U.S. Army installations named for Confederates should be renamed for Black Medal of Honor recipients .
Asked if he agreed with the push to remove the Confederate names from the bases — as well as banning Confederate paraphernalia in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” to do so have been presented .
“ I think we now have the opportunity , particularly to change the names of our military facilities , ” Gates said .
“ I ’ ve always puzzled over the fact that we don ’ t have a Fort George Washington or a Fort Ulysses S. Grant.
” Gates added : “ So I think the time has come .
I think that there is the opportunity not only to name some of these places for some of our great generals of the 20th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American and other minority Medal of Honor recipients and so on.
” The 10 Army bases named for Confederates are scattered across the American South and include Fort Bragg in North Carolina , named for Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg , and Fort Lee in Virginia , named for Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee .
The removal of Confederate statues and monuments is one of the demands from many anti-racism protesters who began demonstrating following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last month .
Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Army Secretary Ryan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they are “ open to a bipartisan discussion ” about potentially stripping the military installations of their Confederate names .
“ These Monumental and very Powerful Bases have become part of a Great American Heritage , ” the president tweeted .
The bases ’ namesakes fought during the Civil War to preserve the enslavement of Black people .
In a Trump-defying move , the Republican-led Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday voted to require the Pentagon to remove Confederate names , monuments and symbols from military bases and equipment within three years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Lankford told ABC ’ s “ This Week.
” “ Every school has a name , and you want those children in that school to be able to learn about ... the person that school is named after and to be able to have them as a role model .
You would have that on a military base as well.
” Lankford added : “ So if you have a military base that is named after someone that actually rebelled against the United States government , then you ’ d want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look at that name .
It should be a pretty basic principle .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Sunday said the “time has come” to rename U.S. military bases named after Confederate officers amid a nationwide reckoning on systemic racism and police brutality.
Gates, who served under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, told NBC’s “Meet The Press” that some of the 10 U.S. Army installations named for Confederates should be renamed for Black Medal of Honor recipients.
Advertisement
Asked if he agreed with the push to remove the Confederate names from the bases — as well as banning Confederate paraphernalia in the Marines — Gates said “opportunities” to do so have been presented.
“I think we now have the opportunity, particularly to change the names of our military facilities,” Gates said. “I’ve always puzzled over the fact that we don’t have a Fort George Washington or a Fort Ulysses S. Grant.”
Gates added: “So I think the time has come. I think that there is the opportunity not only to name some of these places for some of our great generals of the 20th century but also individuals such as African American and other minority Medal of Honor recipients and so on.”
EXCLUSIVE: Former Defense Sec. Robert Gates tells @ChuckTodd that "the time has come" to remove Confederate names from military bases #MTP #IfItsSunday
Gates: "I've always puzzled over the fact that we don't have a Fort George Washington or a Fort Ulysses S. Grant" pic.twitter.com/1c5noEWt9o — Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) June 14, 2020
Advertisement
The 10 Army bases named for Confederates are scattered across the American South and include Fort Bragg in North Carolina, named for Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg, and Fort Lee in Virginia, named for Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.
The removal of Confederate statues and monuments is one of the demands from many anti-racism protesters who began demonstrating following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last month.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said through a spokesperson last week that they are “open to a bipartisan discussion” about potentially stripping the military installations of their Confederate names.
But President Donald Trump has stood firmly against it, tweeting Wednesday that his administration would “not even consider” it.
“These Monumental and very Powerful Bases have become part of a Great American Heritage,” the president tweeted. The bases’ namesakes fought during the Civil War to preserve the enslavement of Black people.
Advertisement
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, the president’s only Black Cabinet member, echoed Trump’s opposition to renaming the military installations during an appearance on “Fox News Sunday.”
“To try to hide that history is probably a bad move,” Carson said.
In a Trump-defying move, the Republican-led Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday voted to require the Pentagon to remove Confederate names, monuments and symbols from military bases and equipment within three years.
Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) on Sunday said he supports considering whether certain bases should be renamed.
“I see it like schools,” Lankford told ABC’s “This Week.” “Every school has a name, and you want those children in that school to be able to learn about ... the person that school is named after and to be able to have them as a role model. You would have that on a military base as well.”
Lankford added: “So if you have a military base that is named after someone that actually rebelled against the United States government, then you’d want to be able to go back and look at that name. It should be a pretty basic principle.”
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-14--Republican Senator 'Absolutely' Supports National Ban On Police Chokeholds

Sen. James Lankford ( R-Okla. ) said Sunday that he “ absolutely ” supports a national ban on police chokeholds , the type of restraint used by an officer in the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last month .
“ That is one of the things that we should have engaged in a long time ago , ” Lankford said during an appearance on ABC ’ s “ This Week.
” He noted that at least eight police departments across the country have prohibited the maneuver and more are considering following suit in the wake of the massive anti-racism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Chokehold ” has been used broadly to refer to any type of neck hold .
Police typically use the term when describing a specific restraint that restricts breathing by applying pressure to the windpipe , according to CNN .
Bystander video showed three officers pinning Floyd to the ground , including one who knelt on his neck , as he stated repeatedly that he couldn ’ t breathe .
An autopsy ruled Floyd ’ s death a homicide caused by “ cardiopulmonary arrest complicating law enforcement subdual , restraint , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s been “ pretty clear ” that it isn ’ t necessary for police to use chokeholds when restraining suspects .
“ Some departments just didn ’ t train for chokeholds and told their officers they can only do what they ’ ve been trained for , ” he said .
“ There ’ s been a longstanding principle out there that that is not needed for that situation.
” JUST IN : GOP Sen. James Lankford backs a national ban on chokeholds , restraint police used in George Floyd killing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That was one of the things that we should have engaged in a long time ago , ” he tells @ GStephanopoulos .
https : //t.co/31ntAhvi0W pic.twitter.com/DD6rT2baL5 — This Week ( @ ThisWeekABC ) June 14 , 2020 President Donald Trump on Thursday signaled support for a national ban on the practice , telling Fox News that “ the concept of chokeholds sounds so innocent ” but that the maneuver “ should be ended.
” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) has not said what police reform measures his caucus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina , who is leading GOP efforts on police reform , said Sunday that chokeholds are “ a policy whose time has come and gone.
” “ We try to tackle that on the local level , the House policy tackles that on the state level , I think the president ’ s looking at a national perspective on that from an executive order , ” Scott told NBC ’ s “ Meet The Press.
” “ All three levers want to tackle the issue of chokeholds and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversation around the deescalation of force , ” he added .
Either way , civil rights activists say such a ban would likely have little impact on police violence .
Cities that outlawed chokeholds long before the Floyd protests continue to have police brutality incidents involving chokeholds .
“ The chokehold ban , in essence , is useless , ” Hawk Newsome , chair of Black Lives Matter of Greater New York , told Mother Jones .
“ Unless you ’ re tacking on a felony or a murder charge , or criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this bill , then it ’ s a toothless guard dog .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) said Sunday that he “absolutely” supports a national ban on police chokeholds, the type of restraint used by an officer in the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last month.
“That is one of the things that we should have engaged in a long time ago,” Lankford said during an appearance on ABC’s “This Week.”
Advertisement
He noted that at least eight police departments across the country have prohibited the maneuver and more are considering following suit in the wake of the massive anti-racism protests sparked by Floyd’s death.
“Chokehold” has been used broadly to refer to any type of neck hold. Police typically use the term when describing a specific restraint that restricts breathing by applying pressure to the windpipe, according to CNN.
Bystander video showed three officers pinning Floyd to the ground, including one who knelt on his neck, as he stated repeatedly that he couldn’t breathe. An autopsy ruled Floyd’s death a homicide caused by “cardiopulmonary arrest complicating law enforcement subdual, restraint, and neck compression.”
Lankford on Sunday said it’s been “pretty clear” that it isn’t necessary for police to use chokeholds when restraining suspects.
Advertisement
“Some departments just didn’t train for chokeholds and told their officers they can only do what they’ve been trained for,” he said. “There’s been a longstanding principle out there that that is not needed for that situation.”
JUST IN: GOP Sen. James Lankford backs a national ban on chokeholds, restraint police used in George Floyd killing.
“Absolutely we should have that. That was one of the things that we should have engaged in a long time ago,” he tells @GStephanopoulos. https://t.co/31ntAhvi0W pic.twitter.com/DD6rT2baL5 — This Week (@ThisWeekABC) June 14, 2020
Congressional Democrats have included a chokehold ban in their proposed legislation overhauling law enforcement practices in order to reduce police brutality.
President Donald Trump on Thursday signaled support for a national ban on the practice, telling Fox News that “the concept of chokeholds sounds so innocent” but that the maneuver “should be ended.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has not said what police reform measures his caucus would be willing to support. But Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, who is leading GOP efforts on police reform, said Sunday that chokeholds are “a policy whose time has come and gone.”
Advertisement
“We try to tackle that on the local level, the House policy tackles that on the state level, I think the president’s looking at a national perspective on that from an executive order,” Scott told NBC’s “Meet The Press.”
“All three levers want to tackle the issue of chokeholds and that’s part of that entire conversation around the deescalation of force,” he added.
Either way, civil rights activists say such a ban would likely have little impact on police violence. Cities that outlawed chokeholds long before the Floyd protests continue to have police brutality incidents involving chokeholds.
“The chokehold ban, in essence, is useless,” Hawk Newsome, chair of Black Lives Matter of Greater New York, told Mother Jones. “Unless you’re tacking on a felony or a murder charge, or criminal liability to these things, and to this bill, then it’s a toothless guard dog.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-14--Blind Voters Fear Loss Of Privacy With Shift To Mail Voting

ASSOCIATED PRESS In this Monday , June 8 , 2020 , file photo , Dorothy Griffin , of Atlanta , poses for a portrait in Atlanta .
Blind voters like Griffin fear a loss of control over their ability to cast a ballot as election officials across the U.S. plan a major expansion of voting by mail amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Griffin requested an absentee ballot for Georgia ’ s primary Tuesday , but she gave up waiting for it and decided to cast a ballot in person on the last day of early voting to avoid crowds on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) ATLANTA ( AP ) — Not that long ago , Ann Byington had to squeeze into a voting booth with a Republican poll watcher on one side and a Democrat on the other reading her voting choices out loud so her ballot could be marked for her and the selections verified .
But now , as election officials plan a major vote-by-mail expansion amid fears of voting in person during the coronavirus pandemic , Byington worries she is being left out .
When the presidential primary in Kansas was held entirely by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resident had to tell her husband how she wanted to vote so he could fill out the ballot for her .
In recent weeks , advocates for the blind have filed legal actions in Michigan , New York and Pennsylvania seeking access to systems already in place to deliver ballots electronically to military and overseas voters .
Blind voters could then use their own computers and assistive technology to read and complete their ballots themselves .
In this Wednesday , May 27 , 2020 , photo , Ann Byington stands next to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Kan .
Blind voters like Byington fear a loss of control over their ability to cast a ballot as election officials across the U.S. plan a major expansion of voting by mail amid the coronavirus pandemic .
( AP Photo/Orlin Wagner ) “ I really don ’ t have a good solution to offer .
We seem to have bad and worse , ” said Douglas W. Jones , a University of Iowa computer science professor .
“ The bad is accepting someone helping to mark your ballot .
And the worse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technology that I don ’ t have any reason to trust at all.
” Griffin requested an absentee ballot for Georgia ’ s primary Tuesday , but she gave up waiting for it and decided to cast a ballot in person on the last day of early voting to avoid crowds on Election Day .
As president of the Georgia affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind , Griffin asked the state to provide electronic ballot delivery , but it wasn ’ t available .
“ I definitely did not want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was my only choice because I didn ’ t receive my paper ballot , ” Griffin said .
“ I was happy I was able to vote independently .
But I was angry that I did not get my absentee ballot ahead of time even though I sent my request months ago.
” Much of the concern surrounding electronic ballots centers on how they are returned .
In some cases , these ballots must be printed by the voter and returned by mail or in person to a local election office .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email or fax and , in a small number of cases , via an online web portal to an election office for printing and counting .
In this May 28 , 2020 , photo , Tracy Carcione , a 59-year-old computer programmer who is blind , poses for a photograph at her home in Teaneck , N.J .
Blind voters fear a loss of control over their ability to cast a ballot as election officials across the U.S. plan a major expansion of voting by mail amid the coronavirus pandemic .
( AP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 59-year-old computer programmer , learned her county was offering blind voters the option to receive ballots electronically under a pilot program .
After receiving an email with a link and PIN number , Carcione went to a website where she signed an affidavit stating she was blind and gained access to an electronic ballot .
In Delaware , voters with disabilities were able to receive electronic ballots in recent elections through an in-house system that has since been retired in favor of the Democracy Live platform .
It will be used during a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July 7 presidential primary .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
ATLANTA (AP) — Not that long ago, Ann Byington had to squeeze into a voting booth with a Republican poll watcher on one side and a Democrat on the other reading her voting choices out loud so her ballot could be marked for her and the selections verified.
Blind since birth, Byington welcomed the rise in recent years of electronic voting machines equipped with technology that empowered her and others with disabilities to cast their ballots privately and independently.
Advertisement
But now, as election officials plan a major vote-by-mail expansion amid fears of voting in person during the coronavirus pandemic, Byington worries she is being left out. When the presidential primary in Kansas was held entirely by mail last month, the 72-year-old Topeka resident had to tell her husband how she wanted to vote so he could fill out the ballot for her.
“I’m back to where we started,” Byington said. “I’ve lost all my freedom to be independent, to make sure it’s marked how I want it to be marked.”
In this Monday, June 8, 2020, file photo, Dorothy Griffin, of Atlanta, poses for a portrait in Atlanta. Blind voters like Griffin fear a loss of control over their ability to cast a ballot as election officials across the U.S. plan a major expansion of voting by mail amid the coronavirus pandemic. Griffin requested an absentee ballot for Georgia’s primary Tuesday, but she gave up waiting for it and decided to cast a ballot in person on the last day of early voting to avoid crowds on Election Day. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson) ASSOCIATED PRESS
In recent weeks, advocates for the blind have filed legal actions in Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania seeking access to systems already in place to deliver ballots electronically to military and overseas voters. Blind voters could then use their own computers and assistive technology to read and complete their ballots themselves.
Advertisement
“This is about equality,” said Chris Danielsen with the National Federation of the Blind, one of the groups suing. “If a secret ballot is important to you, it’s important to a blind person, as well.”
Because of these efforts, all three states agreed to make electronic ballots available during the primaries to voters with disabilities, and more actions are likely before November.
In this Wednesday, May 27, 2020, photo, Ann Byington stands next to the mail box at her home in Topeka, Kan. Blind voters like Byington fear a loss of control over their ability to cast a ballot as election officials across the U.S. plan a major expansion of voting by mail amid the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner) ASSOCIATED PRESS
Voting technology experts have raised security concerns about such Internet-based voting systems. They also warn about implementing a new process so close to an election, risking the same sort of problems that derailed this year’s Iowa caucuses when a hastily developed mobile app failed.
“I really don’t have a good solution to offer. We seem to have bad and worse,” said Douglas W. Jones, a University of Iowa computer science professor. “The bad is accepting someone helping to mark your ballot. And the worse is rushing to put in totally untested technology that I don’t have any reason to trust at all.”
Advertisement
Disability advocates said they have been calling on election officials for years to provide secure electronic absentee ballots. But only a small number of states have done so.
An estimated 7 million adults in the U.S. have a visual disability, and advocates worry that some might choose to skip voting altogether this year rather than risk catching the virus or having their ballot privacy compromised.
In Atlanta, Dorothy Griffin typically relies on ride-share to get to her polling place. A diabetic, she worries about catching the coronavirus while waiting in a crowded polling place.
Griffin requested an absentee ballot for Georgia’s primary Tuesday, but she gave up waiting for it and decided to cast a ballot in person on the last day of early voting to avoid crowds on Election Day. As president of the Georgia affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind, Griffin asked the state to provide electronic ballot delivery, but it wasn’t available.
“I definitely did not want to go, but I felt like it was my only choice because I didn’t receive my paper ballot,” Griffin said. “I was happy I was able to vote independently. But I was angry that I did not get my absentee ballot ahead of time even though I sent my request months ago.”
Advertisement
Much of the concern surrounding electronic ballots centers on how they are returned. In some cases, these ballots must be printed by the voter and returned by mail or in person to a local election office. But elsewhere these ballots can be returned by email or fax and, in a small number of cases, via an online web portal to an election office for printing and counting.
In a memo to election officials, four federal agencies, including the FBI, assessed the risk of sending ballots electronically to be low but found allowing such ballots to be returned electronically was a high risk.
In this May 28, 2020, photo, Tracy Carcione, a 59-year-old computer programmer who is blind, poses for a photograph at her home in Teaneck, N.J. Blind voters fear a loss of control over their ability to cast a ballot as election officials across the U.S. plan a major expansion of voting by mail amid the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) ASSOCIATED PRESS
When Tracy Carcione heard her local election in Teaneck, New Jersey, on May 12 would be conducted entirely by mail, she thought to herself: “How the heck am I going to do that?”
Then Carcione, a 59-year-old computer programmer, learned her county was offering blind voters the option to receive ballots electronically under a pilot program. After receiving an email with a link and PIN number, Carcione went to a website where she signed an affidavit stating she was blind and gained access to an electronic ballot.
Advertisement
She used a computer program for reading news stories and filling out forms to put a mark next to each candidate she supported. After emailing her completed ballot, her local elections office printed it out for tallying on election day.
“It was all very clear and easy,” Carcione said. “And, if I had the option, I would do it again.”
But the option won’t be available for the July 7 statewide primary. New Jersey election officials said they determined the system wasn’t needed because some in-person voting would be available.
Carcione is not sure whether she will brave a polling place or not. She is leery of taking a taxi if the polling place is across town and of waiting in a long line.
“It’s not a great choice,” Carcione said. “I might take my chances and hope that my neighbor is the decent person I think she is.”
For its pilot program, New Jersey worked with Democracy Live, a Seattle-based technology firm that works with election offices in several states, including California, Texas, Ohio and Florida to provide electronic ballots to military and overseas voters.
Advertisement
In Delaware, voters with disabilities were able to receive electronic ballots in recent elections through an in-house system that has since been retired in favor of the Democracy Live platform. It will be used during a pilot program in the state’s July 7 presidential primary.
Delaware elections Commissioner Anthony Albence said officials are monitoring it closely to ensure security. Bryan Finney, president of Democracy Live, said the company has worked with outside firms to conduct security reviews and wants to engage researchers on improving its platform.
“This is America; we can do this,” Finney said. “The alternative is to continue disenfranchising millions of voters both domestically and abroad because we haven’t focused on actually solving the problem.”
Earlier this year in West Virginia, lawmakers expanded electronic ballot delivery to voters with a physical disability. Secretary of State Mac Warner advocated for the law, saying it was important to ensure no voter is disenfranchised.
“There are security concerns, but the likelihood of that happening is rather remote,” he said. “And it gets to a risk-reward benefit. The reward is getting people who wouldn’t otherwise be able to vote.”
Advertisement
___


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-13--Secret Service Finally Admits It Used Pepper Spray On Protesters Before Trump Church Pic

The Secret Service reversed an earlier claim and admitted Saturday that its agents had used pepper spray on protesters to clear the way for President Donald Trump ’ s photo op outside a church nearly two weeks ago .
“ After further review , the U.S. Secret Service has determined that an agency employee used pepper spray on June 1st to secure the area near Lafayette Parks , ” said a statement from the agency .
The spray was “ used in response to an assaultive individual , ” the statement said .
Details about the behavior were not provided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Prevention considers pepper spray a “ riot control agent , ” and says it is “ sometimes referred to as ‘ tear gas , ’ ” as are compounds more widely associated with tear gas .
The U.S. Park Police also initially denied using tear gas .
But a spokesman later said it was a “ mistake ” to say “ tear gas ” wasn ’ t used , because the pepper balls that officers fired make it difficult for targets to breathe .
Following the Secret Service reversal , the American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Once again , yet another federal agency is pulling back yet another lie meant to cover up the administration ’ s unlawful firing of tear gas and other weapons outside the White House on June 1.
” Law enforcement faced criticism for cracking down on anti-racism protesters that evening in order to clear the way for Trump to pose with a Bible in front of St. John ’ s Episcopal Church , which is across the street from the White House .
The ACLU and Black Lives Matter have sued the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ unconstitutional ” and “ criminal attack ” that evening .
Cell phone and media videos of the incident showed peaceful protesters struck with batons and shields , manhandled by law enforcement , and apparently gassed .
Attorney General William Barr , who ordered the removal of the protesters before Trump ’ s photo op , insisted in an interview last week that pepper spray is “ not a chemical irritant.
” He also claimed protesters were “ not peaceful , ” though that is contradicted by extensive video coverage of law enforcement @ @ @ @