theguardian--2020-06-05--The religious right is still sticking by Trump. Sadly, there's a long, grim pattern | Sarah Posner

As Donald Trump , aided by the attorney general , Bill Barr , orchestrates a militarized , armed-to-the-teeth crackdown , terrorizing lawful protesters of racism and police brutality , much of Trump ’ s white evangelical base is cheering him as a courageous , godly leader facing down protesters falsely depicted as “ professional anarchists ” , “ cultural Marxists ” and “ domestic terrorists ” .
For Trump ’ s Christian partisans , his Monday night photo op in front of St John ’ s Episcopal church in Washington DC , after Barr ordered the park between the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with teargas , is just another illustration that Trump is a mighty protector of freedom – the freedom of his white Christian supporters , anyway .
A common refrain in white evangelical circles is to condemn the police murder of George Floyd as , in the anodyne words of the evangelist and Trump ally Franklin Graham , a “ terrible tragedy that should not have happened and should never happen again ” .
In this all-too prevalent way of thinking , there ’ s only one cure for racism .
As Dan Patrick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told Fox News on Wednesday , the country could only be “ healed ” by people accepting Jesus Christ .
But when it comes to the systemic change demanded by lawful protesters all over the country , from its largest cities to its small towns , Trump ’ s defenders draw the line .
“ We can not heal through commissions and blue-ribbon panels and more laws , ” Patrick told Trump ’ s favorite network .
Graham wrote in a Facebook post , “ New laws and more government give-away programs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a heart problem , and only God can change the human heart.
” This white evangelical opposition to laws and policies addressing systemic racism is nothing new .
At other similarly transformative moments in recent American history , white fundamentalists and evangelicals viewed the advance of civil rights in America as the nefarious work of leftist outsiders , and opposed laws and policy designed to promote equal rights .
In 1964 , the late Jerry Falwell Sr , the founder of the Moral Majority and the father of Jerry Falwell Jr , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evangelical defenders , called the 1964 Civil Rights Act “ a terrible violation of human and private property rights ” and said it “ should be considered civil wrongs rather than civil rights ” .
Falwell delivered one of his most notorious sermons , Ministers and Marches , in 1965 after Bloody Sunday , when state troopers , sheriff deputies and a white civilian posse beat and teargassed civil rights activists marching from Selma to Montgomery , Alabama .
“ I do question the sincerity and non-violent intentions of ” the Rev Martin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders , Falwell said , “ who are known to have leftwing associations ” .
Although 15 years later Falwell purported to repudiate the sermon , its ugly sentiments reverberate in Trump ’ s America today .
The president and his allies , both in and outside of government , defame protesters as disingenuous , violent , un-American , and even criminal .
Meanwhile , they hail the law enforcement officers who are violating protesters ’ constitutional rights and inflicting horrifying violence as America ’ s heroes .
In the early days of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ animated white fundamentalists and evangelicals to mobilize in opposition to government policy they claimed violated their religious freedom .
In the 1970s , the Internal Revenue Service tried to require private Christian schools , even those without explicitly segregationist policies , to adopt measures to diversify their student body , by making their tax-exemption contingent on such improvements .
For these early religious right activists , this was a sign that the government , acting as a promoter of equal rights , was the enemy of the religious freedom of Christians .
Religious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LaHaye accused the government of “ harassing ” Christian schools .
“ Doesn ’ t it seem strange that the US government is lenient on communists , criminals , drug pushers , illegal aliens , rapists , lesbians , homosexuals and almost anyone else who violates the law , but is increasing its attacks on Christians ?
” LaHaye wrote in 1979 .
Today , Trump ’ s base echoes similar claims of persecution – claiming that LGBTQ+ rights , for example , infringe on Christians ’ religious freedom , or that state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Covid-19 pandemic infringe on the first amendment rights of churches .
Throughout his candidacy and presidency white evangelicals have stood behind Trump because , many of them say , he is “ the most pro-religious freedom ” president in history .
Their ongoing support for Trump – as he cracks down on protesters and hijacks the front of a church to pose with a bible – is , unfortunately , another chapter in this long history , one in which Trump has emerged as their dedicated strongman , unafraid to defend their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost to other Americans .
• None Sarah Posner is a reporting fellow at Type Investigations .
Her new book is Unholy : Why White Evangelicals Worship at the Altar of Donald Trump

As Donald Trump, aided by the attorney general, Bill Barr, orchestrates a militarized, armed-to-the-teeth crackdown, terrorizing lawful protesters of racism and police brutality, much of Trump’s white evangelical base is cheering him as a courageous, godly leader facing down protesters falsely depicted as “professional anarchists”, “cultural Marxists” and “domestic terrorists”.
For Trump’s Christian partisans, his Monday night photo op in front of St John’s Episcopal church in Washington DC, after Barr ordered the park between the White House and the church cleared of protesters with teargas, is just another illustration that Trump is a mighty protector of freedom – the freedom of his white Christian supporters, anyway.
A common refrain in white evangelical circles is to condemn the police murder of George Floyd as, in the anodyne words of the evangelist and Trump ally Franklin Graham, a “terrible tragedy that should not have happened and should never happen again”. In this all-too prevalent way of thinking, there’s only one cure for racism. As Dan Patrick, the Republican lieutenant governor of Texas, told Fox News on Wednesday, the country could only be “healed” by people accepting Jesus Christ.
But when it comes to the systemic change demanded by lawful protesters all over the country, from its largest cities to its small towns, Trump’s defenders draw the line. “We cannot heal through commissions and blue-ribbon panels and more laws,” Patrick told Trump’s favorite network. Graham wrote in a Facebook post, “New laws and more government give-away programs are not the answer. It’s a heart problem, and only God can change the human heart.”
This white evangelical opposition to laws and policies addressing systemic racism is nothing new. At other similarly transformative moments in recent American history, white fundamentalists and evangelicals viewed the advance of civil rights in America as the nefarious work of leftist outsiders, and opposed laws and policy designed to promote equal rights.
In 1964, the late Jerry Falwell Sr, the founder of the Moral Majority and the father of Jerry Falwell Jr, one of Trump’s most steadfast evangelical defenders, called the 1964 Civil Rights Act “a terrible violation of human and private property rights” and said it “should be considered civil wrongs rather than civil rights”.
The president and his allies, both in and outside of government, defame protesters as disingenuous, violent, un-American, and even criminal
Falwell delivered one of his most notorious sermons, Ministers and Marches, in 1965 after Bloody Sunday, when state troopers, sheriff deputies and a white civilian posse beat and teargassed civil rights activists marching from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. “I do question the sincerity and non-violent intentions of” the Rev Martin Luther King Jr and other civil rights leaders, Falwell said, “who are known to have leftwing associations”.
Although 15 years later Falwell purported to repudiate the sermon, its ugly sentiments reverberate in Trump’s America today. The president and his allies, both in and outside of government, defame protesters as disingenuous, violent, un-American, and even criminal. Meanwhile, they hail the law enforcement officers who are violating protesters’ constitutional rights and inflicting horrifying violence as America’s heroes.
In the early days of the modern religious right, school desegregation animated white fundamentalists and evangelicals to mobilize in opposition to government policy they claimed violated their religious freedom. In the 1970s, the Internal Revenue Service tried to require private Christian schools, even those without explicitly segregationist policies, to adopt measures to diversify their student body, by making their tax-exemption contingent on such improvements. For these early religious right activists, this was a sign that the government, acting as a promoter of equal rights, was the enemy of the religious freedom of Christians.
Religious right activist and Left Behind author Tim LaHaye accused the government of “harassing” Christian schools. “Doesn’t it seem strange that the US government is lenient on communists, criminals, drug pushers, illegal aliens, rapists, lesbians, homosexuals and almost anyone else who violates the law, but is increasing its attacks on Christians?” LaHaye wrote in 1979.
Today, Trump’s base echoes similar claims of persecution – claiming that LGBTQ+ rights, for example, infringe on Christians’ religious freedom, or that state governors’ restrictions on large gatherings during the Covid-19 pandemic infringe on the first amendment rights of churches. Throughout his candidacy and presidency white evangelicals have stood behind Trump because, many of them say, he is “the most pro-religious freedom” president in history.
Their ongoing support for Trump – as he cracks down on protesters and hijacks the front of a church to pose with a bible – is, unfortunately, another chapter in this long history, one in which Trump has emerged as their dedicated strongman, unafraid to defend their “freedom”, no matter the cost to other Americans.


theguardian--2020-06-05--Al Sharpton accuses Trump of using Bible as a prop during George Floyd eulogy – video

The Rev Al Sharpton gave a eulogy at a memorial service for George Floyd in Minneapolis and hit out at @ @ @ @ @ a Bible in front of a church in Washington DC .
'We can not use @ @ @ @ @ ' Sharpton said .
'For those that have agendas that are not about justice , @ @ @ @ @ you use George as a prop . '
The US president sparked outrage from religious @ @ @ @ @ Congress and others when he visited the church across from the White House and posed @ @ @ @ @ enforcement officers cleared protesters using teargas • George Floyd protests : civil rights groups sue @ @ @ @ @ of teargas outside White House – live • 'Get your knee off our necks ’ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd memorial • US police have a history of violence against black people .
Will @ @ @ @

The Rev Al Sharpton gave a eulogy at a memorial service for George Floyd in Minneapolis and hit out at Donald Trump for posing with a Bible in front of a church in Washington DC. 'We cannot use Bibles as a prop,' Sharpton said. 'For those that have agendas that are not about justice, this family will not let you use George as a prop.' The US president sparked outrage from religious leaders, top Democrats in Congress and others when he visited the church across from the White House and posed holding a Bible after law enforcement officers cleared protesters using teargas


theguardian--2020-06-05--'Revolting': Trump condemned for saying George Floyd is praising US economy

Donald Trump was condemned on Friday for making the “ revolting , enraging , disrespectful ” claim that George Floyd , an African American man killed by police , is looking down from heaven and praising the US economy .
The president attempted to take a victory lap after a better-than-expected jobs report showed the national unemployment rate falling to 13.3 % last month , with 2.5m jobs gained .
But there was a slight uptick in African American joblessness .
In White House remarks that folded digressions within digressions , Trump declared : “ Today is probably , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comeback in American history.
” Speaking after the 10th night of mass anti-racism protests across the country , Trump suggested that Floyd , who died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee on his neck for nearly nine minutes , would be happy about the figures .
“ Hopefully George is looking down right now and saying this a great thing that ’ s happening for our country , ” he said .
“ There ’ s a great day for him .
It ’ s a great day for everybody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for everybody .
There ’ s a great , great day in terms of equality.
” The comment earned swift opprobrium .
Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic nominee for president , said : “ George Floyd ’ s last words , ‘ I can ’ t breathe , I can ’ t breathe , ’ have echoed all across this nation and , quite frankly , around the world .
For the president to try to put any other words in the mouth of George Floyd I frankly think is despicable.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a former chairman of the Republican National Committee , told the MSNBC network : “ It ’ s not only tone deaf , it ’ s borderline blasphemous in light of what happened to Mr Floyd .
“ I doubt George Floyd is in heaven looking down going , ‘ Oh gee , great jobs report !
’ Are you kidding me ?
Again , it speaks to just how out of step this man is with real life .
This reality television presidency is incompatible with democracy , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incompatible with everyday people trying to realise the American dream.
” Defenders of Trump argued that he was being willfully misconstrued .
America First Action , a pro-Trump Super Political Action Committee , claimed in a tweet that his remark was taken “ out of context ” .
Moments before referencing Floyd , Trump had said : “ Equal justice under the law must mean that every American receives equal treatment in every encounter with law enforcement , regardless of race , color , gender or creed.
” The official White House Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damage limitation exercise .
But Democrats and other critics were unconvinced , noting that Trump had specifically tied Floyd ’ s imagined happiness to Friday , the day of the jobs report .
Brandon Gassaway , a spokesman for the Democratic National Committee , said : “ Trump ’ s claim is revolting , enraging , disrespectful – a slap in the face and a descent to the lowest possible level of discourse .
Trump has no concern or regard for the feelings of anyone and will take every opportunity , even trampling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to commemorate a jobs report that shows fewer than half of black adults currently have a job and that fully 21 million Americans are unemployed.
” The surprise increase in jobs came after economists had predicted a rise in unemployment to 20 % as America reels from the coronavirus pandemic and nationwide lockdowns .
But the new rate of 13.3 % is still far higher than previous peak unemployment , which was 10.8 % in 1982 .
Most of the 2.5m jobs gained over the month were in hospitality and leisure , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as states went into quarantine .
Analysts Capital Economics wrote that the report generated mixed feelings of “ optimism , skepticism and anguish ” .
They expect the economy to recoup about 60 % of lost jobs by year-end with the unemployment rate dropping to 8-10 % .
The president has been fiercely condemned for mishandling the pandemic and showing little empathy for minorities who suffered the worst of its health and economic effects , then for responding to nationwide protests by ordering law enforcement to “ dominate ” the streets and even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump will hope the May report boosts his chance in November ’ s election against former vice-president Biden .
In April , Jason Furman , a former economist in the Barack Obama administration , predicted : “ We are about to see the best economic data we ’ ve seen in the history of this country ” – a suggestion that reportedly alarmed Democratic strategists .
Speaking in the White House Rose Garden on Friday , Trump struck a triumphal note , likening the economy to a healthy patient making a quick recovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s happened today , ” he said .
“ Now , they thought the number would be a loss of 9m jobs and it was a gain of almost 3m jobs .
“ The numbers are great , and this leads us on to a long period of growth .
We ’ ll go back to having the greatest economy anywhere in the world .
Nothing close .
And I think we ’ re going to have a very good upcoming few months.
” Some commentators have expressed hope that , having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy could make a “ V-shaped ” recovery .
Trump again brushed aside warnings from public health experts and urged state governors to push ahead with economic reopenings .
“ Now we ’ re opening , and we ’ re opening with a bang , ” he said .
“ We ’ ve been talking about the V. This is better than a V. This is a rocket ship.
” Yamiche Alcindor , the White House correspondent of PBS News , asked Trump if he has a plan to address systemic racism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s the greatest thing that can happen for race relations , for the African-American community , for the Asian American , for the Hispanic-American community , for women , for everything .
“ Because our country is so strong , and that ’ s what my plan is .
We ’ re going to have the strongest economy in the world .
We almost are there now … And now we ’ re going to have an economy that ’ s even stronger.
” Although the unemployment rate for white people decreased from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate for African Americans went up from 16.7 % to 16.8 % .
When Alcindor challenged Trump on this point , he dismissed her with a wave and said : “ You are something.
” Democrats dismissed Trump ’ s bombast and said he was out of touch with the pain and anguish felt by millions , particularly African Americans .
Chuck Schumer , the Democratic minority leader in the Senate , said : “ With nearly 20m people out of work and unemployment among African Americans increasing , now is not the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victory lap .
Thirteen per cent unemployment number is not ‘ joyous ’ or ‘ stupendous ’ as President Trump has wrongly stated.
” Jon Favreau , a former speechwriter for Obama , tweeted : “ Depression-era unemployment , 100,000+ dead , millions sick , massive protests , police riots , and Trump is giving a celebratory press conference .
Not sure I ’ ve ever heard a president sound so divorced from the reality that most Americans are facing .
Hilariously out of touch .
”

David Smith in Washington and Dominic Rushe in New York

Donald Trump was condemned on Friday for making the “revolting, enraging, disrespectful” claim that George Floyd, an African American man killed by police, is looking down from heaven and praising the US economy.
The president attempted to take a victory lap after a better-than-expected jobs report showed the national unemployment rate falling to 13.3% last month, with 2.5m jobs gained. But there was a slight uptick in African American joblessness.
In White House remarks that folded digressions within digressions, Trump declared: “Today is probably, if you think of it, the greatest comeback in American history.”
Speaking after the 10th night of mass anti-racism protests across the country, Trump suggested that Floyd, who died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee on his neck for nearly nine minutes, would be happy about the figures.
“Hopefully George is looking down right now and saying this a great thing that’s happening for our country,” he said. “There’s a great day for him. It’s a great day for everybody. It’s a great day for everybody. There’s a great, great day in terms of equality.”
The comment earned swift opprobrium. Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, said: “George Floyd’s last words, ‘I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe,’ have echoed all across this nation and, quite frankly, around the world. For the president to try to put any other words in the mouth of George Floyd I frankly think is despicable.”
Michael Steele, who is African American, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee, told the MSNBC network: “It’s not only tone deaf, it’s borderline blasphemous in light of what happened to Mr Floyd.
“I doubt George Floyd is in heaven looking down going, ‘Oh gee, great jobs report!’ Are you kidding me? Again, it speaks to just how out of step this man is with real life. This reality television presidency is incompatible with democracy, it’s incompatible with governing, it’s incompatible with everyday people trying to realise the American dream.”
Defenders of Trump argued that he was being willfully misconstrued. America First Action, a pro-Trump Super Political Action Committee, claimed in a tweet that his remark was taken “out of context”. Moments before referencing Floyd, Trump had said: “Equal justice under the law must mean that every American receives equal treatment in every encounter with law enforcement, regardless of race, color, gender or creed.”
The official White House Twitter account highlighted that comment in an apparent damage limitation exercise. But Democrats and other critics were unconvinced, noting that Trump had specifically tied Floyd’s imagined happiness to Friday, the day of the jobs report.
Brandon Gassaway, a spokesman for the Democratic National Committee, said: “Trump’s claim is revolting, enraging, disrespectful – a slap in the face and a descent to the lowest possible level of discourse. Trump has no concern or regard for the feelings of anyone and will take every opportunity, even trampling on the memory of George Floyd, to commemorate a jobs report that shows fewer than half of black adults currently have a job and that fully 21 million Americans are unemployed.”
05:16 What the George Floyd protests say about America – video explainer
The surprise increase in jobs came after economists had predicted a rise in unemployment to 20% as America reels from the coronavirus pandemic and nationwide lockdowns. But the new rate of 13.3% is still far higher than previous peak unemployment, which was 10.8% in 1982.
Most of the 2.5m jobs gained over the month were in hospitality and leisure, an industry that lost 7.5m jobs in April as states went into quarantine. Analysts Capital Economics wrote that the report generated mixed feelings of “optimism, skepticism and anguish”.
They expect the economy to recoup about 60% of lost jobs by year-end with the unemployment rate dropping to 8-10%.
The president has been fiercely condemned for mishandling the pandemic and showing little empathy for minorities who suffered the worst of its health and economic effects, then for responding to nationwide protests by ordering law enforcement to “dominate” the streets and even threatening to deploy the military.
But Trump will hope the May report boosts his chance in November’s election against former vice-president Biden. In April, Jason Furman, a former economist in the Barack Obama administration, predicted: “We are about to see the best economic data we’ve seen in the history of this country” – a suggestion that reportedly alarmed Democratic strategists.
Speaking in the White House Rose Garden on Friday, Trump struck a triumphal note, likening the economy to a healthy patient making a quick recovery. “This is outstanding, what’s happened today,” he said. “Now, they thought the number would be a loss of 9m jobs and it was a gain of almost 3m jobs.
“The numbers are great, and this leads us on to a long period of growth. We’ll go back to having the greatest economy anywhere in the world. Nothing close. And I think we’re going to have a very good upcoming few months.”
Some commentators have expressed hope that, having been put into an induced coma, the economy could make a “V-shaped” recovery. Trump again brushed aside warnings from public health experts and urged state governors to push ahead with economic reopenings.
“Now we’re opening, and we’re opening with a bang,” he said. “We’ve been talking about the V. This is better than a V. This is a rocket ship.”
Yamiche Alcindor, the White House correspondent of PBS News, asked Trump if he has a plan to address systemic racism. He replied: “It’s the greatest thing that can happen for race relations, for the African-American community, for the Asian American, for the Hispanic-American community, for women, for everything.
“Because our country is so strong, and that’s what my plan is. We’re going to have the strongest economy in the world. We almost are there now … And now we’re going to have an economy that’s even stronger.”
Although the unemployment rate for white people decreased from 14.2% to 12.4%, the rate for African Americans went up from 16.7% to 16.8%. When Alcindor challenged Trump on this point, he dismissed her with a wave and said: “You are something.”
Democrats dismissed Trump’s bombast and said he was out of touch with the pain and anguish felt by millions, particularly African Americans.
Chuck Schumer, the Democratic minority leader in the Senate, said: “With nearly 20m people out of work and unemployment among African Americans increasing, now is not the time to be complacent or take a victory lap. Thirteen per cent unemployment number is not ‘joyous’ or ‘stupendous’ as President Trump has wrongly stated.”
Jon Favreau, a former speechwriter for Obama, tweeted: “Depression-era unemployment, 100,000+ dead, millions sick, massive protests, police riots, and Trump is giving a celebratory press conference. Not sure I’ve ever heard a president sound so divorced from the reality that most Americans are facing. Hilariously out of touch.”


theguardian--2020-06-05--John Kelly says Americans should ‘look harder at who we elect’

The former White House chief of staff John Kelly has said Americans should “ look harder at who we elect ” and questioned the character and ethics of Donald Trump , the president he served for several years .
The retired general was Trump ’ s first homeland security secretary , then chief of staff until January 2019 .
“ I think we need to look harder at who we elect , ” he told Anthony Scaramucci , a former White House communications director who has also turned against Trump , in a live-streamed interview on Friday .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are running for office and put them through the filter .
What is their character like ?
What are their ethics ?
” As homeland security secretary , Kelly proposed Trump ’ s family separations policy on the southern border .
As chief of staff , he publicly attacked an African American congresswoman who protested against Trump ’ s treatment of a military widow .
But he has criticised Trump before and on Thursday he spoke in support of James Mattis , another retired general who was Trump ’ s first secretary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conduct in office and his order on Monday that peaceful protesters over police brutality and the killing of George Floyd be forcibly cleared so he could stage a photo op outside St John ’ s church , near the White House .
Kelly said : “ He ’ s quite a man , Jim Mattis , and for him to do that tells you where he is relative to the concern he has for our country.
” Excoriated in the media , by political opponents and by other senior figures in the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the American Civil Liberties Union , Black Lives Matter and other civil rights groups over the stunt .
“ I would ’ ve argued against it , recommended against it , ” Kelly told Scaramucci .
“ I would argue that the end result of that was predictable.
” Trump has repeatedly claimed to have fired Mattis .
In fact Mattis resigned , over the president ’ s attempt to withdraw US troops from Syria .
In December 2018 , Kelly told the Los Angeles Times he went to work for Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walk away ” .
Two days later , he did .

The former White House chief of staff John Kelly has said Americans should “look harder at who we elect” and questioned the character and ethics of Donald Trump, the president he served for several years.
The retired general was Trump’s first homeland security secretary, then chief of staff until January 2019.
“I think we need to look harder at who we elect,” he told Anthony Scaramucci, a former White House communications director who has also turned against Trump, in a live-streamed interview on Friday.
“I think we should look at people that are running for office and put them through the filter. What is their character like? What are their ethics?”
As homeland security secretary, Kelly proposed Trump’s family separations policy on the southern border. As chief of staff, he publicly attacked an African American congresswoman who protested against Trump’s treatment of a military widow.
But he has criticised Trump before and on Thursday he spoke in support of James Mattis, another retired general who was Trump’s first secretary of defense.
Mattis attacked Trump for his conduct in office and his order on Monday that peaceful protesters over police brutality and the killing of George Floyd be forcibly cleared so he could stage a photo op outside St John’s church, near the White House.
Kelly said: “He’s quite a man, Jim Mattis, and for him to do that tells you where he is relative to the concern he has for our country.”
Excoriated in the media, by political opponents and by other senior figures in the US military, Trump has also been sued by the American Civil Liberties Union, Black Lives Matter and other civil rights groups over the stunt.
“I would’ve argued against it, recommended against it,” Kelly told Scaramucci. “I would argue that the end result of that was predictable.”
Trump has repeatedly claimed to have fired Mattis. In fact Mattis resigned, over the president’s attempt to withdraw US troops from Syria.
In December 2018, Kelly told the Los Angeles Times he went to work for Trump because “military people don’t walk away”. Two days later, he did.


theguardian--2020-06-05--Joe Biden says '10-15%' of Americans 'are just not very good people'

Former vice-president Joe Biden has said “ probably anywhere from 10 % to 15 % ” of Americans “ are just not very good people ” .
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , who is known for his verbal gaffes , also said the “ vast majority of the people are decent ” .
But his political opponents and the media swiftly seized on his comments .
Biden was speaking on Thursday night , to the actor Don Cheadle during an online discussion of racial relations .
The US is in the grip of the worst civil unrest since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1968 , over the killing by police in Minneapolis of George Floyd , a 46-year-old African American man .
“ The words a president says matter , ” Biden said , as he criticized Donald Trump ’ s response to the crisis .
“ When a president stands up and divides people all the time you ’ re going to get the worst of us to come out .
He then added : “ Do we really think this is as good as we can be as a nation ?
I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think that .
There are probably anywhere from 10 % to 15 % of the people out there that are just not very good people , but that ’ s not who we are .
“ The vast majority of the people are decent , and we have to appeal to that and we have to unite people – bring them together .
Bring them together.
” Biden ’ s words echoed Hillary Clinton , the Democrat beaten by Trump in 2016 , who famously said a “ big basket ” of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ … the racists and the haters and the people who are drawn because they think he can somehow restore an America that no longer exists ” .
Two weeks ago , the Trump campaign seized on a comment Biden made to an African American radio host .
Biden said then that if black voters “ have a problem figuring out whether you ’ re for me or Trump , then you ain ’ t black ” .
He apologised .
On Friday morning , the Trump campaign Twitter account was using footage of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some observers also compared Biden ’ s “ 10 % to 15 % ” remark to a costly and to some racially loaded Mitt Romney gaffe in 2012 .
The Republican nominee said then 47 % of voters “ who are dependent upon government , who believe that they are victims ” would back Barack Obama “ no matter what ” .
Trump ’ s own reaction to unrest over the death of George Floyd has attracted fierce and widespread criticism .
The president has offered sympathy to Floyd ’ s family and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sought to exploit the unrest to portray himself as a “ law and order ” president ; used divisive and racially loaded language ; threatened to call in combat troops ; urged governors to “ dominate ” demonstrators ; and ordered an assault on peaceful protesters near the White House in order to stage a photo op holding a Bible .
At the White House on Friday , Trump told reporters : “ Hopefully George is looking down right now and saying , ‘ This is a great thing that ’ s happening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great day for him .
It ’ s a great day for everybody .
This is a great day for everybody .
This a great , great day in terms of equality.
” From Dover , Delaware , Biden responded : “ George Floyd ’ s last words , ‘ I can ’ t breathe , I can ’ t breathe ’ , have echoed all across this nation and quite frankly around the world .
“ For the president to try to put any other words in the mouth of George Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump also has a long history of racial and divisive rhetoric aimed at African Americans , Muslims , Mexicans and more .
In 2017 , he memorably said there had been “ very fine people on both sides ” of a white nationalist rally in Virginia which led to the murder of a counter-protester .
That history is in stark contrast to Biden ’ s remarks to Cheadle .
He could not know , he said , what racial discrimination felt like .
“ I ’ m a white man , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but I can ’ t feel it .
I feel it but I don ’ t know what it ’ s like to be a black man walking down the street and be accosted , or to be arrested or , God forbid , something worse.
” He also warned : “ We can ’ t allow the protesting to overshadow the purpose of the protest .
So there ’ s going to be a lot of folks that are going to want to cause trouble .
Some cops , but some folks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin with Donald Trump , ” Biden said .
“ It ’ s not going to end with him .
The history of our country is not a fairytale , it doesn ’ t guarantee a happy ending , but as I said earlier , we ’ re in a battle for the soul of this nation .
It ’ s been a constant push and pull for the last 200 years .
“ I thought we had made enormous progress when we elected an African American president , I thought things had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defeat hate , you could kill hate .
But the point is , you can ’ t .
“ Hate only hides , and if you breathe any oxygen into that hate , it comes alive again .
”

Former vice-president Joe Biden has said “probably anywhere from 10% to 15%” of Americans “are just not very good people”.
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, who is known for his verbal gaffes, also said the “vast majority of the people are decent”. But his political opponents and the media swiftly seized on his comments.
Biden was speaking on Thursday night, to the actor Don Cheadle during an online discussion of racial relations. The US is in the grip of the worst civil unrest since the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr in 1968, over the killing by police in Minneapolis of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American man.
“The words a president says matter,” Biden said, as he criticized Donald Trump’s response to the crisis. “When a president stands up and divides people all the time you’re going to get the worst of us to come out.
He then added: “Do we really think this is as good as we can be as a nation? I don’t think the vast majority of people think that. There are probably anywhere from 10% to 15% of the people out there that are just not very good people, but that’s not who we are.
“The vast majority of the people are decent, and we have to appeal to that and we have to unite people – bring them together. Bring them together.”
Biden’s words echoed Hillary Clinton, the Democrat beaten by Trump in 2016, who famously said a “big basket” of the Republican’s supporters were “deplorables … the racists and the haters and the people who are drawn because they think he can somehow restore an America that no longer exists”.
Two weeks ago, the Trump campaign seized on a comment Biden made to an African American radio host. Biden said then that if black voters “have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t black”. He apologised.
On Friday morning, the Trump campaign Twitter account was using footage of the Cheadle conversation to attack Biden.
Some observers also compared Biden’s “10% to 15%” remark to a costly and to some racially loaded Mitt Romney gaffe in 2012. The Republican nominee said then 47% of voters “who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims” would back Barack Obama “no matter what”.
Trump’s own reaction to unrest over the death of George Floyd has attracted fierce and widespread criticism.
The president has offered sympathy to Floyd’s family and peaceful protesters. But he has also sought to exploit the unrest to portray himself as a “law and order” president; used divisive and racially loaded language; threatened to call in combat troops; urged governors to “dominate” demonstrators; and ordered an assault on peaceful protesters near the White House in order to stage a photo op holding a Bible.
At the White House on Friday, Trump told reporters: “Hopefully George is looking down right now and saying, ‘This is a great thing that’s happening for our country.’ This is a great day for him. It’s a great day for everybody. This is a great day for everybody. This a great, great day in terms of equality.”
From Dover, Delaware, Biden responded: “George Floyd’s last words, ‘I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe’, have echoed all across this nation and quite frankly around the world.
“For the president to try to put any other words in the mouth of George Floyd, I frankly think is despicable.”
Trump also has a long history of racial and divisive rhetoric aimed at African Americans, Muslims, Mexicans and more. In 2017, he memorably said there had been “very fine people on both sides” of a white nationalist rally in Virginia which led to the murder of a counter-protester.
01:49 Donald Trump: 'This is a great day' for George Floyd – video
That history is in stark contrast to Biden’s remarks to Cheadle.
He could not know, he said, what racial discrimination felt like.
“I’m a white man,” he said. “I think I understand but I can’t feel it. I feel it but I don’t know what it’s like to be a black man walking down the street and be accosted, or to be arrested or, God forbid, something worse.”
He also warned: “We can’t allow the protesting to overshadow the purpose of the protest. So there’s going to be a lot of folks that are going to want to cause trouble. Some cops, but some folks too.”
“Hate didn’t begin with Donald Trump,” Biden said. “It’s not going to end with him. The history of our country is not a fairytale, it doesn’t guarantee a happy ending, but as I said earlier, we’re in a battle for the soul of this nation. It’s been a constant push and pull for the last 200 years.
“I thought we had made enormous progress when we elected an African American president, I thought things had really changed. I thought you could defeat hate, you could kill hate. But the point is, you can’t.
“Hate only hides, and if you breathe any oxygen into that hate, it comes alive again.”


theguardian--2020-06-05--The Guardian view on race and America: learning from a King | Editorial

On April 4 1968 , Martin Luther King Jr phoned a local pastor with the title of his Sunday sermon : “ Why America May Go to Hell.
” The civil rights leader was shot dead before he could address the parishioners of Ebenezer Baptist church in Atlanta .
Over the next few weeks the United States found itself on the road to perdition .
King ’ s murder saw the country experience its greatest wave of social unrest since the civil war , with riots in 130 cities .
In November of that year , Richard Nixon won a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unspoken bigotry that the street violence had done so much to revive .
Donald Trump thinks he can do the same with the nationwide protests over police brutality toward African Americans in the wake of the death of George Floyd .
But history does not repeat itself , people do .
There are signs that Americans have grown to be significantly better than their previous selves .
The protests have drawn wide support from society .
Mainly peaceful demonstrations have been a showcase for America ’ s diversity .
Mr Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that voters approve of the protests inspired by Floyd ’ s death , and strongly disapprove of the president ’ s response .
There has been a sea change in attitudes , with Americans seeming to acknowledge that racism is a real problem for their society .
The police officer who was seen suffocating Floyd with his knee has been charged with second-degree felony murder .
Confederate statues and other relics to racism have come down in several states .
There is also a long way to the 2020 presidential election .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ memory by then .
The political gaze may be fixed on a second coronavirus outbreak or the failing economy .
The chaotic handling of the pandemic has left 100,000 dead and is evidence that Mr Trump is not up to the job .
The past is also another country .
The unrest today is against a backdrop of depression , deprivation and deep inequality , not the full employment and roaring US economy of the late 1960s .
The portents do not look good for a president running for re-election .
The story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a Republican party that gained a political base through Nixon ’ s explicit appeals to whites who resented or were opposed to the civil rights movement .
Republican leaders went on to weaponise racism to remain in power , which they used to pursue policies that enriched the already affluent at the expense of ordinary workers .
Mr Trump ’ s Republicans are the “ white grievance party ” .
This racism is laced with Trumpian stupidity .
African Americans have been left behind : being black in America , studies show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in terms of one ’ s chances of finding employment .
Black people often live in the poorest areas and suffer the highest rates of unemployment .
Relative to white people , black people receive longer sentences for the same crimes , are treated more disrespectfully by police in routine interactions , and are more likely to be shot by law enforcement .
Blacks have long outnumbered whites in US prisons despite representing a fraction of the total population .
So stacked is the deck against them that black boys – even rich @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can escape the poverty trap .
This is not a recipe for social comity .
King understood this .
His warning in 1967 that the worsening conditions for black Americans must be condemned as equally as riots is still true .
“ A riot is the language of the unheard , ” said King .
“ Our nation ’ s summers of riots are caused by our nation ’ s winters of delay .
And as long as America postpones justice , we stand in the position of having these recurrences of violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Social justice and progress are the absolute guarantors of riot prevention.
” America must do more than listen to the unheard , it must hear them .

On April 4 1968, Martin Luther King Jr phoned a local pastor with the title of his Sunday sermon: “Why America May Go to Hell.” The civil rights leader was shot dead before he could address the parishioners of Ebenezer Baptist church in Atlanta. Over the next few weeks the United States found itself on the road to perdition. King’s murder saw the country experience its greatest wave of social unrest since the civil war, with riots in 130 cities. In November of that year, Richard Nixon won a law and order election by stoking the unspoken bigotry that the street violence had done so much to revive. Donald Trump thinks he can do the same with the nationwide protests over police brutality toward African Americans in the wake of the death of George Floyd. But history does not repeat itself, people do.
There are signs that Americans have grown to be significantly better than their previous selves. The protests have drawn wide support from society. Mainly peaceful demonstrations have been a showcase for America’s diversity. Mr Trump’s polling numbers have plunged. Surveys show that voters approve of the protests inspired by Floyd’s death, and strongly disapprove of the president’s response. There has been a sea change in attitudes, with Americans seeming to acknowledge that racism is a real problem for their society. The police officer who was seen suffocating Floyd with his knee has been charged with second-degree felony murder. Confederate statues and other relics to racism have come down in several states.
There is also a long way to the 2020 presidential election. The demonstrations and violence may be a faraway memory by then. The political gaze may be fixed on a second coronavirus outbreak or the failing economy. The chaotic handling of the pandemic has left 100,000 dead and is evidence that Mr Trump is not up to the job. The past is also another country. The unrest today is against a backdrop of depression, deprivation and deep inequality, not the full employment and roaring US economy of the late 1960s. The portents do not look good for a president running for re-election.
The story of American politics since 1968 is dominated by a Republican party that gained a political base through Nixon’s explicit appeals to whites who resented or were opposed to the civil rights movement. Republican leaders went on to weaponise racism to remain in power, which they used to pursue policies that enriched the already affluent at the expense of ordinary workers. Mr Trump’s Republicans are the “white grievance party”. This racism is laced with Trumpian stupidity.
African Americans have been left behind: being black in America, studies show, is like having a criminal conviction in terms of one’s chances of finding employment. Black people often live in the poorest areas and suffer the highest rates of unemployment. Relative to white people, black people receive longer sentences for the same crimes, are treated more disrespectfully by police in routine interactions, and are more likely to be shot by law enforcement. Blacks have long outnumbered whites in US prisons despite representing a fraction of the total population. So stacked is the deck against them that black boys – even rich black boys – can never assume they can escape the poverty trap. This is not a recipe for social comity.
King understood this. His warning in 1967 that the worsening conditions for black Americans must be condemned as equally as riots is still true. “A riot is the language of the unheard,” said King. “Our nation’s summers of riots are caused by our nation’s winters of delay. And as long as America postpones justice, we stand in the position of having these recurrences of violence and riots over and over again. Social justice and progress are the absolute guarantors of riot prevention.” America must do more than listen to the unheard, it must hear them.


theguardian--2020-06-05--Donald Trump: 'This is a great day' for George Floyd – video

Donald Trump has claimed it is a ‘ great day ’ for George Floyd , after the US posted better @ @ @ @ @ ‘ Hopefully , George is looking down right now and saying : “ This is @ @ @ @ @ our country , ” ’ the US president said of Floyd , who died while @ @ @ @ @ week • Trump 's comment 'this is a great day ' for George Floyd draws @ @ @ @ @ Trump campaign tribute to George Floyd due to copyright complaint

Donald Trump has claimed it is a ‘great day’ for George Floyd, after the US posted better than expected job numbers. ‘Hopefully, George is looking down right now and saying: “This is a great thing happening for our country,”’ the US president said of Floyd, who died while being restrained by police last week


theguardian--2020-06-06--In life and death, George Floyd's plight reflected the burden of being black in America

With a knee to his neck and head against the concrete , George Floyd became the face of one of the largest uprisings in modern American history .
His final moments at the hands of four Minneapolis police officers was replayed on social media and television all across a country that was already in crisis .
Americais in economic free fall as a result of the coronavirus pandemic .
And it is black Americans who have been disproportionately impacted by mounting deaths and crushing job losses , making up a disproportionate number of the 42 million people left unemployed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of systemic racism , were now more likely to die from the coronavirus and also faced losing their jobs in higher numbers as a result of record unemployment .
George Floyd , then , was no exception .
State medical examiners confirmed this week that Floyd had contracted the coronavirus by late-April .
He had also lost his job .
But that didn ’ t cause his death .
Instead , Floyd died from what historian Carol Anderson called “ the longest ongoing saga in American history ” .
“ We saw racial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in [ Floyd ’ s ] neck , a soulless look and a casual disregard for life , ” she said .
“ That angst and hurt came before we ever knew that [ Floyd ] had the virus , because it resonated with us as people.
” At his memorial service on Thursday , family attorney Ben Crump said that Floyd had not died from coronavirus but that the “ pandemic of racism ” had taken his life .
While his death has come to symbolize the plight of black people navigating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Floyd ’ s life and the timing of his killing underscores the burden of being black in America , and created the spark that lit this week ’ s uprising .
“ It was bound to happen here in Minneapolis and all across the country , ” said Dara Beevas , a restaurateur and activist who has lived in the city for more than 15 years .
She said that black communities are rendered nearly invisible , silencing inequality .
“ When you give people so many signals that their history , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you will see a rejection , a revolt , ” Beevas said .
Floyd ’ s life is a familiar story of falling down and picking yourself back up as a black man in America .
Although imperfect , he was a man described as hard-working by his peers in Minneapolis and a community staple and mentor , in his native Houston .
He left Texas for Minnesota in 2014 , in search of better opportunities after being released from prison for aggravated robbery .
The Great Migration of much of the 20th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that same journey , mostly attempting to escape racism in the south and in search of upward mobility in the north .
Instead racism violently confronted Floyd in Minnesota , a state in which black residents are more than 13 times more likely to be killed by police .
The state ’ s African American residents are only 6.8 % of the population , concentrated primarily in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St Paul .
Like much of black America in densely populated cities , that is also where coronavirus cases have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of the state ’ s nearly 25,000 confirmed cases and deaths .
The cardiovascular disease and hypertension cited in Floyd ’ s official autopsy are also underlying risk factors that make black Americans more susceptible to contracting and dying from the virus .
Other risks factors include obesity and diabetes .
For Beevas , the multiple iniquities that face black Americans fell on deaf earsuntil they were amplified by screams of “ I can ’ t breathe ” as Floyd lay dying on a Minneapolis street .
“ By standing up for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet over-policed community of people accustomed to not being seen stood up for themselves and that message spread all over , ” she said .
A report from the Economic Policy Institute unpacks how inequities exacerbated the impact of the coronavirus crisis on black communities .
Black people are twice as likely to lack health insurance and to live in medically underserved communities .
They also represent a majority of workers in most essential industries , often putting them at the frontlines of the pandemic .
Elise Gould , lead researcher and senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lose their jobs , a history of discrimination and inequality ” can make rebounding harder .
“ [ Black Americans already ] experienced a much higher unemployment rate , larger wage gaps , have lower median household incomes and higher poverty rates , all things that keep them from being able to weather the storm of job loss.
” When the restaurant where he worked shut down due to Minnesota ’ s stay-at-home order , Floyd became one of the 44 % of Africans Americans to lose their jobs .
Black Americans like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic spiral .
The Federal Reserve found that of households making less than $ 40,000 a year , nearly 40 % of those employed in February lost their jobs in March or at the beginning of April .
That ’ s nearly half of all black households .
Author and academic Carole Anderson contends that “ usually , multiple national crises happening at once sparks unrest.
” While headlines may describe these as unprecedented times , especially for African Americans , this is nothing new .
“ Abolitionists were essential to getting America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted .
“ They refused to let the US slide by pretending that slavery wasn ’ t a horrific practice.
” Still , she acknowledges there ’ s a different energy this time , and not just because Floyd ’ s “ is one of the most egregious modern examples of the contradiction between what [ the US ] says it stands for versus what it really is ” .
Anderson places the difference squarely on who is leading a “ preventable , yet unprecedented crisis ” : Donald Trump .
Anderson fought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s last moments , weeping in horror as she heard a man call out for his mother who had died two years earlier .
For her , it was the cry of a man who had given up .
For others , it was a call to action .
Dionne Smith-Downs traveled from California to attend one of Minneapolis ’ many protests since Floyd ’ s death .
She lost her own son to police violence in 2010 , so when Floyd “ called out for the mothers , ” she felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ Mama ’ , I knew I had to come , ” she told Breakthrough News .
“ I heard him and that is why I ’ m here.
” All four police officers involved in his arrest have been fired .
Derek Chauvin , the 19-year veteran seen kneeling on Floyd ’ s neck , has been charged with second degree murder and manslaughter while the other three officers were charged as witnesses .
American history is littered with promises of atonement and reform , but they ’ ve been mostly left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that gave rise to the Black Lives Matter movement .
“ Protests are bigger this time because there ’ s finally more of an understanding that the onus isn ’ t on black people to resolve this , ” Beevas said .
“ We ’ re no longer questioning the existence of oppression .
Our communities have been saying ‘ I can not breathe ’ for centuries .
“ It ’ s just a matter of America listening now , ” she said .
Georgia congressman John Lewis , one of the original @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mobs during the civil rights movement , remarked in a statement Thursday that while he “ been down this road before ” , this time “ gives [ him ] hope as a nation , and as a people.
” “ We ’ re going to get there .
We ’ re going to make it , ” he said , signaling to a new generation of leaders combating a generational struggle .
“ We ’ re going to survive and there will be no turning back .
”

With a knee to his neck and head against the concrete, George Floyd became the face of one of the largest uprisings in modern American history. His final moments at the hands of four Minneapolis police officers was replayed on social media and television all across a country that was already in crisis.
America is in an economic free fall as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. And it is black Americans who have been disproportionately impacted by mounting deaths and crushing job losses, making up a disproportionate number of the 42 million people left unemployed.
Black Americans, already subjected to generations of systemic racism, were now more likely to die from the coronavirus and also faced losing their jobs in higher numbers as a result of record unemployment.
George Floyd, then, was no exception.
State medical examiners confirmed this week that Floyd had contracted the coronavirus by late-April. He had also lost his job. But that didn’t cause his death.
Instead, Floyd died from what historian Carol Anderson called “the longest ongoing saga in American history”.
“We saw racial terror: a cop with a knee in [Floyd’s] neck, a soulless look and a casual disregard for life,” she said. “That angst and hurt came before we ever knew that [Floyd] had the virus, because it resonated with us as people.”
At his memorial service on Thursday, family attorney Ben Crump said that Floyd had not died from coronavirus but that the “pandemic of racism” had taken his life.
Protestors gather near the makeshift memorial in honour of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Photograph: Chandan Khanna/AFP/Getty Images
While his death has come to symbolize the plight of black people navigating the criminal justice system, for many, Floyd’s life and the timing of his killing underscores the burden of being black in America, and created the spark that lit this week’s uprising.
“It was bound to happen here in Minneapolis and all across the country,” said Dara Beevas, a restaurateur and activist who has lived in the city for more than 15 years. She said that black communities are rendered nearly invisible, silencing inequality.
“When you give people so many signals that their history, culture and humanity does not matter, you will see a rejection, a revolt,” Beevas said.
Floyd’s life is a familiar story of falling or being knocked down and picking yourself back up as a black man in America. Although imperfect, he was a man described as hard-working by his peers in Minneapolis and a community staple and mentor, in his native Houston.
He left Texas for Minnesota in 2014, in search of better opportunities after being released from prison for aggravated robbery. The Great Migration of much of the 20th century saw millions of African Americans make that same journey, mostly attempting to escape racism in the south and in search of upward mobility in the north.
When you give people so many signals that their history, culture and humanity does not matter, you will see a rejection, a revolt Dara Beevas, restaurateur and activist
Instead racism violently confronted Floyd in Minnesota, a state in which black residents are more than 13 times more likely to be killed by police.
The state’s African American residents are only 6.8% of the population, concentrated primarily in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St Paul. Like much of black America in densely populated cities, that is also where coronavirus cases have been highest. Black Minnesotans are 16% of the state’s nearly 25,000 confirmed cases and deaths.
The cardiovascular disease and hypertension cited in Floyd’s official autopsy are also underlying risk factors that make black Americans more susceptible to contracting and dying from the virus. Other risks factors include obesity and diabetes.
For Beevas, the multiple iniquities that face black Americans fell on deaf ears until they were amplified by screams of “I can’t breathe” as Floyd lay dying on a Minneapolis street.
“By standing up for [Floyd], an overlooked, yet over-policed community of people accustomed to not being seen stood up for themselves and that message spread all over,” she said.
A report from the Economic Policy Institute unpacks how inequities exacerbated the impact of the coronavirus crisis on black communities.
Black people are twice as likely to lack health insurance and to live in medically underserved communities. They also represent a majority of workers in most essential industries, often putting them at the frontlines of the pandemic.
Elise Gould, lead researcher and senior economist, said “when black workers lose their jobs, a history of discrimination and inequality” can make rebounding harder.
People wait for a distribution of masks and food from the Rev Al Sharpton in the Harlem neighborhood of New York. Photograph: Bebeto Matthews/AP
“[Black Americans already] experienced a much higher unemployment rate, larger wage gaps, have lower median household incomes and higher poverty rates, all things that keep them from being able to weather the storm of job loss.”
When the restaurant where he worked shut down due to Minnesota’s stay-at-home order, Floyd became one of the 44% of Africans Americans to lose their jobs.
Black Americans like him have felt the brunt of the economic spiral. The Federal Reserve found that of households making less than $40,000 a year, nearly 40% of those employed in February lost their jobs in March or at the beginning of April.
That’s nearly half of all black households.
Author and academic Carole Anderson contends that “usually, multiple national crises happening at once sparks unrest.” While headlines may describe these as unprecedented times, especially for African Americans, this is nothing new.
We’re going to survive and there will be no turning back Congressman John Lewis
“Abolitionists were essential to getting America into a Civil War,” Anderson noted. “They refused to let the US slide by pretending that slavery wasn’t a horrific practice.”
Still, she acknowledges there’s a different energy this time, and not just because Floyd’s “is one of the most egregious modern examples of the contradiction between what [the US] says it stands for versus what it really is”.
Anderson places the difference squarely on who is leading a “preventable, yet unprecedented crisis”: Donald Trump.
She fought back tears as she recalled watching Floyd’s last moments, weeping in horror as she heard a man call out for his mother who had died two years earlier. For her, it was the cry of a man who had given up.
For others, it was a call to action.
A young boy raises his fist for a photo by a family friend during a demonstration in Atlanta, Georgia. Photograph: Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images
Dionne Smith-Downs traveled from California to attend one of Minneapolis’ many protests since Floyd’s death. She lost her own son to police violence in 2010, so when Floyd “called out for the mothers,” she felt it personally.
“When he said ‘Mama’, I knew I had to come,” she told Breakthrough News. “I heard him and that is why I’m here.”
All four police officers involved in his arrest have been fired. Derek Chauvin, the 19-year veteran seen kneeling on Floyd’s neck, has been charged with second degree murder and manslaughter while the other three officers were charged as witnesses.
American history is littered with promises of atonement and reform, but they’ve been mostly left unfulfilled, even after the police killings that gave rise to the Black Lives Matter movement.
“Protests are bigger this time because there’s finally more of an understanding that the onus isn’t on black people to resolve this,” Beevas said. “We’re no longer questioning the existence of oppression. Our communities have been saying ‘I cannot breathe’ for centuries.
“It’s just a matter of America listening now,” she said. Floyd’s life and death resonated because, for many, the story of struggle, triumph, and perseverance only to fall victim to an unequal system is that of black history in America.
Georgia congressman John Lewis, one of the original Freedom Riders who was notoriously beaten by mobs during the civil rights movement, remarked on the NBC’s Today Show Thursday that while he “been down this road before”, this time “gives [him] hope as a nation, and as a people.”
“We’re going to get there. We’re going to make it,” he said, signaling to a new generation of leaders combating a generational struggle. “We’re going to survive and there will be no turning back.”


theguardian--2020-06-06--'Selling off the future’: Trump allows fishing in marine sanctuaries

Donald Trump is easing protections for a large marine monument off the coast of New England , opening it to commercial fishing .
But ocean experts caution that the rollback to the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine national monument will hurt the environment and won ’ t help fishermen who are struggling during the Covid-19 pandemic and economic downturn to find buyers for what they already catch .
“ This rollback essentially sells off the future of the ocean and the future of the ecosystem for almost no present economic benefit , ” said Miriam Goldstein , the ocean policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Cap ) .
“ [ That ’ s ] why it ’ s so puzzling to do it at all and even more puzzling that the president is doing it now , in the middle of the pandemic and with police riots going on around the country.
” Trump ’ s announcement follows several others by the administration to weaken environment rules during the pandemic , including an executive order he signed yesterday to bypass reviews of big infrastructure projects that could threaten public health .
The president unveiled the decision in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussion with commercial fisheries companies .
The White House said Trump ’ s proclamation would allow commercial fishing within the monument but would not alter its boundaries .
The protected area is about 130 miles from Cape Cod , Massachusetts , and it contains endangered right whales and sensitive deep sea corals .
It is one of five marine monuments in the country .
The other four are in the western Pacific Ocean .
After this rollback , less than .1 % of the US waters outside the western Pacific Ocean will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an analysis by Cap based on federal data .
“ Even fishing done well still has an impact , so for that reason it ’ s important to have special areas of the ocean set aside .
And this has been shown through a lot of science , that it is beneficial to ocean ecosystems , to biodiversity , to threatened and endangered species – and beneficial to those fisheries themselves , ” Goldstein said .
Environment groups quickly responded that they plan to sue .
The Natural Resources Defense Council is undertaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opening up two Utah monuments , Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante , to mining .
The Utah monuments and the marine monument were established at the end of the Barack Obama administration .
Goldstein acknowledged that fishermen and aquaculture growers in coastal communities have been hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic and economic downturn , but she said there are other actions the administration could take that would help .
The US Regional Fishery Management Councils on 29 May sent a letter to the commerce department arguing that “ the ban on commercial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a regulatory burden on domestic fisheries ” .
The group had been making that same argument since 2016 .
Rip Cunningham , the conservation editor at Saltwater Sportsman and former chair of the New England Fishery Management Council , criticized the move .
“ As a recreational fisherman , it troubles me to see the monument opened to commercial fishing , ” Cunningham said .
“ These are fragile and vulnerable resources , and I am concerned for their future health .
”

Donald Trump is easing protections for a large marine monument off the coast of New England, opening it to commercial fishing.
But ocean experts caution that the rollback to the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine national monument will hurt the environment and won’t help fishermen who are struggling during the Covid-19 pandemic and economic downturn to find buyers for what they already catch.
“This rollback essentially sells off the future of the ocean and the future of the ecosystem for almost no present economic benefit,” said Miriam Goldstein, the ocean policy director at the Center for American Progress (Cap). “[That’s] why it’s so puzzling to do it at all and even more puzzling that the president is doing it now, in the middle of the pandemic and with police riots going on around the country.”
Trump’s announcement follows several others by the administration to weaken environment rules during the pandemic, including an executive order he signed yesterday to bypass reviews of big infrastructure projects that could threaten public health.
The president unveiled the decision in Bangor, Maine, at a roundtable discussion with commercial fisheries companies. The White House said Trump’s proclamation would allow commercial fishing within the monument but would not alter its boundaries.
The protected area is about 130 miles from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and it contains endangered right whales and sensitive deep sea corals. It is one of five marine monuments in the country. The other four are in the western Pacific Ocean. After this rollback, less than .1% of the US waters outside the western Pacific Ocean will be protected from commercial fishing, according to an analysis by Cap based on federal data.
“Even fishing done well still has an impact, so for that reason it’s important to have special areas of the ocean set aside. And this has been shown through a lot of science, that it is beneficial to ocean ecosystems, to biodiversity, to threatened and endangered species – and beneficial to those fisheries themselves,” Goldstein said.
This rollback essentially sells off the future of the ocean and the future of the ecosystem for almost no present economic benefit Miriam Goldstein
Environment groups quickly responded that they plan to sue. The Natural Resources Defense Council is undertaking a similar lawsuit against the administration for opening up two Utah monuments, Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, to mining. The Utah monuments and the marine monument were established at the end of the Barack Obama administration.
Goldstein acknowledged that fishermen and aquaculture growers in coastal communities have been hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic and economic downturn, but she said there are other actions the administration could take that would help.
The US Regional Fishery Management Councils on 29 May sent a letter to the commerce department arguing that “the ban on commercial fishing within Marine national monument waters is a regulatory burden on domestic fisheries”. The group had been making that same argument since 2016.
Rip Cunningham, the conservation editor at Saltwater Sportsman and former chair of the New England Fishery Management Council, criticized the move.
“As a recreational fisherman, it troubles me to see the monument opened to commercial fishing,” Cunningham said. “These are fragile and vulnerable resources, and I am concerned for their future health.”


theguardian--2020-06-06--Joe Biden officially clinches Democratic presidential nomination

Joe Biden has officially captured the Democratic presidential nomination , crossing the delegate threshold to represent the party in a general election contest against Donald Trump .
The Associated Press called the nomination for the former vice-president on Friday night .
“ It was an honor to compete alongside one of the most talented groups of candidates the Democratic party has ever fielded , ” Biden said in a statement , “ and I am proud to say that we are going into this general election a united party.
” Though Biden has been the presumptive nominee for months , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country on Tuesday helped him secure the 1,991 unpledged delegates necessary to win the nomination .
His rival , Bernie Sanders , who exited the race in April , is still collecting delegates in an effort to influence the party ’ s platform at its August convention .
The milestone comes as the nation faces compounding crises wrought by the coronavirus pandemic , soaring unemployment and a wave of protests over racism and police brutality .
Biden enters the November 2020 general election in a strong position , with polling showing him ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden and Trump have set out opposing visions amid the upheaval over police brutality , with Biden opting for a somber and unifying tone .
“ This is a difficult time in America ’ s history .
And Donald Trump ’ s angry , divisive politics is no answer , ” he said in a statement on Friday night .
“ The country is crying out for leadership .
Leadership that can unite us .
Leadership that can bring us together … We need a president who cares about helping us heal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus , the former vice-president has been forced lately to campaign mostly from his home in Wilmington , Delaware , after dashing around the country to rallies and fundraisers , as is traditional , before the pandemic hit the US .
But he recently began to leave his home , traveling on Tuesday to Philadelphia , where he delivered a searing speech on race in America , assailing Trump ’ s leadership and accusing his opponent of inflaming rather than calming a nation convulsed by protests and unrest .
Biden was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was nosediving in early 2020 , with Sanders surging ahead and challengers such as Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg pressing hard in debates , but Biden suddenly revived .
After he suffered in key early nominating votes in Iowa and New Hampshire , leading African American political influencers swung behind Barack Obama ’ s two-term vice-president in the run-up to the South Carolina primary and the Super Tuesday series of primaries and Biden scored unexpectedly resounding victories .
He ended up sweeping the south and surfed the momentum – or “ Joementum ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the nomination at age 77 .

Joe Biden has officially captured the Democratic presidential nomination, crossing the delegate threshold to represent the party in a general election contest against Donald Trump.
The Associated Press called the nomination for the former vice-president on Friday night.
“It was an honor to compete alongside one of the most talented groups of candidates the Democratic party has ever fielded,” Biden said in a statement, “and I am proud to say that we are going into this general election a united party.”
Though Biden has been the presumptive nominee for months, his primary victories in states across the country on Tuesday helped him secure the 1,991 unpledged delegates necessary to win the nomination. His rival, Bernie Sanders, who exited the race in April, is still collecting delegates in an effort to influence the party’s platform at its August convention.
The milestone comes as the nation faces compounding crises wrought by the coronavirus pandemic, soaring unemployment and a wave of protests over racism and police brutality. Biden enters the November 2020 general election in a strong position, with polling showing him ahead in a number of key battleground states.
Biden and Trump have set out opposing visions amid the upheaval over police brutality, with Biden opting for a somber and unifying tone.
“This is a difficult time in America’s history. And Donald Trump’s angry, divisive politics is no answer,” he said in a statement on Friday night. “The country is crying out for leadership. Leadership that can unite us. Leadership that can bring us together … We need a president who cares about helping us heal – now.”
Constrained by the dangers of the virus, the former vice-president has been forced lately to campaign mostly from his home in Wilmington, Delaware, after dashing around the country to rallies and fundraisers, as is traditional, before the pandemic hit the US.
But he recently began to leave his home, traveling on Tuesday to Philadelphia, where he delivered a searing speech on race in America, assailing Trump’s leadership and accusing his opponent of inflaming rather than calming a nation convulsed by protests and unrest.
02:13 'A wake-up call for the nation': Joe Biden addresses the killing of George Floyd – video
Biden was labeled the comeback kid after his campaign was nosediving in early 2020, with Sanders surging ahead and challengers such as Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg pressing hard in debates, but Biden suddenly revived.
After he suffered in key early nominating votes in Iowa and New Hampshire, leading African American political influencers swung behind Barack Obama’s two-term vice-president in the run-up to the South Carolina primary and the Super Tuesday series of primaries and Biden scored unexpectedly resounding victories.
He ended up sweeping the south and surfed the momentum – or “Joementum”, as his campaign called it – to the nomination at age 77.
Joanna Walters contributed reporting


theguardian--2020-06-06--Tennessee voters must be allowed to vote safely – by mail – this November | London Lamar

We can not let the lack of leadership in Washington , magnitude of the task or heartbreak of this moment stop us as we strive to address the racism in America .
We must use our power and channel our frustration to make lasting change .
This week George Floyd ’ s brother , when he visited the site of his murder in Minneapolis , asked us to channel our anger for change by voting .
Time is running out for state legislatures to take action to ensure that everyone has equal access to the ballot .
We are in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together could spell disaster for our community and our country .
The protests in the streets have driven the coronavirus pandemic out of the headlines , but make no mistake that we are still in the midst of a pandemic that has had a disproportionate impact on the black community .
Protests that have brought us together in solidarity to address the epidemic of racism have also , very likely , extended the timeline of the pandemic .
Given the trajectory of this crisis and concerns about the potential of community spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow all registered voters to vote absentee without an excuse .
Just yesterday , in Tennessee , the Davidson county chancellor , Ellen Hobbs Lyle , ruled that the state ’ s limits on absentee voting during the pandemic constitute “ an unreasonable burden on the fundamental right to vote guaranteed by the Tennessee constitution ” .
This is a huge victory for health and safety , not a radical partisan policy change .
In fact , 10 of the 16 states that traditionally limit absentee voting have adopted it and the Missouri @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting requirements to preserve voter health and safety ; it awaits the governor ’ s signature .
However , given what we saw in Texas – where the governor and secretary of state challenged a similar policy in court and took away the right to safely vote – we must continue to urge the Tennessee legislature , and state legislatures across the US , to act to protect voting .
Covid-19 continues to be a deadly threat .
Voters deserve a choice in how they cast their ballots .
As a black woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that our majority-white legislature seems to feel little urgency about addressing this impending crisis .
I have also reached out to the governor and Tennessee secretary of state , who also showed little interest in adapting our election rules to meet this moment .
Our communities are relying on this election as an outlet for their frustration – a chance to make sure their voice is heard .
If we do not allow this temporary loosening of absentee voting restrictions , our elections will be set up to fail .
In early April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if we fail to make changes in response to coronavirus .
Droves of poll workers , understandably fearful of Covid-19 , unexpectedly quit , resulting in the closure of 97 % of Milwaukee ’ s polling places .
Thousands of people were unable to vote .
Those who remained stood in line for hours and voted in crowded places , risking their health .
This can not be the story in Tennessee in November and it can not be the story anywhere .
Resources are not the issue .
Tennessee has up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Help America Vote Act and the Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security ( Cares ) Act .
The only issue is political will .
Our state and our country can not afford to turn a blind eye to what this election means .
We should not ask voters – especially black citizens , who have already been struck hard by this pandemic – to choose between their health and their vote .
It is unconscionable .
All voters – regardless of age , race , party or the state where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the ballot .
I will continue this fight in the legislature and I ask you all to join me in demanding equal election access for everyone .

We cannot let the lack of leadership in Washington, magnitude of the task or heartbreak of this moment stop us as we strive to address the racism in America. We must use our power and channel our frustration to make lasting change. This week George Floyd’s brother, when he visited the site of his murder in Minneapolis, asked us to channel our anger for change by voting. Time is running out for state legislatures to take action to ensure that everyone has equal access to the ballot.
We are in the grip of two crises, which together could spell disaster for our community and our country. The protests in the streets have driven the coronavirus pandemic out of the headlines, but make no mistake that we are still in the midst of a pandemic that has had a disproportionate impact on the black community. Protests that have brought us together in solidarity to address the epidemic of racism have also, very likely, extended the timeline of the pandemic.
Given the trajectory of this crisis and concerns about the potential of community spread of coronavirus at polling locations, we must allow all registered voters to vote absentee without an excuse. Just yesterday, in Tennessee, the Davidson county chancellor, Ellen Hobbs Lyle, ruled that the state’s limits on absentee voting during the pandemic constitute “an unreasonable burden on the fundamental right to vote guaranteed by the Tennessee constitution”.
This is a huge victory for health and safety, not a radical partisan policy change. In fact, 10 of the 16 states that traditionally limit absentee voting have adopted it and the Missouri legislature implemented important legislation to relax absentee voting requirements to preserve voter health and safety; it awaits the governor’s signature.
I am disappointed that our majority-white legislature seems to feel little urgency about addressing this impending crisis
However, given what we saw in Texas – where the governor and secretary of state challenged a similar policy in court and took away the right to safely vote – we must continue to urge the Tennessee legislature, and state legislatures across the US, to act to protect voting. Covid-19 continues to be a deadly threat. Voters deserve a choice in how they cast their ballots.
As a black woman in the legislature, I am disappointed that our majority-white legislature seems to feel little urgency about addressing this impending crisis. I have also reached out to the governor and Tennessee secretary of state, who also showed little interest in adapting our election rules to meet this moment. Our communities are relying on this election as an outlet for their frustration – a chance to make sure their voice is heard. If we do not allow this temporary loosening of absentee voting restrictions, our elections will be set up to fail.
In early April, Wisconsin showed us what can happen if we fail to make changes in response to coronavirus. Droves of poll workers, understandably fearful of Covid-19, unexpectedly quit, resulting in the closure of 97% of Milwaukee’s polling places. Thousands of people were unable to vote. Those who remained stood in line for hours and voted in crowded places, risking their health. This cannot be the story in Tennessee in November and it cannot be the story anywhere.
Resources are not the issue. Tennessee has up to $55m available in federal funding from the Help America Vote Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (Cares) Act. The only issue is political will.
Our state and our country cannot afford to turn a blind eye to what this election means. We should not ask voters – especially black citizens, who have already been struck hard by this pandemic – to choose between their health and their vote. It is unconscionable. All voters – regardless of age, race, party or the state where they live – should have equitable access to the ballot. I will continue this fight in the legislature and I ask you all to join me in demanding equal election access for everyone.