shareblue--2020-06-04--10 states threaten to cut off unemployment aid to force people back to work

Even as unemployment claims passed the 40-million mark last week , a Post-ABC poll published Monday shows that a majority of Americans — 57 % — say that controlling the spread of coronavirus is more important than reopening parts of the economy .
Yet many Republican-led states are forcing workers to choose between risking their health and keeping unemployment benefits , even as health officials issue dire warnings about the consequences of reopening businesses too soon .
Public officials in at least eight GOP-led states — Alabama , Idaho , Indiana , Iowa , Mississippi , Nebraska , Tennessee , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus is not a sufficient excuse for missing work and that refusing to attend work out of concern for the virus could lead to a loss of unemployment benefits .
Two additional two states — Ohio and Oklahoma — are actively encouraging employers to report employees who may be staying home for health reasons so the state can rescind their benefits .
Employees who voluntarily quit a job are generally disqualified from receiving unemployment benefits , but most states have exceptions , including provisions put in place during this pandemic .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 27 allows states to distribute an additional $ 600 a week in unemployment benefits .
Even individuals who may not qualify unemployment insurance in other circumstances , such as a parent who needs to stay home because a child 's school is closed or an individual caring for a family member who has tested positive for the coronavirus , still qualify for this federal benefit .
The specific criteria for collecting unemployment vary by state .
Yet many Republican officials opted to issue blanket statements threatening to cut off all benefits if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work during a pandemic .
In late April , Iowa Gov .
Kim Reynolds called the failure by workers to return to their jobs at a reopened business `` a voluntary quit , '' adding , `` They would not be eligible for the unemployment money . ''
Fitzgerald Washington , secretary of the Alabama Department of Labor , declared on April 29 , `` It 's important for workers to know that if their employer reopens or otherwise calls them back to work , they must do so , unless they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington also said , `` Attempts to collect unemployment benefits after quitting without a good work-related cause can be considered fraud . ''
In Mississippi , Republican Gov .
Tate Reeves said on May 11 that `` if you are currently unemployed and your employer calls you back to work , I strongly recommend you go back to work , '' adding , `` if you choose not to go back to work you could become ineligible [ for unemployment insurance ] . ''
In Utah , workers were told by the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to return to work or risk losing unemployment benefits . ''
In Ohio , the state 's unemployment office set up a website that employers can use to report workers who do not show up due to coronavirus fears , allowing the state to use the information to start proceedings to end that person 's unemployment benefits .
Oklahoma has a banner at the top of the state 's coronavirus frequently asked questions page warning in bold letters that `` Fraud Hurts Everyone ! ''
and requesting that employers email the state to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Missouri 's Department of Labor even created a flyer for employers to print out and post in their businesses that reads , `` Quitting a job due to fear of exposure to COVID-19 , absent advice from your health care provider , is not considered good cause for quitting under the law .
Quitting a job without good cause to obtain unemployment benefits may be considered fraud . ''
Despite the high level of unemployment , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced on May 21 that he would not extend the $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the relief bill .
In late April , Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-SC ) was even more adamant , saying , `` I promise you , over our dead bodies , this will get reauthorized , '' referring to the unemployment assistance .
The insistence from state officials that workers risk their health to return to work came as many Republicans lawmakers across the country have demanded an end to broad stay-at-home orders in order to reopen parts of the economy .
Far-right protesters , some armed , some belonging to extremist militias @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protest guidelines put in place to slow the spread of the virus and are being shown support by many elected Republicans , including Donald Trump .
The GOP-led push to reopen many parts of the economy is proceeding even as health modeling projects that lifting restrictions too soon will lead to more coronavirus infections and tens of thousands more deaths .
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington found `` rising mobility in most U.S. states as well as the easing of social distancing measures expected in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that growing contacts among people will promote transmission of the coronavirus . ''
The group 's model predicts nearly 135,000 deaths in the country by the beginning of August , which is twice as high as the group 's mid-April estimate .
As of Tuesday , more than 1.8 million people in the country are confirmed to have the coronavirus , according to the New York Times , and at least 1005,095 people have died .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Even as unemployment claims passed the 40-million mark last week, a Post-ABC poll published Monday shows that a majority of Americans — 57% — say that controlling the spread of coronavirus is more important than reopening parts of the economy.
Yet many Republican-led states are forcing workers to choose between risking their health and keeping unemployment benefits, even as health officials issue dire warnings about the consequences of reopening businesses too soon.
Public officials in at least eight GOP-led states — Alabama, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, Nebraska, Tennessee, and Utah — have notified workers that the coronavirus is not a sufficient excuse for missing work and that refusing to attend work out of concern for the virus could lead to a loss of unemployment benefits.
Two additional two states — Ohio and Oklahoma — are actively encouraging employers to report employees who may be staying home for health reasons so the state can rescind their benefits.
Employees who voluntarily quit a job are generally disqualified from receiving unemployment benefits, but most states have exceptions, including provisions put in place during this pandemic.
The coronavirus relief bill signed into law on March 27 allows states to distribute an additional $600 a week in unemployment benefits. Even individuals who may not qualify unemployment insurance in other circumstances, such as a parent who needs to stay home because a child’s school is closed or an individual caring for a family member who has tested positive for the coronavirus, still qualify for this federal benefit.
The specific criteria for collecting unemployment vary by state. Yet many Republican officials opted to issue blanket statements threatening to cut off all benefits if individuals could not or would not return to work during a pandemic.
In late April, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds called the failure by workers to return to their jobs at a reopened business “a voluntary quit,” adding, “They would not be eligible for the unemployment money.”
Fitzgerald Washington, secretary of the Alabama Department of Labor, declared on April 29, “It’s important for workers to know that if their employer reopens or otherwise calls them back to work, they must do so, unless they have a good work-related cause.”
Washington also said, “Attempts to collect unemployment benefits after quitting without a good work-related cause can be considered fraud.”
In Mississippi, Republican Gov. Tate Reeves said on May 11 that “if you are currently unemployed and your employer calls you back to work, I strongly recommend you go back to work,” adding, “if you choose not to go back to work you could become ineligible [for unemployment insurance].”
In Utah, workers were told by the state that they “must accept suitable offers to return to work or risk losing unemployment benefits.”
In Ohio, the state’s unemployment office set up a website that employers can use to report workers who do not show up due to coronavirus fears, allowing the state to use the information to start proceedings to end that person’s unemployment benefits.
Oklahoma has a banner at the top of the state’s coronavirus frequently asked questions page warning in bold letters that “Fraud Hurts Everyone!” and requesting that employers email the state to “report any unemployment insurance fraud.”
Missouri’s Department of Labor even created a flyer for employers to print out and post in their businesses that reads, “Quitting a job due to fear of exposure to COVID-19, absent advice from your health care provider, is not considered good cause for quitting under the law. Quitting a job without good cause to obtain unemployment benefits may be considered fraud.”
Despite the high level of unemployment, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced on May 21 that he would not extend the $600 of additional unemployment benefits authorized in the relief bill. In late April, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) was even more adamant, saying, “I promise you, over our dead bodies, this will get reauthorized,” referring to the unemployment assistance.
The insistence from state officials that workers risk their health to return to work came as many Republicans lawmakers across the country have demanded an end to broad stay-at-home orders in order to reopen parts of the economy.
Far-right protesters, some armed, some belonging to extremist militias, have shown up outside state capitols to protest guidelines put in place to slow the spread of the virus and are being shown support by many elected Republicans, including Donald Trump.
The GOP-led push to reopen many parts of the economy is proceeding even as health modeling projects that lifting restrictions too soon will lead to more coronavirus infections and tens of thousands more deaths.
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington found “rising mobility in most U.S. states as well as the easing of social distancing measures expected in 31 states by May 11, indicating that growing contacts among people will promote transmission of the coronavirus.”
The group’s model predicts nearly 135,000 deaths in the country by the beginning of August, which is twice as high as the group’s mid-April estimate.
As of Tuesday, more than 1.8 million people in the country are confirmed to have the coronavirus, according to the New York Times, and at least 105,095 people have died.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-04--Right-wing extremists charged in plot to 'hijack the protests into violence'

Three Nevada men with ties to a loose movement of right-wing extremists advocating the overthrow of the U.S. government have been arrested on terrorism-related charges in what authorities say was a conspiracy to spark violence during recent protests in Las Vegas .
Federal prosecutors say the three white men with U.S. military experience are accused of conspiring to carry out a plan that began in April in conjunction with protests to reopen businesses closed because of the coronavirus .
More recently , they sought to capitalize on protests over the death of George Floyd , a black man who died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his knee into his neck for several minutes even after he stopped moving and pleading for air , prosecutors said .
The three men were arrested Saturday on the way to a protest in downtown Las Vegas after filling gas cans at a parking lot and making Molotov cocktails in glass bottles , according to a copy of the criminal complaint obtained by the Associated Press .
`` People have a right to peacefully protest .
These men are agitators and instigators .
Their point was to hijack the protests into violence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nevada , told AP .
He referred to what he called `` real and legitimate outrage '' over Floyd 's death .
The complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas on Wednesday said they self-identified as part of the `` boogaloo '' movement , which U.S. prosecutors said in the document is `` a term used by extremists to signify coming civil war and/or fall of civilization . ''
Stephen T. Parshall , 35 , Andrew T. Lynam Jr. , 23 , and William L. Loomis , 40 , were being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Clark County jail Wednesday , according to court records .
Lynam is from suburban Henderson , and the others are from Las Vegas .
The complaint said Lynam is an Army reservist , with Parshall formerly enlisted in the Navy and Loomis formerly enlisted in the Air Force .
Each currently faces two federal charges — conspiracy to damage and destroy by fire and explosive , and possession of unregistered firearms .
In state court , they 've been accused of felony conspiracy , terrorism , and explosives possession .
Trutanich @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jurisdictions .
`` This type of planning and intent on causing mayhem is terroristic and will not be tolerated , '' said Steve Wolfson , the district attorney in Las Vegas .
Attorney Monti Levy , representing Loomis , declined to comment about the state case and did not immediately respond to a question about whether she 'll represent Loomis in federal court .
A deputy public defender representing Parshall declined to comment and an attorney appointed to represent Lynam did not immediately respond to messages .
A confidential informant met Lynam and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Las Vegas calling for the reopening of the state 's economy , the federal complaint said .
The men were carrying firearms and Lynam said the group `` was not for joking around and that it was for people who wanted to violently overthrow the United States government , '' according to the complaint .
The informant said that during a May 27 meeting , Parshall and Loomis `` discussed causing an incident to incite chaos and possibly a riot , in response to the death of a suspect , '' a reference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to firebomb a power substation , according to the informant in the criminal complaint .
But on May 28 , Lynam instructed the group to observe the riots occurring nationwide and use that momentum as a driving force to possibly take action against a fee station at Lake Mead on federal land north of the Hoover Dam , on May 30 .
Other targets discussed included a U.S. Forest Service ranger station , the complaint said .
The informant stated that Parshall and Loomis ' `` idea behind the explosion was to hopefully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vegas . ''
They wanted to use the momentum from riots occurring nationwide because of Floyd 's death `` to hopefully stir enough confusion and excitement , that others see the explosions and police presence and begin to riot in the streets out of anger , '' the complaint said .
On May 28-29 , FBI agents observed Parshall buy fireworks at a tribal travel plaza , and he indicated to the informant that he had glass bottles , rags , and gasoline Molotov cocktails , the complaint said .
On May 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take part in the Black Lives Matter protest in downtown Las Vegas , the complaint said .
The charges come as intelligence officials are warning that `` violent opportunists '' have been emboldened nationwide by attacks on law enforcement officials amid protests .
In a Tuesday internal intelligence assessment , U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials warned `` this could lead to an increase in potentially lethal engagements with law enforcement officials as violent opportunists increasingly infiltrate ongoing protest activity . ''
AP obtained a copy of the document , which cites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer during protests and two other officers shooting a heavily armed man at a nearby federal courthouse .
`` Law enforcement officers continue to be the primary targets of firearm attacks , though several incidents last night involved violent opportunists shooting into crowds of protesters , '' the assessment states .
The anti-government `` boogaloo '' movement is a loose network of gun enthusiasts who often express support for overthrowing the U.S. government .
Its name , a reference to a 1984 movie called `` Breakin ' 2 : Electric Boogaloo , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civil war .
The movement is rooted in online meme culture , but the coronavirus pandemic has become a catalyst for real-world activity .
Many `` boogaloo '' followers have shown up at COVID-19 lockdown protests armed with rifles and wearing tactical vests over Hawaiian shirts and leis , a nod to the `` big luau '' derivation of the movement 's name .
While some `` boogaloo '' promoters insist they are n't genuinely advocating for violence , law enforcement officials say they have foiled bombing and shooting plots by people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least used its terminology .

Three Nevada men with ties to a loose movement of right-wing extremists advocating the overthrow of the U.S. government have been arrested on terrorism-related charges in what authorities say was a conspiracy to spark violence during recent protests in Las Vegas.
Federal prosecutors say the three white men with U.S. military experience are accused of conspiring to carry out a plan that began in April in conjunction with protests to reopen businesses closed because of the coronavirus.
More recently, they sought to capitalize on protests over the death of George Floyd, a black man who died in Minneapolis after a white officer pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes even after he stopped moving and pleading for air, prosecutors said.
The three men were arrested Saturday on the way to a protest in downtown Las Vegas after filling gas cans at a parking lot and making Molotov cocktails in glass bottles, according to a copy of the criminal complaint obtained by the Associated Press.
“People have a right to peacefully protest. These men are agitators and instigators. Their point was to hijack the protests into violence,” Nicholas Trutanich, U.S. attorney in Nevada, told AP. He referred to what he called “real and legitimate outrage” over Floyd’s death.
The complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas on Wednesday said they self-identified as part of the “boogaloo” movement, which U.S. prosecutors said in the document is “a term used by extremists to signify coming civil war and/or fall of civilization.”
Stephen T. Parshall, 35, Andrew T. Lynam Jr., 23, and William L. Loomis, 40, were being held on $1 million bond each in the Clark County jail Wednesday, according to court records. Lynam is from suburban Henderson, and the others are from Las Vegas.
The complaint said Lynam is an Army reservist, with Parshall formerly enlisted in the Navy and Loomis formerly enlisted in the Air Force.
Each currently faces two federal charges — conspiracy to damage and destroy by fire and explosive, and possession of unregistered firearms. In state court, they’ve been accused of felony conspiracy, terrorism, and explosives possession. Trutanich said they’ll be prosecuted in both jurisdictions.
“This type of planning and intent on causing mayhem is terroristic and will not be tolerated,” said Steve Wolfson, the district attorney in Las Vegas.
Attorney Monti Levy, representing Loomis, declined to comment about the state case and did not immediately respond to a question about whether she’ll represent Loomis in federal court.
A deputy public defender representing Parshall declined to comment and an attorney appointed to represent Lynam did not immediately respond to messages.
A confidential informant met Lynam and Parshall at an early April rally in Las Vegas calling for the reopening of the state’s economy, the federal complaint said. The men were carrying firearms and Lynam said the group “was not for joking around and that it was for people who wanted to violently overthrow the United States government,” according to the complaint.
The informant said that during a May 27 meeting, Parshall and Loomis “discussed causing an incident to incite chaos and possibly a riot, in response to the death of a suspect,” a reference to Floyd.
Loomis stated he wanted to firebomb a power substation, according to the informant in the criminal complaint.
But on May 28, Lynam instructed the group to observe the riots occurring nationwide and use that momentum as a driving force to possibly take action against a fee station at Lake Mead on federal land north of the Hoover Dam, on May 30. Other targets discussed included a U.S. Forest Service ranger station, the complaint said.
The informant stated that Parshall and Loomis’ “idea behind the explosion was to hopefully create civil unrest and rioting throughout Las Vegas.”
They wanted to use the momentum from riots occurring nationwide because of Floyd’s death “to hopefully stir enough confusion and excitement, that others see the explosions and police presence and begin to riot in the streets out of anger,” the complaint said.
On May 28-29, FBI agents observed Parshall buy fireworks at a tribal travel plaza, and he indicated to the informant that he had glass bottles, rags, and gasoline Molotov cocktails, the complaint said.
On May 30, all three and the informant agreed to take part in the Black Lives Matter protest in downtown Las Vegas, the complaint said.
The charges come as intelligence officials are warning that “violent opportunists” have been emboldened nationwide by attacks on law enforcement officials amid protests.
In a Tuesday internal intelligence assessment, U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials warned “this could lead to an increase in potentially lethal engagements with law enforcement officials as violent opportunists increasingly infiltrate ongoing protest activity.”
AP obtained a copy of the document, which cites the shooting of a Las Vegas police officer during protests and two other officers shooting a heavily armed man at a nearby federal courthouse.
“Law enforcement officers continue to be the primary targets of firearm attacks, though several incidents last night involved violent opportunists shooting into crowds of protesters,” the assessment states.
The anti-government “boogaloo” movement is a loose network of gun enthusiasts who often express support for overthrowing the U.S. government. Its name, a reference to a 1984 movie called “Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo,” is a code word for a second civil war.
The movement is rooted in online meme culture, but the coronavirus pandemic has become a catalyst for real-world activity. Many “boogaloo” followers have shown up at COVID-19 lockdown protests armed with rifles and wearing tactical vests over Hawaiian shirts and leis, a nod to the “big luau” derivation of the movement’s name.
While some “boogaloo” promoters insist they aren’t genuinely advocating for violence, law enforcement officials say they have foiled bombing and shooting plots by people who have connections to the movement or at least used its terminology.


shareblue--2020-06-05--News you might have missed: Ferguson elects its first black mayor

This week , the cast of `` Sesame Street '' will join CNN for a town hall on racism , New Mexico could send a historic congressional delegation to Washington next year , and protesters in D.C. join together in song .
Read on to see what else you might have missed this week in the news .
Ella Jones 'gives people hope ' as Ferguson 's first black mayor On Tuesday , Ella Jones was elected mayor of Ferguson , Missouri , becoming both the first woman and the first black person to lead the city .
Jones , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman elected to the Ferguson City Council , was elected mayor of the city that became the epicenter of protests against racist police brutality after the Aug. 9 , 2014 , shooting of Michael Brown , a black man , by a white police officer .
`` My election gives people hope , '' Jones told the New York Times on Wednesday .
Jones won with 54 % of the vote , defeating white Ferguson City Council member Heather Robinett .
Both Jones and Robinett expressed support for the nationwide protests following the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man in Minnesota who died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes .
Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam announced on Thursday that a prominent statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in Richmond will be removed in the coming weeks .
Four other statues honoring the Confederacy will also be removed from Richmond 's Monument Avenue .
The 12-ton statue of Lee will be placed in storage , and Northam vowed to work with the community to decide what to do with it .
`` When a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that big and prominent , she knows it must be important .
When it 's the biggest thing around , it sends a clear message : This is what we value the most , '' Northam said on Thursday .
`` Richmond is no longer the capital of the Confederacy , '' said the city 's mayor , Democrat Levar Stoney .
Portland schools to invest more in counselors , less in armed guards Portland schools will spend less money on armed guards and more money on direct support for students , Portland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .
Oregon 's largest school district is `` discontinuing the regular presence of School Resource Officers '' associated with the Portland police department , Guerrero tweeted on Thursday , proposing to use the money currently spent on them to increase investments in `` social workers , counselors , culturally-specific partnerships & more . ''
Guerrero 's decision came as protesters across the country demonstrate against racist police brutality following the death of George Floyd in Minnesota .
Statue of racist , homophobic mayor comes down in Philadelphia A statue honoring racist and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removed from a prominent location across from City Hall on Wednesday .
Rizzo , who was mayor of Philadelphia between 1972 and 1980 and had previously served as police commissioner , once urged residents to `` vote white , '' and was known to use homophobic slurs .
`` The Frank Rizzo statue represented bigotry , hatred , and oppression for too many people , for too long .
It is finally gone , '' current Mayor Jim Kenney said on Wednesday .
Business owners in Minnesota , New York , and around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests against police violence , even after their property had been damaged .
`` Let my building burn , Justice needs to be served , '' Ruhel Islam , owner of the Gandhi Mahal restaurant in Minneapolis , said on May 29 via Facebook .
Missy O'Reilly , a karaoke bar owner in New York , said on Monday that broken glass is `` an easy fix compared to what people of color are dealing with in this country . ''
`` Our broken windows are nothing compared to 400 years of broken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Urban Grape , a liquor store in the South End of Boston , told Boston.com on Monday .
`` Please do n't let what happened after the protest drown out the more important story — our country wants and needs change .
Our time is now . ''
New Mexico could send a historic delegation to the US House If each Democratic U.S. House candidate in the state wins in November , New Mexico would have the largest-ever congressional delegation consisting entirely of women of color , the Associated Press reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leger Fernandez , who is Latina , won the Democratic primary for a seat in the northern part of the state vacated by Rep. Ben Ray Lujan , a Democrat who is running for Senate .
Rep. Deb Haaland , one of the nation 's first Native American congresswomen , and Rep. Xochitl Torres Small , a descendent of Mexican immigrants , already represent the two other seats and will run for reelection .
Other states have sent smaller delegations entirely made up of women of color : The largest has been Hawaii @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only representative is currently Lisa Blunt Rochester , a black woman .
CNN and 'Sesame Street ' will host town hall on racism On Saturday morning , popular characters from the children 's television show `` Sesame Street '' will join CNN anchors for `` Coming Together : Standing Up to Racism , '' a town hall geared toward children and families , CNN announced on Tuesday .
Elmo , Abby Cadabby , Rosita , and other residents of Sesame Street will field questions submitted by families .
The hour-long special will `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent nationwide protests , embracing diversity , and being more empathetic and understanding , '' CNN said .
As the sun began to set Wednesday evening , protesters outside the White House joined together to sing `` Lean on Me , '' the song written and made famous by the late Bill Withers .
The crowd was gathered to protest racist police brutality , one of many such protests sparked by the death of George Floyd .
`` Surreal , beautiful , peaceful scene outside the White House as a man sings 'Lean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of protesters raise lighted cellphones and join their voices with his , '' Hannah Natanson , a Washington Post reporter , tweeted .

This week, the cast of “Sesame Street” will join CNN for a town hall on racism, New Mexico could send a historic congressional delegation to Washington next year, and protesters in D.C. join together in song.
Read on to see what else you might have missed this week in the news.
On Tuesday, Ella Jones was elected mayor of Ferguson, Missouri, becoming both the first woman and the first black person to lead the city.
Jones, who in 2015 was the first black woman elected to the Ferguson City Council, was elected mayor of the city that became the epicenter of protests against racist police brutality after the Aug. 9, 2014, shooting of Michael Brown, a black man, by a white police officer.
“My election gives people hope,” Jones told the New York Times on Wednesday.
Jones won with 54% of the vote, defeating white Ferguson City Council member Heather Robinett.
Both Jones and Robinett expressed support for the nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd, a black man in Minnesota who died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced on Thursday that a prominent statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in Richmond will be removed in the coming weeks.
Four other statues honoring the Confederacy will also be removed from Richmond’s Monument Avenue.
The 12-ton statue of Lee will be placed in storage, and Northam vowed to work with the community to decide what to do with it.
“When a young child looks up and sees something that big and prominent, she knows it must be important. When it’s the biggest thing around, it sends a clear message: This is what we value the most,” Northam said on Thursday.
“Richmond is no longer the capital of the Confederacy,” said the city’s mayor, Democrat Levar Stoney.
Portland schools will spend less money on armed guards and more money on direct support for students, Portland Public Schools Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero announced on Thursday.
Oregon’s largest school district is “discontinuing the regular presence of School Resource Officers” associated with the Portland police department, Guerrero tweeted on Thursday, proposing to use the money currently spent on them to increase investments in “social workers, counselors, culturally-specific partnerships & more.”
Guerrero’s decision came as protesters across the country demonstrate against racist police brutality following the death of George Floyd in Minnesota.
A statue honoring racist and homophobic former Philadelphia Mayor Frank Rizzo was removed from a prominent location across from City Hall on Wednesday.
Rizzo, who was mayor of Philadelphia between 1972 and 1980 and had previously served as police commissioner, once urged residents to “vote white,” and was known to use homophobic slurs.
Rizzo died in 1991.
“The Frank Rizzo statue represented bigotry, hatred, and oppression for too many people, for too long. It is finally gone,” current Mayor Jim Kenney said on Wednesday.
Business owners in Minnesota, New York, and around the country continued to support the nationwide protests against police violence, even after their property had been damaged.
“Let my building burn, Justice needs to be served,” Ruhel Islam, owner of the Gandhi Mahal restaurant in Minneapolis, said on May 29 via Facebook.
Missy O’Reilly, a karaoke bar owner in New York, said on Monday that broken glass is “an easy fix compared to what people of color are dealing with in this country.”
“Our broken windows are nothing compared to 400 years of broken lives,” Hadley Douglas, owner of the Urban Grape, a liquor store in the South End of Boston, told Boston.com on Monday. “Please don’t let what happened after the protest drown out the more important story — our country wants and needs change. Our time is now.”
If each Democratic U.S. House candidate in the state wins in November, New Mexico would have the largest-ever congressional delegation consisting entirely of women of color, the Associated Press reported on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Teresa Leger Fernandez, who is Latina, won the Democratic primary for a seat in the northern part of the state vacated by Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, a Democrat who is running for Senate.
Rep. Deb Haaland, one of the nation’s first Native American congresswomen, and Rep. Xochitl Torres Small, a descendent of Mexican immigrants, already represent the two other seats and will run for reelection.
Other states have sent smaller delegations entirely made up of women of color: The largest has been Hawaii’s two-person delegation, and Delaware’s only representative is currently Lisa Blunt Rochester, a black woman.
On Saturday morning, popular characters from the children’s television show “Sesame Street” will join CNN anchors for “Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism,” a town hall geared toward children and families, CNN announced on Tuesday.
Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Rosita, and other residents of Sesame Street will field questions submitted by families.
The hour-long special will “talk to kids about racism, the recent nationwide protests, embracing diversity, and being more empathetic and understanding,” CNN said.
As the sun began to set Wednesday evening, protesters outside the White House joined together to sing “Lean on Me,” the song written and made famous by the late Bill Withers.
The crowd was gathered to protest racist police brutality, one of many such protests sparked by the death of George Floyd.
“Surreal, beautiful, peaceful scene outside the White House as a man sings ‘Lean On Me’ and thousands and thousands of protesters raise lighted cellphones and join their voices with his,” Hannah Natanson, a Washington Post reporter, tweeted.


shareblue--2020-06-05--LGBTQ groups use Pride Month to denounce police brutality against black community

LGBTQ Pride groups across the country are denouncing or cutting ties with local police departments in the wake of George Floyd 's killing and the protests it sparked against police brutality .
Some LGBTQ Pride groups say they are reconsidering their relationships with police departments entirely for future Pride Month events .
Many Pride events have already been canceled due to the pandemic and virtual events are taking their place .
Indy Pride announced on Thursday it was taking steps to reduce the police presence at its Pride events .
Like many others , the group canceled its in-person celebrations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that future events will not contract with police departments for security .
The group said it would contract with a security firm instead .
Indianapolis mandates that police be used to assist with traffic issues at events , meaning officers will still be present to assist in that capacity .
`` We have a responsibility to address systemic inequities as well as listen and support the brown and black community .
The Indy Pride Virtual Festival will uplift black and brown people in our community , spotlight their stories , and showcase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indy Pride stated .
On Wednesday , Capital Pride Alliance , which is in charge of Pride Month events in Washington , D.C. , released a statement in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement as well .
`` Pride this year comes on the heels of a global pandemic and a nation confronting the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers , '' Capital Pride Alliance president Ashley Smith said .
`` ...
This horrific tragedy , and the murders of Breonna Taylor , Tony McDade , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , have created a nationwide uprising crying out for racial justice and the protection of Black life . ''
Ryan Bos , executive director of Capital Pride Alliance , stated that the group was `` committed to assessing our relationship with the Metropolitan Police Department '' and `` making certain that our partners are working for the betterment of the entire community . ''
In San Francisco , Pride officials are hosting a roundtable on attacks against black transgender people that includes members of LGBTQ advocacy groups .
And on Tuesday , Rhode @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` condemns the violent murder '' of Floyd , a black man who died after a white police officer in Minneapolis knelt on his neck for nearly 10 minutes , killing him .
`` Rhode Island Pride acknowledges that for centuries , people of color in America have been abused , assaulted , and murdered by law enforcement , '' the group wrote .
`` Rhode Island Pride acknowledges that more often than not , police are defenders of property rather than protectors of minority rights and safety . ''
The group has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` in solidarity with George Floyd 's family and the Black Lives Matter Movement , '' according to the Providence Journal .
Despite renewed interest on Pride groups ' ties to police departments across the country and leaders ' statements in solidarity with the ongoing protests , LGBTQ organizers of color have been fighting law enforcement involvement in Pride events for years .
In 2017 , activists from the LGBTQ collective No Justice No Pride created a blockade to protest the Capital Pride Parade , which caused delays during the event .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop uniformed police officers from being included in the event .
It is still calling for those measures this year .
Last year , Sacramento Pride parade organizers announced they were banning uniformed officers from Pride events .
Earlier this year , seven San Francisco Pride members similarly moved to ban Alameda County Sheriff 's Office from marching in the San Francisco parade after it forced black mothers out of their housing in January by breaking through the door with a battering ram and sending in an armored vehicle .
San Francisco Pride @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implement no such ban because only a few members supported the idea .
The Los Angeles Pride Parade meanwhile is re-envisioning its event this year , which has been canceled to prevent the spread of COVID-19 , as a solidarity march against police violence .
Leaders were scrutinized earlier this month after it was discovered they were working with police for the event , and had encouraged `` a strong and unified partnership with law enforcement . ''
In a statement on Thursday , LA Pride leaders said they had heard the criticism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on how to be an ally in the fight against systemic social injustice and police brutality and to work for justice reform . ''
`` We are here to listen and learn , '' they wrote , promising further information on the event in the following days .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

LGBTQ Pride groups across the country are denouncing or cutting ties with local police departments in the wake of George Floyd’s killing and the protests it sparked against police brutality.
Some LGBTQ Pride groups say they are reconsidering their relationships with police departments entirely for future Pride Month events.
Many Pride events have already been canceled due to the pandemic and virtual events are taking their place.
Indy Pride announced on Thursday it was taking steps to reduce the police presence at its Pride events. Like many others, the group canceled its in-person celebrations due to concerns about COVID-19, but said that future events will not contract with police departments for security.
The group said it would contract with a security firm instead.
Indianapolis mandates that police be used to assist with traffic issues at events, meaning officers will still be present to assist in that capacity.
“We have a responsibility to address systemic inequities as well as listen and support the brown and black community. The Indy Pride Virtual Festival will uplift black and brown people in our community, spotlight their stories, and showcase their contributions to our community,” Indy Pride stated.
On Wednesday, Capital Pride Alliance, which is in charge of Pride Month events in Washington, D.C., released a statement in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement as well.
“Pride this year comes on the heels of a global pandemic and a nation confronting the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers,” Capital Pride Alliance president Ashley Smith said. “…This horrific tragedy, and the murders of Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and Ahmaud Arbery by police and white vigilantes, have created a nationwide uprising crying out for racial justice and the protection of Black life.”
Ryan Bos, executive director of Capital Pride Alliance, stated that the group was “committed to assessing our relationship with the Metropolitan Police Department” and “making certain that our partners are working for the betterment of the entire community.”
In San Francisco, Pride officials are hosting a roundtable on attacks against black transgender people that includes members of LGBTQ advocacy groups.
And on Tuesday, Rhode Island Pride issued a statement saying it “condemns the violent murder” of Floyd, a black man who died after a white police officer in Minneapolis knelt on his neck for nearly 10 minutes, killing him.
“Rhode Island Pride acknowledges that for centuries, people of color in America have been abused, assaulted, and murdered by law enforcement,” the group wrote. “Rhode Island Pride acknowledges that more often than not, police are defenders of property rather than protectors of minority rights and safety.”
The group has canceled its Pride flag events this year “in solidarity with George Floyd’s family and the Black Lives Matter Movement,” according to the Providence Journal.
Despite renewed interest on Pride groups’ ties to police departments across the country and leaders’ statements in solidarity with the ongoing protests, LGBTQ organizers of color have been fighting law enforcement involvement in Pride events for years.
In 2017, activists from the LGBTQ collective No Justice No Pride created a blockade to protest the Capital Pride Parade, which caused delays during the event. One of the collective’s demands was to stop uniformed police officers from being included in the event.
It is still calling for those measures this year.
Last year, Sacramento Pride parade organizers announced they were banning uniformed officers from Pride events. Earlier this year, seven San Francisco Pride members similarly moved to ban Alameda County Sheriff’s Office from marching in the San Francisco parade after it forced black mothers out of their housing in January by breaking through the door with a battering ram and sending in an armored vehicle.
San Francisco Pride’s executive director later said it would implement no such ban because only a few members supported the idea.
The Los Angeles Pride Parade meanwhile is re-envisioning its event this year, which has been canceled to prevent the spread of COVID-19, as a solidarity march against police violence. Leaders were scrutinized earlier this month after it was discovered they were working with police for the event, and had encouraged “a strong and unified partnership with law enforcement.”
In a statement on Thursday, LA Pride leaders said they had heard the criticism and were “committed to educating ourselves on how to be an ally in the fight against systemic social injustice and police brutality and to work for justice reform.”
“We are here to listen and learn,” they wrote, promising further information on the event in the following days.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-05--Police admit to tear-gassing protesters before immediately changing their mind

On Friday , a U.S. Park Police spokesperson walked back the agency 's claim that officers did not use tear gas on Monday evening to disperse a crowd across the street from the White House , Vox reported .
`` It was a mistake on our part for using 'tear gas ' because we just assumed people would think CS or CN , '' Sgt .
Eduardo Delgado said .
`` It was kind of a fault on our part just not saying in the first place 'we did not use CN or CS , we used smoke and pepper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made it a moot point , '' he added .
However , hours later , around 4 P.M .
ET , Park Police officials reversed course , issuing a new statement once again denying officers had used tear gas on the crowd .
`` United States Park Police officers and other assisting law enforcement partners did not use tear gas or OC Skat Shells to close the area at Lafayette Park in response to violent protestors , '' they said .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has itself described a variety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' including those mentioned in the Park Police 's earlier statement .
`` Riot control agents ( sometimes referred to as 'tear gas ' ) are chemical compounds that temporarily make people unable to function by causing irritation to the eyes , mouth , throat , lungs , and skin , '' a CDC fact sheet reads .
Both pepper balls and pepper spray , which were used by the Park Police against peaceful protesters on Monday , were included in the CDC list of riot control agents .
The confusion follows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in which it claimed its officers `` did not use tear gas '' on Monday night .
Later that day , the Trump campaign demanded media outlets retract articles stating that tear gas was used .
`` It 's said that a lie can get halfway around the world before the truth can get its pants on .
This tear gas lie is proof of that , '' Tim Murtaugh , communications director for Trump 's 2020 campaign , said .
`` For nearly an entire day , the whole of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a tear gas attack on 'peaceful ' protestors in Lafayette Park , with no evidence to support such claims . ''
The following day , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany made the same false claim as the Park Police , telling reporters , `` No tear gas was used , and no rubber bullets were used . ''
On Monday , protesters were gathered in Lafayette Park , across the street from the White House , as part of nationwide protests against racist police violence sparked by the death of George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following a white police officer kneeling on his neck for more than eight minutes .
Shortly before 7 p.m. , federal law enforcement officers used tear gas to forcibly clear the protesters , including clergy , away from the area so that Trump could walk through the area to pose in front of a nearby church with a Bible .
After the attack on peaceful protesters , the Trump administration gave conflicting reasons for clearing out the protesters , according to the Washington Post , including claiming that some protesters threw objects at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not witness any objects thrown at officers .
Trump later said he did not know protesters were in the park .
`` When I said , 'Go to the church , ' I did n't know protesters or not , '' Trump said , adding , `` Nobody tells me that . ''
The Post reported that Attorney General Bill Barr gave the order to clear the park of protesters shortly before Trump walked from the White House to the church .
This article was updated to include additional statements from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compounds against peaceful protesters .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

On Friday, a U.S. Park Police spokesperson walked back the agency’s claim that officers did not use tear gas on Monday evening to disperse a crowd across the street from the White House, Vox reported.
“It was a mistake on our part for using ‘tear gas’ because we just assumed people would think CS or CN,” Sgt. Eduardo Delgado said. “It was kind of a fault on our part just not saying in the first place ‘we did not use CN or CS, we used smoke and pepper balls,’ and that would’ve made it a moot point,” he added.
However, hours later, around 4 P.M. ET, Park Police officials reversed course, issuing a new statement once again denying officers had used tear gas on the crowd.
“United States Park Police officers and other assisting law enforcement partners did not use tear gas or OC Skat Shells to close the area at Lafayette Park in response to violent protestors,” they said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has itself described a variety of chemical agents as “tear gas,” including those mentioned in the Park Police’s earlier statement.
“Riot control agents (sometimes referred to as ‘tear gas’) are chemical compounds that temporarily make people unable to function by causing irritation to the eyes, mouth, throat, lungs, and skin,” a CDC fact sheet reads.
Both pepper balls and pepper spray, which were used by the Park Police against peaceful protesters on Monday, were included in the CDC list of riot control agents.
The confusion follows an earlier Park Police statement on Tuesday, in which it claimed its officers “did not use tear gas” on Monday night. Later that day, the Trump campaign demanded media outlets retract articles stating that tear gas was used.
“It’s said that a lie can get halfway around the world before the truth can get its pants on. This tear gas lie is proof of that,” Tim Murtaugh, communications director for Trump’s 2020 campaign, said. “For nearly an entire day, the whole of the press corps frantically reported the ‘news’ of a tear gas attack on ‘peaceful’ protestors in Lafayette Park, with no evidence to support such claims.”
The following day, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany made the same false claim as the Park Police, telling reporters, “No tear gas was used, and no rubber bullets were used.”
On Monday, protesters were gathered in Lafayette Park, across the street from the White House, as part of nationwide protests against racist police violence sparked by the death of George Floyd, a black man who died following a white police officer kneeling on his neck for more than eight minutes.
Shortly before 7 p.m., federal law enforcement officers used tear gas to forcibly clear the protesters, including clergy, away from the area so that Trump could walk through the area to pose in front of a nearby church with a Bible.
After the attack on peaceful protesters, the Trump administration gave conflicting reasons for clearing out the protesters, according to the Washington Post, including claiming that some protesters threw objects at officers. CNN reporters on the scene did not witness any objects thrown at officers.
Trump later said he did not know protesters were in the park.
“When I said, ‘Go to the church,’ I didn’t know protesters or not,” Trump said, adding, “Nobody tells me that.”
The Post reported that Attorney General Bill Barr gave the order to clear the park of protesters shortly before Trump walked from the White House to the church.
This article was updated to include additional statements from the Park Police regarding its use of chemical compounds against peaceful protesters.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-05--Cops say they didn't push 75-year-old to the ground — but there's video

A video released by a radio station in Buffalo , New York , on Thursday shows police officers in the city deliberately pushing a protester to the ground .
The protester , identified as 75-year-old longtime peace activist Martin Gugino , can be seen in the video falling to the ground and hitting his head , after which he lies still , with blood pooling on the pavement under his head .
Police officers are then seen walking past Gugino as he lies on the pavement .
Initially , a spokesman for the Buffalo Police issued a statement claiming that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city 's curfew , `` one person was injured when he tripped & fell . ''
Radio station WBFO said it posted the video in response to the statement .
Two Buffalo Police officers have been suspended without pay pending a review of the incident , one of a number of documented cases of police brutality against people who have taken to the streets to protest such violence .
In response to the suspensions , the entire Emergency Response Team , the police unit that was on the streets during the protest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disgust because of the treatment of two of their members , who were simply executing orders , ” said John Evans , president of the Buffalo Police Benevolent Association .
The latest protests began after the death of George Floyd , an unarmed black man who died after a police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes as Floyd repeated that he could n't breathe .
While the protests are mostly peaceful , some of the demonstrations have turned violent , with instances of looting , arson , and destruction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state and local officials to deploy riot police and even the National Guard to restore order .
In Washington , D.C. , military police on Monday tear-gassed peaceful protesters gathered outside the White House to clear the area for Donald Trump to stage a photo-op .
In Los Angeles , video surfaced this week of police shooting rubber bullets at teenagers gathered on the street .
In New York , police have been filmed beating and pepper-spraying peaceful protesters .
One video shows a police car driving through a gathering of protesters in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the demonstrators .
Democrats in Congress , spurred by the Congressional Black Caucus , are working on legislation aimed at reforming policing in the United States .
`` The completely unwarranted use of force by police in front of Buffalo City Hall last night is a call to action for our city and country , '' Rep. Brian Higgins , a Democrat who represents New York 's 26th Congressional District , which includes Buffalo , said in a statement .
`` Videos are exposing unchecked bad actors and the painful truth of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too long . ''
Said Higgins , `` There is clearly much more work to do . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A video released by a radio station in Buffalo, New York, on Thursday shows police officers in the city deliberately pushing a protester to the ground.
The protester, identified as 75-year-old longtime peace activist Martin Gugino, can be seen in the video falling to the ground and hitting his head, after which he lies still, with blood pooling on the pavement under his head.
Police officers are then seen walking past Gugino as he lies on the pavement.
Initially, a spokesman for the Buffalo Police issued a statement claiming that during a protest that had run past the city’s curfew, “one person was injured when he tripped & fell.”
Radio station WBFO said it posted the video in response to the statement.
Two Buffalo Police officers have been suspended without pay pending a review of the incident, one of a number of documented cases of police brutality against people who have taken to the streets to protest such violence.
In response to the suspensions, the entire Emergency Response Team, the police unit that was on the streets during the protest, resigned.
“Fifty-seven resigned in disgust because of the treatment of two of their members, who were simply executing orders,” said John Evans, president of the Buffalo Police Benevolent Association.
The latest protests began after the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died after a police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes as Floyd repeated that he couldn’t breathe.
While the protests are mostly peaceful, some of the demonstrations have turned violent, with instances of looting, arson, and destruction of property.
The chaos has led state and local officials to deploy riot police and even the National Guard to restore order.
In Washington, D.C., military police on Monday tear-gassed peaceful protesters gathered outside the White House to clear the area for Donald Trump to stage a photo-op.
In Los Angeles, video surfaced this week of police shooting rubber bullets at teenagers gathered on the street.
In New York, police have been filmed beating and pepper-spraying peaceful protesters. One video shows a police car driving through a gathering of protesters in Brooklyn last week, hitting some of the demonstrators.
Democrats in Congress, spurred by the Congressional Black Caucus, are working on legislation aimed at reforming policing in the United States.
“The completely unwarranted use of force by police in front of Buffalo City Hall last night is a call to action for our city and country,” Rep. Brian Higgins, a Democrat who represents New York’s 26th Congressional District, which includes Buffalo, said in a statement. “Videos are exposing unchecked bad actors and the painful truth of what has been happening in our communities for too long.”
Said Higgins, “There is clearly much more work to do.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-05--Another 2.8 million Americans could lose their jobs if GOP gets its way

Another 2.8 million jobs could be lost if an unemployment provision in the coronavirus relief bill is not renewed , according to a new report from Congress .
The report , from the Joint Economic Committee , warned that unless a federal supplement to unemployment benefits is extended past its July 31 expiration date , `` as many as 2.8 million jobs '' could be lost , increasing the unemployment rate `` by as much as 1.8 percent . ''
The report , titled `` Cutting off Additional Unemployment Benefits While Millions are Unemployed Would be a Human and Economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bipartisan , bicameral committee , which is responsible for tracking the economy and suggesting ways to improve it .
It estimated that in April , federal pandemic unemployment compensation , which provides $ 600 per week in additional federal funds to tens of millions of newly unemployed Americans , `` offset roughly 30 percent of the loss in private-sector wages and salaries '' during the COVID-19 crisis .
The program was part of the coronavirus relief bill passed in March , which approved $ 2.3 trillion in funds to stabilize the economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extend the program past its current expiration date in July .
Last month , the Democratic-controlled House passed a bill that would extend Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation through the end of January 2021 .
Many Republicans , however , have said they want to let the program end .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said last month that the bille was `` dead on arrival '' and vowed that to fight an extension of the benefits .
On Thursday , dozens of House Republicans signed a letter demanding the program be allowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are too generous and would harlm `` employers ' ability to incentivize employees to return to the workplace . ''
The joint committee report , however , suggested that this concern was `` misplaced , '' and that economic research shows little indication that this is a major problem .
Rep. Don Beyer ( D-VA ) , who serves as vice chair of the joint ommittee , said Friday that newly released unemployment numbers for May show that the program is vital .
Noting that `` more than 20 million Americans remain unemployed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release that it is `` critical that we continue Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation and the Paycheck Protection Program , and get state and local governments the support they need .
Workers and businesses need to know that we are all in this together and that we will provide them with support for as long as the economy remains weak . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Another 2.8 million jobs could be lost if an unemployment provision in the coronavirus relief bill is not renewed, according to a new report from Congress.
The report, from the Joint Economic Committee, warned that unless a federal supplement to unemployment benefits is extended past its July 31 expiration date, “as many as 2.8 million jobs” could be lost, increasing the unemployment rate “by as much as 1.8 percent.”
The report, titled “Cutting off Additional Unemployment Benefits While Millions are Unemployed Would be a Human and Economic Catastrophe,” was released Thursday by the bipartisan, bicameral committee, which is responsible for tracking the economy and suggesting ways to improve it.
It estimated that in April, federal pandemic unemployment compensation, which provides $600 per week in additional federal funds to tens of millions of newly unemployed Americans, “offset roughly 30 percent of the loss in private-sector wages and salaries” during the COVID-19 crisis.
The program was part of the coronavirus relief bill passed in March, which approved $2.3 trillion in funds to stabilize the economy. Democrats in Congress are pushing to extend the program past its current expiration date in July.
Last month, the Democratic-controlled House passed a bill that would extend Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation through the end of January 2021.
Many Republicans, however, have said they want to let the program end. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said last month that the bille was “dead on arrival” and vowed that to fight an extension of the benefits. On Thursday, dozens of House Republicans signed a letter demanding the program be allowed to expire. They argued that the benefits are too generous and would harm “employers’ ability to incentivize employees to return to the workplace.”
The joint committee report, however, suggested that this concern was “misplaced,” and that economic research shows little indication that this is a major problem.
Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), who serves as vice chair of the joint ommittee, said Friday that newly released unemployment numbers for May show that the program is vital.
Noting that “more than 20 million Americans remain unemployed,” he said in a press release that it is “critical that we continue Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation and the Paycheck Protection Program, and get state and local governments the support they need. Workers and businesses need to know that we are all in this together and that we will provide them with support for as long as the economy remains weak.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-05--Racist statues removed across the country amid protests against police brutality

In cities across the nation , public statues honoring racist figures from America 's past are being taken down amid protests against racist violence .
The death of George Floyd , a black man in Minnesota , after a white police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes as Floyd pleaded for breath was the catalyst for more than a week of protests against police brutality against black people that have swept across the country and around the world .
In response to demands for justice , many cities are removing statues depicting figures who fought in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others who embraced racism and bigotry .
Most of the statues honoring Confederate fighters and politicians were erected long after the war , in response to periods during which black people had achieved some measure of progress in the fight for civil rights and equality .
The Southern Poverty Law Center notes `` two distinct periods that saw a significant rise in the dedication of monuments and other symbols .
The first began around 1900 , amid the period in which Southern states were enacting Jim Crow laws to disenfranchise the newly freed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second began in the early 1950s and lasted through the 1960s , as the civil rights movement led to a backlash among segregationists . ''
In Virginia this week , two prominent statues of Confederate figures were marked for removal .
On Thursday , Gov .
Ralph Northam announced that a 12-ton statue of Robert E. Lee in Richmond would be removed in the coming weeks .
`` Richmond is no longer the capital of the Confederacy , '' said Levar Stoney , the mayor of Richmond .
Earlier in the week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in honor of Confederate soldiers erected in the middle of the city in 1889 .
Alexandria `` is constantly changing and evolving , '' Mayor Justin Wilson tweeted Tuesday morning as the statue was removed .
Even in the Deep South , monuments celebrating the Confederacy have come down .
In Alabama , the city of Mobile on Friday removed a statue of Confederate Admiral Raphael Semmes erected in 1905 .
Republican Mayor Sandy Stimpson gave the order to take it down , saying that the removal of the statue `` will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his decision was about `` removing a potential distraction so we may focus clearly on the future of our city . ''
Randall Woodfin , the mayor of Birmingham , Alabama , ordered the Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Monument in the city 's Linn Park , also erected in 1905 , removed on Monday , on Jefferson Davis Day , an official Alabama state holiday .
`` It 's important that we take this down and move forward , '' Woodfin said on Wednesday .
Birmingham has now been sued for removing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In Kentucky , Democratic Gov .
Andy Beshear called for a statue of Jefferson Davis , the president of the Confederacy , to be removed from the state Capitol .
`` I believe the Jefferson Davis statue is a symbol that divides us , '' Beshear said on Thursday , adding that it should be relocated elsewhere `` to put it in historic context . ''
Attorney General Daniel Cameron , a Republican and the first black person to hold that office in Kentucky , agreed with Beshear .
In Philadelphia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figure , Mayor Frank Rizzo , who led the city from 1972 to 1980 , was removed from its location across from City Hall on Wednesday .
Rizzo once asked the residents of the city to `` vote white '' and used violent and aggressive police tactics against black residents when he was police commissioner of the city , as NPR reported .
The statue `` represented bigotry , hatred , and oppression for too many people , for too long , '' current Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said on Wednesday .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provoked racist responses .
In 2017 , white supremacists rioted in Charlottesville , Virginia , against plans to remove a statue of Robert E. Lee .
A woman was killed when a self-identified neo-Nazi drove his car through a group of counterprotesters .
`` The ground is shifting on Confederate monuments as an issue so fast , after so many years of stasis , '' Jeremy Mayer , associate professor at the George Mason University Schar School of Policy and Government , said in an email on Friday .
The issue is `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a nation and a society , revere , '' Mayer said .
`` In Germany , they remember World War II and the Holocaust not by building statues of Goering or Rommel .
They put up small brass plates on the houses of Jews who were liquidated by their government , saying in this house , on this date in 1940 , this family was arrested , imprisoned , and here 's where and how they died .
We could do a lot of that here . ''
Some conservatives expressed opposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Virginia , Republican state Sen. Amanda Chase , who is running for governor , said on Wednesday that Northam 's decision to remove the monuments was a `` cowardly capitulation to the looters and domestic terrorists . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

In cities across the nation, public statues honoring racist figures from America’s past are being taken down amid protests against racist violence.
The death of George Floyd, a black man in Minnesota, after a white police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes as Floyd pleaded for breath was the catalyst for more than a week of protests against police brutality against black people that have swept across the country and around the world.
In response to demands for justice, many cities are removing statues depicting figures who fought in the Civil War to preserve slavery and others who embraced racism and bigotry.
Most of the statues honoring Confederate fighters and politicians were erected long after the war, in response to periods during which black people had achieved some measure of progress in the fight for civil rights and equality.
The Southern Poverty Law Center notes “two distinct periods that saw a significant rise in the dedication of monuments and other symbols. The first began around 1900, amid the period in which Southern states were enacting Jim Crow laws to disenfranchise the newly freed African Americans and re-segregate society. The second began in the early 1950s and lasted through the 1960s, as the civil rights movement led to a backlash among segregationists.”
In Virginia this week, two prominent statues of Confederate figures were marked for removal.
On Thursday, Gov. Ralph Northam announced that a 12-ton statue of Robert E. Lee in Richmond would be removed in the coming weeks. “Richmond is no longer the capital of the Confederacy,” said Levar Stoney, the mayor of Richmond.
Earlier in the week, the city of Alexandria removed a statue in honor of Confederate soldiers erected in the middle of the city in 1889. Alexandria “is constantly changing and evolving,” Mayor Justin Wilson tweeted Tuesday morning as the statue was removed.
Even in the Deep South, monuments celebrating the Confederacy have come down.
In Alabama, the city of Mobile on Friday removed a statue of Confederate Admiral Raphael Semmes erected in 1905. Republican Mayor Sandy Stimpson gave the order to take it down, saying that the removal of the statue “will not change the past,” but that his decision was about “removing a potential distraction so we may focus clearly on the future of our city.”
Randall Woodfin, the mayor of Birmingham, Alabama, ordered the Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Monument in the city’s Linn Park, also erected in 1905, removed on Monday, on Jefferson Davis Day, an official Alabama state holiday. “It’s important that we take this down and move forward,” Woodfin said on Wednesday.
Birmingham has now been sued for removing the monument by Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall.
In Kentucky, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear called for a statue of Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederacy, to be removed from the state Capitol. “I believe the Jefferson Davis statue is a symbol that divides us,” Beshear said on Thursday, adding that it should be relocated elsewhere “to put it in historic context.”
Attorney General Daniel Cameron, a Republican and the first black person to hold that office in Kentucky, agreed with Beshear.
In Philadelphia, a statue honoring a more recent racist figure, Mayor Frank Rizzo, who led the city from 1972 to 1980, was removed from its location across from City Hall on Wednesday. Rizzo once asked the residents of the city to “vote white” and used violent and aggressive police tactics against black residents when he was police commissioner of the city, as NPR reported.
The statue “represented bigotry, hatred, and oppression for too many people, for too long,” current Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said on Wednesday.
The removal of statues honoring racists has often provoked racist responses.
In 2017, white supremacists rioted in Charlottesville, Virginia, against plans to remove a statue of Robert E. Lee. A woman was killed when a self-identified neo-Nazi drove his car through a group of counterprotesters.
“The ground is shifting on Confederate monuments as an issue so fast, after so many years of stasis,” Jeremy Mayer, associate professor at the George Mason University Schar School of Policy and Government, said in an email on Friday.
The issue is “who we honor. What we, as a nation and a society, revere,” Mayer said. “In Germany, they remember World War II and the Holocaust not by building statues of Goering or Rommel. They put up small brass plates on the houses of Jews who were liquidated by their government, saying in this house, on this date in 1940, this family was arrested, imprisoned, and here’s where and how they died. We could do a lot of that here.”
Some conservatives expressed opposition to the removal of racist symbols.
In Virginia, Republican state Sen. Amanda Chase, who is running for governor, said on Wednesday that Northam’s decision to remove the monuments was a “cowardly capitulation to the looters and domestic terrorists.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-05--White supremacist groups caught spreading lies about 'antifa' violence

In the days since Donald Trump blamed antifa activists for an eruption of violence at protests over police killings of black people , social media has lit up with false rumors that the far-left-leaning movement is transporting people to wreak havoc on small cities across America .
The speculation was being raised by conservative news outlets and pro-Trump social media accounts , as well as impostor Facebook and Twitter accounts .
Twitter and Facebook busted some of the instigators behind the unsubstantiated social media chatter .
Twitter determined Monday that a tweet promising antifa would `` move into residential areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent by the white supremacy group Identity Evropa .
The tweet was shared hundreds of times and cited in online news articles before Twitter removed it Monday , a company spokesperson said .
Yet the tweet continued to circulate Tuesday on Facebook and Instagram .
Facebook , using information shared by Twitter , announced Tuesday night it also took down a handful of accounts on its platform that were created by white supremacy groups like Identity Evropa and American Guard , some of them posing as part of the antifa movement .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tried to delegitimize controversial or political protests with baseless theories that they were organized by wealthy financiers or extremist organizations .
Over the weekend , Trump singled out antifa as responsible for the violent protests triggered by the killing of George Floyd , saying in a tweet : `` It 's ANTIFA and the Radical Left . ''
`` Usually you see this when there 's an interest to deflect conversations from protests to just accusing the protests of being violent , organized , or having backers that are evil , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and computer science at Indiana University .
`` The president mentioning it , of course , has generated a huge spike . ''
The conspiracy theories about antifa — short for `` anti-fascists '' and an umbrella term for a leftist militant movement that confronts or resists neo-Nazis and white supremacists at demonstrations — have trickled through cities across the country in recent days .
Police departments say people are phoning in `` tips '' they see on social media claiming antifa is sending buses or even planes full of antifa activists to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Idaho — a rural county of 24,000 — the calls started early Monday morning after one Facebook user said the sheriff had spotted antifa rioters in the area .
The calls did n't taper off until the sheriff 's office debunked the rumor on Facebook .
`` It 's really a small community , where our citizens know us pretty well , '' said Payette County Sheriff Lt. Andy Creech .
`` When the post got out there , we started getting phone calls directly . ''
Meanwhile , Facebook users were also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a shopping center in a New Jersey suburb , saying it would be the center of antifa destruction on Tuesday .
But police had `` no credible information '' that antifa would be present in the area , Toms River Police Department media specialist Jillian Messina said in an email .
The police are n't aware of anyone showing up at all , she added .
Identical Facebook and Twitter posts about busloads of antifa protesters also stumped the Sioux Falls Police Department , where officers in the South Dakota city said they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in town .
But the claims still spread for days ahead of a planned protest this Saturday , said Sam Clemens , a public information officer for the department .
`` Everyone heard there were going to be buses of people , '' Clemens said .
`` It was very specific : There were three busloads . ''
Even the owner of a Michigan limousine business was forced to refute online rumors when two of his buses became the center of a conspiracy theory that liberal financier George Soros was funneling protesters to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widely shared a manipulated photo of his white buses , edited to show the words `` Soros Riot Dance squad '' emblazoned on the sides .
The buses belong to Sean Duval , the owner of local transportation company Golden Limousine International , and do n't have any words printed on them .
Said Duval : `` It 's frustrating when people from the outside start instigating and try to turn American against American . ''

In the days since Donald Trump blamed antifa activists for an eruption of violence at protests over police killings of black people, social media has lit up with false rumors that the far-left-leaning movement is transporting people to wreak havoc on small cities across America.
The speculation was being raised by conservative news outlets and pro-Trump social media accounts, as well as impostor Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Twitter and Facebook busted some of the instigators behind the unsubstantiated social media chatter. Twitter determined Monday that a tweet promising antifa would “move into residential areas” and “white” neighborhoods was sent by the white supremacy group Identity Evropa. The tweet was shared hundreds of times and cited in online news articles before Twitter removed it Monday, a company spokesperson said.
Yet the tweet continued to circulate Tuesday on Facebook and Instagram.
Facebook, using information shared by Twitter, announced Tuesday night it also took down a handful of accounts on its platform that were created by white supremacy groups like Identity Evropa and American Guard, some of them posing as part of the antifa movement.
For years, some social media users have tried to delegitimize controversial or political protests with baseless theories that they were organized by wealthy financiers or extremist organizations. Over the weekend, Trump singled out antifa as responsible for the violent protests triggered by the killing of George Floyd, saying in a tweet: “It’s ANTIFA and the Radical Left.”
“Usually you see this when there’s an interest to deflect conversations from protests to just accusing the protests of being violent, organized, or having backers that are evil,” said Filippo Menczer, a professor of informatics and computer science at Indiana University. “The president mentioning it, of course, has generated a huge spike.”
The conspiracy theories about antifa — short for “anti-fascists” and an umbrella term for a leftist militant movement that confronts or resists neo-Nazis and white supremacists at demonstrations — have trickled through cities across the country in recent days.
Police departments say people are phoning in “tips” they see on social media claiming antifa is sending buses or even planes full of antifa activists to their area.
In Payette County, Idaho — a rural county of 24,000 — the calls started early Monday morning after one Facebook user said the sheriff had spotted antifa rioters in the area. The calls didn’t taper off until the sheriff’s office debunked the rumor on Facebook.
“It’s really a small community, where our citizens know us pretty well,” said Payette County Sheriff Lt. Andy Creech. “When the post got out there, we started getting phone calls directly.”
Meanwhile, Facebook users were also warning their friends to stay clear of a shopping center in a New Jersey suburb, saying it would be the center of antifa destruction on Tuesday.
But police had “no credible information” that antifa would be present in the area, Toms River Police Department media specialist Jillian Messina said in an email. The police aren’t aware of anyone showing up at all, she added.
Identical Facebook and Twitter posts about busloads of antifa protesters also stumped the Sioux Falls Police Department, where officers in the South Dakota city said they didn’t see any unusual bus activity in town. But the claims still spread for days ahead of a planned protest this Saturday, said Sam Clemens, a public information officer for the department.
“Everyone heard there were going to be buses of people,” Clemens said. “It was very specific: There were three busloads.”
Even the owner of a Michigan limousine business was forced to refute online rumors when two of his buses became the center of a conspiracy theory that liberal financier George Soros was funneling protesters to Milan, Michigan. Social media users widely shared a manipulated photo of his white buses, edited to show the words “Soros Riot Dance squad” emblazoned on the sides.
The buses belong to Sean Duval, the owner of local transportation company Golden Limousine International, and don’t have any words printed on them.
Said Duval: “It’s frustrating when people from the outside start instigating and try to turn American against American.”


shareblue--2020-06-05--Trump's approval numbers with black voters are lower than past GOP presidents

Donald Trump claimed on Thursday that he is `` doing very well with African Americans and the vote , '' despite the fact that his approval rating among black voters has lingered just above single digits for the majority of his presidency .
Trump , who once predicted he would gain 95 % of the black vote in the 2020 elections , has frequently claimed to `` have a great relationship with the blacks . ''
On Thursday , he tweeted that he has `` done more for Black Americans , in fact , than any President in U.S. history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican President , the late , great , Abraham Lincoln ... and it 's not even close . ''
But a February NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll found that just 14 % of black voters approved of the job Trump was doing .
Gallup polls put his average black approval ratings at 10 % in 2017 , 11 % in 2018 , and 10 % through November of 2019 .
An April poll found Joe Biden leading Trump among black voters by an 85 % to 7 % margin — not an improvement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him at about 8 % among black voters .
Other recent Republican presidents have had their ups and downs with black voters , but have all experienced significantly higher high points than Trump .
According to Gallup , George W. Bush had an average approval rating of 43 % among black voters in 2001 — his first year in office .
In his second year , that average rose to 46 % approval .
Over time , Bush 's black approval collapsed .
It declined from 32 % in June 2003 to 16 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among black voters averaged just 11 % over his second term in office — comparable to Trump 's numbers .
Bush 's father , George H.W .
Bush , saw relatively high approval ratings among black Americans over the first two years of his presidency .
According to Gallup , he began with 51 % approval rating in January 1989 .
A New York Times/CBS poll found that , by April 1990 , he was up to 56 % support .
The Times wrote that this marked the fourth consecutive poll showing majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his approval among black voters had dropped below 40 % in just one poll during his tenure .
Ronald Reagan began his presidency in January 1981 with 24 % black support , according to Gallup .
But according to the New York Times , his approval crept up after that , going from 28 % in 1985 to 37 % in 1986 .
Trump 's reelection campaign has already spent $ 1 million on an attempt to convince black voters that Trump is `` woke . ''
According to a Washington Post poll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widely panned response to Black Lives Matter protests following the death of George Floyd — 83 % of black Americans believed that Donald Trump was racist and 80 % believed he had made racism worse .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump claimed on Thursday that he is “doing very well with African Americans and the vote,” despite the fact that his approval rating among black voters has lingered just above single digits for the majority of his presidency.
Trump, who once predicted he would gain 95% of the black vote in the 2020 elections, has frequently claimed to “have a great relationship with the blacks.” On Thursday, he tweeted that he has “done more for Black Americans, in fact, than any President in U.S. history, with the possible exception of another Republican President, the late, great, Abraham Lincoln…and it’s not even close.”
But a February NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll found that just 14% of black voters approved of the job Trump was doing. Gallup polls put his average black approval ratings at 10% in 2017, 11% in 2018, and 10% through November of 2019.
An April poll found Joe Biden leading Trump among black voters by an 85% to 7% margin — not an improvement from 2016, when exit polls put him at about 8% among black voters.
Other recent Republican presidents have had their ups and downs with black voters, but have all experienced significantly higher high points than Trump.
According to Gallup, George W. Bush had an average approval rating of 43% among black voters in 2001 — his first year in office. In his second year, that average rose to 46% approval.
Over time, Bush’s black approval collapsed. It declined from 32% in June 2003 to 16% in June 2004. His approval among black voters averaged just 11% over his second term in office — comparable to Trump’s numbers.
Bush’s father, George H.W. Bush, saw relatively high approval ratings among black Americans over the first two years of his presidency. According to Gallup, he began with 51% approval rating in January 1989.
A New York Times/CBS poll found that, by April 1990, he was up to 56% support. The Times wrote that this marked the fourth consecutive poll showing majority support for the elder Bush and that his approval among black voters had dropped below 40% in just one poll during his tenure.
Ronald Reagan began his presidency in January 1981 with 24% black support, according to Gallup. But according to the New York Times, his approval crept up after that, going from 28% in 1985 to 37% in 1986.
Trump’s reelection campaign has already spent $1 million on an attempt to convince black voters that Trump is “woke.”
According to a Washington Post poll released in January — before Trump’s widely panned response to Black Lives Matter protests following the death of George Floyd — 83% of black Americans believed that Donald Trump was racist and 80% believed he had made racism worse.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-05--Biden campaign to unveil economic plan for coronavirus recovery

Joe Biden is pledging to unveil a series of proposals in coming weeks aimed at reversing the economic devastation wrought by the coronavirus pandemic and addressing inequalities that have contributed to protests sweeping the country .
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee and his aides see some parallels to the last time his party wrested the White House from Republicans .
The economic collapse during the final stages of the 2008 presidential campaign gave Barack Obama , with Biden as his running mate , an opportunity to present clear contrasts with GOP policies and make the case for sweeping overhauls .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The current crisis was prompted not by poor bank lending practices but by a dramatic freeze in American life that began in March to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus .
Joblessness is at levels not seen since the Great Depression .
And as some states and cities reopen , the protests responding to the police killing of George Floyd have spurred calls to address inequalities rooted in systemic racism .
`` I come at this from a civil rights standpoint , '' Biden said Thursday during an online fundraiser with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to make any significant progress until we have economic growth , economic justice , economic opportunity . ''
That echoed sentiments Biden offered earlier this week in Philadelphia , where he said the nation must `` deal with systemic racism '' and `` the growing economic inequality in our nation . ''
Unemployment numbers from May were released Friday , providing an updated picture of just how challenging Biden 's job may be if he wins the presidency .
The former vice president says the plans to be unveiled this month will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to capital .
Jake Sullivan , Biden 's senior policy adviser , said there 's been more of an emphasis on job creation and the issues holding back the labor market since the coronavirus outbreak began .
`` We really accelerated our work in that area , both in terms of how the policy team reaches out to experts , and in terms of how the vice president spends his time and structures his economic briefings , '' he said .
In his Thursday fundraiser , Biden touted his proposals for addressing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic growth .
`` Building back what we had before this crisis is not enough , '' he said .
`` We 've got to build back better , invest in jobs and the technology of the future .
The clean energy infrastructure is at the top of that list . ''
Biden 's campaign has hinted it would like to pursue a more expansive set of reforms than those proposed by Obama after the financial crisis .
That includes aid to middle-class families rather than corporations , bolstering workers ' rights , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the labor force , like boosting access to and government support for child and elder care .
It has discussed returning the supply chain to the U.S. '' They are realities about the underlying structure of the American economy that have just been laid bare by this pandemic , '' Bernstein said .
Biden was moving to the left on some economic issues before the virus hit .
That 's part of an effort to woo progressives who 've shunned him .
He supported a minimum-wage increase , adopted some of Bernie Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embraced Elizabeth Warren 's bankruptcy reform plan .
His campaign is also working with Sanders ' advisers to find more common ground on top issues .
But as Biden and other alumni of the Obama administration can attest , grand ambitions sometimes meet more challenging realities .
A new administration generally has about one year to usher its biggest proposals through Congress before attention turns to the midterm elections and the president 's reelection .
Even in the best of times , that can be challenging .
Initially benefiting from strong Democratic majorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 800 billion economic stimulus and major health care and financial services reforms before Republicans took control of the House and blocked most of his agenda .
`` When the tea party got there in 2010 , it 's not that the Obama team did n't go far enough , it 's that Congress blocked us , '' Bernstein said .
While Democrats are increasingly bullish about their odds of taking control of the Senate , there 's little chance they would gain the filibuster-proof majorities they had at points during the Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work with some Republicans .
That , along with the urgency of preventing additional waves of the virus , could make it hard for Biden to deliver on his biggest priorities .
Austan Goolsbee , Obama 's chief economic adviser during the 2008 campaign who later served on the Council of Economic Advisers , noted there was a similar concern during those years that simply reacting to the economic crisis could take the focus off progressive priorities .
There 's a risk of that happening now , he said .
The focus on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and criminal justice reform , and some of the other issues — not that they are n't important , just they 're not going to be the first thing on people 's minds , '' Goolsbee said .
Still , Sara Nelson , president of the Association of Flight Attendants and a leader of the joint Biden-Sanders policy task force on the economy , said making sweeping changes to the economy should be more urgent now — not less .
`` The coronavirus is laying bare all of the holes in our economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course , Biden must win before he can accomplish anything .
And Donald Trump argues that he presided over an economic boom and can do it again if voters give him another term in office .
`` Americans know the economy reached unprecedented heights under President Trump 's leadership before it was artificially interrupted by the coronavirus and they know he will build it back up a second time , '' said Trump campaign spokeswoman Sarah Matthews .
Bernstein said even if there is a recovery , `` we 're going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The idea that Trump built a great economy and then the virus came along and now he 's rebuilding it again just simply does n't correspond to the facts , '' he said .

Joe Biden is pledging to unveil a series of proposals in coming weeks aimed at reversing the economic devastation wrought by the coronavirus pandemic and addressing inequalities that have contributed to protests sweeping the country.
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee and his aides see some parallels to the last time his party wrested the White House from Republicans. The economic collapse during the final stages of the 2008 presidential campaign gave Barack Obama, with Biden as his running mate, an opportunity to present clear contrasts with GOP policies and make the case for sweeping overhauls.
The dynamics are far more complicated today. The current crisis was prompted not by poor bank lending practices but by a dramatic freeze in American life that began in March to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. Joblessness is at levels not seen since the Great Depression. And as some states and cities reopen, the protests responding to the police killing of George Floyd have spurred calls to address inequalities rooted in systemic racism.
“I come at this from a civil rights standpoint,” Biden said Thursday during an online fundraiser with climate activists. “We’re not going to make any significant progress until we have economic growth, economic justice, economic opportunity.”
That echoed sentiments Biden offered earlier this week in Philadelphia, where he said the nation must “deal with systemic racism” and “the growing economic inequality in our nation.”
Unemployment numbers from May were released Friday, providing an updated picture of just how challenging Biden’s job may be if he wins the presidency.
The former vice president says the plans to be unveiled this month will focus on housing, education, and access to capital.
Jake Sullivan, Biden’s senior policy adviser, said there’s been more of an emphasis on job creation and the issues holding back the labor market since the coronavirus outbreak began.
“We really accelerated our work in that area, both in terms of how the policy team reaches out to experts, and in terms of how the vice president spends his time and structures his economic briefings,” he said.
In his Thursday fundraiser, Biden touted his proposals for addressing the climate crisis as a key to economic growth. “Building back what we had before this crisis is not enough,” he said. “We’ve got to build back better, invest in jobs and the technology of the future. The clean energy infrastructure is at the top of that list.”
Biden’s campaign has hinted it would like to pursue a more expansive set of reforms than those proposed by Obama after the financial crisis. That includes aid to middle-class families rather than corporations, bolstering workers’ rights, and removing some barriers to expansion in the labor force, like boosting access to and government support for child and elder care. It has discussed returning the supply chain to the U.S.
“They are realities about the underlying structure of the American economy that have just been laid bare by this pandemic,” Bernstein said.
Biden was moving to the left on some economic issues before the virus hit. That’s part of an effort to woo progressives who’ve shunned him. He supported a minimum-wage increase, adopted some of Bernie Sanders’ free college tuition plan, and embraced Elizabeth Warren’s bankruptcy reform plan.
His campaign is also working with Sanders’ advisers to find more common ground on top issues.
But as Biden and other alumni of the Obama administration can attest, grand ambitions sometimes meet more challenging realities. A new administration generally has about one year to usher its biggest proposals through Congress before attention turns to the midterm elections and the president’s reelection.
Even in the best of times, that can be challenging. Initially benefiting from strong Democratic majorities in Congress, Obama muscled through an $800 billion economic stimulus and major health care and financial services reforms before Republicans took control of the House and blocked most of his agenda.
“When the tea party got there in 2010, it’s not that the Obama team didn’t go far enough, it’s that Congress blocked us,” Bernstein said.
While Democrats are increasingly bullish about their odds of taking control of the Senate, there’s little chance they would gain the filibuster-proof majorities they had at points during the Obama years, forcing a Biden administration to work with some Republicans.
That, along with the urgency of preventing additional waves of the virus, could make it hard for Biden to deliver on his biggest priorities.
Austan Goolsbee, Obama’s chief economic adviser during the 2008 campaign who later served on the Council of Economic Advisers, noted there was a similar concern during those years that simply reacting to the economic crisis could take the focus off progressive priorities. There’s a risk of that happening now, he said.
The focus on the bleak economy “means climate change and criminal justice reform, and some of the other issues — not that they aren’t important, just they’re not going to be the first thing on people’s minds,” Goolsbee said.
Still, Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants and a leader of the joint Biden-Sanders policy task force on the economy, said making sweeping changes to the economy should be more urgent now — not less.
“The coronavirus is laying bare all of the holes in our economic platform,” Nelson said.
Of course, Biden must win before he can accomplish anything. And Donald Trump argues that he presided over an economic boom and can do it again if voters give him another term in office.
“Americans know the economy reached unprecedented heights under President Trump’s leadership before it was artificially interrupted by the coronavirus and they know he will build it back up a second time,” said Trump campaign spokeswoman Sarah Matthews.
Bernstein said even if there is a recovery, “we’re going to be pointing to devastating levels.”
“The idea that Trump built a great economy and then the virus came along and now he’s rebuilding it again just simply doesn’t correspond to the facts,” he said.