shareblue--2020-05-28--Trump sends condolences to virus victims after rage-tweeting 46 times in 15 hours

The coronavirus death toll surpassed the 100,000 mark Wednesday afternoon , leading to an immediate flood of statements from politicians of all stripes issuing condolences to those who have lost loved ones in the pandemic .
Rather than immediately marking the moment , however , Donald Trump instead spent the next 17 hours angrily tweeting nearly 50 times about the Russia investigation that ended more than a year ago , as well as vowing to retaliate against social media companies that attempt to fact-check his lies before finally tweeting a message about the dead .
`` We have just reached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic deaths reaching 100,000 , '' Trump tweeted at 9:37 a.m. Thursday morning .
`` To all of the families & friends of those who have passed , I want to extend my heartfelt sympathy & love for everything that these great people stood for & represent .
God be with you ! ''
Shortly after the death toll reached the 100,000 mark , Trump tweeted a video from right-wing Fox Business host Lou Dobbs , in which Dobbs called Trump the `` greatest president in our history . ''
`` Thank you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a video of Dobbs ' comment .
• Attacked social media companies by falsely saying they were censoring him .
• Celebrated a Texas Supreme Court decision to limit who can vote by mail in the 2020 election .
• Retweeted praise of conservative talk radio show host Rush Limbaugh , who has made racist , sexist , and offensive comments for years .
• Once again mocked presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden for following the Trump administration 's recommendation to wear a mask in public spaces when unable to social distance .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his first wife to tragedies , released a video Wednesday evening , shortly after the death toll climbed past 100,000 .
`` There are moments in our history so grim , so heart-rending , that they 're forever fixed in each of our hearts as shared grief , '' Biden said in the video .
`` Today is one of those moments . ''
Biden went on to offer his condolences , and talked about how he has coped with grief .
`` I know there 's nothing I or anyone else can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pain you feel right now , but I can promise you from experience , the day will come when the memory of your loved one will bring a smile to your lips before it brings a tear to your eyes , '' Biden said .
Other Democratic lawmakers also made statements soon after the milestone was reached .
`` 100,000 Americans are gone .
They were our brothers and sisters .
Our friends and neighbors .
They were more than a number .
They were people we loved , '' Sen. Elizabeth Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brother to the coronavirus , tweeted .
`` And too many of them could have been saved if our federal government had just done more . ''
Sen. Tammy Duckworth ( D-IL ) tweeted , `` Learning that our nation has now lost 100,000 lives to # COVID19 is a moment I will never forget .
I 'm holding each family and friend who have lost a loved one in my heart .
Together , let us honor their memory and never forget this tragic loss . ''
It was n't just Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lisa Murkowski , a Republican , tweeted Wednesday evening , `` As the death toll of lives lost to # COVID19 tragically reached 100,000 Americans today , I joined @ SenBrianSchatz , Sen. @ MarshaBlackburn , & Sen. @ ChrisCoons in leading a bill to pay tribute to the victims of this pandemic with a moment of silence at 12pm on Monday , June 1 , 2020 . ''
`` Our nation has been hit hard by the # coronavirus and today we passed a sad milestone of 100,000 deaths .
I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in aggressive mitigation practices the number would be much greater , '' South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham , normally a staunch Trump ally , tweeted Wednesday night , referring to the social distancing and lockdown measures many states implemented earlier this year .
`` The sacrifices we made as a nation has saved lives .
To those who have lost a loved one , may God provide you comfort . ''
Trump has long refused to take responsibility for his administration 's response to the COVID-19 pandemic , which has now killed more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the past 44 years , according to the BBC .
Experts said that Trump wasted valuable time in responding to the pandemic , and that , had he acted sooner rather than downplay the virus , tens of thousands of lives could have been saved .
It 's unclear whether Trump will say anything more about the milestone on Thursday , as his public calendar does not include any events dedicated to the coronavirus victims .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The coronavirus death toll surpassed the 100,000 mark Wednesday afternoon, leading to an immediate flood of statements from politicians of all stripes issuing condolences to those who have lost loved ones in the pandemic.
Rather than immediately marking the moment, however, Donald Trump instead spent the next 17 hours angrily tweeting nearly 50 times about the Russia investigation that ended more than a year ago, as well as vowing to retaliate against social media companies that attempt to fact-check his lies before finally tweeting a message about the dead.
“We have just reached a very sad milestone with the coronavirus pandemic deaths reaching 100,000,” Trump tweeted at 9:37 a.m. Thursday morning. “To all of the families & friends of those who have passed, I want to extend my heartfelt sympathy & love for everything that these great people stood for & represent. God be with you!”
Shortly after the death toll reached the 100,000 mark, Trump tweeted a video from right-wing Fox Business host Lou Dobbs, in which Dobbs called Trump the “greatest president in our history.”
“Thank you,” Trump tweeted, along with a video of Dobbs’ comment.
Trump also:
Tweeted a veto threat.
Attacked social media companies by falsely saying they were censoring him.
Celebrated a Texas Supreme Court decision to limit who can vote by mail in the 2020 election.
Retweeted praise of conservative talk radio show host Rush Limbaugh, who has made racist, sexist, and offensive comments for years.
Once again mocked presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden for following the Trump administration’s recommendation to wear a mask in public spaces when unable to social distance.
Biden, who lost two children and his first wife to tragedies, released a video Wednesday evening, shortly after the death toll climbed past 100,000.
“There are moments in our history so grim, so heart-rending, that they’re forever fixed in each of our hearts as shared grief,” Biden said in the video. “Today is one of those moments.”
Biden went on to offer his condolences, and talked about how he has coped with grief.
“I know there’s nothing I or anyone else can do to dull the sharpness of the pain you feel right now, but I can promise you from experience, the day will come when the memory of your loved one will bring a smile to your lips before it brings a tear to your eyes,” Biden said.
Other Democratic lawmakers also made statements soon after the milestone was reached.
“100,000 Americans are gone. They were our brothers and sisters. Our friends and neighbors. They were more than a number. They were people we loved,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), who lost her brother to the coronavirus, tweeted. “And too many of them could have been saved if our federal government had just done more.”
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) tweeted, “Learning that our nation has now lost 100,000 lives to #COVID19 is a moment I will never forget. I’m holding each family and friend who have lost a loved one in my heart. Together, let us honor their memory and never forget this tragic loss.”
It wasn’t just Democrats marking the somber moment.
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a Republican, tweeted Wednesday evening, “As the death toll of lives lost to #COVID19 tragically reached 100,000 Americans today, I joined @SenBrianSchatz, Sen. @MarshaBlackburn, & Sen. @ChrisCoons in leading a bill to pay tribute to the victims of this pandemic with a moment of silence at 12pm on Monday, June 1, 2020.”
“Our nation has been hit hard by the #coronavirus and today we passed a sad milestone of 100,000 deaths. I’m convinced that if we had not engaged in aggressive mitigation practices the number would be much greater,” South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, normally a staunch Trump ally, tweeted Wednesday night, referring to the social distancing and lockdown measures many states implemented earlier this year.
“The sacrifices we made as a nation has saved lives. To those who have lost a loved one, may God provide you comfort.”
Trump has long refused to take responsibility for his administration’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has now killed more people than all United States military conflicts over the past 44 years, according to the BBC. Experts said that Trump wasted valuable time in responding to the pandemic, and that, had he acted sooner rather than downplay the virus, tens of thousands of lives could have been saved.
It’s unclear whether Trump will say anything more about the milestone on Thursday, as his public calendar does not include any events dedicated to the coronavirus victims.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-28--Joe Biden offers condolences as coronavirus death toll hits 100,000

Joe Biden released a video Wednesday evening marking the grim U.S. milestone of 100,000 Americans killed by the coronavirus , saying somberly , `` To all of you hurting so badly , I 'm so sorry for your loss '' and `` This nation grieves with you . ''
In the video , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee directly addresses those who have lost relatives and friends .
Evoking the personal tragedies he 's faced in his own life , Biden said , `` I think I know what you 're feeling . ''
`` You feel like you 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the middle of your chest , '' said Biden , who lost his first wife and young daughter in a 1972 car crash and an adult son to cancer in 2015 .
`` It 's suffocating . ''
Biden was attempting to display compassion in contrast to Donald Trump , who critics say has shown little empathy and made only passing acknowledgment of the pandemic 's death toll — instead focusing on issues like an escalating battle with Twitter for fact-checking a post of his .
Trump was in Florida to watch a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weather on Wednesday and did n't address the nation reaching the death milestone upon returning to Washington .
But the White House said , `` President Trump 's prayers for comfort and strength are with all of those grieving the loss of a loved one or friend as a result of this unprecedented plague , and his message to this great nation remains one of resilience , hope and optimism . ''
`` The American people have always been strong and resilient , and the President is proud of their spirit , courage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this virus , '' White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement .
The U.S. death toll is a best estimate and almost certainly an undercount because many people have not been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick .
There have been more than 5.6 million confirmed cases worldwide , according to Johns Hopkins University , and more than 350,000 people globally have died from the virus .
The U.S. has the most reported deaths by far and reached 100,000 deaths in less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video , the former vice president looked directly into the camera and spoke softly from the makeshift basement studio of his Delaware home .
For months , Biden has blamed Trump for inaction and denial in the face of the outbreak that he said drove the American death toll needlessly higher .
In Wednesday 's video , Biden did n't mention Trump by name but referenced his administration in saying that the nation 's loss of life was `` made all the worse knowing that this is a fateful milestone we should have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Biden also pointed to the tragedy in his own life as he sought to provide comfort to the bereaved families left behind .
`` I can promise you from personal experience , '' he said , reprising a line he used before , `` the day will come when the memory of your loved one will bring a smile to your lips before it brings a tear to your eyes . ''
`` For all of you who are hurting so badly , I 'm so sorry for your loss , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grieves with you .
Take some solace from the fact we all grieve with you . ''
Word of the U.S. surpassing 100,000 deaths from the coronavirus broke as Biden was addressing a virtual fundraiser Wednesday evening .
Rather than reference his campaign 's release of the video , however , Biden only sadly shook his head .
During that event , Biden was asked about his ongoing search for a running mate and said that a four-member committee he 's selected to help him decide has now interviewed his top choices .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ him to speak to each candidate personally , followed by a vetting process , `` which takes between six and eight weeks . ''
He had said previously that he hoped to name a running mate by July but on Wednesday suggested that it could be later than that .
`` I hope that , by around the first of August , or in that range , we 'll be able to name who 's going to be my vice presidential nominee , '' Biden said .

Joe Biden released a video Wednesday evening marking the grim U.S. milestone of 100,000 Americans killed by the coronavirus, saying somberly, “To all of you hurting so badly, I’m so sorry for your loss” and “This nation grieves with you.”
In the video, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee directly addresses those who have lost relatives and friends. Evoking the personal tragedies he’s faced in his own life, Biden said, “I think I know what you’re feeling.”
“You feel like you’re being sucked into a black hole in the middle of your chest,” said Biden, who lost his first wife and young daughter in a 1972 car crash and an adult son to cancer in 2015. “It’s suffocating.”
There are moments in our history so grim, so heart-rending, that they're forever fixed in each of our hearts as shared grief. Today is one of those moments. 100,000 lives have now been lost to this virus. To those hurting, I'm so sorry for your loss. The nation grieves with you. pic.twitter.com/SBBRKV4mPZ — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) May 27, 2020
Biden was attempting to display compassion in contrast to Donald Trump, who critics say has shown little empathy and made only passing acknowledgment of the pandemic’s death toll — instead focusing on issues like an escalating battle with Twitter for fact-checking a post of his.
Trump was in Florida to watch a space launch that was delayed by inclement weather on Wednesday and didn’t address the nation reaching the death milestone upon returning to Washington. But the White House said, “President Trump’s prayers for comfort and strength are with all of those grieving the loss of a loved one or friend as a result of this unprecedented plague, and his message to this great nation remains one of resilience, hope and optimism.”
“The American people have always been strong and resilient, and the President is proud of their spirit, courage and determination every single day to defeat this virus,” White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement.
The U.S. death toll is a best estimate and almost certainly an undercount because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick. There have been more than 5.6 million confirmed cases worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University, and more than 350,000 people globally have died from the virus. The U.S. has the most reported deaths by far and reached 100,000 deaths in less than four months.
In Biden’s video, the former vice president looked directly into the camera and spoke softly from the makeshift basement studio of his Delaware home.
For months, Biden has blamed Trump for inaction and denial in the face of the outbreak that he said drove the American death toll needlessly higher. In Wednesday’s video, Biden didn’t mention Trump by name but referenced his administration in saying that the nation’s loss of life was “made all the worse knowing that this is a fateful milestone we should have never reached that could have been avoided.”
Biden also pointed to the tragedy in his own life as he sought to provide comfort to the bereaved families left behind.
“I can promise you from personal experience,” he said, reprising a line he used before, “the day will come when the memory of your loved one will bring a smile to your lips before it brings a tear to your eyes.”
“For all of you who are hurting so badly, I’m so sorry for your loss,” Biden said. “This nation grieves with you. Take some solace from the fact we all grieve with you.”
Word of the U.S. surpassing 100,000 deaths from the coronavirus broke as Biden was addressing a virtual fundraiser Wednesday evening. Rather than reference his campaign’s release of the video, however, Biden only sadly shook his head.
During that event, Biden was asked about his ongoing search for a running mate and said that a four-member committee he’s selected to help him decide has now interviewed his top choices. Biden said the next step is for him to speak to each candidate personally, followed by a vetting process, “which takes between six and eight weeks.”
He had said previously that he hoped to name a running mate by July but on Wednesday suggested that it could be later than that.
“I hope that, by around the first of August, or in that range, we’ll be able to name who’s going to be my vice presidential nominee,” Biden said.


shareblue--2020-05-29--News you might have missed: Marriage equality wins big in court

This week , Minnesota invested tens of millions of dollars in renewable energy , Wisconsin voters will be able to vote safely by mail , and New York chose a winner in a contest to create a video encouraging everyone to wear a mask .
Read on to see what else you might have missed this week in the news .
On Wednesday , Lambda Legal , an LGBTQ-focused civil rights organization , celebrated a federal court ruling that the Social Security Administration can not deny survivor benefits to same-sex couples who were unconstitutionally prevented from being married .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the District of Arizona is a `` tremendous victory for many surviving same-sex spouses nationwide who have been locked out of critical benefits because they were unlawfully barred from marriage for most of their relationships , '' said Peter Renn , counsel in Lambda Legal 's western regional office , who is working on the case .
Lambda Legal filed the lawsuit on behalf of Michael Ely , an Arizona man who married his partner , James Taylor , as soon as Arizona 's ban on same-sex marriage was struck down .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the marriage took place .
The Social Security Administration had denied Ely survivor benefits because he and Taylor had been married less than nine months .
`` The court today recognized that , and affirmed that , in striking down the marriage bans , the Supreme Court made clear that same-sex couples should have access to all the protections of marriage and that the scourge of the decades-long discrimination should not be allowed to endure , '' said Karen Lowey , Lambda Legal senior counsel and seniors strategist .
Democratic Pennsylvania Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he will push to increase the state 's minimum wage as part of a broad pandemic recovery effort .
Wolf is looking to increase the minimum wage in the state to $ 12 per hour , and later to $ 15 per hour .
Pennsylvania 's current minimum wage is $ 7.25 per hour and has not been raised in more than a decade .
Wolf has called for the Republican-led Legislature to raise the minimum wage half a dozen times in the past .
Voters in Wisconsin will be mailed an absentee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state 's election commission announced on Wednesday .
The decision affects nearly 3 million voters and will ensure they do not have to choose between their right to vote and their health during the pandemic .
Voters will receive an application by mail , fill it out , and return it , along with a copy of their photo ID , to receive a ballot .
They will also receive information on how to request a ballot through the state 's MyVote website .
Michigan will also mail voters absentee ballot applications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a ballot .
The state of Michigan has created an online portal to help local businesses ensure workers and customers are safe as businesses begin to reopen .
The platform , run through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation 's Pure Michigan Business Connect program , allows businesses that need face masks , gloves , goggles , and other safety equipment to contact Michigan companies that can fill the demand .
The program will `` help employers access the PPE they need to ensure their employees feel safe returning to work , while also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to economic recovery efforts , '' said Democratic Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer .
`` We want to ensure we are opening up in a way that is safe , smart and does not undo the progress we have made in flattening the curve of COVID-19 , '' Whitmer said .
Minnesota Democratic Gov .
Tim Walz signed 21 bills into law on Wednesday , including measures to invest $ 70 million in renewable energy , Walz 's office announced .
One of the new laws allocates $ 20 million for what it calls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incentive program '' and $ 2.75 million to upgrade a hydroelectric project in Granite Falls , about 130 miles west of Minneapolis .
The legislation will `` shore up our investment in renewable energy , '' Walz said in a statement , adding he was `` proud to work with our legislative partners to get these bills across the finish line . ''
Crayola launches crayons for dozens of different skin tones To celebrate United Nations World Day for Cultural Diversity , Crayola announced the release of 24 new crayons so children across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the world . ''
`` Crayola hopes our new Colors of the World crayons will increase representation and foster a greater sense of belonging and acceptance , '' Rich Wuerthele , the company 's CEO , said in a statement .
The new colors will have labels in English , Spanish , and French , and will range from `` Extra Light Almond '' to `` Deepest Almond . ''
On Tuesday , New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo announced that `` We Heart New York , '' a video made by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lake Films , had won a statewide contest to create a 30-second ad to encourage New Yorkers to wear masks during the coronavirus pandemic .
The winning ad , along with the runner-up , will run as public service announcements .
`` We launched the Wear A Mask New York contest to help spread the word about the importance of wearing a mask , and frankly this contest generated much more energy and excitement than I even anticipated , '' Cuomo said in a statement .

This week, Minnesota invested tens of millions of dollars in renewable energy, Wisconsin voters will be able to vote safely by mail, and New York chose a winner in a contest to create a video encouraging everyone to wear a mask.
Read on to see what else you might have missed this week in the news.
On Wednesday, Lambda Legal, an LGBTQ-focused civil rights organization, celebrated a federal court ruling that the Social Security Administration cannot deny survivor benefits to same-sex couples who were unconstitutionally prevented from being married.
The ruling by the United States District Court for the District of Arizona is a “tremendous victory for many surviving same-sex spouses nationwide who have been locked out of critical benefits because they were unlawfully barred from marriage for most of their relationships,” said Peter Renn, counsel in Lambda Legal’s western regional office, who is working on the case.
Lambda Legal filed the lawsuit on behalf of Michael Ely, an Arizona man who married his partner, James Taylor, as soon as Arizona’s ban on same-sex marriage was struck down. Taylor died of cancer just six months after the marriage took place.
The Social Security Administration had denied Ely survivor benefits because he and Taylor had been married less than nine months.
“The court today recognized that, and affirmed that, in striking down the marriage bans, the Supreme Court made clear that same-sex couples should have access to all the protections of marriage and that the scourge of the decades-long discrimination should not be allowed to endure,” said Karen Lowey, Lambda Legal senior counsel and seniors strategist.
Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced on Tuesday that he will push to increase the state’s minimum wage as part of a broad pandemic recovery effort.
Wolf is looking to increase the minimum wage in the state to $12 per hour, and later to $15 per hour.
Pennsylvania’s current minimum wage is $7.25 per hour and has not been raised in more than a decade. Wolf has called for the Republican-led Legislature to raise the minimum wage half a dozen times in the past.
Voters in Wisconsin will be mailed an absentee ballot application for the November election, the state’s election commission announced on Wednesday.
The decision affects nearly 3 million voters and will ensure they do not have to choose between their right to vote and their health during the pandemic.
Voters will receive an application by mail, fill it out, and return it, along with a copy of their photo ID, to receive a ballot. They will also receive information on how to request a ballot through the state’s MyVote website.
Michigan will also mail voters absentee ballot applications, while California will mail every voter a ballot.
The state of Michigan has created an online portal to help local businesses ensure workers and customers are safe as businesses begin to reopen.
The platform, run through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Pure Michigan Business Connect program, allows businesses that need face masks, gloves, goggles, and other safety equipment to contact Michigan companies that can fill the demand.
The program will “help employers access the PPE they need to ensure their employees feel safe returning to work, while also supporting Michigan businesses that will be critical to economic recovery efforts,” said Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
“We want to ensure we are opening up in a way that is safe, smart and does not undo the progress we have made in flattening the curve of COVID-19,” Whitmer said.
Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz signed 21 bills into law on Wednesday, including measures to invest $70 million in renewable energy, Walz’s office announced.
One of the new laws allocates $20 million for what it calls a “solar rewards solar energy production incentive program” and $2.75 million to upgrade a hydroelectric project in Granite Falls, about 130 miles west of Minneapolis.
The legislation will “shore up our investment in renewable energy,” Walz said in a statement, adding he was “proud to work with our legislative partners to get these bills across the finish line.”
To celebrate United Nations World Day for Cultural Diversity, Crayola announced the release of 24 new crayons so children across the globe can “accurately color themselves into the world.”
“Crayola hopes our new Colors of the World crayons will increase representation and foster a greater sense of belonging and acceptance,” Rich Wuerthele, the company’s CEO, said in a statement.
The new colors will have labels in English, Spanish, and French, and will range from “Extra Light Almond” to “Deepest Almond.”
On Tuesday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that “We Heart New York,” a video made by the New York creative production company Bunny Lake Films, had won a statewide contest to create a 30-second ad to encourage New Yorkers to wear masks during the coronavirus pandemic.
The winning ad, along with the runner-up, will run as public service announcements.
“We launched the Wear A Mask New York contest to help spread the word about the importance of wearing a mask, and frankly this contest generated much more energy and excitement than I even anticipated,” Cuomo said in a statement.


shareblue--2020-05-29--Coronavirus cases increased for meatpackers after Trump ordered them to work

The number of coronavirus cases continues to rise at meatpacking plants across the country in the month since Donald Trump signed an executive order forcing plants to reopen .
On April 28 , when Trump issued the order , the number of cases stood at roughly 4,000 , according to data compiled by the nonprofit Food and Environment Reporting Network .
On Friday , the organization reported that at least 20,033 meatpacking workers had confirmed coronavirus cases — a four-fold increase in a month .
At least 70 of those workers have died from the pandemic .
Meatpacking plants continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published on Thursday found that rural counties that include meatpacking plants experience COVID-19 outbreaks have coronavirus infection rates that are five times higher than the average for all rural communities .
Rural counties where meatpacking plants have had outbreaks have an average of 1,100 confirmed coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents , compared to just 209 cases per 100,000 residents of rural counties without plants .
Of the 14 rural counties with the highest coronavirus infection rates , 10 contain meatpacking plants that have had outbreaks .
In early April , the Centers for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several outbreaks at plants in various states .
But Trump pushed workers to return to plants later that month April in spite of the continued threat to their health .
On the day he issued the executive order , Trump said he was focused on protecting the owners of meatpacking plants , saying his order would `` solve any liability problems where they had certain liability problems , '' at plants .
Shortly after the order was issued , on May 8 , a CDC report found that `` structural and operational practices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6-foot ( 2-meter ) distance while working '' at meatpacking plants .
Meatpacking workers are not the only ones to see an increase in coronavirus cases over the past month .
According to the data from the Food and Environment Reporting Network , there were a total of 4,330 confirmed coronavirus cases among meatpacking , food-processing , and farmworkers the day Trump signed the executive order .
A month later , FERN reported 22,382 of those workers had confirmed cases Nationwide , 1,730,200 people have confirmed coronavirus cases as of Friday morning , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the New York Times .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The number of coronavirus cases continues to rise at meatpacking plants across the country in the month since Donald Trump signed an executive order forcing plants to reopen.
On April 28, when Trump issued the order, the number of cases stood at roughly 4,000, according to data compiled by the nonprofit Food and Environment Reporting Network. On Friday, the organization reported that at least 20,033 meatpacking workers had confirmed coronavirus cases — a four-fold increase in a month. At least 70 of those workers have died from the pandemic.
Meatpacking plants continue to be virus hotspots. An analysis published on Thursday found that rural counties that include meatpacking plants experience COVID-19 outbreaks have coronavirus infection rates that are five times higher than the average for all rural communities.
Rural counties where meatpacking plants have had outbreaks have an average of 1,100 confirmed coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents, compared to just 209 cases per 100,000 residents of rural counties without plants. Of the 14 rural counties with the highest coronavirus infection rates, 10 contain meatpacking plants that have had outbreaks.
In early April, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was notified about several outbreaks at plants in various states. But Trump pushed workers to return to plants later that month April in spite of the continued threat to their health.
On the day he issued the executive order, Trump said he was focused on protecting the owners of meatpacking plants, saying his order would “solve any liability problems where they had certain liability problems,” at plants.
Shortly after the order was issued, on May 8, a CDC report found that “structural and operational practices that made it difficult to maintain a 6-foot (2-meter) distance while working” at meatpacking plants.
Meatpacking workers are not the only ones to see an increase in coronavirus cases over the past month.
According to the data from the Food and Environment Reporting Network, there were a total of 4,330 confirmed coronavirus cases among meatpacking, food-processing, and farmworkers the day Trump signed the executive order. A month later, FERN reported 22,382 of those workers had confirmed cases
Nationwide, 1,730,200 people have confirmed coronavirus cases as of Friday morning, and at least 101,600 people have died, according to the New York Times.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-29--Pennsylvania Republicans are refusing to vote by mail because of Trump's lies

Donald Trump 's false attacks on vote-by-mail appear to be having an impact in the critical swing state of Pennsylvania , as GOP voters there resist efforts by Republican Party officials to sign up for and cast absentee ballots , the Philadelphia Inquirer reported on Friday .
Data show that , as of Thursday , 524,000 Republican voters had requested and received mail-in ballots for the state 's June 2 primary .
Approximately 1.3 million Democrats did the same , according to the Inquirer .
The Pennsylvania GOP had actively pushed voters to cast mail-in ballots as a safety measure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dedicated webpage on why voting by mail was `` safe '' and `` smart . ''
They noted that the mail-in ballots were separate from absentee ballots , which were reserved for `` those who will be out of the municipality on Election Day , and those with a disability , illness , military , or religious exemption . ''
The news comes as Trump has been actively criticizing vote-by-mail , falsely claiming it is rife with fraud , even though he and many of his aides have used the voting method in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday , Trump said that the reason he was against voting by mail is because he thinks it gives Democrats an advantage — even though there is no evidence to back that up .
`` MAIL-IN VOTING WILL LEAD TO MASSIVE FRAUD AND ABUSE .
IT WILL ALSO LEAD TO THE END OF OUR GREAT REPUBLICAN PARTY , '' Trump tweeted on Thursday night .
`` WE CAN NEVER LET THIS TRAGEDY BEFALL OUR NATION .
BIG MAIL-IN VICTORY IN TEXAS COURT TODAY .
CONGRATS !
!
! ''
Even though Trump had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Committee is urging registered voters nationwide to utilize the method this fall , as it 's unclear whether the coronavirus will cause disruptions to in-person elections .
In April , the RNC sent mailers to registered Republicans encouraging them to request mail-in ballots to `` protect yourself from large crowds on Election Day . ''
`` Make sure your vote counts , '' the mailer read .
The Republican-controlled Pennsylvania Legislature had been trying to expand vote-by-mail even before the coronavirus upended the 2020 election , raising fears about the safety of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week .
Local Republican Party officials there told the outlet that GOP voters in the state , however , were listening to Trump 's claims of fraud .

Donald Trump’s false attacks on vote-by-mail appear to be having an impact in the critical swing state of Pennsylvania, as GOP voters there resist efforts by Republican Party officials to sign up for and cast absentee ballots, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported on Friday.
Data show that, as of Thursday, 524,000 Republican voters had requested and received mail-in ballots for the state’s June 2 primary. Approximately 1.3 million Democrats did the same, according to the Inquirer.
The Pennsylvania GOP had actively pushed voters to cast mail-in ballots as a safety measure amid the pandemic, even publishing a dedicated webpage on why voting by mail was “safe” and “smart.”
They noted that the mail-in ballots were separate from absentee ballots, which were reserved for “those who will be out of the municipality on Election Day, and those with a disability, illness, military, or religious exemption.”
The news comes as Trump has been actively criticizing vote-by-mail, falsely claiming it is rife with fraud, even though he and many of his aides have used the voting method in the past.
In a tweet on Thursday, Trump said that the reason he was against voting by mail is because he thinks it gives Democrats an advantage — even though there is no evidence to back that up.
“MAIL-IN VOTING WILL LEAD TO MASSIVE FRAUD AND ABUSE. IT WILL ALSO LEAD TO THE END OF OUR GREAT REPUBLICAN PARTY,” Trump tweeted on Thursday night. “WE CAN NEVER LET THIS TRAGEDY BEFALL OUR NATION. BIG MAIL-IN VICTORY IN TEXAS COURT TODAY. CONGRATS!!!”
Even though Trump had railed against mail-in voting, the Republican National Committee is urging registered voters nationwide to utilize the method this fall, as it’s unclear whether the coronavirus will cause disruptions to in-person elections.
In April, the RNC sent mailers to registered Republicans encouraging them to request mail-in ballots to “protect yourself from large crowds on Election Day.”
“Make sure your vote counts,” the mailer read.
Here’s the RNC sending mailers to voters in Pennsylvania urging them to request a mail-in ballot, in part “to protect yourself from large crowds on Election Day” pic.twitter.com/Fc3Byz4yZj — Peter Hamby (@PeterHamby) April 10, 2020
The Republican-controlled Pennsylvania Legislature had been trying to expand vote-by-mail even before the coronavirus upended the 2020 election, raising fears about the safety of in-person voting, according to the Inquirer this week.
Local Republican Party officials there told the outlet that GOP voters in the state, however, were listening to Trump’s claims of fraud.


shareblue--2020-05-29--GOP congressman suggests protesters are like cop charged with murder

A Republican congressman on Friday demanded that both the white police officer charged in the murder of an unarmed black man in Minnesota and the protesters demanding justice for his alleged victim be arrested .
Rep. Chip Roy tweeted the news that former Minneapolis Police Department Officer Derek Chauvin had been taken into custody on Friday .
`` Justice should be served here , '' the first-term lawmaker wrote .
Appearing to compare the alleged murder of an unarmed black man by a white police officer with protests against the murder , Roy went on , `` And also for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives . ''
Chauvin was caught on video kneeling on the neck of George Floyd on Monday .
Floyd could be heard in the video saying he could not breathe .
He died shortly after .
Since Floyd 's death , protesters have taken to the streets of Minneapolis and other cities across the country in response .
Earlier Friday , Roy had agreed with a conservative columnist who wrote , `` Everybody should agree that what the cops did is bad .
Everybody should also agree that what the rioters/looters/arsonists are doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a right-wing radio host who said , `` The police officers involved the George Floyd case must and will face justice , but so must the looters , rioters , and arsonists . ''
A number of other Republicans also criticized the protesters on Friday , some using the protests to attack Democrats .
Rep. Jim Hagedorn complained in a Facebook post : `` Sooner or later the libs will try to blame President Donald J. Trump for this violence and chaos . ''
`` Democrat policies are on full display , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses and society in the Twin Cities .
Every political authority figure in the chain , from Governor , U.S .
Senators , U.S. Congresswoman , the Mayors on down to dog catcher are [ Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party ] politicians .
Instead of protecting people and property , they spent days wringing their hands and effectively patting rioters on the back . ''
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement : `` Stealing , burning down buildings , attacking law enforcement officers , or laying siege to police precincts is not speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that victimizes innocent people . ''
Rep. Lee Zeldin tweeted , `` What happened to George Floyd was horrifying injustice .
Arrests & prosecution must swiftly , fairly & strongly follow , but burning down the city & looting does n't help .
People have a greater voice w/unity , leadership , poise & determination w/o burning everything down around them . ''
Since the protests began , Donald Trump has blamed the mayor of Minneapolis , whom he labeled `` very weak Radical Left Mayor , Jacob Frey '' ; called protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Guard had arrived in the city and was `` fully prepared . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A Republican congressman on Friday demanded that both the white police officer charged in the murder of an unarmed black man in Minnesota and the protesters demanding justice for his alleged victim be arrested.
Rep. Chip Roy tweeted the news that former Minneapolis Police Department Officer Derek Chauvin had been taken into custody on Friday. “Justice should be served here,” the first-term lawmaker wrote. Appearing to compare the alleged murder of an unarmed black man by a white police officer with protests against the murder, Roy went on, “And also for looters destroying people’s livelihoods and endangering lives.”
Chauvin was caught on video kneeling on the neck of George Floyd on Monday. Floyd could be heard in the video saying he could not breathe. He died shortly after.
Since Floyd’s death, protesters have taken to the streets of Minneapolis and other cities across the country in response.
Earlier Friday, Roy had agreed with a conservative columnist who wrote, “Everybody should agree that what the cops did is bad. Everybody should also agree that what the rioters/looters/arsonists are doing is bad.” He also retweeted a right-wing radio host who said, “The police officers involved the George Floyd case must and will face justice, but so must the looters, rioters, and arsonists.”
A number of other Republicans also criticized the protesters on Friday, some using the protests to attack Democrats.
Rep. Jim Hagedorn complained in a Facebook post: “Sooner or later the libs will try to blame President Donald J. Trump for this violence and chaos.”
“Democrat policies are on full display,” he charged, “destroying lives, businesses and society in the Twin Cities. Every political authority figure in the chain, from Governor, U.S. Senators, U.S. Congresswoman, the Mayors on down to dog catcher are [Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party] politicians. Instead of protecting people and property, they spent days wringing their hands and effectively patting rioters on the back.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement: “Stealing, burning down buildings, attacking law enforcement officers, or laying siege to police precincts is not speech or protest. It is violent crime that victimizes innocent people.”
Rep. Lee Zeldin tweeted, “What happened to George Floyd was horrifying injustice. Arrests & prosecution must swiftly, fairly & strongly follow, but burning down the city & looting doesn’t help. People have a greater voice w/unity, leadership, poise & determination w/o burning everything down around them.”
Since the protests began, Donald Trump has blamed the mayor of Minneapolis, whom he labeled “very weak Radical Left Mayor, Jacob Frey”; called protesters “THUGS”; and said the National Guard had arrived in the city and was “fully prepared.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-29--Minneapolis cop charged with murder of George Floyd after massive protests

The Minneapolis police officer who was seen on video kneeling on the neck of George Floyd , a handcuffed black man who died in custody after pleading that he could not breathe , was arrested Friday and charged with murder .
Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said Derek Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter , after the office gathered enough evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt .
The charges come after three days of protests , which had been escalating in violence .
News of the arrest came moments after Minnesota Gov .
Tim Walz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the response to this week 's protests and called for swift justice for officers involved .
Walz said the state would take over the response to the protests and that it 's time to show respect and dignity to those who are suffering .
`` Minneapolis and St. Paul are on fire .
The fire is still smoldering in our streets .
The ashes are symbolic of decades and generations of pain , of anguish unheard , '' Walz said , adding .
`` Now generations of pain is manifesting itself in front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is watching . ''
The governor cited a call he received from a state senator who described her district `` on fire , no police , no firefighters , no social control , constituents locked in houses wondering what they were going to do .
That is an abject failure that can not happen . ''
His comments came the morning after protesters torched a police station that officers abandoned during a third night of violence .
Livestream video showed protesters entering the building , where intentionally set fires activated smoke alarms and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeting `` when the looting starts , the shooting starts , '' which prompted a warning from Twitter for `` glorifying violence . ''
The governor faced tough questions after National Guard leader Maj. Gen. Jon Jensen blamed a lack of clarity about the Guard 's mission for a slow response .
Walz said the state was in a supporting role and that it was up to city leaders to run the situation .
Walz said it became apparent as the 3rd Precinct was lost that the state had to step in , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cities for resources `` never came , '' he said .
`` You will not see that tonight , there will be no lack of leadership , '' Walz said .
On Friday morning , nearly every building in the shopping district around the abandoned police station had been vandalized , burned or looted .
National Guard members were in the area , with several of them lined up , keeping people away from the police station .
Dozens of volunteers swept up broken glass in the street , doing what they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 64 , lives in a subsidized housing unit nearby , which is home to many older residents .
He said his building lost electricity overnight , and residents were terrified as they watched mobs of people run around their neighborhood , with no apparent intervention .
`` I can ’ t believe this is happening here , '' he said .
Dozens of fires were also set in nearby St. Paul , where nearly 200 businesses were damaged or looted .
Protests spread across the U.S. , fueled by outrage over Floyd 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ African Americans at the hands of police .
Demonstrators clashed with officers in New York and blocked traffic in Columbus , Ohio , and Denver .
Trump threatened to bring Minneapolis `` under control , '' calling the protesters `` thugs '' and tweeting that `` when the looting starts , the shooting starts . ''
The tweet drew another warning from Twitter , which said the comment violated the platform 's rules , but the company did not remove it .
Trump also blasted the `` total lack of leadership '' in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey made his first public appearance of the night early Friday at City Hall and took responsibility for evacuating the precinct , saying it had become too dangerous for officers .
As Frey continued , a reporter cut across loudly with a question : `` What 's the plan here ? ''
`` With regard to ? ''
Frey responded .
Then he added : `` There is a lot of pain and anger right now in our city .
I understand that ... What we have seen over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nights here in terms of looting is unacceptable . ''
He defended the city 's lack of engagement with looters — only a handful of arrests across the first two nights of violence — and said , `` We are doing absolutely everything that we can to keep the peace . ''
He said National Guard members were stationed in locations to help stem looting , including at banks , grocery stores and pharmacies .
The Minnesota State Patrol arrested a CNN television crew early Friday as the journalists reported on the unrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporter Omar Jimenez was handcuffed and led away .
A producer and a photojournalist for CNN were also taken away in handcuffs .
The Minnesota State Patrol said the journalists were among four people arrested as troopers were `` clearing the streets and restoring order , '' and they were released after being confirmed to be media members .
CNN said on Twitter that the arrests were `` a clear violation of their First Amendment rights . ''
Walz publicly apologized on Friday .
Protests first erupted Tuesday , a day after Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ captured on widely seen citizen video .
In the footage , Floyd can be seen pleading as Chauvin presses his knee against him .
As minutes pass , Floyd slowly stops talking and moving .
Attorney Benjamin Crump , who is representing members of Floyd 's family , called for an independent investigation , and said he asked to take custody of Floyd 's body to have an independent autopsy performed .
Floyd said that talk of a heart condition or asthma are irrelevant because Floyd was walking and breathing before his contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do the autopsy is Michael Baden , former chief medical examiner of New York City , who was hired to do an autopsy for Eric Garner as well .
Minutes after the precinct burned on Thursday , the Guard tweeted that it had activated more than 500 soldiers across the metro area .
By Friday morning , a couple dozen Guard members armed with assault-style rifles blocked a street near a Target store that has sustained heavy damage by looters .
The Guard said a `` key objective '' was to make sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a follow-up tweet that soldiers would assist the Minneapolis Fire Department .
But no move was made to put out the 3rd Precinct fire .
Assistant Fire Chief Bryan Tyner said fire crews could not safely respond to blazes at the precinct station and some surrounding buildings .
Elsewhere in Minneapolis , thousands of peaceful demonstrators marched through the streets calling for justice .
In New York City , protesters defied New York 's coronavirus prohibition on public gatherings Thursday , clashing with police , while demonstrators blocked traffic in downtown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier , demonstrators had taken to the streets in Los Angeles and Memphis .
About 10 protesters went to a Florida home believed to belong to Chauvin .
The Orange County Sheriff 's Office tweeted Friday that Chauvin was not at the residence and has no plans to be in the area .
In Louisville , Kentucky , police confirmed that at least seven people had been shot Thursday night as protesters demanded justice for Breonna Taylor , a black woman who was fatally shot by police in her home in March .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ community of Petal resisted calls to resign following his remarks about Floyd 's death .
Hal Marx , a Republican , asked on Twitter : `` Why in the world would anyone choose to become a police officer in our society today ? ''
In a follow-up tweet , he said he `` didn ’ t see anything unreasonable . ''
The city on Thursday released a transcript of the 911 call that brought police to the grocery store where Floyd was arrested .
The caller described someone paying with a counterfeit bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the man sitting on a van .
The caller described the man as `` awfully drunk '' and said he was `` not in control of himself . ''
Asked by the 911 operator whether the man was `` under the influence of something , '' the caller said : `` Something like that , yes .
He is not acting right . ''
Police said Floyd matched the caller ’ s description of the suspect .
Chauvin , the officer who knelt on Floyd 's neck , was fired Tuesday , along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrest .
The owner of a popular Latin nightclub said that Floyd and Chauvin both worked as security guards at the club as recently as the end of last year , but it ’ s not clear whether they worked together .
Chauvin worked at the El Nuevo Rodeo club as an off-duty security guard for nearly two decades , but Floyd had only worked there more recently for about a dozen events that featured African-American music , Maya Santamaria told The Associated Press .
Santamaria said if Chauvin had recognized Floyd , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little more mercy . ''
Santamaria , who sold the venue within the past two months , said Chauvin got along well with the regular Latino customers , but did not like to work the African American nights .
When he did , and there was a fight , he would spray people with mace and call for police backup and half-dozen squad cars would soon show up , something she felt was unjustified `` overkill . ''

The Minneapolis police officer who was seen on video kneeling on the neck of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man who died in custody after pleading that he could not breathe, was arrested Friday and charged with murder.
Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said Derek Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter, after the office gathered enough evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.
The charges come after three days of protests, which had been escalating in violence.
News of the arrest came moments after Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz acknowledged the “abject failure” of the response to this week’s protests and called for swift justice for officers involved. Walz said the state would take over the response to the protests and that it’s time to show respect and dignity to those who are suffering.
“Minneapolis and St. Paul are on fire. The fire is still smoldering in our streets. The ashes are symbolic of decades and generations of pain, of anguish unheard,” Walz said, adding. “Now generations of pain is manifesting itself in front of the world — and the world is watching.”
The governor cited a call he received from a state senator who described her district “on fire, no police, no firefighters, no social control, constituents locked in houses wondering what they were going to do. That is an abject failure that cannot happen.”
His comments came the morning after protesters torched a police station that officers abandoned during a third night of violence. Livestream video showed protesters entering the building, where intentionally set fires activated smoke alarms and sprinklers. Donald Trump threatened action, tweeting “when the looting starts, the shooting starts,” which prompted a warning from Twitter for “glorifying violence.”
The governor faced tough questions after National Guard leader Maj. Gen. Jon Jensen blamed a lack of clarity about the Guard’s mission for a slow response. Walz said the state was in a supporting role and that it was up to city leaders to run the situation. Walz said it became apparent as the 3rd Precinct was lost that the state had to step in, which happened at 12:05 a.m. Requests from the cities for resources “never came,” he said.
“You will not see that tonight, there will be no lack of leadership,” Walz said.
On Friday morning, nearly every building in the shopping district around the abandoned police station had been vandalized, burned or looted. National Guard members were in the area, with several of them lined up, keeping people away from the police station.
Dozens of volunteers swept up broken glass in the street, doing what they could to help.
Dean Hanson, 64, lives in a subsidized housing unit nearby, which is home to many older residents. He said his building lost electricity overnight, and residents were terrified as they watched mobs of people run around their neighborhood, with no apparent intervention.
“I can’t believe this is happening here,” he said.
Dozens of fires were also set in nearby St. Paul, where nearly 200 businesses were damaged or looted. Protests spread across the U.S., fueled by outrage over Floyd’s death, and years of violence against African Americans at the hands of police. Demonstrators clashed with officers in New York and blocked traffic in Columbus, Ohio, and Denver.
Trump threatened to bring Minneapolis “under control,” calling the protesters “thugs” and tweeting that “when the looting starts, the shooting starts.” The tweet drew another warning from Twitter, which said the comment violated the platform’s rules, but the company did not remove it.
Trump also blasted the “total lack of leadership” in Minneapolis.
A visibly tired and frustrated Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey made his first public appearance of the night early Friday at City Hall and took responsibility for evacuating the precinct, saying it had become too dangerous for officers. As Frey continued, a reporter cut across loudly with a question: “What’s the plan here?”
“With regard to?” Frey responded. Then he added: “There is a lot of pain and anger right now in our city. I understand that … What we have seen over the past several hours and past couple of nights here in terms of looting is unacceptable.”
He defended the city’s lack of engagement with looters — only a handful of arrests across the first two nights of violence — and said, “We are doing absolutely everything that we can to keep the peace.” He said National Guard members were stationed in locations to help stem looting, including at banks, grocery stores and pharmacies.
The Minnesota State Patrol arrested a CNN television crew early Friday as the journalists reported on the unrest. While live on air, CNN reporter Omar Jimenez was handcuffed and led away. A producer and a photojournalist for CNN were also taken away in handcuffs.
The Minnesota State Patrol said the journalists were among four people arrested as troopers were “clearing the streets and restoring order,” and they were released after being confirmed to be media members. CNN said on Twitter that the arrests were “a clear violation of their First Amendment rights.” Walz publicly apologized on Friday.
Protests first erupted Tuesday, a day after Floyd’s death in a confrontation with police captured on widely seen citizen video. In the footage, Floyd can be seen pleading as Chauvin presses his knee against him. As minutes pass, Floyd slowly stops talking and moving.
Attorney Benjamin Crump, who is representing members of Floyd’s family, called for an independent investigation, and said he asked to take custody of Floyd’s body to have an independent autopsy performed. Floyd said that talk of a heart condition or asthma are irrelevant because Floyd was walking and breathing before his contact with police.
The doctor who will do the autopsy is Michael Baden, former chief medical examiner of New York City, who was hired to do an autopsy for Eric Garner as well.
Minutes after the precinct burned on Thursday, the Guard tweeted that it had activated more than 500 soldiers across the metro area. By Friday morning, a couple dozen Guard members armed with assault-style rifles blocked a street near a Target store that has sustained heavy damage by looters.
The Guard said a “key objective” was to make sure firefighters could respond to calls, and said in a follow-up tweet that soldiers would assist the Minneapolis Fire Department. But no move was made to put out the 3rd Precinct fire. Assistant Fire Chief Bryan Tyner said fire crews could not safely respond to blazes at the precinct station and some surrounding buildings.
Elsewhere in Minneapolis, thousands of peaceful demonstrators marched through the streets calling for justice.
In New York City, protesters defied New York’s coronavirus prohibition on public gatherings Thursday, clashing with police, while demonstrators blocked traffic in downtown Denver and downtown Columbus. A day earlier, demonstrators had taken to the streets in Los Angeles and Memphis.
About 10 protesters went to a Florida home believed to belong to Chauvin. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office tweeted Friday that Chauvin was not at the residence and has no plans to be in the area.
In Louisville, Kentucky, police confirmed that at least seven people had been shot Thursday night as protesters demanded justice for Breonna Taylor, a black woman who was fatally shot by police in her home in March.
In Mississippi, the mayor of the community of Petal resisted calls to resign following his remarks about Floyd’s death. Hal Marx, a Republican, asked on Twitter: “Why in the world would anyone choose to become a police officer in our society today?” In a follow-up tweet, he said he “didn’t see anything unreasonable.”
The city on Thursday released a transcript of the 911 call that brought police to the grocery store where Floyd was arrested. The caller described someone paying with a counterfeit bill, with workers rushing outside to find the man sitting on a van. The caller described the man as “awfully drunk” and said he was “not in control of himself.”
Asked by the 911 operator whether the man was “under the influence of something,” the caller said: “Something like that, yes. He is not acting right.” Police said Floyd matched the caller’s description of the suspect.
State and federal authorities are investigating Floyd’s death.
Chauvin, the officer who knelt on Floyd’s neck, was fired Tuesday, along with three other officers involved in the arrest.
The owner of a popular Latin nightclub said that Floyd and Chauvin both worked as security guards at the club as recently as the end of last year, but it’s not clear whether they worked together. Chauvin worked at the El Nuevo Rodeo club as an off-duty security guard for nearly two decades, but Floyd had only worked there more recently for about a dozen events that featured African-American music, Maya Santamaria told The Associated Press.
Santamaria said if Chauvin had recognized Floyd, “he might have given him a little more mercy.”
Santamaria, who sold the venue within the past two months, said Chauvin got along well with the regular Latino customers, but did not like to work the African American nights. When he did, and there was a fight, he would spray people with mace and call for police backup and half-dozen squad cars would soon show up, something she felt was unjustified “overkill.”


shareblue--2020-05-29--Trump administration says transgender girls can't play sports

Connecticut 's policy allowing transgender girls to compete in girls high school sports violates the civil rights of athletes who have always identified as female , the U.S. Education Department has determined in a decision that could force the state to change course to keep federal funding and influence others to do the same .
A letter from the department 's civil rights office , a copy of which was obtained Thursday by the Associated Press , came in response to a complaint filed last year by several cisgender female track athletes who argued that two transgender female runners had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in the 45-page letter that it may seek to withhold federal funding over the policy , which allows athletes to participate under the gender with which they identify .
The policy is a violation of Title IX , the federal civil rights law that guarantees equal education opportunities for women , including in athletics , the office said .
It has `` denied female student-athletes athletic benefits and opportunities , including advancing to the finals in events , higher level competitions , awards , medals , recognition , and the possibility of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' according to the letter , which is dated May 15 .
The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference says its policy complies with a state law barring schools from discriminating against transgender students .
`` Connecticut law is clear and students who identify as female are to be recognized as female for all purposes — including high school sports , '' the athletic conference said in a statement .
`` To do otherwise would not only be discriminatory but would deprive high school students of the meaningful opportunity to participate in educational activities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sex-stereotyping and prejudice sought to be prevented by Title IX and Connecticut state law . ''
The federal decision carries implications beyond Connecticut , said Roger Brooks , an attorney for the Alliance Defending Freedom , which represents the girls who brought the complaint .
`` Around the nation , districts are going to want to be reading this , because it does have legal implications , '' he said .
`` It is a first decision from the agency charged with enforcing Title IX addressing the question of whether males on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depriving girls of opportunities consistent with Title IX . ''
The decision by the civil rights office names the conference , along with the school districts for which the transgender runners and those filing the complaint competed — Glastonbury , Bloomfield , Hartford , Cromwell , Canton , and Danbury .
The office said it will `` either initiate administrative proceedings to suspend , terminate , or refuse to grant or continue and defer financial assistance '' to the conference and those districts or refer the cases to the U.S. Department of Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights office said that it notified the athletic conference and the school districts of its pending decision in February , but that later negotiations failed to result in an agreement .
`` All that today 's finding represents is yet another attack from the Trump administration on transgender students , '' said Chase Strangio , who leads transgender justice initiatives for the American Civil Liberties Union 's LGBT and HIV Project .
`` Trans students belong in our schools , including on sports teams , and we are n't backing down from this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dispute , already the subject of a federal lawsuit , centers on two transgender sprinters , Terry Miller and Andraya Yearwood , who have frequently outperformed their competitors , winning a combined 15 girls state indoor or outdoor championship races since 2017 , according to the lawsuit .
The ACLU 's lawyers for the transgender athletes have argued both are undergoing hormone treatments that have put them on an equal footing with the girls they are competing against .
Brooks said he hopes the judge in the lawsuit will take the Education Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plaintiffs , Chelsea Mitchell , won two state indoor title races over Miller this year .
Mitchell , a senior , said Thursday that she is both happy and relieved by the Department of Education 's decision .
`` It feels like we are finally headed in the right direction , and that we will be able to get justice for the countless girls along with myself that have faced discrimination for years , '' she said .
`` It is liberating to know that my voice , my story , my loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ championships I lost mean something . ''
The plaintiffs sought to block the participation of Miller and Yearwood , both seniors , from spring track meets , which were later canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic .
They were also seeking to erase all records set by the transgender athletes .
Connecticut is one of 18 states , along with Washington , D.C. , that allow transgender high school athletes to compete without restrictions , according to Transathlete.com .
Several other states have policies barring the participation of transgender athletes , and Idaho @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law banning transgender women from competing in women 's sports .
The ACLU and Legal Voice filed a federal lawsuit contending that law violates the U.S. Constitution because it is discriminatory and an invasion of privacy .

Connecticut’s policy allowing transgender girls to compete in girls high school sports violates the civil rights of athletes who have always identified as female, the U.S. Education Department has determined in a decision that could force the state to change course to keep federal funding and influence others to do the same.
A letter from the department’s civil rights office, a copy of which was obtained Thursday by the Associated Press, came in response to a complaint filed last year by several cisgender female track athletes who argued that two transgender female runners had an unfair physical advantage.
The office said in the 45-page letter that it may seek to withhold federal funding over the policy, which allows athletes to participate under the gender with which they identify. The policy is a violation of Title IX, the federal civil rights law that guarantees equal education opportunities for women, including in athletics, the office said.
It has “denied female student-athletes athletic benefits and opportunities, including advancing to the finals in events, higher level competitions, awards, medals, recognition, and the possibility of greater visibility to colleges and other benefits,” according to the letter, which is dated May 15.
The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference says its policy complies with a state law barring schools from discriminating against transgender students.
“Connecticut law is clear and students who identify as female are to be recognized as female for all purposes — including high school sports,” the athletic conference said in a statement. “To do otherwise would not only be discriminatory but would deprive high school students of the meaningful opportunity to participate in educational activities, including inter-scholastic sports, based on sex-stereotyping and prejudice sought to be prevented by Title IX and Connecticut state law.”
The federal decision carries implications beyond Connecticut, said Roger Brooks, an attorney for the Alliance Defending Freedom, which represents the girls who brought the complaint.
“Around the nation, districts are going to want to be reading this, because it does have legal implications,” he said. “It is a first decision from the agency charged with enforcing Title IX addressing the question of whether males on the playing field or on the track are depriving girls of opportunities consistent with Title IX.”
The decision by the civil rights office names the conference, along with the school districts for which the transgender runners and those filing the complaint competed — Glastonbury, Bloomfield, Hartford, Cromwell, Canton, and Danbury.
The office said it will “either initiate administrative proceedings to suspend, terminate, or refuse to grant or continue and defer financial assistance” to the conference and those districts or refer the cases to the U.S. Department of Justice.
In its letter, the civil rights office said that it notified the athletic conference and the school districts of its pending decision in February, but that later negotiations failed to result in an agreement.
“All that today’s finding represents is yet another attack from the Trump administration on transgender students,” said Chase Strangio, who leads transgender justice initiatives for the American Civil Liberties Union’s LGBT and HIV Project.
“Trans students belong in our schools, including on sports teams, and we aren’t backing down from this fight,” Strangio said.
The dispute, already the subject of a federal lawsuit, centers on two transgender sprinters, Terry Miller and Andraya Yearwood, who have frequently outperformed their competitors, winning a combined 15 girls state indoor or outdoor championship races since 2017, according to the lawsuit.
The ACLU’s lawyers for the transgender athletes have argued both are undergoing hormone treatments that have put them on an equal footing with the girls they are competing against.
Brooks said he hopes the judge in the lawsuit will take the Education Department decision into consideration.
One of the plaintiffs, Chelsea Mitchell, won two state indoor title races over Miller this year.
Mitchell, a senior, said Thursday that she is both happy and relieved by the Department of Education’s decision.
“It feels like we are finally headed in the right direction, and that we will be able to get justice for the countless girls along with myself that have faced discrimination for years,” she said. “It is liberating to know that my voice, my story, my loss, has been heard; that those championships I lost mean something.”
The plaintiffs sought to block the participation of Miller and Yearwood, both seniors, from spring track meets, which were later canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. They were also seeking to erase all records set by the transgender athletes.
Connecticut is one of 18 states, along with Washington, D.C., that allow transgender high school athletes to compete without restrictions, according to Transathlete.com.
Several other states have policies barring the participation of transgender athletes, and Idaho recently became the first to pass a law banning transgender women from competing in women’s sports.
The ACLU and Legal Voice filed a federal lawsuit contending that law violates the U.S. Constitution because it is discriminatory and an invasion of privacy.