npr--2020-06-11--Protesters Topple Jefferson Davis Statue In Richmond, Va.

Protesters in Richmond , Va. , late Wednesday toppled a statue of Jefferson Davis , president of the Confederacy , which has stood on the city 's Monument Avenue since 1907 .
Local news organizations showed photographs of the statue lying on the ground in front of its immense , columned monument .
Police watched as a tow truck took the statue away .
The statue of Davis , who was president of the Confederacy , was the third to be torn down within the past week in Richmond .
Saturday a statue of Confederate Gen. Williams Carter Wickham was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statue of Christopher Columbus was torn down and dumped in a lake .
Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam has ordered the removal of a monument to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee , which has been a particular focus of protesters as demonstrations against police brutality and systemic racism have swept the country since the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
On Monday a Richmond Circuit Court judge ordered a 10-day stay of Northam 's directive so a lawsuit filed to prevent the statue 's removal can be heard .
The base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in graffiti but the statue itself is enormous and unlikely to be toppled without heavy equipment .
Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring says the state will contest Circuit Judge Bradley Cavedo 's order .
Craig Carper of NPR member station Virginia Pubic Media reports for our Newscast unit : The statue of Lee is on state-owned land .
The lawsuit to prevent its removal was brought by William Gregory , who is identified in the suit as a great-grandson of signatories to the deed granting the land to the state .
Gregory contends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the statue when it took possession of the land .

Protesters Topple Jefferson Davis Statue In Richmond, Va.
Enlarge this image toggle caption @thicketoftrash/via AP @thicketoftrash/via AP
Protesters in Richmond, Va., late Wednesday toppled a statue of Jefferson Davis that has stood on the city's Monument Avenue since 1907.
Local news organizations showed photographs of the statue lying on the ground in front of its immense, columned monument. Police watched as a tow truck took the statue away.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Steve Helber/AP Steve Helber/AP
The statue of Davis, who was president of the Confederacy, was the third to be torn down within the past week in Richmond. On Saturday, a statue of Confederate Gen. Williams Carter Wickham was toppled from its pedestal. And on Tuesday, a statue of Christopher Columbus was torn down and dumped in a lake.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has ordered the removal of a monument to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, which has been a particular focus of protesters as demonstrations against police brutality and systemic racism have swept the country since the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
On Monday, a Richmond Circuit Court judge ordered a 10-day stay of Northam's directive so a lawsuit filed to prevent the statue's removal can be heard. The base of the Lee statue has been covered in graffiti. The statue itself is enormous and unlikely to be toppled without heavy equipment.
Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring says the state will contest Circuit Judge Bradley Cavedo's order.
Craig Carper of NPR member station Virginia Public Media reports for our Newscast unit:
Davis' fate seemed sealed days ago when all nine members of Richmond's City Council said they would support legislation from Mayor Levar Stoney to remove all four city-owned statues of Confederate figures along Richmond's historic Monument Avenue. All of these Confederate statues have been covered in graffiti for over a week.
The statue of Lee is on state-owned land. The lawsuit to prevent its removal was brought by William Gregory, who is identified in the suit as a great-grandson of signatories to the deed granting the land to the state. Gregory contends the state promised to "affectionately protect" the statue when it took possession of the land.


npr--2020-06-10--U.S. Hits 2 Million Coronavirus Cases As Many States See A Surge Of Patients

U.S .
Hits 2 Million Coronavirus Cases As Many States See A Surge Of Patients The U.S. has reached another dire landmark in its fight against COVID-19 , surpassing 2 million confirmed cases on Wednesday .
New coronavirus infections are rising in at least 20 states , even as restrictions on daily life continue to ease across the country .
More than 112,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the U.S. — the most fatalities reported by any nation , according to a tracker from Johns Hopkins University .
And most experts believe those numbers underestimate the true toll .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of quashing the coronavirus .
While some early hot spots such as New York state have seen a sustained drop in new cases , COVID-19 hospitalizations have swelled recently in places like Texas , Arizona , Arkansas and California .
Texas set new records for COVID-19 hospitalizations on three consecutive days this week , with a total of 2,153 hospitalized patients on Wednesday .
The state was among the first to start the reopening process , and Gov .
Greg Abbott is moving forward with plans to raise occupancy limits for bars , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Florida is seeing its own new surge , with more people testing positive for the coronavirus on Saturday than any day in the past two months .
Since June 2 , the state has reported more than 1,000 new cases every day , even as the number of COVID-19 deaths has dropped to double-digits .
Arizona has reported an average of more than 1,000 new cases every day this week — the highest per capita rate in the U.S. Underscoring the crisis , the health department said Tuesday that only a quarter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care units are currently available .
Public health experts say these surges should not be dismissed as a result of more testing .
`` It 's very clear that it 's a real increase in community spread , '' Will Humble , executive director of the Arizona Public Health Association , tells member station KJZZ in Phoenix .
`` It 's not some artifact of additional testing . ''
Ashish Jha , director of the Harvard Global Health Institute , says that nationwide , `` we 're identifying between 20,000 and 25,000 new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 1,000 people a day are dying of this virus . ''
The national numbers remain stubbornly high .
Often , when one state gains a measure of control over COVID-19 , another seems to report a new spike .
Maryland , for instance , has n't reported more than 1,000 daily cases on average in at least three weeks .
But North Carolina is now averaging more than 1,000 cases daily — well above its daily average of 517 just three weeks ago .
Even in states with smaller overall numbers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carolina and Alaska , the rate of new infections has risen by more than 100 % in the past two weeks .
That is driving concern that the loosening of virus controls is driving a second wave .
All 50 U.S. states had begun easing their restrictions as of last month .
By early June , only a few states still had stay-at-home orders in place .
And Americans have eagerly returned to some of their old routines — a development backed by cellphone data .
The data suggest people in the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's up to about two-thirds of what it was before shutdown rules were implemented .
This supports the idea that the new increases are real , not just a result of more testing .
Since late May , thousands of people have left their homes to go back to work , to shop , to socialize and visit bars and restaurants .
And that 's how the virus can spread .
As states continue to loosen limits , health experts are urging people not to become complacent — to follow habits that help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ washing hands , maintaining a physical distance of at least six feet from others , and wearing a face mask when in close contact .
`` It seems that we , the U.S. , has given up and accepted this disease as a facet of life , '' says Jeffrey Shaman of the Columbia University School of Public Health .
`` It did n't have to be this way , and it still does n't going forward . ''
The national tally of 2 million cases includes nearly 525,000 people who have recovered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total represents more than 25 % of the world 's cases — an outsize impact on a country with less than 5 % of the world 's population .
It 's a drastic change from March , when 90 % of the world 's COVID-19 cases were reported in just four countries : China , Italy , Iran and South Korea .
Since then , the pandemic has hit the U.S. hard .
And with states now pushing to return to normal , public health experts are concerned .
`` I 'm definitely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the senior associate dean for research at Ohio State University 's college of public health .
`` As places have been opening up , many people are taking it as a message that everything is OK and back to normal . ''
He adds : `` I 'm definitely worried that we 're going to see some upswings , maybe not everywhere , but in many places across the country . ''

U.S. Hits 2 Million Coronavirus Cases As Many States See A Surge Of Patients
Enlarge this image toggle caption Eric Gay/AP Eric Gay/AP
The U.S. has reached another dire landmark in its fight against COVID-19, surpassing 2 million confirmed cases on Wednesday. New coronavirus infections are rising in at least 20 states, even as restrictions on daily life continue to ease across the country.
As of Thursday morning, more than 112,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the U.S. — the most fatalities reported by any nation, according to a tracker from Johns Hopkins University. And most experts believe those numbers underestimate the true toll.
The latest data also reflects the difficulty of quashing the coronavirus. While some early hot spots such as New York state have seen a sustained drop in new cases, COVID-19 hospitalizations have swelled recently in places like Texas, Arizona, Arkansas and California.
Texas set new records for COVID-19 hospitalizations on three consecutive days this week, with a total of 2,153 hospitalized patients on Wednesday. The state was among the first to start the reopening process, and Gov. Greg Abbott is moving forward with plans to raise occupancy limits for bars, restaurants, amusement parks and other businesses.
Florida is seeing its own new surge, with more people testing positive for the coronavirus on Saturday than on any day in the past two months. Since June 2, the state has reported more than 1,000 new cases every day, even as the number of COVID-19 deaths has dropped to double digits.
Arizona has reported an average of more than 1,000 new cases every day this week — the highest per capita rate in the U.S. Underscoring the crisis, the health department said Tuesday that only a quarter of the state's beds in intensive care units are currently available.
Public health experts say these surges should not be dismissed as a result of more testing.
"It's very clear that it's a real increase in community spread," Will Humble, executive director of the Arizona Public Health Association, tells member station KJZZ in Phoenix. "It's not some artifact of additional testing."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images
Ashish Jha, director of the Harvard Global Health Institute, says that nationwide, "we're identifying between 20,000 and 25,000 new cases a day, and about 800 to 1,000 people a day are dying of this virus."
The national numbers remain stubbornly high. Often, when one state gains a measure of control over COVID-19, another seems to report a new spike.
Maryland, for instance, hasn't reported more than 1,000 daily cases on average in at least three weeks. But North Carolina is now averaging more than 1,000 cases daily — well above its daily average of 517 just three weeks ago.
Even in states with smaller overall numbers of cases, such as Oregon, South Carolina and Alaska, the rate of new infections has risen by more than 100% in the past two weeks. That is driving concern that the loosening of virus controls is driving the new surge.
All 50 U.S. states had begun easing their restrictions as of last month. By early June, only a few states still had stay-at-home orders in place. And Americans have eagerly returned to some of their old routines — a development backed by cellphone data.
The data suggest people in the U.S. are moving around at a level that's up to about two-thirds of what it was before shutdown rules were implemented. This supports the idea that the new increases are real, not just a result of more testing. Since late May, thousands of people have left their homes to go back to work, to shop, to socialize and to visit bars and restaurants. And that's how the virus can spread.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Gregg Newton/AFP via Getty Images Gregg Newton/AFP via Getty Images
As states continue to loosen limits, health experts are urging people not to become complacent — to follow habits that help to slow the coronavirus, such as washing hands, maintaining a physical distance of at least 6 feet from others, and wearing a face mask when in close contact.
"It seems that we, the U.S., has given up and accepted this disease as a facet of life," says Jeffrey Shaman of the Columbia University School of Public Health. "It didn't have to be this way, and it still doesn't going forward."
The national tally of 2 million cases includes nearly 525,000 people who have recovered from the disease. But the U.S. total represents more than 25% of the world's cases — an outsize impact on a country with less than 5% of the world's population.
It's a drastic change from March, when 90% of the world's COVID-19 cases were reported in just four countries: China, Italy, Iran and South Korea.
Since then, the pandemic has hit the U.S. hard. And with states now pushing to return to normal, public health experts are concerned.
"I'm definitely worried," says Dr. Bill Miller the senior associate dean for research at Ohio State University's college of public health. "As places have been opening up, many people are taking it as a message that everything is OK and back to normal."
He adds: "I'm definitely worried that we're going to see some upswings, maybe not everywhere, but in many places across the country."


npr--2020-06-10--U.S. Soccer Lifts Ban On Kneeling During National Anthem

U.S. Soccer Lifts Ban On Kneeling During National Anthem The U.S. Soccer Federation has repealed the league 's three-year-old ban on kneeling during the national anthem , amid nationwide protests against police brutality and racial injustice sparked by the killing of George Floyd .
`` It has become clear that this policy was wrong and detracted from the important message of Black Lives Matter , '' U.S. Soccer announced on Wednesday .
The organization , which approved the move in a board of directors vote a day earlier , said it would let players decide how to use their platforms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , discrimination , and inequality . ''
Under Policy 604-1 all national teams players were ordered to `` stand respectfully during the playing of national anthems at any event in which the Federation is represented . ''
The board passed the rule in February 2017 .
That was about five months after soccer star Megan Rapinoe first took a knee during `` The Star Spangled Banner '' in solidarity with NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick .
The former San Francisco 49er , who first sat then dropped to a knee during the song , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start of the 2016 NFL season in the wake of a spate of killings of black men and women at the hands of white law enforcement .
With the death of Floyd at the hands of former Minneapolis police officers , sports leagues — including men 's and women 's soccer — are under pressure to reckon with how they have suppressed players ' voices and largely ignored a cultural shift .
Earlier this week the U.S. Women 's National Team Players Association called for an apology from the federation and a plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the message and movement that it tried to silence years ago . ''
`` Until USSF does so , the mere existence of the policy will continue to perpetuate the misconceptions and fear that clouded the true meaning and significance of Colin Kaepernick , Megan Rapinoe and other athletes taking a knee — that Black people in America have not been and continue to not be afforded the same liberties and freedoms as white people and that police brutality and systemic racism exist in this country , '' the players said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Team also called for a mea culpa from the federation .
`` Because the policy was never negotiated with our Players Association it did not apply to the US Men 's National Team players so we were not concerned about it .
However , the Federation now absolutely needs to acknowledge they were wrong to issue it , to apologize for it , and rescind it.
, '' the team association said in a statement .
On Wednesday , the federation offered the following apology : '' We apologize to our players – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fans , and all who support eradicating racism .
Sports are a powerful platform for good , and we have not used our platform as effectively as we should have . ''

U.S. Soccer Lifts Ban On Kneeling During National Anthem
Enlarge this image toggle caption John Bazemore/AP John Bazemore/AP
The U.S. Soccer Federation has repealed the league's three-year-old ban on kneeling during the national anthem, amid nationwide protests against police brutality and racial injustice sparked by the killing of George Floyd.
"It has become clear that this policy was wrong and detracted from the important message of Black Lives Matter," U.S. Soccer announced on Wednesday.
The organization, which approved the move in a board of directors vote a day earlier, said it would let players decide how to use their platforms "to fight all forms of racism, discrimination, and inequality."
Under Policy 604-1 all national teams players were ordered to "stand respectfully during the playing of national anthems at any event in which the Federation is represented."
The board passed the rule in February 2017.
That was about five months after soccer star Megan Rapinoe first took a knee during "The Star Spangled Banner" in solidarity with NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
The former San Francisco 49er, who first sat then dropped to a knee during the song, began the controversial silent protest at the start of the 2016 NFL season in the wake of a spate of killings of black men and women at the hands of white law enforcement.
With the death of Floyd at the hands of former Minneapolis police officers, sports leagues — including men's and women's soccer — are under pressure to reckon with how they have suppressed players' voices and largely ignored a cultural shift.
Earlier this week the U.S. Women's National Team Players Association called for an apology from the federation and a plan "on how it will now support the message and movement that it tried to silence years ago."
"Until USSF does so, the mere existence of the policy will continue to perpetuate the misconceptions and fear that clouded the true meaning and significance of Colin Kaepernick, Megan Rapinoe and other athletes taking a knee — that Black people in America have not been and continue to not be afforded the same liberties and freedoms as white people and that police brutality and systemic racism exist in this country," the players said in a statement.
The U.S. Men's National Team also called for a mea culpa from the federation.
"Because the policy was never negotiated with our Players Association it did not apply to the US Men's National Team players so we were not concerned about it. However, the Federation now absolutely needs to acknowledge they were wrong to issue it, to apologize for it, and rescind it.," the team association said in a statement.
On Wednesday, the federation offered the following apology:
"We apologize to our players – especially our Black players – staff, fans, and all who support eradicating racism. Sports are a powerful platform for good, and we have not used our platform as effectively as we should have."


npr--2020-06-10--Coachella Festival Canceled In 2020, Says Public Health Commissioner

The popular annual music festival Coachella and its country music sibling , Stagecoach , have both been canceled for 2020 .
While the events ' promoter , Goldenvoice , has not yet made a public announcement , the cancellation order was released Wednesday evening by the public health officer of Riverside County , Calif .
In March , the festivals ' organizers announced that both Coachella and Stagecoach would be delayed until October .
However , the order from Dr. Cameron Kaiser warned of a possible spike in COVID-19 infections this fall .
He also noted that the festivals attract @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many countries , '' and that if an outbreak were to occur at Coachella or Stagecoach , it would be `` impossible to track those who may be at risk . ''
NPR has reached out to Coachella 's promoter , Goldenvoice , which did not respond immediately to a request for comment .
On Tuesday , however , Billboard reported that the company was looking to reschedule the festivals next year .
It is still unclear whether or not Goldenvoice could feasibly present the festivals in April , the month in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sell fewer tickets to meet social distancing requirements — or if they would have to move them to fall 2021 in a bid to increase audience capacity safely .
It 's also unclear at this point which marquee artists would commit to performing either month .
Nearly 600,000 tickets were sold for the 2019 edition of Coachella , which was held across two consecutive weekends .
This year 's planned headliners included Rage Against the Machine , Travis Scott and Frank Ocean for Coachella and Thomas Rhett , Carrie Underwood and Eric Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the massive live event company AEG Presents .
Variety reported on Monday that AEG Presents is instituting a variety of layoffs , furloughs and pay cuts across all areas of the organization as of July 1 .

Coachella Festival Canceled In 2020, Says Public Health Commissioner
Enlarge this image toggle caption Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images
Updated Thursday at 6:28 p.m. ET
The popular annual music festival Coachella and its country music sibling, Stagecoach, have both been canceled for 2020.
While the events' promoter, Goldenvoice, has not yet made a public announcement, the cancellation order was released Wednesday evening by the public health officer of Riverside County, Calif.
In March, the festivals' organizers announced that both Coachella and Stagecoach would be delayed until October. However, the order from Dr. Cameron Kaiser, the health officer, warned of a possible spike in COVID-19 infections this fall. He also noted that the festivals attract "hundreds of thousands of attendees from many countries," and that if an outbreak were to occur at Coachella or Stagecoach, it would be "impossible to track those who may be at risk."
On Thursday afternoon, Coachella announced April 2021 dates for both festivals on social media, adding that they would be sharing new lineups as well. The organizers also said that all 2020 passes will be honored next year.
It is still unclear whether or not Goldenvoice, Coachella's promoter, can feasibly present the festivals in April and still meet social distancing requirements, or if they will ultimately have to move them to fall 2021 in a bid to increase audience capacity safely. It's also unclear at this point which marquee artists would commit to performing at either time.
Nearly 600,000 tickets were sold for the 2019 edition of Coachella, which was held across two consecutive weekends. The scheduled headliners for the canceled 2020 festivals included Rage Against the Machine, Travis Scott and Frank Ocean for Coachella and Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood and Eric Church for Stagecoach.
Goldenvoice is owned by the massive live event company AEG Presents. Variety reported on Monday that AEG Presents is instituting a variety of layoffs, furloughs and pay cuts across all areas of the organization as of July 1.


npr--2020-06-10--Minneapolis Pauses Contract Talks With Police Union Over Officers' Accountability

The chief of police in Minneapolis is launching another effort to reform the city 's beleaguered department in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd , taking aim at a union contract that many critics say protects officers who engage in misconduct or use excessive force .
Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo is pulling out of contract negotiations with the police union to focus instead on implementing reforms and accountability measures that he promises will be `` transformational , '' while at the same time , looking for ways to restructure the contract .
In making the announcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crippled relationships '' between the police and communities of color in the city that have eroded trust in the police force .
`` What our city needs now more than ever is a pathway and a plan that provides hope , reassurance , and actionable measures of reform , '' Arradondo said at a news conference Wednesday announcing the changes .
Arradondo says he needs to step back from the table and get input from outside advisors and experts to look at ways the contract can be restructured to provide greater transparency for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meaningful reforms .
`` This work must be transformational , but I must do it right , '' he said and cautioned that it could take time .
As in other cities , many Minneapolis residents have long complained of union rules in police contracts that they say protect bad cops , especially those who engage in racial discrimination and the unnecessary use excessive force .
Arradondo says he wants to examine contract provisions covering critical incident protocols , use of force , and the disciplinary process , including grievances and arbitration .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a chief from an employment matter perspective , than when you have grounds to terminate an officer for misconduct and you 're dealing with a third-party mechanism that allows for that employee to not only be back at your department , but to be patrolling in your communities . ''
Born and raised in Minneapolis and a city police officer for more than 30 years , Arradondo rose through the ranks to become the city 's first African American police chief in 2017 .
In Wednesday 's news conference , he reminded reporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against the department more than a decade ago , and said police and political leaders can no longer shy away from confronting racial bias in policing .
`` Race is inextricably a part of the American policing system , '' he said .
`` We will never evolve in this profession if we do n't address it head on .
Communities of color have paid the heaviest of costs , and that 's with their lives .
And our children must be safeguarded from ever having to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this country 's history . ''
Arradondo 's predecessor as police chief , Janee Harteau , and the city 's mayor , Jacob Frey , among others , have often complained that the police union has worked to block departmental reforms .
Frey praised Arradondo 's announcement Wednesday , saying in a series of tweets , `` I applaud the Chief 's courage ( and ) his resolve to challenge the status quo . ''
`` We do n't just need a new contract with the police , '' Frey tweeted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the people of Minneapolis and the people trusted to protect and serve – and we need to go farther than we ever have in making sweeping structural reform . ''
Frey elaborated on those thoughts in an interview with NPR 's All Things Considered Wednesday , amid calls by many in the city to defund and dismantle the police department .
`` I am for major structural reform in terms of how our police department operates .
We need to entirely shift the culture that has for years failed black and brown people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` But am I for abolishing the police department ?
No , I 'm not .
I think it 's a bad idea . ''
It 's not exactly clear what the impact of the city walking away from the bargaining table will be .
Contract talks have been in a holding pattern for months , stopping at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic .
Minneapolis police officers have been working under the terms of an expired contract .
Negotiations were expected to resume in the late spring or summer but now @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Minneapolis Pauses Contract Talks With Police Union Over Officers' Accountability
Enlarge this image toggle caption Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty Images Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty Images
The chief of police in Minneapolis is launching another effort to reform the city's beleaguered department in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd, taking aim at a union contract that many critics say protects officers who engage in misconduct or use excessive force.
Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo is pulling out of contract negotiations with the police union to focus instead on implementing reforms and accountability measures that he promises will be "transformational," while at the same time, looking for ways to restructure the contract.
In making the announcement, Arradondo acknowledged that there are "crippled relationships" between the police and communities of color in the city that have eroded trust in the police force.
"What our city needs now more than ever is a pathway and a plan that provides hope, reassurance, and actionable measures of reform," Arradondo said at a news conference Wednesday announcing the changes.
Arradondo says he needs to step back from the table and get input from outside advisors and experts to look at ways the contract can be restructured to provide greater transparency for the community and greater flexibility to make meaningful reforms.
"This work must be transformational, but I must do it right," he said and cautioned that it could take time.
As in other cities, many Minneapolis residents have long complained of union rules in police contracts that they say protect bad cops, especially those who engage in racial discrimination and the unnecessary use excessive force.
Arradondo says he wants to examine contract provisions covering critical incident protocols, use of force, and the disciplinary process, including grievances and arbitration.
"There is nothing more debilitating to a chief from an employment matter perspective, than when you have grounds to terminate an officer for misconduct and you're dealing with a third-party mechanism that allows for that employee to not only be back at your department, but to be patrolling in your communities."
Born and raised in Minneapolis and a city police officer for more than 30 years, Arradondo rose through the ranks to become the city's first African American police chief in 2017. In Wednesday's news conference, he reminded reporters that he and several other black officers filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against the department more than a decade ago, and said police and political leaders can no longer shy away from confronting racial bias in policing.
"Race is inextricably a part of the American policing system," he said. "We will never evolve in this profession if we don't address it head on. Communities of color have paid the heaviest of costs, and that's with their lives. And our children must be safeguarded from ever having to be treated to the horrific and shameful chapter in this country's history."
Arradondo's predecessor as police chief, Janee Harteau, and the city's mayor, Jacob Frey, among others, have often complained that the police union has worked to block departmental reforms. Frey praised Arradondo's announcement Wednesday, saying in a series of tweets, "I applaud the Chief's courage (and) his resolve to challenge the status quo."
"We don't just need a new contract with the police," Frey tweeted. "We need a new compact between the people of Minneapolis and the people trusted to protect and serve – and we need to go farther than we ever have in making sweeping structural reform."
Frey elaborated on those thoughts in an interview with NPR's All Things Considered Wednesday, amid calls by many in the city to defund and dismantle the police department.
"I am for major structural reform in terms of how our police department operates. We need to entirely shift the culture that has for years failed black and brown people," Frey said in the interview. "But am I for abolishing the police department? No, I'm not. I think it's a bad idea."
It's not exactly clear what the impact of the city walking away from the bargaining table will be. Contract talks have been in a holding pattern for months, stopping at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. Minneapolis police officers have been working under the terms of an expired contract. Negotiations were expected to resume in the late spring or summer but now appear to be indefinitely on hold.


npr--2020-06-10--A&E's Popular Show 'Live PD' Is Canceled Amid Protests Over Police Brutality

Updated at 12:05 a.m .
ET Thursday Cable network A & E announced Wednesday that it has canceled production of its popular unscripted series Live PD amid ongoing nationwide protests following the death of a black man , George Floyd , while in police custody last month in Minneapolis , Minn .
The cancellation also comes after an Austin , Texas , newspaper and television station reported fresh details of the case of Javier Ambler , a black man who died while being arrested by law enforcement in 2019 .
A camera crew with Live PD was there and recorded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a critical time in our nation 's history and we have made the decision to cease production on Live PD , '' A & E , which produced the program , said in a statement .
`` Going forward , we will determine if there is a clear pathway to tell the stories of both the community and the police officers whose role it is to serve them .
And with that , we will be meeting with community and civil rights leaders as well as police departments . ''
Dan Abrams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , had vowed the show would return .
However by Wednesday evening he appeared to acknowledge it would not , and tweeted he was `` beyond disappointed . ''
On Tuesday , the Austin American-Statesman reported the video of Ambler recorded by the Live PD camera crew had been destroyed .
The newspaper was in touch with representatives of the show and reported the footage `` can no longer be turned over to Austin investigators . ''
The revelation about the destruction of the video came after the Statesman and Austin ABC affiliate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the events that led to the March 2019 death of Ambler .
The news organizations also obtained body camera footage from an Austin Police Department officer showing Ambler 's final moments .
These events come to light as the United States is confronting decades of systemic racism and chronic mistreatment of minority communities by police .
The death of Floyd , who was killed last month by a white Minneapolis police officer who knelt on his neck for nearly 9 minutes , has sparked protests in the U.S. and internationally .
Aside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there are other similarities in the way both men died .
The bodycam footage shows that , like Floyd , Ambler pleaded for mercy and told Williamson County Sheriff 's deputies he could n't breathe .
Ambler was shot repeatedly with a stun gun as law enforcement worked to restrain him .
Ambler also told them he suffered from congestive heart failure .
`` He cried , 'Save me , ' before deputies deployed a final shock , '' the Statesmen reported .
The newspaper reported that Ambler , who was 40 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was pulled over by Williamson County Sheriff 's deputies after he failed to dim his SUV 's headlights to oncoming traffic .
Deputies chased Ambler for 20 minutes , the newspaper reported , and Ambler eventually crashed his vehicle in North Austin .
KVUE reported the Sheriff 's Office attempted to `` shield information from release since receiving its first request in February . ''
It also said Ambler 's death was ruled a homicide .
Elected officials in Williamson County , including three of four members of the County Commissioners Court and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , are now calling on Sheriff Robert Chody to resign , NPR member station KUT in Austin reported .
`` Your department killed # JavierAmbler , filmed it for a reality TV show , then covered it up for 15 months , '' Talarico tweeted Wednesday .
`` I 'm not calling for your resignation because I 'm a progressive .
I 'm calling for your resignation because I 'm a human being . ''

A&E's Popular Show 'Live PD' Is Canceled Amid Protests Over Police Brutality
Enlarge this image toggle caption Scott Gries/A&E Scott Gries/A&E
Updated at 12:05 a.m. ET Thursday
Cable network A&E announced Wednesday that it has canceled production of its popular unscripted series Live PD amid ongoing nationwide protests following the death of a black man, George Floyd, while in police custody last month in Minneapolis, Minn.
Related NPR Stories 'Cops' Show Canceled Amid Worldwide Protests Against Police Violence
The cancellation also comes after an Austin, Texas, newspaper and television station reported fresh details of the case of Javier Ambler, a black man who died while being arrested by law enforcement in 2019. A camera crew with Live PD was there and recorded footage of the incident.
"This is a critical time in our nation's history and we have made the decision to cease production on Live PD," A&E, which produced the program, said in a statement.
"Going forward, we will determine if there is a clear pathway to tell the stories of both the community and the police officers whose role it is to serve them. And with that, we will be meeting with community and civil rights leaders as well as police departments."
Dan Abrams, the host of the now-canceled show, had vowed the show would return. However by Wednesday evening he appeared to acknowledge it would not, and tweeted he was "beyond disappointed."
On Tuesday, the Austin American-Statesman reported the video of Ambler recorded by the Live PD camera crew had been destroyed. The newspaper was in touch with representatives of the show and reported the footage "can no longer be turned over to Austin investigators."
The revelation about the destruction of the video came after the Statesman and Austin ABC affiliate KVUE on Monday reported a fuller picture of the events that led to the March 2019 death of Ambler.
The news organizations also obtained body camera footage from an Austin Police Department officer showing Ambler's final moments.
These events come to light as the United States is confronting decades of systemic racism and chronic mistreatment of minority communities by police. The death of Floyd, who was killed last month by a white Minneapolis police officer who knelt on his neck for nearly 9 minutes, has sparked protests in the U.S. and internationally.
Aside from their deaths being captured on video, there are other similarities in the way both men died.
Austin American-Statesman YouTube
The bodycam footage shows that, like Floyd, Ambler pleaded for mercy and told Williamson County Sheriff's deputies he couldn't breathe. Ambler was shot repeatedly with a stun gun as law enforcement worked to restrain him. Ambler also told them he suffered from congestive heart failure.
"He cried, 'Save me,' before deputies deployed a final shock," the Statesmen reported.
The newspaper reported that Ambler, who was 40 at the time of his death, was pulled over by Williamson County Sheriff's deputies after he failed to dim his SUV's headlights to oncoming traffic.
Deputies chased Ambler for 20 minutes, the newspaper reported, and Ambler eventually crashed his vehicle in North Austin.
KVUE reported the Sheriff's Office attempted to "shield information from release since receiving its first request in February." It also said Ambler's death was ruled a homicide.
Elected officials in Williamson County, including three of four members of the County Commissioners Court and State Rep. James Talarico, D-Round Rock, are now calling on Sheriff Robert Chody to resign, NPR member station KUT in Austin reported.
"Your department killed #JavierAmbler, filmed it for a reality TV show, then covered it up for 15 months," Talarico tweeted Wednesday. "I'm not calling for your resignation because I'm a progressive. I'm calling for your resignation because I'm a human being."
NPR's Eric Deggans contributed to this report.


npr--2020-06-11--Upcoming Trump Rally In Tulsa Faces Backlash Over Race, Coronavirus

The White House and Trump campaign are defending a decision to hold a rally next week in a city that was home to one of the most brutal episodes of racial violence in the country 's history , on Juneteenth — a day considered to be Independence Day for black Americans .
The rally , scheduled for June 19 in Tulsa , Okla. , marks President Trump 's official return to the campaign trail after the coronavirus shifted campaigning to the virtual realm .
The president is also facing criticism over possible exposure of attendees to the coronavirus .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can hold about 19,000 people .
A disclaimer at the bottom of the rally 's registration page reads , `` By attending the Rally , you and any guests voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and agree to not hold Donald J. Trump for President ... liable for any illness or injury . ''
Asked what precautions would be taken at Trump 's rallies as they restart , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Wednesday `` we will ensure that everyone who goes is safe , '' but she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump campaign to hold a rally in Tulsa , where white mobs massacred black citizens in 1921 has been widely condemned by Democrats , including Rep. Val Demings of Florida and Sen. Kamala Harris of California .
The arena is blocks away from the site of the massacre .
Demings and Harris are among those speculated to be on presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden 's shortlist for vice president .
Juneteenth is a holiday that celebrates the anniversary ( June 19 , 1865 ) of when news of emancipation reached enslaved people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with community leaders on reopening the economy , Biden acknowledged the president 's upcoming rally and appeared to conflate the date and history of Juneteenth with the date of the Tulsa attacks , saying , `` He 's going to down to Texas on Juneteenth , right ?
The first major massacre , literally speaking , of black Wall Street , right , years ago . ''
When asked by reporters Thursday whether it was appropriate for Trump to hold his rally on Juneteenth , McEnany defended the decision , calling it a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The African American community is very near and dear to his heart .
At these rallies , he often shares the great work he has done for minority communities , '' the press secretary said .
McEnany then said that Trump is `` working on rectifying injustices , injustices that go back to the very beginning of this country 's history . ''
Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale echoed that sentiment , tweeting that Republicans `` are proud of what Juneteenth represents '' and that Trump `` has a solid record of @ @ @ @ @ @

Upcoming Trump Rally In Tulsa Faces Backlash Over Race, Coronavirus
Enlarge this image toggle caption Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images
The White House and Trump campaign are defending a decision to hold a rally next week in a city that was home to one of the most brutal episodes of racial violence in the country's history, on Juneteenth — a day considered to be Independence Day for black Americans.
The rally, scheduled for June 19 in Tulsa, Okla., marks President Trump's official return to the campaign trail after the coronavirus shifted campaigning to the virtual realm.
The president is also facing criticism over possible exposure of attendees to the coronavirus. The rally's venue, BOK Center, can hold about 19,000 people.
A disclaimer at the bottom of the rally's registration page reads, "By attending the Rally, you and any guests voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and agree to not hold Donald J. Trump for President ... liable for any illness or injury."
toggle caption Trump campaign
Asked what precautions would be taken at Trump's rallies as they restart, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Wednesday "we will ensure that everyone who goes is safe," but she did not elaborate.
The decision by the Trump campaign to hold a rally in Tulsa, where white mobs massacred black citizens in 1921 has been widely condemned by Democrats, including Rep. Val Demings of Florida and Sen. Kamala Harris of California.
The arena is blocks away from the site of the massacre.
Demings and Harris are among those speculated to be on presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden's shortlist for vice president.
Juneteenth is a holiday that celebrates the anniversary (June 19, 1865) of when news of emancipation reached enslaved people in Texas.
During a roundtable Thursday with community leaders on reopening the economy, Biden acknowledged the president's upcoming rally and appeared to conflate the date and history of Juneteenth with the date of the Tulsa attacks, saying, "He's going to down to Texas on Juneteenth, right? The first major massacre, literally speaking, of black Wall Street, right, years ago."
When asked by reporters Thursday whether it was appropriate for Trump to hold his rally on Juneteenth, McEnany defended the decision, calling it a "meaningful day" for Trump.
"The African American community is very near and dear to his heart. At these rallies, he often shares the great work he has done for minority communities," the press secretary said.
McEnany then said that Trump is "working on rectifying injustices, injustices that go back to the very beginning of this country's history."
Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale echoed that sentiment, tweeting that Republicans "are proud of what Juneteenth represents" and that Trump "has a solid record of success for Black Americans."


npr--2020-06-11--Florida And S.C. Report New Spikes In Coronavirus Cases

Florida And S.C. Report New Spikes In Coronavirus Cases A record high in South Carolina .
A two-month high in Florida .
Record hospitalizations in Texas .
Several states that were among the first to reopen their economies are now reporting spikes in new coronavirus cases , driving an alarming trend that has propelled the U.S. to 2 million cases .
Florida reported nearly 1,700 new cases Thursday morning — `` the biggest jump since March , '' as NPR member station WLRN reported .
Hours after the state published that data , Gov .
Ron DeSantis unveiled his plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local governments to aim for `` full capacity '' when they resume classes .
`` As you 're testing more , you 're going to find more cases , '' DeSantis said when asked about the high number .
`` We 're doing 30,000-plus tests a day . ''
But some public health experts said the current rise in cases in many U.S. states is the result of community transmission , not a boost in testing .
As he discussed Florida 's numbers , DeSantis added , `` We also do have ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus has spread rapidly in some rural areas .
Similar scenarios are playing out in at least 25 U.S. states and territories , with new cases and/or hospitalization rates spurring fears that many parts of the country are still yet to reach their peak .
Arizona reported 1,412 new coronavirus cases Thursday — far above its recent average of 1,071 , which was already a 200 % change from two weeks ago .
Nearly 80 % of the state 's intensive care unit beds are in use .
On April 11 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was at 66 % .
Texas has seen more people in the hospital due to COVID-19 this week than it has at any time during the pandemic .
The figure fell to 2,008 on Thursday after soaring past the 2,000 mark for the first time earlier this week .
South Carolina announced nearly 700 new cases on Thursday , far outpacing its previous record high of 540 set earlier this week .
The state 's positive test rate is just over 14 % , its health department said .
South Carolina allowed beaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April .
Restaurants were able to serve patrons in their dining rooms ( at limited capacities ) as of May 11 .
`` We began to see the first increasing trends several days after the Memorial Day weekend , '' said Dr. Linda Bell , the state epidemiologist , adding that incubation times and delays in testing would account for why those cases are turning up now .
`` It 's not unexpected , '' Bell added .
`` We saw lots of activity with large gatherings , no social distancing , very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ findings are not unexpected . ''
About 73 % of South Carolina 's hospital beds were occupied as of Thursday morning , the state said — but it added that of the roughly 7,600 beds in total , 494 are `` occupied by patients who have either tested positive or are under investigation for COVID-19 . ''
Concerns about the negative trends in the fight against the coronavirus contributed to a devastating day for stock prices , with the Dow Jones Industrial Average experiencing `` one of the worst one-day drops in history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported .

Florida And S.C. Report New Spikes In Coronavirus Cases
Enlarge this image toggle caption Zack Wittman/Bloomberg via Getty Images Zack Wittman/Bloomberg via Getty Images
A record high in South Carolina. A two-month high in Florida. Record hospitalizations in Texas. Several states that were among the first to reopen their economies are now reporting spikes in new coronavirus cases, driving an alarming trend that has propelled the U.S. to 2 million cases.
Florida reported nearly 1,700 new cases Thursday morning — "the biggest jump since March," as NPR member station WLRN reported. Hours after the state published that data, Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled his plan to reopen schools in August, urging local governments to aim for "full capacity" when they resume classes.
"As you're testing more, you're going to find more cases," DeSantis said when asked about the high number. "We're doing 30,000-plus tests a day."
But some public health experts said the current rise in cases in many U.S. states is the result of community transmission, not a boost in testing. As he discussed Florida's numbers, DeSantis added, "We also do have ... outbreaks in agricultural communities," saying the coronavirus has spread rapidly in some rural areas.
Similar scenarios are playing out in at least 25 U.S. states and territories, with new cases and/or hospitalization rates spurring fears that many parts of the country are still yet to reach their peak.
Arizona reported 1,412 new coronavirus cases Thursday — far above its recent average of 1,071, which was already a 200% change from two weeks ago. Nearly 80% of the state's intensive care unit beds are in use. On April 11, the state's ICU bed occupancy rate was at 66%.
Texas has seen more people in the hospital due to COVID-19 this week than it has at any time during the pandemic. The figure fell to 2,008 on Thursday after soaring past the 2,000 mark for the first time earlier this week.
South Carolina announced nearly 700 new cases on Thursday, far outpacing its previous record high of 540 set earlier this week. The state's positive test rate is just over 14%, its health department said.
South Carolina allowed beaches and some businesses to reopen in late April. Restaurants were able to serve patrons in their dining rooms (at limited capacities) as of May 11.
"We began to see the first increasing trends several days after the Memorial Day weekend," said Dr. Linda Bell, the state epidemiologist, adding that incubation times and delays in testing would account for why those cases are turning up now.
"It's not unexpected," Bell added. "We saw lots of activity with large gatherings, no social distancing, very rare use of masks. So these findings are not unexpected."
About 73% of South Carolina's hospital beds were occupied as of Thursday morning, the state said — but it added that of the roughly 7,600 beds in total, 494 are "occupied by patients who have either tested positive or are under investigation for COVID-19."
Concerns about the negative trends in the fight against the coronavirus contributed to a devastating day for stock prices, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average experiencing "one of the worst one-day drops in history," as NPR's Jim Zarroli reported.


npr--2020-06-11--More Than A Dozen Minneapolis Police Back Reforms In Open Letter To City Residents

More Than A Dozen Minneapolis Police Back Reforms In Open Letter To City Residents More than a dozen Minneapolis police officers who say they represent hundred of others condemn the former officer charged with killing George Floyd .
And they express support for policing reforms in an open letter released Thursday that is addressed to `` Dear Everyone - but especially Minneapolis citizens . ''
`` We wholeheartedly condemn Derek Chauvin , '' the letter states at the outset , and it goes on to denounce the now-fired officer 's actions .
`` Like us , Derek Chauvin took an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most precious , '' the officers write , adding , `` Derek Chauvin failed as a human and stripped George Floyd of his dignity and life .
This is not who we are . ''
Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder in the killing of Floyd , 46 , who died while in police custody May 25 .
Video filmed by bystanders shows Chauvin kneeling on Floyd 's neck for nearly nine minutes , as he cries for help and tells Chauvin and three other officers on the scene that he ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other officers who were on the scene are charged with aiding and abetting second degree murder .
The killing has sparked mass protests against police brutality and racial inequality in Minnesota and around the world .
The letter is signed by 14 officers but it says it expresses `` what the vast majority of Minneapolis police officers feel at this moment . ''
`` We are leaders , formal and informal , and from all ranks within the Minneapolis Police Department .
We 're not the union of the administration , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the voices of hundreds of other officers .
`` We stand ready to listen and embrace the calls for change , reform and rebuilding , '' the officers tell the people of Minneapolis .
`` We are with you moving forward .
We want to work with you and for you to regain your trust . ''
While the letter denounces Chauvin and his actions , it makes no mention of the two rookie officers who helped pin Floyd face down on the street , nor does it mention another officer who stood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , charged and fired , along with Chauvin .
The 14 officers who signed the letter include former Minneapolis police union president John Delmonico .
Several of the others are prominent detectives .
They say the letter represents their statement `` in whole , '' adding they will not making additional comments or giving interviews .

More Than A Dozen Minneapolis Police Back Reforms In Open Letter To City Residents
Enlarge this image toggle caption Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images
More than a dozen Minneapolis police officers who say they represent hundreds of others condemned the former officer charged in the killing of George Floyd. And they expressed support for policing reforms in an open letter released Thursday that is addressed to "Dear Everyone — but especially Minneapolis citizens."
"We wholeheartedly condemn Derek Chauvin," the letter said at the outset, and it went on to denounce the now-fired officer's actions.
"Like us, Derek Chauvin took an oath to hold the sanctity of life most precious," the officers wrote, adding, "Derek Chauvin failed as a human and stripped George Floyd of his dignity and life. This is not who we are."
Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder in the killing of Floyd, 46, who died while in police custody May 25. Video filmed by bystanders shows Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck for nearly 9 minutes as he cries for help and says that he can't breathe. Three other officers who were on the scene were charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder. The killing has sparked mass protests against police brutality and racial inequality in Minnesota and around the world.
The letter was signed by 14 officers, but it said it expressed "what the vast majority of Minneapolis police officers feel at this moment."
"We are leaders, formal and informal, and from all ranks within the Minneapolis Police Department. We're not the union or the administration," the letter continued, adding that they represent the voices of hundreds of other officers.
"We stand ready to listen and embrace the calls for change, reform and rebuilding," the officers told the people of Minneapolis. "We are with you moving forward. We want to work with you and for you to regain your trust."
While the letter denounced Chauvin and his actions, it made no mention of two rookie officers who helped pin Floyd facedown on the street nor did it mention another officer who stood watch. All three were fired and charged along with Chauvin.
The 14 officers who signed the letter include John Delmonico, former Minneapolis police union president. Several of the others are prominent detectives. They said the letter represents their statement "in whole," adding they will not make additional comments or give interviews.


npr--2020-06-11--Trump Administration Proposes Rules To Sharply Restrict Asylum Claims

The Trump administration has released a draft of new regulations that would sharply restrict how asylum is granted to immigrants who come to the U.S. seeking protection .
Critics say the proposed changes are so severe that they would effectively shut down the asylum system in this country .
The sweeping restrictions would make it easier for immigration judges to reject asylum requests out of hand .
They would , for instance , harden the categories of people who face persecution for their race , religion , nationality , political opinion or membership in a social group .
A Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would allow `` streamlined proceedings '' for individuals found to have credible fear , clarify when an application is `` frivolous , '' define terms involved in the adjudication of asylum claims , and raise certain burdens of proof .
The changes `` would allow the Departments to more effectively separate baseless claims from meritorious ones , '' the Justice Department said .
The proposed rule changes are scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on June 15 , followed by a public comment period .
The Trump administration has been rejecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by immigrants who say they 're fleeing criminal gangs or an abusive spouse .
House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerrold Nadler , D-N.Y. , and Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship Chair Zoe Lofgren , D-Calif. , blasted the proposed changes as `` abhorrent , un-American , and illegal .
`` As we have seen time and time again over the last four years , this President is attempting to rewrite our immigration laws in direct contravention of duly enacted statutes and clear congressional intent , '' Nadler and Lofgren said in statement .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rule of law and nation 's long tradition of asylum-seeking is crucial .
We can and must continue to be a beacon of hope and freedom across the world . ''
The Tahirih Justice Center , a nonprofit organization that advocates for immigrants fleeing gender-based violence , called the proposed changes `` an assault on the fundamental right to seek asylum . ''
`` If implemented , the rule would eliminate gender-based asylum — shutting the door to anyone fleeing life-threatening persecution due to their gender , while undoing decades of legal precedent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
`` Women fleeing rape and severe domestic violence , LGBTQ+ individuals facing deadly attacks , and those escaping other fatal gender-based harms will no longer be allowed to seek safety within our borders if the regulations take effect . ''

Trump Administration Proposes Rules To Sharply Restrict Asylum Claims
Enlarge this image toggle caption Gregory Bull/AP Gregory Bull/AP
The Trump administration has released a draft of new regulations that would sharply restrict how asylum is granted to immigrants who come to the U.S. seeking protection. Critics say the proposed changes are so severe that they would effectively shut down the asylum system in this country.
The sweeping restrictions would make it easier for immigration judges to reject asylum requests out of hand. They would, for instance, harden the categories of people who face persecution for their race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a social group.
A Justice Department press release says the 161-page rule would allow "streamlined proceedings" for individuals found to have credible fear, clarify when an application is "frivolous," define terms involved in the adjudication of asylum claims, and raise certain burdens of proof.
The changes "would allow the Departments to more effectively separate baseless claims from meritorious ones," the Justice Department said.
The proposed rule changes are scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on June 15, followed by a public comment period.
The Trump administration has been rejecting what it considers "frivolous" claims by immigrants who say they're fleeing criminal gangs or an abusive spouse.
House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., and Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship Chair Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., blasted the proposed changes as "abhorrent, un-American, and illegal.
"As we have seen time and time again over the last four years, this President is attempting to rewrite our immigration laws in direct contravention of duly enacted statutes and clear congressional intent," Nadler and Lofgren said in statement. "In this historic moment, preserving the rule of law and nation's long tradition of asylum-seeking is crucial. We can and must continue to be a beacon of hope and freedom across the world."
The Tahirih Justice Center, a nonprofit organization that advocates for immigrants fleeing gender-based violence, called the proposed changes "an assault on the fundamental right to seek asylum."
"If implemented, the rule would eliminate gender-based asylum — shutting the door to anyone fleeing life-threatening persecution due to their gender, while undoing decades of legal precedent," the center said in a statement. "Women fleeing rape and severe domestic violence, LGBTQ+ individuals facing deadly attacks, and those escaping other fatal gender-based harms will no longer be allowed to seek safety within our borders if the regulations take effect."


npr--2020-06-11--LA Police Union Official: 'Every Dollar You Take Away' Has Consequences

LA Police Union Official : 'Every Dollar You Take Away ' Has Consequences In the two-and-a-half weeks since police killed George Floyd in Minneapolis , the question of how to change policing has eclipsed almost every other topic of debate .
Some of the loudest voices opposing dramatic change are from police unions .
In Los Angeles , Mayor Eric Garcetti wants to cut the police budget by as much as $ 150 million .
In a recent speech , he referred to police as `` killers . ''
In response , union directors questioned the mayor 's mental health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city 's police union , says he 's not opposed to reassessing the budget in order to better serve the community .
In L.A. , and across the country , police are often called on to deal with issues such as homelessness , addiction and mental illness .
`` Let 's identify things that we have stereotypically put at the feet of law enforcement and see if we can address those better , and let 's see what that impact would be in our communities , specifically our higher crime areas or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a director with the Los Angeles Police Protective League , in an interview on All Things Considered .
But that , he argues , is n't what the current conversation is about .
`` What 's happening is a philosophy that says police are harming minority communities .
Therefore , we 're going to punish them by taking money away from them , '' Harris says .
`` Every dollar you take away from a department has a real consequence in our neighborhoods . ''
Here are excerpts from the interview .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the way of reform .
For example , California changed state law , over union objections , to open records of officer misconduct to the public .
That law took effect last year .
What kind of impact has it had ?
It 's generated an immense amount of administrative work onto police departments .
With every new reform , something like body cameras ... all of those things come with administrative functions that then require funding , which is the irony here , every time we ask for something new , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I would disagree that rank-and-file union stand in the way of reform .
I think that makes for a great clip .
I do n't think it 's rooted in reality .
...
But on that specific state law , the union did oppose that particular effort for transparency and accountability .
And when I ask you how it 's gone , you say it 's created a lot more work .
So you can understand why people would have that perception .
...
When you reduce some of these issues that are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when you reduce them down to `` well , the police just do n't want to release their personnel records , '' that 's just not true .
And it 's not fair .
Can you just explain to listeners why unions have so often opposed rules such as clearly prescribed use of force continuums , civilian oversight with subpoena power , things that give unions a reputation for fighting changes in American policing ?
Look , some rank-and-file unions have gotten it wrong .
...
I think there should be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I think all agencies should have something that ingrains reverence for life in their officers ' minds .
I think that they should include policies that address de-escalation techniques , tactics and training .
I think training itself needs to be better at a national level for police .
And these are all things that Los Angeles has implemented over the last two decades , and it has served us very well .
I think it is very important for people to have the proper perspective and perceptions when it comes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared goal of building trust and respect between communities and the officers that serve them .
Listen to the full interview at the audio link .

LA Police Union Official: 'Every Dollar You Take Away' Has Consequences
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mark J. Terrill/AP Mark J. Terrill/AP
In the two-and-a-half weeks since police killed George Floyd in Minneapolis, the question of how to change policing has eclipsed almost every other topic of debate.
Some of the loudest voices opposing dramatic change are from police unions.
In Los Angeles, Mayor Eric Garcetti wants to cut the police budget by as much as $150 million. In a recent speech, he referred to police as "killers." In response, union directors questioned the mayor's mental health.
Robert Harris, an official with the city's police union, says he's not opposed to reassessing the budget in order to better serve the community.
In L.A., and across the country, police are often called on to deal with issues such as homelessness, addiction and mental illness.
"Let's identify things that we have stereotypically put at the feet of law enforcement and see if we can address those better, and let's see what that impact would be in our communities, specifically our higher crime areas or our minority communities," says Harris, a director with the Los Angeles Police Protective League, in an interview on All Things Considered.
But that, he argues, isn't what the current conversation is about.
"What's happening is a philosophy that says police are harming minority communities. Therefore, we're going to punish them by taking money away from them," Harris says. "Every dollar you take away from a department has a real consequence in our neighborhoods."
Here are excerpts from the interview.
Many argue that police unions often stand in the way of reform. For example, California changed state law, over union objections, to open records of officer misconduct to the public. That law took effect last year. What kind of impact has it had?
It's generated an immense amount of administrative work onto police departments. With every new reform, something like body cameras ... all of those things come with administrative functions that then require funding, which is the irony here, every time we ask for something new, it requires funding to do that. I would disagree that rank-and-file union stand in the way of reform. I think that makes for a great clip. I don't think it's rooted in reality. ...
But on that specific state law, the union did oppose that particular effort for transparency and accountability. And when I ask you how it's gone, you say it's created a lot more work. So you can understand why people would have that perception.
... When you reduce some of these issues that are nuanced and have unintended consequences to them, when you reduce them down to "well, the police just don't want to release their personnel records," that's just not true. And it's not fair.
Can you just explain to listeners why unions have so often opposed rules such as clearly prescribed use of force continuums, civilian oversight with subpoena power, things that give unions a reputation for fighting changes in American policing?
Look, some rank-and-file unions have gotten it wrong. ... I think there should be a national minimum use of force policy standard. I think all agencies should have something that ingrains reverence for life in their officers' minds. I think that they should include policies that address de-escalation techniques, tactics and training. I think training itself needs to be better at a national level for police. And these are all things that Los Angeles has implemented over the last two decades, and it has served us very well. I think it is very important for people to have the proper perspective and perceptions when it comes to how do we move forward towards the shared goal of building trust and respect between communities and the officers that serve them.
Listen to the full interview at the audio link.


npr--2020-06-11--Nursing Homes Run Short Of COVID-19 Protective Gear As Federal Response Falters

Across the United States , nursing homes trying to protect their residents from the coronavirus eagerly await boxes of masks , eyewear and gowns promised by the federal government .
But all too often the packages deliver disappointment — if they arrive at all .
Some contain flimsy surgical masks or cloth face coverings that are explicitly not intended for medical use .
Others are missing items or have far less than the full week 's worth of protective equipment the government promised to send .
Instead of proper medical gowns , many packages hold large blue plastic ponchos .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ bag on , '' said Pamela Black , the administrator of Enterprise Estates Nursing Center in Enterprise , Kan. `` There 's no real place for your hands to come out . ''
As nursing homes remain the pandemic 's epicenter , the federal government is failing to ensure these facilities have all the personal protective equipment , or PPE , needed to prevent the spread of the virus , according to interviews with administrators and federal data .
Despite President Trump 's pledge on April 30 to `` deploy every resource and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ older Americans , a fifth of the nation 's nursing homes — 3,213 out of more than 15,000 — reported during the last two weeks of May that they had less than a week 's supply of masks , gowns , gloves , eye protectors or hand sanitizer , according to federal records .
Of those , 946 reported they have had at least one confirmed COVID infection since the pandemic began .
`` The federal government 's failure to nationalize the supply chain and take control of it contributed to the deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LaRue , president and CEO of ArchCare , the health care system of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York , which operates five nursing homes .
Widespread equipment shortages continue in some places as the virus rages lethally through nursing homes and other long-term care facilities .
More than 217,000 short-term patients and long-term residents in nursing homes have contracted COVID-19 , and 43,000 have died .
Some homes still have not received the first of two batches of supplies the Federal Emergency Management Agency said it would ship in May .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Department of Health and Human Services commissioned through a contract with HanesBrands , the apparel company known for its underwear .
An HHS webpage says the masks are not intended for caring for contagious patients but can be given to workers for their commutes or to residents when they leave their rooms .
As homes keep scrounging for supplies in a chaotic market with jacked-up prices and continued scarcity , 653 skilled nursing facilities informed the government they had completely run out of one or more types of protective supplies at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of May , according to records released last week by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services , or CMS .
`` The federal government has got to step up , '' said Lori Smetanka , executive director of the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care , an advocacy group based in Washington , D.C. `` We 're now — what ?
— three months into this pandemic , and these facilities still do n't have enough PPE to protect themselves and their residents ? ''
In April , Trump pledged his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relentless commitment to America 's seniors . ''
But FEMA 's shipments of masks , gloves , gowns and eye protection have had a more modest goal : `` to serve as a bridge between other PPE shipments . ''
In written comments , FEMA defended the quality of the poncho gowns but said that because of complaints , the contractor was creating a `` short instructional video about proper use of the gowns '' to share with homes .
FEMA officials said that , as of June 4 , the agency had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starting at `` the soonest possible date in the COVID-19 global supply chain climate . ''
Yet 67 of the Good Samaritan Society 's 147 nursing homes have not received a FEMA shipment , including homes that are fighting the biggest outbreaks in Sioux Falls , S.D .
; Greeley , Colo. ; and Omaha , Neb.
, according to Nate Schema , the Good Samaritan Society 's vice president of operations .
`` We have not received a shipment in our six or seven hot spots , '' he said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in one size only , he said , and `` the quality was n't quite up to the same level we 've been receiving '' through the society 's affiliation with Sanford Health , a large hospital and physician system .
The society has enough equipment , but small nursing home groups and independent homes are still struggling , particularly with obtaining N95 masks , which filter out tiny particles of the virus and are considered the best way to protect both nursing home employees and residents from transmitting it .
The CMS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run out of N95 masks , and 1,963 said they had less than a week 's worth .
But FEMA is not shipping any N95 masks , and nursing homes are having trouble obtaining them from other sources .
Instead , the agency is sending surgical masks , but more than 1,000 homes have less than a week 's supply of those .
Messiah Lifeways at Messiah Village in Mechanicsburg , Pa. , received a FEMA shipment this week that had face shields and gloves , but only three days ' worth of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low-grade quality '' gowns that lacked sleeves , said Katie Andreano , a Messiah communications specialist .
Only two of ArchCare 's five nursing homes have received any FEMA shipments , even though it is based in New York City , the site of the nation 's biggest outbreak .
The equipment for those two homes lasted less than a week .
LaRue tried to procure equipment from abroad , but all of the potential suppliers turned out to be fraudulent .
He said ArchCare has had to rely on sporadic supplies from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` As we sit here today , I 'm still not able to get more than a few days ' supply of N95 masks , and I still struggle to a certain extent with gowns , '' LaRue said .
`` That does n't make you sleep at night , because you 're not sure when the next delivery comes . ''
In addition to the supplies , the administration has dedicated $ 5 billion to nursing homes out of $ 175 billion in provider relief funds appropriated by Congress .
Hospitals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money does n't solve the broken private supply chains , where the availability of personal protective equipment is spotty and the equipment is vastly overpriced .
`` Too often , the only signs of FEMA 's much-hyped promise of PPE are scattershot delivery with varying amounts of ragtag supplies , '' said Katie Smith Sloan , president and CEO of LeadingAge , an association of nonprofit nursing homes and other service agencies for older people .
The cloth masks from HHS have been particularly perplexing to nursing home administrators , given the caveats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the masks said they could be washed up to 15 times , according to Sondra Norder , president and CEO of St. Paul Elder Services in Kaukauna , Wis. '' I do n't know how we would possibly track how many times each mask has been washed , '' she said .
The instructions also said the masks should not be washed with disinfectants , bleach or chemicals , which is how Norder said nursing homes clean their laundry .
Norder said she laundered about 100 masks and they shrank .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and I certainly would n't want to put something on someone 's face that has n't been laundered , '' she said .
`` All my colleagues [ at other nursing homes ] received the same thing and were also baffled by it , wondering , 'How are we going to use these ? '
`` Kaiser Health News is a nonprofit , editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation , and is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente .
KHN senior correspondent Christina Jewett contributed to this report .

Nursing Homes Run Short Of COVID-19 Protective Gear As Federal Response Falters
Enlarge this image toggle caption Pamela Black Pamela Black
Across the United States, nursing homes trying to protect their residents from the coronavirus eagerly await boxes of masks, eyewear and gowns promised by the federal government. But all too often the packages deliver disappointment — if they arrive at all.
Some contain flimsy surgical masks or cloth face coverings that are explicitly not intended for medical use. Others are missing items or have far less than the full week's worth of protective equipment the government promised to send. Instead of proper medical gowns, many packages hold large blue plastic ponchos.
"It's like putting a trash bag on," said Pamela Black, the administrator of Enterprise Estates Nursing Center in Enterprise, Kan. "There's no real place for your hands to come out."
As nursing homes remain the pandemic's epicenter, the federal government is failing to ensure these facilities have all the personal protective equipment, or PPE, needed to prevent the spread of the virus, according to interviews with administrators and federal data.
Cloth masks and ponchos
Despite President Trump's pledge on April 30 to "deploy every resource and power that we have" to protect older Americans, a fifth of the nation's nursing homes — 3,213 out of more than 15,000 — reported during the last two weeks of May that they had less than a week's supply of masks, gowns, gloves, eye protectors or hand sanitizer, according to federal records. Of those, 946 reported they have had at least one confirmed COVID infection since the pandemic began.
"The federal government's failure to nationalize the supply chain and take control of it contributed to the deaths in nursing homes," said Scott LaRue, president and CEO of ArchCare, the health care system of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, which operates five nursing homes.
Widespread equipment shortages continue in some places as the virus rages lethally through nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. More than 217,000 short-term patients and long-term residents in nursing homes have contracted COVID-19, and 43,000 have died.
Some homes still have not received the first of two batches of supplies the Federal Emergency Management Agency said it would ship in May. Instead, some got only cloth masks that the Department of Health and Human Services commissioned through a contract with HanesBrands, the apparel company known for its underwear. An HHS webpage says the masks are not intended for caring for contagious patients but can be given to workers for their commutes or to residents when they leave their rooms.
As homes keep scrounging for supplies in a chaotic market with jacked-up prices and continued scarcity, 653 skilled nursing facilities informed the government they had completely run out of one or more types of protective supplies at some point in the last two weeks of May, according to records released last week by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS.
"The federal government has got to step up," said Lori Smetanka, executive director of the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, an advocacy group based in Washington, D.C. "We're now — what? — three months into this pandemic, and these facilities still don't have enough PPE to protect themselves and their residents?"
A "relentless commitment"
In April, Trump pledged his administration "will never waver in its relentless commitment to America's seniors." But FEMA's shipments of masks, gloves, gowns and eye protection have had a more modest goal: "to serve as a bridge between other PPE shipments."
In written comments, FEMA defended the quality of the poncho gowns but said that because of complaints, the contractor was creating a "short instructional video about proper use of the gowns" to share with homes. FEMA officials said that, as of June 4, the agency had shipped packages to 11,287 nursing homes, starting at "the soonest possible date in the COVID-19 global supply chain climate."
Yet 67 of the Good Samaritan Society's 147 nursing homes have not received a FEMA shipment, including homes that are fighting the biggest outbreaks in Sioux Falls, S.D.; Greeley, Colo.; and Omaha, Neb., according to Nate Schema, the Good Samaritan Society's vice president of operations. "We have not received a shipment in our six or seven hot spots," he said.
The supplies that did arrive tended to be in one size only, he said, and "the quality wasn't quite up to the same level we've been receiving" through the society's affiliation with Sanford Health, a large hospital and physician system.
The society has enough equipment, but small nursing home groups and independent homes are still struggling, particularly with obtaining N95 masks, which filter out tiny particles of the virus and are considered the best way to protect both nursing home employees and residents from transmitting it.
The CMS records show 711 nursing homes reported having run out of N95 masks, and 1,963 said they had less than a week's worth. But FEMA is not shipping any N95 masks, and nursing homes are having trouble obtaining them from other sources. Instead, the agency is sending surgical masks, but more than 1,000 homes have less than a week's supply of those.
Messiah Lifeways at Messiah Village in Mechanicsburg, Pa., received a FEMA shipment this week that had face shields and gloves, but only three days' worth of surgical masks and "very low, low-grade quality" gowns that lacked sleeves, said Katie Andreano, a Messiah communications specialist.
Only two of ArchCare's five nursing homes have received any FEMA shipments, even though it is based in New York City, the site of the nation's biggest outbreak. The equipment for those two homes lasted less than a week. LaRue tried to procure equipment from abroad, but all of the potential suppliers turned out to be fraudulent. He said ArchCare has had to rely on sporadic supplies from the state and city emergency management offices.
"As we sit here today, I'm still not able to get more than a few days' supply of N95 masks, and I still struggle to a certain extent with gowns," LaRue said. "That doesn't make you sleep at night, because you're not sure when the next delivery comes."
In addition to the supplies, the administration has dedicated $5 billion to nursing homes out of $175 billion in provider relief funds appropriated by Congress. Hospitals are getting much more. Administrators said money doesn't solve the broken private supply chains, where the availability of personal protective equipment is spotty and the equipment is vastly overpriced.
"Too often, the only signs of FEMA's much-hyped promise of PPE are scattershot delivery with varying amounts of ragtag supplies," said Katie Smith Sloan, president and CEO of LeadingAge, an association of nonprofit nursing homes and other service agencies for older people.
The cloth masks from HHS have been particularly perplexing to nursing home administrators, given the caveats that accompanied them. The instructions for the masks said they could be washed up to 15 times, according to Sondra Norder, president and CEO of St. Paul Elder Services in Kaukauna, Wis.
"I don't know how we would possibly track how many times each mask has been washed," she said. The instructions also said the masks should not be washed with disinfectants, bleach or chemicals, which is how Norder said nursing homes clean their laundry.
Norder said she laundered about 100 masks and they shrank. "The ones that have been washed are tiny, and I certainly wouldn't want to put something on someone's face that hasn't been laundered," she said. "All my colleagues [at other nursing homes] received the same thing and were also baffled by it, wondering, 'How are we going to use these?' "
Kaiser Health News is a nonprofit, editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation, and is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente. KHN senior correspondent Christina Jewett contributed to this report.


npr--2020-06-11--Kente Cloth: From Royals To Graduation Ceremonies ... To Congress?

Kente Cloth : From Royals To Graduation Ceremonies ... To Congress ?
On June 8 , a small group of Democratic lawmakers donned Ghanaian kente cloth before kneeling on the floor of the U.S. Capitol for nearly nine minutes .
The gesture was meant to show solidarity for George Floyd as they unveiled their proposed police reform legislation .
But photographs of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wrapped in the colorful woven strips , gifted to them by members of the Black Congressional Caucus , quickly sparked controversy online .
Doreen St. Félix of The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mockery , '' while Robin Givhan of The Washington Post noted that it `` muddied the current conversation about race '' by creating a distraction from the real issue : the history of racist police violence in the United States .
We reached out to two experts to discuss some of the history and symbolism of kente cloth — and their reaction to the controversy .
Kwasi Asare grew up weaving kente — his father created the kente piece commissioned by Kwame Nkrumah , Ghana 's first president after declaring independence from Britain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ General Assembly building in 1960 .
The younger Asare made a replacement for the original piece in 1995 , which still hangs at the U.N. in New York City .
Diana NDiaye is a senior curator and cultural heritage specialist at the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage , where she focuses on the intersection between African-American dress and identity .
Here , they discuss the background of kente cloth and its current cultural significance for the African diaspora .
According to NDiaye , the colorful patterned fabrics known as kente can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Akan kingdom in what is now Ghana .
The word `` kente '' actually translates to `` handwoven cloth '' in the Twi language of the Akan people .
Although the exact origins of kente are lost in time , Asare likes to tell the story that long ago , two hunters encountered a spider weaving its web in the forest and were inspired to recreate the patterns .
`` In early trade routes , Ghanian royalty would commission special cloths with particular [ symbolic ] patterns that were connected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ color might be associated with a particular lineage , '' says NDiaye .
`` It was said the weavers would unravel silk trade cloth from China and re-weave it into kente patterns . ''
The strips can be single or double woven — two layers of cloth allow for richer colors and more intricate designs .
Asare says the Ewe people as well as the Asante have long made kente — with some differences .
`` The Asante do more abstract patterns that have the names of important people or places in Akan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forms like houses , '' he explains .
`` So the strip that you saw Congress wear on their backs was an Asante design called Kyembre — this symbol represents knowledge , experience and service . ''
In the past , members of local royalty would wear the cloth like a toga .
Today , kente cloth is worn by community leaders and at special occasions like weddings and graduations .
`` There are schools in Ghana [ that ] produce some of the shawls worn in the United States with graduation dates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NDiaye .
`` I would not be surprised if there 's going to be a line of kente weaving that has the words 'Black Lives Matter . '
`` NDiaye notes that kente cloth became especially symbolic when Ghana gained independence in 1957 and the country 's president and strong proponent of Pan-africanism , Kwame Nkrumah , wore it often .
NDiaye says the style of wearing strips of kente around the shoulders , like those donned by U.S. legislators this week , most likely became commonplace when students at historically black colleges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Atlanta — began wearing kente cloth at graduation .
`` It went from being a Ghanaian symbol to being a symbol in the United States of asserting African and African-American identity , '' she says .
As kente became popular as a symbol of the African diaspora , there was more demand — and competition with the traditional Ghanaian weavers .
NDiaye notes that printed ( rather than woven ) fabric manufactured in China flooded markets in the U.S .
But weavers like Asare are leading a renaissance of the craft .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he says .
He travels through the United States with a small loom , teaching workshops about the technique of kente and how to differentiate between authentic products and printed versions .
At the end of each workshop , participants create their own kente bookmark .
NDiaye encourages anyone looking to buy kente — whether a strip , like those worn by Congress , or a full shawl — to find out about the weavers who made it .
`` I think that what is important is that the local artisans be supported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when they 're purchasing kente , '' she says .
`` That they 're not getting a cheap import and they 're not getting just kente prints that are not connected to the livelihoods of the communities that originally created this incredible art form . ''
And About The Kente Worn By U.S .
Lawmakers ... NDiaye believes it was an honorable gesture of solidarity .
`` I think it is an important recognition of the contribution of people of African descent and African-Americans to the building of this country and to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ building of this country and back to the African continent , '' she says .
Asare says he did n't feel comfortable with the use of kente upon seeing the photographs , but now takes a more `` relaxed '' stance towards what the intentions of the members of Congress were in wearing the traditional handwoven cloths .
`` I was a little disturbed at first , but then reflecting on it , I thought maybe it was a way for them to show some respect for African-Americans with all that is going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was initially a little irritated , but I do n't have any feelings about it right now . ''

Kente Cloth: From Royals To Graduation Ceremonies ... To Congress?
Enlarge this image toggle caption Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
On June 8, a small group of Democratic lawmakers donned Ghanaian kente cloth before kneeling on the floor of the U.S. Capitol for nearly nine minutes. The gesture was meant to show solidarity for George Floyd as they unveiled their proposed police reform legislation. But photographs of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wrapped in the colorful woven strips, gifted to them by members of the Black Congressional Caucus, quickly sparked controversy online.
Doreen St. Félix of The New Yorker called the photo-op "outright mockery," while Robin Givhan of The Washington Post noted that it "muddied the current conversation about race" by creating a distraction from the real issue: the history of racist police violence in the United States.
We reached out to two experts to discuss some of the history and symbolism of kente cloth — and their reaction to the controversy.
Enlarge this image toggle caption AP AP
Kwasi Asare grew up weaving kente — his father created the kente piece commissioned by Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first president after declaring independence from Britain, to hang outside the United Nations General Assembly building in 1960. The younger Asare made a replacement for the original piece in 1995, which still hangs at the U.N. in New York City.
Diana NDiaye is a senior curator and cultural heritage specialist at the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, where she focuses on the intersection between African-American dress and identity.
Here, they discuss the background of kente cloth and its current cultural significance for the African diaspora.
Inspired By Spiders?
According to NDiaye, the colorful patterned fabrics known as kente can be traced back to the Asante people of the Akan kingdom in what is now Ghana. The word "kente" actually translates to "handwoven cloth" in the Twi language of the Akan people.
Although the exact origins of kente are lost in time, Asare likes to tell the story that long ago, two hunters encountered a spider weaving its web in the forest and were inspired to recreate the patterns.
"In early trade routes, Ghanian royalty would commission special cloths with particular [symbolic] patterns that were connected to proverbs, and both the pattern and color might be associated with a particular lineage," says NDiaye. "It was said the weavers would unravel silk trade cloth from China and re-weave it into kente patterns."
The strips can be single or double woven — two layers of cloth allow for richer colors and more intricate designs.
Asare says the Ewe people as well as the Asante have long made kente — with some differences. "The Asante do more abstract patterns that have the names of important people or places in Akan culture. The Ewe do more representational forms like houses," he explains. "So the strip that you saw Congress wear on their backs was an Asante design called Kyembre — this symbol represents knowledge, experience and service."
Garb Of Queens And Kings
In the past, members of local royalty would wear the cloth like a toga. Today, kente cloth is worn by community leaders and at special occasions like weddings and graduations.
"There are schools in Ghana [that] produce some of the shawls worn in the United States with graduation dates or very special occasions," says NDiaye. "I would not be surprised if there's going to be a line of kente weaving that has the words 'Black Lives Matter.' "
NDiaye notes that kente cloth became especially symbolic when Ghana gained independence in 1957 and the country's president and strong proponent of Pan-africanism, Kwame Nkrumah, wore it often.
NDiaye says the style of wearing strips of kente around the shoulders, like those donned by U.S. legislators this week, most likely became commonplace when students at historically black colleges and universities — like Morehouse College in Atlanta — began wearing kente cloth at graduation.
"It went from being a Ghanaian symbol to being a symbol in the United States of asserting African and African-American identity," she says.
Chinese Knockoffs
As kente became popular as a symbol of the African diaspora, there was more demand — and competition with the traditional Ghanaian weavers. NDiaye notes that printed (rather than woven) fabric manufactured in China flooded markets in the U.S. But weavers like Asare are leading a renaissance of the craft.
"It makes me very happy," he says. He travels through the United States with a small loom, teaching workshops about the technique of kente and how to differentiate between authentic products and printed versions.
At the end of each workshop, participants create their own kente bookmark.
NDiaye encourages anyone looking to buy kente — whether a strip, like those worn by Congress, or a full shawl — to find out about the weavers who made it.
"I think that what is important is that the local artisans be supported and people know what they're purchasing when they're purchasing kente," she says. "That they're not getting a cheap import and they're not getting just kente prints that are not connected to the livelihoods of the communities that originally created this incredible art form."
And About The Kente Worn By U.S. Lawmakers...
NDiaye believes it was an honorable gesture of solidarity.
"I think it is an important recognition of the contribution of people of African descent and African-Americans to the building of this country and to the diverse heritage that goes even beyond the building of this country and back to the African continent," she says.
Asare says he didn't feel comfortable with the use of kente upon seeing the photographs, but now takes a more "relaxed" stance towards what the intentions of the members of Congress were in wearing the traditional handwoven cloths.
"I was a little disturbed at first, but then reflecting on it, I thought maybe it was a way for them to show some respect for African-Americans with all that is going on," he says. "I was initially a little irritated, but I don't have any feelings about it right now."