npr--2020-06-04--White Defendant Allegedly Used Racial Slur After Killing Ahmaud Arbery

William `` Roddie '' Bryan told investigators he overheard Travis McMichael use a racial epithet after fatally shooting a black man in Glynn County , Ga. , in February , according to court testimony Thursday by a Georgia Bureau of Investigation official .
Bryan told law enforcement officials that McMichael uttered `` f****** n***** '' after shooting Ahmaud Arbery three times with his Remington 870 shotgun and prior to police arriving on the scene .
Richard Dial , a special agent with GBI and the lead investigator in the case , was asked if there is evidence that McMichael has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he responded , `` Yes , sir , many times . ''
That included in posts on Instagram and in other messages sent from his phone , Dial said .
McMichael , along with his father Gregory McMichael , and Bryan all face murder charges in the death of Arbery who was killed Feb. 23 .
Dial explained what investigators believe happened in the moments leading up to Arbery 's death .
In vivid detail , he testified that Arbery , who was jogging through the Brunswick , Ga. , neighborhood , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the truck that the McMichaels were in and the vehicle driven by Bryan .
Prosecutor Jesse Evans told the court that Arbery `` was chased , hunted down and ultimately executed . ''
The opening testimony was presented to refute statements the McMichaels gave to police that they shot and killed Arbery in self-defense .
At one point attorneys for Travis McMichael asked Dial if he thought their client was trying to protect himself from Arbery , the agent responded , `` I do n't believe it was self-defense by Mr. McMichael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr .
Arbery . ''
He added : `` I believe Mr. Arbery 's decision was to just try to get away , and when he felt like he could not escape , he chose to fight . ''
It also would appear the investigator 's testimony counters claims Bryan made through his lawyer that he was not involved in the crime , he was simply a witness who recorded the incident on his cell phone .
Dial said Bryan got involved early in the pursuit after seeing the McMichaels chase Arbery .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and yelled to the McMichaels who were in their truck `` Do you got him ? ''
When Bryan did n't get a response , he went into his residence , briefly , then came back and `` cranks up his truck with the intention of assisting in the pursuit , '' Dial said .
The video shows Arbery changing direction multiple times .
The McMichaels catch up , drive past him , then stop the vehicle .
Dial said in the video Travis McMichael is holding a firearm when he exits his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a struggle and Arbery is shot twice in the chest and once in the wrist .
The charges against the first two defendants were brought 10 weeks after Arbery 's death .
The McMichaels were charged with murder and aggravated assault on May 7 , two days after GBI took over the investigation from local authorities .
Bryan , who faces felony murder and criminal attempt to commit false imprisonment , was charged on May 21 .
Both defense lawyers and prosecutors spoke to the extraordinary circumstance in which the hearing was taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including Glynn County Magistrate Judge Wallace E. Harrell , wearing masks to protect against the spread of the coronavirus .
The hearing was also held as protests over racial injustice are taking place across the country following the death of George Floyd while in police custody last week .

White Defendant Allegedly Used Racial Slur After Killing Ahmaud Arbery
Enlarge this image toggle caption Glynn County Detention Center via AP Glynn County Detention Center via AP
William "Roddie" Bryan told investigators he overheard Travis McMichael use a racial epithet after fatally shooting a black man in Glynn County, Ga., in February, according to court testimony Thursday by a Georgia Bureau of Investigation official.
Bryan told law enforcement officials that McMichael uttered "f****** n*****" after shooting Ahmaud Arbery three times with his Remington 870 shotgun and prior to police arriving on the scene.
Richard Dial, a special agent with GBI and the lead investigator in the case, was asked if there is evidence that McMichael has used the n-word at any other time and he responded, "Yes, sir, many times."
That included in posts on Instagram and in other messages sent from his phone, Dial said.
McMichael, along with his father Gregory McMichael, and Bryan all face murder charges in the death of Arbery who was killed Feb. 23.
Dial explained what investigators believe happened in the moments leading up to Arbery's death.
In vivid detail, he testified that Arbery, who was jogging through the Brunswick, Ga., neighborhood, was pursued and then repeatedly boxed in by the truck that the McMichaels were in and the vehicle driven by Bryan.
Prosecutor Jesse Evans told the court that Arbery "was chased, hunted down and ultimately executed."
The opening testimony was presented to refute statements the McMichaels gave to police that they shot and killed Arbery in self-defense.
At one point attorneys for Travis McMichael asked Dial if he thought their client was trying to protect himself from Arbery, the agent responded, "I don't believe it was self-defense by Mr. McMichael, I believe it was self-defense by Mr. Arbery."
He added: "I believe Mr. Arbery's decision was to just try to get away, and when he felt like he could not escape, he chose to fight."
It also would appear the investigator's testimony counters claims Bryan made through his lawyer that he was not involved in the crime, he was simply a witness who recorded the incident on his cell phone.
Dial said Bryan got involved early in the pursuit after seeing the McMichaels chase Arbery. Dial said Bryan was at his home and yelled to the McMichaels who were in their truck "Do you got him?"
When Bryan didn't get a response, he went into his residence, briefly, then came back and "cranks up his truck with the intention of assisting in the pursuit," Dial said.
The video shows Arbery changing direction multiple times. The McMichaels catch up, drive past him, then stop the vehicle.
Dial said in the video Travis McMichael is holding a firearm when he exits his vehicle. There's a confrontation and a struggle and Arbery is shot twice in the chest and once in the wrist.
The charges against the first two defendants were brought 10 weeks after Arbery's death.
The McMichaels were charged with murder and aggravated assault on May 7, two days after GBI took over the investigation from local authorities.
Bryan, who faces felony murder and criminal attempt to commit false imprisonment, was charged on May 21.
Both defense lawyers and prosecutors spoke to the extraordinary circumstance in which the hearing was taking place, with many in the courtroom, including Glynn County Magistrate Judge Wallace E. Harrell, wearing masks to protect against the spread of the coronavirus.
The hearing was also held as protests over racial injustice are taking place across the country following the death of George Floyd while in police custody last week.


npr--2020-06-04--Iran Frees U.S. Navy Veteran Michael White Who Was Detained For Nearly 2 Years

Iran Frees U.S. Navy Veteran Michael White Who Was Detained For Nearly 2 Years Michael White , a U.S. Navy veteran held in Iran for almost two years , was released by Iranian authorities on Thursday , according to a statement from his mother , Joanne White .
`` For the past 683 days my son , Michael , has been held hostage in Iran by the IRGC [ Iran 's Revolutionary Guard ] and I have been living a nightmare , '' Joanne White , said in the statement posted to Twitter by family spokesperson Jonathan Franks .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nightmare is over , and my son is safely in American custody and on his way home . ''
White left Iran on a Swiss government aircraft and will return with U.S. special envoy for Iran , Brian Hook .
He was released as part of an agreement between the U.S. and Iran involving a Florida dermatologist who had violated U.S. sanctions on Iran , according to The Associated Press .
The AP also reported that White is recovering from COVID-19 and had been released from prison on a medical furlough and handed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
White was initially detained in July 2018 while visiting a woman he had met online .
During that visit , he was convicted of insulting Iran 's supreme leader and posting on social media , according to Franks .
White was sentenced to a decade in prison .
President Trump tweeted on Thursday that he was happy to announce White 's release .
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo released a statement saying White had been wrongfully jailed in Iran .
Pompeo also said that `` there is more work to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there .
`` The United States continues to call for the release of U.S. citizens Baquer Namazi , Siamak Namazi , and Morad Tahbaz , who have been wrongfully detained in Iran for far too long , and to provide a full accounting of the fate of Robert Levinson , '' the statement said .

Iran Frees U.S. Navy Veteran Michael White Who Was Detained For Nearly 2 Years
Enlarge this image toggle caption U.S. State Department U.S. State Department
Michael White, a U.S. Navy veteran held in Iran for almost two years, was released by Iranian authorities on Thursday, according to a statement from his mother, Joanne White.
"For the past 683 days my son, Michael, has been held hostage in Iran by the IRGC [Iran's Revolutionary Guard] and I have been living a nightmare," Joanne White, said in the statement posted to Twitter by family spokesperson Jonathan Franks. "I am blessed to announce that the nightmare is over, and my son is safely in American custody and on his way home."
White left Iran on a Swiss government aircraft and will return with U.S. special envoy for Iran, Brian Hook. He was released as part of an agreement between the U.S. and Iran involving a Florida dermatologist who had violated U.S. sanctions on Iran, according to The Associated Press.
The AP also reported that White is recovering from COVID-19 and had been released from prison on a medical furlough and handed over to the Swiss Embassy in Tehran.
White was initially detained in July 2018 while visiting a woman he had met online. During that visit, he was convicted of insulting Iran's supreme leader and posting on social media, according to Franks. White was sentenced to a decade in prison.
President Trump tweeted on Thursday that he was happy to announce White's release.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo released a statement saying White had been wrongfully jailed in Iran. Pompeo also said that "there is more work to do" on the issue of Americans detained there.
"The United States continues to call for the release of U.S. citizens Baquer Namazi, Siamak Namazi, and Morad Tahbaz, who have been wrongfully detained in Iran for far too long, and to provide a full accounting of the fate of Robert Levinson," the statement said.


npr--2020-06-04--'No Justice In France, Either': French Protest Police Killings In U.S. And At Home

'No Justice In France , Either ' : French Protest Police Killings In U.S. And At Home The protests in the United States against racism and police violence have inspired similar demonstrations across the Atlantic , from Amsterdam to London to Paris and Marseille .
More than 20,000 people came out in the French capital Tuesday , despite a ban on gatherings due to the coronavirus .
They shook their fists and yelled `` pas de justice , pas de paix ! ''
— `` no justice , no peace ! ''
— in front of Paris ' main courthouse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was n't George Floyd .
It was Adama Traoré .
In July 2016 , Traoré , a French black man , died in police custody in a suburb outside Paris .
Although there is no video , many in France believe that , like Floyd , Traoré was asphyxiated by police .
None of the police who interrogated Traoré have been arrested .
French protesters said it is time their country wakes up to its own legacy of police brutality and impunity .
`` Tonight this fight is no longer just the fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's struggle , '' yelled Assa Traoré , Adama 's older sister .
`` We are fighting for our brother , in the U.S. George Floyd , and for Adama . ''
Assa Traoré founded the organization `` Justice and Truth for Adama , '' which is trying to prove that Traoré died of asphyxiation after undue police force .
The circumstances of the death of the 24-year-old Frenchman of Malian origin are still under investigation after four years of conflicting medical reports about what happened .
She said it is time `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a country where police operate like a mafia and with total impunity . ''
Tuesday 's protest was not the first against police violence and Traoré 's death .
But until this week , the Traoré case had not widely resonated outside of activist circles , according to French sociologist Mathieu Zagrodzki .
`` We are seeing a coalescing of what 's happening here and what 's happening in America , '' Zagrodzki , a researcher at Center for Sociological Research on Law and Criminal Justice Institutions , told the newspaper Libération @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finding a very strong echo in France . ''
Nineteen-year-old Jennifer Curier and her friends came out to the rally to support justice for Traoré .
Curier said racism is as much of a problem in France as in the U.S. '' There is no justice in France , either , '' she said .
`` And France is very hypocritical about racism .
They always denounce what happens in the U.S. — like , 'oh look , they are killing black people , this is not good . '
But we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ca n't deal with it .
We want them to deal with it ! ''
Standing beside her friend , 22-year-old Iris Champrobert-Medy said just because there are fewer police murders in France does not mean that things are less terrible .
`` Just because they do n't kill us does n't mean there 's no racism , '' she said .
`` It 's just more hidden . ''
The protests over Floyd 's death reignited the debate about policing in France 's ethnically diverse suburbs , where for decades black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unfairly treated by police .
Les Misérables , France 's Oscar film entry this year , is a harrowing tale of police provocation and abuse set in the Paris suburb of Montfermeil .
Filmmaker Ladj Ly grew up there .
The son of immigrants from Mali says the movie is partly based on his own life and experiences .
This week scenes of protest from the U.S. and France fill the French media .
Several outlets asked , are the situations in France and the U.S. comparable ?
Sociologist Sebastian Roché , author @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told newspaper 20 Minutes that in terms of violence there is no comparison .
`` American police kill more than a thousand people a year , out of a population of 320 million inhabitants , '' he says .
`` The police in France kill 15 to 20 people in a population of 70 million . ''
But other comparisons can be made , says Roché .
`` Police in the U.S. and France both target minorities , '' he says .
`` We see this during identity controls , the so-called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its annual report published this week , the national ombudsman said that young men of Arab and black African background are 20 times more likely to be randomly stopped by the police than the rest of the population .
`` The police pick people out based on the color of their skin , on their appearances , '' Roché says .
That degrades relationships between communities and police and often pushes young people into delinquent behavior , he explains .
Roché points to another difference between U.S. and French cops .
There are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reality of the problem , contrary to their French counterparts , '' he says , pointing to the many officers who have been kneeling in support for Floyd .
`` I do n't think I 've ever seen the police here take the side of victims . ''
Roché says officials at the top often deny there is a racism problem in France .
He points to an interview last week in Libération with Laurent Nuñez , the top cabinet official at the Interior Ministry , in which Nuñez says he does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police .
`` For them the problem does n't even exist , '' Roché says .
`` So that 's the heart of the problem .
If we do n't recognize that it 's there , how can we make things better ? ''
Still , when asked if they would want to live in America , protesters Curier and Champrobert-Medy were unequivocal .
`` Oh never , no ! ''
they insisted .
`` It 's a paradox , '' said Curier .
`` In America you can be what you want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the police or your neighbor because you 're black , '' she says .
`` No thanks , I want to live . ''
French protests for Traoré and Floyd continue Thursday night in the French city of Lille .

'No Justice In France, Either': French Protest Police Killings In U.S. And At Home
Enlarge this image toggle caption Michel Euler/AP Michel Euler/AP
The protests in the United States against racism and police violence have inspired similar demonstrations across the Atlantic, from Amsterdam to London to Paris and Marseille.
More than 20,000 people came out in the French capital Tuesday, despite a ban on gatherings due to the coronavirus.
They shook their fists and yelled "pas de justice, pas de paix!" — "no justice, no peace!" — in front of Paris' main courthouse. But the name the crowd chanted wasn't George Floyd. It was Adama Traoré.
In July 2016, Traoré, a French black man, died in police custody in a suburb outside Paris. Although there is no video, many in France believe that, like Floyd, Traoré was asphyxiated by police. None of the police who interrogated the 24-year-old Frenchman of Malian origin have been arrested. French protesters said it is time their country wakes up to its own legacy of police brutality and impunity.
"Tonight this fight is no longer just the fight of the Traoré family, its everyone's struggle," yelled Assa Traoré, Adama's older sister. "We are fighting for our brother, in the U.S. George Floyd, and for Adama."
Assa Traoré founded the organization "Justice and Truth for Adama," which is trying to prove that Traoré died of asphyxiation after undue police force. Investigations into the man's death have been inconclusive after four years.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Michel Euler/AP Michel Euler/AP
She said it is time "to lift the curtain on the racism in a country where police operate like a mafia and with total impunity."
Tuesday's protest was not the first against police violence and Traoré's death. But until this week, the Traoré case had not widely resonated outside of activist circles, according to French sociologist Mathieu Zagrodzki.
"We are seeing a coalescing of what's happening here and what's happening in America," Zagrodzki, a researcher at Center for Sociological Research on Law and Criminal Justice Institutions, told the newspaper Libération. "The George Floyd case is finding a very strong echo in France."
Nineteen-year-old Jennifer Curier and her friends came out to the rally to support justice for Traoré. Curier said racism is as much of a problem in France as in the U.S.
"There is no justice in France, either," she said. "And France is very hypocritical about racism. They always denounce what happens in the U.S. — like, 'oh look, they are killing black people, this is not good.' But we have our own case [Traoré] and they can't deal with it. We want them to deal with it!"
Standing beside her friend, 22-year-old Iris Champrobert-Medy said just because there are fewer police murders in France does not mean that things are less terrible. "Just because they don't kill us doesn't mean there's no racism," she said. "It's just more hidden."
The protests over Floyd's death reignited the debate about policing in France's ethnically diverse suburbs, where for decades black and Arab populations say they have been unfairly treated by police.
Les Misérables, France's Oscar film entry this year, is a harrowing tale of police provocation and abuse set in the Paris suburb of Montfermeil. Filmmaker Ladj Ly grew up there. The son of immigrants from Mali says the movie is partly based on his own life and experiences.
Movie Reviews France Has Nominated 'Les Misérables' To The Oscars — No, Not That One France Has Nominated 'Les Misérables' To The Oscars — No, Not That One Listen · 3:05 3:05
This week scenes of protest from the U.S. and France fill the French media. Several outlets asked, are the situations in France and the U.S. comparable?
Sociologist Sebastian Roché, author of a book about police in democracy, told newspaper 20 Minutes that in terms of violence there is no comparison.
"American police kill more than a thousand people a year, out of a population of 320 million inhabitants," he says. "The police in France kill 15 to 20 people in a population of 70 million."
But other comparisons can be made, says Roché. "Police in the U.S. and France both target minorities," he says. "We see this during identity controls, the so-called stop and frisk policies."
In its annual report published this week, the national ombudsman said that young men of Arab and black African background are 20 times more likely to be randomly stopped by the police than the rest of the population.
"The police pick people out based on the color of their skin, on their appearances," Roché says. That degrades relationships between communities and police and often pushes young people into delinquent behavior, he explains.
Roché points to another difference between U.S. and French cops. There are American police officers who "recognize the reality of the problem, contrary to their French counterparts," he says, pointing to the many officers who have been kneeling in support for Floyd. "I don't think I've ever seen the police here take the side of victims."
Roché says officials at the top often deny there is a racism problem in France. He points to an interview last week in Libération with Laurent Nuñez, the top cabinet official at the Interior Ministry, in which Nuñez says he does not believe racism is prevalent within the French police.
"For them the problem doesn't even exist," Roché says. "So that's the heart of the problem. If we don't recognize that it's there, how can we make things better?"
Still, when asked if they would want to live in America, protesters Curier and Champrobert-Medy were unequivocal. "Oh never, no!" they insisted.
"It's a paradox," said Curier. "In America you can be what you want but you can also be killed by the police or your neighbor because you're black," she says. "No thanks, I want to live."
French protests for Traoré and Floyd continued Thursday night in the city of Lille and more demonstrations were called for Saturday in cities across France.


npr--2020-06-04--Manuel Ellis: Tacoma Man Died In Police Custody, Saying He 'Can't Breathe'

Manuel Ellis : Tacoma Man Died In Police Custody , Saying He 'Ca n't Breathe' The name of Manuel Ellis is now being added to the list of black people who died in police custody , after an autopsy report ruled his death in Tacoma , Wash. , was a homicide .
And in an echo of the George Floyd case , Ellis was heard saying he `` ca n't breathe , '' as he was being restrained .
`` In the face of longstanding racism and recent national events , we are devastated to have the death of Manuel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversation , '' Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards said at a news conference about the findings of the Pierce County Medical Examiner 's Office .
`` Tacoma police say that on March 3 , they saw Ellis trying to open the doors of occupied vehicles — and when they approached , he became 'combative , ' `` Will James of local member station KNKX reports .
`` The family questions the police narrative of the encounter . ''
Ellis , 33 , was the father of two children and a talented musician .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health issues , his family notes on a GoFundMe page .
Hours before encountering police on the night he died , he had attended a church service were he played drums .
`` He called his mother , brother and sister individually to share the joy he was feeling , '' Tacoma newspaper The News Tribune reports .
But police say that on the night Ellis died , he assaulted a police officer and slammed the officer to the ground in the street , according to local media outlets that cite sheriff 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police , four officers struggled with Ellis , who wound up in handcuffs and on the ground .
Shortly afterward , he lost consciousness .
Troyer tells local TV station Q13 that the officers turned Ellis onto his side and called for help .
In addition to the homicide determination , the medical examiner 's report found that methamphetamine intoxication and dilated cardiomyopathy , or an enlarged heart , were contributing factors to his death .
`` I 'm telling you guys , right now , my brother was a good man , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , according to member station KUOW .
`` A loving man .
He loved me .
He was crazy about me , he was crazy about his kids , crazy about his nieces and nephews .
He helped me with my kids .
Anytime I needed him , he was always there for me . ''
The medical examiner 's office concluded this week that Ellis `` died of respiratory arrest due to hypoxia due to physical restraint , '' as The News Tribune reports .
Hypoxia refers to a low level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ autopsy 's finding establishes only that Ellis died due to the actions of another person — it does not automatically lead to potential criminal charges .
Ellis was heard saying , `` Ca n't breathe '' on a recording of police radio calls during the encounter .
`` His last words were , ' I ca n't breathe , ' '' Ellis 's family 's attorney , James Bible , says via Twitter .
`` We heard this on the scanner . ''
`` Someone bring some hobbles , '' an officer says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restraints .
Later , an officer calls for an ambulance and adds , `` He 's going to have to be strapped down . ''
The investigation into Ellis 's death is being handled by the Pierce County Sheriff 's Department rather than the Tacoma Police Department , under a law that requires an independent inquiry into police use of deadly force .
All four officers involved in the Ellis case were put on administrative leave as of Wednesday morning – the day after the autopsy report was released to city officials , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday , the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney 's Office said that it `` has not yet received this case , '' saying the independent investigation is ongoing .
Both the police and Ellis 's relatives say many unanswered questions remain about the case .
News of the medical examiner 's homicide ruling , Woodards said , was personally troubling for her , as an African-American woman .
`` I can not imagine the pain that continues with the Ellis family 's loss , but I do know that our community wants both answers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Woodards said .
`` We do n't know a lot '' about the details of that night , the mayor said .
`` But what we do know , and what we have heard , is deeply troubling to us . ''
Addressing the Ellis family , Woodards said , `` I 'm sorry .
Our city is sorry , our council is sorry , for your loss . ''
She also promised her administration would unearth all the facts about the case .
The autopsy report was released on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held a vigil for him , congregating at the corner of 96th Street South and Ainsworth Avenue , where he ran into the police in March .
One attendee , Tacoma resident Mu Knowles , told KNKX 's Will James that he came looking for community .
`` And to really just be with other black folks , to be honest .
Like , I 'm really needing that right now during these moments , '' Knowles said .
`` It feels good .
It feels good to be with people that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are mourning and grieving just like you right now . ''

Manuel Ellis: Tacoma Man Died In Police Custody, Saying He 'Can't Breathe'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images
The name of Manuel Ellis is now being added to the list of black people who died in police custody, after an autopsy report ruled his death in Tacoma, Wash., was a homicide. And in an echo of the George Floyd case, Ellis was heard saying he "can't breathe," as he was being restrained.
"In the face of longstanding racism and recent national events, we are devastated to have the death of Manuel Ellis become a part of this national conversation," Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards said at a news conference about the findings of the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office.
"Tacoma police say that on March 3, they saw Ellis trying to open the doors of occupied vehicles — and when they approached, he became 'combative,' " Will James of local member station KNKX reports. "The family questions the police narrative of the encounter."
Ellis, 33, was the father of two children and a talented musician. He had also struggled with addiction and mental health issues, his family notes on a GoFundMe page. Hours before encountering police on the night he died, he had attended a church service were he played drums.
"He called his mother, brother and sister individually to share the joy he was feeling," Tacoma newspaper The News Tribune reports.
But police say that on the night Ellis died, he assaulted a police officer and slammed the officer to the ground in the street, according to local media outlets that cite sheriff's department spokesman Ed Troyer.
According to police, four officers struggled with Ellis, who wound up in handcuffs and on the ground. Shortly afterward, he lost consciousness. Troyer tells local TV station Q13 that the officers turned Ellis onto his side and called for help.
In addition to the homicide determination, the medical examiner's report found that methamphetamine intoxication and dilated cardiomyopathy, or an enlarged heart, were contributing factors to his death.
"I'm telling you guys, right now, my brother was a good man," his sister, Monet Carter-Mixon, said, according to member station KUOW. "A loving man. He loved me. He was crazy about me, he was crazy about his kids, crazy about his nieces and nephews. He helped me with my kids. Anytime I needed him, he was always there for me."
The medical examiner's office concluded this week that Ellis "died of respiratory arrest due to hypoxia due to physical restraint," as The News Tribune reports. Hypoxia refers to a low level of oxygen in the blood. The autopsy's finding establishes only that Ellis died due to the actions of another person — it does not automatically lead to potential criminal charges.
Ellis was heard saying, "Can't breathe" on a recording of police radio calls during the encounter.
"His last words were, 'I can't breathe,'" Ellis's family's attorney, James Bible, says via Twitter. "We heard this on the scanner."
"Someone bring some hobbles," an officer says in another portion, asking for physical restraints. Later, an officer calls for an ambulance and adds, "He's going to have to be strapped down."
The investigation into Ellis's death is being handled by the Pierce County Sheriff's Department rather than the Tacoma Police Department, under a law that requires an independent inquiry into police use of deadly force. All four officers involved in the Ellis case were put on administrative leave as of Wednesday morning – the day after the autopsy report was released to city officials, Woodards said.
When reached for comment Thursday, the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney's Office said that it "has not yet received this case," saying the independent investigation is ongoing.
Both the police and Ellis's relatives say many unanswered questions remain about the case.
News of the medical examiner's homicide ruling, Woodards said, was personally troubling for her, as an African-American woman.
"I cannot imagine the pain that continues with the Ellis family's loss, but I do know that our community wants both answers and justice – and so do I," Woodards said.
"We don't know a lot" about the details of that night, the mayor said. "But what we do know, and what we have heard, is deeply troubling to us."
Addressing the Ellis family, Woodards said, "I'm sorry. Our city is sorry, our council is sorry, for your loss."
She also promised her administration would unearth all the facts about the case.
The autopsy report was released on the same day Ellis's family and friends held a vigil for him, congregating at the corner of 96th Street South and Ainsworth Avenue, where he ran into the police in March.
One attendee, Tacoma resident Mu Knowles, told KNKX's Will James that he came looking for community. "And to really just be with other black folks, to be honest. Like, I'm really needing that right now during these moments," Knowles said. "It feels good. It feels good to be with people that have similar experiences as you, and people who are mourning and grieving just like you right now."


npr--2020-06-04--Louisville Community Leader On Protests: 'People Want To See Something Different'

Louisville Community Leader On Protests : 'People Want To See Something Different' Louisville , Ky. , has been a center of protests after police shot and killed Breonna Taylor in March .
A lot has happened in the city since then .
Last Thursday night , seven people were shot and injured during protests calling for justice for Taylor , George Floyd and other unarmed black Americans killed recently .
Sadiqa Reynolds — a former judge and president of the Louisville Urban League — was there .
When police prevented the removal of his body for more than 12 hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She has been playing something of a coach role as protests over police violence erupt across her city and the nation .
On Tuesday , she was handing out masks and helping teenagers navigate interviews with the media .
`` I 'm proud of these young people for doing what they need to do , and I 'm proud of those in my generation , the 40-somethings ... that are here to protect them , '' she told All Things Considered .
`` I 'm just honored to be here , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their pain , to see them get a little tearful when they 're trying to talk . ''
Reynolds talks with NPR about her city and the fight against police violence .
On how the protests are about more than just police violence It is always about more than police violence .
If you think about the jobs that we have been pushed down and relegated to , if you think about these folks that we are now celebrating as essential workers and how much money they actually make .
Look at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touched by the justice system , how over-policed our communities are .
We know our police department can do better because we 've seen them do better — they do better in white communities .
They had a man shoot two people in broad daylight at Kroger and they walked him into jail .
But in our community , we keep ending up in body bags .
These protests erupting across the country are changing the way the criminal justice system has to respond .
So while I understand it is a terrible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be protesters out in the streets , but imagine day after day , over and over , suffering and watching people be hurt and die .
On the positive impact of the anti-police violence protests The positive part of the protest , first of all , is the peacefulness of it because the vast majority of these protests have been very peaceful .
Peace does n't really make the news all the time , though , so people have to understand that .
If you 're not there , you might not know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of that .
The other thing is that the crowds are very diverse .
I mean , we have so many people you just think if these folks could be in charge of the world , the world would be different .
I mean , there is a movement in our country .
People want to see something different .
So that is so encouraging for me .
Listen to the full interview at the audio link above .

Louisville Community Leader On Protests: 'People Want To See Something Different'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Brett Carlsen/Getty Images Brett Carlsen/Getty Images
Louisville, Ky., has been a center of protests after police shot and killed Breonna Taylor in March. A lot has happened in the city since then.
Last Thursday night, seven people were shot and injured during protests calling for justice for Taylor, George Floyd and other unarmed black Americans killed recently.
Sadiqa Reynolds — a former judge and president of the Louisville Urban League — was there.
On Monday, tensions ran high after law enforcement killed a beloved local barbecue chef named David McAtee.
When police prevented the removal of his body for more than 12 hours, Sadiqa Reynolds was there, too.
She has been playing something of a coach role as protests over police violence erupt across her city and the nation. On Tuesday, she was handing out masks and helping teenagers navigate interviews with the media.
"I'm proud of these young people for doing what they need to do, and I'm proud of those in my generation, the 40-somethings ... that are here to protect them," she told All Things Considered. "I'm just honored to be here, and to hear them sing, to watch their pain, to see them get a little tearful when they're trying to talk."
Reynolds talks with NPR about her city and the fight against police violence.
Interview Highlights
On how the protests are about more than just police violence
It is always about more than police violence. If you think about the jobs that we have been pushed down and relegated to, if you think about these folks that we are now celebrating as essential workers and how much money they actually make.
Look at the justice system and how disproportionately we are touched by the justice system, how over-policed our communities are. We know our police department can do better because we've seen them do better — they do better in white communities. They had a man shoot two people in broad daylight at Kroger and they walked him into jail. But in our community, we keep ending up in body bags.
These protests erupting across the country are changing the way the criminal justice system has to respond. So while I understand it is a terrible inconvenience for some people that there would be protesters out in the streets, but imagine day after day, over and over, suffering and watching people be hurt and die.
On the positive impact of the anti-police violence protests
The positive part of the protest, first of all, is the peacefulness of it because the vast majority of these protests have been very peaceful. Peace doesn't really make the news all the time, though, so people have to understand that. If you're not there, you might not know — you might not get the sense of that.
The other thing is that the crowds are very diverse. I mean, we have so many people you just think if these folks could be in charge of the world, the world would be different. I mean, there is a movement in our country. People want to see something different. So that is so encouraging for me.
Listen to the full interview at the audio link above.


npr--2020-06-04--Russian Power Plant Spills Thousands Of Tons Of Oil Into Arctic Region

Russian Power Plant Spills Thousands Of Tons Of Oil Into Arctic Region Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a state of emergency after a giant diesel fuel spill in a remote Arctic region 1,800 miles from Moscow .
After the accident Friday at a power plant owned by Norilsk Nickel , one of Russia 's largest mining companies , Putin skewered officials for their sluggish response .
`` Why did government agencies find out about this only after two days ?
Are we going to find out about emergencies from social media now ? ''
Putin asked a Norilsk Nickel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Of the approximately 23,000 U.S. tons of oil products that spilled into the environment , nearly 17,000 tons flowed into a river , according to Russia 's environmental inspection agency .
By comparison , the volume of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill off the coast of Alaska was about 39,000 tons of oil .
Norilsk Nickel , which insists it informed the authorities of the accident in a `` timely manner , '' says a fuel reservoir may have collapsed because of thawing permafrost below it .
Russian state television reported on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with special booms on the Ambarnaya River .
A big problem is the remoteness of the location and its swampy terrain .
Norilsk Nickel may need to build special roads to access the spill site , state television reported .
Norilsk Nickel will clear away contaminated soil and is sending special containers to collect the toxic mix of water and fuel from the river , the Interfax news agency reported , citing the company 's First Vice President Sergey Dyachenko .
Dyachenko said on state television that the fuel reservoir at the power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permafrost , a result of global warming and a threat to constructions across the Arctic region .
`` By the nature of the cracks in the concrete and the collapse of the supporting columns , we believe something happened in the ground — possibly the thawing of the soil , '' he said .
Dyachenko said the cleanup may take two weeks under favorable weather conditions but that the situation is `` under control . ''
Still , restoring the ecological balance in the affected bodies of water will take decades , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Environmentalists are criticizing the clean-up efforts on the Ambarnaya River .
`` The booms that were set up will only collect an insignificant part of the pollution , so we can assert that almost all of the diesel fuel will remain in the environment , '' Greenpeace Russia said in a statement .
Authorities are taking pains to show they will punish those responsible for the accident .
State television showed the head of the power plant where the accident took place being led to jail in handcuffs .
He 's being charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to five years in prison .

Russian Power Plant Spills Thousands Of Tons Of Oil Into Arctic Region
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alexei Nikolsky/AP Alexei Nikolsky/AP
Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a state of emergency after a giant diesel fuel spill in a remote Arctic region 1,800 miles from Moscow.
After the accident Friday at a power plant owned by Norilsk Nickel, one of Russia's largest mining companies, Putin skewered officials for their sluggish response.
"Why did government agencies find out about this only after two days? Are we going to find out about emergencies from social media now?" Putin asked a Norilsk Nickel manager during a teleconference on Wednesday.
Of the approximately 23,000 U.S. tons of oil products that spilled into the environment, nearly 17,000 tons flowed into a river, according to Russia's environmental inspection agency. By comparison, the volume of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill off the coast of Alaska was about 39,000 tons of oil.
Norilsk Nickel, which insists it informed the authorities of the accident in a "timely manner," says a fuel reservoir may have collapsed because of thawing permafrost below it.
Enlarge this image toggle caption European Space Agency via AP European Space Agency via AP
Russian state television reported on Thursday that the spill has been contained with special booms on the Ambarnaya River.
A big problem is the remoteness of the location and its swampy terrain. Norilsk Nickel may need to build special roads to access the spill site, state television reported.
Norilsk Nickel will clear away contaminated soil and is sending special containers to collect the toxic mix of water and fuel from the river, the Interfax news agency reported, citing the company's First Vice President Sergey Dyachenko.
Dyachenko said on state television that the fuel reservoir at the power plant may have collapsed because of thawing permafrost, a result of global warming and a threat to constructions across the Arctic region.
"By the nature of the cracks in the concrete and the collapse of the supporting columns, we believe something happened in the ground — possibly the thawing of the soil," he said.
Dyachenko said the cleanup may take two weeks under favorable weather conditions but that the situation is "under control."
Still, restoring the ecological balance in the affected bodies of water will take decades, according to Russia's Federal Fisheries Service.
Environmentalists are criticizing the clean-up efforts on the Ambarnaya River.
"The booms that were set up will only collect an insignificant part of the pollution, so we can assert that almost all of the diesel fuel will remain in the environment," Greenpeace Russia said in a statement.
Authorities are taking pains to show they will punish those responsible for the accident.
State television showed a foreman at the power plant where the accident took place being led to jail in handcuffs. He's being charged with violating environmental protection rules and faces up to five years in prison.


npr--2020-06-04--Race, Ethnicity Data To Be Required With Coronavirus Tests In U.S.

Race , Ethnicity Data To Be Required With Coronavirus Tests In U.S. All laboratories will now be required to include detailed demographic data when they report the results of coronavirus tests to the federal government , including the age , sex , race and ethnicity of the person tested , the Trump administration announced Thursday .
The new requirement , which will go into effect Aug. 1 , is designed to help provide long-sought , crucial information needed to monitor and fight the pandemic nationally .
`` The requirement to include demographic data like race , ethnicity , age , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that all groups have equitable access to testing , and allow us to accurately determine the burden of infection on vulnerable groups , '' said Adm. Brett Giroir , assistant secretary for health in the Department of Health and Human Services .
The U.S. government has faced intense criticism for failing to gather such data on a timely basis .
Many public health experts consider this information necessary to blunt the impact of virus , which has claimed the lives of more than 107,000 Americans .
During a congressional hearing Thursday , Robert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Disease Control and Prevention , apologized for the agency 's slowness in gathering better data .
`` I personally want to apologize for the inadequacy of our response , '' Redfield said .
`` We did n't have the data that we needed . ''
Public health experts say what 's been needed are detailed breakdowns on how the virus is affecting African American and other minority communities .
These groups appear to have been hit especially hard , suffering higher rates of infection , serious illness and death .
`` One problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of this new lab testing sites data ( pharmacies , drive-throughs , non-traditional lab settings ) is incomplete data , '' Scott Becker of the Association of Public Health Laboratories wrote in an email to NPR .
`` The data guidance issued today will aid state and local public health officials to better do their job . ''
Better testing data should help identify groups that are being hit hard by the virus and who require priority access to better testing and treatment .
In addition , improved data will help health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might have been exposed to the virus , to try to prevent new outbreaks .
`` I am particularly encouraged that they plan to included demographic data , which will be important for helping us to better understand observed racial/ethnic and other disparities in case numbers , '' Jennifer Nuzzo , an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , told NPR via email .
Some state and local health officials , as well as some hospital and commercial labs , have complained that the federal government has issued confusing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for testing .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also been criticized for combining the results of different kinds of testing in its tallies of testing , providing an inaccurate picture of the pandemic .
The new requirement comes as civil unrest has erupted in many places around the U.S. in response to police brutality and the killings of black people .
In announcing the new guidelines , Giroir singled out hospital laboratories and commercial labs for failing to routinely provide detailed demographic information with testing results .
Julie Khani , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which represents commercial laboratories , defended the group 's members .
`` Our members have faced obstacles tracking down missing information that is not collected or reported by the provider when the specimen is collected , '' Khani wrote in an email to NPR , `` and that 's why we 've been engaged with providers , the CDC , public health agencies and others since the beginning of this public health emergency to ensure we 're doing all we can to collect this information . ''

Race, Ethnicity Data To Be Required With Coronavirus Tests In U.S.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jeff Roberson/AP Jeff Roberson/AP
All laboratories will now be required to include detailed demographic data when they report the results of coronavirus tests to the federal government, including the age, sex, race and ethnicity of the person tested, the Trump administration announced Thursday.
The new requirement, which will go into effect Aug. 1, is designed to help provide long-sought, crucial information needed to monitor and fight the pandemic nationally.
"The requirement to include demographic data like race, ethnicity, age, and sex will enable us to ensure that all groups have equitable access to testing, and allow us to accurately determine the burden of infection on vulnerable groups," said Adm. Brett Giroir, assistant secretary for health in the Department of Health and Human Services.
The U.S. government has faced intense criticism for failing to gather such data on a timely basis. Many public health experts consider this information necessary to blunt the impact of virus, which has claimed the lives of more than 107,000 Americans.
During a congressional hearing Thursday, Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, apologized for the agency's slowness in gathering better data.
"I personally want to apologize for the inadequacy of our response," Redfield said. "We didn't have the data that we needed."
Public health experts say what's been needed are detailed breakdowns on how the virus is affecting African American and other minority communities. These groups appear to have been hit especially hard, suffering higher rates of infection, serious illness and death.
"One problem that epidemiologists in particular have seen with all of this new lab testing sites data (pharmacies, drive-throughs, non-traditional lab settings) is incomplete data," Scott Becker of the Association of Public Health Laboratories wrote in an email to NPR. "The data guidance issued today will aid state and local public health officials to better do their job."
Better testing data should help identify groups that are being hit hard by the virus and who require priority access to better testing and treatment. In addition, improved data will help health departments more quickly track down people who might have been exposed to the virus, to try to prevent new outbreaks.
"I am particularly encouraged that they plan to included demographic data, which will be important for helping us to better understand observed racial/ethnic and other disparities in case numbers," Jennifer Nuzzo, an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, told NPR via email.
Some state and local health officials, as well as some hospital and commercial labs, have complained that the federal government has issued confusing, contradictory and counter-productive guidance and requirements for testing.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also been criticized for combining the results of different kinds of testing in its tallies of testing, providing an inaccurate picture of the pandemic.
The new requirement comes as civil unrest has erupted in many places around the U.S. in response to police brutality and the killings of black people.
In announcing the new guidelines, Giroir singled out hospital laboratories and commercial labs for failing to routinely provide detailed demographic information with testing results.
Julie Khani, president of the American Clinical Laboratory Association, which represents commercial laboratories, defended the group's members.
"Our members have faced obstacles tracking down missing information that is not collected or reported by the provider when the specimen is collected," Khani wrote in an email to NPR, "and that's why we've been engaged with providers, the CDC, public health agencies and others since the beginning of this public health emergency to ensure we're doing all we can to collect this information."


npr--2020-06-04--Chinese, Iranian Hackers Targeted Biden And Trump Campaigns, Google Says

Almost exactly four years after Russian operatives hacked into the email accounts of prominent Democrats ahead of the 2016 election , Google confirmed on Thursday that foreign adversaries are still at it .
Chinese-backed hackers were observed targeting former Vice President Joe Biden 's campaign staff , and Iranian-backed hackers were seen targeting President Trump 's campaign staff .
Both were targeted with phishing attacks , according to Shane Huntley , the head of Google 's Threat Analysis Group .
He said there was no sign the attempts were successful .
Huntley made the announcement on Twitter , and also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement .
`` Phishing '' is when an attacker sends an email to a target often disguised as one meant to appear from a trusted source .
The message can include a link designed to trick the target to click and download malicious software , or point the target to a website controlled by the attacker that might try to capture information .
Google 's announcement provided a reminder that Russia 's interference game plan from the 2016 election is out in the open , and that other countries could attempt to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential election cycle .
In a statement , the Biden campaign said Google had notified it of the attempted intrusions .
`` We have known from the beginning of our campaign that we would be subject to such attacks and we are prepared for them , '' the campaign said in a statement .
`` Biden for President takes cybersecurity seriously .
We will remain vigilant against these threats and will ensure that the campaign 's assets are secured . ''
The Trump campaign had not responded to a request for comment at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be published .
The intrusion attempts are n't the first of this election cycle .
Earlier this year , The New York Times reported that Russia hacked the Ukrainian gas company that paid Biden 's son for a time .
Microsoft announced last year that Iranian hackers were targeting Trump campaign staffers as well as journalists and current and former U.S. officials .
All of this comes as no surprise to the election security community , which has been saying for years that campaigns are potentially the most vulnerable part of the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time or money to develop long-term security plans .
And they 're bringing in new staff all the time without training .
Those staffers and sometimes volunteers may also be using their own equipment or accounts .
`` The irony of campaigns is they are the grittiest and least-resourced startups that are out there , but they 're incredibly valuable targets , '' said Robby Mook , Hilary Clinton 's 2016 campaign manager , in comments to NPR in 2018 .
Since the 2016 election , however , there has been recognition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Democratic National Committee in particular has made a public showing of releasing campaign cybersecurity checklists , after it came under intense scrutiny for its cyber failings in 2016 .
Russian influence specialists in 2016 released material stolen from Democrats and embarrassed the party 's leaders , costing its chairwoman her job and at times changing the focus of the campaign .
But attackers also continue to grow more advanced , says Aaron Higbee , the co-founder of the cybersecurity firm Cofense , which focuses on phishing defense .
Higbee recently encountered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian hacking group that broke into the account of Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta in 2016 .
Higbee said the new message made the 2016 phishing attack look simple in hindsight .
`` What that says to me is they did n't have to try that hard to hack the 2016 election , '' said Higbee .
`` They 're certainly more capable , and that 's what we should be looking out for . ''

Chinese, Iranian Hackers Targeted Biden And Trump Campaigns, Google Says
Enlarge this image toggle caption Nicolas Armer/DPA via Getty Images Nicolas Armer/DPA via Getty Images
Almost exactly four years after Russian operatives hacked into the email accounts of prominent Democrats ahead of the 2016 election, Google confirmed on Thursday that foreign adversaries are still at it.
Chinese-backed hackers were observed targeting former Vice President Joe Biden's campaign staff, and Iranian-backed hackers were seen targeting President Trump's campaign staff. Both were targeted with phishing attacks, according to Shane Huntley, the head of Google's Threat Analysis Group.
He said there was no sign the attempts were successful.
Huntley made the announcement on Twitter, and also said Google passed the information onto federal law enforcement.
"Phishing" is when an attacker sends an email to a target often disguised as one meant to appear from a trusted source. The message can include a link designed to trick the target to click and download malicious software, or point the target to a website controlled by the attacker that might try to capture information.
Google's announcement provided a reminder that Russia's interference game plan from the 2016 election is out in the open, and that other countries could attempt to replicate some or all of it this presidential election cycle.
In a statement, the Biden campaign said Google had notified it of the attempted intrusions.
"We have known from the beginning of our campaign that we would be subject to such attacks and we are prepared for them," the campaign said in a statement. "Biden for President takes cybersecurity seriously. We will remain vigilant against these threats and will ensure that the campaign's assets are secured."
The Trump campaign had not responded to a request for comment at the time this story was ready to be published.
Cyberstruggle
The intrusion attempts aren't the first of this election cycle.
Earlier this year, The New York Times reported that Russia hacked the Ukrainian gas company that paid Biden's son for a time. Microsoft announced last year that Iranian hackers were targeting Trump campaign staffers as well as journalists and current and former U.S. officials.
All of this comes as no surprise to the election security community, which has been saying for years that campaigns are potentially the most vulnerable part of the election ecosystem.
They often don't have the time or money to develop long-term security plans. And they're bringing in new staff all the time without training. Those staffers and sometimes volunteers may also be using their own equipment or accounts.
"The irony of campaigns is they are the grittiest and least-resourced startups that are out there, but they're incredibly valuable targets," said Robby Mook, Hilary Clinton's 2016 campaign manager, in comments to NPR in 2018.
Since the 2016 election, however, there has been recognition of the problem from both political parties. The Democratic National Committee in particular has made a public showing of releasing campaign cybersecurity checklists, after it came under intense scrutiny for its cyber failings in 2016.
Russian influence specialists in 2016 released material stolen from Democrats and embarrassed the party's leaders, costing its chairwoman her job and at times changing the focus of the campaign.
But attackers also continue to grow more advanced, says Aaron Higbee, the co-founder of the cybersecurity firm Cofense, which focuses on phishing defense.
Higbee recently encountered a phishing email sent by the same Russian hacking group that broke into the account of Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta in 2016. Higbee said the new message made the 2016 phishing attack look simple in hindsight.
"What that says to me is they didn't have to try that hard to hack the 2016 election," said Higbee. "They're certainly more capable, and that's what we should be looking out for."


npr--2020-06-04--The Economy Is In Trouble. Try Telling The Stock Market

The Economy Is In Trouble .
Try Telling The Stock Market At a time of roiling civil unrest and an unprecedented economic crisis , stock prices are chugging along quite nicely .
In fact , they have rebounded sharply since the dark days of March .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average , which lost 37 % of its value between Feb. 12 and March 23 , has now regained more than two-thirds of the ground it lost .
Same with the broader S & P 500 index .
Or , as President Trump tweeted last week , `` Stock Market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greatness has started , ahead of schedule . ''
It 's a staggering turnaround since the early days of the coronavirus lockdowns , when the Dow was routinely falling by 1,000 points or more .
On March 16 , the most widely quoted stock index had its worst single-day point drop on record , falling 2,997 points , or 13 % .
Some of the rebound has been driven by a few big tech companies such as Apple and Microsoft , which have returned to their pre-pandemic levels .
`` These companies ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ character that just does not exist among the broader stock market , '' says Jim Paulsen , chief investment strategist at the Leuthold Group .
`` They 've been able to grow even when the economy does n't grow .
And when the economy does grow , they grow faster .
That is an incredible attribute , '' he says .
A few other companies , such as Netflix and Amazon , have actually benefited from the pandemic .
When people are locked inside , they stream a lot of movies and order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make up a large part of major stock indexes like the S & P 500 , their movements tend to have an outsize effect on the broader market .
But even companies especially hard hit by the pandemic , such as Marriott and Carnival , have risen since March , although they 're still down sharply for the year .
What has happened is a clear shift in market sentiment , Paulsen says .
Current economic data may look ominous , with unemployment nearing 15 % , consumer spending in a ditch and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hertz in bankruptcy .
But investors are peering into the future and seeing an economy that is beginning to recover .
`` Even though it may feel pretty dark now , the stock market tends to price what might happen in the future , '' says Linda Zhang , founder and CEO of Purview Investments .
`` There are a lot of things that have changed to the more favorable side .
We 're starting to see the reopening of the economy after , across the country , we hit the off switch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back on , '' Paulsen says .
Meanwhile , the Federal Reserve and other central banks have been pouring money into the economy to help small businesses and municipal governments .
The Fed is even buying junk bonds .
Even the layoffs taking place right now are a welcome development to some investors .
With fewer employees on staff , companies like Boeing and Uber will be more profitable in the long run .
`` What is very painful to workers with job losses are often seen as a positive for company earnings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the big irony , '' Zhang says .
Not everyone thinks the rebound makes a lot of sense right now .
`` For people like me ... what 's happening in the market right now is somewhere between puzzling and scary , '' says Mohamed El-Erian , chief economic adviser at Allianz .
Many companies have stopped giving guidance about future earnings because the economy remains so uncertain , El-Erian notes .
`` So you have this absurd dichotomy between , on the one hand , investors feeling very confident on what 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on — individual companies — are telling you they do n't know what 's ahead , '' he says .

The Economy Is In Trouble. Try Telling The Stock Market
Enlarge this image toggle caption AP AP
It's counterintuitive.
At a time of roiling civil unrest and an unprecedented economic crisis, stock prices are chugging along quite nicely. In fact, they have rebounded sharply since the dark days of March.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average, which lost 37% of its value between Feb. 12 and March 23, has now regained more than two-thirds of the ground it lost. Same with the broader S&P 500 index.
Or, as President Trump tweeted last week, "Stock Market up BIG. ... The Transition to Greatness has started, ahead of schedule."
Loading...
It's a staggering turnaround since the early days of the coronavirus lockdowns, when the Dow was routinely falling by 1,000 points or more. On March 16, the most widely quoted stock index had its worst single-day point drop on record, falling 2,997 points, or 13%.
What gives?
Some of the rebound has been driven by a few big tech companies such as Apple and Microsoft, which have returned to their pre-pandemic levels.
"These companies ... have developed just an unbelievable sort of character that just does not exist among the broader stock market," says Jim Paulsen, chief investment strategist at the Leuthold Group.
"They've been able to grow even when the economy doesn't grow. And when the economy does grow, they grow faster. That is an incredible attribute," he says.
A few other companies, such as Netflix and Amazon, have actually benefited from the pandemic. When people are locked inside, they stream a lot of movies and order a lot online.
Because tech giants make up a large part of major stock indexes like the S&P 500, their movements tend to have an outsize effect on the broader market.
But even companies especially hard hit by the pandemic, such as Marriott and Carnival, have risen since March, although they're still down sharply for the year.
What has happened is a clear shift in market sentiment, Paulsen says.
Current economic data may look ominous, with unemployment nearing 15%, consumer spending in a ditch and famous companies such as J.C. Penney and Hertz in bankruptcy. But investors are peering into the future and seeing an economy that is beginning to recover.
"Even though it may feel pretty dark now, the stock market tends to price what might happen in the future," says Linda Zhang, founder and CEO of Purview Investments.
"There are a lot of things that have changed to the more favorable side. We're starting to see the reopening of the economy after, across the country, we hit the off switch. We're now putting the switch back on," Paulsen says.
Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve and other central banks have been pouring money into the economy to help small businesses and municipal governments. The Fed is even buying junk bonds.
Loading...
Even the layoffs taking place right now are a welcome development to some investors. With fewer employees on staff, companies like Boeing and Uber will be more profitable in the long run.
"What is very painful to workers with job losses are often seen as a positive for company earnings and share prices. So this is the big irony," Zhang says.
Not everyone thinks the rebound makes a lot of sense right now.
"For people like me ... what's happening in the market right now is somewhere between puzzling and scary," says Mohamed El-Erian, chief economic adviser at Allianz.
Many companies have stopped giving guidance about future earnings because the economy remains so uncertain, El-Erian notes.
"So you have this absurd dichotomy between, on the one hand, investors feeling very confident on what's ahead, but what they're betting on — individual companies — are telling you they don't know what's ahead," he says.


npr--2020-06-05--Being Black In America: 'We Have A Place In This World Too'

Being Black In America : 'We Have A Place In This World Too' Editor 's note : NPR will be continuing this conversation about Being Black in America online and on air .
As protests continue around the country against systemic racism and police brutality , black Americans describe fear , anger and a weariness about tragic killings that are becoming all too familiar .
`` I feel helpless .
Utterly helpless , '' said Jason Ellington of Union , N.J. `` Black people for generations have been reminding the world that we as a people matter — through protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We tried to be peaceful in our attempts .
But as white supremacy reminds us , their importance — their relevance — comes with a healthy dose of violence and utter disrespect for people of color like me . ''
For more than a week , tens of thousands of people have thronged cities nationwide , staging protests .
The demonstrations were triggered by the death of 46-year-old George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis on Memorial Day .
Floyd , a black man , died while a white police officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minutes .
The protests also reflect outrage over the shooting death of 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery while he was jogging through a Glynn County , Ga. , neighborhood in February .
Three white men were arrested in connection with his death , which was caught on video .
Tensions also have flared in response to the death of Breonna Taylor , a 26-year-old black woman who was shot and killed in her apartment by police in Louisville , Ky. , in March .
Some protests have become violent , marred by looting , clashes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several state officials have enacted curfews .
This amid the COVID-19 pandemic , which has seen a disproportionate number of deaths among African Americans , exacerbating challenges in these uncertain times for a people often racially profiled and long oppressed .
Cities are burning .
Not just with fires but with anger .
Black people say they are frustrated .
Fearful .
Fatigued .
`` I 'm not going to lie — I am angry , '' said Ellington , a 41-year-old marketing professional who has a 10-year-old daughter .
`` As a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already hard enough that we have to fight within ourselves to become a better person , but there are countless forces working outside of ourselves that are also working against us and have been for generations . ''
Ellington is one of nearly 200 people who shared with NPR what it 's like to be black in America right now .
Nicholas Gibbs of Spring , Texas , is particularly concerned about his two toddler sons growing up .
`` To be black in America , you have to endure white supremacy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ To be American , you have the luxury of saying , 'They should have complied ! '
To be black in America , you have to hope someone recorded your compliance because you may no longer be around to defend yourself , '' the 39-year-old said .
Alexander Pittman , who lives in Fort Lauderdale , Fla. , said there 's a huge amount of anxiety on a daily basis regarding any contact with police even if you are doing nothing wrong or illegal , because you know it could escalate out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in America , you know you live by a different set of rules , '' Pittman said .
He recounted what happened to him a few years ago when he 'd just moved to Hollywood , Fla. , and went out one evening to walk his dog , Marley .
`` I was confronted by several Hollywood police officers .
I was also roughed up and detained before being let go , '' the 32-year-old said , adding that no charges were filed against him .
As dad to a 4-year-old and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tries to have real conversations with his students and son about the role that race has played in the U.S. historically — and today .
`` It 's hard , because on one hand I do n't believe in riots , looting and violence , but on the other hand , when is enough , enough ?
We need real , tangible policing reform on a national level , and that has largely been ignored . ''
Many black mothers in America expressed fear for the boys and men in their lives .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a constant state of anxiety and fear because I have black and brown men in my life : my son , brothers , friends , grandson , son-in-law and father .
I 'm bone tired of existing in a system that tells me every damn day that me and my people do not matter , '' said the Rev .
Carol Thomas Cissel of State College , Pa. A mother , minister and grandmother , Cissel said her `` DNA will continue to scream in agony '' because black men and boys are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will try to hold the pain and soul wounds of my people .
I will mourn because I know wishes , words or rituals can not keep my son and grandson alive . ''
Jami Vassar , a 34-year-old fourth-generation military veteran from Aberdeen , N.C. , can relate .
As a mom of two teenage sons , she worries about their well-being and tries to keep them close .
`` They are my gentle giants , but they are big black boys , and I have to remind them that the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is real danger just for existing , '' she said .
Vassar said although she comes from a family of proud Americans who boast a long line of service to the country , the world sees them as black first .
Just last week while driving with her younger son , she said he expressed fears about getting pulled over .
He 'll be getting his driver 's license soon .
`` I had to tell him I 'm afraid when I get pulled over .
My family has served in every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served before African Americans could vote , and we continue to serve even though we are not always seen as equals .
It hurts , '' she said .
Another mom , Edith Jennings of Holyoke , Mass.
, said she too worries about her two adult sons .
Last week on an unusually balmy spring day in New England , while driving through a small area with one of them , they noticed two young white men standing by their bicycles , laughing and talking to each other .
`` My son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now a new father of his own son , said , 'It must be nice to wake up in the morning and feel safe , to not be afraid to go out and do what you have to do for the day , to hang out with your friends , not be afraid of the police .
I wonder what that is like . '
When I heard that , I was almost in tears , '' Jennings said .
Having grown up in the 1960s and '70s and remembering a story her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Klan burning crosses in her yard , Jennings said she never expected to have to deal with such racial issues when she had her own kids .
`` Now here we are in the 21st century and I have a 2-month-old grandson , and I wonder if he , as a young black man , will survive in America .
I feel like black men and women are an endangered species here in America .
That 's what 's it like being black in America now ! ''
Donna Ghanney of Brooklyn , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ era as Jennings .
She recalls white men standing on the corner and calling out the N-word as she passed by .
`` All you had to be was a person of color to feel the hatred when you went near a white man .
A feeling of fear , oppression , being disliked , having no rights , and the fear of being killed with a lie trailing behind the death , '' she said .
Other mothers shared their concern that nothing will change .
`` People are tired of empty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some care more about dogs than the lives of black and brown people in America , '' said Nicole Green of Melbourne , Fla. , who said her childhood memories are filled with relatives being pulled over or being harassed by police .
Free Browning said the situation in the country is disheartening , particularly for a person who suffers from anxiety and depression .
`` As a single mom of three and an Atlanta native , I 'm angry , horrified , scared , hurt and uneasy .
While I do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses here in Atlanta , I have lost my concern to care . ''
Others said being black in America can feel like being at war .
`` I recently purchased two guns and plan on purchasing more , '' said 62-year-old Bruce Tomlin of Albuquerque , N.M. Tomlin said he dealt with a lot of racial tension living for more than three decades in Texas .
While he says Albuquerque is different , he travels often out of state as a truck driver .
After watching the video of Arbery being shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to defend himself .
`` I feel every person of color in America should be armed .
I feel that the current administration and the 1 % are guiding us into a civil war , '' he said .
`` I also feel that it is open season on black males in particular .
People of color are being eliminated by police and disease .
I plan on fighting until the end . ''
Michael Martin of Chicago said he feels like there 's nothing he can do to protect himself and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go jogging without worrying about being lynched ; we ca n't go bird-watching without having the police called on us .
Our children ca n't go outside and play without us worrying about them being gunned down and labeled 'suspects . '
We ca n't sleep in our own beds without being executed , '' he said .
`` The same rights and protections that our white peers are afforded are not afforded to us .
We ca n't arm ourselves without being labeled thugs and shot . ''
`` Last night I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Glenn Smith of Brooklyn , N.Y. `` I cried because I realized how proud I am to be an American , a New Yorker and a Brooklynite .
I cried because in those feelings of pride , I 'm faced with feelings of contradiction .
Why are cops brutally killing people that look like me ? ''
Cheyenne Amaya of Woodbridge , Va. , said police-involved deaths no longer surprise her .
`` They are so a part of my normal life now that I feel a bit desensitized .
I still have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brave face on while feeling angry , hurt , sad , anxious and tired .
It 's been like this my whole life , '' she said .
`` We were taught at a young age to make ourselves appear less threatening and to always keep our hands up .
It 's tiring trying to live your life while constantly in fear of someone shooting you down or accusing you of something you did n't do . ''
Waddell Hamer of Indianapolis , who recently graduated with his master 's degree in social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health of blacks during this time is fragile .
I know mine is .
COVID , racism and poverty to name a few .
How do I tend to the mental health of blacks during this time ? ''
Still , amid these myriad emotions expressed by black Americans , some spoke of hope .
Cissel , the minister from Pennsylvania , said that for `` all my people to be safe , the racist fabric of this country must be ripped to shreds and rewoven . ''
She 's ready to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a candle , hope it blossoms into a steady flame of peace and say these words aloud : 'We are included .
We belong .
We are here . '
For , just like you — entitled by birthright , we have a place in this world too . ''
NPR would like to hear about your reaction to these incidents and your personal experience as a black person in America .
Please share your story here or in the form below , and a reporter might contact you .

Being Black In America: 'We Have A Place In This World Too'
Enlarge this image toggle caption NPR NPR
Editor's note: NPR will be continuing this conversation about Being Black in America online and on air.
As protests continue around the country against systemic racism and police brutality, black Americans describe fear, anger and a weariness about tragic killings that are becoming all too familiar.
"I feel helpless. Utterly helpless," said Jason Ellington of Union, N.J. "Black people for generations have been reminding the world that we as a people matter — through protests, sit-ins, boycotts and the like. We tried to be peaceful in our attempts. But as white supremacy reminds us, their importance — their relevance — comes with a healthy dose of violence and utter disrespect for people of color like me."
For more than a week, tens of thousands of people have thronged cities nationwide, staging protests. The demonstrations were triggered by the death of 46-year-old George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis on Memorial Day. Floyd, a black man, died while a white police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes.
The protests also reflect outrage over the shooting death of 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery while he was jogging through a Glynn County, Ga., neighborhood in February. Three white men were arrested in connection with his death, which was caught on video. Tensions also have flared in response to the death of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old black woman who was shot and killed in her apartment by police in Louisville, Ky., in March.
toggle caption Jason Ellington
Some protests have become violent, marred by looting, clashes with police and countless arrests, and several state officials have enacted curfews. This amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which has seen a disproportionate number of deaths among African Americans, exacerbating challenges in these uncertain times for a people often racially profiled and long oppressed.
Cities are burning. Not just with fires but with anger.
Black people say they are frustrated. Fearful. Fatigued.
"I'm not going to lie — I am angry," said Ellington, a 41-year-old marketing professional who has a 10-year-old daughter. "As a black man in America, it is already hard enough that we have to fight within ourselves to become a better person, but there are countless forces working outside of ourselves that are also working against us and have been for generations."
Ellington is one of nearly 200 people who shared with NPR what it's like to be black in America right now.
Nicholas Gibbs of Spring, Texas, is particularly concerned about his two toddler sons growing up.
"To be black in America, you have to endure white supremacy. You have to fear the police. To be American, you have the luxury of saying, 'They should have complied!' To be black in America, you have to hope someone recorded your compliance because you may no longer be around to defend yourself," the 39-year-old said.
Alexander Pittman, who lives in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., said there's a huge amount of anxiety on a daily basis regarding any contact with police even if you are doing nothing wrong or illegal, because you know it could escalate out of control.
"Being a black man in America, you know you live by a different set of rules," Pittman said.
He recounted what happened to him a few years ago when he'd just moved to Hollywood, Fla., and went out one evening to walk his dog, Marley.
"I was confronted by several Hollywood police officers. I was also roughed up and detained before being let go," the 32-year-old said, adding that no charges were filed against him.
As dad to a 4-year-old and a public school teacher, Pittman said he tries to have real conversations with his students and son about the role that race has played in the U.S. historically — and today.
"It's hard, because on one hand I don't believe in riots, looting and violence, but on the other hand, when is enough, enough? We need real, tangible policing reform on a national level, and that has largely been ignored."
toggle caption Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Centre County
Many black mothers in America expressed fear for the boys and men in their lives.
"I'm weary of living in a constant state of anxiety and fear because I have black and brown men in my life: my son, brothers, friends, grandson, son-in-law and father. I'm bone tired of existing in a system that tells me every damn day that me and my people do not matter," said the Rev. Carol Thomas Cissel of State College, Pa.
A mother, minister and grandmother, Cissel said her "DNA will continue to scream in agony" because black men and boys are not safe in America.
"I will try to hold the pain and soul wounds of my people. I will mourn because I know wishes, words or rituals cannot keep my son and grandson alive."
Jami Vassar, a 34-year-old fourth-generation military veteran from Aberdeen, N.C., can relate. As a mom of two teenage sons, she worries about their well-being and tries to keep them close.
"They are my gentle giants, but they are big black boys, and I have to remind them that the world doesn't see them as kids and there is real danger just for existing," she said.
Vassar said although she comes from a family of proud Americans who boast a long line of service to the country, the world sees them as black first. Just last week while driving with her younger son, she said he expressed fears about getting pulled over. He'll be getting his driver's license soon.
"I had to tell him I'm afraid when I get pulled over. My family has served in every war since War World I. They served before African Americans could vote, and we continue to serve even though we are not always seen as equals. It hurts," she said.
Another mom, Edith Jennings of Holyoke, Mass., said she too worries about her two adult sons. Last week on an unusually balmy spring day in New England, while driving through a small area with one of them, they noticed two young white men standing by their bicycles, laughing and talking to each other.
"My son, who is 28 years old and now a new father of his own son, said, 'It must be nice to wake up in the morning and feel safe, to not be afraid to go out and do what you have to do for the day, to hang out with your friends, not be afraid of the police. I wonder what that is like.' When I heard that, I was almost in tears," Jennings said.
Having grown up in the 1960s and '70s and remembering a story her mom told about watching the Ku Klux Klan burning crosses in her yard, Jennings said she never expected to have to deal with such racial issues when she had her own kids.
"Now here we are in the 21st century and I have a 2-month-old grandson, and I wonder if he, as a young black man, will survive in America. I feel like black men and women are an endangered species here in America. That's what's it like being black in America now!"
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ricardo Arduengo/AFP via Getty Images Ricardo Arduengo/AFP via Getty Images
Donna Ghanney of Brooklyn, N.Y., grew up during the same era as Jennings. She recalls white men standing on the corner and calling out the N-word as she passed by.
"All you had to be was a person of color to feel the hatred when you went near a white man. A feeling of fear, oppression, being disliked, having no rights, and the fear of being killed with a lie trailing behind the death," she said.
Other mothers shared their concern that nothing will change.
"People are tired of empty protests that fail to deliver change. Some care more about dogs than the lives of black and brown people in America," said Nicole Green of Melbourne, Fla., who said her childhood memories are filled with relatives being pulled over or being harassed by police.
Free Browning said the situation in the country is disheartening, particularly for a person who suffers from anxiety and depression.
"As a single mom of three and an Atlanta native, I'm angry, horrified, scared, hurt and uneasy. While I don't condone the destruction of many of the businesses here in Atlanta, I have lost my concern to care."
Others said being black in America can feel like being at war.
"I recently purchased two guns and plan on purchasing more," said 62-year-old Bruce Tomlin of Albuquerque, N.M.
Tomlin said he dealt with a lot of racial tension living for more than three decades in Texas. While he says Albuquerque is different, he travels often out of state as a truck driver. After watching the video of Arbery being shot, he said he wants to be able to defend himself.
"I feel every person of color in America should be armed. I feel that the current administration and the 1% are guiding us into a civil war," he said. "I also feel that it is open season on black males in particular. People of color are being eliminated by police and disease. I plan on fighting until the end."
Michael Martin of Chicago said he feels like there's nothing he can do to protect himself and his family.
"We can't go jogging without worrying about being lynched; we can't go bird-watching without having the police called on us. Our children can't go outside and play without us worrying about them being gunned down and labeled 'suspects.' We can't sleep in our own beds without being executed," he said. "The same rights and protections that our white peers are afforded are not afforded to us. We can't arm ourselves without being labeled thugs and shot."
Some people feel conflicted. Helpless. Ambivalent. Mentally drained.
"Last night I cried to my partner," said Glenn Smith of Brooklyn, N.Y. "I cried because I realized how proud I am to be an American, a New Yorker and a Brooklynite. I cried because in those feelings of pride, I'm faced with feelings of contradiction. Why are cops brutally killing people that look like me?"
Race An Avid Birder Talks About His Conflict In Central Park That Went Viral An Avid Birder Talks About His Conflict In Central Park That Went Viral Listen · 4:28 4:28
Cheyenne Amaya of Woodbridge, Va., said police-involved deaths no longer surprise her.
"They are so a part of my normal life now that I feel a bit desensitized. I still have to continue to try to put a brave face on while feeling angry, hurt, sad, anxious and tired. It's been like this my whole life," she said. "We were taught at a young age to make ourselves appear less threatening and to always keep our hands up. It's tiring trying to live your life while constantly in fear of someone shooting you down or accusing you of something you didn't do."
Waddell Hamer of Indianapolis, who recently graduated with his master's degree in social work, said: "The mental health of blacks during this time is fragile. I know mine is. COVID, racism and poverty to name a few. How do I tend to the mental health of blacks during this time?"
Still, amid these myriad emotions expressed by black Americans, some spoke of hope.
Cissel, the minister from Pennsylvania, said that for "all my people to be safe, the racist fabric of this country must be ripped to shreds and rewoven."
She's ready to do her part.
"I will light a candle, hope it blossoms into a steady flame of peace and say these words aloud: 'We are included. We belong. We are here.' For, just like you — entitled by birthright, we have a place in this world too."
NPR would like to hear about your reaction to these incidents and your personal experience as a black person in America. Please share your story here or in the form below, and a reporter might contact you.