npr--2020-07-28--Why We Grow Numb To Staggering Statistics — And What We Can Do About It

Why We Grow Numb To Staggering Statistics — And What We Can Do About It COVID-19 has now killed more than 148,000 people in the U.S. On a typical day in the past week , more than 1,000 people died .
But the deluge of grim statistics can dull our collective sense of outrage .
And part of that has to do with how humans are built to perceive the world .
`` With any kind of consistent danger , people get used to situations like that , '' says Elke Weber , a professor of psychology and of energy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` When you live in a war zone , after a while , everyday risk becomes just baseline .
Our neurons are wired in such a way that we only respond to change .
And any state that 's constant basically sort of gets washed out . ''
She says that 's what 's happening now with the coronavirus pandemic .
`` People have just gotten used to being in this new state of danger , adapting to it , and therefore have not taken enough precaution anymore , '' she says in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Here are excerpts from the conversation .
During a war , it 's clear who the enemy is , who the humans are that we are fighting against .
But during a pandemic , is the sense of the enemy vaguer , and therefore the toll that that enemy is taking on a society is n't as clear cut ?
Absolutely .
I think that what you said is so true in so many different ways .
One of them is that with COVID we 're dealing with a small virus .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as individuals ca n't really fight until we have a vaccine and we have to fight it with science .
And so our usual protection mechanisms do n't kick in .
And then on top of that , also , if you think about who is the enemy in terms of actions that bring about death , in many ways — and this is in that sense very similar to climate change — the enemy is us .
So absolutely , I think it 's very different from other situations where we might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because we 're not quite sure what we want to protect ourselves against .
So how do we make these just astronomical statistics resonate more with people ?
One thing is just that people are not very good with large numbers .
We do n't discriminate between 150,000 or 300,000 or 3 million .
And so to put it into a context where people again can imagine what it means — like to have the probability of dying of COVID — can be very helpful .
One in 2,000 Americans has died already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,000 people , or we live in towns that are multiples of 2,000 .
We can imagine how many people would have died in our town , in our acquaintances .
That 's one very good way of doing it .
The other one would be to say , well , what towns and cities in the U.S. has COVID wiped out at this point ?
And if you live in New Jersey , Paterson , N.J. , is gone .
It has a population of 145,000 .
If you want to put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ N.Y. , is gone , wiped out , a whole town , city wiped out by the virus .
Pasadena , Calif. , is gone .
Dayton , Ohio ; Waco , Texas .
So depending on where you are , making it local and making it concrete , I think can really help .
Gabe O'Connor and Christopher Intagliata produced and edited the audio story .
Maureen Pao adapated it for the Web .

Why We Grow Numb To Staggering Statistics — And What We Can Do About It
Enlarge this image toggle caption Malte Mueller/Getty Images/fStop Malte Mueller/Getty Images/fStop
COVID-19 has now killed more than 148,000 people in the U.S. On a typical day in the past week, more than 1,000 people died.
But the deluge of grim statistics can dull our collective sense of outrage. And part of that has to do with how humans are built to perceive the world.
"With any kind of consistent danger, people get used to situations like that," says Elke Weber, a professor of psychology and of energy and the environment at Princeton University. "When you live in a war zone, after a while, everyday risk becomes just baseline. Our neurons are wired in such a way that we only respond to change. And any state that's constant basically sort of gets washed out."
She says that's what's happening now with the coronavirus pandemic.
"People have just gotten used to being in this new state of danger, adapting to it, and therefore have not taken enough precaution anymore," she says in an interview on All Things Considered.
Here are excerpts from the conversation.
During a war, it's clear who the enemy is, who the humans are that we are fighting against. But during a pandemic, is the sense of the enemy vaguer, and therefore the toll that that enemy is taking on a society isn't as clear cut?
Absolutely. I think that what you said is so true in so many different ways. One of them is that with COVID we're dealing with a small virus. This tiny enemy is also something that we as individuals can't really fight until we have a vaccine and we have to fight it with science. And so our usual protection mechanisms don't kick in.
And then on top of that, also, if you think about who is the enemy in terms of actions that bring about death, in many ways — and this is in that sense very similar to climate change — the enemy is us. So absolutely, I think it's very different from other situations where we might want to kick into protective action, because we're not quite sure what we want to protect ourselves against.
So how do we make these just astronomical statistics resonate more with people?
One thing is just that people are not very good with large numbers. We don't discriminate between 150,000 or 300,000 or 3 million.
And so to put it into a context where people again can imagine what it means — like to have the probability of dying of COVID — can be very helpful. One in 2,000 Americans has died already. Now, most of us know 2,000 people, or we live in towns that are multiples of 2,000. We can imagine how many people would have died in our town, in our acquaintances. That's one very good way of doing it.
The other one would be to say, well, what towns and cities in the U.S. has COVID wiped out at this point? And if you live in New Jersey, Paterson, N.J., is gone. It has a population of 145,000.
If you want to put into New York context, Syracuse, N.Y., is gone, wiped out, a whole town, city wiped out by the virus. Pasadena, Calif., is gone. Dayton, Ohio; Waco, Texas. So depending on where you are, making it local and making it concrete, I think can really help.
Gabe O'Connor and Christopher Intagliata produced and edited the audio story. Maureen Pao adapated it for the Web.


npr--2020-07-28--Video Of Audience At Chainsmokers Concert Prompts New York To Investigate

Video Of Audience At Chainsmokers Concert Prompts New York To Investigate A charity concert , headlined by The Chainsmokers , is prompting New York authorities to investigate after video showed an audience crowding closely in spite of the state 's coronavirus rules .
Organizers expected some 2,000 attendees for the Safe & Sound fundraiser held Saturday in the town of Southampton , N.Y .
Billed as a `` drive-in music experience in the famous summer hot spot , '' the fundraiser featured a performance by the chart-topping duo , with opening sets by D.J .
D-Sol — the stage name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and town supervisor Jay Schneiderman .
Ticket prices were set as high as $ 25,0000 , according to Billboard , with proceeds going to several charities .
The organizer In The Know Experiences promised the first in a series of concerts to `` safely bring people together '' in a time when coronavirus restrictions have halted most live music performances .
`` This will be a Safe & Controlled environment setting the bar for all events to come , '' the company said in paperwork for the event .
A seconds-long clip , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contrary .
Video recorded from the concert 's stage showed a sizable portion of the crowd dancing close together .
That clip quickly drew rebukes , including from New York state authorities .
On Monday , New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , retweeted the video promising an investigation by state 's health department .
A day later , in a conference call with reporters , Cuomo called the event a `` gross violation '' of public health rules and `` common sense '' and `` grossly disrespectful '' to New Yorkers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the rules were being violated , so that has civil fines and the potential for criminal liability , so we 're taking that very seriously , '' Cuomo said during the call .
New York 's health commissioner , Howard Zucker , also sent a letter to Schneiderman on Monday , noting restrictions on large groups in place since March and questioning how the large concert came to be approved by Southampton officials .
`` I am at a loss as to how the Town of Southampton could have issued a permit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believed it was legal and not an obvious public health threat , '' Zucker wrote .
A spokesperson told NPR the town is drafting a response to Zucker 's letter .
In The Know Experiences has not replied to an NPR request for comment .
Paperwork submitted for the event said guests were given a personal area to remain in except when using the bathroom .
The company also said it planned to distribute personal protective equipment .
Reporting by Buzzfeed News further specifies measures the organizers said they undertook .
In an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they had installed steel barricades and dividers to separate attendees and checked guest temperatures as well .

Video Of Audience At Chainsmokers Concert Prompts New York To Investigate
Enlarge this image toggle caption Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Safe & Sound Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Safe & Sound
A charity concert, headlined by The Chainsmokers, is prompting New York authorities to investigate after video showed an audience crowding closely in spite of the state's coronavirus rules.
Organizers expected some 2,000 attendees for the Safe & Sound fundraiser held Saturday in the town of Southampton, N.Y. Billed as a "drive-in music experience in the famous summer hot spot," the fundraiser featured a performance by the chart-topping duo, with opening sets by D.J. D-Sol — the stage name of Goldman Sachs executive David Solomon — and town supervisor Jay Schneiderman.
Ticket prices were set as high as $25,000, according to Billboard, with proceeds going to several charities.
The organizer In The Know Experiences promised the first in a series of concerts to "safely bring people together" in a time when coronavirus restrictions have halted most live music performances.
"This will be a Safe & Controlled environment setting the bar for all events to come," the company said in paperwork for the event.
A seconds-long clip, however, featured attendees acting to the contrary.
Video recorded from the concert's stage showed a sizable portion of the crowd dancing close together. That clip quickly drew rebukes, including from New York state authorities.
Videos from a concert held in Southampton on Saturday show egregious social distancing violations. I am appalled.
The Department of Health will conduct an investigation.
We have no tolerance for the illegal & reckless endangerment of public health.pic.twitter.com/gf9kggdo8w — Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) July 28, 2020
On Monday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, retweeted the video promising an investigation by state's health department. A day later, in a conference call with reporters, Cuomo called the event a "gross violation" of public health rules and "common sense" and "grossly disrespectful" to New Yorkers.
"That was out of control and all the rules were being violated, so that has civil fines and the potential for criminal liability, so we're taking that very seriously," Cuomo said during the call.
New York's health commissioner, Howard Zucker, also sent a letter to Schneiderman on Monday, noting restrictions on large groups in place since March and questioning how the large concert came to be approved by Southampton officials.
"I am at a loss as to how the Town of Southampton could have issued a permit for such an event, how they believed it was legal and not an obvious public health threat," Zucker wrote.
A spokesperson told NPR the town is drafting a response to Zucker's letter.
In The Know Experiences has not replied to an NPR request for comment. Paperwork submitted for the event said guests were given a personal area to remain in except when using the bathroom. The company also said it planned to distribute personal protective equipment.
Reporting by Buzzfeed News further specifies measures the organizers said they undertook. In an email to the outlet, the organizers said they had installed steel barricades and dividers to separate attendees and checked guest temperatures as well.


npr--2020-07-28--Atlanta Mayor Defends Legal Face-Off With Georgia's Governor Over Masks

Democratic Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republican Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp are facing off in a legal battle over mask mandates .
Bottoms issued an executive order on July 8 requiring people to wear masks in Atlanta .
Kemp sued , saying her policy violates his executive order , which strongly encourages mask wearing but does not require it .
Kemp said counties and municipalities could not make their own rules that were either more or less restrictive than his statewide rules .
The two sides have been negotiating to settle the case .
A court hearing scheduled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We 'll see '' if a negotiated solution is possible , Bottoms told NPR 's Ari Shapiro .
`` The most important thing is that we continue to keep at the forefront of every decision that we make the health and safety of the people who call Atlanta home .
And what we know from our health professionals is that wearing masks goes a very , very long way in helping to stop the spread of COVID-19 . ''
Bottoms talked with All Things Considered about the legal dispute and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Gov .
Kemp 's position is that mayors can not implement public health policies that go beyond his executive orders .
Why do you believe a mayor should be able to override a governor on an issue like this ?
Well , there are many legal theories on this , amongst them including the fact that it 's believed that the governor 's emergency order exceeded his powers as governor .
... At the end of the day , the governor belongs to a party that often speaks about local control and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local municipalities to be able to make their own decisions as it relates to any number of matters , including when we entered the COVID-19 crisis and schools were making decisions on whether or not they would close ; the governor deferred to local control on those decisions .
It is my belief that a mask mandate is also something that local control should rule on .
The reason being , we know that our numbers are very , very high in Atlanta .
... And the only way that we are going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 is to start making smart decisions about how we proceed with the health and safety of our residents .
And part of that , it 's very simple : wearing a mask .
Let me also ask you about plans for the new school year .
One of your four children tested positive for [ the coronavirus ] and you and your husband did as well .
How does that experience as the parent of a school-age child who had the disease affect your thinking about whether Atlanta students can safely go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concern really is one that 's born out of our experience because , again , we had one of our children to test positive , asymptomatic , and then my husband and I became infected a week later .
This is what our teachers , our custodians , our cafeteria workers , our bus drivers and so many others will face when our children go back to school .
Not to mention many of our children in Atlanta have higher than the national average rates of asthma .
Asthma is very common with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are more likely to die from asthma than other races .
And so there are a number of concerns , including our children then perhaps being asymptomatic and then going home and infecting and impacting their families .
And we know in Black and brown communities , COVID-19 is more likely to be deadly .
... As mayor , I do n't control the schools , per our city charter .
It 's an independently elected school board along with [ an ] independently appointed superintendent .
But that being said , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ superintendent to make sure that our children have what they need so that they can be prepared for school this fall .
Gus Contreras and Courtney Dorning produced and edited the audio story .

Atlanta Mayor Defends Legal Face-Off With Georgia's Governor Over Masks
Enlarge this image toggle caption Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Essence Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Essence
Democratic Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp are facing off in a legal battle over mask mandates.
Bottoms issued an executive order on July 8 requiring people to wear masks in Atlanta. Kemp sued, saying her policy violates his executive order, which strongly encourages mask wearing but does not require it. Kemp said counties and municipalities could not make their own rules that were either more or less restrictive than his statewide rules.
The two sides have been negotiating to settle the case. A court hearing scheduled for Tuesday was canceled to continue talks.
"We'll see" if a negotiated solution is possible, Bottoms told NPR's Ari Shapiro. "The most important thing is that we continue to keep at the forefront of every decision that we make the health and safety of the people who call Atlanta home. And what we know from our health professionals is that wearing masks goes a very, very long way in helping to stop the spread of COVID-19."
Bottoms talked with All Things Considered about the legal dispute and the upcoming school year. Here are excerpts:
Gov. Kemp's position is that mayors cannot implement public health policies that go beyond his executive orders. Why do you believe a mayor should be able to override a governor on an issue like this?
Well, there are many legal theories on this, amongst them including the fact that it's believed that the governor's emergency order exceeded his powers as governor. ...
At the end of the day, the governor belongs to a party that often speaks about local control and often elevates the need and desire for local municipalities to be able to make their own decisions as it relates to any number of matters, including when we entered the COVID-19 crisis and schools were making decisions on whether or not they would close; the governor deferred to local control on those decisions.
It is my belief that a mask mandate is also something that local control should rule on. The reason being, we know that our numbers are very, very high in Atlanta. ... And the only way that we are going to get to the other side of COVID-19 is to start making smart decisions about how we proceed with the health and safety of our residents. And part of that, it's very simple: wearing a mask.
Let me also ask you about plans for the new school year. One of your four children tested positive for [the coronavirus] and you and your husband did as well. How does that experience as the parent of a school-age child who had the disease affect your thinking about whether Atlanta students can safely go back to school in person?
My concern really is one that's born out of our experience because, again, we had one of our children to test positive, asymptomatic, and then my husband and I became infected a week later. This is what our teachers, our custodians, our cafeteria workers, our bus drivers and so many others will face when our children go back to school. Not to mention many of our children in Atlanta have higher than the national average rates of asthma. Asthma is very common with African American children. African American children are more likely to die from asthma than other races. And so there are a number of concerns, including our children then perhaps being asymptomatic and then going home and infecting and impacting their families. And we know in Black and brown communities, COVID-19 is more likely to be deadly. ...
As mayor, I don't control the schools, per our city charter. It's an independently elected school board along with [an] independently appointed superintendent. But that being said, we're working very closely with our new superintendent to make sure that our children have what they need so that they can be prepared for school this fall.
Gus Contreras and Courtney Dorning produced and edited the audio story.


npr--2020-07-28--Senate GOP Balks At White House Push For New FBI Headquarters In COVID-19 Relief Bill

Senate GOP Balks At White House Push For New FBI Headquarters In COVID-19 Relief Bill Senate Republicans are rejecting a White House-backed plan to tuck money for the design and construction of a new FBI headquarters into the latest coronavirus relief bill despite including the funding in a GOP proposal released on Monday .
Republicans rapidly criticized the provision less than a day after the legislation was unveiled .
Democrats have accused President Trump of including the money to prevent the existing FBI building , which is across from the Trump Hotel in Washington , D.C. , from being sold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compete with the Trump property .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , told reporters he does not support the funding on the grounds that it is n't related to immediate coronavirus needs .
`` I am opposed to non-germane amendments , '' McConnell told reporters Tuesday .
`` When we get to the end of the process , I would hope all the non-COVID-related measures are out , no matter what bills they were in at the start . ''
Many Senate Republicans objected to the money despite a push from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pelosi , D-Calif. , and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , included the request on the list of items they opposed immediately after reviewing the bill Monday .
`` They did n't have money for food stamps , but they had money for an FBI building just so that they can diminish competition for the president 's hotel , '' Pelosi told reporters .
`` I do n't even think Mitch McConnell knew that was in the bill . ''
When asked about the issue at a Monday press conference with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , McConnell seemed unclear about whether or not the money was included in the legislation and then suggested reporters ask the Trump administration about it .
There has a been a long-standing fight over plans to relocate the FBI from its aging headquarters on Pennsylvania Avenue , blocks from the White House , to an updated facility .
Lawmakers from Virginia and Maryland had been fighting over the future location for years before Trump abandoned plans for the move in 2018 .
At the time , Rep. Gerry Connolly , D-Va. , requested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arguing that `` the Trump Organization has a long-standing and documented interest in the Hoover property . ''
White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin were on Capitol Hill on Tuesday , meeting with top Democratic leaders and GOP senators to discuss the legislation again and the next steps .
Meadows said the FBI building was a `` pressing need '' but suggested it could go in this bill or a future spending one to fund the government in the fall .
Asked how much the administration would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Meadows said , `` I do n't see it standing in the way of a deal . ''

Senate GOP Balks At White House Push For New FBI Headquarters In COVID-19 Relief Bill
Enlarge this image toggle caption J. David Ake/AP J. David Ake/AP
Senate Republicans are rejecting a White House-backed plan to tuck money for the design and construction of a new FBI headquarters into the latest coronavirus relief bill despite including the funding in a GOP proposal released on Monday.
Republicans rapidly criticized the provision less than a day after the legislation was unveiled. Democrats have accused President Trump of including the money to prevent the existing FBI building, which is across from the Trump Hotel in Washington, D.C., from being sold and redeveloped into a hotel that might compete with the Trump property.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told reporters he does not support the funding on the grounds that it isn't related to immediate coronavirus needs.
"I am opposed to non-germane amendments," McConnell told reporters Tuesday. "When we get to the end of the process, I would hope all the non-COVID-related measures are out, no matter what bills they were in at the start."
Many Senate Republicans objected to the money despite a push from White House officials.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., included the request on the list of items they opposed immediately after reviewing the bill Monday.
"They didn't have money for food stamps, but they had money for an FBI building just so that they can diminish competition for the president's hotel," Pelosi told reporters. "I don't even think Mitch McConnell knew that was in the bill."
When asked about the issue at a Monday press conference with other Senate Republicans rolling out their bill, McConnell seemed unclear about whether or not the money was included in the legislation and then suggested reporters ask the Trump administration about it.
There has a been a long-standing fight over plans to relocate the FBI from its aging headquarters on Pennsylvania Avenue, blocks from the White House, to an updated facility. Lawmakers from Virginia and Maryland had been fighting over the future location for years before Trump abandoned plans for the move in 2018.
At the time, Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., requested an investigation into the canceled plans, arguing that "the Trump Organization has a long-standing and documented interest in the Hoover property."
White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin were on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, meeting with top Democratic leaders and GOP senators to discuss the legislation again and the next steps.
Meadows said the FBI building was a "pressing need" but suggested it could go in this bill or a future spending one to fund the government in the fall.
Asked how much the administration would insist it remain in the relief bill, Meadows said, "I don't see it standing in the way of a deal."


npr--2020-07-28--Teachers Union OKs Strikes If Schools Reopen Without Safety Measures In Place

Teachers Union OKs Strikes If Schools Reopen Without Safety Measures In Place The head of a powerful national teachers union told members Tuesday that its leadership would support `` safety strikes '' if health precautions are not met amid calls for schools to reopen as coronavirus cases surge .
Randi Weingarten , who leads the American Federation of Teachers , is leaving the final decision to local unions on whether to strike .
The AFT — the nation 's second-largest teachers union , with 1.7 million members — also unveiled several benchmarks that it said should be met before schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We will fight on all fronts for the safety of our students and their educators , '' Weingarten said in remarks delivered at the union 's biennial convention , conducted online due to the pandemic .
`` But if authorities do n't protect the safety and health of those we represent and those we serve ... nothing is off the table , '' she warned .
`` Not advocacy or protests , negotiations , grievances or lawsuits , or , if necessary and authorized by a local union , as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Trump administration has been leading the push for schools to fully reopen in a couple of weeks , even though teachers and school districts across the country have warned , among other things , that more funding is needed to ensure safety protocols can be met before doing so .
The union adopted a resolution that calls for schools ' physical reopenings to take place only in areas where the daily community infection rate among those tested is below 5 % and the transmission rate is less than 1 % .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have `` effective '' COVID-19 tracing and isolation protocols in place .
It is urging that officials at the state , city and community levels be given the authority to shut down schools again , if there 's a spike in infection rates or if standards set by public health officials are not adhered to .
Weingarten noted that if the cruise industry and hip-hop artist and mogul Kanye West can receive virus-related stimulus funds from the federal government , then `` they sure as hell can help working families , and can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ education they need . ''
She framed her arguments in the context of three crises facing the U.S. : COVID-19 , the sagging economy and national protests calling for social justice .
`` One factor , '' she said , `` one person is making them all worse : Donald J .
Trump . ''
A new round of coronavirus relief funding introduced this week by Senate Republicans calls for two-thirds of the $ 70 billion set aside for K-12 public and private schools to go to schools planning to reopen in some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning , according to Education Week .
The union acknowledged that there is no one-size-fits-all approach and pointed to public school districts in Montana that are able to safely reopen and practice social distancing .
In contrast , Weingarten noted that such practices would be significantly more difficult in districts including Atlanta , Houston and Los Angeles , where authorities `` have been forced to make the difficult decision to start the school year remotely . ''

Teachers Union OKs Strikes If Schools Reopen Without Safety Measures In Place
Enlarge this image toggle caption Cliff Owen/AP Cliff Owen/AP
The head of a powerful national teachers union told members Tuesday that its leadership would support "safety strikes" if health precautions are not met amid calls for schools to reopen as coronavirus cases surge.
Randi Weingarten, who leads the American Federation of Teachers, is leaving the final decision to local unions on whether to strike. The AFT — the nation's second-largest teachers union, with 1.7 million members — also unveiled several benchmarks that it said should be met before schools can fully welcome back students and staff.
"We will fight on all fronts for the safety of our students and their educators," Weingarten said in remarks delivered at the union's biennial convention, conducted online due to the pandemic.
"But if authorities don't protect the safety and health of those we represent and those we serve ... nothing is off the table," she warned. "Not advocacy or protests, negotiations, grievances or lawsuits, or, if necessary and authorized by a local union, as a last resort, safety strikes."
The Trump administration has been leading the push for schools to fully reopen in a couple of weeks, even though teachers and school districts across the country have warned, among other things, that more funding is needed to ensure safety protocols can be met before doing so.
The union adopted a resolution that calls for schools' physical reopenings to take place only in areas where the daily community infection rate among those tested is below 5% and the transmission rate is less than 1%.
The AFT's guidelines demand that areas reopening have "effective" COVID-19 tracing and isolation protocols in place. It is urging that officials at the state, city and community levels be given the authority to shut down schools again, if there's a spike in infection rates or if standards set by public health officials are not adhered to.
Weingarten noted that if the cruise industry and hip-hop artist and mogul Kanye West can receive virus-related stimulus funds from the federal government, then "they sure as hell can help working families, and can help educators ensure our kids get the education they need."
She framed her arguments in the context of three crises facing the U.S.: COVID-19, the sagging economy and national protests calling for social justice.
"One factor," she said, "one person is making them all worse: Donald J. Trump."
A new round of coronavirus relief funding introduced this week by Senate Republicans calls for two-thirds of the $70 billion set aside for K-12 public and private schools to go to schools planning to reopen in some capacity and provide some form of in-person learning, according to Education Week.
The union acknowledged that there is no one-size-fits-all approach and pointed to public school districts in Montana that are able to safely reopen and practice social distancing.
In contrast, Weingarten noted that such practices would be significantly more difficult in districts including Atlanta, Houston and Los Angeles, where authorities "have been forced to make the difficult decision to start the school year remotely."


npr--2020-07-28--Miami Marlins Games Postponed Until Sunday Due To Coronavirus Cases

Major League Baseball on Tuesday announced that all Miami Marlins games have been postponed until Sunday , following a rash of coronavirus cases within the team 's ranks .
Four additional players tested positive for the virus by Tuesday , NPR has confirmed .
The team 's total number of cases has risen to at least 17 , including two coaches .
`` Given the current circumstances , MLB believes that it is most prudent to allow the Marlins time to focus on providing care for their players and planning their Baseball Operations for a resumption early next week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
MLB said that aside from the Marlins cases , there had been no additional confirmed positives of on-field personnel from any of the other 29 teams since Friday .
The league had already postponed two games on Monday because of COVID-19 concerns .
The Marlins have played three games since the season started last week .
`` We continue to take this entire situation very seriously .
All of our players , coaches and staff are , understandably , having a difficult time enduring this experience .
After receiving additional test results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we reached out to the Commissioner 's Office with concern for the health and safety of our team as well as our opponents , '' Marlins Chief Executive Derek Jeter said in a statement .
`` We have moved to a daily testing schedule while we isolate and quarantine appropriately , along with enacting additional preventive procedures with our traveling party . ''
The team has been sheltered in place in Philadelphia , Pa. , for self-quarantine and additional testing .
The United States has struggled to control the virus ' spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to normalcy after months of partial lockdowns has pushed some industries to reopen despite rising cases of the coronavirus .
Other major league sports , such as the NHL and NBA , are preparing to start their seasons .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , one of the nation 's leading immunologists , said Tuesday that the Marlins outbreak could put the remaining MLB season in jeopardy .
He said he hoped , on behalf of the players and staff , that games could continue .
`` I do n't believe they need to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this and see what happens with other teams on a day-by-day basis , '' Fauci said on ABC 's Good Morning America .
Fauci threw the first pitch of the regular season opener between the New York Yankees and the Washington Nationals last week .

Miami Marlins Games Postponed Until Sunday Due To Coronavirus Cases
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mitchell Leff/Getty Images Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
Updated at 5:05 p.m. ET
Major League Baseball on Tuesday announced that all Miami Marlins games have been postponed until Sunday, following a rash of coronavirus cases within the team's ranks.
Four additional players tested positive for the virus by Tuesday, NPR has confirmed. The team's total number of cases has risen to at least 17, including two coaches.
"Given the current circumstances, MLB believes that it is most prudent to allow the Marlins time to focus on providing care for their players and planning their Baseball Operations for a resumption early next week," the league said in a statement.
MLB said that aside from the Marlins cases, there had been no additional confirmed positives of on-field personnel from any of the other 29 teams since Friday.
The league had already postponed two games on Monday because of COVID-19 concerns. The Marlins have played three games since the season started last week.
"We continue to take this entire situation very seriously. All of our players, coaches and staff are, understandably, having a difficult time enduring this experience. After receiving additional test results on our Major League team this morning, we reached out to the Commissioner's Office with concern for the health and safety of our team as well as our opponents," Marlins Chief Executive Derek Jeter said in a statement.
"We have moved to a daily testing schedule while we isolate and quarantine appropriately, along with enacting additional preventive procedures with our traveling party."
The team has been sheltered in place in Philadelphia, Pa., for self-quarantine and additional testing.
The United States has struggled to control the virus' spread, and a growing appetite to return to normalcy after months of partial lockdowns has pushed some industries to reopen despite rising cases of the coronavirus. Other major league sports, such as the NHL and NBA, are preparing to start their seasons.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, one of the nation's leading immunologists, said Tuesday that the Marlins outbreak could put the remaining MLB season in jeopardy. He said he hoped, on behalf of the players and staff, that games could continue.
"I don't believe they need to stop, but we just need to follow this and see what happens with other teams on a day-by-day basis," Fauci said on ABC's Good Morning America.
Fauci threw the first pitch of the regular season opener between the New York Yankees and the Washington Nationals last week.


npr--2020-07-28--Venezuela's Maduro Holds Firmly To Power — And Squeezes The Opposition

Venezuela 's Maduro Holds Firmly To Power — And Squeezes The Opposition It was n't long ago that Nicolás Maduro 's days as the Venezuelan president appeared to be numbered .
The authoritarian leader had overseen his country 's worst economic meltdown in history and was facing crippling U.S. sanctions targeting the vital oil industry .
Amid chronic food shortages , millions of Venezuelans fled the country .
The United States and more than 50 other nations have recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó , president of the opposition-controlled National Assembly , as Venezuela 's rightful head of state on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 election .
In January , Guaidó was a guest of honor at President Trump 's State of the Union address .
`` Here this evening is a very brave man who carries with him the hopes , dreams and aspirations of all Venezuelans , '' Trump said of Guaidó , who received standing ovation .
But those hopes and dreams have yet to be fulfilled .
Maduro remains ensconced in the presidential palace and in control of the country .
The Venezuelan military has ignored Guaidó 's calls to mutiny and , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crucial support to Maduro .
Anti-government protests have petered out .
Support for Guaidó dropped in polls from more than 60 % in February 2019 to 25.5 % in May , according to Caracas-based firm Datanalisis .
The pollster put Maduro 's May approval rating at about 13 % .
The political opposition is divided between moderates who favor negotiations and hard-liners who have promoted military action to oust Maduro .
This more militant strategy backfired in May when a small invasion force of about 60 exiled Venezuelan soldiers as well as two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coast near Caracas .
They were quickly captured or killed by Venezuelan troops loyal to Maduro .
`` So it 's very sad for us .
Right now we have a very , very complicated situation , '' says Ángel Alvarado , a lawmaker with the opposition Justice First party .
Making matters worse , he says , is that the Maduro government in a legal maneuver last month replaced the leaders of three main opposition parties with politicians friendly to the government .
The affected parties include Justice First and Popular Will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former political prisoner Leopoldo López .
Alvarado claims these new party bosses were paid off to switch sides .
All of this has come after years of government attacks on the opposition .
Alvarado says five opposition legislators have been imprisoned on trumped-up charges , including Justice First lawmaker Juan Requesens , who was detained last year in connection with a 2018 assassination attempt on Maduro by a drone armed with explosives .
He said that another 20 opposition lawmakers are living in exile while five others have gone underground to avoid arrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our party .
Then they try to divide us .
And then they replace the leadership of our party with new ones that receive the money of Maduro , '' Alvarado says in a telephone interview from Caracas .
The Venezuelan government ignored NPR 's requests for comment .
Geoff Ramsey , who tracks Venezuela for the think tank the Washington Office on Latin America , believes that rather than turning Venezuela into a one-party state , Maduro aims to cripple opposition parties but let them survive .
`` It is ultimately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the existence of opposition politicians in Venezuela as it allows them to say that they live in a democracy , '' Ramsey says .
Aside from the National Assembly , the ruling socialists control every government institution in Venezuela , including the electoral board , which Maduro stacked with his allies last month .
But now , the largest opposition parties are leaning toward boycotting this year 's legislative elections because of fears of vote-rigging .
In a conference call hosted last week by the Washington Diplomat newsletter , Carlos Vecchio , Guaidó @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 presidential election , in which Maduro won a six-year term , was marred by irregularities .
Referring to the upcoming congressional balloting , he declared : `` Will that fake election resolve the Venezuelan problem ?
No !
It will deepen the crisis . ''
However , if the opposition boycotts the vote — which under the Constitution must be held by the end of this year — Guaidó will no longer be president of the legislature .
He was appointed to that post last year and it is the basis for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head of state .
As a result , Ramsey says , `` The international community is going to be at a crossroads where they 'll have to decide whether to continue recognizing Juan Guaidó as interim president of Venezuela . ''
Ramsey says the only way out of Venezuela 's crisis is through negotiations to hold free and fair elections .
But several rounds of talks hosted by the Norwegian government have failed to produce any breakthroughs .
That has left the opposition so disillusioned that Guaidó 's office released a communiqué questioning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Caracas this week to pursue further talks .
Such intransigence by Guaidó 's team could only strengthen the Maduro government , according to Caracas political analyst Dimitris Pantoulas .
`` Is Norway the enemy ? ''
he tweeted .
`` It is absolutely amateurish and childish this approach . ''
Despite months of bad news , Guaidó put on a brave face and tried to buck up his followers at a public appearance in Caracas last month .
He acknowledged they are worn down and frustrated , but he insisted that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outlast Maduro .
`` They are not going to defeat us , '' Guaidó proclaimed .
`` We are still here . ''

Venezuela's Maduro Holds Firmly To Power — And Squeezes The Opposition
Enlarge this image toggle caption Carolina Cabral/Getty Images Carolina Cabral/Getty Images
It wasn't long ago that Nicolás Maduro's days as the Venezuelan president appeared to be numbered.
The authoritarian leader had overseen his country's worst economic meltdown in history and was facing crippling U.S. sanctions targeting the vital oil industry. Amid chronic food shortages, millions of Venezuelans fled the country.
The United States and more than 50 other nations have recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó, president of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, as Venezuela's rightful head of state on the grounds that they believe Maduro rigged the 2018 election.
In January, Guaidó was a guest of honor at President Trump's State of the Union address. "Here this evening is a very brave man who carries with him the hopes, dreams and aspirations of all Venezuelans," Trump said of Guaidó, who received standing ovation.
But those hopes and dreams have yet to be fulfilled.
Maduro remains ensconced in the presidential palace and in control of the country. The Venezuelan military has ignored Guaidó's calls to mutiny and, despite some defections, continues to provide crucial support to Maduro. Anti-government protests have petered out.
Support for Guaidó dropped in polls from more than 60% in February 2019 to 25.5% in May, according to Caracas-based firm Datanalisis. The pollster put Maduro's May approval rating at about 13%.
The political opposition is divided between moderates who favor negotiations and hard-liners who have promoted military action to oust Maduro.
This more militant strategy backfired in May when a small invasion force of about 60 exiled Venezuelan soldiers as well as two American mercenaries landed on Venezuela's Caribbean coast near Caracas. They were quickly captured or killed by Venezuelan troops loyal to Maduro.
"So it's very sad for us. Right now we have a very, very complicated situation," says Ángel Alvarado, a lawmaker with the opposition Justice First party.
Making matters worse, he says, is that the Maduro government in a legal maneuver last month replaced the leaders of three main opposition parties with politicians friendly to the government. The affected parties include Justice First and Popular Will, which is led by Guaidó and former political prisoner Leopoldo López. Alvarado claims these new party bosses were paid off to switch sides.
All of this has come after years of government attacks on the opposition.
Alvarado says five opposition legislators have been imprisoned on trumped-up charges, including Justice First lawmaker Juan Requesens, who was detained last year in connection with a 2018 assassination attempt on Maduro by a drone armed with explosives. He said that another 20 opposition lawmakers are living in exile while five others have gone underground to avoid arrest.
"First they persecute the leadership of our party. Then they try to divide us. And then they replace the leadership of our party with new ones that receive the money of Maduro," Alvarado says in a telephone interview from Caracas.
The Venezuelan government ignored NPR's requests for comment.
Geoff Ramsey, who tracks Venezuela for the think tank the Washington Office on Latin America, believes that rather than turning Venezuela into a one-party state, Maduro aims to cripple opposition parties but let them survive.
"It is ultimately useful for the regime to point to the existence of opposition politicians in Venezuela as it allows them to say that they live in a democracy," Ramsey says.
Aside from the National Assembly, the ruling socialists control every government institution in Venezuela, including the electoral board, which Maduro stacked with his allies last month. But now, the largest opposition parties are leaning toward boycotting this year's legislative elections because of fears of vote-rigging.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Federico Parra/AFP via Getty Images Federico Parra/AFP via Getty Images
In a conference call hosted last week by the Washington Diplomat newsletter, Carlos Vecchio, Guaidó's U.S. envoy, noted that the 2018 presidential election, in which Maduro won a six-year term, was marred by irregularities. Referring to the upcoming congressional balloting, he declared: "Will that fake election resolve the Venezuelan problem? No! It will deepen the crisis."
However, if the opposition boycotts the vote — which under the Constitution must be held by the end of this year — Guaidó will no longer be president of the legislature. He was appointed to that post last year and it is the basis for his claim to be Venezuela's legitimate head of state.
As a result, Ramsey says, "The international community is going to be at a crossroads where they'll have to decide whether to continue recognizing Juan Guaidó as interim president of Venezuela."
Ramsey says the only way out of Venezuela's crisis is through negotiations to hold free and fair elections. But several rounds of talks hosted by the Norwegian government have failed to produce any breakthroughs.
That has left the opposition so disillusioned that Guaidó's office released a communiqué questioning the decision of Norwegian envoys to return to Caracas this week to pursue further talks.
Such intransigence by Guaidó's team could only strengthen the Maduro government, according to Caracas political analyst Dimitris Pantoulas. "Is Norway the enemy?" he tweeted. "It is absolutely amateurish and childish this approach."
Despite months of bad news, Guaidó put on a brave face and tried to buck up his followers at a public appearance in Caracas last month. He acknowledged they are worn down and frustrated, but he insisted that, one way or another, opposition would outlast Maduro.
"They are not going to defeat us," Guaidó proclaimed. "We are still here."


npr--2020-07-28--'Emus Have Been Banned' For Bad Behavior, A Hotel In Australia's Outback Says

'Emus Have Been Banned ' For Bad Behavior , A Hotel In Australia 's Outback Says In many ways , the emus are a welcome distraction in a tiny town in Australia 's vast Outback .
Raised by an animal rescuer , the birds – siblings Kevin and Carol — are a friendly and wide-eyed source of entertainment .
But then the emus learned to climb the stairs .
The new skill gave the birds access to the pub of the Yaraka Hotel in Queensland .
Once inside , they unleashed a long-legged brand of chaos .
They snatched toast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One of the birds even went behind the bar .
A stern response was required .
`` Emus have been banned from this establishment for bad behavior , '' a sign now says at the stairs leading to the hotel 's pub .
The message asks any human visitors to replace the `` emu barrier '' when they enter .
`` We put the sign up , but we 're not quite sure whether they 're able to read or not , '' hotel co-owner Gerry Gimblett said in an interview with 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 've had to put a bar across there , as well . ''
The emus have been popular with visitors – they 've learned that posing for a photo often means a reward of a quick snack , said Gimblett , who owns the hotel with her husband , Chris .
`` The interesting thing is when people are making toast in the annex , a head comes across , takes the toast and gobbles it up as it pops , '' Gimblett told the Brisbane Times .
Despite the birds ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kevin and Carol have stuck around — two survivors of a nest full of eggs that was found abandoned .
All their brothers and sisters have since moved on .
The pair have endeared themselves to the locals and visitors alike .
Until recently , Gimblett said , the emus had been kept at bay by cordons that were erected around the back of the hotel .
Then the birds worked out how to use the three stairs leading up to the pub 's patio .
`` We did n't think they could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Yaraka resident who raised Kevin and Carol , in an interview with the ABC .
The animals made several cameos in that segment , lunging in front of the camera to grab pieces of bread .
Now , Gimblett said , she 's hoping the birds wo n't figure out how to maneuver , limbo-style , under the rope and up the stairs .
Crowding is n't normally a problem in the pub .
After all , Yaraka has a population of fewer than 20 people .
But as is often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are other issues – literally .
`` If they had control of their bowels , '' the emus would be welcome inside , Gimblett told the ABC .
Even with the chance of foul behavior , Yaraka 's emus are generating interest online from people who said they want to visit the Outback town .
Many also said they 're thankful for a bit of avian comic relief .
`` The Country is needing this with our Covid crises , '' a visitor to the hotel 's Facebook page wrote .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and nor could I . ''

'Emus Have Been Banned' For Bad Behavior, A Hotel In Australia's Outback Says
Enlarge this image toggle caption Leanne Byrne/AP Leanne Byrne/AP
Updated at 7:30 a.m. ET
Two emus – siblings Kevin and Carol — are now banned from a hotel in a tiny town in Australia's vast Outback. Raised by an animal rescuer, the birds are usually a friendly and wide-eyed source of entertainment. But then the emus learned to climb the stairs.
The new skill gave the birds access to the pub of the Yaraka Hotel in Queensland. Once inside, they unleashed a long-legged brand of chaos. They snatched toast and French fries away from customers. One of the birds even went behind the bar. A stern response was required.
"Emus have been banned from this establishment for bad behavior," a sign now says at the stairs leading to the hotel's pub. The message asks any human visitors to replace the "emu barrier" when they enter.
"We put the sign up, but we're not quite sure whether they're able to read or not," hotel co-owner Gerry Gimblett said in an interview with 10 News First Queensland. "So, we've had to put a bar across there, as well."
The emus have been popular with visitors – they've learned that posing for a photo often means a reward of a quick snack, said Gimblett, who owns the hotel with her husband, Chris.
"The interesting thing is when people are making toast in the annex, a head comes across, takes the toast and gobbles it up as it pops," Gimblett told the Brisbane Times.
"It is not safe to get between an emu and food; they have a sharp strong beak and their long neck can suck up food like a high powered vacuum cleaner," Chris Gimblett says in an email to NPR.
Another concern: if the emus are startled, the large birds would likely run — fast. When frightened, the animals have a tendency, Chris Gimblett says, to do "a forward sprint whilst looking behind them at the source of their fright and heaven help people and objects that happen to be in their 'blind' forward run."
Despite the birds' transgressions, Gimblett said she's glad Kevin and Carol have stuck around — two survivors of a nest full of eggs that was found abandoned. All their brothers and sisters have since moved on.
The pair have endeared themselves to the locals and visitors alike. Until recently, Gimblett said, the emus had been kept at bay by cordons that were erected around the back of the hotel. Then the birds worked out how to use the three stairs leading up to the pub's patio.
"We didn't think they could climb stairs," said Leanne Byrne, a Yaraka resident who raised Kevin and Carol, in an interview with the ABC. The animals made several cameos in that segment, lunging in front of the camera to grab pieces of bread.
YouTube
Now, Gimblett said, she's hoping the birds won't figure out how to maneuver, limbo-style, under the rope and up the stairs.
Crowding isn't normally a problem in the pub. After all, Yaraka has a population of fewer than 20 people. But as is often the case with wild animals, there are other issues – literally.
"If they had control of their bowels," the emus would be welcome inside, Gimblett told the ABC.
"They're a tad incontinent," Byrne agreed.
Even with the chance of foul behavior, Yaraka's emus are generating interest online from people who said they want to visit the Outback town. Many also said they're thankful for a bit of avian comic relief.
"The Country is needing this with our Covid crises," a visitor to the hotel's Facebook page wrote. "The ABC journalist could not stop laughing, and nor could I."


npr--2020-07-28--Remington Gun-Maker Files For Bankruptcy Protection For 2nd Time Since 2018

Remington Gun-Maker Files For Bankruptcy Protection For 2nd Time Since 2018 The Remington Arms Co. has filed for bankruptcy protection in federal court in Alabama as it seeks to restructure for the second time since 2018 amid ongoing legal and financial challenges .
The 204-year-old U.S. gun-maker , among the best-known brands of firearms , filed for Chapter 11 protection Monday at a time when heightened anxieties linked to the coronavirus pandemic , a slowing economy and ongoing national protests following George Floyd 's killing have led to record-high U.S. gun sales .
In fact , the FBI reported in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ checks , a proxy for gun sales .
That eclipsed the previous record in March of 3.7 million criminal checks to see if a gun could be legally possessed or purchased .
However , Remington 's challenges began long before the recent uptick in gun sales , and its bankruptcy filing appears to have come as talks with a potential buyer fizzled out in recent weeks .
The Wall Street Journal reported the gun-maker had been in `` advanced talks '' to sell to the Navajo Nation , but the talks collapsed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it has between 1,000 and 5,000 creditors , and lists both its assets and liabilities as between $ 100 million and $ 500 million .
Remington 's previous bankruptcy filing came two years ago during a period of slumping gun sales .
As NPR reported in 2018 , firearms industry-watchers were observing a downturn they dubbed a `` Trump slump '' — a phenomenon in which sales fall dramatically during administrations perceived to be pro-gun .
It was also a time when gun safety advocates ratcheted up pressure on retailers and investors to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 Valentine 's Day shooting at a Parkland , Florida , high school in which 17 students and staff were killed .
A Supreme Court ruling in 2019 allowed families of those killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown , Conn. , to move forward with lawsuits against Remington .
The families claim the company was liable in victims ' deaths as the manufacturer and marketer of the Bushmaster assault-style rifle used in the 2012 massacre that killed six adults and 20 children .
During its 2018 bankruptcy filing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million in debt , The New York Times reported .
As part of its restructuring , the business transferred ownership to former creditors , including Franklin Templeton Investments and J.P. Morgan Asset Management , according to the newspaper .

Remington Gun-Maker Files For Bankruptcy Protection For 2nd Time Since 2018
Enlarge this image toggle caption Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Remington Arms Co. has filed for bankruptcy protection in federal court in Alabama as it seeks to restructure for the second time since 2018 amid ongoing legal and financial challenges.
The 204-year-old U.S. gun-maker, among the best-known brands of firearms, filed for Chapter 11 protection Monday at a time when heightened anxieties linked to the coronavirus pandemic, a slowing economy and ongoing national protests following George Floyd's killing have led to record-high U.S. gun sales.
In fact, the FBI reported in June it conducted 3.9 million firearm background checks, a proxy for gun sales. That eclipsed the previous record in March of 3.7 million criminal checks to see if a gun could be legally possessed or purchased.
However, Remington's challenges began long before the recent uptick in gun sales, and its bankruptcy filing appears to have come as talks with a potential buyer fizzled out in recent weeks.
The Wall Street Journal reported the gun-maker had been in "advanced talks" to sell to the Navajo Nation, but the talks collapsed.
According to court filings, Remington estimates it has between 1,000 and 5,000 creditors, and lists both its assets and liabilities as between $100 million and $500 million.
Remington's previous bankruptcy filing came two years ago during a period of slumping gun sales. As NPR reported in 2018, firearms industry-watchers were observing a downturn they dubbed a "Trump slump" — a phenomenon in which sales fall dramatically during administrations perceived to be pro-gun.
It was also a time when gun safety advocates ratcheted up pressure on retailers and investors to distance themselves from the industry following the 2018 Valentine's Day shooting at a Parkland, Florida, high school in which 17 students and staff were killed.
A Supreme Court ruling in 2019 allowed families of those killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Conn., to move forward with lawsuits against Remington. The families claim the company was liable in victims' deaths as the manufacturer and marketer of the Bushmaster assault-style rifle used in the 2012 massacre that killed six adults and 20 children.
During its 2018 bankruptcy filing, Remington was allowed to shed $775 million in debt, The New York Times reported. As part of its restructuring, the business transferred ownership to former creditors, including Franklin Templeton Investments and J.P. Morgan Asset Management, according to the newspaper.


npr--2020-07-28--Taliban Call Cease-Fire In Afghanistan For Muslim Holiday

The Taliban has declared a rare cease-fire in Afghanistan for a Muslim holiday this week , in a move that could renew momentum for talks with the Afghan government .
The negotiations are meant to end the decades-long conflict in Afghanistan and give the Taliban a role in governing the country .
In an online English statement on Tuesday , the Taliban said it will `` halt offensive operations against enemy forces during the three days and nights '' of Eid al-Adha , which begins Thursday .
The government of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said it would observe the cease-fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free hundreds of Taliban prisoners as part of a prisoner exchange , and that direct negotiations with the insurgents could start `` in a week 's time . ''
This is the third cease-fire that the Taliban have called over the past two years — before then , they were exceedingly rare .
Andrew Watkins , an Afghanistan analyst at International Crisis Group , says he believes the new Taliban announcement is an attempt to start negotiations .
A Taliban spokesman , who goes by the name Zabihullah Mujahid , tweeted a link @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : '' In order that our compatriots may spend the days and nights of Eid-ul-Adha in even more security and joy , all Mujahideen are instructed to halt offensive operations against enemy forces during the three days and nights of Eid-ul-Adha .
However , if the opposition carries out an attack , they must be met with a strong response .
Moreover , all Mujahideen are notified that no one has permission to enter enemy controlled areas and neither are opposition elements allowed to enter our areas .
Spend Eid in your own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environment for the general public . ''
Sediq Sediqqi , a spokesman for President Ghani , said on Twitter that the government instructed all `` security and defense forces '' to observe the cease-fire and to not carry out any operations .
He added that the government welcomed the halt in fighting `` but the Afghan people want a lasting cease-fire and the start of direct peace talks between the government ... and the Taliban , '' he wrote .
The move comes as U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad makes a regional trip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oversaw a historic agreement between the United States and the Taliban that calls for American and NATO forces to withdraw from Afghanistan in exchange for an end to hostilities with the Taliban .
That deal also called for peace negotiations between the Taliban and the Afghan government .
The government was not party to the deal , but promised to uphold it .
That deal called for the exchange of 5,000 Taliban prisoners for 1,000 members of Afghan security forces held by the insurgents .
The exchange was meant to take place within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Feb. 28 , but it has met significant delays .
Analysts say the Afghan government has been reluctant to enter talks , because it will have to allow the Taliban a role in the country 's governance .
That has also made many liberal-minded Afghans apprehensive , because the Taliban say they 'll impose strict Islamic law if they come back into power .

Taliban Call Cease-Fire In Afghanistan For Muslim Holiday
Enlarge this image toggle caption Javed Tanveer/AFP via Getty Images Javed Tanveer/AFP via Getty Images
The Taliban has declared a rare cease-fire in Afghanistan for a Muslim holiday this week, in a move that could renew momentum for talks with the Afghan government.
The negotiations are meant to end the decades-long conflict in Afghanistan and give the Taliban a role in governing the country.
In an online English statement on Tuesday, the Taliban said it will "halt offensive operations against enemy forces during the three days and nights" of Eid al-Adha, which begins Thursday.
The government of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said it would observe the cease-fire. Ghani also said he would soon free hundreds of Taliban prisoners as part of a prisoner exchange, and that direct negotiations with the insurgents could start "in a week's time."
This is the third cease-fire that the Taliban have called over the past two years — before then, they were exceedingly rare.
Andrew Watkins, an Afghanistan analyst at International Crisis Group, says he believes the new Taliban announcement is an attempt to start negotiations.
A Taliban spokesman, who goes by the name Zabihullah Mujahid, tweeted a link to Tuesday's announcement, which says:
"In order that our compatriots may spend the days and nights of Eid-ul-Adha in even more security and joy, all Mujahideen are instructed to halt offensive operations against enemy forces during the three days and nights of Eid-ul-Adha. However, if the opposition carries out an attack, they must be met with a strong response. Moreover, all Mujahideen are notified that no one has permission to enter enemy controlled areas and neither are opposition elements allowed to enter our areas. Spend Eid in your own areas and provide a peaceful and secure environment for the general public."
Sediq Sediqqi, a spokesman for President Ghani, said on Twitter that the government instructed all "security and defense forces" to observe the cease-fire and to not carry out any operations.
He added that the government welcomed the halt in fighting "but the Afghan people want a lasting cease-fire and the start of direct peace talks between the government ... and the Taliban," he wrote.
The move comes as U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad makes a regional trip to press for negotiations. Khalilzad previously oversaw a historic agreement between the United States and the Taliban that calls for American and NATO forces to withdraw from Afghanistan in exchange for an end to hostilities with the Taliban. That deal also called for peace negotiations between the Taliban and the Afghan government. The government was not party to the deal, but promised to uphold it.
That deal called for the exchange of 5,000 Taliban prisoners for 1,000 members of Afghan security forces held by the insurgents. The exchange was meant to take place within 10 days after the deal was signed on Feb. 28, but it has met significant delays.
Analysts say the Afghan government has been reluctant to enter talks, because it will have to allow the Taliban a role in the country's governance. That has also made many liberal-minded Afghans apprehensive, because the Taliban say they'll impose strict Islamic law if they come back into power.
Khwaga Ghani contributed reporting in Kabul.


npr--2020-07-28--Republicans Signal They're Willing To Cut Census Counting Short

Republicans in Congress are signaling that the Census Bureau can not take the extra time it has said it needs to count every person living in the U.S. amid the coronavirus pandemic — even if that risks leaving some residents out of the 2020 census .
Rushing to deliver new state-population counts to the president by Dec. 31 , and more detailed data to the states by March 31 , 2021 , as required by current federal law , could risk severe inaccuracies in the once-a-decade count , especially among people of color , immigrants , rural residents and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until the Census Bureau plans to stop tallying the country 's residents at the end of October , roughly 4 out of 10 households nationwide have yet to be included in the constitutionally mandated count that is used to redistribute congressional seats , Electoral College votes and federal funding among the states .
Democrats in both the Senate and the House of Representatives have introduced legislation , including the House Democrats ' latest coronavirus relief bill , that would grant four-month extensions to the legal deadlines in response to requests in April by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which oversees the bureau .
But in their latest proposal for coronavirus relief aid as released on Monday , congressional Republicans offer no extra time for the bureau , only $ 448 million more for field operations and data processing .
The White House press office did not respond to NPR 's question about whether the White House supports the Census Bureau 's request to extend the census deadlines by four months .
The press office also did not respond to an inquiry about whether the White House had asked for additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus relief package to conduct a `` timely census , '' as reported by The New York Times last week .
A Trump administration official , who spoke on the condition of anonymity , did tell NPR that a `` timely census '' simply means that it 's delivered within the statutory timeline .
Top Census Bureau officials , however , have already publicly declared that meeting current legal deadlines is no longer possible .
In response to a question by NPR at a news briefing on July 8 , the bureau 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Al Fontenot , confirmed : `` We are past the window of being able to get those counts by those dates at this point . ''
Fontenot 's comments echoed comments in May by Tim Olson , the associate director for field operations , who said that the bureau has `` passed the point where we could even meet the current legislative requirement of Dec .
31 . ''
Many census advocates are alarmed that Republicans have not yet proposed census deadline extensions — a request that Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made to Congress in April during a phone call that included no Census Bureau officials .
The absence of a proposal in the Republican relief package suggests the Trump administration may have abandoned its own request for these extensions , says Terri Ann Lowenthal , a former staff director of the House oversight subcommittee for the census who now consults on census issues .
`` If that is the case , then the administration is throwing the Census Bureau under the bus by forcing the agency to rush remaining census operations , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Continued disruptions to the census plan will only diminish the likelihood of an accurate result . ''
The Commerce Department and the office of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , who announced the GOP 's relief package on the Senate floor Monday , did not immediately respond to NPR 's questions .
It is unclear whether the bureau has to cut short the extra three months it has been relying on to send out door-knockers to try to make sure historically undercounted groups are included in the census by Oct. 31 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In an updated statement posted on its website on Monday , the bureau said it 's still `` working toward the plan to complete field data collection '' by the end of October .
The bureau 's statement also noted that a new funding request made by the White House 's Office of Management and Budget would give it `` schedule flexibility '' for completing the count during the pandemic , including attempting to wrap up field data collection `` as quickly , and safely as possible . ''
The bureau 's chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in April that it was the agency 's `` assessment '' that continuing to count through the end of October means the bureau can not meet the current legal reporting deadlines for census results .
Without extra time to process and prepare the census results to make up for the pandemic-induced delays , the bureau has limited options to try to address undercounts and incomplete information gathered about certain communities .
That is especially true for areas where a higher number of homes may be difficult for the Census Bureau to reach without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is a large undercount of segments of our population , '' explains Nancy Potok , a former deputy director at the Census Bureau who recently retired as the chief statistician of the U.S. , `` there is only so much that the Census Bureau can do to use accepted statistical methods to account for households that are clearly present and occupied but nothing is known directly about the occupants . ''
`` The Census Bureau has been clear that it needs the additional time to complete a high-quality census , '' Potok @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to extend the deadline unless you are trying to embed an undercount of certain groups of people in the census counts . ''
The continued lack of clarity in the census timeline will make it more difficult to try to ensure a complete census count , says Jeri Green , who advises the National Urban League on census issues and previously served at the bureau as a senior adviser for civic engagement .
`` The uncertainty in deadlines demonstrates a lack of respect and appreciation for the hardworking rank-and-file Census employees who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an unrealistic , compressed timeframe and for our outreach efforts as the National Urban League and other organizations implore communities of color to self-respond during an unknown time period , '' Green says in a statement .
If Trump loses the presidential election to former Vice President Joe Biden , sticking to the Dec. 31 deadline would ensure that the census apportionment count is delivered to Trump while he is still in office .
That is the same count that Trump is seeking , with little authority , to change by excluding unauthorized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiple lawsuits from challengers who are asking federal courts to declare it unconstitutional .
Since an April announcement , the bureau has been operating under modified plans for the 2020 census that include continuing to count unresponsive households three months past the original end date of July 31 .
The final months of counting are focused in large part on historically undercounted groups , whose members are less likely to participate on their own .
On Monday , the bureau announced it 's starting to send emails to try to boost census participation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas with a self-response rate lower than 50 % .
Emails will be sent from 2020census @ subscriptions.census.gov .
All of the uncertainty has forced many states to revisit state constitutions and seek court rulings to come up with alternative plans for redrawing voting districts after the 2020 census .
Lawmakers in New Jersey — one of two states , along with Virginia , that have state legislative elections set to take place next year — are mulling over a proposed amendment to the state 's constitution that , if approved by voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maps , which would then not go into effect until 2023 .
This month , the California Supreme Court released a ruling granting at least four-month extensions to deadlines for finalizing redistricting maps , with provisions in case there is any `` additional federal delay '' given the `` dynamic nature of the global pandemic . ''

Republicans Signal They're Willing To Cut Census Counting Short
Enlarge this image toggle caption Sarah Silbiger/Bloomberg via Getty Images Sarah Silbiger/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Republicans in Congress are signaling that the Census Bureau cannot take the extra time it has said it needs to count every person living in the U.S. amid the coronavirus pandemic — even if that risks leaving some residents out of the 2020 census.
Rushing to deliver new state-population counts to the president by Dec. 31, and more detailed data to the states by March 31, 2021, as required by current federal law, could risk severe inaccuracies in the once-a-decade count, especially among people of color, immigrants, rural residents and other historically undercounted groups.
With 95 days until the Census Bureau plans to stop tallying the country's residents at the end of October, roughly 4 out of 10 households nationwide have yet to be included in the constitutionally mandated count that is used to redistribute congressional seats, Electoral College votes and federal funding among the states.
Democrats in both the Senate and the House of Representatives have introduced legislation, including the House Democrats' latest coronavirus relief bill, that would grant four-month extensions to the legal deadlines in response to requests in April by the Census Bureau and the Commerce Department, which oversees the bureau.
But in their latest proposal for coronavirus relief aid as released on Monday, congressional Republicans offer no extra time for the bureau, only $448 million more for field operations and data processing.
The White House press office did not respond to NPR's question about whether the White House supports the Census Bureau's request to extend the census deadlines by four months. The press office also did not respond to an inquiry about whether the White House had asked for additional funding for the bureau in the latest coronavirus relief package to conduct a "timely census," as reported by The New York Times last week.
A Trump administration official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, did tell NPR that a "timely census" simply means that it's delivered within the statutory timeline.
Top Census Bureau officials, however, have already publicly declared that meeting current legal deadlines is no longer possible.
In response to a question by NPR at a news briefing on July 8, the bureau's associate director for the 2020 census, Al Fontenot, confirmed: "We are past the window of being able to get those counts by those dates at this point."
Fontenot's comments echoed comments in May by Tim Olson, the associate director for field operations, who said that the bureau has "passed the point where we could even meet the current legislative requirement of Dec. 31."
Many census advocates are alarmed that Republicans have not yet proposed census deadline extensions — a request that Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, who was appointed by President Trump, first made to Congress in April during a phone call that included no Census Bureau officials.
The absence of a proposal in the Republican relief package suggests the Trump administration may have abandoned its own request for these extensions, says Terri Ann Lowenthal, a former staff director of the House oversight subcommittee for the census who now consults on census issues.
"If that is the case, then the administration is throwing the Census Bureau under the bus by forcing the agency to rush remaining census operations," Lowenthal says in an email. "Continued disruptions to the census plan will only diminish the likelihood of an accurate result."
The Commerce Department and the office of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who announced the GOP's relief package on the Senate floor Monday, did not immediately respond to NPR's questions.
It is unclear whether the bureau has to cut short the extra three months it has been relying on to send out door-knockers to try to make sure historically undercounted groups are included in the census by Oct. 31 amid coronavirus outbreaks around the country.
In an updated statement posted on its website on Monday, the bureau said it's still "working toward the plan to complete field data collection" by the end of October.
The bureau's statement also noted that a new funding request made by the White House's Office of Management and Budget would give it "schedule flexibility" for completing the count during the pandemic, including attempting to wrap up field data collection "as quickly, and safely as possible."
The bureau's chief spokesperson, Michael Cook, told NPR in April that it was the agency's "assessment" that continuing to count through the end of October means the bureau cannot meet the current legal reporting deadlines for census results.
Without extra time to process and prepare the census results to make up for the pandemic-induced delays, the bureau has limited options to try to address undercounts and incomplete information gathered about certain communities. That is especially true for areas where a higher number of homes may be difficult for the Census Bureau to reach without sending door-knockers multiple times.
"If there is a large undercount of segments of our population," explains Nancy Potok, a former deputy director at the Census Bureau who recently retired as the chief statistician of the U.S., "there is only so much that the Census Bureau can do to use accepted statistical methods to account for households that are clearly present and occupied but nothing is known directly about the occupants."
"The Census Bureau has been clear that it needs the additional time to complete a high-quality census," Potok adds. "There is no reason not to extend the deadline unless you are trying to embed an undercount of certain groups of people in the census counts."
The continued lack of clarity in the census timeline will make it more difficult to try to ensure a complete census count, says Jeri Green, who advises the National Urban League on census issues and previously served at the bureau as a senior adviser for civic engagement.
"The uncertainty in deadlines demonstrates a lack of respect and appreciation for the hardworking rank-and-file Census employees who may have to tabulate the data in an unrealistic, compressed timeframe and for our outreach efforts as the National Urban League and other organizations implore communities of color to self-respond during an unknown time period," Green says in a statement.
If Trump loses the presidential election to former Vice President Joe Biden, sticking to the Dec. 31 deadline would ensure that the census apportionment count is delivered to Trump while he is still in office.
That is the same count that Trump is seeking, with little authority, to change by excluding unauthorized immigrants, a move that is facing multiple lawsuits from challengers who are asking federal courts to declare it unconstitutional.
Since an April announcement, the bureau has been operating under modified plans for the 2020 census that include continuing to count unresponsive households three months past the original end date of July 31.
The final months of counting are focused in large part on historically undercounted groups, whose members are less likely to participate on their own.
On Monday, the bureau announced it's starting to send emails to try to boost census participation among more than 20 million households in areas with a self-response rate lower than 50%. Emails will be sent from 2020census@subscriptions.census.gov.
All of the uncertainty has forced many states to revisit state constitutions and seek court rulings to come up with alternative plans for redrawing voting districts after the 2020 census.
Lawmakers in New Jersey — one of two states, along with Virginia, that have state legislative elections set to take place next year — are mulling over a proposed amendment to the state's constitution that, if approved by voters, would delay the redrawing of voting maps, which would then not go into effect until 2023.
This month, the California Supreme Court released a ruling granting at least four-month extensions to deadlines for finalizing redistricting maps, with provisions in case there is any "additional federal delay" given the "dynamic nature of the global pandemic."
NPR White House editor Roberta Rampton contributed to this report.


npr--2020-07-28--What The 'Wall Of Moms' Protests Say About Motherhood, Race In America

What The 'Wall Of Moms ' Protests Say About Motherhood , Race In America Candace Lightner became an activist 40 years ago when a drunken driver struck and killed her daughter , Cari .
Today , Lightner can talk about her daughter 's death with little outward emotion .
`` It 's not difficult at all , because I 've done it so many times , '' she said before recounting the story in all its tragic detail , from the time her daughter was hit ( around 1 p.m. ) to the fact that the driver 's wife turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Lightner recounts , she started putting together an activist group : Mothers Against Drunk Driving , or MADD .
Lightner is matter-of-fact about why she decided on `` mothers '' instead of , say , `` parents '' against drunk driving : `` I was divorced . ''
But today , she says , she thinks that being a group of moms probably amplified their power .
`` I think I probably was far more effective A , because I was a woman and a mother .
And , of course , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed in the most grievous way possible , '' she said .
`` The press used to call us , 'motherhood , God , and apple pie , ' and it just sort of rang .
And I just think that would n't have happened if it had been predominantly men .
I just do n't . ''
Today , the power of moms as activists is being proven again by the Wall of Moms protesting police brutality in Portland , Ore .
They 've gained national attention as they link arms and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moms '' activist groups are started and powered by women like Lightner , who lost children tragically .
But it 's also true that stereotypes about gender , as well as race , have long played a role in shaping that power — as well as determining who gets to wield it .
The image of the gentle , domestic mom Moms have long been a driving force behind activist groups .
Women were a huge part of the temperance movement of the 1920s , in part because of their assumed moral authority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who opposed the Equal Rights Amendment , which would enshrine equality by sex in the Constitution , in the 1970s and '80s leveraged the image of moms as caring homemakers .
And today , the motherhood label is on many prominent protest groups well beyond the Wall of Moms : There 's the Mothers of the Movement , a group of Black women whose children have been killed by gun violence or police ; Moms Against Senseless Killing aims to prevent violence ; and Moms Demand Action advocates for gun control .
An @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and domestic is a part of why these groups get attention .
`` There 's the one image of the mother at home , you know , very quiet taking care of her business .
And then there 's a woman who gets mad because her child is threatened , '' said Katrina Bell McDonald , a retired professor of sociology at Johns Hopkins University .
`` And that 's , I think , why people are so interested when they see mothers banding together .
It 's as if they 've gotten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the house .
They 're pissed . ''
These gender dynamics make for complicated feelings even among strong supporters of the protesters , like Jill Filipovic , author of The H Spot : The Feminist Pursuit of Happiness .
`` I guess I flinch a little bit when I see the political action of women being filtered through the lens of moms , because I think it feeds into these long-standing stereotypes about what a woman 's worth is , '' Filipovic said .
`` Positioning yourself as a mom first , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talking , does feed into these ideas that motherhood is part of what makes a woman moral . ''
It 's true that many of these groups include people other than women who have raised children .
The Portland Wall of Moms includes those who are nonbinary and people who consider themselves mothers , according to Teressa Raiford , executive director of Do n't Shoot Portland , who has been supporting the protesters on the ground .
She adds , however , that the image of motherhood helps make the protesters more relatable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , humanize the actual people that are on the ground , because when they use the word 'activists ' or 'bad apples ' or 'violent protesters , ' they 're literally dehumanizing the actual people that are out there , '' Raiford said .
`` I think that with the moms that there is a consciousness in people that , 'Oh , that 's my mom , ' or ' I do n't want to hurt this person . '
'' `` Black mothers have long taken it upon themselves to organize '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how people react to activist moms ; race also plays a heavy part .
For her part , Raiford is frustrated at which moms have been getting attention in Portland .
`` The media shows a line of white moms standing together , but these Black moms are organizing , '' Raiford said .
Dani McClain , author of We Live For The We : The Political Power of Black Motherhood , says that the public is more likely to be sympathetic to those white moms than Black ones .
`` It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are seen as good moms — that when they say that the health or safety of their kids are at risk , then the public at large kind of sits up and pays attention , '' she said , `` whereas Black moms have often been — our motherhood is questioned .
Are we good moms ?
Do we have enough money ?
Are we married ? ''
Simply existing amid structural racism pushes many Black moms into activism , she adds .
`` One thing to remember when it comes to Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always been a part of our role in families — whether it 's confronting and pushing back against racial discrimination that our children are facing at school or it 's looking around and seeing a problem in the neighborhood , '' she said .
People of different races are supporting the Wall of Moms , Raiford says , and the group has now spread to other cities , including Chicago and Seattle .
Raiford stresses that while the moms at the protests get the attention , there are plenty more in roles that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Providing witness , providing medical response , blogging , writing opinion editorials , contacting their senators and their legislators , hitting up our attorney generals , helping us file lawsuits if they are lawyers — we 're literally building a system of sustainable aid , '' she said .
`` And that 's what moms do . ''

What The 'Wall Of Moms' Protests Say About Motherhood, Race In America
Enlarge this image toggle caption Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP
Candace Lightner became an activist 40 years ago when a drunken driver struck and killed her daughter, Cari.
Today, Lightner can talk about her daughter's death with little outward emotion. "It's not difficult at all, because I've done it so many times," she said before recounting the story in all its tragic detail, from the time her daughter was hit (around 1 p.m.) to the fact that the driver's wife turned him in.
Just four days afterward, Lightner recounts, she started putting together an activist group: Mothers Against Drunk Driving, or MADD.
Lightner is matter-of-fact about why she decided on "mothers" instead of, say, "parents" against drunk driving: "I was divorced."
But today, she says, she thinks that being a group of moms probably amplified their power.
"I think I probably was far more effective A, because I was a woman and a mother. And, of course, B, because my daughter had been killed in the most grievous way possible," she said. "The press used to call us, 'motherhood, God, and apple pie,' and it just sort of rang. And I just think that wouldn't have happened if it had been predominantly men. I just don't."
Today, the power of moms as activists is being proven again by the Wall of Moms protesting police brutality in Portland, Ore. They've gained national attention as they link arms and chant at federal forces.
Many "moms" activist groups are started and powered by women like Lightner, who lost children tragically. But it's also true that stereotypes about gender, as well as race, have long played a role in shaping that power — as well as determining who gets to wield it.
The image of the gentle, domestic mom
Moms have long been a driving force behind activist groups. Women were a huge part of the temperance movement of the 1920s, in part because of their assumed moral authority as moms. Women like Phyllis Schlafly who opposed the Equal Rights Amendment, which would enshrine equality by sex in the Constitution, in the 1970s and '80s leveraged the image of moms as caring homemakers.
And today, the motherhood label is on many prominent protest groups well beyond the Wall of Moms: There's the Mothers of the Movement, a group of Black women whose children have been killed by gun violence or police; Moms Against Senseless Killing aims to prevent violence; and Moms Demand Action advocates for gun control.
An image of moms as gentle, caring and domestic is a part of why these groups get attention.
"There's the one image of the mother at home, you know, very quiet taking care of her business. And then there's a woman who gets mad because her child is threatened," said Katrina Bell McDonald, a retired professor of sociology at Johns Hopkins University. "And that's, I think, why people are so interested when they see mothers banding together. It's as if they've gotten to a point where they come out of the house. They're pissed."
These gender dynamics make for complicated feelings even among strong supporters of the protesters, like Jill Filipovic, author of The H Spot: The Feminist Pursuit of Happiness.
"I guess I flinch a little bit when I see the political action of women being filtered through the lens of moms, because I think it feeds into these long-standing stereotypes about what a woman's worth is," Filipovic said. "Positioning yourself as a mom first, as a way to legitimize a woman talking, does feed into these ideas that motherhood is part of what makes a woman moral."
It's true that many of these groups include people other than women who have raised children. The Portland Wall of Moms includes those who are nonbinary and people who consider themselves mothers, according to Teressa Raiford, executive director of Don't Shoot Portland, who has been supporting the protesters on the ground.
She adds, however, that the image of motherhood helps make the protesters more relatable.
"You have to, unfortunately, humanize the actual people that are on the ground, because when they use the word 'activists' or 'bad apples' or 'violent protesters,' they're literally dehumanizing the actual people that are out there," Raiford said. "I think that with the moms that there is a consciousness in people that, 'Oh, that's my mom,' or 'I don't want to hurt this person.'"
"Black mothers have long taken it upon themselves to organize"
It's not just motherhood that shapes how people react to activist moms; race also plays a heavy part. For her part, Raiford is frustrated at which moms have been getting attention in Portland.
"The media shows a line of white moms standing together, but these Black moms are organizing," Raiford said.
Dani McClain, author of We Live For The We: The Political Power of Black Motherhood, says that the public is more likely to be sympathetic to those white moms than Black ones.
"It's often been the case that white women are seen as good moms — that when they say that the health or safety of their kids are at risk, then the public at large kind of sits up and pays attention," she said, "whereas Black moms have often been — our motherhood is questioned. Are we good moms? Do we have enough money? Are we married?"
Simply existing amid structural racism pushes many Black moms into activism, she adds.
"One thing to remember when it comes to Black mothers is that advocacy and activism has always been a part of our role in families — whether it's confronting and pushing back against racial discrimination that our children are facing at school or it's looking around and seeing a problem in the neighborhood," she said.
People of different races are supporting the Wall of Moms, Raiford says, and the group has now spread to other cities, including Chicago and Seattle. Raiford stresses that while the moms at the protests get the attention, there are plenty more in roles that don't get media attention.
"Providing witness, providing medical response, blogging, writing opinion editorials, contacting their senators and their legislators, hitting up our attorney generals, helping us file lawsuits if they are lawyers — we're literally building a system of sustainable aid," she said. "And that's what moms do."