npr--2020-06-17--'Hampton' No More: Man Sheds Family Name With Ties To Confederate General

'Hampton ' No More : Man Sheds Family Name With Ties To Confederate General Growing up , Skip Auld says he did n't know much about the man his great-grandfather was named after .
It was n't a part of family lore , he says , and he always went by his nickname , Skip .
At birth , Skip Auld was named Hampton — for his great-grandfather , whose namesake was Wade Hampton III , a Confederate general and slave owner .
He was the fourth Hampton Auld in his family .
Then , last year , as he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Grant , he heard about Hampton 's 1876 campaign for governor of South Carolina , which Auld says involved a `` terrorist campaign , really , to suppress the vote of black people . ''
`` I actually pulled my car over , took the CD back to the beginning of the track and listened to it a second time , '' Auld , 68 , tells NPR 's Mary Louise Kelly .
`` I thought , ' I need to go home and check on when my great-grandfather was born , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Auld .
And he was born that year : 1876 . ''
That 's when the CEO of the Anne Arundel County Public Library in Maryland changed his first name from Hampton to Charles — his father 's middle name — writing on the petition that he did n't like the idea of being named after a `` terrorist . ''
He originally decided to keep the decision to himself and his family — one sister supported the decision , another one did not .
But when the recent anti-racism demonstrations began sweeping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Confederate monuments — he spoke out about changing his name .
In a column for the Capital Gazette published on June 10 , he said he `` understood that four generations of Hampton Aulds began with a defeated Confederate soldier 's pride in his general and glorification of what became known as the Lost Cause . '
'' In addition to writing the column , he also wrote a statement for his library on George Floyd 's death and helped put together a list of books on combating racism .
Auld discusses how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and why he decided to publicly talk about his decision now .
On the message he 's hoping to convey I did n't initially intend this to be any sort of grand statement of any sort .
It was just something very personal to me .
But given the moment that we 're in , with what I hope will be a permanent transformation of our country and the world really in terms of the racism in our country and the world , I hope that people will begin to gain a better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one another .
I think that 's been a lot of self-reflection for me over the past month , ways I might have dishonored people or not really listened to the black friends or colleagues or people that I work with .
So I would just say it 's an opportunity to just to try to understand the people who are our neighbors and try to make them our friends .
On what he wants to tell his future grandchildren Well I do n't have grandkids .
I have n't really thought about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would basically say be true to yourself and be kind and try to understand and empathize with other people and just do what you can to make the world a better place .
Listen to the full interview at the audio link above .
Andrea Hsu , Elena Burnett and Justine Kenin produced and edited the audio version of this story .

'Hampton' No More: Man Sheds Family Name With Ties To Confederate General
Enlarge this image toggle caption Epics/Getty Images Epics/Getty Images
Growing up, Skip Auld says he didn't know much about the man his great-grandfather was named after. It wasn't a part of family lore, he says, and he always went by his nickname, Skip.
At birth, Skip Auld was named Hampton — for his great-grandfather, whose namesake was Wade Hampton III, a Confederate general and slave owner.
He was the fourth Hampton Auld in his family.
Then, last year, as he listened to the audiobook of Ron Chernow's Grant, he heard about Hampton's 1876 campaign for governor of South Carolina, which Auld says involved a "terrorist campaign, really, to suppress the vote of black people."
"I actually pulled my car over, took the CD back to the beginning of the track and listened to it a second time," Auld, 68, tells NPR's Mary Louise Kelly. "I thought, 'I need to go home and check on when my great-grandfather was born,' because he was the first Hampton Auld. And he was born that year: 1876."
That's when the CEO of the Anne Arundel County Public Library in Maryland changed his first name from Hampton to Charles — his father's middle name — writing on the petition that he didn't like the idea of being named after a "terrorist."
He originally decided to keep the decision to himself and his family — one sister supported the decision, another one did not. But when the recent anti-racism demonstrations began sweeping the country — and protesters began toppling Confederate monuments — he spoke out about changing his name.
In a column for the Capital Gazette published on June 10, he said he "understood that four generations of Hampton Aulds began with a defeated Confederate soldier's pride in his general and glorification of what became known as the Lost Cause.'"
In addition to writing the column, he also wrote a statement for his library on George Floyd's death and helped put together a list of books on combating racism.
Auld discusses how it felt to change a family name and why he decided to publicly talk about his decision now.
Interview Highlights
On the message he's hoping to convey
I didn't initially intend this to be any sort of grand statement of any sort. It was just something very personal to me. But given the moment that we're in, with what I hope will be a permanent transformation of our country and the world really in terms of the racism in our country and the world, I hope that people will begin to gain a better understanding of one another. Listen to one another. I think that's been a lot of self-reflection for me over the past month, ways I might have dishonored people or not really listened to the black friends or colleagues or people that I work with. So I would just say it's an opportunity to just to try to understand the people who are our neighbors and try to make them our friends.
On what he wants to tell his future grandchildren
Well I don't have grandkids. I haven't really thought about what I would say. But I would basically say be true to yourself and be kind and try to understand and empathize with other people and just do what you can to make the world a better place.
Listen to the full interview at the audio link above.
Andrea Hsu, Elena Burnett and Justine Kenin produced and edited the audio version of this story.


npr--2020-06-17--Arbery Family Lawyer On Trump Meeting: 'He Doesn't Feel Like There's Systemic Racism'

Arbery Family Lawyer On Trump Meeting : 'He Does n't Feel Like There 's Systemic Racism' Questions of how to reform law enforcement in America have dominated Washington this week .
Civil rights attorney Lee Merritt has been a voice in that debate .
He represents the family of Ahmaud Arbery , the 25-year-old black man who was pursued by three white men and then fatally shot while jogging in a South Georgia neighborhood in February .
He is also co-counsel for the families of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor .
Merritt was at the White House on Tuesday when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women who had been killed by police met with President Trump before the signing of an executive order the administration says will address issues in the policing system .
Merritt also testified at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on policing in America .
During the meeting with Trump — which Merritt says was difficult to accept — the president explained the executive order and Republican legislation on police reform , the attorney told NPR 's All Things Considered .
There was not a lot of common ground , he said .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in what he said in the EO [ executive order ] that would significantly change outcomes in their case , '' Merritt said .
`` It was a conversation where we would exchange ideas , and he heard from the families , and the families heard from him . ''
Here are excerpts from the interview : After that meeting , the president gave a speech before signing this executive order .
...
Most of the speech was kind of a rousing endorsement of policing in America .
... What went through your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
I have to tell you , I did n't listen to the speech .
I know what Trump 's rhetoric is often about .
It was a difficult meeting to take in the first place .
I know that he does n't feel like there 's systemic racism within our policing system .
I know some of the things that we were fighting for specifically , like qualified immunity [ which police officers can potentially use to shield themselves from liability in lawsuits ] , he had taken a position against .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than anything was for him to take stances like that while looking families in the face who had been killed by police misconduct without any form of justice .
As far as the executive order itself , which provides funding for more training for police officers , money for departments to hire social workers , a ban on chokeholds unless an officer fears for his or her life ... you do n't think this executive order goes far enough .
No , it does n't go far enough , and I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidency can go far enough .
We wanted to have the conversation , and it is actually important that [ Sen. ] Tim Scott , who was been drafting the Republican response to the Justice [ in ] Policing Act offered by the [ Democratic-controlled ] House was there and that he could hear these stories as well .
I do n't want to discount the executive order .
There were some things beneficial to these families that did take place in it .
A lot of the families , their loved one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis that did n't allow them to comply the way officers expected them to .
And as a result , they were shot and killed .
... [ Trump 's ] executive orders say that maybe officers should have a co-responder system where they respond to people in mental health crises or homelessness or people who are suffering from addiction with something other than guns .
And we think that is extremely helpful if it 's implemented throughout the states .
Listen to the full interview at the audio link above .

Arbery Family Lawyer On Trump Meeting: 'He Doesn't Feel Like There's Systemic Racism'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jonathan Ernst/Pool/AFP via Getty Images Jonathan Ernst/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Questions of how to reform law enforcement in America have dominated Washington this week.
Civil rights attorney Lee Merritt has been a voice in that debate. He represents the family of Ahmaud Arbery, the 25-year-old black man who was pursued by three white men and then fatally shot while jogging in a South Georgia neighborhood in February. He is also co-counsel for the families of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
Merritt was at the White House on Tuesday when he and the families of men and women who had been killed by police met with President Trump before the signing of an executive order the administration says will address issues in the policing system. Merritt also testified at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on policing in America.
During the meeting with Trump — which Merritt says was difficult to accept — the president explained the executive order and Republican legislation on police reform, the attorney told NPR's All Things Considered. There was not a lot of common ground, he said.
"The families didn't really find too much in what he said in the EO [executive order] that would significantly change outcomes in their case," Merritt said. "It was a conversation where we would exchange ideas, and he heard from the families, and the families heard from him."
Here are excerpts from the interview:
After that meeting, the president gave a speech before signing this executive order. ... Most of the speech was kind of a rousing endorsement of policing in America. ... What went through your mind when you listened to that speech?
I have to tell you, I didn't listen to the speech. I know what Trump's rhetoric is often about. It was a difficult meeting to take in the first place. I know that he doesn't feel like there's systemic racism within our policing system. I know some of the things that we were fighting for specifically, like qualified immunity [which police officers can potentially use to shield themselves from liability in lawsuits], he had taken a position against. So the goal of the meeting really more than anything was for him to take stances like that while looking families in the face who had been killed by police misconduct without any form of justice.
As far as the executive order itself, which provides funding for more training for police officers, money for departments to hire social workers, a ban on chokeholds unless an officer fears for his or her life ... you don't think this executive order goes far enough.
No, it doesn't go far enough, and I'm not sure that the office of the presidency can go far enough. We wanted to have the conversation, and it is actually important that [Sen.] Tim Scott, who was been drafting the Republican response to the Justice [in] Policing Act offered by the [Democratic-controlled] House was there and that he could hear these stories as well.
I don't want to discount the executive order. There were some things beneficial to these families that did take place in it. A lot of the families, their loved one was suffering some sort of mental health crisis that didn't allow them to comply the way officers expected them to. And as a result, they were shot and killed. ... [Trump's] executive orders say that maybe officers should have a co-responder system where they respond to people in mental health crises or homelessness or people who are suffering from addiction with something other than guns. And we think that is extremely helpful if it's implemented throughout the states.
Listen to the full interview at the audio link above.


npr--2020-06-18--'New York Times', 'Washington Post' Announce Major Changes To Move Forward On Race

'New York Times ' , 'Washington Post ' Announce Major Changes To Move Forward On Race The nation 's two top newspapers on Thursday evening separately reached the same decision : They have to address diversity and equity in their newsrooms .
In separate memos to staff , both outlined initiatives to address an issue that has roiled their newsrooms , just like many others in the rest of the country .
The Washington Post announced more than 12 new jobs as part of a plan to `` leading a national conversation on issues of race and diversity while shining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The newly created jobs include : Managing editor for diversity and inclusion , a writer to cover Race in America and another to cover America and multiculturalism and a new director of diversity & inclusion in Human Resources , among others .
The New York Times ' announcement was less concrete , but still expansive , saying it aims to rewrite how it operates and makes decisions to yield a newsroom that is transformed by racial awareness .
`` In conversations and on Slack over the past few weeks , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other people of color around the company , that they do not feel sufficiently part of decision making , feel fully valued in our culture , or see a clear path for advancement .
This is something we must change , '' the paper acknowledged in its memo .
The memo , signed by four top leaders including Publisher A.G. Sulzberger and Executive Editor Dean Baquet , announced several initiatives to develop a strategy to `` hiring , developing , supporting and promoting our people — and particularly people of color .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategy by the end of the year , the memo said .

'New York Times', 'Washington Post' Promise Major Changes To Move Forward On Race
Enlarge this image toggle caption Julio Cortez/AP Julio Cortez/AP
Two of the nation's top newspapers on Thursday evening separately reached the same decision: They had to address diversity and equity in their newsrooms and their coverage.
In separate memos to staff, each outlined initiatives to address an issue that has roiled their newsrooms, as it has many others and many other institutions throughout society.
Washington Post publisher and CEO Fred Ryan announced more than 12 new jobs as part of a plan to lead "a national conversation on issues of race and diversity while shining light on the inequities that exist today."
The Post took a tangible approach, announcing an array of newly created jobs including a managing editor for diversity and inclusion and a new director of diversity & inclusion in Human Resources. Executives will be judged on how well they build diverse teams. And the Post established new reporting beats to chronicle how race courses throughout American life, including a new investigative reporter to cover domestic terrorism and white nationalism, a new beat on how climate change disproportionately affects people of color, a new reporter on health disparities for different racial groups, and new reporting jobs on race and identity, among others.
The New York Times' announcement was less concrete, but still expansive, saying it aims to rewire how it operates and makes decisions to yield a newsroom that is transformed by racial awareness, both in hiring and in coverage.
"In conversations and on Slack over the past few weeks, we have heard from many black colleagues, and other people of color around the company, that they do not feel sufficiently part of decision making, feel fully valued in our culture, or see a clear path for advancement. This is something we must change," senior Times executives acknowledged in their joint memo.
The memo, signed by four top leaders including Publisher A.G. Sulzberger and Executive Editor Dean Baquet, announced several initiatives to develop a strategy to define how the paper does "hiring, developing, supporting and promoting our people — and particularly people of color." The aim is to have a strategy by the end of the year, the memo said.
Former Times editorial page editor James Bennet resigned after a protest by hundreds of journalists from its newsroom over an op-ed calling for the military to be used to put down social unrest. The journalists said the content of the op-ed endangered the lives of Black Times' staff. The opinion and news sections of the paper are run separately. Bennet's acting replacement, Kathleen Kingsbury, is said by the Times to be involved in similar efforts in her section.
Two of the nation's other leading newspapers, the Los Angeles Times and the Wall Street Journal, are undergoing their own internal strife over race. The Journal moved the news column of a former editor in chief, Gerard Baker, to the opinion pages, after the newsroom union at the paper formally objected to his writing on race. And the L.A. Times executive editor Norman Pearlstine is scheduled to hold a lengthy town hall next week with his staff about race after rancor in his newsroom, as NPR has reported. Pearlstine has in the past two weeks made a series of pledges to diversify its ranks and the way it approaches coverage.


npr--2020-06-18--Members Of Congress Ask Why More Coronavirus Aid Hasn't Been Spent On Nursing Homes

Members Of Congress Ask Why More Coronavirus Aid Has n't Been Spent On Nursing Homes Despite the huge outbreaks of COVID-19 in nursing homes , the federal agency that regulates them has failed to distribute much of the money it received under the Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security Act , according to two members of Congress .
In a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar , Sen. Patty Murray of Washington and Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut note that the CARES Act designated $ 200 million to the agency that regulates nursing homes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That included up to $ 100 million to beef up state oversight of nursing homes to make sure that they 're `` adhering to standards for quality of care , infection control , and maintaining sufficient staffing to minimize the spread of the virus and protect patients and staff . ''
But the letter notes that only $ 1.5 million has been distributed to just a handful of states .
Murray and DeLauro question why the money was doled out through a laborious bidding process that was n't even announced for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They ask `` why it took so long to decide on this business-as-usual approach '' and why the agency has decided to allocate only $ 80 million for this purpose , $ 20 million less than Congress allowed .
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services did order state nursing home inspectors to conduct additional surveys focusing almost exclusively on infection control , arguably the top deficiency in the facilities year after year .
But recent figures show that nationwide , just a little over half of those inspections have been done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for repeated infection control deficiencies would be significantly increased , a move which the major nursing home organization called `` punitive . ''
One of the major challenges facing nursing homes is obtaining sufficient personal protective equipment , which could protect both residents and workers .
In their letter , Murray and DeLauro ask HHS how much of the equipment has been distributed to nursing homes , how those nursing homes were chosen , and what the agency is doing to secure more of the gear .
The letter also asks HHS how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ready for a second wave of COVID-19 in the fall and asks for answers to all of their questions by July 2 .

Members Of Congress Ask Why More Coronavirus Aid Hasn't Been Spent On Nursing Homes
Enlarge this image toggle caption White House Pool/Getty Images White House Pool/Getty Images
Despite the huge outbreaks of COVID-19 in nursing homes, the federal agency that regulates them has failed to distribute much of the money it received under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, according to two members of Congress.
In a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, Sen. Patty Murray of Washington and Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut note that the CARES Act designated $200 million to the agency that regulates nursing homes to help the facilities deal with the coronavirus. That included up to $100 million to beef up state oversight of nursing homes to make sure that they're "adhering to standards for quality of care, infection control, and maintaining sufficient staffing to minimize the spread of the virus and protect patients and staff."
But the letter notes that only $1.5 million has been distributed to just a handful of states. Murray and DeLauro question why the money was doled out through a laborious bidding process that wasn't even announced for a month after the CARES Act was passed. They ask "why it took so long to decide on this business-as-usual approach" and why the agency has decided to allocate only $80 million for this purpose, $20 million less than Congress allowed.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services did order state nursing home inspectors to conduct additional surveys focusing almost exclusively on infection control, arguably the top deficiency in the facilities year after year. But recent figures show that nationwide, just a little over half of those inspections have been done. The agency also announced that fines for repeated infection control deficiencies would be significantly increased, a move which the major nursing home organization called "punitive."
One of the major challenges facing nursing homes is obtaining sufficient personal protective equipment, which could protect both residents and workers. In their letter, Murray and DeLauro ask HHS how much of the equipment has been distributed to nursing homes, how those nursing homes were chosen, and what the agency is doing to secure more of the gear. The letter also asks HHS how they are preparing nursing homes to get ready for a second wave of COVID-19 in the fall and asks for answers to all of their questions by July 2.


npr--2020-06-18--Carnegie Hall And Lincoln Center Cancel Performances For Rest Of 2020

Carnegie Hall And Lincoln Center Cancel Performances For Rest Of 2020 New York 's Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center both said on Thursday that they have canceled their performances for the rest of 2020 , due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The twin announcements from the two New York City landmarks signal that the city 's cultural life will be slow to return .
In typical years , late September marks the beginning of the new concert season for two of New York 's most famous music venues , followed shortly by the moneymaking holiday season .
But 2020 is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal year .
Both Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center — which , along with its own programming , is home to organizations like the Metropolitan Opera , the New York Philharmonic and the New York City Ballet — say that they need to put safety first .
In a statement Thursday afternoon , Carnegie Hall 's executive and artistic director , Clive Gillinson , said , `` After consulting with medical professionals and other experts on a continuing basis , we have concluded , in the face of current government restrictions and social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other option but to extend the Hall 's closure through the end of the calendar year , allowing health conditions to continue to improve . ''
The canceled Lincoln Center programming includes the Great Performers series , free public programs held in the David Rubinstein Atrium and the annual multi-disciplinary White Light Festival .
Some of its resident institutions , including the Met and the New York Philharmonic , announced earlier this month that they would be dark until January .
Both Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall have been shut since mid-March .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York and the city is heading towards its Phase 2 reopening , there are still many questions about how to protect performers , staff and the audience — both locals and visitors .
The arts and entertainment fields are already planned to be among the very last industries to reopen .
As of now , both Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center say they plan to reopen in early 2021 .

Carnegie Hall And Lincoln Center Cancel Performances For Rest Of 2020
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of Lincoln Center Courtesy of Lincoln Center
New York's Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center both said on Thursday that they have canceled their performances for the rest of 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic. The twin announcements from the two New York City landmarks signal that the city's cultural life will be slow to return.
In typical years, late September marks the beginning of the new concert season for two of New York's most famous music venues, followed shortly by the moneymaking holiday season. But 2020 is turning out to be anything but a normal year.
Both Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center — which, along with its own programming, is home to organizations like the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic and the New York City Ballet — say that they need to put safety first.
In a statement Thursday afternoon, Carnegie Hall's executive and artistic director, Clive Gillinson, said, "After consulting with medical professionals and other experts on a continuing basis, we have concluded, in the face of current government restrictions and social distancing protocols, that there is no other option but to extend the Hall's closure through the end of the calendar year, allowing health conditions to continue to improve."
The canceled Lincoln Center programming includes the Great Performers series, free public programs held in the David Rubinstein Atrium and the annual multi-disciplinary White Light Festival. Some of its resident institutions, including the Met and the New York Philharmonic, announced earlier this month that they would be dark until January.
Both Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall have been shut since mid-March. Although coronavirus cases have dropped significantly in New York and the city is heading towards its Phase 2 reopening, there are still many questions about how to protect performers, staff and the audience — both locals and visitors. The arts and entertainment fields are already planned to be among the very last industries to reopen.
As of now, both Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center say they plan to reopen in early 2021.


npr--2020-06-18--General Tapped To Lead 'Operation Warp Speed' Vaccine Drive Faces Skeptical Senators

A headlong race to come up with a viable vaccine for COVID-19 that is being championed by a science-averse American president seeking reelection prompted some skeptical questions Thursday on Capitol Hill .
The occasion was a confirmation hearing for Gen. Gustave Perna to lead Operation Warp Speed , the official moniker for the Trump administration 's frenetic drive to roll out such a vaccine this year .
Perna is a four-star general who , as head of the U.S. Army Materiel Command , is the Army 's most senior logistics officer .
He was nominated last month by Trump to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Warp Speed as well .
`` The virus is our enemy and is impacting our way of life , '' Perna told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee who were there either physically or virtually to grill him .
`` If confirmed , I will dedicate myself to defeating this enemy . ''
Perna said when he was tapped for the job in mid-May , he initially thought the administration 's goal of having a viable vaccine by the end of the year was merely aspirational .
`` I have recently come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and more likely to occur , '' Perna assured the panel .
`` The key to our success is to ensure we rely on science to assess our options , effectiveness and risk . ''
But New York Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand suggested election season politics may trump science for determining such a timetable .
`` I 'm concerned that Operation Warp Speed will be under pressure to release a vaccine before the election , but before adequate testing and research trials have been completed , '' Gillibrand told the general .
`` Could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invoked to release the vaccine , even if in limited capacity , before those requirements have been met ? ''
Perna told the senator that determining the efficacy of a vaccine was the Food and Drug Administration 's call .
`` The decision to provide an emergency relief capability and/or deliver early is not my decision , '' he added .
`` That will be a policy decision . ''
Rhode Island 's Jack Reed , the panel 's ranking Democrat , also questioned the credibility of the administration 's election-year dash for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted , could simply declare that a vaccine is ready , even if it had `` a relatively low efficacy . ''
`` We should understand , all of us , that the FDA has to demand rather significant efficacy for this drug before they say it 's OK , '' Reed warned .
`` We want a vaccine , not a headline . ''
Still , Perna told the panel he thought the Trump administration 's goal of having 100 million doses of a vaccine ready by November and another 200 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Right now , as I see the numbers , '' Perna told Connecticut Democrat Richard Blumenthal , `` I do think it is potentially possible . ''
Citing Trump 's unilateral break last month with the World Health Organization , Blumenthal pressed Perna on whether he would commit to working with any nation that offers information or cooperation for developing a COVID-19 vaccine .
`` I commit to working with all nations that we deem are friendly to our national security , '' Perna replied .
Hawaii Democrat Mazie Hirono wanted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Right now , for me , '' the general responded , `` it does not . ''
Noting that billions of dollars in contracts had already been awarded to at least five private pharmaceutical firms with little oversight , Hirono asked Perna if he would commit to briefing Congress every two weeks on Operation Warp Speed .
`` Senator , I will report as directed , '' Perna told her , a reply that Hirono dismissed as `` not making a commitment . ''
Maine Independent Angus King wanted to know what the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funds but produced by private industry should be .
`` We 're in negotiations with each company to make sure that we are going to obtain the right price for the vaccine , '' Perna assured King .
`` I commit to you that I will personally be involved in those conversations , and that we will not be gouged . ''
The logistics expert also acknowledged that several pharmaceutical firms that have received funding through Operation Warp Speed have not yet begun clinical trials in the U.S. '' Trials will begin for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said , `` followed by AstraZeneca and then Johnson & Johnson throughout the months of July , August , September . ''
Perna said another part of the effort he 's to lead is identifying therapeutics capable of treating COVID-19 .
`` We have some very promising candidates , '' he added , `` that could be available as early as October , November . ''
Perna told the committee he did not have the authority to invoke the Defense Production Act , which some senators suggested could be used to require @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But he said he felt `` 100 % certain '' either Defense Secretary Mark Esper or Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar could take such an action if he asked for it .
Mississippi Republican Roger Wicker told Perna there might be a simpler way to get fast results in the hunt for a vaccine .
`` I would just ask you not to rule out among your bag of tools some sort of prize competition , '' Wicker said , `` to financially incentivize these competitors to get there when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Perna , whose confirmation appears likely , did not push back .
`` I fully agree with you , senator , '' he said , without elaborating on what such a prize should be .

General Tapped To Lead 'Operation Warp Speed' Vaccine Drive Faces Skeptical Senators
Enlarge this image toggle caption Chip Somodevilla/POOL/AFP via Getty Images Chip Somodevilla/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
A headlong race to come up with a viable vaccine for COVID-19 that is being championed by a science-averse American president seeking reelection prompted some skeptical questions Thursday on Capitol Hill.
The occasion was a confirmation hearing for Gen. Gustave Perna to lead Operation Warp Speed, the official moniker for the Trump administration's frenetic drive to roll out such a vaccine this year.
Perna is a four-star general who, as head of the U.S. Army Materiel Command, is the Army's most senior logistics officer. He was nominated last month by Trump to be the chief operating officer of Operation Warp Speed as well.
"The virus is our enemy and is impacting our way of life," Perna told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee who were there either physically or virtually to grill him. "If confirmed, I will dedicate myself to defeating this enemy."
Perna said when he was tapped for the job in mid-May, he initially thought the administration's goal of having a viable vaccine by the end of the year was merely aspirational.
"I have recently come to the conclusion that it is more and more likely to occur," Perna assured the panel. "The key to our success is to ensure we rely on science to assess our options, effectiveness and risk."
But New York Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand suggested election season politics may trump science for determining such a timetable.
"I'm concerned that Operation Warp Speed will be under pressure to release a vaccine before the election, but before adequate testing and research trials have been completed," Gillibrand told the general. "Could any sort of emergency use authorization be invoked to release the vaccine, even if in limited capacity, before those requirements have been met?"
Perna told the senator that determining the efficacy of a vaccine was the Food and Drug Administration's call.
"The decision to provide an emergency relief capability and/or deliver early is not my decision," he added. "That will be a policy decision."
Rhode Island's Jack Reed, the panel's ranking Democrat, also questioned the credibility of the administration's election-year dash for a vaccine. The FDA, he noted, could simply declare that a vaccine is ready, even if it had "a relatively low efficacy."
"We should understand, all of us, that the FDA has to demand rather significant efficacy for this drug before they say it's OK," Reed warned. "We want a vaccine, not a headline."
Still, Perna told the panel he thought the Trump administration's goal of having 100 million doses of a vaccine ready by November and another 200 million on hand by January was plausible.
"Right now, as I see the numbers," Perna told Connecticut Democrat Richard Blumenthal, "I do think it is potentially possible."
Citing Trump's unilateral break last month with the World Health Organization, Blumenthal pressed Perna on whether he would commit to working with any nation that offers information or cooperation for developing a COVID-19 vaccine.
"I commit to working with all nations that we deem are friendly to our national security," Perna replied.
Hawaii Democrat Mazie Hirono wanted to know if that included China.
"Right now, for me," the general responded, "it does not."
Noting that billions of dollars in contracts had already been awarded to at least five private pharmaceutical firms with little oversight, Hirono asked Perna if he would commit to briefing Congress every two weeks on Operation Warp Speed.
"Senator, I will report as directed," Perna told her, a reply that Hirono dismissed as "not making a commitment."
Maine Independent Angus King wanted to know what the price of a vaccine developed with public funds but produced by private industry should be.
"We're in negotiations with each company to make sure that we are going to obtain the right price for the vaccine," Perna assured King. "I commit to you that I will personally be involved in those conversations, and that we will not be gouged."
The logistics expert also acknowledged that several pharmaceutical firms that have received funding through Operation Warp Speed have not yet begun clinical trials in the U.S.
"Trials will begin for us 9 July with Moderna," he said, "followed by AstraZeneca and then Johnson & Johnson throughout the months of July, August, September."
Perna said another part of the effort he's to lead is identifying therapeutics capable of treating COVID-19. "We have some very promising candidates," he added, "that could be available as early as October, November."
Perna told the committee he did not have the authority to invoke the Defense Production Act, which some senators suggested could be used to require production by U.S. firms of needed supplies. But he said he felt "100% certain" either Defense Secretary Mark Esper or Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar could take such an action if he asked for it.
Mississippi Republican Roger Wicker told Perna there might be a simpler way to get fast results in the hunt for a vaccine.
"I would just ask you not to rule out among your bag of tools some sort of prize competition," Wicker said, "to financially incentivize these competitors to get there when we need them to get there."
Perna, whose confirmation appears likely, did not push back.
"I fully agree with you, senator," he said, without elaborating on what such a prize should be.


npr--2020-06-18--California Gov. Newsom Makes Face Masks Mandatory Amid Rising Coronavirus Cases

Californians are required to wear face coverings in high-risk settings as the state continues to reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom issued the statewide order on Thursday .
It follows new guidance from the California Department of Public Health that asymptomatic or presymptomatic people can still spread the disease .
`` Our numbers are going up , not going down .
Hospitalization numbers are just starting to creep back up , and I 'm very concerned by what we 're seeing , '' Newsom told Los Angeles ' ABC7 .
`` We think the most impactful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going back to a stay-at-home order , is wearing face coverings when we ca n't practice physical distancing , '' the governor added .
In the latest guidance , the Department of Public Health explained , `` The use of face coverings by everyone can limit the release of infected droplets when talking , coughing , and/or sneezing , as well as reinforce physical distancing . ''
People will be required to wear masks or other coverings in public spaces , including while taking public transportation , seeking medical care , shopping and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few exceptions .
Children under two are exempted from the rules , as are people eating or drinking in restaurants provided they can maintain a minimum six foot distance from other customers and staff who are not members of the same household .
Additionally , anyone with a medical condition , mental health condition , or disability that prevents wearing a face covering can disregard the order .
Newsom said the statewide measure was a necessary step because `` we have many municipalities that require mandatory mask wearing , and people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not address how the order will be enforced .
But it is likely to be met with resistance , pitting the governor against local government leaders who have dropped mandatory mask-wearing measures .
In many such counties and cities , residents and business owners eager to return to pre-pandemic life have challenged the need for the widespread use of face coverings , in some cases going so far as to threaten health officials who support the extra precautions .
Reported cases of the novel coronavirus and fatalities continue to rise throughout the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identified with the virus , according the Department of Public Health , and the total number of deaths connected to COVID-19 is 5,290 .

California Gov. Newsom Makes Face Masks Mandatory Amid Rising Coronavirus Cases
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jeff Chiu/AP Jeff Chiu/AP
Updated at 8:39 p.m. ET
Californians are required to wear face coverings in high-risk settings as the state continues to reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Gov. Gavin Newsom issued the statewide order on Thursday. It follows new guidance from the California Department of Public Health that asymptomatic or presymptomatic people can still spread the disease.
"Our numbers are going up, not going down. Hospitalization numbers are just starting to creep back up, and I'm very concerned by what we're seeing," Newsom told Los Angeles' ABC7.
"We think the most impactful thing we can do, short of going back to a stay-at-home order, is wearing face coverings when we can't practice physical distancing," the governor added.
In the latest guidance, the Department of Public Health explained, "The use of face coverings by everyone can limit the release of infected droplets when talking, coughing, and/or sneezing, as well as reinforce physical distancing."
People will be required to wear masks or other coverings in public spaces, including while taking public transportation, seeking medical care, shopping and in most work scenarios.
There are a few exceptions. Children under 2 are exempted from the rules, as are people eating or drinking in restaurants provided they can maintain a minimum 6-foot distance from other customers and staff who are not members of the same household.
Additionally, anyone with a medical condition, mental health condition or disability that prevents wearing a face covering can disregard the order.
Newsom said the statewide measure was a necessary step because "we have many municipalities that require mandatory mask wearing, and people are simply not applying it."
He did not address how the order will be enforced.
It is likely to be met with resistance, pitting the governor against local government leaders who have dropped mandatory mask-wearing measures. In many such counties and cities, residents and business owners eager to return to pre-pandemic life have challenged the need for the widespread use of face coverings, in some cases going so far as to threaten health officials who support the extra precautions.
Reported cases of the novel coronavirus and fatalities continue to rise throughout the state. More than 161,000 have been identified with the virus, according the Department of Public Health, and the total number of deaths connected to COVID-19 is 5,290.


npr--2020-06-18--Canadian Politician Kicked Out Of Parliament For Calling Rival 'Racist'

Canadian Politician Kicked Out Of Parliament For Calling Rival 'Racist' Canadian politician Jagmeet Singh was ejected from the country 's parliament for the day after calling another politician a 'racist . '
Singh , who heads the left-leaning New Democratic Party , was booted from the House of Commons for the day Wednesday after making the accusation against Alain Therrien , a member of the Bloc Québécois party .
Therrien had opposed a motion to acknowledge systemic racism in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police .
The motion , according to portions read aloud by Singh , asked for a review @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and release of use-of-force reports .
The motion also made mentions of `` several Indigenous people have died at the hands of the RCMP in recent months . ''
Singh said he was shocked by the `` no '' vote and that he looked back at Therrien when he heard the politician voice his opposition .
`` I looked back and saw that MP not only say , 'no ' but make eye contact with me and just kind of brush his hand .
Dismiss it . ''
Singh told reporters after he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that moment , I got angry . ''
Immediately after the vote Singh clarified for House of Commons leadership that he had called Therrien `` a racist and I believe that 's so . ''
Singh also said he would not apologize .
Speaker Anthony Rota then expelled Singh from the body for the rest of the day .
Singh , who is Sikh and the first racial minority leader of a federal political party , remained unapologetic even after being booted .
`` In that gesture , I saw exactly what has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racism as not a big deal , see systemic racism and the killing of indigenous people as not a big deal , see black people being the subject of violence and being killed as not a big deal , and in the moment I saw the face of racism , `` Singh said .
On Thursday , the CBC reports , Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-Francois Blanchet defended his party member 's action , denying that Therrien made the gesture Singh described .
Blanchet also demanded that Singh apologize to his party and said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ punishment if Singh refuses .
`` He 's not a racist .
He loves everyone , '' Blanchet said .
`` It is important that we recognize when the only racialized leader in the House of Commons makes a statement like that , that it comes from a place that yes , will make people uncomfortable , but needs to be dealt with as we move forward as a country , '' Trudeau told reporters .

Canadian Politician Kicked Out Of Parliament For Calling Rival 'Racist'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Don Mackinnon/AFP via Getty Images Don Mackinnon/AFP via Getty Images
Canadian politician Jagmeet Singh was ejected from the country's parliament for the day after calling another politician a 'racist.'
Singh, who heads the left-leaning New Democratic Party, was booted from the House of Commons for the day Wednesday after making the accusation against Alain Therrien, a member of the Bloc Québécois party.
Therrien had opposed a motion to acknowledge systemic racism in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
The motion, according to portions read aloud by Singh, asked for a review of the law enforcement body's budget and release of use-of-force reports. The motion also made mentions of "several Indigenous people have died at the hands of the RCMP in recent months."
Singh said he was shocked by the "no" vote and that he looked back at Therrien when he heard the politician voice his opposition.
"I looked back and saw that MP not only say, 'no' but make eye contact with me and just kind of brush his hand. Dismiss it." Singh told reporters after he was made to leave. "In that moment, I got angry."
Immediately after the vote Singh clarified for House of Commons leadership that he had called Therrien "a racist and I believe that's so." Singh also said he would not apologize. Speaker Anthony Rota then expelled Singh from the body for the rest of the day.
Singh, who is Sikh and the first racial minority leader of a federal political party, remained unapologetic even after being booted.
"In that gesture, I saw exactly what has happened for so long. People see racism as not a big deal, see systemic racism and the killing of indigenous people as not a big deal, see black people being the subject of violence and being killed as not a big deal, and in the moment I saw the face of racism, " Singh said.
On Thursday, the CBC reports, Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-Francois Blanchet defended his party member's action, denying that Therrien made the gesture Singh described. Blanchet also demanded that Singh apologize to his party and said Rota should impose a "severe" punishment if Singh refuses.
"He's not a racist. He loves everyone," Blanchet said.
But Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau backed Singh on Thursday.
"It is important that we recognize when the only racialized leader in the House of Commons makes a statement like that, that it comes from a place that yes, will make people uncomfortable, but needs to be dealt with as we move forward as a country," Trudeau told reporters.


npr--2020-06-18--Back To School For Real? Texas Officials Say Yes

Back To School For Real ?
Texas Officials Say Yes Will students actually go back to school this fall ?
In Texas , state officials say yes .
Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath confirmed Thursday that the state 's public schools will open for students to return , if they wish .
`` It will be safe for Texas public school students , teachers , and staff to return to school campuses for in-person instruction this fall , '' the commissioner said in a statement .
`` But there will also be flexibility for families with health concerns so that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the parent so chooses . ''
He did not offer any information on whether students would be required to wear masks and whether there would be social distancing precautions .
`` Detailed guidance on what this will look like will be issued by [ Texas Education Agency ] early next week , '' Morath said .
Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott has said that in-person schooling is a priority for him .
`` I will tell you that my goal is to see students back in classrooms in seats , interacting personally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Abbott told reporters earlier this week .
`` This is a very important environmental setting for both the students , for the teachers and for the parents .
And so we believe that students in schools is the best outcome . ''
If students do return to school in person , there are indications that it may be a bumpy ride .
Many players on the University of Texas football team convened last week in Austin for voluntary workouts , member station KUT reports .
Today , the university announced that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presumed positive for COVID-19 .
The players are now self-isolating .
Not everyone thinks it 's wise for the halls to fill with students and staff so soon , as the number of new coronavirus cases in Texas continues to grow .
Zeph Capo is the president of the teachers ' union Texas AFT .
`` It sounds like they 're under the misguided conception that August is going to be back to normal as usual , '' he told KUT .
`` And frankly I just do n't believe that we 're @ @ @ @ @

Back To School For Real? Texas Officials Say Yes
Enlarge this image toggle caption LM Otero/AP LM Otero/AP
Will students actually go back to school this fall? In Texas, state officials say yes.
Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath confirmed Thursday that the state's public schools will open for students to return, if they wish.
"It will be safe for Texas public school students, teachers, and staff to return to school campuses for in-person instruction this fall," the commissioner said in a statement. "But there will also be flexibility for families with health concerns so that their children can be educated remotely, if the parent so chooses."
He did not offer any information on whether students would be required to wear masks and whether there would be social distancing precautions.
"Detailed guidance on what this will look like will be issued by [Texas Education Agency] early next week," Morath said.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has said that in-person schooling is a priority for him.
"I will tell you that my goal is to see students back in classrooms in seats, interacting personally with teachers as well as other students," Abbott told reporters earlier this week. "This is a very important environmental setting for both the students, for the teachers and for the parents. And so we believe that students in schools is the best outcome."
If students do return to school in person, there are indications that it may be a bumpy ride.
Many players on the University of Texas football team convened last week in Austin for voluntary workouts, member station KUT reports. Today, the university announced that 13 players have tested positive or are presumed positive for COVID-19. The players are now self-isolating.
Not everyone thinks it's wise for the halls to fill with students and staff so soon, as the number of new coronavirus cases in Texas continues to grow.
Zeph Capo is the president of the teachers' union Texas AFT.
"It sounds like they're under the misguided conception that August is going to be back to normal as usual," he told KUT. "And frankly I just don't believe that we're in normal times."


npr--2020-06-18--Officers Charged In Rayshard Brooks' Death Turn Themselves In

Officers Charged In Rayshard Brooks ' Death Turn Themselves In Garrett Rolfe and Devin Brosnan , the arresting officers involved in the shooting death of Rayshard Brooks , turned themselves in on Thursday .
The men were booked separately Thursday at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta .
Prosecutors on Wednesday filed 11 counts against Rolfe , the white officer who shot the 27-year-old black man in the back during an attempted arrest last week .
Among the charges he faces is felony murder , which carries the prospect of execution or life in prison without parole .
His fellow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counts , including aggravated assault , and if convicted , could spend up to 20 years in prison .
Rolfe was fired from the department after Brooks ' killing , and Brosnan — who stood on Brooks ' shoulder after he was shot , according to the prosecutor — was placed on administrative desk duty .
`` All too often African Americans are denied justice in these situations , even though the world sees that justice should have been given , '' L. Chris Stewart , an attorney for Brooks ' family , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Let the criminal justice system play out .
And for once , a victim is getting the first steps of justice . ''
At the same time , the Atlanta Police Department has been roiled by the charges against two of its own .
On Wednesday night , the department acknowledged that it was dealing with a `` higher than usual number '' of callouts among officers .
In a statement Wednesday , the department clarified that — while `` earlier suggestions that multiple officers from each zone had walked off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overnight shift had seen enough absences that officials adjusted resources to adapt .
`` We do have enough officers to cover us through the night , '' Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms told CNN on Wednesday .
`` Our streets wo n't be any less safe because of the number of officers who called out .
But it is just my hope again that our officers will remember the commitment that they made when they held up their hand and they were sworn in as police officers . ''
Vince Champion , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Police Officers — a national union representing many of the Atlanta officers — did not respond immediately to NPR 's request for comment .
In a conversation with CNN on Thursday , however , Champion said those who called out or simply stopped answering calls midshift did so in protest .
He did n't offer specific numbers , noting that the union was not aware of the intention to do so beforehand — but he said he understands the frustration .
`` They 're just fed up , '' he told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayor has come out and said everything that they used to do with use of force is not valid — 'Do n't do it ' — so I do n't know how we defend ourselves when people want to fight us . ''

Officers Charged In Rayshard Brooks' Death Turn Themselves In
Enlarge this image toggle caption Brynn Anderson/AP Brynn Anderson/AP
Updated at 5:13 p.m. ET Friday
Garrett Rolfe and Devin Brosnan, the arresting officers involved in the shooting death of Rayshard Brooks, turned themselves in on Thursday. The men were booked separately Thursday at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta.
Prosecutors on Wednesday filed 11 counts against Rolfe, the white officer who shot the 27-year-old black man in the back during an attempted arrest last week. Among the charges he faces is felony murder, which carries the prospect of execution or life in prison without parole.
His fellow arresting officer, Brosnan, faces four counts, including aggravated assault, and if convicted, could spend up to 20 years in prison.
Rolfe was fired from the department after Brooks' killing, and Brosnan — who stood on Brooks' shoulder after he was shot, according to the prosecutor — was placed on administrative desk duty.
"All too often African Americans are denied justice in these situations, even though the world sees that justice should have been given," L. Chris Stewart, an attorney for Brooks' family, told NPR's Morning Edition on Thursday. "Let the criminal justice system play out. And for once, a victim is getting the first steps of justice."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images
At the same time, the Atlanta Police Department has been roiled by the charges against two of its own. On Wednesday night, the department acknowledged that it was dealing with a "higher than usual number" of callouts among officers.
In a statement Wednesday, the department clarified that — while "earlier suggestions that multiple officers from each zone had walked off the job were inaccurate" — the overnight shift had seen enough absences that officials adjusted resources to adapt.
"We do have enough officers to cover us through the night," Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms told CNN on Wednesday. "Our streets won't be any less safe because of the number of officers who called out. But it is just my hope again that our officers will remember the commitment that they made when they held up their hand and they were sworn in as police officers."
Vince Champion, the Southeast regional director of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers — a national union representing many of the Atlanta officers — did not respond immediately to NPR's request for comment.
In a conversation with CNN on Thursday, however, Champion said those who called out or simply stopped answering calls midshift did so in protest. He didn't offer specific numbers, noting that the union was not aware of the intention to do so beforehand — but he said he understands the frustration.
"They're just fed up," he told the network. "I mean, their mayor has come out and said everything that they used to do with use of force is not valid — 'Don't do it' — so I don't know how we defend ourselves when people want to fight us."
In this instance, Rolfe fired and hit Brooks twice in the back as he was fleeing.


npr--2020-06-18--How DACA Has Transformed The Lives Of Dreamers — And Their Communities

How DACA Has Transformed The Lives Of Dreamers — And Their Communities Today , the 643,000 DACA recipients in the United States can breathe a little easier .
After the Supreme Court 's 5-4 decision allowing the Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals Program to remain in place , calling the Trump administration 's rescinding of the program `` arbitrary and capricious '' , it 's been a cause for celebration—if a cautious one— by advocates and the `` Dreamers '' .
Since the program was announced in 2012 , DACA has been a lifeline for immigrants who were brought to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permits allow them to work and defers deportation .
And , depending on state law , DACA status can mean access to a slew of other benefits , such as in-state college tuition , drivers ' licenses and health insurance .
Roberto G. Gonzales , a professor at Harvard 's Graduate School of Education , calls DACA the `` most successful immigration policy '' since 1986 , when Congress passed the Immigration Reform and Control Act and , when signed by President Ronald Reagan , legalized the presence of almost 3 million immigrants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Immigration Initiative at Harvard , has witnessed firsthand the life-changing effects of the program .
For the past two decades , he has studied the outcomes of undocumented youth , before and after DACA was put in place .
In his 2015 book Lives in Limbo : Undocumented and Coming of Age in America , he profiles young adults in Los Angeles who , despite their best efforts , could n't access most life opportunities because they did n't have a Social Security number .
And since the program 's inception , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it has affected their lives — overwhelmingly , he says , for the better .
I spoke with Gonzales , before and after the Supreme Court handed down its decision , to talk about the program 's impact , and what comes next for the Dreamers .
He 'll also join us on an upcoming episode of the Code Switch podcast — stay tuned .
Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity .
When you first read the court 's opinion , what went through your mind ?
I 've heard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that the Supreme Court got it right , that today is a day to celebrate .
But this issue is not going away , and so this is not over yet .
The courts did n't rule on the program , but rather on how the Trump administration terminated the program .
So the ball goes back to the Trump administration 's court , even to Congress , to try to do something .
The life of DACA really hangs in the balance .
So , we know what 's going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critically determine the future of this program , but also of young people .
And not only for a segment of young people , but for their parents , for siblings , for romantic partners , for a broader community .
Today , many people will celebrate .
But people are well aware that there 's a lot more work to be done .
You had worked with , and profiled , young undocumented people before the creation of the DACA program .
What had their lives looked like pre-2012 ?
Before graduate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worker at a neighborhood social service agency .
Working alongside immigrant kids and families gave me a worm 's eye view of the ways in which immigration and schooling were framing kids ' everyday worlds .
Over time , I started to realize that many of our neighborhood youth were hitting walls at around 14 to 16 years old as their friends were moving forward , obtaining driver 's licenses , taking after school jobs and starting to prepare for college .
They were realizing the limitations of their of immigration status and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends .
Fast forward a few years later , I was in a graduate program in California and doing volunteer work in Southern California communities .
I started meeting other young people who had moved to California with their families at 6 months old to 5 years old .
And again , at a really critical time in adolescence , they started running into dead ends , running into the limitations of their immigration status .
By now , I 've met hundreds who had this kind of pivotal moment , when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will block them from the means through which to achieve their goals , their dreams and aspirations .
And since DACA was implemented , you 've been following and studying its trajectory .
What are your biggest takeaways from that research ?
The evidence is clear and indisputable .
DACA has made a tremendous impact on the lives of hundreds of thousands of young people over the last eight years .
Just 10 months after the implementation of DACA , our respondents were obtaining driver 's licenses , acquiring new jobs , increasing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forms of health care through new work and educational opportunities .
They were starting to build credit by opening up bank accounts and applying to credit cards .
And as a result , they were able to play a more meaningful role for their families .
This meant being able to drive parents to and from work , and having the opportunity to take on extra jobs and larger responsibilities for paying rent and mortgages .
All of the young people that we 've met through this research have used their DACA benefits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They have been excited and proud to be able to do more to help their families .
And having the ability to pursue careers , to provide daycare for their children , to provide assistance to their parents , to contribute to local economies in more meaningful ways , it 's a net benefit to entire households and their larger communities .
For example , one woman we surveyed has done remarkably well with her DACA status .
She 's making upwards of $ 65,000 a year .
She 's moved into her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money to buy a house .
And every month she sends her grandmother in Mexico $ 400 .
She knows that that money goes a long way to help her grandmother and to help other members of her extended family .
They may be divided by borders , but there 's an opportunity to play a more meaningful role , at least financially .
This is a group of young people who want to go forward and progress in their lives , but want to go forward with their parents , with their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Besides the material benefits , what other changes have you seen take place ?
Prior to DACA , the young people that I met were experiencing mental and physical manifestations of stress , because of the stress of of leading undocumented lives .
They often had chronic toothaches , headaches , sleeping problems , trouble getting out of bed in the morning , eating disorders , depression and suicidal ideation .
It became very clear to me there 's a very strong link between undocumented status and strained well-being .
In our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,700 young people told us that they felt less stress in their everyday lives .
Two thirds of them said that they were less afraid of being deported , and about equal numbers said they were less afraid of the police .
Because of DACA , they do n't have to live everyday lives always looking over their shoulders and worrying .
How did their emotional state change when when the Trump administration first announced it was rescinding DACA ?
Shortly after the announcement , I fielded many calls by young people across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of our students at Harvard .
People were really stressed out .
For many of them back in 2012 , they feared what it meant to come forward and submit their documentation to the federal government .
And now , there was this moment where the status that had been a tremendous boost for them and their families could be taken away .
They were really struggling to grasp what life might look like and feel like living with an expiration date .
A young man from Atlanta I talked to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his head : Do I stay ?
If I stay , what is going to happen ?
Do I leave college ?
What would it look like if I go back to Mexico ?
What would it look like if I have to start from scratch ?
He was really struggling with the choice between what he felt were really terrible alternatives : staying without DACA and trying to make things work for himself , or going to Mexico , and trying to navigate a system that he did n't know .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who I think represented the spirit of a lot of older DACA beneficiaries .
And she told me : `` We 've been here before.I can still remember what life was like for me prior to DACA .
It was a hustle and it was a struggle every way , at every turn .
But I came out of it successful .
This is not going to be what I 've been planning for .
But we 've got a really powerful youth movement .
And I will put all of my time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' I 've met a lot of young people who hold one or both of those perspectives , often at the same time .
There 's a worry and despair , but also the thought that `` I do n't really have time to worry about this , to think about it too much .
I really need to take action . ''
Do you have a sense of what comes next in these upcoming months ?
Where do Dreamers go from here ?
That may be today 's $ 64,000 question .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ been holding their breaths for this decision for so long , that now is a time for stepping back and reflecting , and understanding that there is now a window of time and an opportunity to push .
This is an issue that 's not going away , and it 's going to be front and center for the next several months during the presidential campaign heading up to the election .
I can imagine that advocates and activists are trying to think of the particular pressure points around which to organize and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there will be connections between the immigrant-rights movement , Black Lives Matter , and the LGBTQ movement , articulating a more nuanced and wider reaching message that connects the dots on these issues .
But at least for now , many young people will breathe a huge sigh of relief and know that they can lead their lives , in the coming weeks and months , perhaps with a little more security and a little more comfort .

How DACA Has Transformed The Lives Of Dreamers — And Their Communities
Enlarge this image toggle caption Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty
Today, the 643,000 DACA recipients in the United States can breathe a little easier.
After the Supreme Court's 5-4 decision allowing the Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals Program to remain in place, calling the Trump administration's rescinding of the program "arbitrary and capricious", it's been a cause for celebration—if a cautious one— by advocates and the "Dreamers".
Since the program was announced in 2012, DACA has been a lifeline for immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children. Their two-year permits allow them to work and defers deportation. And, depending on state law, DACA status can mean access to a slew of other benefits, such as in-state college tuition, drivers' licenses and health insurance.
Enlarge this image Mary Levin/Courtesy of Roberto G. Gonzales Mary Levin/Courtesy of Roberto G. Gonzales
Roberto G. Gonzales, a professor at Harvard's Graduate School of Education, calls DACA the "most successful immigration policy" since 1986, when Congress passed the Immigration Reform and Control Act and, when signed by President Ronald Reagan, legalized the presence of almost 3 million immigrants.
Gonzales, the director of the Immigration Initiative at Harvard, has witnessed firsthand the life-changing effects of the program. For the past two decades, he has studied the outcomes of undocumented youth, before and after DACA was put in place.
In his 2015 book Lives in Limbo: Undocumented and Coming of Age in America, he profiles young adults in Los Angeles who, despite their best efforts, couldn't access most life opportunities because they didn't have a Social Security number. And since the program's inception, he has surveyed over 2,600 recipients about how it has affected their lives — overwhelmingly, he says, for the better.
I spoke with Gonzales, before and after the Supreme Court handed down its decision, to talk about the program's impact, and what comes next for the Dreamers. He'll also join us on an upcoming episode of the Code Switch podcast — stay tuned.
Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.
When you first read the court's opinion, what went through your mind?
I've heard from several colleagues, and the consensus is that the Supreme Court got it right, that today is a day to celebrate.
But this issue is not going away, and so this is not over yet. The courts didn't rule on the program, but rather on how the Trump administration terminated the program. So the ball goes back to the Trump administration's court, even to Congress, to try to do something.
The life of DACA really hangs in the balance. So, we know what's going to happen over these next several months will critically determine the future of this program, but also of young people. And not only for a segment of young people, but for their parents, for siblings, for romantic partners, for a broader community.
Today, many people will celebrate. But people are well aware that there's a lot more work to be done.
You had worked with, and profiled, young undocumented people before the creation of the DACA program. What had their lives looked like pre-2012?
Before graduate school, I worked as a youth worker at a neighborhood social service agency. Working alongside immigrant kids and families gave me a worm's eye view of the ways in which immigration and schooling were framing kids' everyday worlds. Over time, I started to realize that many of our neighborhood youth were hitting walls at around 14 to 16 years old as their friends were moving forward, obtaining driver's licenses, taking after school jobs and starting to prepare for college. They were realizing the limitations of their of immigration status and they weren't able to join their friends.
Fast forward a few years later, I was in a graduate program in California and doing volunteer work in Southern California communities. I started meeting other young people who had moved to California with their families at 6 months old to 5 years old. And again, at a really critical time in adolescence, they started running into dead ends, running into the limitations of their immigration status.
By now, I've met hundreds who had this kind of pivotal moment, when they come to realize that their undocumented status will block them from the means through which to achieve their goals, their dreams and aspirations.
And since DACA was implemented, you've been following and studying its trajectory. What are your biggest takeaways from that research?
The evidence is clear and indisputable. DACA has made a tremendous impact on the lives of hundreds of thousands of young people over the last eight years.
Just 10 months after the implementation of DACA, our respondents were obtaining driver's licenses, acquiring new jobs, increasing their earnings and had access to new forms of health care through new work and educational opportunities. They were starting to build credit by opening up bank accounts and applying to credit cards. And as a result, they were able to play a more meaningful role for their families. This meant being able to drive parents to and from work, and having the opportunity to take on extra jobs and larger responsibilities for paying rent and mortgages.
All of the young people that we've met through this research have used their DACA benefits and status to benefit family members. They have been excited and proud to be able to do more to help their families. And having the ability to pursue careers, to provide daycare for their children, to provide assistance to their parents, to contribute to local economies in more meaningful ways, it's a net benefit to entire households and their larger communities.
For example, one woman we surveyed has done remarkably well with her DACA status. She's making upwards of $65,000 a year. She's moved into her own apartment. She's saving up money to buy a house. And every month she sends her grandmother in Mexico $400. She knows that that money goes a long way to help her grandmother and to help other members of her extended family. They may be divided by borders, but there's an opportunity to play a more meaningful role, at least financially.
This is a group of young people who want to go forward and progress in their lives, but want to go forward with their parents, with their family members, with their entire community.
Besides the material benefits, what other changes have you seen take place?
Prior to DACA, the young people that I met were experiencing mental and physical manifestations of stress, because of the stress of of leading undocumented lives. They often had chronic toothaches, headaches, sleeping problems, trouble getting out of bed in the morning, eating disorders, depression and suicidal ideation. It became very clear to me there's a very strong link between undocumented status and strained well-being.
In our survey, nearly 70 percent of almost 2,700 young people told us that they felt less stress in their everyday lives. Two thirds of them said that they were less afraid of being deported, and about equal numbers said they were less afraid of the police. Because of DACA, they don't have to live everyday lives always looking over their shoulders and worrying.
How did their emotional state change when when the Trump administration first announced it was rescinding DACA?
Shortly after the announcement, I fielded many calls by young people across the country, and I spoke to a lot of our students at Harvard. People were really stressed out. For many of them back in 2012, they feared what it meant to come forward and submit their documentation to the federal government. And now, there was this moment where the status that had been a tremendous boost for them and their families could be taken away. They were really struggling to grasp what life might look like and feel like living with an expiration date.
A young man from Atlanta I talked to had all of these thoughts running through his head: Do I stay? If I stay, what is going to happen? Do I leave college? What would it look like if I go back to Mexico? What would it look like if I have to start from scratch? He was really struggling with the choice between what he felt were really terrible alternatives: staying without DACA and trying to make things work for himself, or going to Mexico, and trying to navigate a system that he didn't know.
I met another young woman from California, who I think represented the spirit of a lot of older DACA beneficiaries. And she told me: "We've been here before.I can still remember what life was like for me prior to DACA. It was a hustle and it was a struggle every way, at every turn. But I came out of it successful. This is not going to be what I've been planning for. But we've got a really powerful youth movement. And I will put all of my time, all my energy into organizing."
I've met a lot of young people who hold one or both of those perspectives, often at the same time. There's a worry and despair, but also the thought that "I don't really have time to worry about this, to think about it too much. I really need to take action."
Do you have a sense of what comes next in these upcoming months? Where do Dreamers go from here?
That may be today's $64,000 question. I think that so many people have been holding their breaths for this decision for so long, that now is a time for stepping back and reflecting, and understanding that there is now a window of time and an opportunity to push.
This is an issue that's not going away, and it's going to be front and center for the next several months during the presidential campaign heading up to the election. I can imagine that advocates and activists are trying to think of the particular pressure points around which to organize and to raise awareness. I think that there will be connections between the immigrant-rights movement, Black Lives Matter, and the LGBTQ movement, articulating a more nuanced and wider reaching message that connects the dots on these issues.
But at least for now, many young people will breathe a huge sigh of relief and know that they can lead their lives, in the coming weeks and months, perhaps with a little more security and a little more comfort.


npr--2020-06-18--Foreign Interference Persists And Techniques Are Evolving, Big Tech Tells Hill

Foreign influence-mongers are altering their tactics in response to changes in the practices of the big social media platforms since the 2016 election , three Big Tech representatives told House Democrats on Thursday .
Leaders from Facebook , Twitter and Google told the House Intelligence Committee that their practices have prompted hostile nations to make some of their information operations less clandestine and more overt than they have in recent years .
`` It reminds us the challenges we faced in 2016 are constant and this is an evolving security challenge and we have to keep constantly watching out for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Nicholas Pickles , Twitter 's director of Public Policy Strategy and Development .
He and his colleagues told Democrats in a videoconference they are seeing fewer coordinated efforts to use social media to spread false information or inflame tensions among Americans and more of that work via official government channels — some of which , however , have a presence on social media .
The tech companies say they 're willing to label such material and , in some cases , demote it or remove it .
That is where much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , although covert work continues too .
Facebook has taken down nearly 2 billion fake accounts just this year and it has dismantled 18 coordinated influence networks , said Nathaniel Gleicher , its head of security policy .
They included three Russian and two Iranian networks and two based in the United States .
`` We 're proud of the progress we 've made to protect authentic discourse on our platforms but there 's obviously more work to do , '' he said .
The witnesses told members of Congress they so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the old covert techniques to exploit divisions in the U.S. over race and law enforcement or target voting or the presidential election .
Those references are being made semi-officially or officially .
`` Those media entities and those government accounts are engaging in the geopolitical conversation ; for example , Chinese actors comparing the police response in the U.S. with the police response in Hong Kong , '' Pickles said .
`` That 's a shift from platform manipulation over to state assets is something we 've observed . ''
Americans are in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be posted online , according to a new Gallup/Knight Foundation poll out this week .
More than 80 % of Americans think false health information and false information about voting and politics should be prohibited , for instance .
But it 's also clear that Americans do n't trust the companies to conduct the oversight of their content themselves .
A wide majority , 84 % of Americans , said they either had little or no confidence in the social media companies ' abilities to make `` the right decisions '' about what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mostly , people think the companies have n't been tough enough when it comes to removing content up to this point , with only about a fifth of Americans saying the companies are `` too tough . ''
Men , whites and less educated Americans are all more likely to say content oversight is `` too tough . ''
No Republicans participated in the videoconference hearing on Thursday .
The majority members who did take part peppered the Big Tech witnesses with questions about individual issues , often becoming exasperated by what they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than getting ahead of them .
Alabama Rep. Terri Sewell wanted to know why the platforms are n't doing more to quash what she called attempted voter suppression targeting black people .
Sewell cited a CNN story about a Russian election interference network operating out of Ghana — likely to avoid efforts to detect traffic originating from Europe — which resulted in Facebook and Twitter deactivating a number of false accounts .
Sewell implored the witnesses to do more to keep black Americans from being targeted and divided in the way they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election .
`` My community has been the victim of misleading information about voting for decades , '' she said .
Other members of the committee exhorted the Big Tech witnesses to redouble their efforts to turn down the volume on partisanship in the United States , because the high resting temperature , in this metaphor , means the nation is in constant danger of boiling over .
`` We do n't recognize each other , '' said Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut .
`` If every American house is full of toxic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today ... all it takes is a spark from Russia to set off a conflagration . ''

Foreign Interference Persists And Techniques Are Evolving, Big Tech Tells Hill
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jeff Chiu/AP Jeff Chiu/AP
Foreign influence-mongers are altering their tactics in response to changes in the practices of the big social media platforms since the 2016 election, three Big Tech representatives told House Democrats on Thursday.
Leaders from Facebook, Twitter and Google told the House Intelligence Committee that their practices have prompted hostile nations to make some of their information operations less clandestine and more overt than they have in recent years.
"It reminds us the challenges we faced in 2016 are constant and this is an evolving security challenge and we have to keep constantly watching out for bad actors who change their behavior," said Nicholas Pickles, Twitter's director of Public Policy Strategy and Development.
He and his colleagues told Democrats in a videoconference they are seeing fewer coordinated efforts to use social media to spread false information or inflame tensions among Americans and more of that work via official government channels — some of which, however, have a presence on social media.
The tech companies say they're willing to label such material and, in some cases, demote it or remove it. That is where much of the war has moved, they said, although covert work continues too.
Facebook has taken down nearly 2 billion fake accounts just this year and it has dismantled 18 coordinated influence networks, said Nathaniel Gleicher, its head of security policy. They included three Russian and two Iranian networks and two based in the United States.
"We're proud of the progress we've made to protect authentic discourse on our platforms but there's obviously more work to do," he said.
The witnesses told members of Congress they so far haven't seen foreign actors using the old covert techniques to exploit divisions in the U.S. over race and law enforcement or target voting or the presidential election.
Those references are being made semi-officially or officially.
"Those media entities and those government accounts are engaging in the geopolitical conversation; for example, Chinese actors comparing the police response in the U.S. with the police response in Hong Kong," Pickles said. "That's a shift from platform manipulation over to state assets is something we've observed."
Americans support some limits
Americans are in favor of some limitations on what can be posted online, according to a new Gallup/Knight Foundation poll out this week. More than 80% of Americans think false health information and false information about voting and politics should be prohibited, for instance.
But it's also clear that Americans don't trust the companies to conduct the oversight of their content themselves.
A wide majority, 84% of Americans, said they either had little or no confidence in the social media companies' abilities to make "the right decisions" about what can be posted on their platforms.
Mostly, people think the companies haven't been tough enough when it comes to removing content up to this point, with only about a fifth of Americans saying the companies are "too tough." Men, whites and less educated Americans are all more likely to say content oversight is "too tough."
Democrats only
No Republicans participated in the videoconference hearing on Thursday.
The majority members who did take part peppered the Big Tech witnesses with questions about individual issues, often becoming exasperated by what they called actions that lag the biggest problems rather than getting ahead of them.
Alabama Rep. Terri Sewell wanted to know why the platforms aren't doing more to quash what she called attempted voter suppression targeting black people.
Sewell cited a CNN story about a Russian election interference network operating out of Ghana — likely to avoid efforts to detect traffic originating from Europe — which resulted in Facebook and Twitter deactivating a number of false accounts.
Sewell implored the witnesses to do more to keep black Americans from being targeted and divided in the way they were during the interference in the 2016 election.
"My community has been the victim of misleading information about voting for decades," she said.
Other members of the committee exhorted the Big Tech witnesses to redouble their efforts to turn down the volume on partisanship in the United States, because the high resting temperature, in this metaphor, means the nation is in constant danger of boiling over.
"We don't recognize each other," said Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut. "If every American house is full of toxic gas, as I think it is today ... all it takes is a spark from Russia to set off a conflagration."