npr--2020-09-07--India Moves Into 2nd Place For COVID-19 Cases

India 's recorded coronavirus case total has surpassed that of Brazil , making India the second worst-affected country in the world after the United States .
India overtook Brazil on Monday after registering 90,802 fresh cases — the highest single-day increase any country has recorded so far during the pandemic .
India 's total cases are now more than 4.2 million .
The caseload is lower than that of the U.S. by about 2 million but India is where the virus is spreading at the fastest pace .
For about a month , India has been recording the largest number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ About 1,000 people are dying every day in India after testing positive for the coronavirus .
The country 's total COVID-19 death toll is 71,642 — the third highest in the world after the U.S. and Brazil .
India 's coronavirus mortality rate of 1.7 % is among the lowest of the worst-hit countries .
But only about one in five deaths in India is medically certified so COVID-19 deaths could be substantially under-counted .
On Monday , as India reached the milestone of having the second-most cases in the world , commuters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subway for the first time in over 5 months as the system reopened .
The trains have social distancing stickers on alternate seats and only those who do n't show any symptoms of COVID-19 are allowed to travel .
Face masks are mandatory and passengers are thermally screened .
Several other cities have also resumed metro train service , including the tech hub Bengaluru in southern India .
Bars reopened there last week .
Later this month , public gatherings of up to 100 people will also be permitted across the country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reopen public places to revive the economy , despite the sharp increase in cases .
Between April and June , when India was under a strict coronavirus lockdown , its GDP shrank by 23.9 % compared to the same period last year .
It is the biggest economic contraction since India started keeping records in 1996 .
In late March , when India had only about 500 confirmed cases , Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered all 1.3 billion Indians to stay home .
But millions lost their jobs and poor day laborers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government to lift the lockdown in June .
The virus has been surging ever since and has now reached India 's rural villages where medical facilities are scarce .

India Moves Into 2nd Place For COVID-19 Cases
Enlarge this image toggle caption Bikas Das/AP Bikas Das/AP
India's recorded coronavirus case total has surpassed that of Brazil, making India the second worst-affected country in the world after the United States.
India overtook Brazil on Monday after registering 90,802 fresh cases — the highest single-day increase any country has recorded so far during the pandemic. India's total cases are now more than 4.2 million.
The caseload is lower than that of the U.S. by about 2 million but India is where the virus is spreading at the fastest pace. For about a month, India has been recording the largest number of new cases of any country.
About 1,000 people are dying every day in India after testing positive for the coronavirus. The country's total COVID-19 death toll is 71,642 — the third highest in the world after the U.S. and Brazil. India's coronavirus mortality rate of 1.7% is among the lowest of the worst-hit countries. But only about one in five deaths in India is medically certified so COVID-19 deaths could be substantially under-counted.
On Monday, as India reached the milestone of having the second-most cases in the world, commuters in the capital New Delhi rode the subway for the first time in over 5 months as the system reopened.
The trains have social distancing stickers on alternate seats and only those who don't show any symptoms of COVID-19 are allowed to travel. Face masks are mandatory and passengers are thermally screened.
Several other cities have also resumed metro train service, including the tech hub Bengaluru in southern India. Bars reopened there last week. Later this month, public gatherings of up to 100 people will also be permitted across the country, with social distancing rules.
India continues to reopen public places to revive the economy, despite the sharp increase in cases. Between April and June, when India was under a strict coronavirus lockdown, its GDP shrank by 23.9% compared to the same period last year. It is the biggest economic contraction since India started keeping records in 1996.
In late March, when India had only about 500 confirmed cases, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered all 1.3 billion Indians to stay home. But millions lost their jobs and poor day laborers were hit particularly hard, prompting the government to lift the lockdown in June. The virus has been surging ever since and has now reached India's rural villages where medical facilities are scarce.


npr--2020-09-07--How Can You Tell If A COVID-19 Vaccine Is Working?

How Can You Tell If A COVID-19 Vaccine Is Working ?
Several vaccines are currently in large-scale studies to see if they can prevent COVID-19 , and more are on the way .
President Trump has been hinting that a vaccine could be ready before the end of October , but Moncef Slaoui , chief scientific adviser to the administration 's Operation Warp Speed , downplayed that possibility in an interview on NPR 's All Things Considered .
`` There is a very , very low chance that the trials that are running as we speak could read before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about the large-scale vaccine efficacy studies that Slaoui was discussing .
How big are these trials ?
The intention is to enroll at least 30,000 volunteers per trial .
Half will get an injection containing the vaccine candidate , and half will get an injection of an inert placebo .
Neither the person giving the injection nor the person getting the shot knows which is being administered .
This is so neither party has a predetermined idea of what the outcome might be .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ placebo-controlled trials , and they are generally considered the best design to get definitive answers .
Researchers chose enrolling 30,000 people as a target for pragmatic reasons .
To test a vaccine , it needs to be given to enough people who will subsequently be exposed to the virus .
But researchers did n't know for sure where the virus would be circulating when they were ready to test their vaccine .
So the researchers hedged their bets and chose a large number , `` primarily due to the uncertainty as to where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says Holly Janes , a biostatistician at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle .
What determines whether the trial is successful ?
By conducting a large trial , researchers hope to learn whether the vaccine is safe and whether it prevents infection .
Initial safety studies were done by testing a small number of healthy volunteers .
A large trial should reveal less common side effects .
To determine whether the vaccine is working , researchers will compare the number of infections in the people receiving the active vaccine with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the inert placebo .
The Food and Drug Administration is the federal agency that will decide whether to authorize the use of the vaccine .
It has said a vaccine must reduce infections in the vaccinated group by at least 50 % to be considered .
When will we know if the vaccine is working ?
These are what 's called event-driven trials .
`` An event-driven trial means that the primary analysis of the trial happens when you get enough events , '' Janes says .
`` We do n't know how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' By `` events , '' Janes means laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 disease .
Janes says the trial now underway aims to get at least 150 events among the trial participants .
To make sure the researchers are unaware of who 's getting the vaccine and who 's getting a placebo , an independent body will track the data as they 're collected .
That data safety monitoring board is made up of experts in all aspects of clinical trial design and implementation .
What 's the drawback to putting out a vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't work well , people would continue to get sick and die .
A vaccine that is only 50 % effective would still mean people could get COVID-19 , but even a partially effective vaccine would make the pandemic more manageable .
Releasing a vaccine with serious side effects , even rare ones , would mean perfectly healthy people would put their health at risk if they got the vaccine .
If the vaccine is perceived as a flop by the public , it will undermine confidence in the government .
What vaccines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can I sign up ?
All vaccines being tested in the U.S. can be found on the government website ClinicalTrials.gov .
Moderna , Pfizer and AstraZeneca are conducting large studies now .
Johnson & Johnson and Novavax should be starting their big tests in the next month or two .

How Can You Tell If A COVID-19 Vaccine Is Working?
Enlarge this image toggle caption Onur Coban/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Onur Coban/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Several vaccines are currently in large-scale studies to see if they can prevent COVID-19, and more are on the way.
President Trump has been hinting that a vaccine could be ready before the end of October, but Moncef Slaoui, chief scientific adviser to the administration's Operation Warp Speed, downplayed that possibility in an interview on NPR's All Things Considered.
"There is a very, very low chance that the trials that are running as we speak could read before the end of October," Slaoui said.
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about the large-scale vaccine efficacy studies that Slaoui was discussing.
How big are these trials?
The intention is to enroll at least 30,000 volunteers per trial. Some of the volunteers will get an injection containing the vaccine candidate, and others will get an injection of an inert placebo. Neither the person giving the injection nor the person getting the shot knows which is being administered. This is so neither party has a predetermined idea of what the outcome might be. Studies like this are called double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, and they are generally considered the best design to get definitive answers.
Researchers chose enrolling 30,000 people as a target for pragmatic reasons. To test a vaccine, it needs to be given to enough people who will subsequently be exposed to the virus. But researchers didn't know for sure where the virus would be circulating when they were ready to test their vaccine.
So the researchers hedged their bets and chose a large number, "primarily due to the uncertainty as to where those infections ... will happen," says Holly Janes, a biostatistician at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle.
What determines whether the trial is successful?
By conducting a large trial, researchers hope to learn whether the vaccine is safe and whether it prevents infection.
Initial safety studies were done by testing a small number of healthy volunteers. A large trial should reveal less common side effects.
To determine whether the vaccine is working, researchers will compare the number of infections in the people receiving the active vaccine with the number of infections in the people receiving the inert placebo.
The Food and Drug Administration is the federal agency that will decide whether to authorize the use of the vaccine. It has said a vaccine must reduce infections in the vaccinated group by at least 50% to be considered.
When will we know if the vaccine is working?
That's not clear.
These are what's called event-driven trials. "An event-driven trial means that the primary analysis of the trial happens when you get enough events," Janes says. "We don't know how long that's going to take."
By "events," Janes means laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 disease. Janes says the trial now underway aims to get at least 150 events among the trial participants.
To make sure the researchers are unaware of who's getting the vaccine and who's getting a placebo, an independent body will track the data as they're collected. That data safety monitoring board is made up of experts in all aspects of clinical trial design and implementation.
What's the drawback to putting out a vaccine too soon?
If the vaccine doesn't work well, people would continue to get sick and die. A vaccine that is only 50% effective would still mean people could get COVID-19, but even a partially effective vaccine would make the pandemic more manageable.
Releasing a vaccine with serious side effects, even rare ones, would mean perfectly healthy people would put their health at risk if they got the vaccine.
If the vaccine is perceived as a flop by the public, it will undermine confidence in the government.
What vaccines are being tested now, and how can I sign up?
All vaccines being tested in the U.S. can be found on the government website ClinicalTrials.gov. Moderna, Pfizer and AstraZeneca are conducting large studies now. Johnson & Johnson and Novavax should be starting their big tests in the next month or two.
You can contact NPR science correspondent Joe Palca at jpalca@npr.org.


npr--2020-09-07--Farm Workers Face Double Threat: Wildfire Smoke And COVID-19

With precision , farm workers swiftly harvest rows of strawberries at an organic field in Salinas , Calif .
It 's hard work , even without a global pandemic and wildfires burning in the background .
Four major wildfires erupted across the state 's Central Coast in mid-August , one near Salinas .
Smoke blanketed the region , the sun glowed orange and ash rained down .
`` It hurt our sinuses , '' said Jesús Ahumada , an agricultural foreman , in Spanish .
`` The smoke was so thick . ''
Ahumada leans up against his white pickup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ green field .
He supervises 65 farm workers .
When the smoke was unbearable , they made a decision together to stop for their safety .
They stopped for one day , Ahumada said .
That was n't an easy call .
Farm workers are paid at least minimum wage , but earn more money the more crates they fill .
Dr. Caroline Kennedy , medical director of the Clinic Services Bureau at the Monterey County Health Department , says it 's been one hardship after another for the people who harvest our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Kennedy directs nine clinics in a county where agriculture is a leading industry .
Monterey County is home to the Salinas Valley , which is called the `` Salad Bowl of the World . ''
Here , vast farm fields of lettuce , broccoli and strawberries feed the entire country .
These farm workers , who are predominantly Latino , are disproportionately affected by the coronavirus .
In Monterey County , more than 70 percent of COVID-19 cases are among Latinos .
Kennedy said housing is just one root cause , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ congested living situations and everyone in the family is infected . ''
COVID-19 patients tell her they just ca n't take a deep breath , even weeks after being diagnosed .
Or , they say , heavy labor is difficult .
All of that is compounded by wildfire smoke .
But , Kennedy said , when you 're behind on bills , it 's a tough choice to make .
`` Do you stay home when the air quality does n't make you feel well , or do you just go back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year ago , California 's Division of Occupational Safety and Health , or Cal/OSHA , implemented new standards for protecting outdoor workers from wildfire smoke .
It requires employers to provide proper respiratory protection equipment , such as N-95 masks , when air quality is harmful .
Whether or not use of a mask is voluntary or required depends on how bad the air quality is .
The messaging is confusing , according to Richard Stedman , executive director for the Monterey Bay Air Resources District , which monitors air quality across Santa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When the air is bad , the general public is told to stay indoors .
`` So when I see workers being advised that they can go out into the field and exert themselves as long as they have , in their possession , a mask , that 's ... that 's not very protective , '' said Stedman .
According to the United Farm Workers , enforcement of the regulation is also problematic .
The labor union conducted a statewide poll in late August to get a better understanding of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretary treasurer , said of the 350 workers who responded , many from California 's Central Valley , about 84 % said they did n't get a mask .
Workers told Elenes they could see the haze and felt a burning sensation in their eyes .
But , he said , it 's difficult to think about long-term health impacts when you 're just trying to figure out next week .
`` They , unfortunately , were more worried about trying to make ends meet and trying to pay the rent , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wildfires burning in California and a global pandemic that 's making N-95s hard to find , the state 's Office of Emergency Services answered calls for help .
It shipped around 1.4 million masks to county agricultural commissioners in 35 counties .
Monterey County Agricultural Commission Henry Gonzales received over 330,000 .
He called them a godsend considering their scarcity .
Gonzales knows first-hand what this job takes .
He was a migrant farm worker when he was a child .
He said showing up to this job can be a risk , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wait .
`` They 're ready when they 're ready .
And if you 're not there to harvest , they 're going to go waste , '' Gonzales said .
Waste that means less money for companies , smaller paychecks for farm workers and fewer strawberries in grocery carts ; losses that might be necessary to protect farm workers ' health .

Farm Workers Face Double Threat: Wildfire Smoke And COVID-19
Enlarge this image toggle caption Erika Mahoney/KAZU Erika Mahoney/KAZU
With precision, farm workers swiftly harvest rows of strawberries at an organic field in Salinas, Calif. It's hard work, even without a global pandemic and wildfires burning in the background.
Four major wildfires erupted across the state's Central Coast in mid-August, one near Salinas. Smoke blanketed the region, the sun glowed orange and ash rained down.
"It hurt our sinuses," said Jesús Ahumada, an agricultural foreman, in Spanish. "The smoke was so thick."
Ahumada leans up against his white pickup truck, which stands out against the green field. He supervises 65 farm workers. When the smoke was unbearable, they made a decision together to stop for their safety. They stopped for one day, Ahumada said.
That wasn't an easy call. Farm workers are paid at least minimum wage, but earn more money the more crates they fill.
Dr. Caroline Kennedy, medical director of the Clinic Services Bureau at the Monterey County Health Department, says it's been one hardship after another for the people who harvest our food; first COVID-19, now wildfire. Kennedy directs nine clinics in a county where agriculture is a leading industry.
Monterey County is home to the Salinas Valley, which is called the "Salad Bowl of the World." Here, vast farm fields of lettuce, broccoli and strawberries feed the entire country.
These farm workers, who are predominantly Latino, are disproportionately affected by the coronavirus. In Monterey County, more than 70 percent of COVID-19 cases are among Latinos.
Kennedy said housing is just one root cause, "Often, they go back to very congested living situations and everyone in the family is infected."
COVID-19 patients tell her they just can't take a deep breath, even weeks after being diagnosed. Or, they say, heavy labor is difficult. All of that is compounded by wildfire smoke. But, Kennedy said, when you're behind on bills, it's a tough choice to make.
"Do you stay home when the air quality doesn't make you feel well, or do you just go back to work?" Kennedy said.
A year ago, California's Division of Occupational Safety and Health, or Cal/OSHA, implemented new standards for protecting outdoor workers from wildfire smoke. It requires employers to provide proper respiratory protection equipment, such as N-95 masks, when air quality is harmful. Whether or not use of a mask is voluntary or required depends on how bad the air quality is.
The messaging is confusing, according to Richard Stedman, executive director for the Monterey Bay Air Resources District, which monitors air quality across Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey counties. When the air is bad, the general public is told to stay indoors.
"So when I see workers being advised that they can go out into the field and exert themselves as long as they have, in their possession, a mask, that's... that's not very protective," said Stedman.
According to the United Farm Workers, enforcement of the regulation is also problematic.
The labor union conducted a statewide poll in late August to get a better understanding of the situation. Armando Elenes, UFW's secretary treasurer, said of the 350 workers who responded, many from California's Central Valley, about 84% said they didn't get a mask. Workers told Elenes they could see the haze and felt a burning sensation in their eyes.
But, he said, it's difficult to think about long-term health impacts when you're just trying to figure out next week.
"They, unfortunately, were more worried about trying to make ends meet and trying to pay the rent," Elenes said.
With over a dozen wildfires burning in California and a global pandemic that's making N-95s hard to find, the state's Office of Emergency Services answered calls for help. It shipped around 1.4 million masks to county agricultural commissioners in 35 counties.
Monterey County Agricultural Commission Henry Gonzales received over 330,000. He called them a godsend considering their scarcity.
Gonzales knows first-hand what this job takes. He was a migrant farm worker when he was a child. He said showing up to this job can be a risk, but the fruit and vegetables don't wait.
"They're ready when they're ready. And if you're not there to harvest, they're going to go waste," Gonzales said.
Waste that means less money for companies, smaller paychecks for farm workers and fewer strawberries in grocery carts; losses that might be necessary to protect farm workers' health.


npr--2020-09-06--5 Boats Sink At Trump Boat Parade In Texas

The weather was calm , the atmosphere festive .
Which made it all the more surprising when several boats sank Saturday at an event put on by Trump supporters near Austin , Texas .
`` Decorate your boats in patriotic colors and fly as many Trump flags as she can handle ! ''
the Facebook page for the Lake Travis Trump Boat Parade encouraged .
`` Let 's really make a statement ! ''
The statement was n't what they intended .
When the hundreds of boats started moving together , their wakes created unexpected turbulence .
Before long , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received 15 distress calls .
It received three more reports of boats taking on water from a local towing company .
`` Almost immediately upon the parade going into motion , TCSO began receiving distress calls from boaters , '' the sheriff 's office said in a press release .
`` The distress calls varied and included : boats taking on water , stalled engines , capsized boats and boats sinking . ''
Most of the boats taking on water were able to be towed before they sank to the bottom of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ultimately , five boats did sink during the event .
Three of those were recovered , but two remained submerged Sunday .
There were no injuries among those who called for help , the sheriff 's office said .
The office said it found `` no evidence of foul play . ''
One of the boats inundated with water was carrying several pro-Trump flags , including one with the message `` Make the liberals cry again . ''
According to photographer Bob Daemmrich , that boat did not capsize .
Firefighters pulled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water , Braden Frame , president of the Lake Travis Fire Fights Association , told The New York Times .
Several pro-Trump boat parades took place over the weekend , including those in waters near Washington , D.C. , San Diego , Erie , Penn.
, Gainesville , Ga. , the South Shore of Massachusetts , Prescott , Wis. , and in Lake Eufaula in Oklahoma .

5 Boats Sink At Trump Boat Parade In Texas
Enlarge this image toggle caption Bob Daemmrich/AP Bob Daemmrich/AP
The weather was calm, the atmosphere festive. Which made it all the more surprising when several boats sank Saturday at an event put on by Trump supporters near Austin, Texas.
"Decorate your boats in patriotic colors and fly as many Trump flags as she can handle!" the Facebook page for the Lake Travis Trump Boat Parade encouraged. "Let's really make a statement!"
The statement wasn't what they intended. When the hundreds of boats started moving together, their wakes created unexpected turbulence. Before long, the Travis County Sheriff's Office had received 15 distress calls. It received three more reports of boats taking on water from a local towing company.
"Almost immediately upon the parade going into motion, TCSO began receiving distress calls from boaters," the sheriff's office said in a press release. "The distress calls varied and included: boats taking on water, stalled engines, capsized boats and boats sinking."
Most of the boats taking on water were able to be towed before they sank to the bottom of the lake, the sheriff's office said. Ultimately, five boats did sink during the event. Three of those were recovered, but two remained submerged Sunday.
There were no injuries among those who called for help, the sheriff's office said. The office said it found "no evidence of foul play."
One of the boats inundated with water was carrying several pro-Trump flags, including one with the message "Make the liberals cry again." According to photographer Bob Daemmrich, that boat did not capsize.
Firefighters pulled "numerous" people out of the water, Braden Frame, president of the Lake Travis Fire Fights Association, told The New York Times.
Several pro-Trump boat parades took place over the weekend, including those in waters near Washington, D.C., San Diego, Erie, Penn., Gainesville, Ga., the South Shore of Massachusetts, Prescott, Wis., and in Lake Eufaula in Oklahoma.


npr--2020-09-06--Fascism Scholar Says U.S. Is 'Losing Its Democratic Status'

Fascism Scholar Says U.S. Is 'Losing Its Democratic Status' Since it was first popularized by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini in the 1920s , fascism , and accusations of it , have been a common theme in American political discourse .
Voices on the left warned of fascism in the form of Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush ; conservatives have accused liberals of actually being the ones to embrace the far-right ideology .
Historians have noted similarities between Donald Trump and Mussolini since before the 2016 election .
Some of the racial justice protesters this summer have said they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump .
And the presence of antifa — anti-fascist — protesters at some demonstrations has upped attention to the word .
But what is and is n't fascist is n't even agreed upon by scholars .
Jason Stanley , a professor of philosophy at Yale University , offers one perspective on the word .
He defines fascism as `` a cult of the leader who promises national restoration in the face of humiliation brought on by supposed communists , Marxists and minorities and immigrants who are supposedly posing a threat to the character @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Stanley , who is the author of the 2018 book How Fascism Works : The Politics of Us and Them , tells NPR 's All Things Considered : `` The leader proposes that only he can solve it and all of his political opponents are enemies or traitors . ''
Stanley says recent global events , including the pandemic and the protests , have substantiated his concern about how fascist rhetoric is showing up in politics and policies around the world .
On what has changed between when he first wrote the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone described to you , `` Here 's country X .
The leader of country X claims that he is going to remain in power for many years beyond what is legal .
He sends federal forces in to quell largely peaceful protests for racial justice in his country .
His attorney general seems dedicated to him over the rule of law .
The major political party that controls the courts and most of the government has , as their entire platform , devotion to him . ''
What would you think about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the direction of that country was headed ?
I would think that country was losing its democratic status , especially when it had a history of voter suppression and the highest incarceration rate in the world as background conditions .
On how conspiracy theories can be used as fascist tactics Conspiracy theories destroy an information space .
The goal — fascism is based on a friend-enemy distinction , so you 're either with them or against them .
The enemy is the enemy of civilization .
What it does is it destroys the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that even if your guys are corrupt and lying , it is because [ the leader is ] facing a mysterious cabal that is controlling things that are trying to foment a race war .
This is the basis of the Ku Klux Klan ideology .
And even when they seem respectable they 're really being controlled by the Marxists and the minorities .
And so that makes you think that your opposition is not legitimate and there 's no debating them because they 're really in a conspiracy to hide a pedophilic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marxism .
And so what we find is not just a conspiracy theory but a conspiracy theory that echoes the worst aspects of European history and American history .
On what gives him hope [ The U.S. ] is the home of anti-fascist resistance — not just our soldiers in World War II but our intellectuals and journalists and nonviolent protest movements and revolutionaries here who have confronted our own racial history that so influenced Hitler .
So we have the seeds in this country of the evils that were the foundation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have the flowers that stopped them .
Kira Wakeam and Tinbete Ermyas produced and edited the audio version of this story .

Fascism Scholar Says U.S. Is 'Losing Its Democratic Status'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Aidan Loughran/NurPhoto via Getty Images Aidan Loughran/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Since it was first popularized by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini in the 1920s, fascism, and accusations of it, have been a common theme in American political discourse.
Voices on the left warned of fascism in the form of Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush; conservatives have accused liberals of actually being the ones to embrace the far-right ideology.
Historians have noted similarities between Donald Trump and Mussolini since before the 2016 election. Some of the racial justice protesters this summer have said they are fighting fascism in the form of President Trump. And the presence of antifa — anti-fascist — protesters at some demonstrations has upped attention to the word.
But what is and isn't fascist isn't even agreed upon by scholars.
Jason Stanley, a professor of philosophy at Yale University, offers one perspective on the word. He defines fascism as "a cult of the leader who promises national restoration in the face of humiliation brought on by supposed communists, Marxists and minorities and immigrants who are supposedly posing a threat to the character and the history of a nation."
Stanley, who is the author of the 2018 book How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them, tells NPR's All Things Considered: "The leader proposes that only he can solve it and all of his political opponents are enemies or traitors."
Stanley says recent global events, including the pandemic and the protests, have substantiated his concern about how fascist rhetoric is showing up in politics and policies around the world.
Interview Highlights
On what has changed between when he first wrote the book in 2018 and now
Well if someone described to you, "Here's country X. The leader of country X claims that he is going to remain in power for many years beyond what is legal. He sends federal forces in to quell largely peaceful protests for racial justice in his country. His attorney general seems dedicated to him over the rule of law. The major political party that controls the courts and most of the government has, as their entire platform, devotion to him."
What would you think about that country? Where would you think the direction of that country was headed? I would think that country was losing its democratic status, especially when it had a history of voter suppression and the highest incarceration rate in the world as background conditions.
On how conspiracy theories can be used as fascist tactics
Conspiracy theories destroy an information space. The goal — fascism is based on a friend-enemy distinction, so you're either with them or against them. The enemy is the enemy of civilization. What it does is it destroys the information space. It makes you think that even if your guys are corrupt and lying, it is because [the leader is] facing a mysterious cabal that is controlling things that are trying to foment a race war. This is the basis of the Ku Klux Klan ideology.
And even when they seem respectable they're really being controlled by the Marxists and the minorities. And so that makes you think that your opposition is not legitimate and there's no debating them because they're really in a conspiracy to hide a pedophilic sex ring and advance the interests of Marxism. And so what we find is not just a conspiracy theory but a conspiracy theory that echoes the worst aspects of European history and American history.
On what gives him hope
[The U.S.] is the home of anti-fascist resistance — not just our soldiers in World War II but our intellectuals and journalists and nonviolent protest movements and revolutionaries here who have confronted our own racial history that so influenced Hitler. So we have the seeds in this country of the evils that were the foundation of many anti-democratic regimes, but we also have the flowers that stopped them.
Kira Wakeam and Tinbete Ermyas produced and edited the audio version of this story.


npr--2020-09-06--Jacob Blake Shares Bedside Video From Hospital: 'Every 24 Hours There's Pain'

Jacob Blake Shares Bedside Video From Hospital : 'Every 24 Hours There 's Pain' Jacob Blake , the 29-year-old Black man who was shot by police in Wisconsin last month , spoke from his hospital bed about the pain of recovery and his hope for the future in a video posted to Twitter by his attorney on Saturday .
`` I just want to say , man , to all the young cats out there and even the older ones , older than me , there 's a lot more life to live out here , man .
Your life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fingers , `` and not only just your life , your legs — something that you need to move around and move forward in life — can be taken from you like this . ''
Blake was left paralyzed from the waist down after he was shot seven times in front of his three sons by a police officer in Kenosha on Aug. 23 .
The officer is on administrative leave pending an investigation .
The Blake family is launching a civil suit against the Kenosha Police Department over the shooting .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Blake said .
`` It hurts to breathe .
It hurts to sleep .
It hurts to move from side to side .
It hurts to eat . ''
This was Blake 's second public appearance since he was admitted to the hospital after the shooting .
In his first appearance , he was dressed in a blue dress shirt and tie in his hospital bed to plead not guilty to criminal charges .
He is accused of third-degree sexual assault — a felony — and criminal trespass and disorderly conduct .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blake was dressed in a hospital gown addressing the greater public , not the court .
`` Please , I 'm telling you , change y'all lives out there , '' Blake said .
`` We can stick together , make some money , make everything easier for our people out here , man , because there 's so much time that 's been wasted . ''
Since the August shooting , protests have erupted across Kenosha calling for an end to police violence .
The protests turned deadly when two demonstrators were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injured on Aug. 25 .
Kyle Rittenhouse , an Illinois 17-year-old , has been charged with six criminal counts , including first-degree intentional homicide for the shooting .
The investigation is ongoing ; Rittenhouse 's lawyers say the shooting was an act of self-defense .
President Trump appeared to defend Rittenhouse this past Monday , saying , `` He was trying to get away from them , I guess , it looks like . ''
The following day , Trump visited Kenosha , despite many officials encouraging him to not visit .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a roundtable discussion with law enforcement and local leaders .
He said the unrest in Kenosha did not represent `` acts of peaceful protest , but really domestic terror . ''
Former vice president and Democratic nominee Joe Biden visited the city two days later , and met with Blake 's family .
`` He talked about how nothing was going to defeat him , '' Biden said , describing a phone call he held with Blake .
`` How , whether he walked again or not , he was not going to @ @ @ @

Jacob Blake Shares Bedside Video From Hospital: 'Every 24 Hours There's Pain'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Kenosha County Court/AP Kenosha County Court/AP
Jacob Blake, the 29-year-old Black man who was shot by police in Wisconsin last month, spoke from his hospital bed about the pain of recovery and his hope for the future in a video posted to Twitter by his attorney on Saturday.
"I just want to say, man, to all the young cats out there and even the older ones, older than me, there's a lot more life to live out here, man. Your life," Blake said, snapping his fingers, "and not only just your life, your legs — something that you need to move around and move forward in life — can be taken from you like this."
Blake was left paralyzed from the waist down after he was shot seven times in front of his three sons by a police officer in Kenosha on Aug. 23. The officer is on administrative leave pending an investigation. The Blake family is launching a civil suit against the Kenosha Police Department over the shooting.
"Every 24 hours there's pain," Blake said. "It hurts to breathe. It hurts to sleep. It hurts to move from side to side. It hurts to eat."
This was Blake's second public appearance since he was admitted to the hospital after the shooting. In his first appearance, he was dressed in a blue dress shirt and tie in his hospital bed to plead not guilty to criminal charges. He is accused of third-degree sexual assault — a felony — and criminal trespass and disorderly conduct.
But during the video released Saturday, Blake was dressed in a hospital gown addressing the greater public, not the court.
"Please, I'm telling you, change y'all lives out there," Blake said. "We can stick together, make some money, make everything easier for our people out here, man, because there's so much time that's been wasted."
Since the August shooting, protests have erupted across Kenosha calling for an end to police violence. The protests turned deadly when two demonstrators were shot and killed and a third was injured on Aug. 25. Kyle Rittenhouse, an Illinois 17-year-old, has been charged with six criminal counts, including first-degree intentional homicide for the shooting. The investigation is ongoing; Rittenhouse's lawyers say the shooting was an act of self-defense.
President Trump appeared to defend Rittenhouse this past Monday, saying, "He was trying to get away from them, I guess, it looks like." The following day, Trump visited Kenosha, despite many officials encouraging him to not visit. Trump did not visit Blake but instead held a roundtable discussion with law enforcement and local leaders. He said the unrest in Kenosha did not represent "acts of peaceful protest, but really domestic terror."
Former vice president and Democratic nominee Joe Biden visited the city two days later, and met with Blake's family.
"He talked about how nothing was going to defeat him," Biden said, describing a phone call he held with Blake. "How, whether he walked again or not, he was not going to give up."


npr--2020-09-06--Massive Rescue Operation Underway As Crews Battle California's Creek Fire

Firefighters in central California are searching for people stranded by a fast-moving fire that has already burned an estimated 45,000 acres .
The Creek Fire started Friday evening and , fueled by timber and dry vegetation , quickly jumped the San Joaquin River and blocked evacuation routes .
More than 200 people were rescued overnight as military helicopters plucked the stranded from the Mammoth Pool Reservoir in Sierra National Forest , where they were asked to shelter in place after fire blocked the one road leading out of the area .
Most of those rescued had minor or no injuries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitals and at least two were `` severely injured , '' the Fresno Fire Department said early Sunday .
`` We do believe that there are still other people out in the wilderness , and when daylight breaks , we will be continuing those rescue operations to go out and try to find them and get them to safety as well , '' Madera County Sheriff Tyson Pogue told CNN on Sunday .
Most of those rescued were flown to the Fresno Yosemite International Airport , where emergency responders had set up a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fresno Bee reported .
At least six burn victims were admitted to Fresno 's Community Regional Medical Center , according to The Fresno Bee .
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire , which is located near the San Joaquin River and the communities of Big Creek and Huntington Lake .
Fire crews face steep , rugged terrain and high temperatures , which make extinguishing the fire difficult , Sierra National Forest authorities said .
As of Sunday , the fire was zero percent contained , according to Cal Fire , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50,000 feet tall were visible from the air .
Several areas in Madera County were under mandatory evacuation orders .
Social media showed videos of people escaping the flames .
Smoke from the fire spread throughout the region , filling nearby Yosemite National Park and coloring the sky an eerie orange .
The Creek Fire is just the latest blaze faced by California in a devastating fire season .
More than 7,000 wildfires , many sparked by lightning strikes , had already burned over 1.4 million acres by the end of August , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Massive Rescue Operation Underway As Crews Battle California's Creek Fire
Enlarge this image toggle caption California National Guard via AP California National Guard via AP
Firefighters in central California are searching for people stranded by a fast-moving fire that has already burned an estimated 45,000 acres. The Creek Fire started Friday evening and, fueled by timber and dry vegetation, quickly jumped the San Joaquin River and blocked evacuation routes.
More than 200 people were rescued overnight as military helicopters plucked the stranded from the Mammoth Pool Reservoir in Sierra National Forest, where they were asked to shelter in place after fire blocked the one road leading out of the area. Most of those rescued had minor or no injuries, but several were transported to local hospitals and at least two were "severely injured," the Fresno Fire Department said early Sunday.
"We do believe that there are still other people out in the wilderness, and when daylight breaks, we will be continuing those rescue operations to go out and try to find them and get them to safety as well," Madera County Sheriff Tyson Pogue told CNN on Sunday.
Most of those rescued were flown to the Fresno Yosemite International Airport, where emergency responders had set up a triage center to prioritize treatment, The Fresno Bee reported. At least six burn victims were admitted to Fresno's Community Regional Medical Center, according to The Fresno Bee.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire, which is located near the San Joaquin River and the communities of Big Creek and Huntington Lake. Fire crews face steep, rugged terrain and high temperatures, which make extinguishing the fire difficult, Sierra National Forest authorities said.
As of Sunday, the fire was zero percent contained, according to Cal Fire, as giant plumes of smoke up to 50,000 feet tall were visible from the air. Several areas in Madera County were under mandatory evacuation orders.
Social media showed videos of people escaping the flames. Smoke from the fire spread throughout the region, filling nearby Yosemite National Park and coloring the sky an eerie orange.
The Creek Fire is just the latest blaze faced by California in a devastating fire season. More than 7,000 wildfires, many sparked by lightning strikes, had already burned over 1.4 million acres by the end of August, Gov. Gavin Newsom said last month.


npr--2020-09-06--'There's No Sign Of Life.' Rescue Team In Beirut Ends Search For Possible Survivor

'There 's No Sign Of Life . '
Rescue Team In Beirut Ends Search For Possible Survivor Lebanon has held its breath for three days , waiting for rescue teams to emerge from the wreckage of a collapsed building with good news .
The potential for finding a survivor had offered a brief glimmer of hope for Lebanon , still mourning after a massive explosion in Beirut 's port ripped through half the city last month .
But after 72 hours of searching for a possible survivor trapped underneath the wreckage of a collapsed building in the city 's Gemmayze @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the operation has said they were unable to find signs of life in the rubble , extinguishing hopes of finding a survivor .
`` Unfortunately , today , we can say there 's no sign of life inside of the building , '' Francisco Lermanda , who headed the Chilean rescue team leading the operation , told reporters Saturday evening .
Lebanese and Chilean rescue teams had been digging relentlessly since Thursday afternoon .
The Topos Chile search and rescue team had detected possible signs of life after their sniffer dog , Flash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human body may be in the destroyed building .
Their sensors also detected signs of life — a respiratory cycle .
The news seemed impossible a full month after the massive explosion erupted from Beirut 's port on August 4th and devastated large swathes of the city , killing nearly 200 people and injuring thousands .
Hopes were buoyed by the prospect of a survior amidst the rubble , although authorities repeatedly warned that the chances of finding someone alive so long after the blast were slim .
Despite such warnings , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowds near the scene , which was cordoned off .
Across Lebanon , citizens were glued to their screens as they waited for the rescue operation 's results .
Volunteers and demonstrators remained at the scene for the duration of the rescue operation to ensure the search would continue uninterrupted .
Confidence in Lebanon 's authorities has wavered following the explosion , caused by nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate stored haphazardly near a densely populated area of Beirut .
Even before the blast , anger had already been simmering in the aftermath @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , resulting in severe inflation and a popular uprising against politicians .
The August 4 explosion further angered citizens after it emerged that high-ranking politicians and government employees had previous knowledge of the dangers of the stored explosive material — but made little effort to remove it .
The rescue operation has further fanned the flames of outrage towards a ruling class that critics say has not done enough to recover the bodies of victims who are still missing .
On Thursday night , search teams were forced to stop their work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unsafe , and could endanger the lives of rescuers .
The rescue team needed a crane to remove the wreckage , but local authorities said a crane would n't arrive until morning .
In response , protesters demonstrated at the rescue site .
Some activists climbed onto the wreckage , adamant they would continue the search for the potential survivor .
`` This is a very time sensitive matter — you have someone who still has a heartbeat , '' said Melissa Fathallah , a 42 year old protestor , of Thursday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So we 're going to do the best we can to get to that heartbeat and get to that person while they 're still alive . ''
In the end , volunteers organized for a crane to enter the search site .
It arrived a few hours later , and the rescue mission resumed .
Following the explosion , thousands of volunteers flooded Beirut to clear rubble from blocked streets and fix the damaged homes of those affected in the blast .
Fathallah , herself part of a volunteer aid initiative , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left by negligent governance .
`` Our saying now is , 'We are the government , ' '' she said .
As the Topos team and local rescuers worked through the rubble over the course of 72 hours , the Chilean team 's sensors continued to detect respiratory cycles .
But by the end of the search on Saturday , Lermanda , the team 's leader , said three levels of the collapsed building had been searched , and no survivors were found .
Not even a body was recovered .
Lermanda said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sensitive equipment may have come from someone on one of their own rescue teams .
The rescue mission captured a broken nation clinging to a shred of hope .
And although no one was rescued , many Lebanese expressed relief that no one had been left to suffer inside for weeks .
In a tweet , the economist and political activist Jad Chaaban expressed satisfaction that Chilean and Lebanese rescue teams had worked diligently to uncover a possible survivor .
`` At least the Chilean and Lebanese rescue teams tried .
At least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Especially when those in charge did not care about doing massive searches , just asking people if they know someone living there , '' he wrote .

'There's No Sign Of Life.' Rescue Team In Beirut Ends Search For Possible Survivor
Enlarge this image toggle caption Hussein Malla/AP Hussein Malla/AP
Lebanon has held its breath for three days, waiting for rescue teams to emerge from the wreckage of a collapsed building with good news. The potential for finding a survivor had offered a brief glimmer of hope for Lebanon, still mourning after a massive explosion in Beirut's port ripped through half the city last month.
But after 72 hours of searching for a possible survivor trapped underneath the wreckage of a collapsed building in the city's Gemmayze neighborhood, the Chilean rescue team leading the operation has said they were unable to find signs of life in the rubble, extinguishing hopes of finding a survivor.
"Unfortunately, today, we can say there's no sign of life inside of the building," Francisco Lermanda, who headed the Chilean rescue team leading the operation, told reporters Saturday evening.
Lebanese and Chilean rescue teams had been digging relentlessly since Thursday afternoon. The Topos Chile search and rescue team had detected possible signs of life after their sniffer dog, Flash, had signaled to them that a human body may be in the destroyed building. Their sensors also detected signs of life — a respiratory cycle.
The news seemed impossible a full month after the massive explosion erupted from Beirut's port on August 4th and devastated large swathes of the city, killing nearly 200 people and injuring thousands. Hopes were buoyed by the prospect of a survior amidst the rubble, although authorities repeatedly warned that the chances of finding someone alive so long after the blast were slim.
Despite such warnings, the site of the rescue operation quickly drew crowds near the scene, which was cordoned off. Across Lebanon, citizens were glued to their screens as they waited for the rescue operation's results. Volunteers and demonstrators remained at the scene for the duration of the rescue operation to ensure the search would continue uninterrupted.
Confidence in Lebanon's authorities has wavered following the explosion, caused by nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate stored haphazardly near a densely populated area of Beirut. Even before the blast, anger had already been simmering in the aftermath of a financial and economic meltdown last year, resulting in severe inflation and a popular uprising against politicians. The August 4 explosion further angered citizens after it emerged that high-ranking politicians and government employees had previous knowledge of the dangers of the stored explosive material — but made little effort to remove it.
The rescue operation has further fanned the flames of outrage towards a ruling class that critics say has not done enough to recover the bodies of victims who are still missing.
On Thursday night, search teams were forced to stop their work over concerns that the collapsed building was unsafe, and could endanger the lives of rescuers. The rescue team needed a crane to remove the wreckage, but local authorities said a crane wouldn't arrive until morning. In response, protesters demonstrated at the rescue site. Some activists climbed onto the wreckage, adamant they would continue the search for the potential survivor.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Nada Homsi Nada Homsi
Enlarge this image toggle caption Nada Homsi Nada Homsi
"This is a very time sensitive matter — you have someone who still has a heartbeat," said Melissa Fathallah, a 42 year old protestor, of Thursday night's suspension of the operation. "So we're going to do the best we can to get to that heartbeat and get to that person while they're still alive."
In the end, volunteers organized for a crane to enter the search site. It arrived a few hours later, and the rescue mission resumed.
Following the explosion, thousands of volunteers flooded Beirut to clear rubble from blocked streets and fix the damaged homes of those affected in the blast. Fathallah, herself part of a volunteer aid initiative, said volunteers moved in to fill the vacuum left by negligent governance.
"Our saying now is, 'We are the government,'" she said.
As the Topos team and local rescuers worked through the rubble over the course of 72 hours, the Chilean team's sensors continued to detect respiratory cycles. But by the end of the search on Saturday, Lermanda, the team's leader, said three levels of the collapsed building had been searched, and no survivors were found. Not even a body was recovered.
Lermanda said the breathing cycles detected by the highly sensitive equipment may have come from someone on one of their own rescue teams.
The rescue mission captured a broken nation clinging to a shred of hope. And although no one was rescued, many Lebanese expressed relief that no one had been left to suffer inside for weeks.
In a tweet, the economist and political activist Jad Chaaban expressed satisfaction that Chilean and Lebanese rescue teams had worked diligently to uncover a possible survivor.
"At least the Chilean and Lebanese rescue teams tried. At least they gave all their hearts and sweat. Especially when those in charge did not care about doing massive searches, just asking people if they know someone living there," he wrote.


npr--2020-09-06--Coronavirus World Map: Tracking The Spread Of The Outbreak

Coronavirus World Map : Tracking The Spread Of The Outbreak Since the new coronavirus was first reported in Wuhan , China , in December , the infectious respiratory disease COVID-19 has spread rapidly within China and to neighboring countries and beyond .
The first confirmed coronavirus cases outside China occurred on Jan. 20 , in Japan , Thailand and South Korea .
On Jan. 21 , the first case in the U.S. was identified in Washington state .
On Jan. 24 , the first two European cases were confirmed in France .
By Feb. 1 , eight European nations had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month later that count had risen to 24 countries with at least 2,200 cases , most of them in Italy .
On March 11 , Italy eclipsed 10,000 cases and the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a pandemic — the first since H1N1 in 2009 .
That 's also when China , the original epicenter , began seeing drops in daily counts of new cases .
March also saw exponential spread of the virus throughout the U.S. , with all 50 states reporting cases by March 17 .
This particular virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the third strain of coronavirus known to frequently cause severe symptoms in humans .
The other two strains cause Middle East respiratory syndrome and severe acute respiratory syndrome .
Click here to see the state-by-state breakdown of cases in the United States .
This story was originally published on March 30 , 2020 .

Coronavirus world map: We've now passed the 600 million mark for infections
Editor's note: This page is no longer being updated. The last update was Sept. 5, 2022. For current data about COVID-19 cases and deaths around the world, Johns Hopkins University and Our World in Data are useful resources.
In late January 2020 only a few dozen COVID-19 infections had been identified outside of China. A year later, the world tallied its first 100 million cases. It took the globe just 7 more months to pass the 200 million mark— then another 5 months to hit 300 million, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University. Now the virus has spread to every corner of the globe and has been blamed for more than 6 million deaths.
The United States, India and Brazil in that order have had the most COVID cases and the three nations collectively account for almost half of all recorded infections so far in the pandemic.
Explore the chart below to find a country-by-country breakdown of new and total cases since January 2020.
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Explore how the number of coronavirus cases have shifted in different parts of the world over time. The first chart compares each continent to each other, while the next charts highlight the number of cases in select countries by region.
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This story was originally published on March 30, 2020.


npr--2020-09-07--Belarus Protest Leader Abducted, Local Media Reports Say

Belarusian opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova was abducted by masked men and hauled away in a van Monday morning while walking in the capital Minsk , according to local media reports citing eyewitnesses .
Kolesnikova 's phone has gone unresponsive .
Her family has filed a missing persons report .
The country 's interior ministry says it has no information on her whereabouts .
Meanwhile , the Belarusian KGB has refused comment — leading supporters to suspect Kolesnikova , 38 , is the latest in a series of abductions of opposition figures by security forces loyal to longtime president Alexander Lukashenko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Belarus as part of a trio of women who challenged Lukashenko 's 26-year hold on the presidency this summer .
Uniting behind the candidacy of Svetlana Tikhanovskaya — a former schoolteacher who said she only entered the race after her husband 's candidacy had ended in arrest — the women electrified crowds at campaign stops in the run-up to the August 9 election .
Official results told a different story : Lukashenko took 80 % of the vote in a landslide .
Tikhanovskaya was awarded just 10 % .
But widespread charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mass protests demanding Lukashenko 's resignation .
Public anger has also stemmed from a police crackdown and some 7,000 arrests in the wake of the vote .
Protesters have repeatedly emerged from the country 's prisons bearing grim tales of beatings and torture .
Lukashenko insists he is the legitimate winner of the race and has blamed the protests on western-backed saboteurs .
Until her abduction , Kolesnikova had been one of the few remaining high-profile opposition figures still operating freely in Belarus .
She served on an opposition-run `` coordination council , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a post-Lukashenko era .
Two council volunteers were similarly abducted on Monday and have not been heard from since .
Tikhanovskaya , the candidate who supporters argue won the August 9 election , fled abroad amid threats to her family following the vote .
Tikhanovskaya has since taken to lobbying foreign governments and the United Nations from exile .
`` The more they try to scare us , the more people will take to the streets , '' she said in a statement reacting to Kolesnikova 's disappearance .
Meanwhile , European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remove challenges to his leadership using Soviet-style methods .
`` Instead of talking to the people of Belarus , the outgoing leadership is trying to cynically eliminate one by one , '' wrote Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius in a post to Twitter .
`` Stalinist NKVD methods are being applied in 21st century 's Europe , '' added Linkevicius .
Yet some viewed Kolesnikova 's arrest as the latest misguided attempt to thwart a protest movement that has been largely self-organized from the outset .
In a post to Facebook , activist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of `` convulsive attempts '' to cut off the head of the movement .
`` The authorities ca n't seem to understand that the majority of Belarusians see themselves as the head of the protest whenever they look in the mirror , '' he added .

Missing Belarusian Opposition Leader Was Arrested, Not Abducted, Government Says
Enlarge this image toggle caption tut.by/AFP via Getty Images tut.by/AFP via Getty Images
Updated at 8:25 p.m. ET Tuesday
Belarusian authorities say an opposition leader who disappeared Monday has been detained by police while trying to flee the country for neighboring Ukraine.
Maria Kolesnikova was last seen Monday morning when masked men plucked her off the streets of central Minsk and sped off in a van, according to local media reports.
Kolesnikova's phone went silent. Her family filed a missing person's report. The country's Interior Ministry said it had no information on her whereabouts.
That all changed by early Tuesday.
Authorities said that Kolesnikova, 38, was arrested while trying to cross the border into Ukraine with two other opposition figures who also were thought to have gone missing.
Belarusian state media quoted government officials who insisted Kolesnikova had "ended up outside the vehicle" — perhaps being pushed by colleagues, who then went on to Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials, however, disputed that version of events.
"It wasn't a voluntary exit," Ukraine's deputy interior minister, Anton Gerashchenko, said in comments carried by the Interfax News Agency.
Gerashchenko said that Kolesnikova had destroyed her own passport to make her expulsion from Belarus impossible.
The murky episode surrounding Kolesnikova's whereabouts appears to be the latest in a series of attempts by Belarusian security forces to force opponents of longtime President Alexander Lukashenko into exile.
Kolesnikova emerged as a household name in Belarus as part of a trio of women who challenged Lukashenko's 26-year hold on the presidency this summer.
Uniting behind the candidacy of Svetlana Tikhanovskaya — a former schoolteacher who said she only entered the race after her husband's candidacy had ended in arrest — the women electrified crowds at campaign stops in the runup to the Aug. 9 election.
Official results told a different story: Lukashenko took 80% of the vote in a landslide. Tikhanovskaya got just 10%.
But widespread charges of vote-rigging have triggered a series of mass protests demanding Lukashenko's resignation.
Public anger has also been stoked by a police crackdown and some 7,000 arrests in the wake of the vote. Protesters have repeatedly emerged from the country's prisons bearing grim tales of beatings and torture.
Lukashenko insists he is the legitimate winner of the race and has sought security guarantees from Russia by blaming the protests on Western-backed saboteurs.
Until her arrest, Kolesnikova had been one of the few remaining high-profile opposition figures still operating freely in Belarus.
She served on an opposition-run "coordination council," a group trying to transition Belarus to a post-Lukashenko era.
Tikhanovskaya, the candidate who supporters argue won last month's election, fled abroad amid threats to her family following the vote. She has since taken to lobbying foreign governments and the United Nations from exile.
"The more they try to scare us, the more people will take to the streets," she said in a statement reacting to initial reports of Kolesnikova's disappearance.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday that "the United States is deeply concerned," and commended "the courage of Ms. Kalesnikava and of the Belarusian people in peacefully asserting their right to pick their leaders in free and fair elections in the face of unjustified violence and repression by the Belarusian authorities."
Pompeo said the U.S. and its allies are considering "additional targeted sanctions to promote accountability for those involved in human rights abuses and repression in Belarus."
Some European leaders accused Lukashenko's government of trying to remove challenges to his leadership by using Soviet-style methods.
"Instead of talking to the people of #Belarus, the outgoing leadership is trying cynically eliminate one by one," Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius wrote on Twitter.
"Stalinist NKVD methods are being applied in 21st century's Europe," he added.
Others viewed Kolesnikova's arrest as the latest misguided attempt to thwart a protest movement that has been largely self-organized from the outset.
In a Facebook post, activist Andrej Stryzhak called the incident part of "convulsive attempts" to cut off the head of the movement.
"The authorities can't seem to understand that the majority of Belarusians see themselves as the head of the protest whenever they look in the mirror," Stryzhak added.


npr--2020-09-07--Philippines Pardons U.S. Marine In Killing Of Transgender Woman

Philippines Pardons U.S. Marine In Killing Of Transgender Woman Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has granted `` an absolute pardon '' to U.S. Lance Cpl .
Joseph Scott Pemberton convicted of killing a transgender woman in 2014 .
The surprise move to free the 25-year-old American Marine comes just days after the president 's office said it would intervene to block his early release .
The pardon has angered Philippine nationalists who resent the U.S. , and gay and transgender groups who fear the decision encourages hate crimes against them .
Pemberton was sentenced in 2015 to a term of six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentence that was later reduced to 10 years .
Prosecutors sought the more serious charge of murder but the judge at the time downgraded the charge because the element of `` treachery '' had not been proved .
Pemberton , then 19 , and 26-year-old Jennifer Laude had met in a nightclub outside Subic Bay , a former U.S. naval base , when he was in the Philippines for joint military exercises in 2014 .
Closed circuit television video presented at trial showed the two entering a hotel together , and he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found Laude dead , her head slumped over a toilet with a broken neck .
The corporal testified that there had been a scuffle in which he put Laude into a headlock but that she had been alive when he left the room .
Hearing of his release , a lawyer for Pemberton quoted the serviceman as saying , `` I am very happy . ''
Attorney Rowena Garcia-Flores said when she met with him a few days ago , he expressed a willingness to apologize to the Laude family , even belatedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called the pardon `` revolting '' and said it makes `` a mockery of the judicial and legal systems in the Philippines . ''
Last week a Philippines court ordered authorities to release Pemberton early for good conduct .
Laude 's family protested and appealed .
In seeming solidarity , the President 's Office said it planned a separate appeal .
The early release order rekindled perceptions that American military personnel who run afoul of Philippine laws can get special treatment .
Last week , presidential spokesman Harry Roque had said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be treated like an animal . ''
He said that Pemberton 's `` light penalty '' showed that `` Americans continue to have the status of conquering colonials in our country . ''
Pemberton , an anti-tank missile operator from New Bedford , Mass.
, was one of thousands of American who has participated in exercises under the U.S. Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement , the legal framework for the temporary visits of U.S. forces .
Duterte ended the allies ' agreement earlier this year , but later backtracked and lifted the termination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case of Pemberton , granting him a full pardon .
Aides said the decision to pardon Pemberton advanced the president 's stated foreign policy to be friends to all , enemies to none .
Duterte defended his decision in a public address that aired Monday , asserting that Pemberton `` should be allowed the good character presumption , '' because he had behaved well behind bars .
`` If there is a time when you are called upon to be fair , be fair , '' Duterte said .
Laude family lawyer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Post as saying , `` There are too many Filipino convicts already in their twilight years serving their sentence . ''
Suarez said , `` Why give it [ the pardon ] to a foreigner , a U.S. soldier who committed an atrocious crime ? ''
The president 's spokesman said that while Duterte 's pardon has `` erased whatever punishment '' Pemberton faced , `` what will never be erased in the president 's mind is the conviction of Pemberton , who is a killer . ''
During his four years in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hostile line toward the United States , decrying it as a former colonial power , while he gravitated towards China .
The pardon could help to mend those strains .
It comes at a time when Chinese aggressiveness in the South China Sea has unified neighboring countries , including the Philippines , unsettled by China 's behavior in the disputed waters .
The decision has sparked protest from several quarters .
Christine Palabay , secretary general of the left-wing activist group Karapatan , said in a statement that the pardon of Pemberton `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community and a blatant affront to our national sovereignty . ''

Philippines Pardons U.S. Marine In Killing Of Transgender Woman
Enlarge this image toggle caption Aaron Favila/AP Aaron Favila/AP
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has granted "an absolute pardon" to U.S. Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton convicted of killing a transgender woman in 2014.
The surprise move to free the 25-year-old American Marine comes just days after the president's office said it would intervene to block his early release.
The pardon has angered Philippine nationalists who resent the U.S., and gay and transgender groups who fear the decision encourages hate crimes against them.
Pemberton was sentenced in 2015 to a term of six to 12 years for homicide, a sentence that was later reduced to 10 years. Prosecutors sought the more serious charge of murder but the judge at the time downgraded the charge because the element of "treachery" had not been proved.
Pemberton, then 19, and 26-year-old Jennifer Laude had met in a nightclub outside Subic Bay, a former U.S. naval base, when he was in the Philippines for joint military exercises in 2014. Closed circuit television video presented at trial showed the two entering a hotel together, and he is seen leaving alone. A hotel worker found Laude dead, her head slumped over a toilet with a broken neck.
The corporal testified that there had been a scuffle in which he put Laude into a headlock but that she had been alive when he left the room.
Hearing of his release, a lawyer for Pemberton quoted the serviceman as saying, "I am very happy." Attorney Rowena Garcia-Flores said when she met with him a few days ago, he expressed a willingness to apologize to the Laude family, even belatedly.
A lawyer for Laude's family called the pardon "revolting" and said it makes "a mockery of the judicial and legal systems in the Philippines."
Last week a Philippines court ordered authorities to release Pemberton early for good conduct. Laude's family protested and appealed. In seeming solidarity, the President's Office said it planned a separate appeal.
The early release order rekindled perceptions that American military personnel who run afoul of Philippine laws can get special treatment.
Last week, presidential spokesman Harry Roque had said in a news conference, "Our compatriot cannot be treated like an animal." He said that Pemberton's "light penalty" showed that "Americans continue to have the status of conquering colonials in our country."
Pemberton, an anti-tank missile operator from New Bedford, Mass., was one of thousands of Americans who have participated in exercises under the U.S. Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement, the legal framework for the temporary visits of U.S. forces.
Duterte ended the allies' agreement earlier this year, but later backtracked and lifted the termination.
On Monday he reversed course in the case of Pemberton, granting him a full pardon.
Aides said the decision to pardon Pemberton advanced the president's stated foreign policy to be friends to all, enemies to none. Duterte defended his decision in a public address that aired Monday, asserting that Pemberton "should be allowed the good character presumption," because he had behaved well behind bars. "If there is a time when you are called upon to be fair, be fair," Duterte said.
Laude family lawyer Virgie Suarez was quoted by The Washington Post as saying, "There are too many Filipino convicts already in their twilight years serving their sentence." Suarez said, "Why give it [the pardon] to a foreigner, a U.S. soldier who committed an atrocious crime?"
The president's spokesman said that while Duterte's pardon has "erased whatever punishment" Pemberton faced, "what will never be erased in the president's mind is the conviction of Pemberton, who is a killer."
During his four years in office, Duterte has frequently pursued a hostile line toward the United States, decrying it as a former colonial power, while he gravitated toward China.
The pardon could help to mend those strains. It comes at a time when Chinese aggressiveness in the South China Sea has unified neighboring countries, including the Philippines, unsettled by China's behavior in the disputed waters.
The decision has sparked protest from several quarters.
Christine Palabay, secretary general of the left-wing activist group Karapatan, said in a statement that the pardon of Pemberton "is a hard slap on the LGBTQ community and a blatant affront to our national sovereignty."


npr--2020-09-07--Alexei Navalny, Putin Critic Who Was Poisoned, Is Out Of Coma And Improving

Alexei Navalny , Putin Critic Who Was Poisoned , Is Out Of Coma And Improving Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny , hospitalized in Berlin for several weeks after being poisoned , has been taken out of his medically induced coma .
In a statement Monday , Berlin 's Charité hospital said Navalny 's condition has improved and he is being weaned off mechanical ventilation .
Navalny is responding to verbal stimuli , however , `` it remains too early to gauge the potential long-term effects of his severe poisoning , '' the hospital said .
The hospital only released details @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his wife , who reassured doctors that Navalny would want that information released .
The 44-year-old politician , one of Russian President Vladimir Putin 's most prominent critics , became ill from poison on Aug. 20 during a domestic flight in Russia .
Suspicion immediately fell on the Russian government , which has poisoned critics of the state before .
Two days later , Navalny was flown to Germany for treatment , where doctors put him into a coma .
A German military laboratory confirmed last week that Navalny had consumed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agent , prompting the German government to demand a Russian investigation .
`` There 's no doubt whatsoever '' that Navalny 's poisoning was approved by the highest levels of Russia 's government , former CIA chief of Russia operations Steven Hall told NPR 's Mary Louise Kelly .
The U.K. summoned the Russian ambassador to the country Monday to express its `` deep concern '' over Navalny 's poisoning , First Secretary of State Dominic Raab said on Twitter .
`` It 's completely unacceptable that a banned chemical weapon has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , transparent investigation , '' he said .
The Kremlin has dismissed accusations that it had anything to do with poisoning Navalny .
`` Attempts to somehow associate Russia with what happened are unacceptable to us , they are absurd , '' Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said , according to the BBC .

Alexei Navalny, Putin Critic Who Was Poisoned, Is Out Of Coma And Improving
Enlarge this image toggle caption Andrei Fateyev/AP Andrei Fateyev/AP
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, hospitalized in Berlin for several weeks after being poisoned, has been taken out of his medically induced coma.
In a statement Monday, Berlin's Charité hospital said Navalny's condition has improved and he is being weaned off mechanical ventilation. Navalny is responding to verbal stimuli, however, "it remains too early to gauge the potential long-term effects of his severe poisoning," the hospital said.
The hospital only released details of Navalny's condition after first consulting with his wife, who reassured doctors that Navalny would want that information released.
The 44-year-old politician, one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's most prominent critics, became ill from poison on Aug. 20 during a domestic flight in Russia. Suspicion immediately fell on the Russian government, which has poisoned critics of the state before.
Two days later, Navalny was flown to Germany for treatment, where doctors put him into a coma. A German military laboratory confirmed last week that Navalny had consumed a variant of Novichok, a Soviet-era nerve agent, prompting the German government to demand a Russian investigation.
"There's no doubt whatsoever" that Navalny's poisoning was approved by the highest levels of Russia's government, former CIA chief of Russia operations Steven Hall told NPR's Mary Louise Kelly.
The U.K. summoned the Russian ambassador to the country Monday to express its "deep concern" over Navalny's poisoning, First Secretary of State Dominic Raab said on Twitter. "It's completely unacceptable that a banned chemical weapon has been used and Russia must hold a full, transparent investigation," he said.
The Kremlin has dismissed accusations that it had anything to do with poisoning Navalny. "Attempts to somehow associate Russia with what happened are unacceptable to us, they are absurd," Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, according to the BBC.


npr--2020-09-07--Inconceivable! 'Princess Bride' Fan Ted Cruz Criticizes Cast Support for Dems

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz has made no secret of his affection for `` The Princess Bride '' – the 1987 cult classic starring Robin Wright .
But he 's now making it clear he 's no fan of a plan by cast members to stump for Democrats in Wisconsin next week .
On Twitter over the weekend , Cruz expressed sadness for every `` Princess Bride fan who wants to see that perfect movie preserved from Hollywood politics . ''
According to a web post by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin , several cast members including Wright , Cary Elwes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and others will reunite for a live-streamed script reading and a question-and-answer session moderated by comedian and actor Patton Oswalt .
The donation-based event is a fundraiser for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin .
The party is hoping to help Democratic nominee Joe Biden win the critical swing state , which President Trump took in a surprise victory in 2016 .
`` Anything you donate will be used to ensure that Trump loses Wisconsin , and thereby the White House , '' the event announcement says .
Cruz has a flair for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his youth and has a penchant for working movie quotes and pop culture impressions into his public appearances .
He 's particularly fond of `` The Princess Bride , '' and once drew criticism from Patinkin after publicly quoting Patinkin 's character in the film , Inigo Montoya , a swordsman bent on avenging his father 's death .
In 2015 , while Cruz was running for the Republican presidential nomination , Patinkin told The New York Times , `` This man is not putting forth ideas that are at the heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I would love for Senator Cruz , and everyone creating fear-mongering and hatred , to consider creating hope , optimism and love . ''
In an email to the newspaper , Cruz 's then-campaign spokeswoman said , `` Having some fun with a cult classic like 'The Princess Bride ' should be something we can all get behind , politics aside . ''
But five years later , it seems even harder to put politics aside , in a country facing deep and growing polarization .

Inconceivable! 'Princess Bride' Fan Ted Cruz Criticizes Cast Support For Democrats
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jonathan Newton/Getty Images Jonathan Newton/Getty Images
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz has made no secret of his affection for The Princess Bride — the 1987 cult classic starring Robin Wright. But he's now making it clear he's no fan of a plan by cast members to stump for Democrats in Wisconsin next week.
On Twitter over the weekend, Cruz expressed sadness for every "Princess Bride fan who wants to see that perfect movie preserved from Hollywood politics."
According to a post by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, several cast members including Wright, Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Billy Crystal and others will reunite for a livestreamed script reading and a question-and-answer session moderated by comedian and actor Patton Oswalt.
The donation-based event is a fundraiser for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. The party is hoping to help Democratic nominee Joe Biden win the critical swing state, which President Trump took in a surprise victory in 2016.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images
"Anything you donate will be used to ensure that Trump loses Wisconsin, and thereby the White House," the event announcement says.
Cruz has a flair for the theatrical — he was active in theater in his youth and has a penchant for working movie quotes and pop culture impressions into his public appearances.
He's particularly fond of "The Princess Bride," and once drew criticism from Patinkin after publicly quoting Patinkin's character in the film, Inigo Montoya, a swordsman bent on avenging his father's death.
YouTube
In 2015, while Cruz was running for the Republican presidential nomination, Patinkin told The New York Times, "This man is not putting forth ideas that are at the heart of what that movie is all about. I would love for Senator Cruz, and everyone creating fear-mongering and hatred, to consider creating hope, optimism and love."
In an email to the newspaper, Cruz's then-campaign spokeswoman said, "Having some fun with a cult classic like 'The Princess Bride' should be something we can all get behind, politics aside."
But five years later, it seems even harder to put politics aside, in a country facing deep and growing polarization.


npr--2020-09-07--'I'm On Edge': Portland Area Braces For Opposing Rallies On Labor Day

' I 'm On Edge ' : Portland Area Braces For Opposing Rallies On Labor Day After more than 100 days of protests in Portland , there is fatigue and increasing anxiety heading into opposing Labor Day demonstrations as officials urge protesters on opposing sides to stop the violence .
Among labor organizers and Black Lives Matter supporters , who began convening on the city 's streets to protest police brutality and social injustice following the killing of George Floyd in May , there is a growing sense of dread over a possible confrontation with pro-Trump groups .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be , but I 'm tired and I 'm on edge , '' demonstrator Chep Ortega said at a rally on Sunday evening .
`` I 'm also terrified , '' she added , noting rising tensions between opposing groups since late last month , when a member of a far-right group called Patriot Prayer was killed at an opposing protest .
The suspected shooter , Michael Reinoehl , was fatally shot by law enforcement in an attempted arrest on Thursday .
Ortega , 29 , said she 's been participating in demonstrations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May .
But now , as demonstrators increasingly face off against each other , she said she feels a fundamental shift has occurred .
On Monday , crowds are expected to turn out at two large demonstrations in the Portland area .
Labor organizers have planned a rally at Portland 's Cathedral Park , while Trump supporters have organized a caravan rally somewhere outside of Multnomah County , where Portland is located .
Oregon For Trump 2020 , the group behind the `` cruise rally , '' waited to announced the location of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
In a Facebook post , the group said it would not announce its route until the start of the rally `` to show respect to the local law enforcement and to provide safety to all involved . ''
They also pledged , `` Our event WILL NOT be going into Multnomah County to help keep everyone '' safe , and added that they have arranged for local law enforcement to `` be at our starting and ending locations . ''
But Ortega is not convinced that all attendees will adhere to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they 'd be peaceful and look at what happened , '' she said referring to the Aug. 29 rally in which they paraded into the city and Aaron 'Jay ' Danielson was killed .
`` They wanted something to happen . ''
Videos circulating on social media recorded before Danielson was shot show Patriot Prayer members in trucks and cars pepper spraying bystanders , firing paint gun pellets into crowds and pointing weapons at them .
Although Patriot Prayer is not listed among the caravan organizers , the Vancouver , Wash. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the event .
At a vigil for Danielson on Saturday night , Patriot Prayer leaders urged members to remain peaceful at future rallies .
`` Do not take the bait , '' said one of several speakers , who knew Danielson .
`` There are people ... who want us to be violent .
We 're not going to do it . ''
Chester Doles , however , is not convinced that Patriot Prayer members and other groups like it should take the pacifist route .
Doles , a white supremacist activist with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involvement , traveled to Portland from Georgia to attend Danielson 's memorial and take part in the pro-Trump demonstrations .
`` Blood 's done been spilled , '' Doles said .
`` Either you curl up in the fetal position and let them just run over you or you defend yourself . ''
As he spoke , Stephanie Dedmore , shook her head in disagreement .
`` It 's overwhelming and scary , '' Dedmore said .
`` I just want a peaceful country .
It 's America .
People should have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought .
I 'm kind of right-leaning but I love everybody . ''
Moments later she added , `` But at this point , they 've just let the bad people take it over . ''
Leading into the weekend , Oregon Gov .
Kate Brown and several other state and municipal officials , including Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler , condemned all violent protests .
`` The violence must stop , '' the officials said the letter .
`` There is no place for white supremacy or vigilantism in Oregon .
All who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accountable . ''
Shortly before marching toward the Portland Police Bureau 's North Precinct on Sunday night , protester Rico De Vera said he 's bracing for `` some kind of conflict '' on Monday , though he does n't expect it to be widespread .
He noted the heavy presence of state troopers across the city and Portland Police Bureau officers , who have repeatedly declared riots as confrontations between protesters and officers continue to escalate .
On Saturday night , police in riot gear unleashed several volleys of tear gas and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrators lobbed `` multiple fire bombs , mortars , rocks and other items at officers , police said .
On Sunday night , protesters dragged two full-size mattresses onto NE Martin Luther King Jr .
Blvd.
, a four lane thoroughfare , and set them ablaze across the street from the police department 's North Precinct .
`` They 're coming down hard now , '' De Vera said .

'I'm On Edge': Portland Area Braces For Opposing Rallies On Labor Day
Enlarge this image toggle caption Noah Berger/AP Noah Berger/AP
After more than 100 days of protests in Portland, there is fatigue and increasing anxiety heading into opposing Labor Day demonstrations as officials urge protesters on opposing sides to stop the violence.
Among labor organizers and Black Lives Matter supporters, who began convening on the city's streets to protest police brutality and social injustice following the killing of George Floyd in May, there is a growing sense of dread over a possible confrontation with pro-Trump groups.
"We're out here and we need to be, but I'm tired and I'm on edge," demonstrator Chep Ortega said at a rally on Sunday evening.
"I'm also terrified," she added, noting rising tensions between opposing groups since late last month, when a member of a far-right group called Patriot Prayer was killed at an opposing protest.
The suspected shooter, Michael Reinoehl, was fatally shot by law enforcement in an attempted arrest on Thursday.
Ortega, 29, said she's been participating in demonstrations nearly every weekend since they began in May. But now, as demonstrators increasingly face off against each other, she said she feels a fundamental shift has occurred.
On Monday, crowds are expected to turn out at two large demonstrations in the Portland area.
Labor organizers have planned a rally at Portland's Cathedral Park, while Trump supporters have organized a caravan rally somewhere outside of Multnomah County, where Portland is located.
Oregon For Trump 2020, the group behind the "cruise rally," waited to announced the location of the rally until early Monday morning local time.
In a Facebook post, the group said it would not announce its route until the start of the rally "to show respect to the local law enforcement and to provide safety to all involved."
They also pledged, "Our event WILL NOT be going into Multnomah County to help keep everyone" safe, and added that they have arranged for local law enforcement to "be at our starting and ending locations."
But Ortega is not convinced that all attendees will adhere to that promise.
"Last time they said they'd be peaceful and look at what happened," she said referring to the Aug. 29 rally in which they paraded into the city and Aaron 'Jay' Danielson was killed. "They wanted something to happen."
Videos circulating on social media recorded before Danielson was shot show Patriot Prayer members in trucks and cars pepper spraying bystanders, firing paint gun pellets into crowds and pointing weapons at them.
Although Patriot Prayer is not listed among the caravan organizers, the Vancouver, Wash.,-based group is expected to participate in the event.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Vanessa Romo/NPR Vanessa Romo/NPR
At a vigil for Danielson on Saturday night, Patriot Prayer leaders urged members to remain peaceful at future rallies.
"Do not take the bait," said one of several speakers, who knew Danielson. "There are people ... who want us to be violent. We're not going to do it."
Chester Doles, however, is not convinced that Patriot Prayer members and other groups like it should take the pacifist route. Doles, a white supremacist activist with a long history of Ku Klux Klan involvement, traveled to Portland from Georgia to attend Danielson's memorial and take part in the pro-Trump demonstrations.
"Blood's done been spilled," Doles said. "Either you curl up in the fetal position and let them just run over you or you defend yourself."
As he spoke, Stephanie Dedmore, shook her head in disagreement.
"It's overwhelming and scary," Dedmore said.
"I just want a peaceful country. It's America. People should have the freedom of speech, the freedom of thought. I'm kind of right-leaning but I love everybody."
Moments later she added, "But at this point, they've just let the bad people take it over."
Leading into the weekend, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown and several other state and municipal officials, including Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, condemned all violent protests.
"The violence must stop," the officials said the letter. "There is no place for white supremacy or vigilantism in Oregon. All who perpetrate violent crimes must be held equally accountable."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Vanessa Romo/NPR Vanessa Romo/NPR
Shortly before marching toward the Portland Police Bureau's North Precinct on Sunday night, protester Rico De Vera said he's bracing for "some kind of conflict" on Monday, though he doesn't expect it to be widespread.
He noted the heavy presence of state troopers across the city and Portland Police Bureau officers, who have repeatedly declared riots as confrontations between protesters and officers continue to escalate.
On Saturday night, police in riot gear unleashed several volleys of tear gas and flash-bang grenades on the crowds after several demonstrators lobbed "multiple fire bombs, mortars, rocks and other items at officers, police said.
On Sunday night, protesters dragged two full-size mattresses onto NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., a four lane thoroughfare, and set them ablaze across the street from the police department's North Precinct.
Police say 15 people were arrested.
"They're coming down hard now," De Vera said.
NPR's Nathan Rott contributed to this report.


npr--2020-09-07--Rochester Mayor Promises Police Reforms After Protests Over Daniel Prude's Death

The mayor of Rochester , N.Y. , is promising reforms to the city 's police department after five nights of protests over the death of Daniel Prude after his arrest in March .
Thousands of protesters have been marching in Rochester since a lawyer for Prude 's family released police body-camera footage of the arrest to local media last week .
The video depicts Prude , a 41-year-old Black man , lying naked with a bag over his head , surrounded by officers who pin him to the ground on March 23 .
He died of asphyxiation a week later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Examiner 's Office , which called it a `` homicide . ''
At a news conference on Sunday , Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren pledged to change how the city and its police respond to mental health crises — including moving some services out of the police department .
`` We are doubling the availability of mental health professionals .
We will take our family crisis intervention team out of the police department and move it and its funding to the department of youth and recreation services , '' Warren said .
But she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be done in a week or a weekend . ''
The night of the arrest , Prude 's brother Joe had called police asking for help for Daniel Prude , who was behaving erratically and had a history of mental illness .
After the video 's release , Warren immediately suspended seven officers with pay .
As NPR 's Liz Baker has reported , many protesters say that action does n't go far enough .
As NPR 's Brian Mann reported from Rochester , demonstrators there have been protesting what they see as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Prude had died from a drug overdose .
The protests in Rochester have been mostly peaceful , Mann reports , although police have fired pepper balls at protesters .

Rochester Mayor Promises Police Reforms After Protests Over Daniel Prude's Death
Enlarge this image toggle caption Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
The mayor of Rochester, N.Y., is promising reforms to the city's police department after five nights of protests over the death of Daniel Prude after his arrest in March.
Thousands of protesters have been marching in Rochester since a lawyer for Prude's family released police body-camera footage of the arrest to local media last week. The video depicts Prude, a 41-year-old Black man, lying naked with a bag over his head, surrounded by officers who pin him to the ground on March 23. He died of asphyxiation a week later, according to the Monroe County Medical Examiner's Office, which called it a "homicide."
At a news conference on Sunday, Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren pledged to change how the city and its police respond to mental health crises — including moving some services out of the police department.
"We are doubling the availability of mental health professionals. We will take our family crisis intervention team out of the police department and move it and its funding to the department of youth and recreation services," Warren said.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
But she added, "This work won't be done in a week or a weekend."
The night of the arrest, Prude's brother Joe had called police asking for help for Daniel Prude, who was behaving erratically and had a history of mental illness.
After the video's release, Warren immediately suspended seven officers with pay. As NPR's Liz Baker has reported, many protesters say that action doesn't go far enough.
As NPR's Brian Mann reported from Rochester, demonstrators there have been protesting what they see as a cover-up by police, who first said Prude had died from a drug overdose.
The protests in Rochester have been mostly peaceful, Mann reports, although police have fired pepper balls at protesters.