npr--2020-06-08--Trump's Response To Coronavirus, Race Has Put Him In A Hole For Reelection

Trump 's Response To Coronavirus , Race Has Put Him In A Hole For Reelection Hundreds of thousands of people descended on the nation 's capital and cities across the country this weekend in continued demonstrations protesting George Floyd 's death at the hands of Minneapolis police .
The protests were largely peaceful , and their meaning has extended beyond Floyd 's fate to the larger issue of policing in America and police treatment of black Americans .
`` Do n't let the life of George Floyd be in vain , '' a county sheriff said at a memorial service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd will be remembered Monday in Houston at a public memorial service followed by an invitation-only funeral service Tuesday .
Former Vice President Joe Biden will fly to Houston and meet with Floyd 's family Monday and deliver a videotaped message at the funeral service ( though he wo n't attend it because of complications his Secret Service detail would create ) .
President Trump , on the other hand , wo n't be attending .
He will be in Washington instead , and , on Monday , hosting a roundtable with law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two actions could n't better sum up where the two men on the ballot this November to lead the country are coming from — and the bets they 're making to win .
Trump has taken a hard `` law and order '' line , thinking that will appeal to suburban whites .
CBS reported over the weekend that after demonstrations turned violent last weekend , the president wanted 10,000 active-duty military personnel on the streets .
And while he 's praised Floyd and been critical of police action in Minneapolis that killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also sounded off key .
`` Hopefully George is looking down right now and saying this is a great thing that 's happening for our country , '' Trump said Friday of Floyd while touting the latest jobs report that sent stocks soaring .
`` This is a great day for him .
It 's a great day for everybody . ''
Two other actions prompted pushback : Trump 's walk last Monday to a church , part of which was burned , across from the White House came after law enforcement forcibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act and use the military if governors did n't deploy National Guard troops to quell the protests .
Both moves caused controversy — and breaks with multiple , high-profile current and former military officials .
What 's more , survey data show his view of the country may be outdated .
A new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll found two-thirds of Americans feel Trump has increased racial tensions since Floyd 's death , and they largely disagree with his view of the demonstrators .
More than 6-in-10 see the demonstrations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acts .
Those are big shifts from the 1960s when majorities sided with police and had an unfavorable view of civil rights protests .
Polls have also shown more people disapproving of the president 's handling of the coronavirus , and an NBC/WSJ poll out Sunday showed people say they think Biden would be better to handle the pandemic by an 11-point margin .
Trump is suffering politically , losing ground with key groups and losing to Biden in head-to-head matchups .
He 's down 7 in both the NPR poll , 50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBC/WSJ poll , 49 % to 42 % .
( In 2016 , Clinton led in the NBC/WSJ poll at this time by just 2 points . )
There are still five months to go until the presidential election .
This could be the nadir for Trump politically and most political strategists are girding for and expect a close election , but the president has a hole to climb out of right now if he hopes to be reelected .
1 .
Protests and the president : The weekend largely saw peaceful , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people continue to go out to the streets in the same numbers ?
Do the protests die down ?
On Monday , Trump holds a roundtable with law enforcement at the White House .
Does he continue to take a hard-line , given most people said they do n't agree with him on his view of the demonstrators ?
2 .
Race and justice take spotlight on Capitol Hill : On Monday , House Democrats will unveil police reform legislation led by Congressional Black Caucus , and on Wednesday , a House committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policing .
Notably , these are Democratic-led initiatives .
Will there be Republicans who join in to press for changes in policing ?
After all , bipartisan efforts are what led to criminal justice reform legislation in 2018 .
3 .
What about coronavirus ?
With the masses of people in the streets , it 's easy to forget that much of the country was locked down because of an airborne , viral respiratory pandemic .
The U.S. has now crossed 110,000 deaths from the coronavirus .
Many front-line workers , doctors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the protests and what they could mean for a resurgence of the coronavirus .
The New York Times : `` Many say they view the deaths of black people at the hands of police as a public health issue .
But they also express worries that large gatherings will cause a second wave of Covid-19 cases , and they are balancing their involvement with calls for protesters and police officers to adhere to public health guidelines . ''
There 's no way to know what the effect will be yet , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Watching the Supreme Court : The high court is set to release orders and opinions on Monday .
The big topics to watch for are on LGBTQ rights and DACA , the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program started during the Obama administration .
The LGBTQ case is an employment discrimination one .
On the DACA case , when the case was argued in the fall , the court 's conservative majority appeared ready to go along with the Trump administration 's argument that it acted lawfully in shutting down the program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama by executive order .
The court may also take up cases involving the Second Amendment and qualified immunity .
5 .
Trump heads to West Point ; coronavirus evident there : Trump is slated to give the commencement address at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point Saturday .
But 16 cadets and 71 faculty , staff or civilians at the campus have reported positive for COVID-19 .
USA Today : `` Sources on Capitol Hill , with access to information but not authorized to speak publicly , said that of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive for the antibody that indicates they had contracted the virus , recovered and had developed anti-bodies .
In addition , 71 of the more than 5,000 faculty , staff and civilians at West Point have tested positive for COVID-19 since March .
All but four civilians have recovered , and they are living off the post . ''
Quote of the weekend '' By the way , there was no tear gas used [ Monday ] .
The tear gas was used Sunday when they had to clear H Street to allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ save St. John 's Church .
That 's when tear gas was used .
... No , there were not chemical irritants .
Pepper spray is not a chemical irritant .
It 's not chemical . ''
-- Attorney General William Barr on CBS Face the Nation on what was used against peaceful protesters outside the White House Monday before they were forcibly cleared to allow the president to take a walk to St. John 's church across from the White House .
While Park Police say they did n't use `` tear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spent cans of tear gas on scene .
What 's more , Dr. Ranit Mishori , senior medical adviser for Physicians for Human Rights and a Georgetown University professor of family medicine , told FactCheck.org in an email : `` Tear gas and pepper spray both belong to a class of crowd-control weapons known as chemical irritants . ''

Trump's Response To Coronavirus, Race Has Put Him In A Hole For Reelection
Enlarge this image toggle caption Eman Mohammed for NPR Eman Mohammed for NPR
Hundreds of thousands of people descended on the nation's capital and cities across the country over the weekend in continued demonstrations sparked by George Floyd's death at the hands of Minneapolis police.
The protests were largely peaceful, and their meaning has extended beyond Floyd's fate to the larger issue of policing in America and police treatment of black Americans.
"Don't let the life of George Floyd be in vain," a county sheriff said at a memorial service for Floyd on Saturday in North Carolina.
Floyd will be remembered Monday in Houston at a public memorial service followed by an invitation-only funeral service Tuesday. Former Vice President Joe Biden will fly to Houston and meet with Floyd's family Monday and deliver a videotaped message at the funeral service, though he won't attend it because of complications his Secret Service detail would create.
President Trump won't be attending. He will be in Washington and on Monday will host a roundtable with law enforcement at the White House.
The two actions couldn't better sum up where the two men on the ballot this November to lead the country are coming from — and the bets they're making to win.
Trump has taken a hard "law and order" line, thinking that will appeal to suburban whites. CBS reported over the weekend that after demonstrations turned violent last weekend, the president wanted 10,000 active-duty military personnel on the streets.
And while he has praised Floyd and been critical of police action in Minneapolis that killed the 46-year-old black man, Trump has also sounded off key.
"Hopefully George is looking down right now and saying this is a great thing that's happening for our country," Trump said Friday of Floyd while touting the latest jobs report that sent stocks soaring. "This is a great day for him. It's a great day for everybody."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Eman Mohammed for NPR Eman Mohammed for NPR
Two other actions prompted pushback. Trump's walk last Monday to a church, part of which was burned, across from the White House came after law enforcement forcibly removed peaceful protesters, and the president threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act and use the military if governors didn't deploy National Guard troops to quell the protests. Both moves caused controversy — and breaks with multiple, high-profile current and former military officials.
What's more, survey data show his view of the country may be outdated. A new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll found two-thirds of Americans feel Trump has increased racial tensions since Floyd's death, and they largely disagree with his view of the demonstrators. More than 6 in 10 see the demonstrations as mostly legitimate protests rather than unlawful acts. Those are big shifts from the 1960s, when majorities sided with police and had an unfavorable view of civil rights protests.
Polls have also shown more people disapproving of the president's handling of the coronavirus, and an NBC/WSJ poll out Sunday showed people say they think Biden would be better to handle the pandemic by an 11-point margin.
Trump is suffering politically, losing ground with key groups and losing to Biden in head-to-head matchups. He's down 7 points in both the NPR poll, 50% to 43%, and the NBC/WSJ poll, 49% to 42%. (In 2016, Hillary Clinton led in the NBC/WSJ poll at this time by just 2 points.)
There are still five months to go until the presidential election. This could be the nadir for Trump politically, and most political strategists are girding for and expect a close election, but the president has a hole to climb out of right now if he hopes to be reelected.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alex Brandon/AP Alex Brandon/AP
5 things to watch
1. Protests and the president: The weekend largely saw peaceful, multiethnic protests around the country. Do people continue to go out to the streets in the same numbers? Do the protests die down? On Monday, Trump will hold a roundtable with law enforcement at the White House. Will he continue to take a hard line, given most people said they don't agree with him on his view of the demonstrators?
2. Race and justice take spotlight on Capitol Hill: On Monday, House Democrats will unveil police reform legislation led by the Congressional Black Caucus, and on Wednesday, a House committee holds a hearing on racial profiling and policing. Notably, these are Democratic-led initiatives. Will there be Republicans who join in to press for changes in policing? After all, bipartisan efforts are what led to criminal justice reform legislation in 2018.
3. What about the coronavirus? With masses of people in the streets, it's easy to forget that much of the country was locked down because of an airborne, viral respiratory pandemic. The U.S. has now crossed 110,000 deaths from the coronavirus. Many front-line workers, doctors, nurses and other health care workers are torn regarding the protests and what they could mean for a resurgence of the coronavirus. The New York Times: "Many say they view the deaths of black people at the hands of police as a public health issue. But they also express worries that large gatherings will cause a second wave of Covid-19 cases, and they are balancing their involvement with calls for protesters and police officers to adhere to public health guidelines." There's no way to know what the effect will be yet, but it's something to watch.
4. Watching the U.S. Supreme Court: The high court is set to release orders and opinions on Monday. The big topics to watch for are on LGBTQ rights and DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program started during the Obama administration. The LGBTQ case is an employment discrimination one. On the DACA case, when the case was argued in the fall, the court's conservative majority appeared ready to go along with the Trump administration's argument that it acted lawfully in shutting down the program. The program was enacted by President Barack Obama by executive order. The court may also take up cases involving the Second Amendment and qualified immunity.
5. Trump heads to West Point; coronavirus evident there: Trump is slated to give the commencement address at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point on Saturday. But 16 cadets and 71 faculty, staff or civilians at the campus have reported positive for COVID-19. USA Today: "Sources on Capitol Hill, with access to information but not authorized to speak publicly, said that of the 16 affected cadets, 14 had tested positive for the antibody that indicates they had contracted the virus, recovered and had developed antibodies. In addition, 71 of the more than 5,000 faculty, staff and civilians at West Point have tested positive for COVID-19 since March. All but four civilians have recovered, and they are living off the post."
Quote of the weekend
"By the way, there was no tear gas used [Monday]. The tear gas was used Sunday when they had to clear H Street to allow the fire department to come in to save St. John's Church. That's when tear gas was used. ... No, there were not chemical irritants. Pepper spray is not a chemical irritant. It's not chemical."
— Attorney General William Barr, on CBS Face the Nation, on what was used against peaceful protesters outside the White House on Monday before they were forcibly cleared to allow the president to take a walk to St. John's Church across from the White House.
While Park Police say they didn't use "tear gas," a local reporter collected spent cans of tear gas on scene. What's more, Dr. Ranit Mishori, senior medical adviser for Physicians for Human Rights and a Georgetown University professor of family medicine, told FactCheck.org in an email: "Tear gas and pepper spray both belong to a class of crowd-control weapons known as chemical irritants."


npr--2020-06-08--Supreme Court Weighs Qualified Immunity For Police Accused Of Misconduct

With the county awash in protests over the death of George Floyd , the U.S. Supreme Court is examining a modern-day legal doctrine created by judges that has shielded police and other government officials from lawsuits over their conduct .
The doctrine is called `` qualified immunity . ''
Developed in recent decades by the Supreme Court , the doctrine , as applied to police , initially asked two questions : First , did police use excessive force , and if they did , should they have known that their conduct was illegal because it violated a `` clearly established @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conduct .
The idea behind the doctrine was to protect police from frivolous lawsuits and allow some `` breathing room '' for police mistakes that involve split-second judgments that are made in tense and dangerous situations .
But in practice , because of a 2009 Supreme Court decision , lower courts have most often dismissed police brutality lawsuits on grounds that there is no prior court decision with nearly identical facts .
Several recent studies , including one conducted by Reuters , have found that dozens of cases involving horrific facts , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , were thrown out of court on the grounds that there was no `` clearly established '' court precedent forbidding the conduct at issue .
That 's why critics of the qualified immunity doctrine have called it a `` Catch-22 '' that says to victims , in effect , `` Heads the police win .
Tails you lose . ''
At the U.S. Supreme Court , two justices , one on the right , the other on the left , have called for re-examining the qualified immunity doctrine .
Justice Sonia Sotomayor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has repeatedly dissented when her colleagues have excused police misconduct in police brutality cases .
In one dissent , she said the court `` displays an unflinching willingness '' to reverse lower courts when they refuse to grant qualified immunity to police officers .
In contrast , she said , the court `` rarely intervenes '' when lower courts wrongly grant qualified immunity to police officers .
This `` one-sided approach , '' transforms qualified immunity into `` an absolute shield for law enforcement officers , '' she wrote .
Justice Clarence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member , has also called for revisiting the doctrine of qualified immunity .
He has written that the doctrine was simply invented by judges without any historical basis .
Similar unusual alliances have been formed by organizations that file briefs regularly at the court — from the conservative/libertarian Cato Institute and the Institute for Justice to the liberal ACLU and the NAACP .
The legal battle over qualified immunity may now have reached an inflection point in the aftermath of Floyd 's death in Minneapolis .
There are currently eight qualified immunity cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The facts of the cases are varied .
They range from the shooting of a 10-year-old boy when police pursued an unarmed suspect into a yard where children were playing , to the apparently needless destruction of a house with tear gas grenades when police were given the house keys to look for a suspect after the homeowner had told police the suspect was not there , to other cases involving deaths and profound injuries stemming from police misconduct .
It takes the votes of four of the nine justices to agree to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether there are four who think there is the possibility of a fifth vote for limiting or abolishing qualified immunity as it now exists .

Supreme Court Weighs Qualified Immunity For Police Accused Of Misconduct
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jacquelyn Martin/AP Jacquelyn Martin/AP
With the country awash in protests over the death of George Floyd, the U.S. Supreme Court is examining a modern-day legal doctrine created by judges that has shielded police and other government officials from lawsuits over their conduct.
The doctrine is called "qualified immunity." Developed in recent decades by the Supreme Court, the doctrine, as applied to police, initially asked two questions: First, did police use excessive force, and if they did, should they have known that their conduct was illegal because it violated a "clearly established" prior court ruling that barred such conduct.
The idea behind the doctrine was to protect police from frivolous lawsuits and allow some "breathing room" for police mistakes that involve split-second judgments that are made in tense and dangerous situations.
But in practice, because of a 2009 Supreme Court decision, lower courts have most often dismissed police brutality lawsuits on grounds that there is no prior court decision with nearly identical facts. Several recent studies, including one conducted by Reuters, have found that dozens of cases involving horrific facts, just as bad as the one involving Floyd, were thrown out of court on the grounds that there was no "clearly established" court precedent forbidding the conduct at issue.
That's why critics of the qualified immunity doctrine have called it a "Catch-22" that says to victims, in effect, "Heads the police win. Tails you lose."
At the U.S. Supreme Court, two justices — one on the right, the other on the left — have called for reexamining the qualified immunity doctrine.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor, arguably the court's most liberal justice, has repeatedly dissented when her colleagues have excused police misconduct in police brutality cases. In one dissent, she said the court "displays an unflinching willingness" to reverse lower courts when they refuse to grant qualified immunity to police officers. In contrast, she said, the court "rarely intervenes" when lower courts wrongly grant qualified immunity to police officers. This "one-sided approach" transforms qualified immunity into "an absolute shield for law enforcement officers," she wrote.
Justice Clarence Thomas, the court's most conservative member, has also called for revisiting the doctrine of qualified immunity. He has written that the doctrine was simply invented by judges without any historical basis.
Similar unusual alliances have been formed by organizations that file briefs regularly at the court — from the conservative/libertarian Cato Institute and the Institute for Justice to the liberal ACLU and the NAACP.
The legal battle over qualified immunity may now have reached an inflection point in the aftermath of Floyd's death in Minneapolis.
There are currently eight qualified immunity cases now pending before the Supreme Court. The facts of the cases are varied. They range from the shooting of a 10-year-old boy when police pursued an unarmed suspect into a yard where children were playing, to the apparently needless destruction of a house with tear gas grenades when police were given the house keys to look for a suspect after the homeowner had told police the suspect was not there, to other cases involving deaths and profound injuries stemming from police misconduct.
It takes the votes of four of the nine justices to agree to hear a case. The question is whether there are four who think there is the possibility of a fifth vote for limiting or abolishing qualified immunity as it now exists.


npr--2020-06-08--In Wake Of Protests, Democrats To Unveil Police Reform Legislation

In Wake Of Protests , Democrats To Unveil Police Reform Legislation In the wake of national protests set off following the death of George Floyd , House and Senate Democrats will unveil legislation Monday that would bring about wide-ranging reforms to the country 's police departments .
The Democratic proposal , the Justice in Policing Act of 2020 , marks one of the most comprehensive efforts in modern times to overhaul the way police do their jobs .
It would prohibit the use of choke-holds , lower legal standards to pursue criminal and civil penalties for police misconduct , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a congressional Democratic aide .
The plan would also create a national registry to track police misconduct .
`` These are commonsense changes that , frankly , will create a far greater level of accountability for those police officers who violate the law , who violate our rights and who violate our common community standards , '' New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker told NPR 's All Things Considered on Sunday .
The Congressional Black Caucus and the House Judiciary Committee , as well as Booker and Sen. Kamala Harris of California , crafted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an emailed letter with an outline of the legislation on Saturday , and urged them to join as co-sponsors .
The congressional aide provided the letter and bill outline to NPR .
`` Persistent , unchecked bias in policing and a history of lack of accountability is wreaking havoc on the Black community .
Cities are literally on fire with the pain and anguish wrought by the violence visited upon black and brown bodies , '' the sponsors said , naming African Americans who have died in cases tied to police brutality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy prescription that will erase the decades of systemic racism and excessive policing – it 's time we create structural change with meaningful reforms . ''
Last week , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , said she had asked the Congressional Black Caucus to lead the process of drafting a legislative response .
Democrats hope to calm a national outcry sparked by the May 25 death of Floyd , who was killed in Minneapolis police custody .
House Democrats sorted through dozens of proposals to address policing issues , including excessive use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while there is some degree of bipartisan support for reviewing the tactics that led to Floyd 's death , cooperation is less certain on a legislative solution .
Republicans were absent from Democratic talks to develop the legislation , and for now are unlikely to support it .
`` I think we can easily find common ground on both sides and we can do it swiftly , but it 's more difficult if you 're away , '' House Minority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif. , told reporters Thursday , referencing an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
`` Members of Congress should not be called back for one week and say , 'Here are all the bills . '
'' The Democratic led-House is expected to take up the measure later this month , but its fate is much less clear in the Republican Senate .
For now , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , and many Republicans have acknowledged `` egregious wrongs '' in police brutality cases .
`` It 's certainly something that we need to take a look at , '' McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'll be talking to our colleagues about what , if anything , is appropriate for us to do in the wake of what 's going on . ''
South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham , chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee , announced a June 16 hearing on police use of force to `` shine a bright light on the problems associated with Mr. Floyd 's death , with the goal of finding a better way forward for our nation . ''
Congress has often struggled to address policing issues on a bipartisan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , training and strategies are determined at the state and local level .
California Rep. Karen Bass , chair of the Congressional Black Caucus , said while she could n't confirm any Republicans are on board with the proposal yet , she 's holding out hope .
She also noted that a wave of videos documenting new cases of police brutality at protests could provide new momentum for legislation .
`` It 's time for police culture in many departments to change and we believe that the legislation will make a major step @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said on CNN 's State of the Union on Sunday .
The bill 's authors say it addresses concerns of steep requirements to pursue penalties against police misconduct .
It reforms qualified immunity for police officers , or their legal protection shield for certain actions , to allow individuals to recover damages when their constitutional rights are violated .
And it lowers the `` mens rea '' standard in the U.S. Code to a finding of an officer 's recklessness .
`` The current mens rea standard of 'willfulness ' has made it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the bill 's sponsors told their colleagues .
Among the bill 's other efforts : • It creates a National Police Misconduct Registry to track police misconduct and thwart officers from switching jurisdictions to avoid accountability .
The plan also looks to improve police practices by mandating training on racial bias and the duty to intervene .
• It also limits the transfer of military-grade weapons to state and local law enforcement agencies and requires the use of body cameras .
• The legislation would also empower attorneys general and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role in its oversight of police agencies .
For example , it would create a grant program to allow attorneys general to independently investigate police misconduct and excessive use of force .
And it would give the Justice Department greater powers to investigate and track cases .
• It would also condition federal funding for state and local police agencies to their training and adoption of policies to combat racial bias and profiling , as well as ban `` no-knock '' warrants in drug-related cases and the use of choke-holds .
The House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is due to return June 30 .
However , House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer , D-Md.
, told reporters last week that lawmakers could return sooner to approve the plan .

Democrats Unveil Police Reform Legislation Amid Protests Nationwide
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jose Luis Magana/AP Jose Luis Magana/AP
Updated at 1 p.m. ET
In the wake of national protests following the death of George Floyd, House and Senate Democrats unveiled legislation on Monday that would bring about wide-ranging reforms to police departments across the country.
The Democratic proposal, the Justice in Policing Act of 2020, has more than 200 sponsors and marks one of the most comprehensive efforts in modern times to overhaul the way police do their jobs.
It would prohibit the use of chokeholds, lower legal standards to pursue criminal and civil penalties for police misconduct, and ban no-knock warrants in drug-related cases. The plan would also create a national registry to track police misconduct.
"We can't settle for anything other than transformative structural change," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said on Monday while flanked by the bill's authors gathered to introduce the legislation. "True justice can only be achieved with full, comprehensive action, that is what we are doing today. This is a first step; there is more to come."
The Congressional Black Caucus and the House Judiciary Committee, as well as Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Kamala Harris of California, crafted the plan. They wrote their colleagues an emailed letter with an outline of the legislation on Saturday and urged them to join as co-sponsors. A Democratic congressional aide provided the letter and bill outline to NPR.
"Persistent, unchecked bias in policing and a history of lack of accountability is wreaking havoc on the black community. Cities are literally on fire with the pain and anguish wrought by the violence visited upon black and brown bodies," the sponsors said, naming black people who have died in cases tied to police brutality. "While there is no single policy prescription that will erase the decades of systemic racism and excessive policing — it's time we create structural change with meaningful reforms."
Bill could face Republican opposition
Last week, Pelosi said she asked the Congressional Black Caucus to lead the process of drafting a legislative response. Democrats hope to calm a national outcry sparked by the May 25 death of Floyd, who was killed in Minneapolis police custody.
Democrats sorted through dozens of proposals to address policing issues, including excessive use of force and racial profiling. And while there is some degree of bipartisan support for reviewing the tactics that led to Floyd's death, cooperation is less certain on a legislative solution.
Republicans were absent from Democratic talks to develop the legislation and for now are unlikely to support it.
"I think we can easily find common ground on both sides and we can do it swiftly, but it's more difficult if you're away," House Minority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., told reporters Thursday, referencing an extended House recess as a result of the pandemic. "Members of Congress should not be called back for one week and say, 'Here are all the bills.' "
The Democratic led-House is expected to take up the measure later this month, but its fate is much less clear in the Republican-controlled Senate. For now, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and many Republicans have acknowledged "egregious wrongs" in police brutality cases.
"It's certainly something that we need to take a look at," McConnell told reporters last week. "We'll be talking to our colleagues about what, if anything, is appropriate for us to do in the wake of what's going on."
Congress has often struggled to address policing issues on a bipartisan basis as some say decisions about policing tactics, training and strategies should be solved at the state and local level.
South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, announced a June 16 hearing on police use of force to "shine a bright light on the problems associated with Mr. Floyd's death, with the goal of finding a better way forward for our nation."
Many Democrats say it is critical that this legislation be comprehensive and ambitious, even if Senate Republicans refuse to consider the bill. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo., a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, said Democrats need to make sure the package reflects the demands of the people protesting and calling for change.
"The American public is going to get behind it," Cleaver said in an interview with NPR. "They are saying they want substantive change. They want reform. Reforms that perhaps in the past people have been afraid to embrace."
Cleaver said serving in Congress requires a certain level of courage to vote for legislation that may be controversial. He said in the past, lawmakers from both parties have shied away from addressing systemic issues with policing but he believes this moment is different.
The Missouri Democrat, a former mayor of Kansas City, Mo., said the response to the killing of George Floyd gives Congress an opportunity to create uniform standards that help mayors and local leaders by giving them guidelines for conduct. He said federal laws can also provide political backup for local leaders when they meet resistance.
"I think that the federal government must express itself," Cleaver said. "Local communities all around the country who might be reticent about doing things that they believe would be helpful can say, 'Hey, that's the law.' "
Debate about calls to "defund the police"
The legislation does not address the growing movement among some protesters calling to defund police departments. California Rep. Karen Bass, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, told reporters that the legislation aims instead to overhaul how policing is conducted.
"We feel it is transformative, that it will transform the relationships that our communities have with the police," Bass said.
Democrats at Monday's press conference largely avoided addressing the concept of defunding the police or their support for that demand.
Congressional Republicans and their campaign operations have already begun attacking Democrats over the demand to defund the police. Outside groups and the official campaign organizations for House and Senate Republicans have begun linking rank-and-file Democrats to the defund movement. President Trump has also weighed in. Democrats, like Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., dismissed the tactic as a "predictable and hurtful" way to undermine the legislation.
"The same way there have been efforts to undermine the Black Lives Matter movement and to co-opt the narrative of what is actually happening throughout our glow in this moment, that commentary is certainly not surprising," Pressley said in an interview with NPR. "Those efforts are always underway; we will not allow that narrative to persist and to obstruct the work that we need to do as a legislative body."
Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, released a statement on Monday saying he opposes defunding the police. He said he is supporting policies that would increase resources for programs outside of police departments to address societal issues "so that officers can focus on the job of policing," as well as providing funding for body cameras and other measures inside police departments.
Higher standards for police
Bass said while she couldn't confirm any Republicans are on board with the proposal yet, she's holding out hope.
She also noted that a wave of videos documenting new cases of police brutality at protests could provide new momentum for legislation.
"The world is watching the birth of a new movement in our country," Bass said Monday.
The bill's authors say it addresses concerns of steep requirements to pursue penalties against police misconduct. It reforms qualified immunity for police officers, or their legal protection shield for certain actions, to allow individuals to recover damages when their constitutional rights are violated.
And it lowers the "mens rea" standard in the U.S. code to a finding of an officer's recklessness.
"The current mens rea standard of 'willfulness' has made it extremely difficult to prosecute law enforcement officers," the bill's sponsors told their colleagues.
Among the bill's other efforts:
It creates a National Police Misconduct Registry to track police misconduct and thwart officers from switching jurisdictions to avoid accountability. The plan also looks to improve police practices by mandating training on racial bias and the duty to intervene.
It also limits the transfer of military-grade weapons to state and local law enforcement agencies and requires the use of body cameras.
The legislation would also empower attorneys general and the Justice Department to play a much larger role in its oversight of police agencies. For example, it would create a grant program to allow attorneys general to independently investigate police misconduct and excessive use of force. And it would give the Justice Department greater powers to investigate and track cases.
It would also condition federal funding for state and local police agencies to their training and adoption of policies to combat racial bias and profiling, as well as ban "no-knock" warrants in drug-related cases and the use of choke-holds.
It also makes lynching a federal crime, a revival of legislation already approved in the House and currently stalled in the Senate following failed attempts to pass it.
The House could take up the measure when it is due to return June 30. However, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., told reporters last week that lawmakers could return sooner to approve the plan.


npr--2020-06-08--The Office Elevator In COVID Times: Experts Weigh In On Safer Ups And Downs

The Office Elevator In COVID Times : Experts Weigh In On Safer Ups And Downs When the American Medical Association moved its headquarters to a famous Chicago skyscraper in 2013 , the floor-to-ceiling views from the 47th-floor conference space were a spectacular selling point .
But now , those glimpses of the Chicago River at the Ludwig Mies van der Rohe-designed landmark , now known as AMA Plaza , come with a trade-off : navigating the elevator in the time of COVID-19 .
Once the epitome of efficiency for moving masses of people quickly to where they needed to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing and a risk-multiplying bottleneck .
As America begins to open up , the newest conundrum for employers in cities is how to safely transport people in elevators and manage the crowd of people waiting for them .
If office tower workers want to stay safe , elevator experts think they have advice , some practical , some not : Stay in your corner , face the walls and carry toothpicks ( for pushing the buttons ) .
Not only have those experts gone back to studying mathematical models for moving people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like ultraviolet-light disinfection tools and voice-activated panels .
`` When there is risk of disease spreading from human to human , continuing to maintain a clean and safe vertical transportation system is critical to help people return to work and safe living , '' says Jon Clarine , head of digital services at Thyssenkrupp Elevator .
After all , most elevators are inherently cramped , enclosed spaces that can barely fit two people when they are safely spaced 6 feet apart , much less the dozen or more that elevators in commercial and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They 're a minefield of touchable buttons and surfaces .
Air circulation is limited to what a few vents and the opening doors can manage .
Plus , they 're usually mobbed during the morning , lunchtime and evening rushes .
The good news is , while infection transmission is possible if people happen to leave behind respiratory droplets of virus in the elevator , the time spent on a ride is short , says infectious disease expert Dr. Steven Lawrence of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis .
But still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a small box . ''
To mitigate those risks , elevator experts stress that those riding elevators should wear masks , resist touching surfaces as much as possible and use items such as disposable tissues or indeed those toothpicks to touch the buttons .
Also , use hand sanitizer frequently .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends limiting time in elevators and taking one-directional stairs instead , when possible , as well as abiding by the 6 feet of distance .
Karen Penafiel , executive director for the National Elevator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people face the elevator walls and not talk — to minimize spread of respiratory droplets that could carry the coronavirus .
`` It makes sense when you think about it , but it 's so contrary to every social protocol we have been raised with , '' Penafiel says .
`` It 's not comfortable . ''
But the biggest hang-up across city skylines for offices and residences may be the recommendation by Penafiel and other elevator experts to limit the number of passengers in most elevator rides to four to accommodate social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That creates a logistical challenge for building managers and employers who have thousands of people to move within a single building .
AMA Plaza owner Beacon Capital Partners plans to limit its elevator riders to four at a time , according to an email from company spokesperson Maureen Richardson .
The same goes for the more than 90-floor One World Trade Center in New York City and the roughly 8,000 people who report to work there , says Jordan Barowitz , spokesperson for the Durst Organization , which oversees the management of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people moving up a building per ride — in some places by as much as two-thirds — means people wait and wait , huddling in the lobby , coughing , sneezing and talking loudly .
`` That 's where you 're going to get the queuing , '' says Chris Smith , vice president of marketing and product strategy for elevator manufacturer Otis Elevator Co. , optimistically using a word suggesting orderly standing in line .
It 's no wonder Smith 's customers have been calling nonstop about the elevator bottleneck .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ customers how staggered times for starting the workday and different employee spacing could help slow the flow of traffic .
It all comes down to hard math .
On a normal day , more than 3,000 people work in the 52-story AMA building .
With only four passengers at a time , which is about half the number of riders in a typically crowded elevator , that translates to about 750 elevator rides each morning launching from 24 elevator cabs ( and that 's not counting the trips made by separate freight cabs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotel occupying the building 's first 13 floors , will be placing a sign with graphics in the elevator foyer to encourage social distancing , says spokesperson Deepika Sarma .
Hotel staffers are looking into possible decals for the floors of the elevators indicating where to stand , and requiring riders wear masks .
Another tenant of AMA Plaza , WeWork , whose business model depends on people renting its office space , will be placing signage denoting safe distances in the elevator lobbies of its buildings , as well as touch-free hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told CNBC that 40 % of its sites occupy office space low enough within buildings that people could take the stairs instead .
But climbing , say , 36 flights of stairs is n't an option for most people .
( Top stair racers take five minutes to cover that many floors .
It takes a person of average fitness up to 25 minutes . )
And stairs are n't viable in buildings of any height for those with physical disabilities or mobility issues or when carrying heavy loads .
To be sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already been navigating these questions — whether in luxury buildings with resources or public housing units without .
But as more offices look at reopening , Otis and Thyssenkrupp have been swamped with calls from customers asking for new technology to help them manage these new challenges , given the coronavirus pandemic .
Destination dispatching , in which employees can swipe a key card at a turnstile that notifies the elevator where they need to go , has seen a surge of interest due to its touchless control — and during the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the weight load to a smaller number of passengers .
Other product offerings in the works include calling the elevator via cellphone , antiviral stickers for elevator buttons , lobby concierge-run elevators , express service for each elevator ride , ultraviolet-light HVAC purification systems and even elevator buttons that riders can activate with their feet , voice or hand gestures .
To reduce the need to touch buttons , Otis ' Smith says , elevators could be placed into `` Sabbath service '' mode , where they automatically go to each and every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for those whose religion dictates they not operate electrical devices on certain days .
`` It 's all about helping customers manage risk '' Brand-new businesses designed to make elevators safer are emerging .
Over two months ago , Philip Rentzis helped found Ashla Systems , which sells ultraviolet-light systems designed for elevators that are similar to those used to kill viruses for hospital instruments .
At least 100 buildings have already signed up to install the technology , he says , in part because building owners are terrified about the long-term costs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regimens .
Michael Rogoff , president of the New York City and South Florida residential management firm Akam Living Services Inc. , says the staff in some of his buildings are cleaning the elevator more than once per hour — or even after every use .
When residents complain that they should n't have to pay for communal amenities they 're not able to use , he points to the new cleaning costs .
`` The elevator cleaning and disinfecting is just on a whole new level than it was previously , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evaluate their suite of elevator options , harsh realities are emerging of how challenging it will be to move the workforce where it needs to be , Thyssenkrupp 's Clarine says .
`` Look , you 're going to disrupt the flow of traffic in your building , but how long are you willing for that to be an inconvenience before it becomes a disruption ? ''
Clarine says .
`` It 's all about helping customers manage risk , and some want to manage more so than others . ''
For now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans to allow its roughly 1,000 employees to return to the offices approximately 30 days after government leaders lifted their stay-at-home orders .
City orders were loosened Wednesday .
The association 's initial return-to-work phase will begin with `` approximately 10 % of employees on a voluntary basis , '' according to a statement issued by association media manager Robert Mills .
It 's not yet clear when — or how — it will be able to get the rest of its staffers up to their offices in the sky .
Kaiser Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program of the Kaiser Family Foundation .
KHN is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente .

The Office Elevator In COVID-19 Times: Experts Weigh In On Safer Ups And Downs
Enlarge this image toggle caption Craig F. Walker/Boston Globe via Getty Images Craig F. Walker/Boston Globe via Getty Images
When the American Medical Association moved its headquarters to a famous Chicago skyscraper in 2013, the floor-to-ceiling views from the 47th-floor conference space were a spectacular selling point.
But now, those glimpses of the Chicago River at the Ludwig Mies van der Rohe-designed landmark, now known as AMA Plaza, come with a trade-off: navigating the elevator in the time of COVID-19.
Once the epitome of efficiency for moving masses of people quickly to where they needed to go, the elevator is the antithesis of social distancing and a risk-multiplying bottleneck. As America begins to open up, the newest conundrum for employers is how to safely transport people in elevators and manage the crowd of people waiting for them.
If office tower workers want to stay safe, elevator experts think they have advice, some practical, some not: Stay in your corner, face the walls and carry toothpicks (for pushing the buttons). Not only have those experts gone back to studying mathematical models for moving people, they are also creating technology such as ultraviolet-light disinfection tools and voice-activated panels.
"When there is risk of disease spreading from human to human, continuing to maintain a clean and safe vertical transportation system is critical to help people return to work and safe living," says Jon Clarine, head of digital services at Thyssenkrupp Elevator.
toggle caption Thyssenkrupp Elevator
After all, most elevators are inherently cramped, enclosed spaces that can barely fit two people when they are safely spaced 6 feet apart, much less the dozen or more that elevators in commercial and residential buildings were designed to hold. They're a minefield of touchable buttons and surfaces. Air circulation is limited to what a few vents and the opening doors can manage. Plus, they're usually mobbed during the morning, lunchtime and evening rushes.
The good news is, while infection transmission is possible if people happen to leave behind respiratory droplets of virus in the elevator, the time spent on a ride is short, says infectious disease expert Dr. Steven Lawrence of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
But still, he says, "you're in a small box."
Pack a mask, sanitizer and tissues or toothpicks
To mitigate those risks, elevator experts stress that people riding elevators should wear masks, resist touching surfaces as much as possible and use items such as disposable tissues or indeed those toothpicks to touch the buttons. Also, use hand sanitizer frequently. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends limiting time in elevators and taking one-directional stairs instead, when possible, as well as maintaining 6 feet of distance.
Karen Penafiel, executive director for the National Elevator Industry Inc. trade association, also recommends that people face the elevator walls and not talk — to minimize spread of respiratory droplets that could carry the coronavirus.
"It makes sense when you think about it, but it's so contrary to every social protocol we have been raised with," Penafiel says. "It's not comfortable."
But the biggest hang-up across city skylines for offices and residences may be the recommendation by Penafiel and other elevator experts to limit the number of passengers in most elevator rides to four to accommodate social distancing — one person in each corner. That creates a logistical challenge for building managers and employers who have thousands of people to move within a single building.
AMA Plaza owner Beacon Capital Partners plans to limit its elevator riders to four at a time, according to an email from company spokesperson Maureen Richardson. The same goes for the more than 90-floor One World Trade Center in New York City and the roughly 8,000 people who report to work there, says Jordan Barowitz, spokesperson for the Durst Organization, which oversees management of the iconic skyscraper.
Cutting the number of people moving up a building per ride — in some places by as much as two-thirds — means people wait and wait, huddling in the lobby, coughing, sneezing and talking loudly.
"That's where you're going to get the queuing," says Chris Smith, vice president of marketing and product strategy for elevator manufacturer Otis Elevator Co., optimistically using a word suggesting orderly standing in line.
It's no wonder Smith's customers have been calling nonstop about the elevator bottleneck. So Otis staffers have been simulating for customers how staggered times for starting the workday and different employee spacing could help slow the flow of traffic.
There's math in elevator safety
It all comes down to hard math. On a normal day, more than 3,000 people work in the 52-story AMA building. With only four passengers at a time, which is about half the number of riders in a typically crowded elevator, that translates to about 750 elevator rides each morning launching from 24 elevator cabs (and that's not counting the trips made by separate freight cabs).
The Langham, a luxury hotel occupying the building's first 13 floors, will be placing a sign with graphics in the elevator foyer to encourage social distancing, says spokesperson Deepika Sarma. Hotel staffers are looking into possible decals for the floors of the elevators indicating where to stand, and requiring that riders wear masks.
Another tenant of AMA Plaza, WeWork, whose business model depends on people renting its office space, will be placing signs denoting safe distances in the elevator lobbies of its buildings, as well as touch-free hand sanitizer dispensers. WeWork CEO Sandeep Mathrani told CNBC that 40% of its sites occupy office space low enough within buildings that people could take the stairs instead.
But climbing, say, 36 flights of stairs isn't an option for most people. (Top stair racers take five minutes to cover that many floors. It takes a person of average fitness up to 25 minutes.) And stairs aren't viable in buildings of any height for those with physical disabilities or mobility issues or when carrying heavy loads.
To be sure, those who live in high-rises have already been navigating these questions — whether in luxury buildings with resources or public housing units without.
But as more offices look at reopening, Otis and Thyssenkrupp have been swamped with calls from customers asking for new technology to help them manage these new challenges, given the coronavirus pandemic. Destination dispatching, in which employees can swipe a key card at a turnstile that notifies the elevator where they need to go, has seen a surge of interest due to its touchless control — and during the pandemic, elevators have been reprogrammed to limit the weight load to a smaller number of passengers.
Other product offerings in the works include calling the elevator via cellphone, antiviral stickers for elevator buttons, lobby concierge-run elevators, express service for each elevator ride, ultraviolet-light HVAC purification systems and even elevator buttons that riders can activate with their feet, voice or hand gestures.
To reduce the need to touch buttons, Otis' Smith says, elevators could be placed into "Sabbath service" mode, where they automatically go to each and every floor — a service offered for decades for those whose religion dictates they not operate electrical devices on certain days.
"It's all about helping customers manage risk"
Brand-new businesses designed to make elevators safer are emerging. More than two months ago, Philip Rentzis helped found Ashla Systems, which sells ultraviolet-light systems designed for elevators that are similar to those used to kill viruses for hospital instruments. At least 100 buildings have already signed up to install the technology, he says, in part because building owners are terrified about the long-term costs of keeping up their new rigorous cleaning regimens.
Michael Rogoff, president of the New York City and South Florida residential management firm Akam Living Services Inc., says the staff in some of his buildings are cleaning the elevator more than once per hour — or even after every use. When residents complain that they shouldn't have to pay for communal amenities they're not able to use, he points to the new cleaning costs.
"The elevator cleaning and disinfecting is just on a whole new level than it was previously," Rogoff says.
Even as companies evaluate their suite of elevator options, harsh realities are emerging of how challenging it will be to move the workforce where it needs to be, Thyssenkrupp's Clarine says.
"Look, you're going to disrupt the flow of traffic in your building, but how long are you willing for that to be an inconvenience before it becomes a disruption?" Clarine says. "It's all about helping customers manage risk, and some want to manage more so than others."
For now, the American Medical Association says it plans to allow its roughly 1,000 employees to return to the offices approximately 30 days after government leaders lifted their stay-at-home orders. City orders were loosened Wednesday.
The association's initial return-to-work phase will begin with "approximately 10% of employees on a voluntary basis," according to a statement issued by association media manager Robert Mills. It's not yet clear when — or how — it will be able to get the rest of its staffers up to their offices in the sky.
Kaiser Health News is a nonprofit, editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. KHN is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.


npr--2020-06-08--Head Of 'New York Times' Editorial Page Steps Down Amid Controversy

Head Of 'New York Times ' Editorial Page Steps Down Amid Controversy The head of The New York Times editorial page , James Bennet , has resigned after he oversaw the publication last week of a controversial opinion piece by Republican Sen. Tom Cotton that called for deploying federal troops to end unrest sparked by the death of George Floyd .
The newspaper on Sunday announced the resignation of Bennet , who became editor of the page in 2016 .
In a note to staff announcing the departure , publisher A.G. Sulzberger cited `` a significant breakdown in our editing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the editorial published Wednesday , titled `` Send in the Troops , '' along with a number of questionable assertions made by the Arkansas lawmaker , reportedly elicited strong objections from not only readers , but also from the staff of the editorial page and newsroom .
In a lengthy editor 's note appended to the online version of the editorial , the Times said it `` fell short of our standards and should not have been published . ''
It said Cotton 's assertion that `` cadres of left-wing radicals like antifa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` has not been substantiated . ''
The editor 's note also said the senator 's claim that the police `` bore the brunt '' of violence at the protests was overstated .
Initially , Bennet , who is the brother of Colorado Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet , sought to defend the editorial 's publication , writing a follow-up that appeared in the Times the day after Cotton 's editorial .
In it , Bennet said he personally objected to the idea of sending federal troops to control protests , but that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ view in the pages of the newspaper .
`` We published Cotton 's argument in part because we 've committed to Times readers to provide a debate on important questions like this , '' he wrote .
`` It would undermine the integrity and independence of The New York Times if we only published views that editors like me agreed with , and it would betray what I think of as our fundamental purpose — not to tell you what to think , but to help you think for yourself . ''
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Times said that at an all-staff virtual meeting on Friday , Bennet apologized , saying the editorial should not have been published and acknowledging that it had not been edited carefully enough .
As editorial page editor , Bennet sought to bring in a wider range of voices , including more conservatives , and reduced the number of unsigned editorials .
Last year , one editorial board member won a Pulitzer Prize for a series about race in America .
But the newspaper said his tenure had also been `` marked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Times apologized for an anti-Semitic cartoon that appeared in the Opinion pages of its international edition .
`` Last August , a federal appellate court found that Sarah Palin , the former vice-presidential candidate , could proceed with a defamation lawsuit against The Times over an editorial edited by Mr. Bennet that inaccurately linked her statements to the 2011 shooting of a congresswoman , '' the newspaper said .
In a memo to staff , Sulzberger said Katie Kingsbury , a deputy editorial page editor , would step in as acting editorial @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Head Of 'New York Times' Editorial Page Steps Down Amid Controversy
Enlarge this image toggle caption Larry Neumeister/AP Larry Neumeister/AP
The head of The New York Times editorial page, James Bennet, has resigned after he oversaw the publication last week of a controversial opinion piece by Republican Sen. Tom Cotton that called for deploying federal troops to end unrest sparked by the death of George Floyd.
The newspaper on Sunday announced the resignation of Bennet, who became editor of the page in 2016. In a note to staff announcing the departure, publisher A.G. Sulzberger cited "a significant breakdown in our editing processes."
The strident tone of the editorial published Wednesday, titled "Send in the Troops," along with a number of questionable assertions made by the Arkansas lawmaker, reportedly elicited strong objections from not only readers, but also from the staff of the editorial page and newsroom.
In a lengthy editor's note appended to the online version of the editorial, the Times said it "fell short of our standards and should not have been published."
It said Cotton's assertion that "cadres of left-wing radicals like antifa" were involved in violence at protests "has not been substantiated." The editor's note also said the senator's claim that the police "bore the brunt" of violence at the protests was overstated.
Initially, Bennet, who is the brother of Colorado Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet, sought to defend the editorial's publication, writing a follow-up that appeared in the Times the day after Cotton's editorial. In it, Bennet said he personally objected to the idea of sending federal troops to control protests, but that it was important to represent other points of view in the pages of the newspaper.
"We published Cotton's argument in part because we've committed to Times readers to provide a debate on important questions like this," he wrote. "It would undermine the integrity and independence of The New York Times if we only published views that editors like me agreed with, and it would betray what I think of as our fundamental purpose — not to tell you what to think, but to help you think for yourself."
I want to explain why we published the piece today by Senator Tom Cotton. https://t.co/GvWwf7i0Wu — James Bennet (@JBennet) June 3, 2020
In a news story announcing Bennet's resignation, the Times said that at an all-staff virtual meeting on Friday, Bennet apologized, saying the editorial should not have been published and acknowledging that it had not been edited carefully enough.
As editorial page editor, Bennet sought to bring in a wider range of voices, including more conservatives, and reduced the number of unsigned editorials. Last year, one editorial board member won a Pulitzer Prize for a series about race in America.
But the newspaper said his tenure had also been "marked by several missteps. Last spring, The Times apologized for an anti-Semitic cartoon that appeared in the Opinion pages of its international edition.
"Last August, a federal appellate court found that Sarah Palin, the former vice-presidential candidate, could proceed with a defamation lawsuit against The Times over an editorial edited by Mr. Bennet that inaccurately linked her statements to the 2011 shooting of a congresswoman," the newspaper said.
In a memo to staff, Sulzberger said Katie Kingsbury, a deputy editorial page editor, would step in as acting editorial page editor through the November election.


npr--2020-06-07--Minneapolis City Council Members Announce Intent To 'Dismantle' Police Department

Updated at 12:09 a.m .
ET Monday Nine members of the Minneapolis City Council pledged their support for `` dismantling '' the city 's police department , representing a veto-proof majority of the 13 city council members .
The council members announced their position Sunday from the stage at a rally organized by black activists in response to the May 25 killing of George Floyd while in police custody .
`` We will be taking intermediate steps toward ending the MPD through the budget process and other policy and budget decisions over the coming weeks and months , '' council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bender told the crowd at Powderhorn Park .
The lawmakers said there are still many details to be worked out about what a Minneapolis without police might look like .
A day earlier , Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey was roundly booed after he told a crowd of protesters he did n't support dismantling the city 's police department .
That scene with the mayor , which was widely shared online , occurred during a march calling for the city to defund the police department .
Frey went to address the crowd , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was asked by a speaker if he supported defunding the police department .
In videos of the encounter , Frey is heard discussing systemic racism and reining in police unions .
He is soon overwhelmed by a chant of `` yes or no . ''
The speaker then matter-of-factly says to the mayor , `` Jacob Frey , we have a yes or no question for you . ''
Frey 's answer gets drowned out in most videos of the exchange .
Though Minnesota Public Radio reported Frey answered in the negative .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ shift , a structural shift in how the police department functions , I 'll say it again .
And as for abolishing the entire police department — no , I 'm not , and I 'll be honest about that , too , '' Frey said .
The throng then breaks out in cries of `` Go home , Jacob .
Go home . ''
Protesters can also be heard shouting `` shame '' as Frey is seen cutting through the crowd .
Calls to defund and dismantle police departments have gained traction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Minneapolis police .
Several members of the Minneapolis City Council have recently taken up the campaign , among them Lisa Bender and Jeremiah Ellison .
`` And when we 're done , we 're not simply gon na glue it back together .
We are going to dramatically rethink how we approach public safety and emergency response .
It 's really past due , '' Ellison said in a tweet last week .
Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar has also joined calls to dismantle the Minneapolis Police Department .
On Saturday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ departments have repeatedly failed to stop police killings of black men and women .
`` We 've all seen what happens when good people of good conscience say , 'Let 's invest in diversity training , ' `` said Omar .
`` Let 's try to explain our humanity and make them see us as dignified people .
Maybe that will stop them from killing us . ''
Frey , a former civil rights attorney , was elected the city 's mayor in 2017 , following an election where police reform proved a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signed a council-approved agreement to ban chokeholds and implement several other changes to police procedures .
The reforms came after the state opened a civil rights investigation into the city 's police department .

Minneapolis City Council Members Announce Intent To 'Dismantle' Police Department
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jerry Holt/Star Tribune via Getty Images Jerry Holt/Star Tribune via Getty Images
Updated at 12:09 a.m. ET Monday
Nine members of the Minneapolis City Council pledged their support for "dismantling" the city's police department, representing a veto-proof majority of the 13 council members.
The council members announced their position Sunday from the stage at a rally organized by black activists in response to the May 25 killing of George Floyd while in police custody.
"We will be taking intermediate steps toward ending the MPD through the budget process and other policy and budget decisions over the coming weeks and months," council member Andrea Jenkins and council president Lisa Bender told the crowd at Powderhorn Park.
The lawmakers said there are still many details to be worked out about what a Minneapolis without police might look like.
A day earlier, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey was roundly booed after he told a crowd of protesters he didn't support dismantling the city's police department.
That scene with the mayor, which was widely shared online, occurred during a march calling for the city to defund the police department.
Frey went to address the crowd, which had stopped near his home, and was asked by a speaker if he supported defunding the police department. In videos of the encounter, Frey is heard discussing systemic racism and reining in police unions. He is soon overwhelmed by a chant of "yes or no."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Stephen Maturen/Getty Images Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
The speaker then matter-of-factly says to the mayor, "Jacob Frey, we have a yes or no question for you."
Frey's answer gets drowned out in most videos of the exchange, though Minnesota Public Radio reported Frey answered in the negative.
"I am absolutely for a massive shift, a structural shift in how the police department functions, I'll say it again. And as for abolishing the entire police department — no, I'm not, and I'll be honest about that, too," Frey said.
The throng then breaks out in cries of "go home, Jacob, go home." Protesters can also be heard shouting "shame" as Frey is seen cutting through the crowd.
Calls to defund and dismantle police departments have gained traction since Floyd's death at the hands of Minneapolis police. Several members of the Minneapolis City Council have recently taken up the campaign, among them Lisa Bender and Jeremiah Ellison.
"And when we're done, we're not simply gonna glue it back together. We are going to dramatically rethink how we approach public safety and emergency response. It's really past due," Ellison said in a tweet last week.
Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar has also joined calls to dismantle the Minneapolis Police Department. On Saturday, Omar told protesters that reforms to police departments have repeatedly failed to stop police killings of black men and women.
"We've all seen what happens when good people of good conscience say, 'Let's invest in diversity training,' " said Omar. "Let's try to explain our humanity and make them see us as dignified people. Maybe that will stop them from killing us."
Frey, a former civil rights attorney, was elected the city's mayor in 2017 following an election where police reform proved a central issue.
On Friday, Frey signed a council-approved agreement to ban chokeholds and implement several other changes to police procedures. The reforms came after the state opened a civil rights investigation into the city's police department.


npr--2020-06-08--Police Reform Legislation Moves Swiftly Through New York State Legislature

New York 's legislature moved swiftly Monday to pass a first wave of police reform legislation , including a ban on chokeholds , a prohibition on race-based profiling , and a measure requiring police departments and courts to track arrests by race and ethnicity to help identify patterns of bias .
The session followed a historic wave of protests sparked by the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis .
The protests evolved into a referendum on police brutality .
New York state , where marches drew thousands of people into the streets , has a troubled history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black and Hispanic men .
State Sen. Luis Sepulveda told lawmakers police tactics have led to the death and `` utter humiliation '' of many people of color .
`` I can speak from personal experience .
When I was 18 years old , I was arrested because a police officer did n't like the way I looked at him , '' Sepulveda said .
The ban on chokeholds – which passed unanimously with bipartisan support – was named in honor of Eric Garner , a black man who was confronted by police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garner died after a New York City police officer put him in a chokehold .
Garner 's dying words , `` I ca n't breathe , '' were captured on cell phone video and became a rallying cry for the Black Lives Matter movement nationwide .
The police officer in that case , Daniel Pantaleo , facing likely dismissal eventually resigned from the force , but a grand jury declined to indict him .
Last year , the Trump administration 's Justice Department declined to bring civil rights charges in the case .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety for African Americans in this country , '' said Democratic state Sen. Brian Benjamin .
`` What this bill does is say , 'You know what ?
We 're going to try to move closer to a system where everyone feels safe in this country . '
'' Law enforcement organizations in New York tried to push back against these reforms .
The head of the New York State Sheriffs ' Association , Jeffrey Murphy , issued a statement rejecting the idea that systemic racism exists in law enforcement , calling the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York City Police Benevolent Association called the measures `` an attack on law enforcement . ''
But in stunning political development , police saw many of their Republican allies vote with the Democratic majority .
During floor debate Monday , Republican Sen. Fred Akshar , who worked in law enforcement before being elected , said he had intended to vote against the chokehold ban .
He switched sides after being assured that police who use chokeholds in acts of self-defense would n't face charges .
Today 's rapid-fire votes reflect another profound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures being approved had languished for years because they were essentially dead on arrival when they reached the GOP-controlled senate .
But Democrats won control of that chamber in the 2018 election .
The Assembly and Senate are now led for the first time in history by African American lawmakers , who control the agenda .
They seized on the momentum generated by days of street protests to move these reform bills .
Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , also a Democrat , promised Monday he would sign the measures when they reach his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up a second package of reforms on Tuesday , including repeal of a law which kept police disciplinary records confidential .

Police Reform Legislation Moves Swiftly Through New York State Legislature
Enlarge this image toggle caption Hans Pennink/AP Hans Pennink/AP
New York's legislature moved swiftly Monday to pass a first wave of police reform legislation, including a ban on chokeholds, a prohibition on race-based profiling, and a measure requiring police departments and courts to track arrests by race and ethnicity to help identify patterns of bias.
The session followed a historic wave of protests sparked by the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis. The protests evolved into a referendum on police brutality.
New York state, where marches drew thousands of people into the streets, has a troubled history of violence by police officers against unarmed black and Hispanic men.
State Sen. Luis Sepulveda told lawmakers police tactics have led to the death and "utter humiliation" of many people of color.
"I can speak from personal experience. When I was 18 years old, I was arrested because a police officer didn't like the way I looked at him," Sepulveda said.
The ban on chokeholds – which passed unanimously with bipartisan support – was named in honor of Eric Garner, a black man who was confronted by police for selling loose cigarettes in 2014. Garner died after a New York City police officer put him in a chokehold. Garner's dying words, "I can't breathe," were captured on cell phone video and became a rallying cry for the Black Lives Matter movement nationwide.
The police officer in that case, Daniel Pantaleo, facing likely dismissal eventually resigned from the force, but a grand jury declined to indict him. Last year, the Trump administration's Justice Department declined to bring civil rights charges in the case.
"We unfortunately have not been providing safety for African Americans in this country," said Democratic state Sen. Brian Benjamin. "What this bill does is say, 'You know what? We're going to try to move closer to a system where everyone feels safe in this country.'"
Law enforcement organizations in New York tried to push back against these reforms. The head of the New York State Sheriffs' Association, Jeffrey Murphy, issued a statement rejecting the idea that systemic racism exists in law enforcement, calling the accusation "disgusting."
The powerful New York City Police Benevolent Association called the measures "an attack on law enforcement." But in stunning political development, police saw many of their Republican allies vote with the Democratic majority.
During floor debate Monday, Republican Sen. Fred Akshar, who worked in law enforcement before being elected, said he had intended to vote against the chokehold ban.
He switched sides after being assured that police who use chokeholds in acts of self-defense wouldn't face charges.
Today's rapid-fire votes reflect another profound shift in Albany. Many of the measures being approved had languished for years because they were essentially dead on arrival when they reached the GOP-controlled senate. But Democrats won control of that chamber in the 2018 election. The Assembly and Senate are now led for the first time in history by African American lawmakers, who control the agenda. They seized on the momentum generated by days of street protests to move these reform bills.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo, also a Democrat, promised Monday he would sign the measures when they reach his desk. Lawmakers are expected to take up a second package of reforms on Tuesday, including repeal of a law which kept police disciplinary records confidential.


npr--2020-06-08--Former Chief Of Reformed Camden, N.J., Force: Police Need 'Consent Of The People'

Former Chief Of Reformed Camden , N.J. , Force : Police Need 'Consent Of The People' Activists across the country are calling for radical reforms to policing in the U.S. , including abolishing the police entirely .
Camden , N.J. , took its own big step in 2013 .
The city was in a public safety crisis , with murder rates 18 times the national average and scores of excessive-force complaints , when the mayor and City Council dissolved the existing police department and created a countywide force in its place .
A majority of the police were rehired , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ application , retake psychological testing and go through an interview process , former police Chief Scott Thomson said .
He led the county police from 2013 to 2019 and the city 's force before then .
The department instituted other changes , including putting more officers on the street on a regular basis , getting to know the community and changing the way an officer 's performance was measured — not by the number of arrests or tickets issued , but other outcomes .
`` When I drove down city streets , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bicycle in front of their homes , and I wanted to see people sitting on their front steps , '' Thomson told Mary Louise Kelly on NPR 's All Things Considered .
His goal was the change the identity of Camden police officers from that of `` warrior '' to `` guardian . ''
Homicides have gone down from 67 in 2012 to 25 in 2019 .
Excessive-force complaints went from 65 in 2012 to three last year , Thomson said .
The changes are far from the radical defunding proposed by activists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their points .
`` A police is only effective if it has the consent of the people .
And to have the consent of the people , you have to be legitimate , '' he said .
`` As a police leader , I say , what is the harm with giving them voice , allowing them to come in and be a part of the process ?
And all the while , it gives us the ability to have the dialogue and the education , in both directions , of how difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Here are excerpts from the interview : Did you feel like you lost anything by getting rid of a more traditional police force , more traditional practices ?
No .
As a matter of fact ...
I was an expert practitioner in failed police policies .
And every day we used to come to work and we thought that we could reduce drug dealing and gang activity by locking up drug dealers .
And we would put together teams , we would swoop in , we would do heavy enforcement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was revictimizing the people that lived within a community and [ giving ] opportunities for other criminals to come in .
... We were doing everything from a proactive perspective and doing it completely unilateral from the community in and of itself .
We did n't have the permission .
We did n't have their consent .
So we did n't have legitimacy .
So what is your reaction to the calls we 're hearing now ?
Protesters calling on cities to abolish their police forces .
So that 's a bit extreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ society wherein you could completely eliminate a police force .
I do think that there are some serious conversations that can happen with regards to defunding police .
There are greater public safety returns on investment with programs other than putting money towards enforcement .
... Look , I would have traded 10 cops for another Boys & Girls Club , but the system needs to change as far as having police respond to incidents such as mental illness .
Police are not equipped .
They 're not trained .
They 're not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continues to get delegated to them .
So I think if we changed the expectation of police and did not have them intersecting with community as frequently as it is in areas where they do n't have expertise , I think that the tension on some of these issues could certainly lower if you put the money towards having specialists handle these situations .
I think cops would actually appreciate that .
Listen to the full interview at the audio link above .

Former Chief Of Reformed Camden, N.J., Force: Police Need 'Consent Of The People'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mel Evans/AP Mel Evans/AP
Activists across the country are calling for radical reforms to policing in the U.S., including abolishing the police entirely.
Camden, N.J., took its own big step in 2013. The city was in a public safety crisis, with murder rates 18 times the national average and scores of excessive-force complaints, when the mayor and City Council dissolved the existing police department and created a countywide force in its place.
A majority of the police were rehired, but each had to complete a 50-page application, retake psychological testing and go through an interview process, former police Chief Scott Thomson said. He led the county police from 2013 to 2019 and the city's force before then.
The department instituted other changes, including putting more officers on the street on a regular basis, getting to know the community and changing the way an officer's performance was measured — not by the number of arrests or tickets issued, but other outcomes.
"When I drove down city streets, I wanted to see little kids riding a bicycle in front of their homes, and I wanted to see people sitting on their front steps," Thomson told Mary Louise Kelly on NPR's All Things Considered.
His goal was the change the identity of Camden police officers from that of "warrior" to "guardian."
Homicides have gone down from 67 in 2012 to 25 in 2019. Excessive-force complaints went from 65 in 2012 to three last year, Thomson said.
The changes are far from the radical defunding proposed by activists today. But Thomson echoed many of their points.
"A police is only effective if it has the consent of the people. And to have the consent of the people, you have to be legitimate," he said. "As a police leader, I say, what is the harm with giving them voice, allowing them to come in and be a part of the process? And all the while, it gives us the ability to have the dialogue and the education, in both directions, of how difficult and challenging situations can be better resolved."
Here are excerpts from the interview:
Did you feel like you lost anything by getting rid of a more traditional police force, more traditional practices?
No. As a matter of fact ... I was an expert practitioner in failed police policies. And every day we used to come to work and we thought that we could reduce drug dealing and gang activity by locking up drug dealers. And we would put together teams, we would swoop in, we would do heavy enforcement. And essentially all we were really doing was revictimizing the people that lived within a community and [giving] opportunities for other criminals to come in. ... We were doing everything from a proactive perspective and doing it completely unilateral from the community in and of itself. We didn't have the permission. We didn't have their consent. So we didn't have legitimacy.
So what is your reaction to the calls we're hearing now? Protesters calling on cities to abolish their police forces.
So that's a bit extreme. I don't see a democratic society wherein you could completely eliminate a police force. I do think that there are some serious conversations that can happen with regards to defunding police. There are greater public safety returns on investment with programs other than putting money towards enforcement. ...
Look, I would have traded 10 cops for another Boys & Girls Club, but the system needs to change as far as having police respond to incidents such as mental illness. Police are not equipped. They're not trained. They're not specialized in that. But yet it continues to get delegated to them.
So I think if we changed the expectation of police and did not have them intersecting with community as frequently as it is in areas where they don't have expertise, I think that the tension on some of these issues could certainly lower if you put the money towards having specialists handle these situations. I think cops would actually appreciate that.
Listen to the full interview at the audio link above.


npr--2020-06-08--Florida's Rising COVID-19 Numbers: What Do They Mean?

Florida 's Rising COVID-19 Numbers : What Do They Mean ?
Over the last week , Florida has seen rising numbers of new COVID-19 cases .
Since last Tuesday , the number of people who tested positive for the coronavirus totaled more than 1,000 each day .
Saturday 's total of 1,426 positive tests was the most since early April .
A similar rise in new cases is happening in other states , including North Carolina , Texas and California .
It 's leading to worries that as businesses reopen and stay-at-home orders are lifted , relaxed guidelines could lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wave of infections .
Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis downplayed concerns that the rising numbers are related to the state 's reopening .
He said he believes more people are turning up positive for the coronavirus because more people are being tested .
`` We 've now , in the last two weeks averaged 30,000 test results a day in the state of Florida .
If you go back to the ... beginning of April , we were n't even doing 10,000 test results a day . ''
DeSantis pointed to the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Miami-Dade County , the area in Florida hardest hit by the pandemic , the positive rate is around 5 % now , much lower than it was in April , when it was more than 10 % .
With widespread testing now available for anyone who wants it , DeSantis said many people without symptoms are being found positive for the coronavirus .
`` These are people , a lot of them do n't even think they 're necessarily sick , but ( testing ) is there so they go , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 98 % of them are negative , but you do find cases . ''
Mary Jo Trepka , a professor of epidemiology at Florida International University , agrees that increased testing is a major factor in the rising numbers .
`` It 's easier to get testing now .
Before , the people very , very sick in the hospital were being tested , but not necessarily people who were more mildly ill , '' she said .
Also more positive cases are being identified through contact tracing , Trepka said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pick up those people who are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic , '' she said .
Areas of concern , DeSantis said , are agriculture communities in South Florida , where workers live in close quarters .
`` They 've been going and aggressively testing all those areas , '' DeSantis said .
Prisons are another area where outbreaks are being monitored and contained .
DeSantis said by the end of the week , every resident and worker in the state 's nursing homes and other long-term care facilities will have been tested for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pandemic hot spot .
The infection rate among residents of long-term-care facilities is significantly higher than it is for other people tested in Florida .
Trepka said that at least in Miami-Dade she is seeing an impact from the opening of businesses and a relaxing of social distancing guidelines .
The rate of positive cases among those tested for the coronavirus , which was steadily declining , has now leveled off .
Trepka said , `` It looks like some of the gains that we were making when we were completely closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those gains in terms of a decrease in positivity rates . ''

Florida's Rising COVID-19 Numbers: What Do They Mean?
Enlarge this image toggle caption Florida GIS/Screenshot by NPR Florida GIS/Screenshot by NPR
Over the last week, Florida has seen rising numbers of new COVID-19 cases. Since last Tuesday, the number of people who tested positive for the coronavirus totaled more than 1,000 each day. Saturday's total of 1,426 positive tests was the most since early April.
A similar rise in new cases is happening in other states, including North Carolina, Texas and California. It's leading to worries that as businesses reopen and stay-at-home orders are lifted, relaxed guidelines could lead to new outbreaks and even a second wave of infections.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis downplayed concerns that the rising numbers are related to the state's reopening. He said he believes more people are turning up positive for the coronavirus because more people are being tested. "We've now, in the last two weeks averaged 30,000 test results a day in the state of Florida. If you go back to the ... beginning of April, we weren't even doing 10,000 test results a day."
DeSantis pointed to the state's low rate of positive tests. In Miami-Dade County, the area in Florida hardest hit by the pandemic, the positive rate is around 5% now, much lower than it was in April, when it was more than 10%.
With widespread testing now available for anyone who wants it, DeSantis said many people without symptoms are being found positive for the coronavirus. "These are people, a lot of them don't even think they're necessarily sick, but (testing) is there so they go," he said. "And granted, 98% of them are negative, but you do find cases."
Mary Jo Trepka, a professor of epidemiology at Florida International University, agrees that increased testing is a major factor in the rising numbers. "It's easier to get testing now. Before, the people very, very sick in the hospital were being tested, but not necessarily people who were more mildly ill," she said.
Also more positive cases are being identified through contact tracing, Trepka said. "And so you're more likely to pick up those people who are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic," she said.
Areas of concern, DeSantis said, are agriculture communities in South Florida, where workers live in close quarters. "They've been going and aggressively testing all those areas," DeSantis said. Prisons are another area where outbreaks are being monitored and contained.
DeSantis said by the end of the week, every resident and worker in the state's nursing homes and other long-term care facilities will have been tested for the coronavirus. But those entities remain a pandemic hot spot. The infection rate among residents of long-term-care facilities is significantly higher than it is for other people tested in Florida.
Trepka said that at least in Miami-Dade she is seeing an impact from the opening of businesses and a relaxing of social distancing guidelines. The rate of positive cases among those tested for the coronavirus, which was steadily declining, has now leveled off. Trepka said, "It looks like some of the gains that we were making when we were completely closed down, we're no longer seeing those gains in terms of a decrease in positivity rates."