occupydemocrats--2020-06-15--Jon Stewart returns to roast Trumpers for being unable to last six weeks in quarantine

Once the king of late-night political comedy , Jon Stewart has kept a relatively low profile since handing The Daily Show hosting-duties over to Trevor Noah in 2015 .
Outside of continuing to advocate for 9/11 first responders and the occasional guest stint on his former colleague Stephen Colbert ’ s CBS late-night show , Stewart has been relatively silent during the Trump era when America arguably needed his satiric insight the most .
Stewart hasn ’ t only been playing with his kids and helping raise the animals on his farm , however .
He ’ s spent much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finishing touches on a new film , a political satire that he wrote and directed called Irresistible .
Now that it ’ s time for him to hit the promotional circuit for his latest endeavor , the former late-night guru is back in the public eye and ready to share his thoughts about the current political era , Donald Trump , and the state of the union from his own unique perspective .
A new interview with Stewart in The New York Times Magazine reveals that he has been watching the political landscape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from The Daily Show .
His new film was inspired , in fact , by the 2017 special congressional election in Georgia that had Democrat Jon Ossoff facing off against Republican Karen Handel in a race that was been at the time as the first proxy referendum on the Trump presidency and , as such , attracted outsized attention on the national stage .
Stewart changed the location to Wisconsin for his own story inspired by the Ossoff race and made the election in his film an even smaller local race that gains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for symbolic partisan reasons .
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump ’ s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors !
Asked about his reaction to returning to the public stage at this particularly fraught moment in history , Stewart acknowledged the awkwardness of the situation .
Stewart takes stabs at both sides of the political spectrum in his film and is resigned to being criticized from both quarters .
Of the protests following the murder of George Floyd , Stewart had lots to say about how our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the justice system .
“ The police are a reflection of a society .
They ’ re not a rogue alien organization that came down to torment the black community , ” Stewart opined .
“ They ’ re enforcing segregation .
Segregation is legally over , but it never ended .
The police are , in some respects , a border patrol , and they patrol the border between the two Americas .
We have that so that the rest of us don ’ t have to deal with it .
Then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our shock and indignation .
But if we don ’ t address the anguish of a people , the pain of being a people who built this country through forced labor — people say , ‘ I ’ m tired of everything being about race.
’ Well , imagine how [ expletive ] exhausting it is to live that.
” Stewart expanded his analysis of the potential results of the current civil rights struggle with a larger historical view of how change is accomplished in America .
“ Look , every advancement toward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blood .
Then , when that ’ s over , a defensiveness from the group that had been doing the oppressing , ” he said .
“ There ’ s always this begrudging sense that black people are being granted something , when it ’ s white people ’ s lack of being able to live up to the defining words of the birth of the country that is the problem .
There ’ s a lack of recognition of the difference in our system .
Chris Rock used to do a great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to change places with a black person .
They don ’ t even want to exchange places with me , and I ’ m rich.
’ It ’ s true .
There ’ s not a white person out there who would want to be treated like even a successful black person in this country .
And if we don ’ t address the why of that treatment , the how is just window dressing , ” he stated .
“ You know , we ’ re in a bizarre time of quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then stormed a state building with rifles , shouting : ‘ Give me liberty !
This is causing economic distress !
I ’ m not going to wear a mask , because that ’ s tyranny !
’ That ’ s six weeks versus 400 years of quarantining a race of people .
The policing is an issue , but it ’ s the least of it .
We use the police as surrogates to quarantine these racial and economic inequalities so that we don ’ t have to deal with them , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surprised him the most about the political events of the past few months , the multi-talented writer/director/comedian had a ready answer that spoke to his surprise at Donald Trump ’ s lack of agility in dealing with the crises he ’ s been presented with .
You can read the rest of The New York Times Magazine ‘ s interview with Jon Stewart , including more about his new film and about his opinion of Joe Biden ’ s campaign on the newspaper ’ s pay-wall protected website here .
Original reporting by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Magazine .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

Once the king of late-night political comedy, Jon Stewart has kept a relatively low profile since handing The Daily Show hosting-duties over to Trevor Noah in 2015.
Outside of continuing to advocate for 9/11 first responders and the occasional guest stint on his former colleague Stephen Colbert’s CBS late-night show, Stewart has been relatively silent during the Trump era when America arguably needed his satiric insight the most.
Stewart hasn’t only been playing with his kids and helping raise the animals on his farm, however. He’s spent much of the last few months putting the finishing touches on a new film, a political satire that he wrote and directed called Irresistible.
Now that it’s time for him to hit the promotional circuit for his latest endeavor, the former late-night guru is back in the public eye and ready to share his thoughts about the current political era, Donald Trump, and the state of the union from his own unique perspective.
A new interview with Stewart in The New York Times Magazine reveals that he has been watching the political landscape carefully from the sidelines since his departure from The Daily Show.
His new film was inspired, in fact, by the 2017 special congressional election in Georgia that had Democrat Jon Ossoff facing off against Republican Karen Handel in a race that was been at the time as the first proxy referendum on the Trump presidency and, as such, attracted outsized attention on the national stage.
Stewart changed the location to Wisconsin for his own story inspired by the Ossoff race and made the election in his film an even smaller local race that gains outsized significance at a national level purely for symbolic partisan reasons.
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
Asked about his reaction to returning to the public stage at this particularly fraught moment in history, Stewart acknowledged the awkwardness of the situation.
“It’s like showing up to a plane crash with a chocolate bar. There’s tragedy everywhere, and you’re like, ‘‘Uh, does anybody want chocolate?’’ It feels ridiculous. But what doesn’t feel ridiculous is to continue to fight for nuance and precision and solutions,” he told The Times.
Stewart takes stabs at both sides of the political spectrum in his film and is resigned to being criticized from both quarters.
“You’re going to have people on the left who go, ‘In the time of Trump, all you should be doing is a Fahrenheit 11/9; there is no purpose other than to destroy the mother ship,’’’ Stewart explained. Meanwhile, ‘‘There are people on the right predisposed to say, ‘[expletive] that guy,’” he continued.
Of the protests following the murder of George Floyd, Stewart had lots to say about how our problems go beyond just the police and the justice system.
“The police are a reflection of a society. They’re not a rogue alien organization that came down to torment the black community,” Stewart opined. “They’re enforcing segregation. Segregation is legally over, but it never ended. The police are, in some respects, a border patrol, and they patrol the border between the two Americas. We have that so that the rest of us don’t have to deal with it. Then that situation erupts, and we express our shock and indignation. But if we don’t address the anguish of a people, the pain of being a people who built this country through forced labor — people say, ‘I’m tired of everything being about race.’ Well, imagine how [expletive] exhausting it is to live that.”
Stewart expanded his analysis of the potential results of the current civil rights struggle with a larger historical view of how change is accomplished in America.
“Look, every advancement toward equality has come with the spilling of blood. Then, when that’s over, a defensiveness from the group that had been doing the oppressing,” he said. “There’s always this begrudging sense that black people are being granted something, when it’s white people’s lack of being able to live up to the defining words of the birth of the country that is the problem. There’s a lack of recognition of the difference in our system. Chris Rock used to do a great bit: ‘No white person wants to change places with a black person. They don’t even want to exchange places with me, and I’m rich.’ It’s true. There’s not a white person out there who would want to be treated like even a successful black person in this country. And if we don’t address the why of that treatment, the how is just window dressing,” he stated. “You know, we’re in a bizarre time of quarantine. White people lasted six weeks and then stormed a state building with rifles, shouting: ‘Give me liberty! This is causing economic distress! I’m not going to wear a mask, because that’s tyranny!’ That’s six weeks versus 400 years of quarantining a race of people. The policing is an issue, but it’s the least of it. We use the police as surrogates to quarantine these racial and economic inequalities so that we don’t have to deal with them,” Stewart pointed out.
Asked what surprised him the most about the political events of the past few months, the multi-talented writer/director/comedian had a ready answer that spoke to his surprise at Donald Trump’s lack of agility in dealing with the crises he’s been presented with.
“That the Trump administration has not changed its practices. You would have thought that somebody would have mentioned to Trump the idea of rising to greatness. Instead it’s: ‘Why don’t I tweet out that Joe Scarborough killed people? Would that be good in a pandemic?’ I guess his behavior is understandable, because what’s he going to run on, his record? He’s just going to pick at scabs,” Stewart dismissively said of Trump’s re-election ground game.
You can read the rest of The New York Times Magazine‘s interview with Jon Stewart, including more about his new film and about his opinion of Joe Biden’s campaign on the newspaper’s pay-wall protected website here.
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
Original reporting by David Marchese at The New York Times Magazine.
We want to hear what YOU have to say. Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section!
Vinnie Longobardo Managing Editor Vinnie Longobardo is the Managing Editor of Occupy Democrats. He's a 35-year veteran of the TV, mobile & internet industries, specializing in start-ups and the international media business. His passions are politics, music, and art. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-06-15--Ted Cruz sparks hilarious backlash after proposing absurd Jim Jordan/Ron Perlman wrestling match

Actor Ron Perlman of Hellboy and Sons of Anarchy fame has never been shy about his deep antipathy and distrust of the modern Republican Party .
Over the weekend , he once again let loose with a series of brutal barbs , this time zeroed in on the execrable Rep. Matt Gaetz ( R-FL ) .
After repeatedly mocking Gaetz and weathering the Congressman ’ s underwhelming milquetoast rebuttals , Perlman went after Rep. Jim Jordan ( R-OH ) .
The actor wrote that Matt Gaetz is “ lucky ” that Jordan exists because without him Gaetz would qualify as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s attack was ruthless , but perhaps no less than a man as odious as Jordan deserves .
Senator Ted Cruz ( R-TX ) , failed Republican presidential hopeful and generally unlikeable guy , quote-tweeted Perlman ’ s Jordan attack and wrote : “ You talk good game when you ’ ve got Hollywood makeup and stuntman.
” He then said he ’ d bet a $ 10,000 donation to a “ nonpolitical charity ” that Perlman wouldn ’ t be able to “ last 5 mins ” in a wrestling ring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell states and police to reject Trump ’ s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors !
The choice of wrestling stems from the fact that Jordan used to be an assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State University .
What Cruz failed to mention in his little tweet is that Jordan ’ s days at OSU are deeply stained with controversy , as numerous student-athletes have alleged that Jordan knew that the wrestling team ’ s doctor was molesting them and did nothing to stop it .
In other words , he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would expect to find a home in the party of Donald Trump .
Perlman was quick yo fire back and told “ teddy boy ” that he ’ d rather just donate $ 50,000 to Black Lives Matter and let Cruz “ keep all the tax payer money you were thinking of spending.
” Cruz , unable to admit he ’ d been outflanked and outclassed , said that he knows Perlman is “ rich ” but also “ soft.
” He pushed the Jordan angle , alleging that Perlman is “ scared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He then tossed out an incredibly weak insult about him needing a “ manicure.
” As is always the case with Cruz , the tweet lacked anything that could even be generously described as wit .
Perlman responded by belittling Cruz for being the “ kind of a muthf*cka ” who “ offers to have another guy , probably asleep at the time , kick another guy ’ s ass.
” Given Cruz ’ s constant posturing as a Texan tough guy with his love of cigars and guns , Perlman ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up with another tweet calling Jordan “ just a little b*tch ” and offered to take on “ teddy ” to teach him a lesson about talking “ sh*t ” about New York .
“ Lets go mofo !
” he concluded .
Cruz , perhaps finally realizing that the back-and-forth was not going his way , has not responded but the Twitter feud between the two men unleashed a tidal wave of tweets , most of them mocking the Texan senator .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ our NEW comment section !

Actor Ron Perlman of Hellboy and Sons of Anarchy fame has never been shy about his deep antipathy and distrust of the modern Republican Party. Over the weekend, he once again let loose with a series of brutal barbs, this time zeroed in on the execrable Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL). After repeatedly mocking Gaetz and weathering the Congressman’s underwhelming milquetoast rebuttals, Perlman went after Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH).
The actor wrote that Matt Gaetz is “lucky” that Jordan exists because without him Gaetz would qualify as the “ugliest politician walking.” Perlman’s attack was ruthless, but perhaps no less than a man as odious as Jordan deserves.
PS: You’re lucky for this guy Matt. If it weren’t for him you’d be the ugliest politician walking. @mattgaetz pic.twitter.com/uUgUDKHgZA — Ron Perlman (@perlmutations) June 15, 2020
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), failed Republican presidential hopeful and generally unlikeable guy, quote-tweeted Perlman’s Jordan attack and wrote: “You talk good game when you’ve got Hollywood makeup and stuntman.” He then said he’d bet a $10,000 donation to a “nonpolitical charity” that Perlman wouldn’t be able to “last 5 mins” in a wrestling ring with Jordan.
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
The choice of wrestling stems from the fact that Jordan used to be an assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State University. What Cruz failed to mention in his little tweet is that Jordan’s days at OSU are deeply stained with controversy, as numerous student-athletes have alleged that Jordan knew that the wrestling team’s doctor was molesting them and did nothing to stop it. In other words, he’s exactly the kind of man you would expect to find a home in the party of Donald Trump.
Listen Hellboy. You talk good game when you’ve got Hollywood makeup & stuntmen. But I’ll bet $10k—to the nonpolitical charity of your choice—that you couldn’t last 5 min in the wrestling ring w/ @Jim_Jordan w/o getting pinned. You up for it? Or does your publicist say too risky? https://t.co/eRerYVe5kj — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) June 15, 2020
Perlman was quick yo fire back and told “teddy boy” that he’d rather just donate $50,000 to Black Lives Matter and let Cruz “keep all the tax payer money you were thinking of spending.”
I tell you what teddy boy, since mentioning jim jordan and wrestling is… problematic, why don’t we say fuck him and just make it you & me. I’ll give 50k to Black Lives Matter and you can keep all the tax payer money you were thinking of spending. https://t.co/6QDwCaEkpv — Ron Perlman (@perlmutations) June 15, 2020
Cruz, unable to admit he’d been outflanked and outclassed, said that he knows Perlman is “rich” but also “soft.” He pushed the Jordan angle, alleging that Perlman is “scared” to wrestle the former coach. He then tossed out an incredibly weak insult about him needing a “manicure.” As is always the case with Cruz, the tweet lacked anything that could even be generously described as wit.
I get it, you’re rich. But, apparently, soft. You sure seem scared to wrestle Jordan (whom you keep insulting). Can’t take the heat? Need to get a manicure? https://t.co/giLnJjZNKr — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) June 15, 2020
Perlman responded by belittling Cruz for being the “kind of a muthf*cka” who “offers to have another guy, probably asleep at the time, kick another guy’s ass.” Given Cruz’s constant posturing as a Texan tough guy with his love of cigars and guns, Perlman’s jab was spot on.
He followed up with another tweet calling Jordan “just a little b*tch” and offered to take on “teddy” to teach him a lesson about talking “sh*t” about New York. “Lets go mofo!” he concluded.
Teddy, Teddy, what kind of a muthafucka offers to have another guy, probably asleep at the time, kick another guy’s ass? https://t.co/v7EFmP1Mqe — Ron Perlman (@perlmutations) June 15, 2020
Let’s get back to bidness ted. jim jordan’s too easy, just a little bitch. But you teddy, you talk shit about New York every chance you get. My hometown. It’s personal. Let’s go mofo! — Ron Perlman (@perlmutations) June 15, 2020
Cruz, perhaps finally realizing that the back-and-forth was not going his way, has not responded but the Twitter feud between the two men unleashed a tidal wave of tweets, most of them mocking the Texan senator.
Thanks to all the serious U.S. Congressmen spending their time asking the blue checks if they're triggered. — Cody Johnston (@drmistercody) June 15, 2020
https://twitter.com/DevinCow/status/1272422265439780865?s=20
Dude, challenging someone to a fight… with someone else… is the weakest flex ever. Run along, dipshit. — The Hoarse Whisperer (@HoarseWisperer) June 15, 2020
Yes, yes, let’s talk about Jim Jordan’s wrestling days, that’s a smart move here. https://t.co/S8JicGa5zw — Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) June 15, 2020
A guy trying to get another guy to fight a third guy while never getting his own hands dirty is the definition of Republicanism. — MZS (@mattzollerseitz) June 15, 2020
This is weird. — Respectable Lawyer (@RespectableLaw) June 15, 2020
Trump is burning down the country and the people charged with reining him in are threatening celebrities to wrestling matches on twitter — Andrew Wortman (@AmoneyResists) June 15, 2020
https://twitter.com/stanhope_v/status/1272540510058500097?s=20
https://twitter.com/mollysmcdonough/status/1272398351171039233?s=20
Cruz defended Jim Jordan more than his own wife. — Alex Cole (@acnewsitics) June 15, 2020
Ted Cruz watching two men wrestle like pic.twitter.com/FidkvZYWbR — Emma Vigeland (@EmmaVigeland) June 15, 2020
The same kinda guy that campaigns for a man who called his wife ugly and his father a murderer. Rafa is a special kind of guy. @tedcruz — Brandon David Wilson (@Geniusbastard) June 15, 2020
Ted Cruz: "You wanna fight? Here's my buddy Jim! Fight him!" The man is an embarrassment… — Sean Currey (@SeanTCurrey) June 15, 2020
https://twitter.com/PatriotsGirlUSA/status/1272547169321582593?s=20
We want to hear what YOU have to say. Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section!
OD STAFF Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-06-15--Conservatives cry tears of rage as Trump-appointed Neil Gorsuch votes in favor of LGBT rights

On Monday morning , the United States was greeted with some wonderful news , which has been increasingly rare as @ @ @ @ @ nation further into chaos and dysfunction .
The Supreme Court ruled in a historic 6-3 @ @ @ @ @ discriminate against their employees on the basis of their sexual or gender identity , a @ @ @ @ @ team that had ended federal healthcare protections for LGBTQIA individuals just this past Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ to the radical right-wing homophobes and religious extremists who had doubtlessly been literally praying for @ @ @ @ @ based on their sexual or gender identifies , Trump-appointed Justice Neil Gorsuch crossed the aisle @ @ @ @ @ position .
This caused no small amount of weeping , moaning , gnashing of teeth @ @ @ @ @ who were suddenly confronted with the prospect of treating gay and trans folks the same @ @ @ @ @ .
There was also an outpouring of glee from liberals who “ absolutely love to @ @ @ @

On Monday morning, the United States was greeted with some wonderful news, which has been increasingly rare as the Trump presidency drags our nation further into chaos and dysfunction. The Supreme Court ruled in a historic 6-3 decision that employers cannot discriminate against their employees on the basis of their sexual or gender identity, a sharp rebuke to a Trump team that had ended federal healthcare protections for LGBTQIA individuals just this past Friday.
In an even bigger blow to the radical right-wing homophobes and religious extremists who had doubtlessly been literally praying for the right to oppress people based on their sexual or gender identifies, Trump-appointed Justice Neil Gorsuch crossed the aisle and sided against the conservative position.
This caused no small amount of weeping, moaning, gnashing of teeth, and seething from right-wingers who were suddenly confronted with the prospect of treating gay and trans folks the same way they treat everyone else.
This Gorsuch decision is not originalist in any way; he acknowledges as much. It is simply a bad, outcome-driven legal decision. And it throws religious liberty, free speech, and employment law into complete turmoil. — Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) June 15, 2020
Justice Scalia would be disappointed that his successor has bungled textualism so badly today, for the sake of appealing to college campuses and editorial boards. This was not judging, this was legislating—a brute force attack on our constitutional system. (1/x) — Carrie Severino (@JCNSeverino) June 15, 2020
There was also an outpouring of glee from liberals who “absolutely love to see it.”
Justice Alito’s dissent is 100 pages long lmao https://t.co/NvbWtCwHwQ — 5-4 Podcast (@fivefourpod) June 15, 2020
scalia was so afraid of locker room gay stuff that he accidentally wrote an opinion in oncale that would be used 22 years later as the basis for a decision that title vii prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation (and gender id) — law dog, esq. (@ggooooddddoogg) June 15, 2020
heads up to the dummies on the fifth circuit: justice gorsuch does not find it difficult or complicated to address trans women using feminine pronouns pic.twitter.com/POqExoPC9H — Sigh Hersh, Hostile Witness (@Ugarles) June 15, 2020
OD STAFF Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-06-15--Trump accuses the media of trying to “COVID shame” his rally with facts on how disease spreads

It ’ s always fairly amusing when the right-wing tries to appropriate woke language to serve their own wildly selfish and usually ridiculous purposes , as President Trump proved on Monday morning when he accused the media of trying to “ COVID shame ” him for planning an enormous 19,000 person hate rally in the middle of a pandemic .
Trump took to Twitter and complained that the “ fake news media ” had “ no covid problem ” during the recent protests over the brutal police murder of George Floyd ( which is untrue ) but is now trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his fans for holding rallies with their mewling concerns for public health — but don ’ t worry , all their pesky facts about disease transmission aren ’ t going to stop him one bit !
Trump must have heard about the warnings that were given on the Sunday news shows yesterday , and he did not like them .
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump ’ s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors !
Boston University School of Medicine ’ s Dr. Nahid Bhadelia appeared on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned that a rally like Trump ’ s was a “ perfect storm setup ” for a COVID-19 resurgence .
“ The idea of tons of people , where one sick person can have an impact of generating secondary cases on this immense level , where it ’ s indoors , where there ’ s no ventilation .
I would move it to the outdoors , I would reduce the number of people , I would introduce social distancing , and I would require everybody to wear a mask ” said Bhadelia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that wasn ’ t about himself , he would know that the University of Minnesota ’ s infectious disease expert Dr. Michael T. Osterholm joined FOX News Sunday and explained that many of the protesters were wearing masks and the protests all occurred outside , which limits the spread of disease — as opposed to packing 19,000 hooting and baying chuds into a stadium so Trump can brag about how all the stocks they don ’ t own are doing .
It goes without saying that it is absolutely insane to see the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that holding rallies in a pandemic is reckless , but that ’ s just the world we live in…until November , that is .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

It’s always fairly amusing when the right-wing tries to appropriate woke language to serve their own wildly selfish and usually ridiculous purposes, as President Trump proved on Monday morning when he accused the media of trying to “COVID shame” him for planning an enormous 19,000 person hate rally in the middle of a pandemic.
Trump took to Twitter and complained that the “fake news media” had “no covid problem” during the recent protests over the brutal police murder of George Floyd (which is untrue) but is now trying to “COVID shame” him and his fans for holding rallies with their mewling concerns for public health — but don’t worry, all their pesky facts about disease transmission aren’t going to stop him one bit!
The Far Left Fake News Media, which had no Covid problem with the Rioters & Looters destroying Democrat run cities, is trying to Covid Shame us on our big Rallies. Won’t work! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 15, 2020
Trump must have heard about the warnings that were given on the Sunday news shows yesterday, and he did not like them.
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
Boston University School of Medicine’s Dr. Nahid Bhadelia appeared on NBC’s Meet the Press and warned that a rally like Trump’s was a “perfect storm setup” for a COVID-19 resurgence. “The idea of tons of people, where one sick person can have an impact of generating secondary cases on this immense level, where it’s indoors, where there’s no ventilation. I would move it to the outdoors, I would reduce the number of people, I would introduce social distancing, and I would require everybody to wear a mask” said Bhadelia.
But if the president ever watched anything that wasn’t about himself, he would know that the University of Minnesota’s infectious disease expert Dr. Michael T. Osterholm joined FOX News Sunday and explained that many of the protesters were wearing masks and the protests all occurred outside, which limits the spread of disease — as opposed to packing 19,000 hooting and baying chuds into a stadium so Trump can brag about how all the stocks they don’t own are doing.
It goes without saying that it is absolutely insane to see the president complaining about the news telling him that holding rallies in a pandemic is reckless, but that’s just the world we live in…until November, that is.
We want to hear what YOU have to say. Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section!
OD STAFF Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-06-16--A fourth black man is found hanging from a tree

Life in America right now is probably more depressing overall that at any time in recent history .
It begs disbelief , however , to blame the vagaries of misfortune and disappointment for the sudden trend of supposedly suicidal black men being found hanging from trees across the country — particularly since hanging is a traditional method of lynching committed by those consumed with racial animosity and since no other racial , ethnic , or gender group that may be suffering through the same difficult times as African American males has been the subject of a similar trend .
Incredibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fourth black man within the last two weeks — weeks in which the country has exploded in protests over the lack of value placed on black lives by police around the nation — was disclosed today with police again initially characterizing the death as a suicide .
At press time , no details about the victim ’ s identity were available , but the man ’ s body was found hanging today from a tree in a field outside of a store in the Shady Acres section of Houston , just south of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chronicle , Kese Smith , a spokesperson for the city ’ s police said that Houston police homicide detectives are currently investigating the circumstances of the death and had .
o further details as of Monday afternoon .
Another Houston police spokesperson , Jodi Silva told The Houston Leader that the death is “ believed to be a suicide , ” but that the official cause of death is pending an autopsy .
Silva also said that the department could not immediately provide any additional identifying information about the victim since his body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of decomposition.
” This latest suspiciously similar death comes after two other hangings discovered in California since Memorial Day — each of which was within an hour ’ s drive from the other — and another victim found in a Manhattan park last week .
The first hanging victim was 38-year-old Malcolm Harsch whose body was found hanging in a tree near the Victorville City Library in San Bernadino county in southern California by the Victorville City Fire Department on May 31st .
While Harsch ’ s lifeless body was found first , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after news of the death 24-year-old Robert Fuller — who was found hanging in a tree near Palmdale City Hall on last Wednesday — raised questions about why a man with no history of depression or mental illness and no known cause for wanting to kill himself would suddenly decide to commit suicide in such a difficult and painful fashion .
Dominique Alexander , 27 , of Kingsbridge Terrace in the Bronx , died by hanging in Fort Tryon Park in the Inwood section of Manhattan on June 9th .
The new York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruled his death a suicide .
The families of both Fuller and Harsch have rejected police characterizations of their deaths as suicides and are calling for more intensive investigations of the circumstances surrounding their demise in such an unusually suspect manner so traditionally associated with racist reprisals against black men .
Alexander ’ s family has refused to comment on his death beyond expressing their extreme grief .
Even one black man found hung from a tree with a noose around his neck would be worthy of an extensive investigation , but four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks boggles the mind with the suggestion that an active campaign of vigilante genocide might be at hand rather than an astronomically unlikely coincidence .
Those who brush off the idea that these recent deaths may actually be some form of right-wing extremist revenge for the Black Lives Matter protests around the country would practically have to believe that committing suicide by hanging oneself from a tree has become a trendy new fad among despondent black men , an idea as unlikely as the concept that police currently treat all races and ethnicities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is still no hard evidence that these so-called suicides are actually cleverly executed lynchings , suspicions run high given the current climate of racial tension .
Hopefully , more details of the latest death in Houston will be available shortly .
Let ’ s hope that this is the last of this unusual pattern of supposed suicides that we see anytime soon .
Original reporting by Julian Gill at The Houston Chronicle and by Adam Zuvanich at The Leader .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ section !

Life in America right now is probably more depressing overall that at any time in recent history.
It begs disbelief, however, to blame the vagaries of misfortune and disappointment for the sudden trend of supposedly suicidal men being found hanging from trees across the country — particularly since hanging is a traditional method of lynching committed by those consumed with racial animosity and since no other racial, ethnic, or gender group that may be suffering through the same difficult times as African American males has been the subject of a similar trend.
Incredibly enough, the hanging death of a fourth man within the last two weeks — weeks in which the country has exploded in protests over the lack of value placed on black lives by police around the nation — was disclosed today with police again initially characterizing the death as a suicide.
At press time, no details about the victim’s identity were available, but the man’s body was found hanging today from a tree in a field outside of a store in the Shady Acres section of Houston, just south of Interstate 610. UPDATE: The man initially identified as black was later said to be Hispanic.
According to the Houston Chronicle, Kese Smith, a spokesperson for the city’s police said that Houston police homicide detectives are currently investigating the circumstances of the death and had. No further details as of Monday afternoon.
Another Houston police spokesperson, Jodi Silva told The Houston Leader that the death is “believed to be a suicide,” but that the official cause of death is pending an autopsy. Silva also said that the department could not immediately provide any additional identifying information about the victim since his body was discovered “in an advanced stage of decomposition.”
This latest suspiciously similar death comes after two other hangings discovered in California since Memorial Day — each of which was within an hour’s drive from the other — and another victim found in a Manhattan park last week.
The first hanging victim was 38-year-old Malcolm Harsch whose body was found hanging in a tree near the Victorville City Library in San Bernadino county in southern California by the Victorville City Fire Department on May 31st.
While Harsch’s lifeless body was found first, the incident was not really publicized until after news of the death 24-year-old Robert Fuller — who was found hanging in a tree near Palmdale City Hall on last Wednesday — raised questions about why a man with no history of depression or mental illness and no known cause for wanting to kill himself would suddenly decide to commit suicide in such a difficult and painful fashion.
Dominique Alexander, 27, of Kingsbridge Terrace in the Bronx, died by hanging in Fort Tryon Park in the Inwood section of Manhattan on June 9th. The new York City Medical Examiner’s office also ruled his death a suicide.
The families of both Fuller and Harsch have rejected police characterizations of their deaths as suicides and are calling for more intensive investigations of the circumstances surrounding their demise in such an unusually suspect manner so traditionally associated with racist reprisals against black men. Alexander’s family has refused to comment on his death beyond expressing their extreme grief.
Even one black man found hung from a tree with a noose around his neck would be worthy of an extensive investigation, but four within the space of just over two weeks boggles the mind with the suggestion that an active campaign of vigilante genocide might be at hand rather than an astronomically unlikely coincidence.
Those who brush off the idea that these recent deaths may actually be some form of right-wing extremist revenge for the Black Lives Matter protests around the country would practically have to believe that committing suicide by hanging oneself from a tree has become a trendy new fad among despondent black men, an idea as unlikely as the concept that police currently treat all races and ethnicities that they encounter equally.
While there is still no hard evidence that these so-called suicides are actually cleverly executed lynchings, suspicions run high given the current climate of racial tension.
Hopefully, more details of the latest death in Houston will be available shortly.
Let’s hope that this is the last of this unusual pattern of supposed suicides that we see anytime soon.
UPDATE: This story has been updated with new information identifying the victim as a Hispanic man, not a black man.
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
Original reporting by Julian Gill at The Houston Chronicle and by Adam Zuvanich at The Leader.
We want to hear what YOU have to say. Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section!
Vinnie Longobardo Managing Editor Vinnie Longobardo is the Managing Editor of Occupy Democrats. He's a 35-year veteran of the TV, mobile & internet industries, specializing in start-ups and the international media business. His passions are politics, music, and art. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-06-16--“She didn’t want OUR KIND in the bathrooms!” Biracial family gets harassed by racist KOA Kamp Karen

After seemingly endless weeks on lockdown and with money tight due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 business closures , many people are taking the time to find inexpensive recreation by going camping , now that states are beginning to loosen restrictions .
One Illinois family , however , found that their camping excursion to nearby Missouri was more of an educational journey demonstrating the practical application of systemic racism than a particularly fun-filled weekend of swimming , playing , and making ‘ smores around the campfire .
Megan Jones , of Alton , Illinois , brought her seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sullivan , Missouri about 80 miles away from their home and says that the owners of the franchised camping facility subjected her family to discrimination and mistreatment while treating her children like “ garbage.
” While everyone has from time to time had to deal with business proprietors who are less than 100 % friendly , Jones says that the couple who ran this particular KOA were consistently rude to her family and one of them insulted one of her older children for allowing a younger sibling to use chalk on the pavement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ dirty ” and threatening to evict the family from the campground — despite the fact that chalk can easily be washed away .
When Megan Jones confronted the woman about how she had treated her family , she was told that her children should know better and that the owners “ didn ’ t want OUR KIND in the bathrooms and shower house.
” No , they hadn ’ t been transported to the Deep South in the 1950s , but they may as well have been .
Jones made the wise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a full refund that the regressive campground operator had made when she expressed her displeasure at having to cater to a biracial family , but she held the owners to account for their racist behavior in a searing Facebook post .
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump ’ s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors !
The Facebook post garnered Jones an abject apology from the national KOA organization that granted the franchise to the intolerant owners of the Sulivan , Missouri location .
Even the local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incident on their own Facebook page .
“ We will not make excuses , nor try to relay our intentions , ” they said .
“ Regardless of how we viewed the situation , if we made this family feel unwelcome it ’ s clear we have work to do .
We will be looking hard at ourselves and our staff to ensure we truly embody the KOA mission that all are welcome .
While we have long believed it , actions need to speak louder than words and thoughts.
” All over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wounds of racism were washed away as easily .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

After seemingly endless weeks on lockdown and with money tight due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 business closures, many people are taking the time to find inexpensive recreation by going camping, now that states are beginning to loosen restrictions.
One Illinois family, however, found that their camping excursion to nearby Missouri was more of an educational journey demonstrating the practical application of systemic racism than a particularly fun-filled weekend of swimming, playing, and making ‘smores around the campfire.
Megan Jones, of Alton, Illinois, brought her seven bi-racial children to a KOA Campground in Sullivan, Missouri about 80 miles away from their home and says that the owners of the franchised camping facility subjected her family to discrimination and mistreatment while treating her children like “garbage.”
While everyone has from time to time had to deal with business proprietors who are less than 100% friendly, Jones says that the couple who ran this particular KOA were consistently rude to her family and one of them insulted one of her older children for allowing a younger sibling to use chalk on the pavement at the campground — calling the child “dirty” and threatening to evict the family from the campground — despite the fact that chalk can easily be washed away.
When Megan Jones confronted the woman about how she had treated her family, she was told that her children should know better and that the owners “didn’t want OUR KIND in the bathrooms and shower house.”
No, they hadn’t been transported to the Deep South in the 1950s, but they may as well have been.
Jones made the wise decision to take up the offer of a full refund that the regressive campground operator had made when she expressed her displeasure at having to cater to a biracial family, but she held the owners to account for their racist behavior in a searing Facebook post.
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
The Facebook post garnered Jones an abject apology from the national KOA organization that granted the franchise to the intolerant owners of the Sulivan, Missouri location.
“They spoke of their love of camping and their intent to continue to camp with KOA in the future,” the organization said in a statement. “We welcome the chance to provide them with the camping experience that they and all members of the Black community deserve.”
Even the local KOA licensee felt compelled to address the incident on their own Facebook page.
“We will not make excuses, nor try to relay our intentions,” they said. “Regardless of how we viewed the situation, if we made this family feel unwelcome it’s clear we have work to do. We will be looking hard at ourselves and our staff to ensure we truly embody the KOA mission that all are welcome. While we have long believed it, actions need to speak louder than words and thoughts.”
All over a little chalk.
If only the wounds of racism were washed away as easily.
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
Original reporting by Travis Gettys at RawStory.
We want to hear what YOU have to say. Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section!
Vinnie Longobardo Managing Editor Vinnie Longobardo is the Managing Editor of Occupy Democrats. He's a 35-year veteran of the TV, mobile & internet industries, specializing in start-ups and the international media business. His passions are politics, music, and art. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-06-16--White woman refuses to let Black woman out of parking lot because of the way her son got Gatorade

As the George Floyd protests for racial justice and against police brutality continue to grip the world , videos have been popping up which reinforce the underlying arguments for why these demonstrations are needed in the first place .
Countless clips of law enforcement officers using excessive force against peaceful protests—ranging from everything from tear gas to vehicular assault—have exploded across the internet while numerous videos showing civilians engaged in vile displays of racism have gone viral simultaneously .
Fox 2 is now reporting on an incident that occurred in a Kroger parking lot in Detroit , Michigan this past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman aggressively harassing a Black woman by blocking her car in wither her body and refusing to let her leave .
“ This needs to be known .
You can ’ t just stay hush-hush about everything and keep on letting people get away with nonsense , ” said Shaneeka Montgomery-Strickland , the woman who found her vehicle obstructed .
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump ’ s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors !
Reportedly , Montgomery-Strickland encountered the woman inside the grocery store while shopping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stepped up onto a bottom shelf in order to reach some Gatorade , the white woman in question saw the benign action and grew incensed for some reason .
“ She said , ‘ Ohmygod , they went up to get they Gatorade .
I ’ m trying to shop over here.
’ It was irateness .
I told her please don ’ t yell at them and then she started yelling at me , ” recounted Montgomery-Strickland .
“ And I said , ‘ You don ’ t have to yell at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ And a lot of people where , if you ’ re short you ’ re going to go up there and grab what you need .
There ’ s not a lot of workers in the aisle , you have to do what you have to do and you move on.
” The woman inserted herself into the family ’ s business once again when they reached the parking lot .
“ She still went to her car , came back with the baby in the cart , called me the b @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car because I started videotaping after that , ” said Montgomery-Strickland , who filmed the aggressive woman .
The woman , perhaps aware of how these videos often go viral and expose racist encounters such as this , eventually asked Montgomery-Strickland to delete the recording , which she wisely declined to do .
“ I said ma ’ am can you please move from behind my car , she told me no I ’ m not going anywhere , ” said Montgomery-Strickland .
Montgomery-Strickland was forced to call the police when the woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pull out .
When the officers arrived on the scene , the white woman eagerly ran up to them , presumably to air her imagined grievances .
“ I ’ ve gotten a lot of responses .
People are very angry and upset about it because they say it makes no sense .
What is wrong with people ?
Why are they still out here doing this after all that ’ s going on , all the changes we ’ re trying to make ?
After Black Lives Matter ?
It makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Watch the news report on the incident below and let it serve as a reminder for the needless aggression and harassment Black people face from entitled white people on a daily basis in this country .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

As the George Floyd protests for racial justice and against police brutality continue to grip the world, videos have been popping up which reinforce the underlying arguments for why these demonstrations are needed in the first place.
Countless clips of law enforcement officers using excessive force against peaceful protests—ranging from everything from tear gas to vehicular assault—have exploded across the internet while numerous videos showing civilians engaged in vile displays of racism have gone viral simultaneously.
Fox 2 is now reporting on an incident that occurred in a Kroger parking lot in Detroit, Michigan this past Saturday. The video shows a white woman aggressively harassing a Black woman by blocking her car in wither her body and refusing to let her leave.
“This needs to be known. You can’t just stay hush-hush about everything and keep on letting people get away with nonsense,” said Shaneeka Montgomery-Strickland, the woman who found her vehicle obstructed.
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
Reportedly, Montgomery-Strickland encountered the woman inside the grocery store while shopping with her children. When her son stepped up onto a bottom shelf in order to reach some Gatorade, the white woman in question saw the benign action and grew incensed for some reason.
“She said, ‘Ohmygod, they went up to get they Gatorade. I’m trying to shop over here.’ It was irateness. I told her please don’t yell at them and then she started yelling at me,” recounted Montgomery-Strickland. “And I said, ‘You don’t have to yell at me, like they got the Gatorade.’ And a lot of people where, if you’re short you’re going to go up there and grab what you need. There’s not a lot of workers in the aisle, you have to do what you have to do and you move on.”
The woman inserted herself into the family’s business once again when they reached the parking lot.
“She still went to her car, came back with the baby in the cart, called me the b word, then she stood behind my car because I started videotaping after that,” said Montgomery-Strickland, who filmed the aggressive woman. The woman, perhaps aware of how these videos often go viral and expose racist encounters such as this, eventually asked Montgomery-Strickland to delete the recording, which she wisely declined to do.
“I said ma’am can you please move from behind my car, she told me no I’m not going anywhere,” said Montgomery-Strickland.
Montgomery-Strickland was forced to call the police when the woman refused to make way for her vehicle to pull out. When the officers arrived on the scene, the white woman eagerly ran up to them, presumably to air her imagined grievances.
“I’ve gotten a lot of responses. People are very angry and upset about it because they say it makes no sense. What is wrong with people? Why are they still out here doing this after all that’s going on, all the changes we’re trying to make? After Black Lives Matter? It makes no sense,” reflected Montgomery-Strickland.
Watch the news report on the incident below and let it serve as a reminder for the needless aggression and harassment Black people face from entitled white people on a daily basis in this country.
We want to hear what YOU have to say. Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section!
OD STAFF Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-06-16--Trump ends speech on policing with white supremacist dog whistle

In a Rose Garden address that at least one observer described as being delivered by “ the low energy and twitchy Donald Trump , ” the president today unveiled his executive order on police reform that was a forced response to the extraordinary protests against racially-biased law enforcement that have erupted throughout the country during the past few weeks .
Anyone who may have expected Trump to take bold action to reverse existing law enforcement practices will likely view his executive order as an empty gesture that has such a glaring loophole that comparisons to swiss cheese should be imminent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order would encourage the banning of the use of chokeholds by police — the type of physical restraint that resulted in the deaths of George Floyd , Eric Garner , and who knows how many others — but insisted that exceptions could be made when a police officer felt that their life could be in danger .
Given that police have been either poor assessors of the dangers that they are facing from unarmed suspects or apt to invent details of their deadly encounters that are later disproved by video footage , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a freight train through with plenty of room to spare .
That chokeholds were not definitively banned by the president is unsurprising considering that he described them as “ so innocent and so perfect ” just last Friday .
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump ’ s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors !
The tepid action on police reform notwithstanding , the president also displayed a uniquely skewed vision of what constitutes the major civil rights issue of our time by claiming that it was school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fit that description .
Trump ’ s comments on the COVID-19 pandemic — which he has largely pretended has been solved the past few weeks as demonstrations raged around the country — demonstrate how , even at an event seemingly focused on solving police brutality against minorities , the president always shifts the conversation to a magical reality where his non-existent economic accomplishments propel him to re-election .
In case it wasn ’ t already obvious by his soporific demeanor during his remarks that Trump ’ s executive action was at best half-hearted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where his true sympathies remained with his dog-whistle nod to protecting our nation ’ s “ heritage , ” as many white people in the South refer to their confederate flags , statuary , and monuments , all of which have been under societal reevaluation during the current protests .
While some may see Trump ’ s remarks as “ tone deaf , ” it ’ s clear that he ’ s saying exactly what he wants to say to his right-wing extremist followers as at least one Twitter poster garnered from watching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in a quandary .
As his polls keep dropping , he continues to aim his campaign at the dwindling number of far-right loyalists that he needs to maintain his base , but every time he caters to their racist druthers , he alienates a wider swath of the general public .
The question remains when will he realize that he ’ s headed for a massive defeat and claim a medical issue as a face-saving method of dropping out of the race and then quickly jetting off for private treatment in Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he can be held accountable for his crimes , both before and after he took office ?
Original reporting by Tom Boggioni and Sarah K. Burris at RawStory and by Aaron Rupar at Vox .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

In a Rose Garden address that at least one observer described as being delivered by “the low energy and twitchy Donald Trump,” the president today unveiled his executive order on police reform that was a forced response to the extraordinary protests against racially-biased law enforcement that have erupted throughout the country during the past few weeks.
Anyone who may have expected Trump to take bold action to reverse existing law enforcement practices will likely view his executive order as an empty gesture that has such a glaring loophole that comparisons to swiss cheese should be imminent.
The president said that his new order would encourage the banning of the use of chokeholds by police — the type of physical restraint that resulted in the deaths of George Floyd, Eric Garner, and who knows how many others — but insisted that exceptions could be made when a police officer felt that their life could be in danger.
Given that police have been either poor assessors of the dangers that they are facing from unarmed suspects or apt to invent details of their deadly encounters that are later disproved by video footage, it is a loophole that one could drive a freight train through with plenty of room to spare.
That chokeholds were not definitively banned by the president is unsurprising considering that he described them as “so innocent and so perfect” just last Friday.
TRUMP: "Chokeholds will be banned, except if an officer's life is at risk." (Seems like a significant loophole.) pic.twitter.com/dujoVVwXy9 — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 16, 2020
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
The tepid action on police reform notwithstanding, the president also displayed a uniquely skewed vision of what constitutes the major civil rights issue of our time by claiming that it was school choice, not systemic racism, that fit that description.
Trump on coronavirus: "We're doing well. Things are happening that nobody can even believe. Our country is opening up, and it's opening up rapidly." pic.twitter.com/vJQLhhp9IU — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 16, 2020
Trump’s comments on the COVID-19 pandemic — which he has largely pretended has been solved the past few weeks as demonstrations raged around the country — demonstrate how, even at an event seemingly focused on solving police brutality against minorities, the president always shifts the conversation to a magical reality where his non-existent economic accomplishments propel him to re-election.
In case it wasn’t already obvious by his soporific demeanor during his remarks that Trump’s executive action was at best half-hearted, the president made it quite clear where his true sympathies remained with his dog-whistle nod to protecting our nation’s “heritage,” as many white people in the South refer to their confederate flags, statuary, and monuments, all of which have been under societal reevaluation during the current protests.
Trump's speech responding to #BlackLivesMatter protests featured him characterizing school choice (not racism) as the defining civil rights issue in US history, as well as a defense of the Confederacy. Tone deaf even by his standards. — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 16, 2020
While some may see Trump’s remarks as “tone deaf,” it’s clear that he’s saying exactly what he wants to say to his right-wing extremist followers as at least one Twitter poster garnered from watching the president’s address.
Trump is in a quandary. As his polls keep dropping, he continues to aim his campaign at the dwindling number of far-right loyalists that he needs to maintain his base, but every time he caters to their racist druthers, he alienates a wider swath of the general public.
The question remains when will he realize that he’s headed for a massive defeat and claim a medical issue as a face-saving method of dropping out of the race and then quickly jetting off for private treatment in Russia where no extradition will be possible before he can be held accountable for his crimes, both before and after he took office?
Hopefully, soon.
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
Original reporting by Tom Boggioni and Sarah K. Burris at RawStory and by Aaron Rupar at Vox.
We want to hear what YOU have to say. Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section!
Vinnie Longobardo Managing Editor Vinnie Longobardo is the Managing Editor of Occupy Democrats. He's a 35-year veteran of the TV, mobile & internet industries, specializing in start-ups and the international media business. His passions are politics, music, and art. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-06-16--Georgia cops hold 5 black children at gunpoint as onlookers beg for mercy— UPDATED WITH CORRECTION

AFTER THIS ARTICLE WAS INITIALLY PUBLISHED NEW INFORMATION CAME TO LIGHT THAT REVEALED THAT THE TEENS BEING HELD AT GUNPOINT HAD BEEN REPORTED BY A CONVENIENCE STORE CLERK AS HAVING TRIED TO SHOPLIFT AND THAT ONE OF THEM WAS POTENTIALLY ARMED .
This new information gave the officers involved a sound reason to be armed as they detained the teens .
Occupy Democrats regrets the misinformation that was inadvertently circulated .
You can read the full background on the updated story here .
Here is what was originally published .
If you want to see how the effects of systemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ society and are passed on to the next generation , look no further than a viral video posted on Twitter this week by BlackCultureEntertainment .
The video shows a young black boy practicing his basketball skills in a driveway in a scene that could be found in any suburban neighborhood .
It ’ s not a dramatic video by any means .
There is no conflict , no screaming , no angry words , no violence , not even a crowd — just a solitary boy and a passing police car .
Add @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reject Trump ’ s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors !
The video is subtle on its own , with its poignancy derived only when one notices that the child reflexively hides behind a car in his driveway when the police car passes by .
Whether this young boy was tutored by his parents to be wary of police and avoid any encounters at all costs due to the inherent dangers that even an unarmed and totally innocent kid would potentially face when stopped for any reason whatsoever by law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learn through the media or through prior personal experience to keep as low a profile as possible in their presence is as yet unknown .
However , as a distillation of the broken relationship between the police and the communities of people of color in this country , the video is an effective vignette that demonstrates just how deeply rooted the fear of unjust targeting by law enforcement is among African Americans in America .
You don ’ t need drama to illustrate that conclusion effectively .
Just the simple reflex to hide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all that we need to know about our broken our justice system is and how difficult it will be to fix it when overcoming years of social conditioning will be necessary to restore trust among black and other minority communities that the law enforcement officers are indeed there to “ protect and serve ” them as well .
That the child ’ s watchful paranoia was justified was made apparently clear in another video shared on social media today that shows exactly what could have potentially happened to the dribbling youth actually did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Georgia — at least five of whom were black — when they used a locally familiar shortcut to get to their destination a little more quickly .
The commentary heard on the video by the woman recording it as an outraged crowd gathers asks all of the questions likely running through our own minds as we watch it .
“ I ’ m sick , ” the woman says in reaction to what she is witnessing .
“ They can ’ t .
Come on , now .
Please !
Please , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Why do you have a gun ?
” the woman asks the police officer .
“ I have to check them for myself , ” he answers .
“ But why do you have a gun ?
” the woman insistently asks .
“ They are kids .
What are they doing ?
What did they do wrong ?
” Protect and serve ?
More like command and control .
The kids got away with a warning , but one must wonder what emotional scars they will carry with them and how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement and their attitudes towards the police in the future .
Things must change .
Police reform has to become a top priority in our communities and systemic racism must be ended .
Listen to the people in the streets .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

UPDATE WITH CORRECTION:
AFTER THIS ARTICLE WAS INITIALLY PUBLISHED NEW INFORMATION CAME TO LIGHT THAT REVEALED THAT THE TEENS BEING HELD AT GUNPOINT HAD BEEN REPORTED BY A CONVENIENCE STORE CLERK AS HAVING TRIED TO SHOPLIFT AND THAT ONE OF THEM WAS POTENTIALLY ARMED. This new information gave the officers involved a sound reason to be armed as they detained the teens. Occupy Democrats regrets the misinformation that was inadvertently circulated.
You can read the full background on the updated story here.
Here is what was originally published.
If you want to see how the effects of systemic institutional racism have become ingrained in our society and are passed on to the next generation, look no further than a viral video posted on Twitter this week by BlackCultureEntertainment.
The video shows a young black boy practicing his basketball skills in a driveway in a scene that could be found in any suburban neighborhood.
It’s not a dramatic video by any means. There is no conflict, no screaming, no angry words, no violence, not even a crowd — just a solitary boy and a passing police car.
https://twitter.com/4TheCulture____/status/1272732761435095041?s=20
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
The video is subtle on its own, with its poignancy derived only when one notices that the child reflexively hides behind a car in his driveway when the police car passes by.
Whether this young boy was tutored by his parents to be wary of police and avoid any encounters at all costs due to the inherent dangers that even an unarmed and totally innocent kid would potentially face when stopped for any reason whatsoever by law enforcement or whether he was bright enough to learn through the media or through prior personal experience to keep as low a profile as possible in their presence is as yet unknown.
However, as a distillation of the broken relationship between the police and the communities of people of color in this country, the video is an effective vignette that demonstrates just how deeply rooted the fear of unjust targeting by law enforcement is among African Americans in America.
You don’t need drama to illustrate that conclusion effectively. Just the simple reflex to hide when the police are present tells us all that we need to know about our broken our justice system is and how difficult it will be to fix it when overcoming years of social conditioning will be necessary to restore trust among black and other minority communities that the law enforcement officers are indeed there to “protect and serve” them as well.
That the child’s watchful paranoia was justified was made apparently clear in another video shared on social media today that shows exactly what could have potentially happened to the dribbling youth actually did happen to six children in Clayton County, Georgia — at least five of whom were black — when they used a locally familiar shortcut to get to their destination a little more quickly.
https://twitter.com/EaglesFanOnly/status/1272827505523789824?s=20
The commentary heard on the video by the woman recording it as an outraged crowd gathers asks all of the questions likely running through our own minds as we watch it.
“I’m sick,” the woman says in reaction to what she is witnessing. “They can’t. Come on, now. Please! Please, sir, they’re kids.” “Why do you have a gun?” the woman asks the police officer. “I have to check them for myself,” he answers. “But why do you have a gun?” the woman insistently asks. “They are kids. What are they doing? What did they do wrong?”
Protect and serve? More like command and control.
The kids got away with a warning, but one must wonder what emotional scars they will carry with them and how it will affect their relationships with law enforcement and their attitudes towards the police in the future.
Things must change. Police reform has to become a top priority in our communities and systemic racism must be ended.
Listen to the people in the streets.
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
Original reporting by David Edwards at RawStory.
We want to hear what YOU have to say. Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section!
Vinnie Longobardo Managing Editor Vinnie Longobardo is the Managing Editor of Occupy Democrats. He's a 35-year veteran of the TV, mobile & internet industries, specializing in start-ups and the international media business. His passions are politics, music, and art. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-06-16--Video shows white woman ambushing Black family on their way to a birthday with racial slurs

It seems that hardly a day goes by now without some heinously racist video emerging to remind us that one of the core defining elements of the Trump era is the emboldening of bigots across the country .
The United States has , of course , always suffered from this deep-rooted and shameful problem but the election of an overt racist , a man who painted Mexicans as “ rapists ” and regularly villainized Muslims , seems to have convinced a lot of Americans that their secret hatreds are in fact shared by many and as such accept to publicly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Trump ’ s win in 2016 led to a spike in hate crimes .
The latest disturbing clip to showcase this trend comes out of Asheville , North Carolina .
WRAL has reported an incident in which an angry white woman repeatedly screeches the N-word at a Black family en route to a birthday party .
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump ’ s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors !
Aisha Sabur says as her family was walking to their destination when Rachel Ruit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurling slurs at them from behind .
When protestors oversaw the harassment and attempted to intervene , Ruit turned her ire on them as well .
She repeatedly taunted the family and bystanders to “ touch ” her so that she could have a pretext to call the police and have them arrested .
“ She continued to say racial slurs into my face , continued to call me a n***** over and over and over again .
It was the most blatant display of racism that I have ever experienced , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the protestors who saw the disgusting display firsthand , told WRAL that Ruit was clearly “ filled with hate , rage , and racism.
” Sabur ’ s family believes that that despicable and unprovoked barrage shows just how important the current wave of racial justice and anti-police brutality protesting really is and that it must continue .
People of color face discrimination and harassment like this every day in cities all over the United States .
They ’ re not always caught on camera but when they are they offer a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have left to go to become a truly equitable society .
Check the report from WRAL out below .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

It seems that hardly a day goes by now without some heinously racist video emerging to remind us that one of the core defining elements of the Trump era is the emboldening of bigots across the country. The United States has, of course, always suffered from this deep-rooted and shameful problem but the election of an overt racist, a man who painted Mexicans as “rapists” and regularly villainized Muslims, seems to have convinced a lot of Americans that their secret hatreds are in fact shared by many and as such accept to publicly flaunt. It’s no coincidence that Trump’s win in 2016 led to a spike in hate crimes.
The latest disturbing clip to showcase this trend comes out of Asheville, North Carolina. WRAL has reported an incident in which an angry white woman repeatedly screeches the N-word at a Black family en route to a birthday party.
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
Aisha Sabur says as her family was walking to their destination when Rachel Ruit, the racist stranger in question, began hurling slurs at them from behind. When protestors oversaw the harassment and attempted to intervene, Ruit turned her ire on them as well. She repeatedly taunted the family and bystanders to “touch” her so that she could have a pretext to call the police and have them arrested.
“She continued to say racial slurs into my face, continued to call me a n***** over and over and over again. It was the most blatant display of racism that I have ever experienced,” said Sabur.
Jacob Blair, one of the protestors who saw the disgusting display firsthand, told WRAL that Ruit was clearly “filled with hate, rage, and racism.”
Sabur’s family believes that that despicable and unprovoked barrage shows just how important the current wave of racial justice and anti-police brutality protesting really is and that it must continue.
People of color face discrimination and harassment like this every day in cities all over the United States. They’re not always caught on camera but when they are they offer a sobering reminder of how far we still have left to go to become a truly equitable society.
Check the report from WRAL out below.
Watch the original uncensored clip below.
https://twitter.com/reinecitrouille/status/1272028881273475072?s=20
We want to hear what YOU have to say. Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section!
OD STAFF Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-06-16--NYPD admits that its officers were not intentionally poisoned by Shake Shack milkshakes

The events of the past few weeks have made it very clear that America ’ s police forces nurse a victim complex almost as large as the one that occupies the majority of Donald Trump ’ s mental energies .
Some of the weirdest ways they choose to manifest this are by inventing attacks or insults to themselves by way of fast food , like when a Kansas cop claimed that a McDonald ’ s employee had written “ PIG ” on his coffee cup and then later admitted that it was fake , or the time a Florida cop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ dirt ” in his food when in fact it was just seasoning , or the time an Indiana cop accused a McDonald ’ s employee of taking a bite out of his burger before admitting that he just forgot he ’ d already started eating it .
Fake or not , the stories are immediately picked up and widely circulated by a bootlicking right-wing propaganda machine that is hungry for any fresh outrage to feed to its rabid fans and promote the absurd conspiracy theory that the Democrat-MS13-antifa-Muslim Brotherhood-barista-industrial-complex hates the cops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lawless wasteland .
The latest incident in cop fast food martyrdom occurred on Monday when an NYPD cop union accused a Shake Shack employee of attempting to poison three officers by putting bleach in their drinks .
In a dramatic show of hyperbole , the union wailed that cops can not “ even take a meal without coming UNDER ATTACK.
” After a “ thorough ” and doubtlessly expensive taxpayer-funded investigation , the police concluded that actually there had been no foul play and someone had just forgotten to rinse the cleaner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that didn ’ t stop the right-wing media from continuing to push the narrative that brave hero NYPD cops were under attack by evil antifa milkshake terrorists , even after it had been proven false .
This ridiculous incident offers a very telling glimpse into the mindset of New York City cops and the way that their psychotic police unions work overtime to convince each and every one of their officers that the entire world is conspiring against them and doesn ’ t appreciate what they do .
It ’ s that kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to beat protesters or shoot unarmed people at the drop of a hat — after all , that hat could have been a gun .
It also just goes to show what little value the truth holds to the right-wing when compared with a juicy outrage that is a guaranteed source of hate-clicks and pageviews .

The events of the past few weeks have made it very clear that America’s police forces nurse a victim complex almost as large as the one that occupies the majority of Donald Trump’s mental energies.
Some of the weirdest ways they choose to manifest this are by inventing attacks or insults to themselves by way of fast food, like when a Kansas cop claimed that a McDonald’s employee had written “PIG” on his coffee cup and then later admitted that it was fake, or the time a Florida cop accused a Burger King employee of putting “dirt” in his food when in fact it was just seasoning, or the time an Indiana cop accused a McDonald’s employee of taking a bite out of his burger before admitting that he just forgot he’d already started eating it.
Fake or not, the stories are immediately picked up and widely circulated by a bootlicking right-wing propaganda machine that is hungry for any fresh outrage to feed to its rabid fans and promote the absurd conspiracy theory that the Democrat-MS13-antifa-Muslim Brotherhood-barista-industrial-complex hates the cops and is trying to turn America into a lawless wasteland.
The latest incident in cop fast food martyrdom occurred on Monday when an NYPD cop union accused a Shake Shack employee of attempting to poison three officers by putting bleach in their drinks. In a dramatic show of hyperbole, the union wailed that cops cannot “even take a meal without coming UNDER ATTACK.”
BREAKING: Three police officers fell ill as they were drinking milkshakes from Shake Shack in Lower Manhattan. The Detective’s Union says the officers were “intentionally poisoned” The NYC PBA in a statement said a “toxic substance” was placed in their beverages@PIX11News pic.twitter.com/xkOrnqmTYJ — Cristian Benavides (@cbenavidesTV) June 16, 2020
After a “thorough” and doubtlessly expensive taxpayer-funded investigation, the police concluded that actually there had been no foul play and someone had just forgotten to rinse the cleaner out of the milkshake machine.
After a thorough investigation by the NYPD’s Manhattan South investigators, it has been determined that there was no criminality by shake shack’s employees. — Chief Rodney Harrison (@NYPDDetectives) June 16, 2020
But that didn’t stop the right-wing media from continuing to push the narrative that brave hero NYPD cops were under attack by evil antifa milkshake terrorists, even after it had been proven false.
Overrated Shake Shack sucks up to leftists, tolerates poisoning cops, cane can count on you to keep giving it money. Count me out. — Kurt Schlichter (@KurtSchlichter) June 16, 2020
https://twitter.com/Trump2Usa/status/1272851651888644099?s=20
This ridiculous incident offers a very telling glimpse into the mindset of New York City cops and the way that their psychotic police unions work overtime to convince each and every one of their officers that the entire world is conspiring against them and doesn’t appreciate what they do. It’s that kind of thinking that makes it easy for them to beat protesters or shoot unarmed people at the drop of a hat — after all, that hat could have been a gun.
It also just goes to show what little value the truth holds to the right-wing when compared with a juicy outrage that is a guaranteed source of hate-clicks and pageviews.
Colin Taylor Opinion columnist and former editor-in-chief of Occupy Democrats. He graduated from Bennington College with a Bachelor's degree in history and political science. He now focuses on advancing the cause of social justice and equality in America. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-06-17--High schooler is arrested for murdering trans woman and returning to shoot her dead body again

One of the most dangerous and most widely tolerated of the many bigotries that run rampant in the United States is transphobia , and it has claimed a bloody toll over the past few weeks .
An eighteen-year-old Chicago high school student , Orlando Perez , has been arrested after admitting to murdering Selena Reyes-Hernandez .
The pair returned to her home at 5:30 AM one night .
After Reyes-Hernandez told him she was trans , he became “ mad as hell ” and left her apartment only to return with a handgun , shooting Reyes-Hernandez in the head and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crime .
But he “ kept seeing her face in his head , ” so he returned to her apartment again to fire more shots into her dead body .
This kind of vindictiveness and brutality is sadly common in transphobic assaults .
It ’ s the product of intense masculine fragility , homophobia , and all the fear and shame that accompanies those toxic beliefs .
The killing of Reyes-Hernandez took place in May ; two more trans women , Dominique Rem ’ mie Fells in Philadelphia and Riah Milton in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks in what Philadelphia ’ s Office of LGBT Affairs called an “ epidemic ” of anti-trans violence : “ We are reminded with this , and countless other painful losses—especially within our transgender communities—that there is much left to do until we achieve full equality , respect , and support for us all .
The murder of transgender people—especially those of color—is truly an epidemic and a crisis that we can not afford to allow to persist any further.
” Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protestors !
At least 14 transgender or non-gender conforming people have been killed in the United States this year ; 26 were murdered last year , 91 % of them Black women .
The battle against transphobia and its defenders , unfortunately , is one that must be fought on both sides of the aisle .
Earlier this month , the Trump administration repealed Obama-era protections for transgender Americans in healthcare , the latest move in Trump team ’ s deliberate persecution of America ’ s most vulnerable minorities .
Just two days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ radical feminist J.K. Rowling caused a controversy on social media when she published a 3,700-word transphobic screed defending her previous transphobic tweets and statements .
“ Trans people , [ J.K. Rowling ] argued , were not merely erasing women and marriage equality alike ; we were also , as an article she posted suggested , “ terrorizing ” cisgender lesbians by entering women ’ s spaces , when we should , instead , stop deluding ourselves about being women at all…To some , Rowling ’ s tweets may seem anodyne .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their tone is patronizing , suggesting that trans people can wear whatever clothes we wish and use whatever language we like , but that in reality , we are living in a kind of silly delusion that people like Rowling merely politely tolerate , ” writes trans woman and Harry Potter devotee Gabrielle Bellot at LitHub .
While there are certainly vast differences in the amount of harm that these actions and statements can create , both Trump and Rowling ’ s decisions stem from the same hateful ideas that seek to deny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that reinforces the archaic and deliberately oppressive conceptions of gender roles and that cultivates the kind of prejudice and stigma that leads to people getting murdered for having the courage to express who they really are .
Original reporting by Matthew Hendrickson at the Chicago Sun-Times .

One of the most dangerous and most widely tolerated of the many bigotries that run rampant in the United States is transphobia, and it has claimed a bloody toll over the past few weeks.
An eighteen-year-old Chicago high school student, Orlando Perez, has been arrested after admitting to murdering Selena Reyes-Hernandez. The pair returned to her home at 5:30 AM one night. After Reyes-Hernandez told him she was trans, he became “mad as hell” and left her apartment only to return with a handgun, shooting Reyes-Hernandez in the head and the back before leaving the scene of the crime.
But he “kept seeing her face in his head,” so he returned to her apartment again to fire more shots into her dead body.
This kind of vindictiveness and brutality is sadly common in transphobic assaults. It’s the product of intense masculine fragility, homophobia, and all the fear and shame that accompanies those toxic beliefs.
The killing of Reyes-Hernandez took place in May; two more trans women, Dominique Rem’mie Fells in Philadelphia and Riah Milton in Ohio, have been murdered in recent weeks in what Philadelphia’s Office of LGBT Affairs called an “epidemic” of anti-trans violence:
“We are reminded with this, and countless other painful losses—especially within our transgender communities—that there is much left to do until we achieve full equality, respect, and support for us all. The murder of transgender people—especially those of color—is truly an epidemic and a crisis that we cannot afford to allow to persist any further.”
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
At least 14 transgender or non-gender conforming people have been killed in the United States this year; 26 were murdered last year, 91% of them Black women.
The battle against transphobia and its defenders, unfortunately, is one that must be fought on both sides of the aisle. Earlier this month, the Trump administration repealed Obama-era protections for transgender Americans in healthcare, the latest move in Trump team’s deliberate persecution of America’s most vulnerable minorities.
Just two days prior, billionaire author and unrepentant trans-exclusionary radical feminist J.K. Rowling caused a controversy on social media when she published a 3,700-word transphobic screed defending her previous transphobic tweets and statements.
“Trans people, [J.K. Rowling] argued, were not merely erasing women and marriage equality alike; we were also, as an article she posted suggested, “terrorizing” cisgender lesbians by entering women’s spaces, when we should, instead, stop deluding ourselves about being women at all…To some, Rowling’s tweets may seem anodyne. But if you read between the lines, their tone is patronizing, suggesting that trans people can wear whatever clothes we wish and use whatever language we like, but that in reality, we are living in a kind of silly delusion that people like Rowling merely politely tolerate,” writes trans woman and Harry Potter devotee Gabrielle Bellot at LitHub.
While there are certainly vast differences in the amount of harm that these actions and statements can create, both Trump and Rowling’s decisions stem from the same hateful ideas that seek to deny trans people their identities and their humanity, that reinforces the archaic and deliberately oppressive conceptions of gender roles and that cultivates the kind of prejudice and stigma that leads to people getting murdered for having the courage to express who they really are.
Original reporting by Matthew Hendrickson at the Chicago Sun-Times.
Colin Taylor Opinion columnist and former editor-in-chief of Occupy Democrats. He graduated from Bennington College with a Bachelor's degree in history and political science. He now focuses on advancing the cause of social justice and equality in America. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-06-17--White man terrorizes teenagers in his car, tells Black girl she doesn’t “belong” in her neighborhood

The past few weeks have witnessed , in tandem with the inspiring George Floyd protests pushing for racial justice and an end to police brutality , a stunning wave of viral videos showcasing white people engaged in all manner of inexcusable harassment against people of color .
It seems that even as this country makes some long-needed strides towards a more equitable society , there are elements out there intent on maintaining the racist status quo .
The latest video making the rounds comes to us from Wellington , Florida .
The Palm Beach Post reports that on Sunday an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teenagers around the neighbor , seemingly infuriated that they were driving a golf cart .
15-year-old Breonna Nelson-Hicks , who is Black , and her grandfather Tony Nelson live in the neighborhood and as such she and her friends had every right to be there .
Mr. Nelson , a member of one of the first Black families to move into the area and a resident for thirty-three years offered some insight to The Palm Beach Post .
“ It ’ s not going away .
I can ’ t let it die @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what ’ s going on , ” said Nelson .
The white harasser chased the teenagers in his car as they fled in fear back to the Nelsons ’ house .
According to the teens , the man tailgated them aggressively , his much larger car bearing down on their cart .
Their attempts to pull over to allow the man to pass were ignored , and he persisted in tailing them .
Eventually , the two teenage boys in the group decided it would be safer to disembark and flee on foot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of which are white , continued on to Nelson-Hicks ’ house , pursued by the man .
As they approached their destination , the angry man began yelling .
It was then that Nelson-Hicks knew it was time to start recording the encounter .
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump ’ s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors !
With all the entitlement we ’ ve come to expect from white people engaged in racist behavior , the man told the girls that he didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because “ you don ’ t belong in this development.
” One can ’ t rule out the possibility that the man would not have felt the same way if all of the teens were white .
The man demanded to know Nelson-Hicks ’ s name , who responded that she lived in the neighborhood .
He pushed to know where exactly , and the girls understandably pushed back , unwilling to cave to his unjustified aggression .
“ OK , I ’ m going to call the gate and have you all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the girls when they refused to answer his questions , before telling Nelson-Hicks that she did “ not deserve to be in here.
” Nelson-Hicks headed towards her house to fetch her grandfather as the white man suddenly began demanding that she bring him out and changing his complaint to claiming that they were “ driving illegally ” The girls pointed out how inappropriate it was for a grown man to be bothering teenage girls in such a fashion and he responded in an exceedingly creepy way .
“ Because you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Mississippi or Alabama , ” he said .
When Nelson-Hicks ’ s grandfather emerged he confronted the man for threatening the children , at which point the man tried to play innocent .
Thankfully , the incident resolved peacefully but no Black person should have to deal with this kind of bigotry .
It is imperative that we continue to record and share these encounters until white people learn to start behaving themselves and abandon this kind of horrific behavior .
Watch the video of the disturbing video below .
We want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

The past few weeks have witnessed, in tandem with the inspiring George Floyd protests pushing for racial justice and an end to police brutality, a stunning wave of viral videos showcasing white people engaged in all manner of inexcusable harassment against people of color. It seems that even as this country makes some long-needed strides towards a more equitable society, there are elements out there intent on maintaining the racist status quo.
The latest video making the rounds comes to us from Wellington, Florida. The Palm Beach Post reports that on Sunday an as-yet-unidentified white man chased a group of teenagers around the neighbor, seemingly infuriated that they were driving a golf cart. 15-year-old Breonna Nelson-Hicks, who is Black, and her grandfather Tony Nelson live in the neighborhood and as such she and her friends had every right to be there.
Mr. Nelson, a member of one of the first Black families to move into the area and a resident for thirty-three years offered some insight to The Palm Beach Post.
“It’s not going away. I can’t let it die. … People aren’t understanding what’s going on,” said Nelson.
The white harasser chased the teenagers in his car as they fled in fear back to the Nelsons’ house. According to the teens, the man tailgated them aggressively, his much larger car bearing down on their cart. Their attempts to pull over to allow the man to pass were ignored, and he persisted in tailing them.
Eventually, the two teenage boys in the group decided it would be safer to disembark and flee on foot. The three remaining girls, two of which are white, continued on to Nelson-Hicks’ house, pursued by the man. As they approached their destination, the angry man began yelling. It was then that Nelson-Hicks knew it was time to start recording the encounter.
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
With all the entitlement we’ve come to expect from white people engaged in racist behavior, the man told the girls that he didn’t mind having his “picture” taken because “you don’t belong in this development.” One can’t rule out the possibility that the man would not have felt the same way if all of the teens were white.
The man demanded to know Nelson-Hicks’s name, who responded that she lived in the neighborhood. He pushed to know where exactly, and the girls understandably pushed back, unwilling to cave to his unjustified aggression.
“OK, I’m going to call the gate and have you all arrested,” the man said to the girls when they refused to answer his questions, before telling Nelson-Hicks that she did “not deserve to be in here.”
Nelson-Hicks headed towards her house to fetch her grandfather as the white man suddenly began demanding that she bring him out and changing his complaint to claiming that they were “driving illegally”
The girls pointed out how inappropriate it was for a grown man to be bothering teenage girls in such a fashion and he responded in an exceedingly creepy way.
“Because you’re 15 years old? You could marry in Mississippi or Alabama,” he said.
When Nelson-Hicks’s grandfather emerged he confronted the man for threatening the children, at which point the man tried to play innocent. Thankfully, the incident resolved peacefully but no Black person should have to deal with this kind of bigotry. It is imperative that we continue to record and share these encounters until white people learn to start behaving themselves and abandon this kind of horrific behavior.
Watch the video of the disturbing video below.
We want to hear what YOU have to say. Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section!
OD STAFF Latest Posts