csmonitor--2020-08-13--NRA lawsuits come amid changing face of American gun owners

In that way , the NRA ’ s troubles are occurring at a time of shifting attitudes about the role of the Second Amendment in American life .
Such attitudes have fueled questions about the source of the NRA ’ s political might , as New York prosecutors aim to dissolve the NRA in a lawsuit alleging self-dealing and mismanagement .
Even as more Americans , including more women and people of color , are exercising their Second Amendment rights , the NRA ’ s framing of that right as a conservative political ideal is losing potency .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come together in their own communities first and foremost , ” says Ms. Bailey .
In that way , “ it seems only natural that we would come together in a community-based way more powerfully than a national organization or even a national government would be able to.
” If government should be small and by the people , she says , then advocacy should be , too .
Jennifer Bailey , a digital marketer near Richmond , Virginia , is a member of the Virginia Citizens Defense League , which held a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protest new gun control measures after Democrats took control of the statehouse .
She is not , however , a National Rifle Association member .
Babu Omowale says he needs the National Rifle Association – but only until he doesn ’ t .
As the national firearms organization finds itself under existential threat , Mr. Omowale , the co-founder of the Huey P. Newton Gun Club in Dallas , is emblematic of a shifting gun-owning population in the U.S. , some of whom say they do not identify with the NRA ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the NRA certifies gun owners in many states .
But that narrow utility makes it expendable , especially for Black gun owners , whom the NRA has historically struggled to engage as members .
“ The NRA is just a political tool for us to be able to arm ourselves , but we don ’ t buy into the politics of any of it since it ’ s the right of every American to take advantage of [ the Second Amendment ] , ” says Mr. Omowale , who has joined armed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I believe it ’ s time for [ Black people ] to start our own NRA.
” As New York prosecutors aim to dissolve the NRA in a lawsuit alleging self-dealing and mismanagement , one thing is becoming clear to Mr. Omowale : Even as more Americans are exercising their Second Amendment rights , the NRA ’ s framing of that right as a conservative political ideal is losing potency .
At a time when guns have marched to front and center of political debate , the NRA ’ s use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cudgel has run headlong against the growing diversity of the gun-owning public , many of whom tell pollsters they support some forms of gun control , including background checks for private sales – a longtime sticking point for the NRA .
In that way , the NRA ’ s troubles are occurring at a time of shifting attitudes about the role of the Second Amendment in American life .
The NRA ’ s “ insularity is intimately connected with the ideological alignment ... with politically conservative culture warriors , ” says Wake Forest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Gun Culture 2.0 blog , in an email .
Now , “ the proliferation of gun clubs , groups and organizations representing diverse gun owners – [ National African American Gun Association ] , A Girl and a Gun , Liberal Gun Owners , to name a few – fills the vacuum left by the NRA.
” Chartered in New York in 1871 , the NRA grew from a firearms training organization to , by the 1980s , a political kingmaker that politicians were wary of crossing .
Flush with money and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NRA and its political fortunes faded in the “ blue wave ” of the 2018 election .
Expensive lawsuits and internal revolts – as the Monitor ’ s Simon Montlake chronicled last year – have dwindled its resources to the point where it had to borrow money against the deed to its Virginia headquarters .
Even as the organization ’ s cash on hand turned from a $ 28 million surplus to a $ 36 million deficit between 2015 and 2018 , CEO Wayne LaPierre secured a $ 17 million post-employment package @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Washington , D.C. , also filed suit alleging the organization used its charitable arm to fund its political activities .
In New York , prosecutor Letitia James called the NRA “ a breeding ground for greed , abuse , and brazen illegality.
” The speed and span of the NRA ’ s buckling has stunned even longtime gun policy observers .
“ Pride goeth before a fall , ” says Bob Spitzer , author of “ Guns Across America .
“ The announcement [ of the New York lawsuit ] was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
That ’ s kind of not just sad , but tragic , in a Shakespearean way .
They weren ’ t brought down by gun control forces , but by their own avarice , and nobody watching them.
” After the lawsuit was filed in New York last week , the NRA countersued on First Amendment grounds .
It says it still plans to spend tens of millions of dollars in battleground states to help reelect President Donald Trump .
A gun-buying spree has led to thousands of people joining the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The NRA is well governed , financially solvent , and committed to good governance , ” says Mr. LaPierre in a statement to the Monitor .
“ We ’ re ready for the fight .
Bring it on.
” It may be an epic battle even for an organization that grew to prominence on what Mr. Spitzer calls “ sky is falling ” hyperbole .
The country ’ s political tides have shifted after a string of mass shootings across the U.S. failed to sway Congress to enact gun control laws .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ match the NRA dollar for dollar on the campaign trail .
The grassroots lobbying by student survivors of a school shooting in Parkland , Florida , helped to frame a raft of gun control measures introduced in states .
And critically , the prototypical face of gun ownership – long that of an older white man – is changing .
Women now make up 40 % of first-time buyers .
And as gun sales hit historic highs amid the unrest of 2020 , Black Americans represented 58 % of gun purchasers , outpacing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Second Amendment as a civic duty rather than a political rallying cry came to light this year at political events featuring armed demonstrators , including both Black and white militias .
“ The historical origin [ of the Second Amendment ] is about overthrowing an oppressive government , ” says Sanford Levinson , co-author of “ Fault Lines in the Constitution.
” Jennifer Bailey , a digital marketer near Richmond , is a member of the Virginia Citizens Defense League , which held a massive rally in Richmond earlier this year to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took control of the statehouse .
She is not , however , an NRA member .
If government should be small and by the people , she says , then advocacy should be , too .
“ It ’ s pretty natural for people to come together in their own communities first and foremost , and I also think that ’ s the way our country was designed and I also believe that ’ s how God created us , ” says Ms. Bailey .
In that way , “ it seems only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a community-based way more powerfully than a national organization or even a national government would be able to.
” Such attitudes have fueled questions about the source of the NRA ’ s political might , and what would happen should it disappear or be severely hobbled .
Adam Skaggs , the New York-based chief counsel and policy director at Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence , is skeptical that a neutered NRA would automatically translate to more gun control .
“ If the NRA disappeared tomorrow , ” he says , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans who ... would continue to resist any strengthening of the gun laws.
” What ’ s more , the NRA ’ s “ power came from the ability to organize and drive action by that very small , but very passionate group of single-issue voters , ” he says .
That means that “ for many years – decades – the NRA claim to speak for American gun owners has not really been credible.
” David Adams , an NRA member in Virginia ’ s Chesterfield County , disagrees .
His now-15-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NRA when she was in diapers .
That New York and Washington authorities decided to file a civil suit instead of criminal charges suggests that “ it ’ s totally political ” – a bid by Democrats to weaken the NRA ahead of an election , says Mr. Adams .
Allegations of financial improprieties , including C-suite lavishness , amounts to c ’ est la vie in corporate America , he says .
“ I don ’ t have any complaints about what I ’ ve gotten in return ” for contributions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believes that the NRA ’ s legal troubles come at a critical time for the role of guns in society .
Failures to stem several new gun control measures in Virginia earlier this year , he says , set up a broader test of America ’ s unique and complicated relationship with firearms .
Those took effect July 1 and include limiting handgun purchases to one a month .
“ Gun owners showed up a day late and a dollar short ” for the Richmond rally in February , says Mr. Adams , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Virginia Shooting Sports Association .
And “ if they want to make sure that we don ’ t get closer to [ firearms-cautious ] New Jersey or California , they better keep the same energy they had at the beginning of this year going into this election , because if they don ’ t like what they saw in Virginia , they ’ re not going to like what they see at the national level .
”

In that way, the NRA’s troubles are occurring at a time of shifting attitudes about the role of the Second Amendment in American life.
Such attitudes have fueled questions about the source of the NRA’s political might, as New York prosecutors aim to dissolve the NRA in a lawsuit alleging self-dealing and mismanagement. Even as more Americans, including more women and people of color, are exercising their Second Amendment rights, the NRA’s framing of that right as a conservative political ideal is losing potency.
“It’s pretty natural for people to come together in their own communities first and foremost,” says Ms. Bailey. In that way, “it seems only natural that we would come together in a community-based way more powerfully than a national organization or even a national government would be able to.”
Outside lawsuits and internal revolts for the once-powerful organization come at a time when more Americans – and more diverse Americans – are buying guns. Not all say the NRA speaks for them.
If government should be small and by the people, she says, then advocacy should be, too.
Jennifer Bailey, a digital marketer near Richmond, Virginia, is a member of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, which held a massive rally in Richmond earlier this year to protest new gun control measures after Democrats took control of the statehouse. She is not, however, a National Rifle Association member.
Babu Omowale says he needs the National Rifle Association – but only until he doesn’t.
As the national firearms organization finds itself under existential threat, Mr. Omowale, the co-founder of the Huey P. Newton Gun Club in Dallas, is emblematic of a shifting gun-owning population in the U.S., some of whom say they do not identify with the NRA’s message.
On the one hand, the NRA certifies gun owners in many states. But that narrow utility makes it expendable, especially for Black gun owners, whom the NRA has historically struggled to engage as members.
Why We Wrote This Outside lawsuits and internal revolts for the once-powerful organization come at a time when more Americans – and more diverse Americans – are buying guns. Not all say the NRA speaks for them.
“The NRA is just a political tool for us to be able to arm ourselves, but we don’t buy into the politics of any of it since it’s the right of every American to take advantage of [the Second Amendment],” says Mr. Omowale, who has joined armed rallies recently on behalf of Black rights. “I believe it’s time for [Black people] to start our own NRA.”
As New York prosecutors aim to dissolve the NRA in a lawsuit alleging self-dealing and mismanagement, one thing is becoming clear to Mr. Omowale: Even as more Americans are exercising their Second Amendment rights, the NRA’s framing of that right as a conservative political ideal is losing potency.
At a time when guns have marched to front and center of political debate, the NRA’s use of the Second Amendment as a political cudgel has run headlong against the growing diversity of the gun-owning public, many of whom tell pollsters they support some forms of gun control, including background checks for private sales – a longtime sticking point for the NRA.
In that way, the NRA’s troubles are occurring at a time of shifting attitudes about the role of the Second Amendment in American life.
The NRA’s “insularity is intimately connected with the ideological alignment ... with politically conservative culture warriors,” says Wake Forest University sociologist David Yamane, founder of the Gun Culture 2.0 blog, in an email. Now, “the proliferation of gun clubs, groups and organizations representing diverse gun owners – [National African American Gun Association], A Girl and a Gun, Liberal Gun Owners, to name a few – fills the vacuum left by the NRA.”
Chartered in New York in 1871, the NRA grew from a firearms training organization to, by the 1980s, a political kingmaker that politicians were wary of crossing.
Brendan McDermid/Reuters View caption Hide caption New York State Attorney General Letitia James speaks during a news conference to announce a suit to dissolve the National Rifle Association, in New York on Aug. 6, 2020.
Flush with money and success in the 2016 election cycle, the NRA and its political fortunes faded in the “blue wave” of the 2018 election. Expensive lawsuits and internal revolts – as the Monitor’s Simon Montlake chronicled last year – have dwindled its resources to the point where it had to borrow money against the deed to its Virginia headquarters.
Even as the organization’s cash on hand turned from a $28 million surplus to a $36 million deficit between 2015 and 2018, CEO Wayne LaPierre secured a $17 million post-employment package, prosecutors say. The attorney general in Washington, D.C., also filed suit alleging the organization used its charitable arm to fund its political activities. In New York, prosecutor Letitia James called the NRA “a breeding ground for greed, abuse, and brazen illegality.”
The speed and span of the NRA’s buckling has stunned even longtime gun policy observers.
“Pride goeth before a fall,” says Bob Spitzer, author of “Guns Across America. “The announcement [of the New York lawsuit] was a surprise, but not the reason for it. That’s kind of not just sad, but tragic, in a Shakespearean way. They weren’t brought down by gun control forces, but by their own avarice, and nobody watching them.”
After the lawsuit was filed in New York last week, the NRA countersued on First Amendment grounds. It says it still plans to spend tens of millions of dollars in battleground states to help reelect President Donald Trump. A gun-buying spree has led to thousands of people joining the group every month, it reports.
“The NRA is well governed, financially solvent, and committed to good governance,” says Mr. LaPierre in a statement to the Monitor. “We’re ready for the fight. Bring it on.”
It may be an epic battle even for an organization that grew to prominence on what Mr. Spitzer calls “sky is falling” hyperbole.
The country’s political tides have shifted after a string of mass shootings across the U.S. failed to sway Congress to enact gun control laws. Long sidelined, gun control groups now match the NRA dollar for dollar on the campaign trail. The grassroots lobbying by student survivors of a school shooting in Parkland, Florida, helped to frame a raft of gun control measures introduced in states.
And critically, the prototypical face of gun ownership – long that of an older white man – is changing. Women now make up 40% of first-time buyers. And as gun sales hit historic highs amid the unrest of 2020, Black Americans represented 58% of gun purchasers, outpacing all other groups.
The exploration of the Second Amendment as a civic duty rather than a political rallying cry came to light this year at political events featuring armed demonstrators, including both Black and white militias.
“The historical origin [of the Second Amendment] is about overthrowing an oppressive government,” says Sanford Levinson, co-author of “Fault Lines in the Constitution.”
Gun rights on a local scale
Jennifer Bailey, a digital marketer near Richmond, is a member of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, which held a massive rally in Richmond earlier this year to protest new gun control measures after Democrats took control of the statehouse. She is not, however, an NRA member.
If government should be small and by the people, she says, then advocacy should be, too.
“It’s pretty natural for people to come together in their own communities first and foremost, and I also think that’s the way our country was designed and I also believe that’s how God created us,” says Ms. Bailey. In that way, “it seems only natural that we would come together in a community-based way more powerfully than a national organization or even a national government would be able to.”
Such attitudes have fueled questions about the source of the NRA’s political might, and what would happen should it disappear or be severely hobbled.
Adam Skaggs, the New York-based chief counsel and policy director at Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, is skeptical that a neutered NRA would automatically translate to more gun control.
“If the NRA disappeared tomorrow,” he says, “there would still be a number of Americans who ... would continue to resist any strengthening of the gun laws.”
What’s more, the NRA’s “power came from the ability to organize and drive action by that very small, but very passionate group of single-issue voters,” he says. That means that “for many years – decades – the NRA claim to speak for American gun owners has not really been credible.”
NRA defenders
David Adams, an NRA member in Virginia’s Chesterfield County, disagrees. His now-15-year-old daughter received her lifetime membership to the NRA when she was in diapers.
That New York and Washington authorities decided to file a civil suit instead of criminal charges suggests that “it’s totally political” – a bid by Democrats to weaken the NRA ahead of an election, says Mr. Adams. Allegations of financial improprieties, including C-suite lavishness, amounts to c’est la vie in corporate America, he says.
“I don’t have any complaints about what I’ve gotten in return” for contributions, he says.
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But Mr. Adams also believes that the NRA’s legal troubles come at a critical time for the role of guns in society. Failures to stem several new gun control measures in Virginia earlier this year, he says, set up a broader test of America’s unique and complicated relationship with firearms. Those took effect July 1 and include limiting handgun purchases to one a month.
“Gun owners showed up a day late and a dollar short” for the Richmond rally in February, says Mr. Adams, who is the vice president of the Virginia Shooting Sports Association. And “if they want to make sure that we don’t get closer to [firearms-cautious] New Jersey or California, they better keep the same energy they had at the beginning of this year going into this election, because if they don’t like what they saw in Virginia, they’re not going to like what they see at the national level.”


csmonitor--2020-08-13--For New England lobstermen, resilience in ‘a season of uncertainty’

“ There ’ s a lot of anxiety because [ lobstermen ] really don ’ t know what the season ’ s going to hold , ” says Patrice McCarron , executive director of the Maine Lobstermen ’ s Association .
“ People are also really grateful that they ’ re able to be out there and work.
” Across New England , lobstermen are doing what it takes to keep operating their boats , exercising the resilience for which the industry is known .
“ It ’ s a season of uncertainty , ” she says , looking over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ horizon .
To make ends meet , Ms. Rosen has had to get creative .
She picked up an afternoon gig delivering packages and now she fishes for her own bait instead of buying it .
Others have turned to selling their catch on the retail market , or occasionally catching tuna instead .
Yvonne “ Beba ” Rosen has spent 15 years lobstering off Vinalhaven , Maine , but she ’ s never experienced a season like this one .
With far fewer tourists visiting Maine , and with restaurants across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the edible crustaceans has plummeted .
“ Gimmie a Hulla ” motors across the glassy harbor , backed by the silhouettes of trees and the rocky shoreline .
Yvonne “ Beba ” Rosen is heading out to haul her lobster traps at 5:30 a.m. , as she does five days a week , April through November .
This is a tough season so far for Ms. Rosen , but over her 15 years of lobstering off Vinalhaven , Maine , she ’ s always been a better fall fisherman , she says .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lobsters are slow to appear , but more than that , the coronavirus has caused trade to plummet and tourists to stay home .
Ms. Rosen squints into the sun , now sitting just above the horizon , and half shouts over the guttural diesel engine .
“ Tourists come to Maine to eat lobster .
That ’ s what they do , ” she says grimly , hands on the wheel .
Without the regular influx of tourists , and with restaurants across the country closed entirely or open with limitations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have gotten creative to keep operating their boats , exercising the resilience for which the industry is known .
A slow spring is not unusual , although this one was difficult because “ markets were really feeling the brunt of the supply chain , ” says Patrice McCarron , executive director of the Maine Lobstermen ’ s Association .
“ There ’ s a lot of anxiety because [ lobstermen ] really don ’ t know what the season ’ s going to hold , ” she says .
“ People are also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be out there and work.
” Over the last several decades , global warming has produced “ a wave of abundance ” of lobsters from southern New England into Atlantic Canada , says Richard Wahle , a research professor at the University of Maine and founder of the American Lobster Settlement Index , which tracks lobster populations in the region .
“ We seem to be falling off the crest of that wave now , ” he says , and the fishery has been slowly declining in southern New England as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record-breaking numbers in the north and east of the Gulf of Maine .
In Maine , Ms. Rosen is selling her lobster for $ 3.35 per pound – a dollar less than last year – and she ’ s torn between wanting to catch more and worrying about flooding the market by catching too much .
To supplement , she picked up a job with UPS in the afternoons after fishing .
On the cape , some lobstermen supplement their incomes with rental properties or the occasional tuna , which can sell for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fishes for her own bait rather than buying it .
The day before , she went fishing for pogie , catching $ 400 worth of bait .
From getting a lobstering license , to operating and maintaining a boat , to paying a crew , “ nothing ’ s cheap in this business , ” says Ms. Rosen , peering over the gunwale , ready to snag the next float and feed the line into the hauler .
On Cape Cod , Glen Sveningson has been getting about $ 5.30 a pound wholesale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall .
“ Last year was one of the best years I ’ ve seen , ” he says .
This season is going fine , but not particularly well , he says as he speeds up the hydraulic hauler , whipping 70 feet of line into a rope locker at his feet .
“ It ’ s definitely a little bit of an off year , ” he says , though he ’ s optimistic .
“ It ’ s just a late start .
Every year ’ s different.
” In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how supply chains would adapt , some lobstermen began selling directly to consumers .
While it ’ s a good way to supplement , it ’ s not a strategy “ that ’ s going to take care of all of the volume that we land in Maine , ” says Ms. McCarron .
Mr. Sveningson has been selling around 50 pounds of lobster directly for about $ 9 a pound every time he fishes , but he didn ’ t do it in past years .
“ I don ’ t like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It ’ s a pain .
It ’ s one more thing.
” It ’ s not worth selling directly to consumers on Vinalhaven , where the year-round population is only 1,200 .
Ms. Rosen has some customers she sells directly to every summer , but never more than a dozen or so lobsters .
Still , “ it helps , ” she says , shrugging .
It ’ s just not worth it to drive her boat 15 miles from the island to Rockport to sell a greater quantity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort to connect fishermen with consumers .
Ali Farrell , who is soon publishing a book about women fishermen , started the United Fishermen Foundation just a few months ago when an effort to help her friends by posting on Facebook when they had seafood to sell turned into a page with over 6,000 followers .
The foundation ’ s website now lists fishermen in Maine , New Hampshire , Connecticut , Florida , and Cape Cod , and they just added one in Rhode Island .
About 70 % of Maine ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative , which serves as the marketing arm for fishermen and suppliers , typically focuses on chefs and restaurants .
Following the pandemic , the collaborative pivoted to focus on grocery stores and online shippers .
Lobster is shipped all over the world , but foreign markets are volatile , so the collaborative focuses on the U.S. Lobstermen are “ a very resourceful people and they ’ ve met a number of challenges in the past that they ’ ve adapted to , ” says Marianne LaCroix @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marketing Collaborative .
“ I think it ’ s going to be a very tough year , but … I think they ’ ll pull through it.
” The Maine Coast Fishermen ’ s Association works with a number of fisheries coastwide to help fishermen navigate policy and support them at the federal and state level , says Monique Coombs , director of marine programs .
The association began hosting webinars in the early spring and hired accountants to help fishermen receive funding and small-business loans – of which lobstermen received more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 , the association has been working with the mental health nonprofit NAMI Maine .
“ The mental health and well-being of fishermen is important all of the time , but especially so during this pandemic , ” says Ms. Coombs , “ as many of them have exacerbated uncertainties in their business.
” The season may be tough .
But back on the bay , baiting bags and hoping for the next trap to be full , there ’ s nothing else Ms. Rosen can imagine doing .
She spins the wheel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traps .
Until she can ’ t , she ’ ll keep hauling trap after trap , hoping for business to become more profitable again .
She shakes her head as she looks over the bow toward the horizon : “ It ’ s a season of uncertainty .
”

“There’s a lot of anxiety because [lobstermen] really don’t know what the season’s going to hold,” says Patrice McCarron, executive director of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association. “People are also really grateful that they’re able to be out there and work.”
Across New England, lobstermen are doing what it takes to keep operating their boats, exercising the resilience for which the industry is known.
“It’s a season of uncertainty,” she says, looking over the bow of her boat toward the horizon.
To make ends meet, Ms. Rosen has had to get creative. She picked up an afternoon gig delivering packages and now she fishes for her own bait instead of buying it. Others have turned to selling their catch on the retail market, or occasionally catching tuna instead.
Yvonne “Beba” Rosen has spent 15 years lobstering off Vinalhaven, Maine, but she’s never experienced a season like this one. With far fewer tourists visiting Maine, and with restaurants across the country closed or limited, demand for the edible crustaceans has plummeted.
“Gimmie a Hulla” motors across the glassy harbor, backed by the silhouettes of trees and the rocky shoreline. Yvonne “Beba” Rosen is heading out to haul her lobster traps at 5:30 a.m., as she does five days a week, April through November.
This is a tough season so far for Ms. Rosen, but over her 15 years of lobstering off Vinalhaven, Maine, she’s always been a better fall fisherman, she says. This season is like no other – the lobsters are slow to appear, but more than that, the coronavirus has caused trade to plummet and tourists to stay home.
Ms. Rosen squints into the sun, now sitting just above the horizon, and half shouts over the guttural diesel engine. “Tourists come to Maine to eat lobster. That’s what they do,” she says grimly, hands on the wheel.
Why We Wrote This Before the pandemic, New England lobstermen benefited from warming waters and high demand. Choppy waters lie ahead.
Without the regular influx of tourists, and with restaurants across the country closed entirely or open with limitations, lobstermen in Maine and Cape Cod have gotten creative to keep operating their boats, exercising the resilience for which the industry is known.
A slow spring is not unusual, although this one was difficult because “markets were really feeling the brunt of the supply chain,” says Patrice McCarron, executive director of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association.
“There’s a lot of anxiety because [lobstermen] really don’t know what the season’s going to hold,” she says. “People are also really grateful that they’re able to be out there and work.”
Sophie Hills/The Christian Science Monitor View caption Hide caption Yvonne ‘Beba’ Rosen navigates her lobster boat, “Gimmie a Hulla,” from Carvers Harbor, Vinalhaven, Maine, out to her traps in the bay.
“A wave of abundance”
Over the last several decades, global warming has produced “a wave of abundance” of lobsters from southern New England into Atlantic Canada, says Richard Wahle, a research professor at the University of Maine and founder of the American Lobster Settlement Index, which tracks lobster populations in the region.
“We seem to be falling off the crest of that wave now,” he says, and the fishery has been slowly declining in southern New England as the waters warm too much, while seeing record-breaking numbers in the north and east of the Gulf of Maine.
In Maine, Ms. Rosen is selling her lobster for $3.35 per pound – a dollar less than last year – and she’s torn between wanting to catch more and worrying about flooding the market by catching too much. To supplement, she picked up a job with UPS in the afternoons after fishing. On the cape, some lobstermen supplement their incomes with rental properties or the occasional tuna, which can sell for hundreds of dollars.
Ms. Rosen often fishes for her own bait rather than buying it. The day before, she went fishing for pogie, catching $400 worth of bait.
From getting a lobstering license, to operating and maintaining a boat, to paying a crew, “nothing’s cheap in this business,” says Ms. Rosen, peering over the gunwale, ready to snag the next float and feed the line into the hauler.
Finding a market
On Cape Cod, Glen Sveningson has been getting about $5.30 a pound wholesale, but it’s starting to fall. “Last year was one of the best years I’ve seen,” he says.
This season is going fine, but not particularly well, he says as he speeds up the hydraulic hauler, whipping 70 feet of line into a rope locker at his feet. “It’s definitely a little bit of an off year,” he says, though he’s optimistic. “It’s just a late start. Every year’s different.”
In the spring, before it was clear how supply chains would adapt, some lobstermen began selling directly to consumers. While it’s a good way to supplement, it’s not a strategy “that’s going to take care of all of the volume that we land in Maine,” says Ms. McCarron.
Sophie Hills/The Christian Science Monitor View caption Hide caption Glen Sveningson (left), captain of The Resilience lobster boat, baits traps while Mark Holbrook, his sternman, checks underneath a lobster’s tail for eggs near Chatham, Massachusetts.
Mr. Sveningson has been selling around 50 pounds of lobster directly for about $9 a pound every time he fishes, but he didn’t do it in past years. “I don’t like to do it,” he says. “It’s a pain. It’s one more thing.”
It’s not worth selling directly to consumers on Vinalhaven, where the year-round population is only 1,200. Ms. Rosen has some customers she sells directly to every summer, but never more than a dozen or so lobsters. Still, “it helps,” she says, shrugging. It’s just not worth it to drive her boat 15 miles from the island to Rockport to sell a greater quantity.
The pandemic has already produced a concerted effort to connect fishermen with consumers. Ali Farrell, who is soon publishing a book about women fishermen, started the United Fishermen Foundation just a few months ago when an effort to help her friends by posting on Facebook when they had seafood to sell turned into a page with over 6,000 followers. The foundation’s website now lists fishermen in Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Florida, and Cape Cod, and they just added one in Rhode Island.
About 70% of Maine’s seafood is eaten out of state, so the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative, which serves as the marketing arm for fishermen and suppliers, typically focuses on chefs and restaurants. Following the pandemic, the collaborative pivoted to focus on grocery stores and online shippers. Lobster is shipped all over the world, but foreign markets are volatile, so the collaborative focuses on the U.S.
Lobstermen are “a very resourceful people and they’ve met a number of challenges in the past that they’ve adapted to,” says Marianne LaCroix, executive director of the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative. “I think it’s going to be a very tough year, but … I think they’ll pull through it.”
Sophie Hills/The Christian Science Monitor View caption Hide caption A rainbow rises over Carvers Harbor at sunset in Vinalhaven, Maine, where Yvonne "Beba" Rosen keeps her lobster boat, on July 30, 2020.
A helping hand
The Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association works with a number of fisheries coastwide to help fishermen navigate policy and support them at the federal and state level, says Monique Coombs, director of marine programs. The association began hosting webinars in the early spring and hired accountants to help fishermen receive funding and small-business loans – of which lobstermen received more than any other sector in Maine.
Since 2018, the association has been working with the mental health nonprofit NAMI Maine. “The mental health and well-being of fishermen is important all of the time, but especially so during this pandemic,” says Ms. Coombs, “as many of them have exacerbated uncertainties in their business.”
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The season may be tough. But back on the bay, baiting bags and hoping for the next trap to be full, there’s nothing else Ms. Rosen can imagine doing. She spins the wheel, preparing to haul another line of traps. Until she can’t, she’ll keep hauling trap after trap, hoping for business to become more profitable again.
She shakes her head as she looks over the bow toward the horizon: “It’s a season of uncertainty.”


csmonitor--2020-08-13--Delivering under pressure: What the USPS means to my family

My dad always delivers for his family and community .
When it comes to the matter of the post office , I ’ m hoping for a bit of deliverance , because I know what losing the post office will mean for working-class Black families .
When my dad became a postmaster , his upward mobility wasn ’ t just about money .
It was about the time that he had to spend with my brothers and me on weekends .
Advancement doesn ’ t always show up in your wallet .
Oftentimes , it shows up in childhood memories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things my dad bought me as a kid .
I do remember the time we spent together .
My dad is retired now , but he spent nearly 40 years working for the U.S .
Postal Service .
For many Black middle-class families like mine , the uncertain future of the USPS is about more than mail delivery or even the November election .
Around a quarter of USPS employees are Black .
Even with its struggles , the post office still represents a beacon of opportunity .
There ’ s one thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at work or at home , he always delivered .
During his nearly 40-year career with the U.S .
Postal Service ( USPS ) , my dad worked countless hours .
Some of that time poured over at home , when I begrudgingly typed up documents for him as a teenager .
There ’ s one thing I can say about Dad , though – whether at work or at home , he always delivered .
For many Black middle-class families like mine , the uncertain future of the USPS is about more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election .
Around a quarter of USPS employees are Black .
Even with its struggles , the post office still represents a beacon of opportunity .
In some cases , those humble working-class upbringings have yielded professional and celebrity prestige .
One example is Rep. Karen Bass , the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and one of the women listed as potential picks for vice president on the Biden/Democratic ticket .
Representative Bass ’ father was a letter carrier .
Another example is actor Danny Glover , who mentioned his parents and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ op-ed last year .
The story of African Americans in the post office is similar to the story of Black folks in America – a story of hard-fought advancement in the face of cruel racism .
Enslaved Africans were used to deliver mail between plantations and towns since the origins of human chattel enslavement in America ( and the country itself ) .
While there had always been some unrest about enslaved Black mail carriers , a slave rebellion in modern-day Haiti that began in 1791 crystallized that angst .
At the turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banned African Americans as mail carriers .
Congress upheld the decision after a specific request from then-Postmaster General Gideon Granger to Georgia Sen. James Jackson , who was the chairman of the Committee of the Senate on the Post Office Establishment : After the scenes which St. Domingo has exhibited to the world , we can not be too cautious … plans and conspiracies have already been concerted by [ slaves ] more than once , to rise in arms , and subjugate their masters .
… The most active and intelligent [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
… By travelling from day to day , and hourly mixing with people … they will acquire information .
They will learn that a man ’ s rights do not depend on his color .
They will , in time , become teachers to their brethren .
… One able man among them , perceiving the value of this machine , might lay a plan which would be communicated by your post riders from town to town , and produce a general and united operation against you .
On May 3 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declared that “ after the 1st day of November next , no other than a free white person shall be employed in carrying the mail of the United States , on any of the post-roads , either as a post-rider or driver of a carriage carrying the mail.
” The act was upheld for over 60 years until 1865 , which also coincided with Civil War-ending legislation .
The Reconstruction period was a time of great promise for African Americans , and the post office was an example .
The ability to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for middle-class living .
Black folks were appointed as postmasters , letter carriers , and clerks .
Those gains subsided toward the end of the period , as white violence and Jim Crow reared their ugly heads .
As it turned out , the ’ 60s – both the 1860s and the 1960s – were prime eras for Black advancement and the Black middle class within the context of the post office .
During the course of the decade , Black postmasters were appointed to the country ’ s three largest post offices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles .
The demand for fair and equal treatment in the 1940s and 1950s yielded the opportunity for upward mobility and established protections for African Americans in the postal service .
Black postal workers not only fought for equal treatment , though .
They also fought for the right to unionize .
The great postal strike of 1970 was a multicultural triumph that protected the wages of all postal employees .
Fair wages , fair treatment , upward mobility – in many ways , these are tenets of the American dream .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes to family life .
When my dad became a postmaster , his upward mobility wasn ’ t just about money .
It was about the time that he had to spend with my brothers and me on weekends .
Advancement doesn ’ t always show up in your wallet .
Oftentimes , it shows up in childhood memories .
I hardly remember many of the things my dad bought me as a kid .
I do remember the time we spent together .
My dad is retired now , but like any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still on the move .
He ’ s the primary caretaker for my grandmother – his mom .
He ’ s a volunteer for a local church league basketball team .
During his days as a postal employee , he was a youth mentor in the inner city .
My dad always delivers for his family and community .
When it comes to the matter of the post office , I ’ m hoping for a bit of deliverance , because I know what losing the post office will mean for working-class Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writer and the host of the “ Makin ’ A Difference ” podcast .
You can follow him on Twitter @ differencemakin .

My dad always delivers for his family and community. When it comes to the matter of the post office, I’m hoping for a bit of deliverance, because I know what losing the post office will mean for working-class Black families.
When my dad became a postmaster, his upward mobility wasn’t just about money. It was about the time that he had to spend with my brothers and me on weekends. Advancement doesn’t always show up in your wallet. Oftentimes, it shows up in childhood memories. I hardly remember many of the things my dad bought me as a kid. I do remember the time we spent together.
While many Americans have come to associate the U.S. Postal Service with junk mail, for many in Black middle-class families, the post office has long been a source of stability.
My dad is retired now, but he spent nearly 40 years working for the U.S. Postal Service. For many Black middle-class families like mine, the uncertain future of the USPS is about more than mail delivery or even the November election. Around a quarter of USPS employees are Black. Even with its struggles, the post office still represents a beacon of opportunity.
There’s one thing I can say about Dad. Whether at work or at home, he always delivered.
During his nearly 40-year career with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), my dad worked countless hours. Some of that time poured over at home, when I begrudgingly typed up documents for him as a teenager.
There’s one thing I can say about Dad, though – whether at work or at home, he always delivered.
For many Black middle-class families like mine, the uncertain future of the USPS is about more than mail delivery or even the November election. Around a quarter of USPS employees are Black. Even with its struggles, the post office still represents a beacon of opportunity.
Why We Wrote This While many Americans have come to associate the U.S. Postal Service with junk mail, for many in Black middle-class families, the post office has long been a source of stability.
In some cases, those humble working-class upbringings have yielded professional and celebrity prestige. One example is Rep. Karen Bass, the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and one of the women listed as potential picks for vice president on the Biden/Democratic ticket. Representative Bass’ father was a letter carrier. Another example is actor Danny Glover, who mentioned his parents and the post office in a USA Today op-ed last year.
Courtesy of Ken Makin View caption Hide caption The author with his father, who worked for the U.S. Postal Service for nearly 40 years.
The story of African Americans in the post office is similar to the story of Black folks in America – a story of hard-fought advancement in the face of cruel racism. Enslaved Africans were used to deliver mail between plantations and towns since the origins of human chattel enslavement in America (and the country itself). While there had always been some unrest about enslaved Black mail carriers, a slave rebellion in modern-day Haiti that began in 1791 crystallized that angst. At the turn of the 19th century, postal officials banned African Americans as mail carriers. Congress upheld the decision after a specific request from then-Postmaster General Gideon Granger to Georgia Sen. James Jackson, who was the chairman of the Committee of the Senate on the Post Office Establishment:
After the scenes which St. Domingo has exhibited to the world, we cannot be too cautious … plans and conspiracies have already been concerted by [slaves] more than once, to rise in arms, and subjugate their masters.
… The most active and intelligent [slaves] are employed as post riders. … By travelling from day to day, and hourly mixing with people … they will acquire information. They will learn that a man’s rights do not depend on his color. They will, in time, become teachers to their brethren.
… One able man among them, perceiving the value of this machine, might lay a plan which would be communicated by your post riders from town to town, and produce a general and united operation against you.
On May 3, 1802, Congress passed an act which declared that “after the 1st day of November next, no other than a free white person shall be employed in carrying the mail of the United States, on any of the post-roads, either as a post-rider or driver of a carriage carrying the mail.” The act was upheld for over 60 years until 1865, which also coincided with Civil War-ending legislation.
The Reconstruction period was a time of great promise for African Americans, and the post office was an example. The ability to work as wage laborers would yield the opportunity for middle-class living. Black folks were appointed as postmasters, letter carriers, and clerks. Those gains subsided toward the end of the period, as white violence and Jim Crow reared their ugly heads.
As it turned out, the ’60s – both the 1860s and the 1960s – were prime eras for Black advancement and the Black middle class within the context of the post office. During the course of the decade, Black postmasters were appointed to the country’s three largest post offices in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The demand for fair and equal treatment in the 1940s and 1950s yielded the opportunity for upward mobility and established protections for African Americans in the postal service.
Black postal workers not only fought for equal treatment, though. They also fought for the right to unionize. The great postal strike of 1970 was a multicultural triumph that protected the wages of all postal employees.
Fair wages, fair treatment, upward mobility – in many ways, these are tenets of the American dream. These ideals manifest themselves uniquely when it comes to family life. When my dad became a postmaster, his upward mobility wasn’t just about money. It was about the time that he had to spend with my brothers and me on weekends. Advancement doesn’t always show up in your wallet. Oftentimes, it shows up in childhood memories. I hardly remember many of the things my dad bought me as a kid. I do remember the time we spent together.
My dad is retired now, but like any good postal employee, he’s still on the move. He’s the primary caretaker for my grandmother – his mom. He’s a volunteer for a local church league basketball team. During his days as a postal employee, he was a youth mentor in the inner city.
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
My dad always delivers for his family and community. When it comes to the matter of the post office, I’m hoping for a bit of deliverance, because I know what losing the post office will mean for working-class Black families.
Ken Makin is a freelance writer and the host of the “Makin’ A Difference” podcast. You can follow him on Twitter @differencemakin.


csmonitor--2020-08-13--College football’s unexpected opportunity

No one wanted this .
The 2020 U.S. college football season is teetering on the verge of collapse , leaving behind a host of emotional , cultural , public health , and financial questions .
Future fans may look back at this moment as a turning point , when the sport made its most radical changes in many a year .
Earlier this week two top football conferences – the Big Ten and the PAC-12 – announced they were canceling their fall schedules .
So far the other conferences in the Power Five – the Big 12 , ACC , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But a steady stream of individual players , including some seen as future professional stars , are deciding to sit out the season .
And more teams in lower-level leagues are opting out too .
At best it will be the strangest college football season in memory , with the remaining teams trying to play without endangering the health of players , coaches , or fans during a pandemic .
Will fans be allowed in the stands ?
Can the pregame and postgame celebrations be held safely ?
Can a national championship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t even be competing ?
The loss of revenue will severely impact athletic department budgets , and revenue-starved universities are unlikely to make up the difference .
Millions of dollars in football revenue underwrite the cost of other collegiate sports , many of which will now be canceled as well .
Local businesses will suffer as fans no longer travel to games or spend money before and after .
Last spring few could imagine that the pandemic would linger into the fall .
Now only tough choices remain .
For many , no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feelings of the loss of normalcy .
College football represents many things , but one of the best is that it is fun , a welcome diversion from the cares of everyday life .
Now concerns for the safety of the athletes and others have , for some , made cancellation an unwelcome but necessary option .
After long discussions with experts , “ it became abundantly clear that there was too much uncertainty regarding potential medical risks to allow our student-athletes to compete this fall , ” Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has also magnified an issue already simmering in college football : whether players are being properly compensated as the central performers in what has become a multibillion-dollar entertainment enterprise .
Last year $ 1.7 billion was spent on advertising during games alone .
Talk of forming players unions has grown , both among those athletes who want to skip this season and those who want to play .
The student athletes receive scholarships , but at least for stars they hardly represent the players ’ true financial value to the school .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and players ’ health is seen as having been jeopardized , the move toward players organizing to protect themselves will only strengthen .
These young athletes must each weigh the pros and cons of playing during a pandemic .
At the same time , the huge financial underpinnings of big-time college football are being further exposed .
Where this will lead remains unclear .
But those who love the game will have an opportunity to improve it .

No one wanted this. The 2020 U.S. college football season is teetering on the verge of collapse, leaving behind a host of emotional, cultural, public health, and financial questions. Future fans may look back at this moment as a turning point, when the sport made its most radical changes in many a year.
Earlier this week two top football conferences – the Big Ten and the PAC-12 – announced they were canceling their fall schedules. So far the other conferences in the Power Five – the Big 12, ACC, and SEC – still plan to play. But a steady stream of individual players, including some seen as future professional stars, are deciding to sit out the season. And more teams in lower-level leagues are opting out too.
At best it will be the strangest college football season in memory, with the remaining teams trying to play without endangering the health of players, coaches, or fans during a pandemic. Will fans be allowed in the stands? Can the pregame and postgame celebrations be held safely? Can a national championship be determined when many teams won’t even be competing?
The loss of revenue will severely impact athletic department budgets, and revenue-starved universities are unlikely to make up the difference. Millions of dollars in football revenue underwrite the cost of other collegiate sports, many of which will now be canceled as well. Local businesses will suffer as fans no longer travel to games or spend money before and after.
Last spring few could imagine that the pandemic would linger into the fall. Now only tough choices remain.
For many, no college football will only add to disorienting feelings of the loss of normalcy. College football represents many things, but one of the best is that it is fun, a welcome diversion from the cares of everyday life.
Now concerns for the safety of the athletes and others have, for some, made cancellation an unwelcome but necessary option. After long discussions with experts, “it became abundantly clear that there was too much uncertainty regarding potential medical risks to allow our student-athletes to compete this fall,” Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren explained in a statement.
The pandemic has also magnified an issue already simmering in college football: whether players are being properly compensated as the central performers in what has become a multibillion-dollar entertainment enterprise. Last year $1.7 billion was spent on advertising during games alone.
Talk of forming players unions has grown, both among those athletes who want to skip this season and those who want to play. The student athletes receive scholarships, but at least for stars they hardly represent the players’ true financial value to the school. If teams insist on playing this fall, and players’ health is seen as having been jeopardized, the move toward players organizing to protect themselves will only strengthen.
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
These young athletes must each weigh the pros and cons of playing during a pandemic. At the same time, the huge financial underpinnings of big-time college football are being further exposed.
Where this will lead remains unclear. But those who love the game will have an opportunity to improve it.


csmonitor--2020-08-13--In a pandemic first, US jobless claims fall below 1 million

The number of laid-off workers applying for unemployment aid fell below 1 million last week for the first time since the pandemic intensified five months ago , yet it still remains at a high level .
The viral pandemic keeps forcing layoffs just as the expiration of a $ 600-a-week federal jobless benefit has deepened the hardships for many .
The Labor Department said applications fell to 963,000 , the second straight drop , from 1.2 million the previous week .
The decline suggests that layoffs are slowing , though last week 's figure still exceeds the pre-pandemic record of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shutdowns that are meant to fight it , and the reluctance or inability of many people to shop , travel , or eat out are continuing to weaken the economy and force companies to cut staff .
Twenty-three states have paused or reversed their business re-openings .
In a hopeful sign , the rate of new confirmed viral cases has declined in the past couple of weeks , though it remains far above the rates that prevailed in May and June .
All told , fewer people are also continuing to receive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 15.5 million , from 16.1 million the previous week .
For months , the unemployed had been receiving the $ 600 a week in federal jobless aid on top of their state benefit .
But the federal payment has expired , and negotiations in Congress to extend that benefit , likely at a lower level of payment , have collapsed in rancor .
The supplemental federal aid had enabled many jobless Americans to afford rent , food , and utilities , and its expiration threatens to weaken consumer spending and further slow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for roughly 5 % of national income since April , a larger share than even Social Security .
The loss of the $ 600 has shrunk benefits for the average recipient by one-half to three-quarters .
Michelle Meyer , an economist at Bank of America Merrill Lynch , says that the loss of the additional aid will reduce Americans ' incomes by $ 18 billion a week .
`` That 's a big hit to purchasing power , '' she said .
Last week , President Donald Trump issued an executive order that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal aid to the jobless to replace the expired $ 600-a-week benefit .
But experts say it would take weeks for the states to implement that payment .
In addition to people who applied last week for state benefits , nearly 489,000 others sought jobless aid under a new program that has made self-employed and gig workers eligible for the first time .
That figure is n't adjusted for seasonal trends , so it 's reported separately .
But including that group , the Labor Department says 28.2 million people are receiving some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figure may be inflated by double-counting by some states .
For states to set up systems to distribute a new $ 300 federal jobless benefit , their labor departments would need more guidance from the federal government , noted Michele Evermore , a senior researcher at the National Employment Law Project .
The money , which is supposed to come from a federal disaster relief fund , would likely require states to hire more people and possibly contract with software vendors to establish a system to process the payments , Ms. Evermore said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this goes up in less than a month anywhere , '' she said .
After the pandemic hit , Congress approved a $ 2 trillion aid package .
Among other things , it provided the $ 600-a-week benefit and made self-employed and gig workers newly eligible for unemployment aid .
Both programs required the states to create new processing systems while handling a crush of benefit applications .
That influx resulted in huge backlogs and left millions of the unemployed frustrated by their inability to access benefits .
Washington state , for one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help process applications .
In the meantime , with confirmed virus cases still high , it 's not clear when business owners will be able to reopen or will have enough customers to rehire .
Grace Della is one of them .
She opened her food tour business in Miami a decade ago with $ 300 from her mother .
On weekends , she led the tours herself and eventually built up a business with 13 tour guides , averaging 10 tours a day through culinary hot spots in South Beach and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of infection still high and with scant customer demand , it 's been more than four months since Miami Culinary Tours has taken out guests , and Ms. Della says she does n't expect to recall her employees anytime soon .
She hopes to reopen later this month but is n't sure she can , given the state 's high level of confirmed infections .
Ms. Della said she tries to stay positive but confesses to moments of intense fear .
`` There 's no money coming in , '' Ms. Della said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' This story was reported by The Associated Press .
Kelli Kennedy in Fort Lauderdale , Florida , contributed to this report .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

The number of laid-off workers applying for unemployment aid fell below 1 million last week for the first time since the pandemic intensified five months ago, yet it still remains at a high level. The viral pandemic keeps forcing layoffs just as the expiration of a $600-a-week federal jobless benefit has deepened the hardships for many.
The Labor Department said applications fell to 963,000, the second straight drop, from 1.2 million the previous week. The decline suggests that layoffs are slowing, though last week's figure still exceeds the pre-pandemic record of just under 700,000.
The pandemic, the shutdowns that are meant to fight it, and the reluctance or inability of many people to shop, travel, or eat out are continuing to weaken the economy and force companies to cut staff. Twenty-three states have paused or reversed their business re-openings. In a hopeful sign, the rate of new confirmed viral cases has declined in the past couple of weeks, though it remains far above the rates that prevailed in May and June.
All told, fewer people are also continuing to receive state jobless aid. That figure dropped to 15.5 million, from 16.1 million the previous week.
For months, the unemployed had been receiving the $600 a week in federal jobless aid on top of their state benefit. But the federal payment has expired, and negotiations in Congress to extend that benefit, likely at a lower level of payment, have collapsed in rancor.
The supplemental federal aid had enabled many jobless Americans to afford rent, food, and utilities, and its expiration threatens to weaken consumer spending and further slow the economy. Unemployment benefits have accounted for roughly 5% of national income since April, a larger share than even Social Security. The loss of the $600 has shrunk benefits for the average recipient by one-half to three-quarters.
Michelle Meyer, an economist at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, says that the loss of the additional aid will reduce Americans' incomes by $18 billion a week.
"That's a big hit to purchasing power," she said.
Last week, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that would provide $300 a week in federal aid to the jobless to replace the expired $600-a-week benefit. But experts say it would take weeks for the states to implement that payment.
In addition to people who applied last week for state benefits, nearly 489,000 others sought jobless aid under a new program that has made self-employed and gig workers eligible for the first time. That figure isn't adjusted for seasonal trends, so it's reported separately.
But including that group, the Labor Department says 28.2 million people are receiving some form of unemployment benefits, though that figure may be inflated by double-counting by some states.
For states to set up systems to distribute a new $300 federal jobless benefit, their labor departments would need more guidance from the federal government, noted Michele Evermore, a senior researcher at the National Employment Law Project. The money, which is supposed to come from a federal disaster relief fund, would likely require states to hire more people and possibly contract with software vendors to establish a system to process the payments, Ms. Evermore said.
"I can't imagine that this goes up in less than a month anywhere," she said.
After the pandemic hit, Congress approved a $2 trillion aid package. Among other things, it provided the $600-a-week benefit and made self-employed and gig workers newly eligible for unemployment aid.
Both programs required the states to create new processing systems while handling a crush of benefit applications. That influx resulted in huge backlogs and left millions of the unemployed frustrated by their inability to access benefits. Washington state, for one, eventually called in National Guard troops to help process applications.
In the meantime, with confirmed virus cases still high, it's not clear when business owners will be able to reopen or will have enough customers to rehire.
Grace Della is one of them. She opened her food tour business in Miami a decade ago with $300 from her mother. On weekends, she led the tours herself and eventually built up a business with 13 tour guides, averaging 10 tours a day through culinary hot spots in South Beach and Little Havana.
Yet with the risk of infection still high and with scant customer demand, it's been more than four months since Miami Culinary Tours has taken out guests, and Ms. Della says she doesn't expect to recall her employees anytime soon.
She hopes to reopen later this month but isn't sure she can, given the state's high level of confirmed infections. Ms. Della said she tries to stay positive but confesses to moments of intense fear.
"There's no money coming in," Ms. Della said. "We're all scared."
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
This story was reported by The Associated Press. Kelli Kennedy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, contributed to this report.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-08-13--‘Historic moment’: Israel and UAE form deal, halt annexation

President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United Arab Emirates and Israel have agreed to establish full diplomatic ties as part of a deal to halt Israel 's annexation of occupied land sought by the Palestinians for their future state .
The announcement makes the UAE the first Gulf Arab state to do so and only the third Arab nation to have active diplomatic ties to Israel .
Mr. Trump tweeted a statement from the countries , acknowledging the deal .
He then told reporters in the Oval Office that it was “ a truly historic moment.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I expect more Arab and Muslim countries will follow the United Arab Emirates , ” he said .
The recognition grants a rare diplomatic win to Mr. Trump ahead of the November election as his efforts to see an end to the war in Afghanistan have yet to come to fruition , while efforts to bring peace between Israel and the Palestinians have made no headway .
Israel and the UAE also have been among Mr. Trump 's closest foreign allies .
For Israel , the announcement comes after years of boasting by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government enjoys closer ties to Arab nations than publicly acknowledged .
Mr. Netanyahu has sought to build settlements on lands sought by the Palestinians and embraced a Trump proposal that would allow him to annex large parts of the occupied West Bank while granting Palestinians limited autonomy in other areas .
For the UAE , home to skyscraper-studded Dubai and the rolling , oil-rich sand dunes of Abu Dhabi , it further burnishes its international campaign to be seen as a beacon of tolerance in the Middle East despite being governed by autocratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out first in a regional recognition race among neighboring Gulf Arab states .
And for the Palestinians , who long have relied on Arab backing in their struggle for independence , the announcement marked both a win and setback .
While Thursday 's deal halts Israeli annexation plans , the Palestinians have repeatedly urged Arab governments not to normalize relations with Israel until a peace agreement establishing an independent Palestinian state is reached .
“ Israel got rewarded for not declaring openly what it ’ s been doing to Palestine illegally & persistently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” senior Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi wrote on Twitter .
She also said the UAE has come forward with its “ secret dealings/normalization with Israel.
” “ Please don ’ t do us a favor .
We are nobody ’ s fig leaf !
” she wrote .
The militant group Hamas , which controls the Gaza Strip , called the deal by the Emiratis `` a stabbing in the back of our people.
” The joint statement from the United States , the UAE , and Israel said delegations would meet in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ direct flights , security , telecommunications , energy , tourism , and health care .
The two countries also will partner on fighting the coronavirus pandemic .
“ Opening direct ties between two of the Middle East 's most dynamic societies and advanced economics will transform the region by spurring economic growth , enhancing technological innovation and forging closer people-to-people relations , ” said the statement by Mr. Trump , Mr. Netanyahu , and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan , the day-to-day ruler of the UAE .
It said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the deal .
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo praised the deal .
“ This is a remarkable achievement for two of the world ’ s most forward leaning , technologically advanced states , and reflects their shared regional vision of an economically integrated region , ” he said in a statement .
“ It also illustrates their commitment to confronting common threats , as small – but strong – nations.
” He added : `` Blessed are the peacemakers .
Mabruk and Mazal Tov.
” Mr. Netanyahu tweeted an Israeli flag with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Historic Day.
” Among Arab nations , only Egypt and Jordan have active diplomatic ties with Israel .
Egypt made a peace deal with Israel in 1979 , followed by Jordan in 1994 .
Mauritania recognized Israel in 1999 , but later ended relations in 2009 over the Israel ’ s war in Gaza at the time .
In addition to Mr. Trump , the main U.S. mediators for agreement were the president ’ s senior advisor and son-in-law Jared Kushner , special Mideast envoy Avi Berkowitz , and David Friedman , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a U.S.-allied federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula .
Formed in 1971 , the country like other Arab nations at the time did not recognize Israel over its occupation of land home to the Palestinians .
“ Arab oil is not dearer than Arab blood , ” the UAE ’ s founding ruler , Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan , once pronounced when agreeing to an oil boycott over U.S. military support to Israel in the 1973 Mideast war .
The UAE relied on white-collar Palestinians in creating its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its stance that Israel allow the creation of a Palestinian state on land it seized in the 1967 war .
But in recent years , ties between Gulf Arab nations and Israel have quietly grown , in part over their shared enmity of Iran and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah .
Prince Mohammed also shares Israel ’ s distrust of Islamist groups like the Muslim Brotherhood and the militant group Hamas that holds the Gaza Strip .
The UAE 's state-run WAM news agency acknowledged the deal , framing it as not just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israel , but one that also carries benefits for the Palestinians .
Top Emirati official Anwar Gargash said the move dealt a “ death blow ” to moves by Israel to annex Palestinian lands .
It remains unclear what prompted Israel and the UAE to make the announcement now .
In June , the United Arab Emirates ’ ambassador to the U.S. warned in an Israeli newspaper op-ed that Israel ’ s planned annexing the Jordan Valley and other parts of the occupied West Bank would “ upend ” Israel ’ s efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The agreement gives Mr. Netanyahu a domestic boost at a time when Israel ’ s shaky coalition government is plagued by infighting and facing the possibility of early elections in the coming months .
Mr. Netanyahu has seen his popularity plummet as the country grapples with a renewed coronavirus outbreak and skyrocketing unemployment as the result of earlier lockdown measures .
Mr. Netanyahu also delivered a valuable diplomatic achievement to his good friend , Mr. Trump , ahead of U.S. elections .
Still , by dropping the annexation plan Mr. Netanyahu may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change in the White House .
Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic nominee , has made clear that he would oppose any moves by Israel to unilaterally redraw the Mideast map and annex lands sought by the Palestinians .
Mr. Netanyahu also risked criticism inside his own hard-line Likud Party , whose members strongly supported annexation .
Mr. Netanyahu appears to be betting that Likud members – and the small , but influential settler movement – will agree the peace agreement delivers more benefits than unilateral annexation .
Opinion polls have shown that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vast majority of the Israeli public .
Abandoning its annexation plan changes little on the ground .
Israel already holds overall control of the West Bank and continues to expand its settlements there , while granting the Palestinians autonomy in a series of disconnected enclaves .
Some 500,000 Israelis now live in the rapidly expanding West Bank settlements .
Next year , Israel will take part in the UAE ’ s delayed Expo 2020 , the world ’ s fair being hosted by Dubai .
A secret synagogue also draws practicing Jews @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced plans to build the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi , which will house a mosque , a church , and a synagogue .
Israelis traveling with Western passports routinely enter the UAE without a problem , though one still can ’ t make a phone call between the two countries .
Israelis also work in Dubai ’ s gold and diamond trade as well .
Emirati officials also have allowed Israeli officials to visit and the Israeli national anthem was played after an athlete won gold in an Abu Dhabi judo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mission representing its interests at the International Renewable Energy Agency in Abu Dhabi .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
AP writers Aamer Madhani in Washington and Aya Batrawy in Dubai , United Arab Emirates , contributed to this report .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

Jon Gambrell, Matthew Lee, and Josef Federman

President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United Arab Emirates and Israel have agreed to establish full diplomatic ties as part of a deal to halt Israel's annexation of occupied land sought by the Palestinians for their future state.
The announcement makes the UAE the first Gulf Arab state to do so and only the third Arab nation to have active diplomatic ties to Israel.
Mr. Trump tweeted a statement from the countries, acknowledging the deal. He then told reporters in the Oval Office that it was “a truly historic moment.”
“Now that the ice has been broken I expect more Arab and Muslim countries will follow the United Arab Emirates,” he said.
The recognition grants a rare diplomatic win to Mr. Trump ahead of the November election as his efforts to see an end to the war in Afghanistan have yet to come to fruition, while efforts to bring peace between Israel and the Palestinians have made no headway. Israel and the UAE also have been among Mr. Trump's closest foreign allies.
For Israel, the announcement comes after years of boasting by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that his government enjoys closer ties to Arab nations than publicly acknowledged. Mr. Netanyahu has sought to build settlements on lands sought by the Palestinians and embraced a Trump proposal that would allow him to annex large parts of the occupied West Bank while granting Palestinians limited autonomy in other areas.
For the UAE, home to skyscraper-studded Dubai and the rolling, oil-rich sand dunes of Abu Dhabi, it further burnishes its international campaign to be seen as a beacon of tolerance in the Middle East despite being governed by autocratic rulers. It also puts the UAE out first in a regional recognition race among neighboring Gulf Arab states.
And for the Palestinians, who long have relied on Arab backing in their struggle for independence, the announcement marked both a win and setback. While Thursday's deal halts Israeli annexation plans, the Palestinians have repeatedly urged Arab governments not to normalize relations with Israel until a peace agreement establishing an independent Palestinian state is reached.
“Israel got rewarded for not declaring openly what it’s been doing to Palestine illegally & persistently since the beginning of the occupation,” senior Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi wrote on Twitter. She also said the UAE has come forward with its “secret dealings/normalization with Israel.”
“Please don’t do us a favor. We are nobody’s fig leaf!” she wrote.
The militant group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, called the deal by the Emiratis "a stabbing in the back of our people.”
The joint statement from the United States, the UAE, and Israel said delegations would meet in the coming weeks to sign deals on direct flights, security, telecommunications, energy, tourism, and health care. The two countries also will partner on fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
“Opening direct ties between two of the Middle East's most dynamic societies and advanced economics will transform the region by spurring economic growth, enhancing technological innovation and forging closer people-to-people relations,” said the statement by Mr. Trump, Mr. Netanyahu, and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the day-to-day ruler of the UAE. It said the leaders had a three-way call discussing the deal.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo praised the deal.
“This is a remarkable achievement for two of the world’s most forward leaning, technologically advanced states, and reflects their shared regional vision of an economically integrated region,” he said in a statement. “It also illustrates their commitment to confronting common threats, as small – but strong – nations.”
He added: "Blessed are the peacemakers. Mabruk and Mazal Tov.”
Mr. Netanyahu tweeted an Israeli flag with a short message in Hebrew: “Historic Day.”
Among Arab nations, only Egypt and Jordan have active diplomatic ties with Israel. Egypt made a peace deal with Israel in 1979, followed by Jordan in 1994. Mauritania recognized Israel in 1999, but later ended relations in 2009 over the Israel’s war in Gaza at the time.
In addition to Mr. Trump, the main U.S. mediators for agreement were the president’s senior advisor and son-in-law Jared Kushner, special Mideast envoy Avi Berkowitz, and David Friedman, the U.S. ambassador to Israel.
The UAE is a U.S.-allied federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula. Formed in 1971, the country like other Arab nations at the time did not recognize Israel over its occupation of land home to the Palestinians.
“Arab oil is not dearer than Arab blood,” the UAE’s founding ruler, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, once pronounced when agreeing to an oil boycott over U.S. military support to Israel in the 1973 Mideast war.
The UAE relied on white-collar Palestinians in creating its nation. Over time, it maintained its stance that Israel allow the creation of a Palestinian state on land it seized in the 1967 war.
But in recent years, ties between Gulf Arab nations and Israel have quietly grown, in part over their shared enmity of Iran and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Prince Mohammed also shares Israel’s distrust of Islamist groups like the Muslim Brotherhood and the militant group Hamas that holds the Gaza Strip.
The UAE's state-run WAM news agency acknowledged the deal, framing it as not just a move that helps the UAE and Israel, but one that also carries benefits for the Palestinians. Top Emirati official Anwar Gargash said the move dealt a “death blow” to moves by Israel to annex Palestinian lands.
It remains unclear what prompted Israel and the UAE to make the announcement now. In June, the United Arab Emirates’ ambassador to the U.S. warned in an Israeli newspaper op-ed that Israel’s planned annexing the Jordan Valley and other parts of the occupied West Bank would “upend” Israel’s efforts to improve ties with Arab nations.
The agreement gives Mr. Netanyahu a domestic boost at a time when Israel’s shaky coalition government is plagued by infighting and facing the possibility of early elections in the coming months. Mr. Netanyahu has seen his popularity plummet as the country grapples with a renewed coronavirus outbreak and skyrocketing unemployment as the result of earlier lockdown measures.
Mr. Netanyahu also delivered a valuable diplomatic achievement to his good friend, Mr. Trump, ahead of U.S. elections.
Still, by dropping the annexation plan Mr. Netanyahu may be hedging his bets ahead of a possible change in the White House. Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, has made clear that he would oppose any moves by Israel to unilaterally redraw the Mideast map and annex lands sought by the Palestinians.
Mr. Netanyahu also risked criticism inside his own hard-line Likud Party, whose members strongly supported annexation. Mr. Netanyahu appears to be betting that Likud members – and the small, but influential settler movement – will agree the peace agreement delivers more benefits than unilateral annexation. Opinion polls have shown that annexation is not a high priority for the vast majority of the Israeli public.
Abandoning its annexation plan changes little on the ground. Israel already holds overall control of the West Bank and continues to expand its settlements there, while granting the Palestinians autonomy in a series of disconnected enclaves. Some 500,000 Israelis now live in the rapidly expanding West Bank settlements.
Next year, Israel will take part in the UAE’s delayed Expo 2020, the world’s fair being hosted by Dubai. A secret synagogue also draws practicing Jews in Dubai. The UAE also has announced plans to build the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi, which will house a mosque, a church, and a synagogue.
Israelis traveling with Western passports routinely enter the UAE without a problem, though one still can’t make a phone call between the two countries. Israelis also work in Dubai’s gold and diamond trade as well.
Emirati officials also have allowed Israeli officials to visit and the Israeli national anthem was played after an athlete won gold in an Abu Dhabi judo tournament. Israel also has a small mission representing its interests at the International Renewable Energy Agency in Abu Dhabi.
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This story was reported by The Associated Press. AP writers Aamer Madhani in Washington and Aya Batrawy in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-08-13--Why France is sailing into a Greece-Turkey territorial dispute

Greece 's prime minister warmly thanked France Thursday for boosting its military presence in the eastern Mediterranean , where Greek and Turkish warships are closely shadowing each other over a Turkish energy exploration bid in waters Athens claims as its own .
Meanwhile , Turkey accused Greece and the island nation of Cyprus of encroaching on its rights in the Mediterranean and vowed to defend its interests in the region but also called for dialogue to resolve the dispute .
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis tweeted that French President Emmanuel Macron was `` a true friend of Greece and also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international law . ''
The mounting territorial tension follows Turkey 's move to send a seismic research vessel , escorted by warships , into waters between the Greek island of Crete and Cyprus to prospect for potential offshore gas and oil reserves , following similar discoveries in other parts of the region .
Greece claims part of the area is over its own continental shelf and has demanded that the Turkish ships withdraw .
Turkey counters that it 's entitled to conduct research in the area .
Greece placed its military on alert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off Turkey 's southern coast .
In Ankara , Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated a call for dialogue and said he would hold talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Council President Charles Michel later Thursday to discuss the standoff .
`` The path for a solution in the eastern Mediterranean is dialogue and negotiation , '' Mr. Erdogan said during an address to his ruling party 's officials .
`` A formula based on a win-win solution that protects the rights of all can be found if we act with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greece 's attitude in the Aegean and the Mediterranean is malicious , '' Mr. Erdogan said , adding that the Greek island on which Athens bases its continental shelf claim is located just 1.25 miles from the Turkish coast and 369 miles from the Greek mainland .
Mr. Erdogan said : `` We do n't have designs on anyone 's rights , but we wo n't let any country take away our rights . ''
The Turkish leader also accused France of `` provoking '' Greece and Cyprus into taking `` wrongful steps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the French frigate Lafayette and the helicopter carrier Tonnerre held joint exercises with four Greek frigates Thursday in the eastern Mediterranean , including in areas Turkey is exploring .
Two French Rafale fighter jets are making a stop Thursday at Souda , on Crete , after being previously deployed in Cyprus for an exercise .
The French Defense Ministry said France 's military presence `` is aiming at reinforcing France 's autonomous assessment of the situation and affirms the country 's attachment to free movement , maritime safety , and respect for international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Macron announced following a phone call with Mr. Mitsotakis late Wednesday that he decided to `` temporarily reinforce the French military presence in the eastern Mediterranean in the coming days , in cooperation with European partners including Greece . ''
Greece 's NATO and European Union ally France is the EU 's biggest military power .
Complicating matters , Turkey – Greece 's historic regional rival – is also a NATO member but has poor relations with France .
In a televised statement Wednesday , Mr. Mitsotakis warned of the `` risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where the Greek and Turkish warships are gathered .
`` In such a case , responsibility lies upon the one who gives rise to these circumstances , '' he said .
He added that Greece was not averse to `` even the toughest dialogue , '' but that `` dialogue becomes irrelevant in a climate of tension and provocation . ''
`` We will never be the ones to escalate the situation .
Yet , self-restraint is only one aspect of our power , '' Mr. Mitsotakis said .
`` No provocation will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias traveled to Israel for talks on the matter .
Mr. Dendias is due to meet U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Vienna on Friday .
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu held calls with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell as well as the foreign ministers of Bulgaria , Estonia , Finland , Italy , Hungary , and Lithuania ahead of an emergency meeting of the EU 's Foreign Affairs Council to discuss the situation in the eastern Mediterranean .
Cyprus Foreign Minister Nikos Christoulides tweeted Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friend '' Gabi Ashkenazi communicated with him to `` reiterate Israel 's support and solidarity in the face of escalating aggression in Cyprus ' maritime zones . ''
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
AP writers Suzan Fraser in Ankara ; Sylvie Corbet in Paris ; and Menelaos Hadjicostis in Nicosia , Cyprus contributed to this report .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

Greece's prime minister warmly thanked France Thursday for boosting its military presence in the eastern Mediterranean, where Greek and Turkish warships are closely shadowing each other over a Turkish energy exploration bid in waters Athens claims as its own.
Meanwhile, Turkey accused Greece and the island nation of Cyprus of encroaching on its rights in the Mediterranean and vowed to defend its interests in the region but also called for dialogue to resolve the dispute.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis tweeted that French President Emmanuel Macron was "a true friend of Greece and also a fervent protector of European values and international law."
The mounting territorial tension follows Turkey's move to send a seismic research vessel, escorted by warships, into waters between the Greek island of Crete and Cyprus to prospect for potential offshore gas and oil reserves, following similar discoveries in other parts of the region.
Greece claims part of the area is over its own continental shelf and has demanded that the Turkish ships withdraw. Turkey counters that it's entitled to conduct research in the area. Greece placed its military on alert, and sent warships to the area off Turkey's southern coast.
In Ankara, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated a call for dialogue and said he would hold talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Council President Charles Michel later Thursday to discuss the standoff.
"The path for a solution in the eastern Mediterranean is dialogue and negotiation," Mr. Erdogan said during an address to his ruling party's officials. "A formula based on a win-win solution that protects the rights of all can be found if we act with common sense and reason."
"Greece's attitude in the Aegean and the Mediterranean is malicious," Mr. Erdogan said, adding that the Greek island on which Athens bases its continental shelf claim is located just 1.25 miles from the Turkish coast and 369 miles from the Greek mainland.
Mr. Erdogan said: "We don't have designs on anyone's rights, but we won't let any country take away our rights."
The Turkish leader also accused France of "provoking" Greece and Cyprus into taking "wrongful steps."
The Greek Defense Ministry said the French frigate Lafayette and the helicopter carrier Tonnerre held joint exercises with four Greek frigates Thursday in the eastern Mediterranean, including in areas Turkey is exploring. Two French Rafale fighter jets are making a stop Thursday at Souda, on Crete, after being previously deployed in Cyprus for an exercise.
The French Defense Ministry said France's military presence "is aiming at reinforcing France's autonomous assessment of the situation and affirms the country's attachment to free movement, maritime safety, and respect for international law in the Mediterranean Sea."
Mr. Macron announced following a phone call with Mr. Mitsotakis late Wednesday that he decided to "temporarily reinforce the French military presence in the eastern Mediterranean in the coming days, in cooperation with European partners including Greece."
Greece's NATO and European Union ally France is the EU's biggest military power. Complicating matters, Turkey – Greece's historic regional rival – is also a NATO member but has poor relations with France.
In a televised statement Wednesday, Mr. Mitsotakis warned of the "risk of an accident" in the area where the Greek and Turkish warships are gathered.
"In such a case, responsibility lies upon the one who gives rise to these circumstances," he said. He added that Greece was not averse to "even the toughest dialogue," but that "dialogue becomes irrelevant in a climate of tension and provocation."
"We will never be the ones to escalate the situation. Yet, self-restraint is only one aspect of our power," Mr. Mitsotakis said. "No provocation will ... go unanswered."
On Thursday, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias traveled to Israel for talks on the matter. Mr. Dendias is due to meet U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Vienna on Friday.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu held calls with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell as well as the foreign ministers of Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Italy, Hungary, and Lithuania ahead of an emergency meeting of the EU's Foreign Affairs Council to discuss the situation in the eastern Mediterranean.
Cyprus Foreign Minister Nikos Christoulides tweeted Thursday that his Israeli counterpart and "true friend" Gabi Ashkenazi communicated with him to "reiterate Israel's support and solidarity in the face of escalating aggression in Cyprus' maritime zones."
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
This story was reported by The Associated Press. AP writers Suzan Fraser in Ankara; Sylvie Corbet in Paris; and Menelaos Hadjicostis in Nicosia, Cyprus contributed to this report.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.