csmonitor--2020-11-06--In Nigerian protests, a generation poised to seize the moment

And the youth-led movement could fundamentally change the country ’ s political landscape , she says – especially at the next general elections in 2023 .
“ They achieved a feat no Nigerian government has been able to achieve , ” Ms. Hassan writes in an email .
Idayat Hassan , director of an Abuja-based think tank , says the Feminist Coalition has shown Nigerians the “ true meaning of accountability in just two weeks.
” The protests were leaderless , but organizations like the Feminist Coalition led the fundraising to provide legal and medical aid to protesters .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the generation ’ s increasing calls for gender equality .
But its daily updates on how money was spent also underscored one of the protesters ’ main demands : greater transparency .
Alleged abuses by a special police unit , called SARS , have for years prompted criticism and failed promises of reform .
Although the government has now pledged to disband SARS , and protests have subsided , the youth-led movement is still keeping up pressure .
And the youths ’ demands go beyond immediate justice , to the corruption and inequality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Half of Nigeria ’ s population is under the age of 30 .
And many of them participated in the protests over police brutality that rocked the country last month – meaning their concerns aren ’ t going away soon .
Amaka Amaku and her friend were singing along to the radio , driving toward the southwestern city of Ogbomosho , when police “ came out of nowhere ” to pull them over , she says .
The officers seized the duo ’ s phones and Ms. Amaku ’ s laptop because she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused the 26-year-old entrepreneur of taking “ hard drugs ” when they found her contraceptives .
Three of them kicked her friend out of the car and began driving Ms. Amaku away .
“ I was afraid .
I thought I would get kidnapped , ” she says .
“ I didn ’ t have my phone , couldn ’ t scream , they were armed , and I didn ’ t know where my friend ” was .
They drove her to a nearby station , where other squad members showed up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bribe to let them go , Ms. Amaku says .
After some haggling , they agreed to pay 3,000 naira ( $ 8 ) .
The police unit that stopped them that October day three years ago was the Special Anti-Robbery Squad ( SARS ) , disbanded last month amid weeks of protests across Nigeria and the diaspora beyond .
Since its founding in 1992 , the unit has perpetrated the very kinds of crime it was commissioned to prevent , critics say , with Amnesty International reporting at least 82 cases of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in the past three years alone .
But if protests have been suppressed – sometimes with violence – the movement ’ s broader aims are here to stay , many Nigerians say .
The people driving # ENDSARS from the pages of the internet to the streets of Nigerian cities and now back online again are overwhelmingly young , like the country itself .
Half of Nigeria ’ s estimated 182 million people are under 30 .
Their generation , the first in decades to grow up in a democracy , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the corruption and inequality that have become central concerns of their movement .
Bulama Bukarti , a sub-Saharan African expert at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change , says the protests – the largest since Nigeria ’ s return to democracy in 1999 – were a result of long-building frustration “ and outrage that has accumulated over the years.
” “ SARS has been a very brutal team for years and young people in Nigeria have been penting up the anger .
They have been crying inwardly , ” he says .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has simmered for years , prompting government pledges to reform .
The latest tipping point for protests came in early October , when a viral video allegedly showed SARS members killing a young man in Delta state and driving off in his car .
On Oct. 11 , the government vowed to disband SARS .
But trust between citizens and officials is low , particularly with previous promises not kept .
And the situation worsened on Oct. 20 , when soldiers shot into a crowd singing the national anthem and waving the flag @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters ’ de facto headquarters .
At least 10 people were killed , according to Amnesty International .
After initially denying involvement , the army admitted soldiers were present , but said they did not open fire on protesters , despite eyewitness reports .
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a statement that “ strongly condemns the use of excessive force by military forces who fired on unarmed demonstrators in Lagos , ” and called for an investigation .
Young people are most at risk of harassment and extortion from SARS officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , particularly those with dreadlocks and tattoos ( which a high-ranking police official linked to “ cultism ” ) , or expensive equipment .
Nigeria ’ s well-funded technology sector has minted middle-class youths who can afford items considered luxuries in a country where 51 % of the population lives in extreme poverty .
But calls for accountability for police and beyond have resonated among youth for a variety of reasons , including socioeconomic frustrations .
Unemployment among people ages 25-34 stands at 30.7 % .
Meanwhile , the affluence of the political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Muhammadu Buhari , for example , spent 10 days in London to treat an ear infection in 2016 , despite the billions of naira budgeted for the clinic at the president ’ s residence .
Young people took to the streets in the first place , Mr. Bukarti suggests , because they had no experience of military or colonial rule , when taking on the government was taboo .
“ Young people are disentangled from the colonial and military mentality and showed that they are ready to take up leadership of their country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
The protests were leaderless , but organizations like the Feminist Coalition led the fundraising to provide legal and medical aid to protesters .
The starring role of the rights group , whose leaders declined to be interviewed for this article , reflects the generation ’ s increasing calls for gender equality in a society still steeped in patriarchal attitudes .
But its daily updates on how money was spent also underscored one of the protesters ’ main demands : greater transparency in politics .
Idayat Hassan , director of the Centre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think tank , says the Feminist Coalition has shown Nigerians the “ true meaning of accountability in just two weeks.
” “ They achieved a feat no Nigerian government has been able to achieve , ” Ms. Hassan writes in an email .
Though street protests have ended , that clamor for accountability has not .
Failed promises of police reform in the past have fueled this year ’ s protests , Mr. Bukarti says , making many Nigerians wary of the new pledge to disband SARS .
In August 2018 , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judicial inquiry into SARS , but the commission ’ s finding has yet to be released to the public almost two years after its submission .
Last week a panel in Lagos began hearings on police brutality , after waiting for the appointments of youth representatives .
Protesters have demanded justice for the alleged victims of SARS , the release of arrested demonstrators , psychological training for SARS officers before their redeployment , and higher police pay to discourage extortion in the first place .
If sustained , the youth-led movement could fundamentally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially at the next general elections in 2023 , says Ms. Hassan .
“ The politics of 2023 will not be the same ; the youth who [ make up ] 51 % of the voting population is going to decide and possibly in a different way , ” she says .

And the youth-led movement could fundamentally change the country’s political landscape, she says – especially at the next general elections in 2023.
“They achieved a feat no Nigerian government has been able to achieve,” Ms. Hassan writes in an email.
Idayat Hassan, director of an Abuja-based think tank, says the Feminist Coalition has shown Nigerians the “true meaning of accountability in just two weeks.”
The protests were leaderless, but organizations like the Feminist Coalition led the fundraising to provide legal and medical aid to protesters. The rights group’s starring role reflects the generation’s increasing calls for gender equality. But its daily updates on how money was spent also underscored one of the protesters’ main demands: greater transparency.
Protests against police brutality rocked Nigeria last month. But the broader, youth-led movement they have sparked is about more than that. This generation grew up in democracy, and wants it to live up to its promises.
Alleged abuses by a special police unit, called SARS, have for years prompted criticism and failed promises of reform. Although the government has now pledged to disband SARS, and protests have subsided, the youth-led movement is still keeping up pressure. And the youths’ demands go beyond immediate justice, to the corruption and inequality they consider pervasive in Nigerian politics.
Half of Nigeria’s population is under the age of 30. And many of them participated in the protests over police brutality that rocked the country last month – meaning their concerns aren’t going away soon.
Amaka Amaku and her friend were singing along to the radio, driving toward the southwestern city of Ogbomosho, when police “came out of nowhere” to pull them over, she says.
The officers seized the duo’s phones and Ms. Amaku’s laptop because she did not have a receipt, then accused the 26-year-old entrepreneur of taking “hard drugs” when they found her contraceptives. Three of them kicked her friend out of the car and began driving Ms. Amaku away.
“I was afraid. I thought I would get kidnapped,” she says. “I didn’t have my phone, couldn’t scream, they were armed, and I didn’t know where my friend” was. They drove her to a nearby station, where other squad members showed up with her friend, and demanded a bribe to let them go, Ms. Amaku says. After some haggling, they agreed to pay 3,000 naira ($8).
Why We Wrote This Protests against police brutality rocked Nigeria last month. But the broader, youth-led movement they have sparked is about more than that. This generation grew up in democracy, and wants it to live up to its promises.
The police unit that stopped them that October day three years ago was the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), disbanded last month amid weeks of protests across Nigeria and the diaspora beyond. Since its founding in 1992, the unit has perpetrated the very kinds of crime it was commissioned to prevent, critics say, with Amnesty International reporting at least 82 cases of “torture, ill-treatment and extra-judicial execution” in the past three years alone.
But if protests have been suppressed – sometimes with violence – the movement’s broader aims are here to stay, many Nigerians say. The people driving #ENDSARS from the pages of the internet to the streets of Nigerian cities and now back online again are overwhelmingly young, like the country itself. Half of Nigeria’s estimated 182 million people are under 30.
Their generation, the first in decades to grow up in a democracy, is also fed up with its disappointments: the corruption and inequality that have become central concerns of their movement.
Bulama Bukarti, a sub-Saharan African expert at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, says the protests – the largest since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999 – were a result of long-building frustration “and outrage that has accumulated over the years.”
“SARS has been a very brutal team for years and young people in Nigeria have been penting up the anger. They have been crying inwardly,” he says.
Demanding transparency
Outrage over the alleged abuses by SARS has simmered for years, prompting government pledges to reform. The latest tipping point for protests came in early October, when a viral video allegedly showed SARS members killing a young man in Delta state and driving off in his car.
On Oct. 11, the government vowed to disband SARS. But trust between citizens and officials is low, particularly with previous promises not kept. And the situation worsened on Oct. 20, when soldiers shot into a crowd singing the national anthem and waving the flag at Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, protesters’ de facto headquarters. At least 10 people were killed, according to Amnesty International.
After initially denying involvement, the army admitted soldiers were present, but said they did not open fire on protesters, despite eyewitness reports. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a statement that “strongly condemns the use of excessive force by military forces who fired on unarmed demonstrators in Lagos,” and called for an investigation.
Young people are most at risk of harassment and extortion from SARS officers, according to Amnesty’s report, particularly those with dreadlocks and tattoos (which a high-ranking police official linked to “cultism”), or expensive equipment. Nigeria’s well-funded technology sector has minted middle-class youths who can afford items considered luxuries in a country where 51% of the population lives in extreme poverty.
But calls for accountability for police and beyond have resonated among youth for a variety of reasons, including socioeconomic frustrations. Unemployment among people ages 25-34 stands at 30.7%. Meanwhile, the affluence of the political class is often on display. President Muhammadu Buhari, for example, spent 10 days in London to treat an ear infection in 2016, despite the billions of naira budgeted for the clinic at the president’s residence.
Young people took to the streets in the first place, Mr. Bukarti suggests, because they had no experience of military or colonial rule, when taking on the government was taboo.
“Young people are disentangled from the colonial and military mentality and showed that they are ready to take up leadership of their country and demand better,” Mr. Bukarti says.
The protests were leaderless, but organizations like the Feminist Coalition led the fundraising to provide legal and medical aid to protesters. The starring role of the rights group, whose leaders declined to be interviewed for this article, reflects the generation’s increasing calls for gender equality in a society still steeped in patriarchal attitudes. But its daily updates on how money was spent also underscored one of the protesters’ main demands: greater transparency in politics.
Idayat Hassan, director of the Centre for Democracy and Development, an Abuja-based think tank, says the Feminist Coalition has shown Nigerians the “true meaning of accountability in just two weeks.”
“They achieved a feat no Nigerian government has been able to achieve,” Ms. Hassan writes in an email.
The road ahead
Though street protests have ended, that clamor for accountability has not. Failed promises of police reform in the past have fueled this year’s protests, Mr. Bukarti says, making many Nigerians wary of the new pledge to disband SARS. In August 2018, for example, the government set up a judicial inquiry into SARS, but the commission’s finding has yet to be released to the public almost two years after its submission.
Last week a panel in Lagos began hearings on police brutality, after waiting for the appointments of youth representatives. Protesters have demanded justice for the alleged victims of SARS, the release of arrested demonstrators, psychological training for SARS officers before their redeployment, and higher police pay to discourage extortion in the first place.
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If sustained, the youth-led movement could fundamentally change the political landscape in Nigeria, especially at the next general elections in 2023, says Ms. Hassan.
“The politics of 2023 will not be the same; the youth who [make up] 51% of the voting population is going to decide and possibly in a different way,” she says.


csmonitor--2020-11-06--Online schooling in Indonesia? It takes a village.

When a garbage collector came to Ghina Ghaliya ’ s house in the Indonesian capital and asked if she had an old mobile phone his children could use to access the internet , it sparked an idea for a broader campaign to help students stuck at home by the coronavirus .
“ He said it does not matter if it is the ugly one , as long as his children can use it for learning from home , ” said Ms. Ghaliya , a journalist at a national newspaper .
“ I thought there must be many people who need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shortly after the pandemic hit Indonesia , Ms. Ghaliya and 11 other journalists in Jakarta organized a group to provide food and money to people in need .
They started hearing from parents who wanted their children to be able to study online but lacked a way to access the internet .
Ms. Ghaliya was reminded of her conversation with the garbage collector and she and the other journalists decided to shift their focus to providing mobile phones for underprivileged students , many of whom were still not allowed to do face-to-face learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July .
They announced their campaign through social media and the response was overwhelming , with people donating second-hand units and others giving cash .
As of November , they had collected more than 200 mobile phones .
Cash donations amounted to more than $ 35,000 , allowing them to buy more phones and also purchase prepaid internet for the recipients .
So far , nearly 300 phones have been distributed to Indonesian students around Jakarta as well as to remote regions like Papua , the country ’ s most eastern province .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ brings happiness to Ms. Ghaliya and her journalist friends .
“ We really hope the mobile phones can be used as much as they can during the pandemic , ” Ms. Ghaliya said .
Khaissyah Levi is a vocational high school student in Depok , West Java , who attends online classes in the morning .
His father Deny Sayuti had been lending his mobile phone to his son for his studies , but that meant Mr. Sayuti could only do his work as a motorcycle taxi driver for part of the day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the morning rush hour .
Mr. Sayuti wrote to Ms. Ghaliya ’ s group in August , and his family received a mobile phone a month later .
Mr. Sayuti believes that his son can now do better with his online studies .
“ Now I see him more comfortable , and he can directly reach out to his friends and teacher , ” Mr. Sayuti said .
Qayran Ruby Al Maghribi had also been using his father ’ s mobile phone to attend three video calls a week with his teachers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school boy sometimes sent his homework late because he had to wait for his father to return from work as a motorcycle taxi driver in order to get back online .
For the first time in his life , Qayran was falling behind in his studies , which along with taking care of his sick mother was causing him stress .
But a big smile appeared on Qayran ’ s face when he received the mobile phone sent by Ms. Ghaliya ’ s group .
“ I will use the phone to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .

When a garbage collector came to Ghina Ghaliya’s house in the Indonesian capital and asked if she had an old mobile phone his children could use to access the internet, it sparked an idea for a broader campaign to help students stuck at home by the coronavirus.
“He said it does not matter if it is the ugly one, as long as his children can use it for learning from home,” said Ms. Ghaliya, a journalist at a national newspaper. “I thought there must be many people who need second hand mobile phones out there.”
Shortly after the pandemic hit Indonesia, Ms. Ghaliya and 11 other journalists in Jakarta organized a group to provide food and money to people in need. They started hearing from parents who wanted their children to be able to study online but lacked a way to access the internet.
Ms. Ghaliya was reminded of her conversation with the garbage collector and she and the other journalists decided to shift their focus to providing mobile phones for underprivileged students, many of whom were still not allowed to do face-to-face learning when the new school year started in July.
They announced their campaign through social media and the response was overwhelming, with people donating second-hand units and others giving cash.
As of November, they had collected more than 200 mobile phones. Cash donations amounted to more than $35,000, allowing them to buy more phones and also purchase prepaid internet for the recipients.
So far, nearly 300 phones have been distributed to Indonesian students around Jakarta as well as to remote regions like Papua, the country’s most eastern province.
Helping students take part in online schooling brings happiness to Ms. Ghaliya and her journalist friends.
“We really hope the mobile phones can be used as much as they can during the pandemic,” Ms. Ghaliya said.
Khaissyah Levi is a vocational high school student in Depok, West Java, who attends online classes in the morning. His father Deny Sayuti had been lending his mobile phone to his son for his studies, but that meant Mr. Sayuti could only do his work as a motorcycle taxi driver for part of the day, missing out on peak times like the morning rush hour.
Mr. Sayuti wrote to Ms. Ghaliya’s group in August, and his family received a mobile phone a month later. Mr. Sayuti believes that his son can now do better with his online studies.
“Now I see him more comfortable, and he can directly reach out to his friends and teacher,” Mr. Sayuti said.
Qayran Ruby Al Maghribi had also been using his father’s mobile phone to attend three video calls a week with his teachers and collect his assignments.
But the primary school boy sometimes sent his homework late because he had to wait for his father to return from work as a motorcycle taxi driver in order to get back online. For the first time in his life, Qayran was falling behind in his studies, which along with taking care of his sick mother was causing him stress.
But a big smile appeared on Qayran’s face when he received the mobile phone sent by Ms. Ghaliya’s group.
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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.
“I will use the phone to do online school every day,” Qayran said.
This story was reported by The Associated Press.


csmonitor--2020-11-06--Why the South saw the most Black Senate candidates in 150 years

In the battle for control of the United States Senate this year , the Deep South fielded more Black candidates than it has since Reconstruction .
In South Carolina , Jaime Harrison raised a previously unfathomable amount of money in what became a competitive fight to unseat one of the more powerful Republicans in the Senate .
He was joined by Raphael Warnock in neighboring Georgia , the leading Democrat in a crowded field running for the seat held by an appointed Republican .
Mike Espy and Adrian Perkins , meanwhile , launched spirited bids for the Senate in Mississippi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ran a competitive race against Republican incumbent Sen. Lindsey Graham , but lost with only 44 % of the vote to Mr. Graham 's 54 % .
Mr. Epsy lost by about 13 percentage points to Republican incumbent Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith , and Mr. Perkins secured only 19 % of the votes in Louisiana to lose the race to incumbent Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy .
Mr. Warnock won the Georgia special election against Republican incumbent Sen. Kelly Loeffler , but neither secured 50 % of the votes , so they will compete in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Their candidacies came during a year of deep reckoning in the United States over systemic racism and represent a more diverse type of political leader in the South , where Democrats have tended to rally behind white moderates in recent years in often ill-fated attempts to appeal to disaffected Republicans .
“ It ’ s continually a tough fight that we wage to help Democrats imagine a world where people who look like myself , are viable candidates everywhere – not just in your blue states , not just in the urban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Collective , a political action committee that supports Black candidates .
The Senate currently has three Black members : Republican Tim Scott of South Carolina and Democrats Cory Booker of New Jersey and Kamala Harris of California .
Ms. Harris is the Democratic vice presidential nominee .
The candidates faced hurdles in a region that has been a GOP stronghold for a generation .
Of their four states , only one had a Democratic governor .
In South Carolina , it ’ s been nearly 15 years since a Democrat won statewide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential candidate won .
But there are signs of possible change .
Joe Biden is leading in Georgia by less than 1 % and trailing President Donald Trump by less than 3 % in North Carolina – states that haven ’ t supported a Democrat for the White House since 1992 and 2008 , respectively .
In Georgia , Mr. Warnock recently appeared at a rally with Ms. Harris , who has endorsed him .
The 2018 elections marked something of a turning point .
While Democrat Stacey Abrams narrowly lost the Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ performance , particularly in Atlanta ’ s Republican-leaning suburbs , suggested there was a path for Black Democrats .
“ The more competitive races are , and Black candidates win those competitive races , it diminishes this worry that Black candidates can ’ t win , ” Ms. Abrams recently told The Associated Press .
Mr. Warnock is hoping to come out on top in the January runoff against Ms. Loeffler , who was appointed this year by Republican Gov .
Brian Kemp .
Mr. Warnock is pastor of the Atlanta church where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preached .
He draws heavily on his experience as a Black man living in the Deep South , from his early days growing up in Georgia public housing to his current support for expanding access to health care , voting rights , criminal justice reform , and the Black Lives Matter movement .
In Louisiana , Mr. Perkins , a West Point graduate and Army veteran , was seen as the lead candidate in a nonpartisan , qualifying primary to take on Mr. Cassidy , although the Republican won that race .
Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama and other high-profile Democrats , but his late entrance into the race made fundraising difficult .
Mr. Cassidy amassed a sizable campaign account .
In Mississippi , Mr. Espy tried for a second time to become the state ’ s first Black senator since Reconstruction with his challenge to Ms. Hyde-Smith .
She won the race , and Mr. Epsy closed with 42 % of the votes .
In 1986 , Mr. Espy was elected as Mississippi ’ s first Black congressman in modern times before heading up the U.S. Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden .
The Republican-dominated state last had a Democrat in the Senate in 1988 .
Mr. Espy highlighted his family ’ s history in Mississippi , where his grandfather started a hospital for African Americans in 1924 , and his father owned a funeral home where Emmett Till ’ s body was taken after the Black 14-year-old from Chicago was tortured and killed in rural Mississippi .
Mr. Espy and his twin sister were among the few Black students who integrated an all-white high school .
“ It ’ s about overcoming issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progress in the future , ” he said .
There was also Tennessee Democrat Marquita Bradshaw , a Black environmental activist who faced an uphill battle to secure a U.S. Senate seat that opened up with Republican Lamar Alexander ’ s retirement .
Ms. Bradshaw , the first Black woman to win a statewide nomination in Tennessee , ran against former U.S .
Ambassador to Japan Bill Hagerty , who was endorsed by Mr. Trump .
She eventually lost with 35 % of the votes .
Republicans have held both Tennessee seats in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was Mr. Harrison who received the most national attention — and money — this year .
His more than $ 100 million in fundraising shattered records for a Senate campaign and helped turn a race that might have otherwise been an afterthought into a genuine competition .
And Mr. Warnock was thrust into the national spotlight this week when Georgia officials ruled his U.S. Senate campaign would be decided by a January runoff .
He faces an uphill battle in trying to unseat Ms. Loeffler , a wealthy businesswoman who was appointed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its former occupant retired .
The Jan. 5 contest is certain to attract a great amount of money and media interest as it has the potential , along with another Senate race in the state that may also go to a runoff , of helping determine which party takes control of the U.S. Senate next year .
Mr. Warnock said that changing demographics give him a chance .
He came out on top of Tuesday ’ s 21-candidate election with 32 % of the vote , according to Reuters , although Ms. Loeffler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Doug Collins , had a combined 46 % .
Mr. Warnock said in a recent campaign speech that “ No one in Georgia believes that this is a red state any longer , ” according to Reuters .
“ Even the other side does not believe this is a red state , which is why they are engaged in voter suppression.
” This story was reported by The Associated Press .
AP writers Kimberlee Kruesi in Nashville , Tennessee ; Emily Wagster Pettus in Jackson , Mississippi ; and Ben Nadler in Atlanta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rich McKay and Susan Cornwell in Atlanta also contributed .

In the battle for control of the United States Senate this year, the Deep South fielded more Black candidates than it has since Reconstruction.
In South Carolina, Jaime Harrison raised a previously unfathomable amount of money in what became a competitive fight to unseat one of the more powerful Republicans in the Senate. He was joined by Raphael Warnock in neighboring Georgia, the leading Democrat in a crowded field running for the seat held by an appointed Republican. Mike Espy and Adrian Perkins, meanwhile, launched spirited bids for the Senate in Mississippi and Louisiana, respectively.
Mr. Harrison ran a competitive race against Republican incumbent Sen. Lindsey Graham, but lost with only 44% of the vote to Mr. Graham's 54%. Mr. Epsy lost by about 13 percentage points to Republican incumbent Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, and Mr. Perkins secured only 19% of the votes in Louisiana to lose the race to incumbent Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy. Mr. Warnock won the Georgia special election against Republican incumbent Sen. Kelly Loeffler, but neither secured 50% of the votes, so they will compete in a January runoff for the Senate seat.
Their candidacies came during a year of deep reckoning in the United States over systemic racism and represent a more diverse type of political leader in the South, where Democrats have tended to rally behind white moderates in recent years in often ill-fated attempts to appeal to disaffected Republicans.
“It’s continually a tough fight that we wage to help Democrats imagine a world where people who look like myself, are viable candidates everywhere – not just in your blue states, not just in the urban cities,” said Quentin James of The Collective, a political action committee that supports Black candidates.
The Senate currently has three Black members: Republican Tim Scott of South Carolina and Democrats Cory Booker of New Jersey and Kamala Harris of California. Ms. Harris is the Democratic vice presidential nominee.
The candidates faced hurdles in a region that has been a GOP stronghold for a generation. Of their four states, only one had a Democratic governor. In South Carolina, it’s been nearly 15 years since a Democrat won statewide office and 44 years since a Democratic presidential candidate won.
But there are signs of possible change. Joe Biden is leading in Georgia by less than 1% and trailing President Donald Trump by less than 3% in North Carolina – states that haven’t supported a Democrat for the White House since 1992 and 2008, respectively. In Georgia, Mr. Warnock recently appeared at a rally with Ms. Harris, who has endorsed him.
The 2018 elections marked something of a turning point. While Democrat Stacey Abrams narrowly lost the Georgia governor’s race, her strong performance, particularly in Atlanta’s Republican-leaning suburbs, suggested there was a path for Black Democrats.
“The more competitive races are, and Black candidates win those competitive races, it diminishes this worry that Black candidates can’t win,” Ms. Abrams recently told The Associated Press.
Mr. Warnock is hoping to come out on top in the January runoff against Ms. Loeffler, who was appointed this year by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp.
Mr. Warnock is pastor of the Atlanta church where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. preached. He draws heavily on his experience as a Black man living in the Deep South, from his early days growing up in Georgia public housing to his current support for expanding access to health care, voting rights, criminal justice reform, and the Black Lives Matter movement.
In Louisiana, Mr. Perkins, a West Point graduate and Army veteran, was seen as the lead candidate in a nonpartisan, qualifying primary to take on Mr. Cassidy, although the Republican won that race.
Mr. Perkins was endorsed by former President Barack Obama and other high-profile Democrats, but his late entrance into the race made fundraising difficult. Mr. Cassidy amassed a sizable campaign account.
In Mississippi, Mr. Espy tried for a second time to become the state’s first Black senator since Reconstruction with his challenge to Ms. Hyde-Smith. She won the race, and Mr. Epsy closed with 42% of the votes.
In 1986, Mr. Espy was elected as Mississippi’s first Black congressman in modern times before heading up the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He was endorsed by Mr. Biden. The Republican-dominated state last had a Democrat in the Senate in 1988.
Mr. Espy highlighted his family’s history in Mississippi, where his grandfather started a hospital for African Americans in 1924, and his father owned a funeral home where Emmett Till’s body was taken after the Black 14-year-old from Chicago was tortured and killed in rural Mississippi. Mr. Espy and his twin sister were among the few Black students who integrated an all-white high school.
“It’s about overcoming issues in the old Mississippi and fighting for progress in the future,” he said.
There was also Tennessee Democrat Marquita Bradshaw, a Black environmental activist who faced an uphill battle to secure a U.S. Senate seat that opened up with Republican Lamar Alexander’s retirement.
Ms. Bradshaw, the first Black woman to win a statewide nomination in Tennessee, ran against former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Bill Hagerty, who was endorsed by Mr. Trump. She eventually lost with 35% of the votes. Republicans have held both Tennessee seats in the Senate since 1994.
But it was Mr. Harrison who received the most national attention — and money — this year. His more than $100 million in fundraising shattered records for a Senate campaign and helped turn a race that might have otherwise been an afterthought into a genuine competition.
And Mr. Warnock was thrust into the national spotlight this week when Georgia officials ruled his U.S. Senate campaign would be decided by a January runoff.
He faces an uphill battle in trying to unseat Ms. Loeffler, a wealthy businesswoman who was appointed to the seat in the conservative-leaning state after its former occupant retired.
The Jan. 5 contest is certain to attract a great amount of money and media interest as it has the potential, along with another Senate race in the state that may also go to a runoff, of helping determine which party takes control of the U.S. Senate next year.
Mr. Warnock said that changing demographics give him a chance. He came out on top of Tuesday’s 21-candidate election with 32% of the vote, according to Reuters, although Ms. Loeffler and her nearest Republican rival, Representative Doug Collins, had a combined 46%.
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Mr. Warnock said in a recent campaign speech that “No one in Georgia believes that this is a red state any longer,” according to Reuters. “Even the other side does not believe this is a red state, which is why they are engaged in voter suppression.”
This story was reported by The Associated Press. AP writers Kimberlee Kruesi in Nashville, Tennessee; Emily Wagster Pettus in Jackson, Mississippi; and Ben Nadler in Atlanta contributed to this report. Reuters writers Rich McKay and Susan Cornwell in Atlanta also contributed.


csmonitor--2020-11-06--Uber, Lyft, gig companies win fight against labor unions

App-based companies like Uber , Lyft , and Doordash have dodged a potentially devastating blow to their industry by carving out an exemption from a California law that required them to classify their drivers as employees instead of contractors .
California voters passed Proposition 22 and delivered a stinging rebuke to state lawmakers and labor leaders who were fighting for better working conditions for a growing number of people who drive for ride-hailing and food delivery services .
California has one of the strictest laws in the country for determining when a company must treat its workers as employees with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and sick days .
Uber , Lyft , Doordash , Instacart , and others sought to get out of those requirements , and after failing in court , succeeded in convincing voters to give them an exemption from most of the year-old law ’ s provisions .
A record $ 200 million spending spree by the companies and their supporters helped them win the vote .
The investment yielded a huge return for Uber and Lyft , whose combined market value climbed by $ 10 billion on Wednesday .
Supporters applauded the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to maintain their independence while accessing new benefits such as a guaranteed minimum wage and health care subsidies .
Don Pruitt , an accountant in Stockton , was relieved by Proposition 22 ’ s passage because it will allow him to continue to drive for both Lyft and Uber , as well as handle deliveries for Postmates and Instacart , as he has been during the past three years whenever he isn ’ t busy filing taxes for his clients .
“ If Prop .
22 had lost , I wouldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make extra money .
I couldn ’ t work for all of them if I had to be an employee , ” Mr. Pruitt said .
James Patterson , a Sacramento retiree who drove four years for Lyft but now does deliveries for DoorDash and Postmates , prefers the freedom of being able to make his own schedule .
“ You can just work when you want and stop whenever you want , ” he said .
“ And as someone who is retired , it ’ s nice to get a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Others viewed the development as a major setback for gig workers .
“ It should be a good wake-up call for us all , across the country , if these companies think they can buy their way out of having to comply with basic labor laws , ” said Shannon Liss-Riordan , a labor attorney who has been fighting for employment protections for app-based workers .
“ I ’ m worried about what these companies may try to pull off on a national basis.
” The Independent Drivers Guild , which represents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , New Jersey , and Connecticut , called on state legislatures to quickly empower gig workers with collective bargaining rights .
“ Proposition 22 leaves California ’ s gig workers with no representation , no collective bargaining rights , no path to negotiate a livable wage , and no ability to have a real voice in their pay and benefits , ” said Brendan Sexton , the group ’ s executive director .
Edan Alva , a former Lyft driver , stopped driving during the pandemic because he was shelling out for disinfectant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making money .
He was hoping the proposition would fail , leading to better working conditions so he could consider driving again .
“ Labor rights are human rights , and the fact that Lyft and Uber managed to basically trump human rights doesn ’ t mean everyone should give in , ” he said .
Investors were thrilled with the outcome , largely because it allows the companies to preserve the status quo and puts them in a better position to reverse their long history of losses after the pandemic is over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 14 % to close at $ 40.99 while Lyft ’ s shares gained more than 11 % to finish at $ 29.19 .
Wedbush Securities analysts Dan Ives hailed the vote as “ a landmark victory for the gig economy with Uber and Lyft front and center.
” Of the more than $ 220 million spent by the two opposing sides of the issues , Uber , Lyft , DoorDash , Instacart , and their supporters sunk roughly $ 200 million into the campaign , underscoring how badly the companies wanted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Alameda County Superior Court is a case brought by California ’ s labor commissioner against Uber and Lyft in August , which accuse the companies in separate complaints of engaging in “ wage theft.
” The suit seeks to recover unpaid wages and other penalties for the 10 months that California ’ s law had been in effect before Proposition 22 ’ s passage .
Among the labor concessions embedded in Proposition 22 are requirements that Uber , Lyft , and the other app-based companies provide 120 % of minimum wage for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a driver is heading to pick up a passenger , a health care subsidy and expenses reimbursement per mile .
Uber told its drivers the company would let drivers know how to enroll in benefits in the next few weeks .
“ The future of independent work is more secure because so many drivers like you spoke up and made your voice heard – and voters across the state listened , ” Uber ’ s CEO , Dara Khosrowshahi , said in an email to drivers .
John Zimmer , Lyft ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turning point for the future of work in America , ” and said that during the pandemic many people are looking for work and for ways to get around safely .
“ We ’ re ready to work with labor leaders and others to continue to build a stronger safety net for workers , ” Mr. Zimmer said in an interview .
Some drivers supported the proposal out of fear that if it didn ’ t pass , they would lose their working flexibility , if not their entire jobs .
“ They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this would likely go away had Prop .
22 failed , ” said Arun Sundararajan , a professor at New York University ’ s Stern School of Business and author of The Sharing Economy .
It also is a starting point for improving working conditions for workers in the gig economy , he said .
“ You have millions of people who drive and who deliver , who now have sort of a funding mechanism to start to get some benefits , ” Mr. Sundararajan said .
Some riders , such as Chris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off by the companies ’ efforts to skirt the law .
“ It ’ s putting a sour taste in my mouth , so if there is a third option that pops up , I might choose that , ” he said , adding that he ’ s willing to pay more to a company that provides better working conditions .
“ I closed my mom-and-pop small business partially because of tax matching and work comp expenses on the employees , ” said Doug Lee , another rider , who owned a dog @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It ’ s not really fair that Uber , Lyft , etc .
get to skate on these costs when other businesses don ’ t. ” This story was reported by The Associated Press .

App-based companies like Uber, Lyft, and Doordash have dodged a potentially devastating blow to their industry by carving out an exemption from a California law that required them to classify their drivers as employees instead of contractors.
California voters passed Proposition 22 and delivered a stinging rebuke to state lawmakers and labor leaders who were fighting for better working conditions for a growing number of people who drive for ride-hailing and food delivery services.
California has one of the strictest laws in the country for determining when a company must treat its workers as employees with benefits such as minimum wage, overtime, and sick days. Uber, Lyft, Doordash, Instacart, and others sought to get out of those requirements, and after failing in court, succeeded in convincing voters to give them an exemption from most of the year-old law’s provisions.
A record $200 million spending spree by the companies and their supporters helped them win the vote. The investment yielded a huge return for Uber and Lyft, whose combined market value climbed by $10 billion on Wednesday.
Supporters applauded the outcome, saying drivers would be able to maintain their independence while accessing new benefits such as a guaranteed minimum wage and health care subsidies.
Don Pruitt, an accountant in Stockton, was relieved by Proposition 22’s passage because it will allow him to continue to drive for both Lyft and Uber, as well as handle deliveries for Postmates and Instacart, as he has been during the past three years whenever he isn’t busy filing taxes for his clients.
“If Prop. 22 had lost, I wouldn’t have been able to keep doing that to make extra money. I couldn’t work for all of them if I had to be an employee,” Mr. Pruitt said.
James Patterson, a Sacramento retiree who drove four years for Lyft but now does deliveries for DoorDash and Postmates, prefers the freedom of being able to make his own schedule.
“You can just work when you want and stop whenever you want,” he said. “And as someone who is retired, it’s nice to get a little supplemental income whenever you need it.”
Others viewed the development as a major setback for gig workers.
“It should be a good wake-up call for us all, across the country, if these companies think they can buy their way out of having to comply with basic labor laws,” said Shannon Liss-Riordan, a labor attorney who has been fighting for employment protections for app-based workers. “I’m worried about what these companies may try to pull off on a national basis.”
The Independent Drivers Guild, which represents more than 200,000 drivers in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, called on state legislatures to quickly empower gig workers with collective bargaining rights.
“Proposition 22 leaves California’s gig workers with no representation, no collective bargaining rights, no path to negotiate a livable wage, and no ability to have a real voice in their pay and benefits,” said Brendan Sexton, the group’s executive director.
Edan Alva, a former Lyft driver, stopped driving during the pandemic because he was shelling out for disinfectant, risking his health, and barely making money. He was hoping the proposition would fail, leading to better working conditions so he could consider driving again.
“Labor rights are human rights, and the fact that Lyft and Uber managed to basically trump human rights doesn’t mean everyone should give in,” he said.
Investors were thrilled with the outcome, largely because it allows the companies to preserve the status quo and puts them in a better position to reverse their long history of losses after the pandemic is over. Uber’s stock surged more than 14% to close at $40.99 while Lyft’s shares gained more than 11% to finish at $29.19.
Wedbush Securities analysts Dan Ives hailed the vote as “a landmark victory for the gig economy with Uber and Lyft front and center.”
Of the more than $220 million spent by the two opposing sides of the issues, Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart, and their supporters sunk roughly $200 million into the campaign, underscoring how badly the companies wanted to preserve their business model.
Still pending in Alameda County Superior Court is a case brought by California’s labor commissioner against Uber and Lyft in August, which accuse the companies in separate complaints of engaging in “wage theft.” The suit seeks to recover unpaid wages and other penalties for the 10 months that California’s law had been in effect before Proposition 22’s passage.
Among the labor concessions embedded in Proposition 22 are requirements that Uber, Lyft, and the other app-based companies provide 120% of minimum wage for “engaged” time such as when a driver is heading to pick up a passenger, a health care subsidy and expenses reimbursement per mile.
Uber told its drivers the company would let drivers know how to enroll in benefits in the next few weeks. “The future of independent work is more secure because so many drivers like you spoke up and made your voice heard – and voters across the state listened,” Uber’s CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, said in an email to drivers.
John Zimmer, Lyft’s president, called the decision a “turning point for the future of work in America,” and said that during the pandemic many people are looking for work and for ways to get around safely.
“We’re ready to work with labor leaders and others to continue to build a stronger safety net for workers,” Mr. Zimmer said in an interview.
Some drivers supported the proposal out of fear that if it didn’t pass, they would lose their working flexibility, if not their entire jobs.
“They get to keep their livelihood, and this would likely go away had Prop. 22 failed,” said Arun Sundararajan, a professor at New York University’s Stern School of Business and author of The Sharing Economy. It also is a starting point for improving working conditions for workers in the gig economy, he said.
“You have millions of people who drive and who deliver, who now have sort of a funding mechanism to start to get some benefits,” Mr. Sundararajan said.
Some riders, such as Chris Martin, a teacher, were turned off by the companies’ efforts to skirt the law.
“It’s putting a sour taste in my mouth, so if there is a third option that pops up, I might choose that,” he said, adding that he’s willing to pay more to a company that provides better working conditions.
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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.
“I closed my mom-and-pop small business partially because of tax matching and work comp expenses on the employees,” said Doug Lee, another rider, who owned a dog grooming business in La Jolla, California. “It’s not really fair that Uber, Lyft, etc. get to skate on these costs when other businesses don’t.”
This story was reported by The Associated Press.


csmonitor--2020-11-07--Why AP called the presidential race for Joe Biden

As Election Day ground on into “ election week , ” late-counted ballots in Nevada , Pennsylvania and Georgia continued to keep Democrat Joe Biden in the lead and offered him multiple paths to victory .
On Saturday , Mr. Biden captured the presidency when The Associated Press declared him the victor in his native Pennsylvania at 11:25 a.m. EST .
That got him the state ’ s 20 electoral votes , which pushed him over the 270 electoral-vote threshold needed to prevail .
The former vice president carved a path to the White House by recapturing Democrats ’ “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Great Lakes states – Pennsylvania , Wisconsin and Michigan – that President Donald Trump narrowly won in 2016 .
Those states had long served as a bulwark against Republican presidential candidates .
But he also made historic gains in the Sun Belt , becoming the first Democrat to win Arizona since 1996 .
He also held a narrow lead of more than 7,000 votes on Saturday in Georgia , where a Democrat hasn ’ t won since 1992 .
Democrats entered Election Day confident that Mr. Biden would win .
But their hopes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trumpism – something that polls helped amplify – did not materialize .
Florida , the president ’ s adopted state and one of the largest electoral prizes , went for Mr. Trump on Tuesday .
An early lead in North Carolina for Mr. Biden eroded as Mr. Trump continues to hold a narrow lead there , though the race is still too early to call and mail in ballots postmarked by the Nov. 3 election day can still be counted until Thursday .
On Election Night , both candidates stacked up wins in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West Coast , and carried Democratic states in New England and the mid Atlantic .
Mr. Trump won much of the South , Texas and rural , sparsely populated states in the Mountain West and Midwest .
Mr. Biden ’ s win in Pennsylvania was a dramatic , though not unexpected , turn after Mr. Trump jumped out to an early Election Day lead of 675,000 votes and prematurely declared he had won the state .
Over coming days , as local elections officials tabulated more ballots , Mr. Trump ’ s lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roughly 75 percent of the mail-in vote between Wednesday and Friday , according to an analysis by the AP .
Another reason the late-breaking mail vote broke Mr. Biden ’ s way : Under state law , elections officials are not allowed to process mail-in ballots until Election Day .
By Saturday afternoon , Mr. Biden ’ s lead in the state had climbed to over 34,000 votes , an edge over Mr. Trump of 0.51 percentage points that placed him outside the margin for a mandatory recount .
Under Pennsylvania law , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between two candidates in a statewide race is less than 0.5 percentage points .
Mr. Biden ’ s lead over Mr. Trump was on track to stay outside of that margin as final votes are counted .
As more votes were released Saturday that solidified Mr. Biden ’ s lead , an AP analysis of a small set of provisional ballots from Trump-leaning counties showed Mr. Trump was winning them by a smaller margin than his Election Day vote totals in those counties .
The analysis led AP to conclude Mr. Trump could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to overcome Mr. Biden ’ s margin .
And the slow-going nature of the vote count ?
Blame the coronavirus pandemic .
The election led to widespread use of mail voting for the first time in many states .
Though five states conducted elections by mail before the pandemic , most did not .
Concern that voters could catch the virus by waiting in line at crowded polling sites led election officials across the U.S. to scramble to quickly adopt the voting practice .
But mail ballots also take a long time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tally .
Mr. Trump , who refused Saturday to concede the race , prematurely declared victory during a news conference at the White House early Wednesday morning , arguing that he was ahead and “ it ’ s not like , ‘ Oh , it ’ s close.
’ ” But as mail ballots continued to be counted they overwhelmingly favored Mr. Biden , in part because Mr. Trump has discouraged his supporters from voting that way .

As Election Day ground on into “election week,” late-counted ballots in Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Georgia continued to keep Democrat Joe Biden in the lead and offered him multiple paths to victory.
On Saturday, Mr. Biden captured the presidency when The Associated Press declared him the victor in his native Pennsylvania at 11:25 a.m. EST. That got him the state’s 20 electoral votes, which pushed him over the 270 electoral-vote threshold needed to prevail.
The former vice president carved a path to the White House by recapturing Democrats’ “blue wall,” a trio of Great Lakes states – Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan – that President Donald Trump narrowly won in 2016. Those states had long served as a bulwark against Republican presidential candidates.
But he also made historic gains in the Sun Belt, becoming the first Democrat to win Arizona since 1996. He also held a narrow lead of more than 7,000 votes on Saturday in Georgia, where a Democrat hasn’t won since 1992.
Democrats entered Election Day confident that Mr. Biden would win. But their hopes for a landslide that would quickly repudiate Trumpism – something that polls helped amplify – did not materialize.
Florida, the president’s adopted state and one of the largest electoral prizes, went for Mr. Trump on Tuesday.
An early lead in North Carolina for Mr. Biden eroded as Mr. Trump continues to hold a narrow lead there, though the race is still too early to call and mail in ballots postmarked by the Nov. 3 election day can still be counted until Thursday.
On Election Night, both candidates stacked up wins in predictable places. Mr. Biden won the West Coast, and carried Democratic states in New England and the mid Atlantic. Mr. Trump won much of the South, Texas, and rural, sparsely populated states in the Mountain West and Midwest.
Mr. Biden’s win in Pennsylvania was a dramatic, though not unexpected, turn after Mr. Trump jumped out to an early Election Day lead of 675,000 votes and prematurely declared he had won the state.
Over coming days, as local elections officials tabulated more ballots, Mr. Trump’s lead dropped sharply, with Mr. Biden winning roughly 75 percent of the mail-in vote between Wednesday and Friday, according to an analysis by the AP.
Another reason the late-breaking mail vote broke Mr. Biden’s way: Under state law, elections officials are not allowed to process mail-in ballots until Election Day.
By Saturday afternoon, Mr. Biden’s lead in the state had climbed to over 34,000 votes, an edge over Mr. Trump of 0.51 percentage points that placed him outside the margin for a mandatory recount.
Under Pennsylvania law, a recount is automatic when the margin between two candidates in a statewide race is less than 0.5 percentage points. Mr. Biden’s lead over Mr. Trump was on track to stay outside of that margin as final votes are counted.
As more votes were released Saturday that solidified Mr. Biden’s lead, an AP analysis of a small set of provisional ballots from Trump-leaning counties showed Mr. Trump was winning them by a smaller margin than his Election Day vote totals in those counties.
The analysis led AP to conclude Mr. Trump could not gain enough votes from provisional ballots to overcome Mr. Biden’s margin.
And the slow-going nature of the vote count? Blame the coronavirus pandemic.
The election led to widespread use of mail voting for the first time in many states.
Though five states conducted elections by mail before the pandemic, most did not. Concern that voters could catch the virus by waiting in line at crowded polling sites led election officials across the United States to scramble to quickly adopt the voting practice.
But mail ballots also take a long time to verify, process and count, delaying the tally.
Mr. Trump, who refused Saturday to concede the race, prematurely declared victory during a news conference at the White House early Wednesday morning, arguing that he was ahead and “it’s not like, ‘Oh, it’s close.’”
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But as mail ballots continued to be counted they overwhelmingly favored Mr. Biden, in part because Mr. Trump has discouraged his supporters from voting that way.
This story was reported by The Associated Press.


csmonitor--2020-11-07--Trump vows to continue election lawsuits, but road looks tough

President Donald Trump has repeatedly said there ’ s one place he wants to determine the outcome of the presidential election : the U.S. Supreme Court .
But he may have a difficult time ever getting there .
The Associated Press called the presidential race for Joe Biden on Saturday morning .
Trump , however , has over the last few days leaned in to the idea that the high court should get involved in the election as it did in 2000 , and there were no signs Saturday he was ready to concede .
“ Beginning Monday , our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court to ensure election laws are fully upheld and the rightful winner is seated , ” Trump said in a statement .
In 2000 , the Supreme Court effectively settled the contested election for President George W. Bush in a 5-4 decision that split the court ’ s liberals and conservatives .
Today , six members of the court are conservatives , including three nominated by Trump .
But this year ’ s election seems to be shaping up very differently from 2000 , when Florida ’ s electoral votes delivered the presidency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Florida and went to court to stop a recount .
Trump has suggested a strategy that would focus on multiple states where the winning margins appear to be slim .
But to overturn the election result , Trump would appear to have to persuade courts , including perhaps the Supreme Court to set aside votes in two or more states .
Chief Justice John Roberts , for his part , is not likely to want the election to come down to himself and his colleagues .
Roberts , who was not on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2000 but was a lawyer for Bush , has often tried to distance the court from the political branches of government and the politics he thinks could hurt the court ’ s reputation .
It ’ s also not clear what legal issues might cause the justices to step in .
Trump has made repeated , unsubstantiated claims of election fraud .
On Saturday , Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani pressed claims that so-called poll watchers , who observe as ballots are counted , were not allowed to get close enough to witness counting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the high court .
In the early morning hours following Election Day he said : “ We ’ ll be going to the U.S. Supreme Court — we want all voting to stop.
” And on Thursday , as Biden inched closer to the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the White House , Trump again told Americans , “ It ’ s going to end up , perhaps , at the highest court in the land , we ’ ll see.
” On Twitter too he urged , “ U.S .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is currently one election case at the Supreme Court and it involves a Republican appeal to exclude ballots that arrived after Election Day in Pennsylvania .
But whether or not those ballots ultimately are counted seems irrelevant .
Ballots received after 8 p.m. on Election Day were a small fragment of the total vote count .
Across Pennsylvania , counties reported receiving under 8,000 late mail-in ballots , though some were still assessing how many they had .
Biden 's lead over Trump by Saturday afternoon was more than 30,000 votes .
Still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intervene in the case , an appeal of a decision by Pennsylvania ’ s highest court to allow three extra days for the receipt and counting of mailed ballots .
Because the case is ongoing , those ballots are being separated but counted .
Beyond the Pennsylvania case , if Trump wanted to use a lawsuit to challenge the election outcome in a state , he ’ d need to begin by bringing a case in a lower court .
So far , Trump ’ s campaign and Republicans have mounted legal challenges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small-scale lawsuits that do not appear to affect many votes .
On Thursday , the Trump campaign won an appellate ruling to get party and campaign observers closer to election workers who are processing mail-in ballots in Philadelphia .
But judges in Georgia and Michigan quickly dismissed two other campaign lawsuits Thursday .
Biden ’ s campaign , meanwhile , has called the existing lawsuits meritless , more political strategy than legal .
Biden lawyer Bob Bauer on Thursday called the lawsuits “ an opportunity for them to message falsely about what ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Marc Levy in Harrisburg , Pennsylvania , contributed to this report .

President Donald Trump has repeatedly said there’s one place he wants to determine the outcome of the presidential election: the United States Supreme Court. But he may have a difficult time ever getting there.
The Associated Press called the presidential race for Joe Biden on Saturday morning. Mr. Trump, however, has over the last few days leaned in to the idea that the high court should get involved in the election as it did in 2000, and there were no signs Saturday he was ready to concede.
“Beginning Monday, our campaign will start prosecuting our case in court to ensure election laws are fully upheld and the rightful winner is seated,” Mr. Trump said in a statement.
In 2000, the Supreme Court effectively settled the contested election for President George W. Bush in a 5-4 decision that split the court’s liberals and conservatives. Today, six members of the court are conservatives, including three nominated by Mr. Trump. But this year’s election seems to be shaping up very differently from 2000, when Florida’s electoral votes delivered the presidency to Mr. Bush.
Then, Mr. Bush led in Florida and went to court to stop a recount. Mr. Trump has suggested a strategy that would focus on multiple states where the winning margins appear to be slim. But to overturn the election result, Mr. Trump would appear to have to persuade courts, including perhaps the Supreme Court to set aside votes in two or more states.
Chief Justice John Roberts, for his part, is not likely to want the election to come down to himself and his colleagues. Justice Roberts, who was not on the court for Bush v. Gore in 2000 but was a lawyer for Mr. Bush, has often tried to distance the court from the political branches of government and the politics he thinks could hurt the court’s reputation.
It’s also not clear what legal issues might cause the justices to step in. Mr. Trump has made repeated, unsubstantiated claims of election fraud. On Saturday, Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani pressed claims that so-called poll watchers, who observe as ballots are counted, were not allowed to get close enough to witness counting.
Still, Mr. Trump has focused on the high court. In the early morning hours following Election Day he said: “We’ll be going to the U.S. Supreme Court – we want all voting to stop.” And on Thursday, as Mr. Biden inched closer to the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the White House, Mr. Trump again told Americans, “It’s going to end up, perhaps, at the highest court in the land, we’ll see.” On Twitter too he urged, “U.S. Supreme Court should decide!”
There is currently one election case at the Supreme Court and it involves a Republican appeal to exclude ballots that arrived after Election Day in Pennsylvania. But whether or not those ballots ultimately are counted seems irrelevant.
Ballots received after 8 p.m. on Election Day were a small fragment of the total vote count. Across Pennsylvania, counties reported receiving under 8,000 late mail-in ballots, though some were still assessing how many they had. Mr. Biden's lead over Mr. Trump by Saturday afternoon was more than 30,000 votes.
Still, Mr. Trump's campaign is trying to intervene in the case, an appeal of a decision by Pennsylvania’s highest court to allow three extra days for the receipt and counting of mailed ballots. Because the case is ongoing, those ballots are being separated but counted.
Beyond the Pennsylvania case, if Mr. Trump wanted to use a lawsuit to challenge the election outcome in a state, he’d need to begin by bringing a case in a lower court.
So far, Mr. Trump’s campaign and Republicans have mounted legal challenges in several states, but most are small-scale lawsuits that do not appear to affect many votes. On Thursday, the Trump campaign won an appellate ruling to get party and campaign observers closer to election workers who are processing mail-in ballots in Philadelphia. But judges in Georgia and Michigan quickly dismissed two other campaign lawsuits Thursday.
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Mr. Biden’s campaign, meanwhile, has called the existing lawsuits meritless, more political strategy than based in legal concerns. Biden lawyer Bob Bauer on Thursday called the lawsuits “an opportunity for them to message falsely about what’s taking place in the electoral process.”
This story was reported by The Associated Press. Marc Levy in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, contributed to this report.


csmonitor--2020-11-07--What’s next? Voters’ verdict for Biden isn’t last electoral step.

Saturday 's election verdict , with Democrat Joe Biden surpassing the needed tally of 270 electoral votes by winning the swing state of Pennsylvania , isn ’ t the last step in selecting an American president .
Under a system that ’ s been tweaked over two centuries , there is still a weekslong timeline during which the 538-member Electoral College picks the president .
A look at the key steps : — When American citizens vote for a presidential candidate , they really are voting for electors in their state .
Those electors in most cases are committed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The number of electors is equal to the number of electoral votes held by each state .
State laws vary on how electors are selected but , generally , a slate of electors for each party 's candidate is chosen at state party conventions or by a vote of a party ’ s central committee .
— After Election Day , states count and certify the results of the popular vote .
When completed , each governor is required by law to prepare “ as soon as practicable ” documents known as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote .
The certificates list the electors ' names and the number of votes cast for the winner and loser .
The certificate , carrying the seal of each state , is sent to the archivist of the United States .
— Dec. 8 is the deadline for resolving election disputes at the state level .
All state recounts and court contests over presidential election results are to be completed by this date .
— Dec. 14 : Electors vote by paper ballot in their respective states and the District of Columbia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ party regulations requiring electors to vote the same way the popular vote goes in the state , and in some states , electors can even be replaced or subjected to penalties , according to the Congressional Research Service .
The votes for president and vice president are counted and the electors sign six “ Certificates of the Vote . ''
The certificates , along with other official papers , are sent by registered mail to various officials , including the president of the Senate .
— Dec. 23 : The certificates must be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are not delivered , the law provides alternative avenues for getting the results to Washington .
— Jan. 6 , 2021 : The House and Senate hold a joint session to count the electoral votes .
If one ticket has received 270 or more electoral votes , the president of the Senate , currently Vice President Mike Pence , announces the results .
Members of Congress may object to returns from any state as they are announced .
Objections must be made in writing by at least one member of the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the objection meets certain requirements , each chamber meets separately to debate the objection for a maximum of two hours .
Afterward , each chamber votes to accept or reject the objection .
Back in joint session , the results of the respective votes are announced .
Any objection to a state ’ s electoral vote has to be approved by both houses in order for any contested votes to be excluded .
If neither presidential candidate wins at least 270 electoral votes , the House decides the election , based on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required , the House would elect the president through a majority vote .
— Jan. 20 : The president-elect is sworn into office on Inauguration Day .

Saturday's election verdict, with Democrat Joe Biden surpassing the needed tally of 270 electoral votes by winning the swing state of Pennsylvania, isn’t the last step in selecting an American president. Under a system that’s been tweaked over two centuries, there is still a weekslong timeline during which the 538-member Electoral College picks the president.
A look at the key steps:
— When American citizens vote for a presidential candidate, they really are voting for electors in their state. Those electors in most cases are committed to support the voters' candidate of choice. The number of electors is equal to the number of electoral votes held by each state. State laws vary on how electors are selected but, generally, a slate of electors for each party's candidate is chosen at state party conventions or by a vote of a party’s central committee.
— After Election Day, states count and certify the results of the popular vote. When completed, each governor is required by law to prepare “as soon as practicable” documents known as “Certificates of Ascertainment” of the vote. The certificates list the electors' names and the number of votes cast for the winner and loser. The certificate, carrying the seal of each state, is sent to the archivist of the United States.
— Dec. 8 is the deadline for resolving election disputes at the state level. All state recounts and court contests over presidential election results are to be completed by this date.
— Dec. 14: Electors vote by paper ballot in their respective states and the District of Columbia. Thirty-three states and D.C. have laws or party regulations requiring electors to vote the same way the popular vote goes in the state, and in some states, electors can even be replaced or subjected to penalties, according to the Congressional Research Service. The votes for president and vice president are counted and the electors sign six “Certificates of the Vote." The certificates, along with other official papers, are sent by registered mail to various officials, including the president of the Senate.
— Dec. 23: The certificates must be delivered to the designated officials. If they are not delivered, the law provides alternative avenues for getting the results to Washington.
— Jan. 6, 2021: The House and Senate hold a joint session to count the electoral votes. If one ticket has received 270 or more electoral votes, the president of the Senate, currently Vice President Mike Pence, announces the results.
Members of Congress may object to returns from any state as they are announced. Objections must be made in writing by at least one member of the House and one in the Senate. If the objection meets certain requirements, each chamber meets separately to debate the objection for a maximum of two hours. Afterward, each chamber votes to accept or reject the objection. Back in joint session, the results of the respective votes are announced. Any objection to a state’s electoral vote has to be approved by both houses in order for any contested votes to be excluded.
If neither presidential candidate wins at least 270 electoral votes, the House decides the election, based on the 12th Amendment to the Constitution. If required, the House would elect the president through a majority vote.
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— Jan. 20: The president-elect is sworn into office on Inauguration Day.
This story was reported by The Associated Press.


csmonitor--2020-11-07--Harris to make history as a Black, South Asian, female vice president

Kamala Harris made history Saturday as the first Black woman elected as vice president of the United States , shattering barriers that have kept men – almost all of them white – entrenched at the highest levels of American politics for more than two centuries .
The California senator , also the first person of South Asian descent elected to the vice presidency , represents the multiculturalism that defines America but is largely absent from Washington ’ s power centers .
Her Black identity has allowed her to speak in personal terms in a year of reckoning over police brutality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman ever elected in American government , her victory gives hope to women who were devastated by Hillary Clinton ’ s defeat four years ago .
Ms. Harris has been a rising star in Democratic politics for much of the last two decades , serving as San Francisco ’ s district attorney and California ’ s attorney general before becoming a U.S. senator .
After Ms. Harris ended her own 2020 Democratic presidential campaign , Joe Biden tapped her as his running mate .
They will be sworn in as president and vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s running mate selection carried added significance because he will be the oldest president ever inaugurated and hasn ’ t committed to seeking a second term in 2024 .
Ms. Harris often framed her candidacy as part of the legacy – often undervalued – of pioneering Black women who came before her , including educator Mary McLeod Bethune , civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer , and Rep. Shirley Chisholm , the first Black candidate to seek a major party ’ s presidential nomination , in 1972 .
“ We ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms. Harris said in August as she accepted her party ’ s vice presidential nomination .
“ But as Americans , we all stand on their shoulders.
” That history was on Sara Twyman ’ s mind recently as she watched Ms. Harris campaign in Las Vegas and wore a sweatshirt featuring the senator ’ s name alongside Ms. Chisholm .
“ It ’ s high time that a woman gets to the highest levels of our government , ” said Ms. Twyman , who is Black .
Despite the excitement surrounding Ms. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steep challenges , including deepening racial tensions in the U.S. in the wake of a pandemic that has taken a disproportionate toll on people of color and a series of police killings of Black Americans .
Ms. Harris ’ past work as a prosecutor has prompted skepticism among progressives and young voters who are looking to her to back sweeping institutional change over incremental reforms in policing , drug policy , and more .
Jessica Byrd , who leads the Movement for Black Lives ’ Electoral Justice Project and The Frontline , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said she plans to engage in the rigorous organizing work needed to push Ms. Harris and Mr. Biden toward more progressive policies .
“ I deeply believe in the power of Black women ’ s leadership , even when all of our politics don ’ t align , ” Ms. Byrd said .
“ I want us to be committed to the idea that representation is exciting and it ’ s worthy of celebration and also that we have millions of Black women who deserve a fair shot.
” Ms. Harris is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Her colleague , Sen. Cory Booker , who is also Black , said her very presence makes the institution “ more accessible to more people ” and suggested she would accomplish the same with the vice presidency .
Ms. Harris was born in 1964 to two parents active in the civil rights movement .
Shyamala Gopalan , from India , and Donald Harris , from Jamaica , met at the University of California , Berkeley , then a hotbed of 1960s activism .
They divorced when Ms. Harris and her sister were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by her late mother , whom she considers the most important influence in her life .
Kamala is Sanskrit for “ lotus flower , ” and Ms. Harris gave nods to her Indian heritage throughout the campaign , including with a callout to her “ chitthis , ” a Tamil word for a maternal aunt , in her first speech as Mr. Biden ’ s running mate .
When Georgia Sen. David Perdue mocked her name in an October rally , the hashtag # MyNameIs took off on Twitter , with South Asians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The mocking of her name by Republicans , including Mr. Trump , was just one of the attacks Ms. Harris faced .
Mr. Trump and his allies sought to brand her as radical and a socialist despite her more centrist record , an effort aimed at making people uncomfortable about the prospect of a Black woman in leadership .
She was the target of online disinformation laced with racism and sexism about her qualifications to serve as president .
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal of Washington said Harris ’ power comes not just from her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she already represents .
California is the nation ’ s most populous and one of its most diverse states ; nearly 40 % of people are Latino and 15 % are Asian .
In Congress , Ms. Harris and Ms. Jayapal have teamed up on bills to ensure legal representation for Muslims targeted by Mr. Trump ’ s 2017 travel ban and to extend rights to domestic workers .
“ That ’ s the kind of policy that also happens when you have voices like ours at the table , ” said Ms. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first South Asian woman elected to the U.S. House .
Ms. Harris won election to the Senate that same year .
Ms. Harris ’ mother raised her daughters with the understanding the world would see them as Black women , Ms. Harris has said , and that is how she describes herself today .
She attended Howard University , one of the nation ’ s historically Black colleges and universities , and pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha , the nation ’ s first sorority created by and for Black women .
She campaigned regularly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns of young Black men and women eager for strong efforts to dismantle systemic racism .
Her victory could usher more Black women and people of color into politics .
San Francisco Mayor London Breed , who considers Ms. Harris a mentor , views Ms. Harris ’ success through the lens of her own identity as the granddaughter of a sharecropper .
“ African Americans are not far removed from slavery and the horrors of racism in this country , and we ’ re still feeling the impacts of that with how we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happening around this racial uprising , ” she said .
Ms. Harris ’ candidacy “ instills a lot of pride and a lot of hope and a lot of excitement in what is possible.
” Ms. Harris is married to a Jewish man , Doug Emhoff , whose children from a previous marriage call her “ Momala.
” The excitement about her candidacy extends to women across races .
Friends Sarah Lane and Kelli Hodge , each with three daughters , brought all six girls to a Harris rally in Phoenix in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This car is full of little girls who dream big .
Go Kamala !
” read a sign taped on the car ’ s trunk .
Ms. Lane , an attorney who is of Hispanic and Asian heritage , volunteered for Mr. Biden and Ms. Harris , her first time ever working for a political campaign .
Asked why she brought her daughters to see Ms. Harris , she answered , “ I want my girls to see what women can do.
” This story was reported by The Associated Press .
AP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this report .

Kamala Harris made history Saturday as the first Black woman elected as vice president of the United States, shattering barriers that have kept men – almost all of them white – entrenched at the highest levels of American politics for more than two centuries.
The California senator, also the first person of South Asian descent elected to the vice presidency, represents the multiculturalism that defines America but is largely absent from Washington’s power centers. Her Black identity has allowed her to speak in personal terms in a year of reckoning over police brutality and systemic racism. As the highest-ranking woman ever elected in American government, her victory gives hope to women who were devastated by Hillary Clinton’s defeat four years ago.
Ms. Harris has been a rising star in Democratic politics for much of the last two decades, serving as San Francisco’s district attorney and California’s attorney general before becoming a U.S. senator. After Ms. Harris ended her own 2020 Democratic presidential campaign, Joe Biden tapped her as his running mate. They will be sworn in as president and vice president on Jan. 20.
Mr. Biden’s running mate selection carried added significance because he will be the oldest president ever inaugurated and hasn’t committed to seeking a second term in 2024.
Ms. Harris often framed her candidacy as part of the legacy – often undervalued – of pioneering Black women who came before her, including educator Mary McLeod Bethune, civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, and Rep. Shirley Chisholm, the first Black candidate to seek a major party’s presidential nomination, in 1972.
“We’re not often taught their stories,” Ms. Harris said in August as she accepted her party’s vice presidential nomination. “But as Americans, we all stand on their shoulders.”
That history was on Sara Twyman’s mind recently as she watched Ms. Harris campaign in Las Vegas and wore a sweatshirt featuring the senator’s name alongside Ms. Chisholm.
“It’s high time that a woman gets to the highest levels of our government,” said Ms. Twyman, who is Black.
Despite the excitement surrounding Ms. Harris, she and Mr. Biden face steep challenges, including deepening racial tensions in the U.S. in the wake of a pandemic that has taken a disproportionate toll on people of color and a series of police killings of Black Americans. Ms. Harris’ past work as a prosecutor has prompted skepticism among progressives and young voters who are looking to her to back sweeping institutional change over incremental reforms in policing, drug policy, and more.
Jessica Byrd, who leads the Movement for Black Lives’ Electoral Justice Project and The Frontline, a multiracial coalition effort to galvanize voters, said she plans to engage in the rigorous organizing work needed to push Ms. Harris and Mr. Biden toward more progressive policies.
“I deeply believe in the power of Black women’s leadership, even when all of our politics don’t align,” Ms. Byrd said. “I want us to be committed to the idea that representation is exciting and it’s worthy of celebration and also that we have millions of Black women who deserve a fair shot.”
Ms. Harris is the second Black woman elected to the Senate. Her colleague, Sen. Cory Booker, who is also Black, said her very presence makes the institution “more accessible to more people” and suggested she would accomplish the same with the vice presidency.
Ms. Harris was born in 1964 to two parents active in the civil rights movement. Shyamala Gopalan, from India, and Donald Harris, from Jamaica, met at the University of California, Berkeley, then a hotbed of 1960s activism. They divorced when Ms. Harris and her sister were girls, and Ms. Harris was raised by her late mother, whom she considers the most important influence in her life.
Kamala is Sanskrit for “lotus flower,” and Ms. Harris gave nods to her Indian heritage throughout the campaign, including with a callout to her “chitthis,” a Tamil word for a maternal aunt, in her first speech as Mr. Biden’s running mate. When Georgia Sen. David Perdue mocked her name in an October rally, the hashtag #MyNameIs took off on Twitter, with South Asians sharing the meanings behind their names.
The mocking of her name by Republicans, including Mr. Trump, was just one of the attacks Ms. Harris faced. Mr. Trump and his allies sought to brand her as radical and a socialist despite her more centrist record, an effort aimed at making people uncomfortable about the prospect of a Black woman in leadership. She was the target of online disinformation laced with racism and sexism about her qualifications to serve as president.
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal of Washington said Harris’ power comes not just from her life experience but also from the people she already represents. California is the nation’s most populous and one of its most diverse states; nearly 40% of people are Latino and 15% are Asian. In Congress, Ms. Harris and Ms. Jayapal have teamed up on bills to ensure legal representation for Muslims targeted by Mr. Trump’s 2017 travel ban and to extend rights to domestic workers.
“That’s the kind of policy that also happens when you have voices like ours at the table,” said Ms. Jayapal, who in 2016 was the first South Asian woman elected to the U.S. House. Ms. Harris won election to the Senate that same year.
Ms. Harris’ mother raised her daughters with the understanding the world would see them as Black women, Ms. Harris has said, and that is how she describes herself today.
She attended Howard University, one of the nation’s historically Black colleges and universities, and pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha, the nation’s first sorority created by and for Black women. She campaigned regularly at HBCUs and tried to address the concerns of young Black men and women eager for strong efforts to dismantle systemic racism.
Her victory could usher more Black women and people of color into politics.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed, who considers Ms. Harris a mentor, views Ms. Harris’ success through the lens of her own identity as the granddaughter of a sharecropper.
“African Americans are not far removed from slavery and the horrors of racism in this country, and we’re still feeling the impacts of that with how we’re treated and what’s happening around this racial uprising,” she said. Ms. Harris’ candidacy “instills a lot of pride and a lot of hope and a lot of excitement in what is possible.”
Ms. Harris is married to a Jewish man, Doug Emhoff, whose children from a previous marriage call her “Momala.” The excitement about her candidacy extends to women across races.
Friends Sarah Lane and Kelli Hodge, each with three daughters, brought all six girls to a Harris rally in Phoenix in the race’s closing days. “This car is full of little girls who dream big. Go Kamala!” read a sign taped on the car’s trunk.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
Ms. Lane, an attorney who is of Hispanic and Asian heritage, volunteered for Mr. Biden and Ms. Harris, her first time ever working for a political campaign. Asked why she brought her daughters to see Ms. Harris, she answered, “I want my girls to see what women can do.”
This story was reported by The Associated Press. AP writer Kat Stafford in Detroit contributed to this report.