csmonitor--2020-07-02--Molding a movement: BLM activists plan agenda-writing convention

Spurred by broad public support for the Black Lives Matter movement , thousands of Black activists from across the United States will hold a virtual convention in August to produce a new political agenda that seeks to build on the success of the protests that followed George Floyd 's death .
The 2020 Black National Convention will take place Aug. 28 via a live broadcast .
It will feature conversations , performances , and other events designed to develop a set of demands ahead of the November general election , according to a Wednesday announcement shared first with The Associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Electoral Justice Project of the Movement for Black Lives , a coalition of more than 150 organizations .
In 2016 , the coalition released its “ Vision for Black Lives ” platform , which called for public divestment from mass incarceration and for adoption of policies that can improve conditions in Black America .
“ What this convention will do is create a Black liberation agenda that is not a duplication of the Vision for Black Lives , but really is rooted as a set of demands for progress , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Electoral Justice Project .
At the end of the convention , participants will ratify a revised platform that will serve as a set of demands for the first 100 days of a new presidential administration , Ms. Byrd said .
Participants also will have access to model state and local legislation .
“ What we have the opportunity to do now , as this 50-state rebellion has provided the conditions for change , is to say , ‘ You need to take action right this minute , ’ ” Ms. Byrd said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the benchmarks for what we believe progress is and make those known locally and federally.
” Wednesday 's announcement comes at a pivotal moment for the BLM movement .
A surge in public support , an influx in donations , and congressional action to reform policing have drawn some backlash .
President Donald Trump lashed out again Wednesday on Twitter over plans to paint “ Black Lives Matter ” in yellow across New York City 's famed Fifth Avenue , calling the words a “ symbol of hate.
” White House press secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that all Black lives matter ” but disagrees with an organization that would make derogatory statements about police officers .
Ms. McEnany was referring to an oft-cited chant of individual protesters from five years ago .
The Black National Convention was originally planned to happen in person , in Detroit , the nation ’ s Blackest major city .
But as the coronavirus pandemic exploded in March , organizers quickly shifted to a virtual event , Ms. Byrd said .
The first-ever Black Lives Matter convention was held in Cleveland in 2015 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ data shows Black people have made up more than a quarter of reported virus deaths in which the race of the victim is known .
Initial work to shape the new platform will take place Aug. 6 and 7 , during a smaller so-called People ’ s Convention that will virtually convene hundreds of delegates from Black-led advocacy groups .
The process will be similar to one that produced the first platform , which included early iterations of the demand to defund police that now drives many demonstrations .
Other platform demands , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretrial detention , and scrapping discriminatory risk-assessment tools used in criminal courts , have become official policy in a handful of local criminal justice systems around the U.S. Cliff Albright , co-founder of Black Voters Matter , which organizes in 15 states , said the 2020 Black National Convention will deepen the solutions to systemic racism and create more alignment within the movement .
“ We ’ re in this stage now where we ’ re getting more specific about how all of this is connected to our local organizing , ” Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , when people leave the convention , they leave with greater clarity , more resources , connectivity and energy.
” The coalition behind the convention includes Color of Change , BYP100 , Dream Defenders , and the Black Lives Matter Global Network , which has 16 official chapters nationwide .
Convention organizers said this year ’ s event will pay tribute to the historic 1972 National Black Political Convention in Gary , Indiana , which concluded with the introduction of a national Black agenda .
The Gary gathering included prominent Black leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Rev .
Al Sharpton , Rep. Shirley Chisholm , who ran for president , as well as Black Panther Party co-founder Bobby Seale , Coretta Scott King , and Betty Shabazz .
That convention came after several tumultuous years that included the assassinations of Malcolm X and the Rev .
Martin Luther King Jr. and outbreaks of civil unrest , all of which were seen as blows to the civil rights movement .
The upcoming convention builds on more than a century of Black political organizing .
In 1905 , civil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bois formed the Niagara Movement after a national conference of Black leaders near Buffalo , New York .
In a written address to the country , Mr. Du Bois and others decried the rise of institutionalized racial inequality in voting , criminal justice systems , and public education .
In the 1950s , William Patterson , founder of the now-defunct Civil Rights Congress , led the effort to charge the U.S. with genocide of African Americans using legal standards set by the United Nation .
The resulting petition , “ We Charge Genocide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversations about fatal shootings of Black people by police in the U.S. And in 1998 , organizers of the Black Radical Congress in Chicago met to strategize ways to beat back attacks on affirmative action policies that helped to diversify higher education and other facets of American life .
Like any large political gathering , consensus is not guaranteed .
The National Black Political Convention caused divisions between participating organizations over the Black agenda ’ s position on busing to integrate public schools and statements on global affairs that some viewed as anti-Israel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader of the NAACP , the nation ’ s oldest civil rights organization , to sever ties with the convention .
Somewhat similarly , the Vision for Black Lives platform and its characterization of Israel as an “ apartheid state ” committing mass murder against Palestinian people drew allegations of anti-Semitism from a handful of Jewish groups , which had otherwise been supportive of the Black Lives Matter movement .
The Black Lives Matter movement ’ s coalition has more than doubled in size in the years since the first platform , largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues central to Black freedom , Ms. Byrd said .
“ That actually is the Black self determination that our politics require , ” Ms. Byrd said , “ that we don ’ t just respond to the Democratic Party .
That we don ’ t just respond to the Republican Party .
We don ’ t just say ‘ Black lives matter ’ and beg people to care .
We build an alternative container for all of us to connect , outside of the white gaze , to say this is what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August convention will happen on the same day as a commemorative , in-person march on Washington that is being organized by Mr. Sharpton , who announced the march during a memorial service for Mr. Floyd , a Black man who died May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer held a knee to his neck .
The Black National Convention will broadcast after the march , Ms. Byrd said .
August “ is going to be a huge month of Black engagement , ” she said .
This story was reported by The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Washington and news researchers Randy Herschaft in New York and Monika Mathur in Washington 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 .

Spurred by broad public support for the Black Lives Matter movement, thousands of Black activists from across the United States will hold a virtual convention in August to produce a new political agenda that seeks to build on the success of the protests that followed George Floyd's death.
The 2020 Black National Convention will take place Aug. 28 via a live broadcast. It will feature conversations, performances, and other events designed to develop a set of demands ahead of the November general election, according to a Wednesday announcement shared first with The Associated Press.
The convention is being organized by the Electoral Justice Project of the Movement for Black Lives, a coalition of more than 150 organizations. In 2016, the coalition released its “Vision for Black Lives” platform, which called for public divestment from mass incarceration and for adoption of policies that can improve conditions in Black America.
“What this convention will do is create a Black liberation agenda that is not a duplication of the Vision for Black Lives, but really is rooted as a set of demands for progress,” said Jessica Byrd, who leads the Electoral Justice Project.
At the end of the convention, participants will ratify a revised platform that will serve as a set of demands for the first 100 days of a new presidential administration, Ms. Byrd said. Participants also will have access to model state and local legislation.
“What we have the opportunity to do now, as this 50-state rebellion has provided the conditions for change, is to say, ‘You need to take action right this minute,’” Ms. Byrd said. “We’re going to set the benchmarks for what we believe progress is and make those known locally and federally.”
Wednesday's announcement comes at a pivotal moment for the BLM movement. A surge in public support, an influx in donations, and congressional action to reform policing have drawn some backlash.
President Donald Trump lashed out again Wednesday on Twitter over plans to paint “Black Lives Matter” in yellow across New York City's famed Fifth Avenue, calling the words a “symbol of hate.” White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Mr. Trump “agrees that all Black lives matter” but disagrees with an organization that would make derogatory statements about police officers. Ms. McEnany was referring to an oft-cited chant of individual protesters from five years ago.
The Black National Convention was originally planned to happen in person, in Detroit, the nation’s Blackest major city. But as the coronavirus pandemic exploded in March, organizers quickly shifted to a virtual event, Ms. Byrd said. The first-ever Black Lives Matter convention was held in Cleveland in 2015.
The most recent AP analysis of COVID-19 data shows Black people have made up more than a quarter of reported virus deaths in which the race of the victim is known.
Initial work to shape the new platform will take place Aug. 6 and 7, during a smaller so-called People’s Convention that will virtually convene hundreds of delegates from Black-led advocacy groups. The process will be similar to one that produced the first platform, which included early iterations of the demand to defund police that now drives many demonstrations.
Other platform demands, such as ending cash bail, reducing pretrial detention, and scrapping discriminatory risk-assessment tools used in criminal courts, have become official policy in a handful of local criminal justice systems around the U.S.
Cliff Albright, co-founder of Black Voters Matter, which organizes in 15 states, said the 2020 Black National Convention will deepen the solutions to systemic racism and create more alignment within the movement.
“We’re in this stage now where we’re getting more specific about how all of this is connected to our local organizing,” Mr. Albright said. “The hope is that, when people leave the convention, they leave with greater clarity, more resources, connectivity and energy.”
The coalition behind the convention includes Color of Change, BYP100, Dream Defenders, and the Black Lives Matter Global Network, which has 16 official chapters nationwide.
Convention organizers said this year’s event will pay tribute to the historic 1972 National Black Political Convention in Gary, Indiana, which concluded with the introduction of a national Black agenda. The Gary gathering included prominent Black leaders such as the Rev. Jesse Jackson, the Rev. Al Sharpton, Rep. Shirley Chisholm, who ran for president, as well as Black Panther Party co-founder Bobby Seale, Coretta Scott King, and Betty Shabazz.
That convention came after several tumultuous years that included the assassinations of Malcolm X and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and outbreaks of civil unrest, all of which were seen as blows to the civil rights movement.
The upcoming convention builds on more than a century of Black political organizing.
In 1905, civil rights activist and scholar W.E.B. Du Bois formed the Niagara Movement after a national conference of Black leaders near Buffalo, New York. In a written address to the country, Mr. Du Bois and others decried the rise of institutionalized racial inequality in voting, criminal justice systems, and public education.
In the 1950s, William Patterson, founder of the now-defunct Civil Rights Congress, led the effort to charge the U.S. with genocide of African Americans using legal standards set by the United Nation. The resulting petition, “We Charge Genocide,” is an oft-cited document in conversations about fatal shootings of Black people by police in the U.S.
And in 1998, organizers of the Black Radical Congress in Chicago met to strategize ways to beat back attacks on affirmative action policies that helped to diversify higher education and other facets of American life.
Like any large political gathering, consensus is not guaranteed. The National Black Political Convention caused divisions between participating organizations over the Black agenda’s position on busing to integrate public schools and statements on global affairs that some viewed as anti-Israel. Ultimately, the agenda prompted a leader of the NAACP, the nation’s oldest civil rights organization, to sever ties with the convention.
Somewhat similarly, the Vision for Black Lives platform and its characterization of Israel as an “apartheid state” committing mass murder against Palestinian people drew allegations of anti-Semitism from a handful of Jewish groups, which had otherwise been supportive of the Black Lives Matter movement.
The Black Lives Matter movement’s coalition has more than doubled in size in the years since the first platform, largely because of organizers’ laser focus on issues central to Black freedom, Ms. Byrd said.
“That actually is the Black self determination that our politics require,” Ms. Byrd said, “that we don’t just respond to the Democratic Party. That we don’t just respond to the Republican Party. We don’t just say ‘Black lives matter’ and beg people to care. We build an alternative container for all of us to connect, outside of the white gaze, to say this is what we want for our communities.”
The August convention will happen on the same day as a commemorative, in-person march on Washington that is being organized by Mr. Sharpton, who announced the march during a memorial service for Mr. Floyd, a Black man who died May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer held a knee to his neck.
The Black National Convention will broadcast after the march, Ms. Byrd said.
August “is going to be a huge month of Black engagement,” she said.
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This story was reported by The Associated Press. AP writer Darlene Superville in Washington and news researchers Randy Herschaft in New York and Monika Mathur in Washington 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--2020-07-03--Spike in virus cases not driven by protests, experts say

There is little evidence that the protests that erupted after George Floyd ’ s death caused a significant increase in United States coronavirus infections , according to public health experts .
If the protests had driven an explosion in cases , experts say , the jumps would have started to become apparent within two weeks – and perhaps as early as five days .
But that didn ’ t happen in many cities with the largest protests , including New York , Chicago , Minneapolis , and Washington , D.C .
In what ’ s considered the first systematic look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economists determined that only one of 13 cities involved in the earliest wave of protests after Memorial Day had an increase that would fit the pattern .
It was Phoenix , where experts say cases and hospitalizations surged after a decision by Gov .
Doug Ducey to end Arizona ’ s stay-at-home order on May 15 and eased restrictions on businesses .
Arizona residents who were cooped up for six weeks flooded Phoenix-area bar districts , ignoring social distancing guidelines .
In many cities , the protests actually seemed to lead to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more people who did not protest decided to stay off the streets , said that study ’ s lead author , Dhaval Dave of Bentley University .
“ The large-scale protests can impact both the behavior of the protesters and the behavior of the non-protesters , ” said Mr. Dave .
The paper was released last week by the National Bureau of Economic Research , but has not been published by a peer-reviewed journal .
Drawing from data compiled by Johns Hopkins University , The Associated Press reviewed trends in daily reported cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It found post-protest increases in several cities – including Houston and Madison , Wisconsin – where experts say other factors were more likely the main drivers .
Health officials are still investigating case surges in different states , and more data may come in .
But experts believe that if the protests did have a big impact on cases , stronger signs would be apparent now .
Mr. Floyd was killed on May 25 by a Minneapolis police officer who used his knee to pin Mr. Floyd ’ s neck to the ground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the hands of a white officer touched off protests around the U.S .
Coincidentally , some states had begun to lift social distancing restrictions in late May .
Mr. Dave and his colleagues counted protests over three weeks in 281 cities with populations of at least 100,000 .
Most had protests lasting more than three days , and many had protests that had at least 1,000 participants .
It ’ s not clear how many protesters participated , let alone how many of them wore masks or got tested after .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Houston is among a number of Texas cities that have recently seen steep increases in cases and hospitalizations .
Dr. Umair Shah , executive director of the county health department , believes it was likely some cases could be traced to the protests .
“ We just don ’ t know how much , ” he said .
But it ’ s hard to measure the protests ’ precise impact for a number of reasons , Dr. Shah and others said .
Earlier business reopenings and more willingness to shrug off social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Houston area , Dr. Shah said .
Another factor : Many people don ’ t get tested unless they feel symptoms .
Many protesters were young adults , who generally are less likely to get severe illness , and therefore may not have gotten tested , experts said .
And some who do get tested may still not answer all the questions they are asked by outbreak investigators .
“ I know of three people who told us ‘ Yes , I was at a protest.
’ That doesn ’ t mean there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did attend a protest and just did not share that with us , ” said Dr. Mysheika Roberts , the public health commissioner for the city of Columbus , Ohio .
That city has seen increased cases in the last month , but health officials say they can ’ t attribute it to any particular reason other than people socializing and returning to normal activities without wearing masks or taking other precautions .
So far , protests don ’ t seem to be a real factor .
“ Most of the protests , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside , ” and the virus does not spread as well outside , Dr. Roberts said .
“ And I would say 50 % of those at the protests were wearing a face mask.
” This story was reported by The Associated Press .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

There is little evidence that the protests that erupted after George Floyd’s death caused a significant increase in United States coronavirus infections, according to public health experts.
If the protests had driven an explosion in cases, experts say, the jumps would have started to become apparent within two weeks – and perhaps as early as five days. But that didn’t happen in many cities with the largest protests, including New York, Chicago, Minneapolis, and Washington, D.C.
In what’s considered the first systematic look at the question, a team of economists determined that only one of 13 cities involved in the earliest wave of protests after Memorial Day had an increase that would fit the pattern.
It was Phoenix, where experts say cases and hospitalizations surged after a decision by Gov. Doug Ducey to end Arizona’s stay-at-home order on May 15 and eased restrictions on businesses. Arizona residents who were cooped up for six weeks flooded Phoenix-area bar districts, ignoring social distancing guidelines.
In many cities, the protests actually seemed to lead to a net increase in social distancing, as more people who did not protest decided to stay off the streets, said that study’s lead author, Dhaval Dave of Bentley University.
“The large-scale protests can impact both the behavior of the protesters and the behavior of the non-protesters,” said Mr. Dave. The paper was released last week by the National Bureau of Economic Research, but has not been published by a peer-reviewed journal.
Drawing from data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, The Associated Press reviewed trends in daily reported cases in 22 U.S. cities with protests. It found post-protest increases in several cities – including Houston and Madison, Wisconsin – where experts say other factors were more likely the main drivers.
Health officials are still investigating case surges in different states, and more data may come in. But experts believe that if the protests did have a big impact on cases, stronger signs would be apparent now.
Mr. Floyd was killed on May 25 by a Minneapolis police officer who used his knee to pin Mr. Floyd’s neck to the ground. The killing of a Black man at the hands of a white officer touched off protests around the U.S. Coincidentally, some states had begun to lift social distancing restrictions in late May.
Mr. Dave and his colleagues counted protests over three weeks in 281 cities with populations of at least 100,000. Most had protests lasting more than three days, and many had protests that had at least 1,000 participants.
It’s not clear how many protesters participated, let alone how many of them wore masks or got tested after. That may have varied from place to place.
Houston is among a number of Texas cities that have recently seen steep increases in cases and hospitalizations. Dr. Umair Shah, executive director of the county health department, believes it was likely some cases could be traced to the protests.
“We just don’t know how much,” he said.
But it’s hard to measure the protests’ precise impact for a number of reasons, Dr. Shah and others said. Earlier business reopenings and more willingness to shrug off social distancing guidelines started the trend in the Houston area, Dr. Shah said.
Another factor: Many people don’t get tested unless they feel symptoms. Many protesters were young adults, who generally are less likely to get severe illness, and therefore may not have gotten tested, experts said.
And some who do get tested may still not answer all the questions they are asked by outbreak investigators.
“I know of three people who told us ‘Yes, I was at a protest.’ That doesn’t mean there was not another 25 or more who did attend a protest and just did not share that with us,” said Dr. Mysheika Roberts, the public health commissioner for the city of Columbus, Ohio.
That city has seen increased cases in the last month, but health officials say they can’t attribute it to any particular reason other than people socializing and returning to normal activities without wearing masks or taking other precautions. So far, protests don’t seem to be a real factor.
“Most of the protests, at least in my jurisdiction, were outside,” and the virus does not spread as well outside, Dr. Roberts said. “And I would say 50% of those at the protests were wearing a face mask.”
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This story was reported by The Associated Press.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-07-03--Sales up in Black-owned businesses, owners hope it lasts

When Mahdi Hashemian was looking for a bicycle for his 7-year-old daughter Zeynab last week , the Cambridge , Massachusetts , resident decided to skip his local cycle shops in favor of a Black-owned one a few miles away in Boston 's Dorchester neighborhood .
At Spokehouse , a bike shop with `` Black Lives Matter '' painted in large bold letters outside , the pair picked out a simple , white-colored model and had training wheels and a white basket for its handlebars installed .
Mr. Hashemian , who is set to earn his doctorate from MIT , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the outpouring of support he felt from the campus community when President Donald Trump imposed a ban on travelers from Muslim majority countries in 2017 , including his native Iran .
`` It seems small , '' he said of his bike purchase , `` but a little show of support can mean a lot . ''
As the May killing of George Floyd by a white police officer in Minneapolis has fueled a worldwide outcry against racism and police brutality , many on social media are encouraging people to spend their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local retailers , artisans , and manufacturers have been circulating on Instagram , Facebook , and Twitter , helping Black-owned businesses raise their profile at a time when the coronavirus pandemic has ravaged the economy .
According to Google , searches for `` Black-owned businesses near me '' reached an all-time high last month in the United States .
Yelp has also made it easier for customers to search for Black-owned establishments on the restaurant review site , and Uber Eats says it 'll waive delivery fees for purchases from Black-owned restaurants through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's great seeing people realize that where they shop can be another form of activism , that it 's a way to put your money where your mouth is , '' said Randy Williams , founder of Talley & Twine , a Black-owned watch company in Portsmouth , Virginia .
`` You 're helping Black businesses become self-sustaining , and that helps the whole ecosystem . ''
Sales at Talley & Twine these past few months are up more than 300 % from the same period last year , partly because more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said .
But the company was also recently mentioned on a number of social media lists of Black-owned businesses , and its Juneteenth-themed watch sold out before the June 19 holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans , Mr. Williams said .
In Los Angeles , cupcake sales and shipping orders on other sweets are up at Southern Girl Desserts after it was also mentioned on social media lists , said Catarah Coleman , co-owner of the bakery in the city 's Baldwin Hills neighborhood .
`` It 's not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the virus , but it 's something , '' she said .
`` If we only depended on foot traffic and folks just stayed in their own neighborhoods , I 'm not sure we 'd be able to keep going . ''
At Slade 's Bar and Grill in Boston 's historically Black Roxbury neighborhood , online gift card purchases and take-out orders are up significantly as the long running soul food and live music venue – which boasted Malcolm X , Muhammad Ali , and Martin Luther King , Jr. as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starting to reopen after shuttering during the pandemic , said Shawn Hunter , the managing partner .
`` We 're definitely seeing white customers and customers from outside the neighborhood that we would probably have never seen before , '' Mr. Hunter said .
But the business boon has n't been without growing pains for some companies .
Black-owned bookstores have struggled to keep up with a surge in orders , many of them for a handful of sold-out titles on race relations .
In Boston , the owners of Frugal Bookstore , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say customers are already seeking to cancel orders and complaining about delays and poor customer service .
The Roxbury shop , which raised more than $ 40,000 through an earlier social media campaign to help it weather the economic downturn , said in a note to customers that went viral last week that 75 % of the more than 20,000 purchases it 's received are for the same 10 books .
At Spokehouse , the Boston bike shop , owner Noah Hicks hopes the interest is n't a passing fad and that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the challenges facing Black entrepreneurs , including access to capital .
Mr. Hicks said his nearly five-year-old shop 's sales have tripled this month , compared to last June , in part because bike shops are enjoying brisk business during the pandemic .
The shop also received about $ 16,000 in donations after it was robbed during last month 's unrest , though Mr. Hicks ended up donating about half to efforts benefiting the local Black community , including covering the costs for a `` Ride for Black Lives , '' a cycling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` People being intentional about their economic purchases is refreshing , '' he said .
`` But we also want them to help tear down the systems that make it hard for us , not just spend their dollars with us . ''
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

When Mahdi Hashemian was looking for a bicycle for his 7-year-old daughter Zeynab last week, the Cambridge, Massachusetts, resident decided to skip his local cycle shops in favor of a Black-owned one a few miles away in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood.
At Spokehouse, a bike shop with "Black Lives Matter" painted in large bold letters outside, the pair picked out a simple, white-colored model and had training wheels and a white basket for its handlebars installed.
Mr. Hashemian, who is set to earn his doctorate from MIT, said he's been reminded in recent weeks of the outpouring of support he felt from the campus community when President Donald Trump imposed a ban on travelers from Muslim majority countries in 2017, including his native Iran.
"It seems small," he said of his bike purchase, "but a little show of support can mean a lot."
As the May killing of George Floyd by a white police officer in Minneapolis has fueled a worldwide outcry against racism and police brutality, many on social media are encouraging people to spend their money at Black-owned businesses. Lists of local retailers, artisans, and manufacturers have been circulating on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, helping Black-owned businesses raise their profile at a time when the coronavirus pandemic has ravaged the economy.
According to Google, searches for "Black-owned businesses near me" reached an all-time high last month in the United States. Yelp has also made it easier for customers to search for Black-owned establishments on the restaurant review site, and Uber Eats says it'll waive delivery fees for purchases from Black-owned restaurants through the end of the year.
"It's great seeing people realize that where they shop can be another form of activism, that it's a way to put your money where your mouth is," said Randy Williams, founder of Talley & Twine, a Black-owned watch company in Portsmouth, Virginia. "You're helping Black businesses become self-sustaining, and that helps the whole ecosystem."
Sales at Talley & Twine these past few months are up more than 300% from the same period last year, partly because more people are shopping online during the pandemic, he said. But the company was also recently mentioned on a number of social media lists of Black-owned businesses, and its Juneteenth-themed watch sold out before the June 19 holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, Mr. Williams said.
In Los Angeles, cupcake sales and shipping orders on other sweets are up at Southern Girl Desserts after it was also mentioned on social media lists, said Catarah Coleman, co-owner of the bakery in the city's Baldwin Hills neighborhood.
"It's not nearly the level of business we had before the virus, but it's something," she said. "If we only depended on foot traffic and folks just stayed in their own neighborhoods, I'm not sure we'd be able to keep going."
At Slade's Bar and Grill in Boston's historically Black Roxbury neighborhood, online gift card purchases and take-out orders are up significantly as the long running soul food and live music venue – which boasted Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, and Martin Luther King, Jr. as patrons in its heyday – is just starting to reopen after shuttering during the pandemic, said Shawn Hunter, the managing partner.
"We're definitely seeing white customers and customers from outside the neighborhood that we would probably have never seen before," Mr. Hunter said.
But the business boon hasn't been without growing pains for some companies. Black-owned bookstores have struggled to keep up with a surge in orders, many of them for a handful of sold-out titles on race relations.
In Boston, the owners of Frugal Bookstore, the city's only Black-owned bookshop, say customers are already seeking to cancel orders and complaining about delays and poor customer service. The Roxbury shop, which raised more than $40,000 through an earlier social media campaign to help it weather the economic downturn, said in a note to customers that went viral last week that 75% of the more than 20,000 purchases it's received are for the same 10 books.
At Spokehouse, the Boston bike shop, owner Noah Hicks hopes the interest isn't a passing fad and that it leads to more concrete efforts to address the challenges facing Black entrepreneurs, including access to capital.
Mr. Hicks said his nearly five-year-old shop's sales have tripled this month, compared to last June, in part because bike shops are enjoying brisk business during the pandemic.
The shop also received about $16,000 in donations after it was robbed during last month's unrest, though Mr. Hicks ended up donating about half to efforts benefiting the local Black community, including covering the costs for a "Ride for Black Lives," a cycling rally in Boston this past weekend.
"People being intentional about their economic purchases is refreshing," he said. "But we also want them to help tear down the systems that make it hard for us, not just spend their dollars with us."
Get stories that
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.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-07-03--Trump's Mount Rushmore event with fireworks sparks controversy

When President Donald Trump speaks at the Mount Rushmore national memorial before the first fireworks show there in years , he 'll stand before a crowd of thousands of people who wo n't be required to socially distance or wear masks despite the coronavirus pandemic .
Friday night 's event , with 7,500 tickets issued , will feature a patriotic display at a monument known as `` the Shrine of Democracy '' in a swath of country largely loyal to Mr. Trump .
But it has also sparked controversy and concern .
Public health experts say the lack of social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a surge in the disease , while the fireworks risk setting the surrounding forest ablaze .
Native American tribal leaders and activist groups have also spoken out against the memorial , saying it desecrates an area they consider sacred and that the mountains on which it is carved were wrongfully taken from them .
Event organizers said this week that space was so tight they had to strictly limit the number of journalists who could cover it .
The 7,500 people who received tickets will be ushered into two seating areas : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from an amphitheater and viewing decks near the base of the monument , while the rest will have to bring lawn chairs to watch the fireworks from a gravel parking lot outside the memorial grounds .
Many without tickets are expected to crowd into other areas around the monument where they can get a glimpse of the president and the fireworks .
The pyrotechnics alone will run $ 350,000 , with the state bearing the cost .
Republican Gov .
Kristi Noem , a Trump ally who has largely avoided ordering restrictions during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the event would n't require social distancing or masks , though masks will be available to anyone who wants one .
She cast it as a personal choice for attendees , telling Fox News : `` Every one of them has the opportunity to make a decision that they 're comfortable with . ''
Most of the thousands of attendees at Mr. Trump 's June 20 rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma , did n't wear masks or practice social distancing , though unlike the Mount Rushmore event , that one was held indoors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more likely to spread .
South Dakota has had declining rates of confirmed cases of COVID-19 and hospitalizations from the disease over the last two weeks .
But surges in cases in many Southern and Western states prompted Dr. Anthony Fauci , the government 's top infectious disease expert , to warn senators on Tuesday that the country is `` going in the wrong direction '' and needs to redouble efforts to get people to take precautions against infections , especially by wearing masks .
Dr. Benjamin C. Aaker , president of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Associated Press that events like the Mount Rushmore fireworks do n't just pose a risk to people who attend .
The health of the entire community could be threatened if people unknowingly catch the virus at the event and then spread it at their homes and workplaces , he said .
`` If we continue to have these events , we worry that it 's going to be a much more significant outbreak , '' Dr. Aaker said .
`` We know that if that outbreak were to occur , it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of [ hospital ] beds and to run out of personal protective equipment . ''
Western South Dakota has seen less of the virus than other parts of the state so far , with 518 confirmed cases and 16 deaths in Pennington County , where Mount Rushmore is located .
But Monument Health , which runs the largest hospital in the region , is preparing for a surge in cases due to the the influx of tourists , said Dr. Shankar Kurra , the vice-president of medical affairs at Monument Health .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has some locals concerned .
Several former officials who oversaw the wildfire danger at Mount Rushmore have spoken out against the pyrotechnics display .
Fireworks displays were canceled after 2009 because a mountain pine beetle infestation had dried out trees near the memorial and in the national forest that surrounds it .
`` Some people are very excited about it , they were sad to see the fireworks end , '' said Cheryl Schreir , who retired from serving as the Superintendent at Mount Rushmore National Memorial last year .
`` But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protection understand that this is not a good idea to light fireworks in the middle of a forest . ''
Ms. Schreir said that testing by the National Park Service has also revealed that drinking water at the memorial has high levels of perchlorate , a chemical found in fireworks .
The National Park Service conducted an environmental assessment to study the potential impact of the fireworks and found that it would not significantly damage the memorial or forests around it .
But it did note that in a dry year , pyrotechnics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact the entire ecosystem and landscape of the monument .
Bill Gabbert , a local wildfire expert who oversaw wildfire management at Mount Rushmore between 1998 and 2003 , said conditions are dry this year and the region is experiencing a moderate drought .
He described how in previous years , park officials would have dozens of firefighters on site who had to work through the night , scrambling up steep , rocky slopes to put out small fires from the fireworks .
Ian Fury , the governor 's spokesman , said firefighters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along with extra fire engines .
Event organizers are monitoring the fire conditions leading up to the event and will make a decision on Friday about whether the fireworks would be safe .
The National Park Service has also carried out controlled fires in the memorial grounds to burn off dry material .
Organizers are working with a `` Go/No Go '' checklist , but the National Park Service has not released the checklist , citing security concerns .
Mr. Fury said that it 's rained in the region in recent days , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ground is feeling good about our ability to put on a safe and celebratory event . ''
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

When President Donald Trump speaks at the Mount Rushmore national memorial before the first fireworks show there in years, he'll stand before a crowd of thousands of people who won't be required to socially distance or wear masks despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Friday night's event, with 7,500 tickets issued, will feature a patriotic display at a monument known as "the Shrine of Democracy" in a swath of country largely loyal to Mr. Trump. But it has also sparked controversy and concern. Public health experts say the lack of social distancing and enforced mask wearing could lead to a surge in the disease, while the fireworks risk setting the surrounding forest ablaze.
Native American tribal leaders and activist groups have also spoken out against the memorial, saying it desecrates an area they consider sacred and that the mountains on which it is carved were wrongfully taken from them.
Event organizers said this week that space was so tight they had to strictly limit the number of journalists who could cover it. The 7,500 people who received tickets will be ushered into two seating areas: A group of about 3,000 will watch from an amphitheater and viewing decks near the base of the monument, while the rest will have to bring lawn chairs to watch the fireworks from a gravel parking lot outside the memorial grounds.
Many without tickets are expected to crowd into other areas around the monument where they can get a glimpse of the president and the fireworks. The pyrotechnics alone will run $350,000, with the state bearing the cost.
Republican Gov. Kristi Noem, a Trump ally who has largely avoided ordering restrictions during the pandemic, said this week that the event wouldn't require social distancing or masks, though masks will be available to anyone who wants one. She cast it as a personal choice for attendees, telling Fox News: "Every one of them has the opportunity to make a decision that they're comfortable with."
Most of the thousands of attendees at Mr. Trump's June 20 rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, didn't wear masks or practice social distancing, though unlike the Mount Rushmore event, that one was held indoors, where experts say the virus is more likely to spread.
South Dakota has had declining rates of confirmed cases of COVID-19 and hospitalizations from the disease over the last two weeks.
But surges in cases in many Southern and Western states prompted Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government's top infectious disease expert, to warn senators on Tuesday that the country is "going in the wrong direction" and needs to redouble efforts to get people to take precautions against infections, especially by wearing masks.
Dr. Benjamin C. Aaker, president of the South Dakota State Medical Association, told The Associated Press that events like the Mount Rushmore fireworks don't just pose a risk to people who attend. The health of the entire community could be threatened if people unknowingly catch the virus at the event and then spread it at their homes and workplaces, he said.
"If we continue to have these events, we worry that it's going to be a much more significant outbreak," Dr. Aaker said. "We know that if that outbreak were to occur, it would not take very long to run out of [hospital] beds and to run out of personal protective equipment."
Western South Dakota has seen less of the virus than other parts of the state so far, with 518 confirmed cases and 16 deaths in Pennington County, where Mount Rushmore is located. But Monument Health, which runs the largest hospital in the region, is preparing for a surge in cases due to the the influx of tourists, said Dr. Shankar Kurra, the vice-president of medical affairs at Monument Health.
The pandemic isn't the only thing that has some locals concerned. Several former officials who oversaw the wildfire danger at Mount Rushmore have spoken out against the pyrotechnics display. Fireworks displays were canceled after 2009 because a mountain pine beetle infestation had dried out trees near the memorial and in the national forest that surrounds it.
"Some people are very excited about it, they were sad to see the fireworks end," said Cheryl Schreir, who retired from serving as the Superintendent at Mount Rushmore National Memorial last year. "But the people who truly understand the preservation and protection understand that this is not a good idea to light fireworks in the middle of a forest."
Ms. Schreir said that testing by the National Park Service has also revealed that drinking water at the memorial has high levels of perchlorate, a chemical found in fireworks.
The National Park Service conducted an environmental assessment to study the potential impact of the fireworks and found that it would not significantly damage the memorial or forests around it. But it did note that in a dry year, pyrotechnics could start a large wildfire that would impact the entire ecosystem and landscape of the monument.
Bill Gabbert, a local wildfire expert who oversaw wildfire management at Mount Rushmore between 1998 and 2003, said conditions are dry this year and the region is experiencing a moderate drought. He described how in previous years, park officials would have dozens of firefighters on site who had to work through the night, scrambling up steep, rocky slopes to put out small fires from the fireworks.
Ian Fury, the governor's spokesman, said firefighters will have a 20-person crew onsite, along with extra fire engines.
Event organizers are monitoring the fire conditions leading up to the event and will make a decision on Friday about whether the fireworks would be safe. The National Park Service has also carried out controlled fires in the memorial grounds to burn off dry material. Organizers are working with a "Go/No Go" checklist, but the National Park Service has not released the checklist, citing security concerns.
Mr. Fury said that it's rained in the region in recent days, adding, "The team on the ground is feeling good about our ability to put on a safe and celebratory event."
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Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-07-03--Climate change is hitting home gardens. Here's how to adapt.

Every year now , gardeners should be rethinking what they grow and where because of climate change , experts say .
The growing season has become longer , delivering bigger harvests but requiring more weeding and controls .
Plants are under stress because of rising temperatures , less frequent but more intense precipitation , and changed pest and disease problems .
Flowers and the insects that pollinate them are falling out of sync .
`` Conditions have become more challenging for gardeners since the weather has become more unpredictable , '' says Richie Steffen , executive director and curator of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We ’ ve had much hotter summers , while our winters have been all over the place , '' he says .
`` Some were dry .
Some were very wet .
And in this region at least , our wet spells tend to come with much heavier rains rather than our typical misty rains . ''
The average home gardener should examine water use , and estimate how much of that precious resource is going to be necessary and available in the future , he says .
`` Be less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about keeping them watered all summer , '' Mr. Steffen says .
`` Create more habitat and extend the flowering season for pollinators . ''
`` And be more selective about plant selection .
Many things not so readily available 20 or 30 years ago are available now . ''
The most trustworthy plants are those that regenerate quickly and can handle extremes , says Jessi Bloom , owner of NW Bloom EcoLogical Services in Redmond , Washington .
`` Another group of plants to consider is edibles , for personal resiliency and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The climate in 2025 will be different even from that in 2020 , so take that into account when doing your landscape planning , says Sara Tangren , invasive species foreman for Empire Landscape in Silver Springs , Maryland .
`` For perennials , stick with locally native plants .
But when it comes to trees , look to a broader range , ” '' Ms. Tangren says .
`` I ’ m not recommending natives when talking trees .
Go for something instead that can take the heat . ''
You also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she says .
`` They ’ ll be going brown in summer , but you can transform that look in part and save on mowing by deciding which portions of the yard you really use , '' Ms. Tangren says .
`` Start planting perennials , shrubs , and trees there instead . ''
Precipitation is becoming more intense but less frequent , and temperatures are getting hotter , she notes .
`` Two inches of rain used to be a big deal around here , but now we ’ re seeing 7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but when it falls in one day and the average temperature is 5 to 10 degrees higher , then the evaporation rate is higher and you don ’ t have any access to it , '' Ms. Tangren says .
`` Soils don ’ t store water as readily when they get too much at a time . ''
Many things are blooming earlier than ever before and also lasting longer into the fall .
`` That ’ s giving us more production but also more work , '' she says .
Trees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ window for wildflower blooms is getting slower and they ’ re being shaded out .
`` That means they won ’ t be there for the insect pollinators and the songbirds , and this reverberates through the whole system , ’ '' Ms. Tangren says .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

Every year now, gardeners should be rethinking what they grow and where because of climate change, experts say.
The growing season has become longer, delivering bigger harvests but requiring more weeding and controls. Plants are under stress because of rising temperatures, less frequent but more intense precipitation, and changed pest and disease problems. Flowers and the insects that pollinate them are falling out of sync.
"Conditions have become more challenging for gardeners since the weather has become more unpredictable," says Richie Steffen, executive director and curator of the Elizabeth Miller Botanical Garden in Seattle.
"We’ve had much hotter summers, while our winters have been all over the place," he says. "Some were dry. Some were very wet. And in this region at least, our wet spells tend to come with much heavier rains rather than our typical misty rains."
The average home gardener should examine water use, and estimate how much of that precious resource is going to be necessary and available in the future, he says.
"Be less rigid about lawns and not so fastidious about keeping them watered all summer," Mr. Steffen says. "Create more habitat and extend the flowering season for pollinators."
"And be more selective about plant selection. Many things not so readily available 20 or 30 years ago are available now."
The most trustworthy plants are those that regenerate quickly and can handle extremes, says Jessi Bloom, owner of NW Bloom EcoLogical Services in Redmond, Washington.
"Another group of plants to consider is edibles, for personal resiliency and food security," she says.
The climate in 2025 will be different even from that in 2020, so take that into account when doing your landscape planning, says Sara Tangren, invasive species foreman for Empire Landscape in Silver Springs, Maryland.
"For perennials, stick with locally native plants. But when it comes to trees, look to a broader range,”"Ms. Tangren says. "I’m not recommending natives when talking trees. Go for something instead that can take the heat."
You also can expect more dormancy in lawns, she says.
"They’ll be going brown in summer, but you can transform that look in part and save on mowing by deciding which portions of the yard you really use," Ms. Tangren says. "Start planting perennials, shrubs, and trees there instead."
Precipitation is becoming more intense but less frequent, and temperatures are getting hotter, she notes.
"Two inches of rain used to be a big deal around here, but now we’re seeing 7 inches. That sounds like plenty, but when it falls in one day and the average temperature is 5 to 10 degrees higher, then the evaporation rate is higher and you don’t have any access to it," Ms. Tangren says. "Soils don’t store water as readily when they get too much at a time."
Many things are blooming earlier than ever before and also lasting longer into the fall. "That’s giving us more production but also more work," she says.
Trees are leafing out faster, while the window for wildflower blooms is getting slower and they’re being shaded out.
"That means they won’t be there for the insect pollinators and the songbirds, and this reverberates through the whole system,’" Ms. Tangren says.
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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.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-07-04--Readers write: Post-coronavirus values, views of Trump, and more

I just spent 30 minutes analyzing Peter Grier ’ s cover story “ 5 ways COVID-19 will change America ” from the April 27 & May 4 Monitor Weekly , and I must say , I came away impressed .
I have an antagonistic relationship with news sources .
I assume they have a hidden agenda , and read articles attempting to uncover it .
On many major news sites , this is evident as they introduce an argument or topic in the first paragraph , and then reveal in the final paragraphs details related to the topic but irrelevant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the event .
The details are often published in related articles in a similar fashion and work to establish the site ’ s narrative or agenda .
I find that critical reading like this helps me avoid “ fake news.
” In Mr. Grier ’ s article , I failed to uncover a hidden agenda , despite the fact that I believe an in-depth piece is a great place to hide one .
The conclusion was stated up front and the rest of the article supported it , using language of appropriate strength @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why I continue to support the Monitor – although I don ’ t plan to let my guard down anytime soon !
I found the cover story “ 5 ways COVID-19 will change America ” puzzlingly inconclusive , until I realized that my expectations were formed by the title and cover art .
The cover graphic and accompanying headline ( “ What a post-virus America will look like ” ) seem to suggest that our current physical isolation and internet dependency will become permanent .
But the actual content of the article is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short-term effects , with no definite conclusions reached .
For me , the takeaway is that there are significant trends to watch , but that they could lead in a variety of directions .
This more nuanced view seems like a wise approach , but I do wish the presentation had more accurately reflected the content .
The call of the hen I enjoy reading your magazine and consider it one of the best for accuracy and decency in reporting .
I always enjoy Melissa Mohr ’ s columns on word definitions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am a language fanatic .
I am concerned that we are giving up literacy along with clear thinking and decency in this country .
Her column “ Animal noises sound different in other languages ” in the May 25 Monitor Weekly addresses an interest of mine because I am also a farmer , born and raised .
I recall learning in a Spanish class , to my surprise , that roosters crow “ quiquiriqui.
” An aspect of animal sounds that Ms. Mohr did not mention – and that is very important – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not make only one sound .
Most of them make clearly different noises in reaction to different situations .
As a child I learned the language of hens with chicks and could mimic them .
I once used that skill to call a lost chick to me , and boy , was he surprised to see he had run to a human rather than a hen .
Regarding the article “ For some seniors , virus is shifting their views of Trump ” in the June 1 Monitor Weekly : I can understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his controversial tweets , but not because of his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic .
As a mother , grandmother , and great-grandmother , I am in favor of opening the economy .
It is the younger generations , not we seniors , who have lost the jobs and businesses that they worked so hard for .

Post-coronavirus values
I just spent 30 minutes analyzing Peter Grier’s cover story “5 ways COVID-19 will change America” from the April 27 & May 4 Monitor Weekly, and I must say, I came away impressed.
I have an antagonistic relationship with news sources. I assume they have a hidden agenda, and read articles attempting to uncover it. On many major news sites, this is evident as they introduce an argument or topic in the first paragraph, and then reveal in the final paragraphs details related to the topic but irrelevant to the declared argument or understanding of the event. The details are often published in related articles in a similar fashion and work to establish the site’s narrative or agenda. I find that critical reading like this helps me avoid “fake news.”
In Mr. Grier’s article, I failed to uncover a hidden agenda, despite the fact that I believe an in-depth piece is a great place to hide one. The conclusion was stated up front and the rest of the article supported it, using language of appropriate strength. So thank you. This is why I continue to support the Monitor – although I don’t plan to let my guard down anytime soon!
Matt McGrath
Paris
I found the cover story “5 ways COVID-19 will change America” puzzlingly inconclusive, until I realized that my expectations were formed by the title and cover art.
The cover graphic and accompanying headline (“What a post-virus America will look like”) seem to suggest that our current physical isolation and internet dependency will become permanent. But the actual content of the article is merely a discussion of possible long- and short-term effects, with no definite conclusions reached.
For me, the takeaway is that there are significant trends to watch, but that they could lead in a variety of directions. This more nuanced view seems like a wise approach, but I do wish the presentation had more accurately reflected the content.
Jennifer Quinn
Gate City, Virginia
The call of the hen
I enjoy reading your magazine and consider it one of the best for accuracy and decency in reporting. I always enjoy Melissa Mohr’s columns on word definitions, derivations, etc., because I too am a language fanatic. I am concerned that we are giving up literacy along with clear thinking and decency in this country.
Her column “Animal noises sound different in other languages” in the May 25 Monitor Weekly addresses an interest of mine because I am also a farmer, born and raised. I recall learning in a Spanish class, to my surprise, that roosters crow “quiquiriqui.”
An aspect of animal sounds that Ms. Mohr did not mention – and that is very important – is that animals and birds themselves do not make only one sound. Most of them make clearly different noises in reaction to different situations. As a child I learned the language of hens with chicks and could mimic them. I once used that skill to call a lost chick to me, and boy, was he surprised to see he had run to a human rather than a hen.
Ken Kauffman
Hubbard, Oregon
Views of Trump
Regarding the article “For some seniors, virus is shifting their views of Trump” in the June 1 Monitor Weekly: I can understand why many might dislike President Donald Trump for his controversial tweets, but not because of his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, I am in favor of opening the economy. It is the younger generations, not we seniors, who have lost the jobs and businesses that they worked so hard for.
Muriel Horacek
Altadena, California


csmonitor--2020-07-05--Iran hints a cyber attack caused fire at nuclear facility

A fire at Iran 's underground Natanz nuclear facility has caused significant damage that could slow the development of advanced centrifuges used to enrich uranium , an Iranian nuclear official said on Sunday .
Iran 's top security body said on Friday that the cause of the fire that broke out on Thursday had been determined but would be announced later .
Some Iranian officials have said it may have been cyber sabotage and one warned that Tehran would retaliate against any country carrying out such attacks .
On Thursday , an article by Iran 's state news agency IRNA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sabotage by enemies such as Israel and the United States , although it stopped short of accusing either directly .
Israel 's defense minister said on Sunday it was not `` necessarily '' behind every mysterious incident in Iran .
Three Iranian officials who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity on Friday said they believed the fire was the result of a cyber attack but did not cite any evidence .
`` The incident could slow down the development and production of advanced centrifuges in the medium term ... Iran will replace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has more advanced equipment , '' state news agency IRNA quoted the spokesman for Iran 's Atomic Energy Organisation , Behrouz Kamalvandi , as saying .
`` The incident has caused significant damage but there were no casualties . ''
Separately on Sunday , Iran 's powerful Revolutionary Guards Navy chief said Tehran had built underground `` missile cities '' along the Gulf coastline and warned of a `` nightmare for Iran 's enemies . ''
Iranian authorities have said such sites exist in all provinces of Iran but have unveiled only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they have been built along its coast .
The Natanz fire also came less than a week after an explosion in an area east of Tehran that some analysts believe hides an underground tunnel system and missile production sites .
Natanz is the centerpiece of Iran 's enrichment program , which Tehran says is for peaceful purposes .
Western intelligence agencies and the U.N. 's nuclear watchdog ( IAEA ) believe it had a coordinated , clandestine nuclear arms program that it halted in 2003 .
Tehran denies ever seeking nuclear weapons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program in exchange for the removal of most international sanctions in a deal reached between Tehran and six world powers in 2015 .
But Iran has gradually reduced its commitments to the accord since U.S. President Donald Trump 's administration withdrew from the deal in 2018 and reimposed and intensified sanctions that have battered Iran 's economy .
The deal only allows Iran to enrich uranium at its Natanz facility with just over 5,000 first-generation IR-1 centrifuges , but Iran has installed new cascades of advanced centrifuges .
Iran , which says it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain in place , has repeatedly vowed to continue building up what it calls a defensive missile capability run by the Revolutionary Guards , in defiance of Western criticism .
Israel has backed Trump 's `` maximum pressure '' policy on Tehran aimed at forcing it to agree a new deal that puts stricter limits on its nuclear work , curbs its ballistic missile program and ends its regional proxy wars .
In 2010 , the Stuxnet computer virus , widely believed to have been developed by the United States and Israel , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack Natanz .
The Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant ( FEP ) , Iran 's main uranium enrichment site which is mostly underground , is one of several Iranian facilities monitored by inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA ) , the U.N. nuclear watchdog .
Currently , the IAEA says Iran enriches uranium to about 4.5 % purity — above the terms of the nuclear deal but far below weapons-grade levels of 90 % .
Workers there also have conducted tests on advanced centrifuges , according to the IAEA .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the fire did not contain nuclear materials and that none of its inspectors was present at the time .
( Writing by Parisa Hafezi , Editing by Michael Georgy and David Clarke )

A fire at Iran's underground Natanz nuclear facility has caused significant damage that could slow the development of advanced centrifuges used to enrich uranium, an Iranian nuclear official said on Sunday.
Iran's top security body said on Friday that the cause of the fire that broke out on Thursday had been determined but would be announced later. Some Iranian officials have said it may have been cyber sabotage and one warned that Tehran would retaliate against any country carrying out such attacks.
On Thursday, an article by Iran's state news agency IRNA addressed what it called the possibility of sabotage by enemies such as Israel and the United States, although it stopped short of accusing either directly.
Israel's defense minister said on Sunday it was not "necessarily" behind every mysterious incident in Iran.
Three Iranian officials who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity on Friday said they believed the fire was the result of a cyber attack but did not cite any evidence.
"The incident could slow down the development and production of advanced centrifuges in the medium term ... Iran will replace the damaged building with a bigger one that has more advanced equipment," state news agency IRNA quoted the spokesman for Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, Behrouz Kamalvandi, as saying.
"The incident has caused significant damage but there were no casualties."
Separately on Sunday, Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards Navy chief said Tehran had built underground "missile cities" along the Gulf coastline and warned of a "nightmare for Iran's enemies."
Iranian authorities have said such sites exist in all provinces of Iran but have unveiled only three bases so far and not disclosed that they have been built along its coast.
The Natanz fire also came less than a week after an explosion in an area east of Tehran that some analysts believe hides an underground tunnel system and missile production sites.
'MAXIMUM PRESSURE'
Natanz is the centerpiece of Iran's enrichment program, which Tehran says is for peaceful purposes. Western intelligence agencies and the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog (IAEA) believe it had a coordinated, clandestine nuclear arms program that it halted in 2003. Tehran denies ever seeking nuclear weapons.
Iran agreed to curb its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of most international sanctions in a deal reached between Tehran and six world powers in 2015.
But Iran has gradually reduced its commitments to the accord since U.S. President Donald Trump's administration withdrew from the deal in 2018 and reimposed and intensified sanctions that have battered Iran's economy.
The deal only allows Iran to enrich uranium at its Natanz facility with just over 5,000 first-generation IR-1 centrifuges, but Iran has installed new cascades of advanced centrifuges.
Iran, which says it will not negotiate as long as sanctions remain in place, has repeatedly vowed to continue building up what it calls a defensive missile capability run by the Revolutionary Guards, in defiance of Western criticism.
Israel has backed Trump's "maximum pressure" policy on Tehran aimed at forcing it to agree a new deal that puts stricter limits on its nuclear work, curbs its ballistic missile program and ends its regional proxy wars.
In 2010, the Stuxnet computer virus, widely believed to have been developed by the United States and Israel, was discovered after it was used to attack Natanz.
The Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP), Iran's main uranium enrichment site which is mostly underground, is one of several Iranian facilities monitored by inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the U.N. nuclear watchdog.
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Currently, the IAEA says Iran enriches uranium to about 4.5% purity — above the terms of the nuclear deal but far below weapons-grade levels of 90%. Workers there also have conducted tests on advanced centrifuges, according to the IAEA.
The IAEA said on Friday that the location of the fire did not contain nuclear materials and that none of its inspectors was present at the time. (Writing by Parisa Hafezi, Editing by Michael Georgy and David Clarke)


csmonitor--2020-07-06--Monday Sunrise Briefing: Security and equality shape US campaign

Amid racial protests and a pandemic , this July Fourth weekend offered two views of U.S. history - and its future .
For most Americans , traditional celebrations were muted as confirmed COVID-19 cases rose in 40 states .
Smaller than normal crowds gathered to watch fireworks at the National Mall in D.C.. President Donald Trump vowed to protect the nation ’ s heritage from leftists , looters , and agitators .
“ `` We will never allow an angry mob to tear down our statues , erase our history , indoctrinate our children or trample on our freedoms .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , customs , and beliefs , '' Mr. Trump said Saturday , July 4 , at the White House , echoing themes from the previous night at Mount Rushmore .
His Democratic rival , Joe Biden , attended no Independence Day events , but issued a message describing American history as a “ constant push and pull between two parts of our character , the idea that all men and women — all people — are created equal and the racism that has torn us apart ... .We have a chance to rip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this country … it 's a battle that we can - and we will - win if we act together .
2 .
A safer world ?
A fire at Iran ’ s Natanz nuclear facility could slow the enrichment of uranium , Iran officials confirmed Sunday .
Iran has long said its nuclear program is for peaceful energy generation .
But the cause of the fire may have been a cyber attack , unnamed Iranian officials told Reuters .
An article by Iran 's state news agency IRNA suggested the possibility of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the United States .
Both countries fear Iran is close to developing a nuclear weapon .
The underground Natanz site is the country ’ s main uranium enrichment facility , and the destroyed building housed a new centrifuge assembly center built in 2018 .
A spokesman for Iran ’ s nuclear agency said the damage would “ possibly cause a delay in development and production of advanced centrifuge machines in the medium term.
” The Natanz fire came less than a week after an explosion in an area east of Tehran that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system and missile production sites .
U.S. primaries revisited .
Delaware ( presidential ) and New Jersey ( presidential and state ) hold primary elections , which were postponed earlier in the year .
Ringo ’ s birthday benefit concert .
Celebrate with Ringo Starr by donating to the Black Lives Matter Global Network , the David Lynch Foundation , MusiCares and WaterAid .
Among the many guest performers will be fellow Beatle Paul McCartney , as well as Joe Walsh , and Sheila E. The music begins at 8 p.m .
ET @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador is scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump .
The two are expected to celebrate the new US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement that replaced NAFTA .
Reimagining law enforcement .
Minneapolis City Council members are scheduled to meet in a public hearing to discuss how to replace the police force in the wake of the George Floyd killing .
U.S. soccer returns .
Major League Soccer opens with a month-long tournament in Orlando , Florida .
The regular season continues after the tournament .
A massacre remembered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 25th anniversary of the massacre of more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys at the Srebrenica enclave in Bosnia in 1995 .
The Monitor ’ s David Rohde won a Pulitzer Prize in 1996 for his reporting about this event .
Better than Tulsa ?
President Donald Trump plans an outdoor campaign rally in New Hampshire to be held at 8 p.m. at Portsmouth International Airport .
Trump narrowly lost the state to Democrat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election .
He could have let it slide .
But he didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Diego Starbucks on June 22 without a face mask , barista Lenin Gutierrez told her he couldn ’ t serve her .
San Diego County requires a mask of anyone doing business indoors .
Amber Lynn Gilles left irate , but not before snapping a photo of Mr. Gutierrez .
She posted his picture on Facebook in an attempt to shame him and Starbucks .
That backfired .
Instead , people praised Mr. Gutierrez for “ doing the right thing.
” Then , a stranger to both Mr. Gutierrez and Ms. Gillies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collect tips for Mr. Gutierrez .
And tips were collected .
A lot of tips .
At last count , more than $ 105,000 worth of gratitude has been sent to Mr. Gutierrez .
He told ABC-10 News in San Diego that he was grateful to donors from around the world for their generosity .
Mr. Gutierrez said he plans to use the money to pursue his dreams of becoming a dancer .
Start your week with a recent story that inspired Monitor readers : In tonight ’ s Daily Edition , watch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , European style .
Finally , check out the Monitor ’ s selected stories from Friday 's subscription-only Daily Edition : • On America ’ s most political holiday , clashing visions are nothing new • Conservation vs. copper : Minnesota town debates its future with a mine • As police face a public grilling , so do iconic cop shows Editor ’ s note : As a public service , all our coronavirus coverage is free .
No paywall .
This is a beta test - an experiment with an early Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feedback via the link below and let us know what you think .
Thank you !

Amid racial protests and a pandemic, this July Fourth weekend offered two views of U.S. history - and its future. For most Americans, traditional celebrations were muted as confirmed COVID-19 cases rose in 40 states. Smaller than normal crowds gathered to watch fireworks at the National Mall in D.C.. President Donald Trump vowed to protect the nation’s heritage from leftists, looters, and agitators. “"We will never allow an angry mob to tear down our statues, erase our history, indoctrinate our children or trample on our freedoms. We will safeguard our values, traditions, customs, and beliefs," Mr. Trump said Saturday, July 4, at the White House, echoing themes from the previous night at Mount Rushmore.
His Democratic rival, Joe Biden, attended no Independence Day events, but issued a message describing American history as a “constant push and pull between two parts of our character, the idea that all men and women — all people — are created equal and the racism that has torn us apart....We have a chance to rip the roots of systemic racism out of this country … it's a battle that we can - and we will - win if we act together.
2. A safer world? A fire at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility could slow the enrichment of uranium, Iran officials confirmed Sunday. Iran has long said its nuclear program is for peaceful energy generation. But the cause of the fire may have been a cyber attack, unnamed Iranian officials told Reuters. An article by Iran's state news agency IRNA suggested the possibility of sabotage by enemies, such as Israel and the United States. Both countries fear Iran is close to developing a nuclear weapon.
Why We Wrote This Good morning! Welcome to your Monday, July 6, 2020, sunrise briefing. Here are two news events from this past weekend (while you may have been watching fireworks, jet skiing, and enjoying an offline life). Also, what to look for in the news this week.
The underground Natanz site is the country’s main uranium enrichment facility, and the destroyed building housed a new centrifuge assembly center built in 2018. A spokesman for Iran’s nuclear agency said the damage would “possibly cause a delay in development and production of advanced centrifuge machines in the medium term.” The Natanz fire came less than a week after an explosion in an area east of Tehran that some analysts believe hides an underground tunnel system and missile production sites.
Mark Thompson/Pool via REUTERS View caption Hide caption Formula One drivers at the Austrian Grand Prix kneel on the starting grid wearing anti-racism T-shirts before the race Sunday, July 5, 2020 in Spielberg, Austria.
Look Ahead
Tuesday, July 7
U.S. primaries revisited. Delaware (presidential) and New Jersey (presidential and state) hold primary elections, which were postponed earlier in the year.
Ringo’s birthday benefit concert. Celebrate with Ringo Starr by donating to the Black Lives Matter Global Network, the David Lynch Foundation, MusiCares and WaterAid. Among the many guest performers will be fellow Beatle Paul McCartney, as well as Joe Walsh, and Sheila E. The music begins at 8 p.m. ET, streaming on YouTube.
Wednesday, July 8
Relationship building. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador is scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump. The two are expected to celebrate the new US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement that replaced NAFTA.
Reimagining law enforcement. Minneapolis City Council members are scheduled to meet in a public hearing to discuss how to replace the police force in the wake of the George Floyd killing.
U.S. soccer returns. Major League Soccer opens with a month-long tournament in Orlando, Florida. The regular season continues after the tournament.
Saturday, July 11
A massacre remembered. A memorial service is scheduled for the 25th anniversary of the massacre of more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys at the Srebrenica enclave in Bosnia in 1995. The Monitor’s David Rohde won a Pulitzer Prize in 1996 for his reporting about this event.
Better than Tulsa? President Donald Trump plans an outdoor campaign rally in New Hampshire to be held at 8 p.m. at Portsmouth International Airport. Trump narrowly lost the state to Democrat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election.
Integrity Watch
AP Photo/Jeff Chiu View caption Hide caption Many California cities and counties now require a mask be worn when entering a store. Shown here, a sign at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in Santa Cruz, Calif., Thursday, July 2, 2020.
He could have let it slide. But he didn’t.
When a woman entered a San Diego Starbucks on June 22 without a face mask, barista Lenin Gutierrez told her he couldn’t serve her. San Diego County requires a mask of anyone doing business indoors. Amber Lynn Gilles left irate, but not before snapping a photo of Mr. Gutierrez. She posted his picture on Facebook in an attempt to shame him and Starbucks. That backfired. Instead, people praised Mr. Gutierrez for “doing the right thing.” Then, a stranger to both Mr. Gutierrez and Ms. Gillies, set up a GoFundMe page to collect tips for Mr. Gutierrez. And tips were collected. A lot of tips. At last count, more than $105,000 worth of gratitude has been sent to Mr. Gutierrez.
He told ABC-10 News in San Diego that he was grateful to donors from around the world for their generosity. Mr. Gutierrez said he plans to use the money to pursue his dreams of becoming a dancer.
Hidden gem
Start your week with a recent story that inspired Monitor readers:
A magician’s guide to making racism disappear
Sneak preview
In tonight’s Daily Edition, watch for our story about defunding the police, European style.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
Finally, check out the Monitor’s selected stories from Friday's subscription-only Daily Edition:
Editor’s note: As a public service, all our coronavirus coverage is free. No paywall.
This is a beta test - an experiment with an early Monday news update. Please give us your feedback via the link below and let us know what you think. Thank you!


csmonitor--2020-07-05--July 4th: Trump vows to safeguard US from leftists and looters

On a day meant for unity and celebration , President Donald Trump vowed to “ safeguard our values ” from enemies within — leftists , looters , agitators , he said — in a Fourth of July speech packed with all the grievances and combativeness of his political rallies .
Mr. Trump watched paratroopers float to the ground in a tribute to America , greeted his audience of front-line medical workers and others central in responding to the coronavirus pandemic , and opened up on those who “ slander ” him and disrespect the country 's past .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the radical left , the anarchists , the agitators , the looters , and the people who , in many instances , have absolutely no clue what they are doing , ” he said .
`` We will never allow an angry mob to tear down our statues , erase our history , indoctrinate our children .
`` And we will defend , protect and preserve ( the ) American way of life , which began in 1492 when Columbus discovered America.
” He did not mention the dead from the pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from COVID-19 in the U.S .
Even as officials across the country pleaded with Americans to curb their enthusiasm for large Fourth of July crowds , Trump enticed the masses with a “ special evening ” of tribute and fireworks staged with new U.S. coronavirus infections on the rise .
But the crowds wandering the National Mall for the night 's air show and fireworks were strikingly thinner than the gathering for last year 's jammed celebration on the Mall .
Many who showed up wore masks , unlike those seated close together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and distancing was easy to do for those scattered across the sprawling space .
Trump did not hesitate to use the country 's birthday as an occasion to assail segments of the country that do not support him .
Carrying on a theme he pounded on a day earlier against the backdrop of the Mount Rushmore monuments , he went after those who have torn down statues or think some of them , particularly those of Confederate figures , should be removed .
Support has been growing among Republicans to remove Confederate memorials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burden to be cast away , '' Trump said .
Outside the event but as close to it as they could get , Pat Lee of Upper Dublin , Pennsylvania , gathered with two friends , one of them a nurse from Fredericksburg , Virginia , and none in a mask .
“ POTUS said it would go away , ” Lee said of the pandemic , using an acronym for president of the United States .
“ Masks , I think , are like a hoax.
” But she said she wore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where she stayed .
By the World War II Memorial , the National Park Service handed out packets of five white cloth masks to all who wanted them .
People were not required to wear them .
Another nurse , Zippy Watt from Riverside , California , came to see the air show and fireworks with her husband and their two daughters , one of whom lives in Washington .
They wore matching American flag face masks even when seated together on a park bench .
“ We chose to wear a mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Watt said .
She said her family was divided on Trump but she is “ more of a Trump supporter .
Being from southern California I see socialist tendencies .
I ’ m tired of paying taxes so others can stay home.
” Pat Lee made the trip from north of Philadelphia after seeing last year 's Mall celebration on TV .
She said the protests over racial injustice that unfolded near her were so threatening that people in her suburban neighborhood took turns staying up all night and those who did n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their garages .
Her friend from Pennsylvania , who did n't want to be identified , said she spent more than three hours in line to buy a gun .
“ I want people to stop calling us racists , ” Lee said .
“ We 're not racists .
Just because you love your country , love the people in your country , does n't make you a racist.
” Trump 's guests on the South Lawn were doctors , nurses , law enforcement officers and military members as well as officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , deputy White House press secretary .
He said the event was a tribute to the “ tremendous courage and spirit ” of front-line workers and the public in the pandemic .
In many parts of the country , authorities discouraged mass gatherings for the holiday after days that have seen COVID-19 cases grow at a rate not experienced even during the deadliest phase of the pandemic in the spring .
In New York , once the epicenter , people were urged to avoid crowds and Nathan ’ s Famous July Fourth hot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ location without spectators on hand , in advance of the evening 's televised fireworks spectacular over the Empire State Building .
In Philadelphia , mask- and glove-wearing descendants of the signers of the Declaration of Independence participated in a virtual tapping of the famed Liberty Bell on Independence Mall and people were asked to join from afar by clinking glasses , tapping pots or ringing bells .
Yet Trump continued to crave big crowds when it came to his events .
He opened the holiday weekend by traveling to Mount Rushmore in South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near the mountain carvings of George Washington , Thomas Jefferson , Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt .
In stark words , he accused protesters who have pushed for racial justice of engaging in a “ merciless campaign to wipe out our history.
” Even as he pushed ahead with celebrations , the shadow of the coronavirus loomed closer to him .
Kimberly Guilfoyle , a top fundraiser for the president and girlfriend of his eldest child , Donald Trump Jr. , tested positive for the virus , Trump 's campaign said late Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking forward to “ a speedy recovery . ''
Mississippi House Speaker Philip Gunn says he has tested positive for the coronavirus as state health officials report more than 200 new infections and five deaths linked to the pandemic .
Residents of the town of Sonoyta , across from Lukeville , Arizona , briefly blocked the main road leading south from the U.S. border over the weekend over fears of coronavirus outbreaks .
Arizona has seen a major upsurge in infections and there were worries about intensified contagion during the July 4 weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement Saturday “ inviting U.S. tourists not to visit Mexico.
” In a presidential message Saturday morning on the 244th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence , Trump acknowledged that “ over the past months , the American spirit has undoubtedly been tested by many challenges.
” His Democratic rival , Joe Biden , said in a statement that the U.S. “ never lived up ” to its founding principle that “ all men are created equal , '' but today `` we have a chance to rip the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country . ''
Trump 's endorsement of big gatherings at the National Mall and at Mount Rushmore came as many communities decided to scrap fireworks , parades and other holiday traditions in hopes of avoiding yet more surges in infection .
Confirmed cases were climbing in 40 states , and the U.S. set another record Friday with 52,300 newly reported infections , according to the tally kept by Johns Hopkins University .
Trump did not dwell on the pandemic in his remarks Saturday evening .
Instead , he declared that “ our country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been aching to see the nation return to normalcy , and has been willing to push the envelope farther than many states and big city mayors are willing to go .
For Trump and the country , it was yet another holiday clouded by a pandemic that the U.S. has failed to bring under control .
In late March , a little more than a week after he bowed to the need to shut down much of the country , Trump spoke of reopening with “ packed ” churches by Easter Sunday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical advisers warned that it was far too ambitious .
Then he spent chunks of his Memorial Day weekend fuming about critics who he said were ignoring falling cases and deaths at the time .
Associated Press writers Zeke Miller in Washington , Michelle Liu in Columbia , South Carolina , and Sara Burnett in Chicago contributed to this report .

On a day meant for unity and celebration, President Donald Trump vowed to “safeguard our values” from enemies within – leftists, looters, agitators, he said – in a Fourth of July speech packed with all the grievances and combativeness of his political rallies.
Mr. Trump watched paratroopers float to the ground in a tribute to America, greeted his audience of front-line medical workers and others central in responding to the coronavirus pandemic, and opened up on those who “slander” him and disrespect the country's past.
“We are now in the process of defeating the radical left, the anarchists, the agitators, the looters, and the people who, in many instances, have absolutely no clue what they are doing,” he said. "We will never allow an angry mob to tear down our statues, erase our history, indoctrinate our children.
"And we will defend, protect, and preserve [the] American way of life, which began in 1492 when Columbus discovered America.”
He did not mention the dead from the pandemic. Nearly 130,000 are known to have died from COVID-19 in the United States.
Even as officials across the country pleaded with Americans to curb their enthusiasm for large Fourth of July crowds, Mr. Trump enticed the masses with a “special evening” of tribute and fireworks staged with new U.S. coronavirus infections on the rise.
But the crowds wandering the National Mall for the night's air show and fireworks were strikingly thinner than the gathering for last year's jammed celebration on the Mall.
Many who showed up wore masks, unlike those seated close together for Mr. Trump's South Lawn event, and distancing was easy to do for those scattered across the sprawling space.
Mr. Trump did not hesitate to use the country's birthday as an occasion to assail segments of the country that do not support him.
Carrying on a theme he pounded on a day earlier against the backdrop of the Mount Rushmore monuments, he went after those who have torn down statues or think some of them, particularly those of Confederate figures, should be removed. Support has been growing among Republicans to remove Confederate memorials.
“Our past is not a burden to be cast away," Mr. Trump said.
Outside the event but as close to it as they could get, Pat Lee of Upper Dublin, Pennsylvania, gathered with two friends, one of them a nurse from Fredericksburg, Virginia, and none in a mask.
“POTUS said it would go away,” Ms. Lee said of the pandemic, using an acronym for president of the United States. “Masks, I think, are like a hoax.” But she said she wore one inside the Trump International Hotel, where she stayed.
By the World War II Memorial, the National Park Service handed out packets of five white cloth masks to all who wanted them. People were not required to wear them.
Another nurse, Zippy Watt from Riverside, California, came to see the air show and fireworks with her husband and their two daughters, one of whom lives in Washington. They wore matching American flag face masks even when seated together on a park bench.
“We chose to wear a mask to protect ourselves and others," Ms. Watt said. She said her family was divided on Mr. Trump but she is “more of a Trump supporter. Being from southern California I see socialist tendencies. I’m tired of paying taxes so others can stay home.”
Pat Lee made the trip from north of Philadelphia after seeing last year's Mall celebration on TV.
She said the protests over racial injustice that unfolded near her were so threatening that people in her suburban neighborhood took turns staying up all night and those who didn't own guns stationed bats and shovels in their garages. Her friend from Pennsylvania, who didn't want to be identified, said she spent more than three hours in line to buy a gun.
“I want people to stop calling us racists,” Ms. Lee said. “We're not racists. Just because you love your country, love the people in your country, doesn't make you a racist.”
Mr. Trump's guests on the South Lawn were doctors, nurses, law enforcement officers, and military members as well as officials from the administration, said Judd Deere, deputy White House press secretary. He said the event was a tribute to the “tremendous courage and spirit” of front-line workers and the public in the pandemic.
In many parts of the country, authorities discouraged mass gatherings for the holiday after days that have seen COVID-19 cases grow at a rate not experienced even during the deadliest phase of the pandemic in the spring.
In New York, once the epicenter, people were urged to avoid crowds and Nathan’s Famous July Fourth hot dog eating contest happened at an undisclosed location without spectators on hand, in advance of the evening's televised fireworks spectacular over the Empire State Building.
In Philadelphia, mask- and glove-wearing descendants of the signers of the Declaration of Independence participated in a virtual tapping of the famed Liberty Bell on Independence Mall and people were asked to join from afar by clinking glasses, tapping pots, or ringing bells.
Yet Mr. Trump continued to crave big crowds when it came to his events.
He opened the holiday weekend by traveling to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota for a fireworks display Friday night near the mountain carvings of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. In stark words, he accused protesters who have pushed for racial justice of engaging in a “merciless campaign to wipe out our history.”
Even as he pushed ahead with celebrations, the shadow of the coronavirus loomed closer to him. Kimberly Guilfoyle, a top fundraiser for the president and girlfriend of his eldest child, Donald Trump Jr., tested positive for the virus, Mr. Trump's campaign said late Friday. Ms. Guilfoyle tweeted Saturday that she was looking forward to “a speedy recovery."
Mississippi House Speaker Philip Gunn says he has tested positive for the coronavirus as state health officials report more than 200 new infections and five deaths linked to the pandemic.
Residents of the town of Sonoyta, across from Lukeville, Arizona, briefly blocked the main road leading south from the U.S. border over the weekend over fears of coronavirus outbreaks.
Arizona has seen a major upsurge in infections and there were worries about intensified contagion during the July 4 weekend.
Sonoyta Mayor José Ramos Arzate issued a statement Saturday “inviting U.S. tourists not to visit Mexico.”
In a presidential message Saturday morning on the 244th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, Mr. Trump acknowledged that “over the past months, the American spirit has undoubtedly been tested by many challenges.”
His Democratic rival, Joe Biden, said in a statement that the U.S. “never lived up” to its founding principle that “all men are created equal," but today "we have a chance to rip the roots of systemic racism out of this country.''
Mr. Trump's endorsement of big gatherings at the National Mall and at Mount Rushmore came as many communities decided to scrap fireworks, parades, and other holiday traditions in hopes of avoiding yet more surges in infection.
Confirmed cases were climbing in 40 states, and the U.S. set another record Friday with 52,300 newly reported infections, according to the tally kept by Johns Hopkins University.
Mr. Trump did not dwell on the pandemic in his remarks Saturday evening. Instead, he declared that “our country is in great shape.”
Mr. Trump has been aching to see the nation return to normalcy, and has been willing to push the envelope farther than many states and big city mayors are willing to go.
For Mr. Trump and the country, it was yet another holiday clouded by a pandemic that the U.S. has failed to bring under control.
In late March, a little more than a week after he bowed to the need to shut down much of the country, Mr. Trump spoke of reopening with “packed” churches by Easter Sunday. He relented on that push as his medical advisers warned that it was far too ambitious.
Then he spent chunks of his Memorial Day weekend fuming about critics who he said were ignoring falling cases and deaths at the time.
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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 Zeke Miller in Washington, Michelle Liu in Columbia, South Carolina, and Sara Burnett in Chicago 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.