usatoday--2020-08-29--Kenosha shooting: Hundreds protest in Raleigh and Portland; 2 officers tried to use stun guns on Jac

The Wisconsin Department of Justice on Friday released a statement saying two officers deployed shock weapons when trying to arrest Jacob Blake , just before one of the officers shot him seven times in the back .
The news about the stun guns comes amid protests , arrests and public outcry about the shooting .
Among other news , Kyle Rittenhouse , the 17-year-old charged with homicide in the killing of two people at protests in Kenosha , Wisconsin , earlier this week , will remain in custody in Illinois after a judge agreed to delay a hearing on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first-degree intentional homicide charge and five other charges for shooting three people , two fatally , during unrest Tuesday night in the wake of the shooting of Jacob Blake .
Kenosha police officer Rusten Sheskey shot Blake , a Black man , seven times in the back on Sunday , which left Blake paralyzed from the waist down .
The Wisconsin Senate planned to meet in a special session Monday to discuss police reform in wake of the shooting , the Associated Press reports .
Rittenhouse did not appear for the hearing Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearing on the status of his extradition has been set for Sept. 25 .
The hearing comes after Kenosha saw a calmer night on Thursday , with volunteers cleaning up after nights of arson and vandalism and a prayer service held along Lake Michigan .
`` We 're still in the thick of many challenges but there will be a coming together around a table in coming days , '' Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser said .
Meanwhile , in the nation 's capital , thousands of people gathered Friday to demand police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Washington .
March on Washington : 'This dream is still alive ' : Thousands rally for racial justice Here 's what we know Friday : Protests that have rocked the country for months in the wake of the deaths of multiple Black people at the hands of police continued Friday .
Raleigh and Portland both saw large crowds gathered .
The Raleigh Police Department tweeted multiple times late Friday night a crowd had refused to comply with the city 's 10 p.m. curfew .
WRAL-TV reported hundreds of protesters stayed out past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters shortly before 11:30 p.m .
The Raleigh Police Department reported the crowd was detonating fireworks .
The Washington Post reported around 200 protesters blocked Interstate 295 in Washington late in the day .
The Post added rain drove away many protesters , though there was some tension with police officers in the area .
Across the country in Portland , protesters were reportedly outside Mayor Ted Wheeler 's home .
Two officers deployed stun guns before Jacob Blake was shot The Wisconsin Department of Justice on Friday confirmed two officers tried to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was shot in the back seven times .
The new information from the DOJ further illustrates what happened in the moments leading up to the Sunday shooting that left Blake paralyzed from the waist down .
According to a statement , after police attempted to arrest Blake , Officer Rusten Sheskey deployed `` a Taser '' on Blake .
`` When that attempt failed , Kenosha Police Officer Vincent Arenas also deployed his taser , however that taser was also not successful in stopping Mr. Blake , '' the department said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to his car and opened the driver-side door .
Sheskey , while holding Blake 's shirt , fired seven shots into Blake 's back , according to the DOJ , and no other officer fired a gun .
Also present was Officer Brittany Meronek .
Arenas has been with Kenosha police since February 2019 and Meronek joined the police department in January , according to the DOJ .
All three officers have been placed on administrative leave .
The Wisconsin DOJ previously said Blake told officers he had a knife , and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ floorboard of Blake 's car .
In a less than 10-minute hearing livestreamed Friday , a public defenders for Rittenhouse requested to waive his presence there and for more time so that he could hire his own legal team .
`` We also arranged for him to have a phone call with his mother this morning , '' an attorney for Rittenhouse , Jennifer Snyder , said during the proceedings .
Rittenhouse , from Antioch , Illinois , is facing six charges in Wisconsin , the most serious of which is first-degree intentional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is charged as an adult , and he would face life in prison if convicted of the first-degree intentional homicide charge .
Rittenhouse also faces charges of first-degree reckless homicide , attempted first-degree intentional homicide , two counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety and one count of possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18 .
Joseph Rosenbaum , 36 , and Anthony Huber , 26 , were killed in the shooting ; Gaige Grosskreutz , 26 , was injured .
Visual timeline : Violence in Kenosha after police shooting of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show various angles of Rittenhouse using an AR-15-style rifle .
In some of the video , Rittenhouse , who is white , is seen walking toward police vehicles after the shootings with his hands up in an apparent surrender , but police drive past him .
He was arrested Wednesday in Antioch .
Rittenhouse told a reporter before the shooting he had come to Kenosha from his home in Antioch to defend property during the unrest .
Kenosha Police Chief Daniel Miskinis said Friday that he doesn ’ t think it was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drive by Rittenhouse .
`` The totality of the circumstances , nothing suggested this person or anybody else who was armed around them was the person , '' Miskinis said at a Friday afternoon press conference .
He said with other noise , including from the police radio , officers would have been `` very unlikely '' to have heard yelling from the crowd that the 17-year-old had shot people .
`` There were a lot of people in the area , a lot of people with weapons and , unfortunately , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` So what the officers were … driving into in this case was a 'shots fired ' complaint , not a shooting , not a 'person down ' complaint . ''
He said Rittenhouse walking toward police after the shooting with his hands up wouldn ’ t have been out of the ordinary in that situation .
And while that behavior might have been abnormal two weeks ago , it no longer is , Miskinis said .
On a recording Miskinis heard , officers were telling Rittenhouse to get out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not seeing him as a suspect or a threat of any kind , '' Miskinis said .
`` He ’ s allowed to leave , where he goes to Antioch and turns himself in because we have no idea that he ’ s involved . ''
The officers , he said , were focused on what they see down the road .
Police union issues statements about what transpired in Blake shooting Kenosha Police Association attorney Brendan P. Matthews and the union representing the involved officers released a lengthy statement Friday aiming to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shooting .
`` The recent officer-involved shooting in Kenosha has produced a variety of feelings and narratives ; most of which are wholly inaccurate , '' the release said .
`` The purely fictional depiction of events coming from those without direct knowledge of what actually occurred is incredibly harmful and provides no benefit to anyone whatsoever , other than to perpetuate a misleading narrative . ''
Matthews says the officers were dispatched to the location because of a complaint that Blake was attempting to steal the caller ’ s keys/vehicle .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Blake ’ s open warrant and that he was armed with a knife .
Jacob Blake 's father : My son is ' a human being ' but 'has not been afforded the rights of a human' In an interview with CNN on Friday morning , Jacob Blake Sr. opened up about his son 's recovery and described `` two justice systems '' in which his son was shot as he walked away from police while Rittenhouse was not arrested after fatally shooting two people .
`` He 's a person .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's not an animal . ''
Blake told CNN .
`` But my son has not been afforded the rights of a human . ''
Blake told the Chicago Sun Times Thursday that his son was handcuffed to his hospital bed , even though he 's paralyzed from the waist down .
But by Friday afternoon , the handcuffs were removed , Blake 's attorney , Patrick Cafferty , told CNN and Kenosha News .
Deputies from Milwaukee County were stationed in Blake ’ s room and he was restrained because of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ domestic violence issue , according to Cafferty .
The warrants have been vacated Friday , he said .
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump and co-counsels Patrick Salvi and B ’ Ivory Lamarr , said in a statement they learned Friday the warrants for Blake were vacated , though charges against him are `` still pending . ''
`` Fortunately , a man who is paralyzed and fighting for his life after being shot seven times in the back , will no longer have to deal with the pain of having his ankles and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being under armed guard , '' the attorneys said in a statement .
USA TODAY has reached out to the Wisconsin Department of Justice to confirm Blake 's warrants have been vacated .
Cafferty said he spoke with District Attorney Michael Graveley Friday morning and was able to arrange payment of $ 500 bond on the July charge .
Blake has tried not to tell his son about the unrest in Kenosha .
He has gotten good news , though , Blake said .
Fact check : Jacob Blake faces charges in May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun convictions '' The thing that made him smile was the Milwaukee Bucks .
That made him smile , '' Blake said .
The Bucks were the first of several pro sports teams this week to sit out their games in the wake of the shooting as they demanded justice for Blake and the officer responsible be held accountable .
Blake said the team sent his son a signed jersey , too .
Democratic presidential and vice presidential candidates Joe Biden and Kamala Harris also spoke with Blake 's family for almost an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were so comforting that you almost forgot how the situation as playing out , '' Blake said .
President Donald Trump has not reached out to his family , Blake said .
Moving forward , Blake said his grandchildren , who were in the car that his son was walking toward when police shot him , will have to deal with emotional distress of seeing the violence that happened to their father .
`` Pop pop , why did they shoot my daddy in the back ? ''
Blake said his eldest grandson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the week , Kenosha was calmer Thursday night .
More than 200 people prayed at Harbor Park along Lake Michigan .
The pastors who organized the event said they wanted the city to be known for its love of God , not the violence that has plagued its streets in the last week .
Earlier in the day , Kreuser and Mayor John Antaramian pledged to take on the challenges of racial inequality at the root of the protests .
`` Unity becomes one of the main aspects of what has to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unity is only going to happen if all of us work together , '' Antaramian said .
The Rev .
Jesse Jackson appeared at a news conference and said the different treatment of Blake and Rittenhouse by police fit a pattern .
'We really just need prayers ' : Jacob Blake 's mother says son would be 'unpleased ' with destruction in Kenosha '' We demand justice in the country , '' the civil rights icon said .
Attorneys representing Blake and his family also drew a sharp distinction between the two cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the back in front of his children , ” the attorneys statement read , referring to Blake .
But when it came to Rittenhouse , “ local law enforcement and National Guardsmen allowed him to walk down the street with his assault weapon , ” said Crump , Salvi and Lamarr .
The protest have drawn national attention , and Trump said earlier this week “ federal law enforcement and the National Guard ” will be sent to Kenosha to restore law and order .
On Thursday , Gov .
Tony Evers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michigan and Alabama will arrive to assist Wisconsin 's troops at his request .
Evers already had sent more than 500 Wisconsin guard members to Kenosha this week .
A small group continued to protest in downtown Kenosha after curfew Thursday , which went into effect at 7 p.m .
Protesters made their way through the streets with stops at Library Park and the Civic Center Park .
Livestreams from people on the scene showed some arrests of protesters .
It also showed people waiting for friends who were arrested earlier to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of less than 50 protesters remained .

Ryan W. Miller, Ashley Luthern, Sarah Volpenhein, Grace Hauck and Jordan Culver, USA TODAY

Kenosha shooting: Hundreds protest in Raleigh and Portland; 2 officers tried to use stun guns on Jacob Blake
Show Caption Hide Caption Jacob Blake shooting timeline: What events led to the shooting Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, was shot by Kenosha, Wisconsin, police on August 19. Here's a detailed timeline of events. USA TODAY
The Wisconsin Department of Justice on Friday released a statement saying two officers deployed shock weapons when trying to arrest Jacob Blake, just before one of the officers shot him seven times in the back.
The news about the stun guns comes amid protests, arrests and public outcry about the shooting. Among other news, Kyle Rittenhouse, the 17-year-old charged with homicide in the killing of two people at protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin, earlier this week, will remain in custody in Illinois after a judge agreed to delay a hearing on his extradition to Wisconsin.
Rittenhouse faces a first-degree intentional homicide charge and five other charges for shooting three people, two fatally, during unrest Tuesday night in the wake of the shooting of Jacob Blake.
Kenosha police officer Rusten Sheskey shot Blake, a Black man, seven times in the back on Sunday, which left Blake paralyzed from the waist down. The Wisconsin Senate planned to meet in a special session Monday to discuss police reform in wake of the shooting, the Associated Press reports.
Rittenhouse did not appear for the hearing Friday in Lake County Circuit Court. Another hearing on the status of his extradition has been set for Sept. 25.
The hearing comes after Kenosha saw a calmer night on Thursday, with volunteers cleaning up after nights of arson and vandalism and a prayer service held along Lake Michigan.
"We're still in the thick of many challenges but there will be a coming together around a table in coming days," Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser said.
Meanwhile, in the nation's capital, thousands of people gathered Friday to demand police reform and voting rights at the March on Washington.
March on Washington: 'This dream is still alive': Thousands rally for racial justice
Here's what we know Friday:
Protests continue across the country
Protests that have rocked the country for months in the wake of the deaths of multiple Black people at the hands of police continued Friday.
Raleigh and Portland both saw large crowds gathered. The Raleigh Police Department tweeted multiple times late Friday night a crowd had refused to comply with the city's 10 p.m. curfew. WRAL-TV reported hundreds of protesters stayed out past curfew, and that police began arresting protesters shortly before 11:30 p.m. The Raleigh Police Department reported the crowd was detonating fireworks.
The Washington Post reported around 200 protesters blocked Interstate 295 in Washington late in the day. The Post added rain drove away many protesters, though there was some tension with police officers in the area. Across the country in Portland, protesters were reportedly outside Mayor Ted Wheeler's home.
Two officers deployed stun guns before Jacob Blake was shot
The Wisconsin Department of Justice on Friday confirmed two officers tried to use shock weapons on Blake before he was shot in the back seven times.
The new information from the DOJ further illustrates what happened in the moments leading up to the Sunday shooting that left Blake paralyzed from the waist down. According to a statement, after police attempted to arrest Blake, Officer Rusten Sheskey deployed "a Taser" on Blake.
"When that attempt failed, Kenosha Police Officer Vincent Arenas also deployed his taser, however that taser was also not successful in stopping Mr. Blake," the department said in a statement.
After that, Blake walked to his car and opened the driver-side door. Sheskey, while holding Blake's shirt, fired seven shots into Blake's back, according to the DOJ, and no other officer fired a gun. Also present was Officer Brittany Meronek.
Arenas has been with Kenosha police since February 2019 and Meronek joined the police department in January, according to the DOJ. All three officers have been placed on administrative leave.
The Wisconsin DOJ previously said Blake told officers he had a knife, and that a knife was recovered from the driver-side floorboard of Blake's car.
Kyle Rittenhouse to remain in Illinois
In a less than 10-minute hearing livestreamed Friday, a public defenders for Rittenhouse requested to waive his presence there and for more time so that he could hire his own legal team.
"We also arranged for him to have a phone call with his mother this morning," an attorney for Rittenhouse, Jennifer Snyder, said during the proceedings.
Rittenhouse, from Antioch, Illinois, is facing six charges in Wisconsin, the most serious of which is first-degree intentional homicide. Under Wisconsin law, Rittenhouse is charged as an adult, and he would face life in prison if convicted of the first-degree intentional homicide charge.
Rittenhouse also faces charges of first-degree reckless homicide, attempted first-degree intentional homicide, two counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety and one count of possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18.
Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, and Anthony Huber, 26, were killed in the shooting; Gaige Grosskreutz, 26, was injured.
Visual timeline: Violence in Kenosha after police shooting of Jacob Blake
Videos shared on social media show various angles of Rittenhouse using an AR-15-style rifle. In some of the video, Rittenhouse, who is white, is seen walking toward police vehicles after the shootings with his hands up in an apparent surrender, but police drive past him. He was arrested Wednesday in Antioch.
Rittenhouse told a reporter before the shooting he had come to Kenosha from his home in Antioch to defend property during the unrest.
Police chief defends officers who didn't apprehend Rittenhouse
Kenosha Police Chief Daniel Miskinis said Friday that he doesn’t think it was a lapse in judgment for police officers to drive by Rittenhouse.
"The totality of the circumstances, nothing suggested this person or anybody else who was armed around them was the person," Miskinis said at a Friday afternoon press conference.
He said with other noise, including from the police radio, officers would have been "very unlikely" to have heard yelling from the crowd that the 17-year-old had shot people.
"There were a lot of people in the area, a lot of people with weapons and, unfortunately, a lot of gunfire," Miskinis said. "So what the officers were … driving into in this case was a 'shots fired' complaint, not a shooting, not a 'person down' complaint."
He said Rittenhouse walking toward police after the shooting with his hands up wouldn’t have been out of the ordinary in that situation. And while that behavior might have been abnormal two weeks ago, it no longer is, Miskinis said.
On a recording Miskinis heard, officers were telling Rittenhouse to get out of the way.
"Clearly they’re not seeing him as a suspect or a threat of any kind," Miskinis said. "He’s allowed to leave, where he goes to Antioch and turns himself in because we have no idea that he’s involved."
The officers, he said, were focused on what they see down the road.
Police union issues statements about what transpired in Blake shooting
Kenosha Police Association attorney Brendan P. Matthews and the union representing the involved officers released a lengthy statement Friday aiming to correct the record about facts related to the shooting.
"The recent officer-involved shooting in Kenosha has produced a variety of feelings and narratives; most of which are wholly inaccurate," the release said. "The purely fictional depiction of events coming from those without direct knowledge of what actually occurred is incredibly harmful and provides no benefit to anyone whatsoever, other than to perpetuate a misleading narrative."
Matthews says the officers were dispatched to the location because of a complaint that Blake was attempting to steal the caller’s keys/vehicle. According to Matthews, officers were aware of Blake’s open warrant and that he was armed with a knife.
Jacob Blake's father: My son is 'a human being' but 'has not been afforded the rights of a human'
In an interview with CNN on Friday morning, Jacob Blake Sr. opened up about his son's recovery and described "two justice systems" in which his son was shot as he walked away from police while Rittenhouse was not arrested after fatally shooting two people.
"He's a person. He's a human being. He's not an animal." Blake told CNN. "But my son has not been afforded the rights of a human."
Blake told the Chicago Sun Times Thursday that his son was handcuffed to his hospital bed, even though he's paralyzed from the waist down.
But by Friday afternoon, the handcuffs were removed, Blake's attorney, Patrick Cafferty, told CNN and Kenosha News. Deputies from Milwaukee County were stationed in Blake’s room and he was restrained because of the rules surrounding a July warrant for a domestic violence issue, according to Cafferty. The warrants have been vacated Friday, he said.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump and co-counsels Patrick Salvi and B’Ivory Lamarr, said in a statement they learned Friday the warrants for Blake were vacated, though charges against him are "still pending."
"Fortunately, a man who is paralyzed and fighting for his life after being shot seven times in the back, will no longer have to deal with the pain of having his ankles and wrist shackled and the traumatic stress of being under armed guard," the attorneys said in a statement.
USA TODAY has reached out to the Wisconsin Department of Justice to confirm Blake's warrants have been vacated.
Cafferty said he spoke with District Attorney Michael Graveley Friday morning and was able to arrange payment of $500 bond on the July charge.
Blake has tried not to tell his son about the unrest in Kenosha. He has gotten good news, though, Blake said.
Fact check: Jacob Blake faces charges in May assault case, but he has no gun convictions
"The thing that made him smile was the Milwaukee Bucks. That made him smile," Blake said. The Bucks were the first of several pro sports teams this week to sit out their games in the wake of the shooting as they demanded justice for Blake and the officer responsible be held accountable. Blake said the team sent his son a signed jersey, too.
Democratic presidential and vice presidential candidates Joe Biden and Kamala Harris also spoke with Blake's family for almost an hour, Blake said. "They were so comforting that you almost forgot how the situation as playing out," Blake said. President Donald Trump has not reached out to his family, Blake said.
Moving forward, Blake said his grandchildren, who were in the car that his son was walking toward when police shot him, will have to deal with emotional distress of seeing the violence that happened to their father.
"Pop pop, why did they shoot my daddy in the back?" Blake said his eldest grandson asked him.
Calm night Thursday in Kenosha
After violent unrest earlier in the week, Kenosha was calmer Thursday night.
More than 200 people prayed at Harbor Park along Lake Michigan. The pastors who organized the event said they wanted the city to be known for its love of God, not the violence that has plagued its streets in the last week.
Earlier in the day, Kreuser and Mayor John Antaramian pledged to take on the challenges of racial inequality at the root of the protests.
"Unity becomes one of the main aspects of what has to happen in this community, and that unity is only going to happen if all of us work together," Antaramian said.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson appeared at a news conference and said the different treatment of Blake and Rittenhouse by police fit a pattern.
'We really just need prayers': Jacob Blake's mother says son would be 'unpleased' with destruction in Kenosha
"We demand justice in the country," the civil rights icon said.
Attorneys representing Blake and his family also drew a sharp distinction between the two cases.
“They shot him seven times in the back in front of his children,” the attorneys statement read, referring to Blake.
But when it came to Rittenhouse, “local law enforcement and National Guardsmen allowed him to walk down the street with his assault weapon,” said Crump, Salvi and Lamarr.
The protest have drawn national attention, and Trump said earlier this week “federal law enforcement and the National Guard” will be sent to Kenosha to restore law and order.
On Thursday, Gov. Tony Evers announced National Guard troops from Arizona, Michigan and Alabama will arrive to assist Wisconsin's troops at his request. Evers already had sent more than 500 Wisconsin guard members to Kenosha this week.
A small group continued to protest in downtown Kenosha after curfew Thursday, which went into effect at 7 p.m.
Protesters made their way through the streets with stops at Library Park and the Civic Center Park. Livestreams from people on the scene showed some arrests of protesters. It also showed people waiting for friends who were arrested earlier to be released.
Close to midnight a group of less than 50 protesters remained.
Contributing: Matthew Brown, Maureen Groppe, David Jackson, Nicquel Terry Ellis and N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY; JR Radcliffe, Alison Dirr and Sarah Hauer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel


usatoday--2020-08-29--How Smithsonian curators had to adapt to the RNC, DNC virtual conventions

Just like the planners of the Democratic and Republican National Conventions , curators from the Smithsonian museum have had to adapt due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Political history curators Lisa Kathleen Graddy and Claire Jerry watched the conventions this month from the comfort of their homes instead of on the ground in Milwaukee and Charlotte , where the conventions were supposed to be held .
Instead , both the Republican and Democratic National Committees had to move almost all convention-related business to a virtual format .
Before shutdowns due to the pandemic , the Smithsonian said curators from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traveling to `` a variety of campaign events , '' including the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary `` to collect materials and memorabilia reflecting the electoral process . ''
`` I ’ d say we ’ re rethinking , '' Graddy said .
`` We ’ re adapting like the convention itself is adapting . ''
Instead of spending hours running around an arena , trying to collect as many possible artifacts and attempting to text other curators both at home and on location while fighting spotty cell service , Graddy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notes of what they saw on TV before discussing what items they want to try to acquire .
`` If we were physically on the ground at the convention – or anything you ’ re collecting in a crowd – what you ’ re partly running all the time is a list in your head to see what ’ s new and different , what speaks to and relates to the collection going back through time ... , '' Graddy said .
`` The upside ... is we can take notes and talk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve seen and what we might go after , so it ’ s weirdly a curated curation.
” Curators from the Smithsonian 's National Museum of American History have attended both parties national conventions as well as presidential primaries since the 1980s , contributing to the museum 's political campaign a collection with more than 100,000 artifacts , according to Smithsonian Magazine .
While curators have only attended political events for nearly 40 years , the collection contains artifacts dating as far back as George Washington 's presidential inauguration .
Items collected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the convention , as well as items , like buttons and signs , that are commercially produced .
But the curators are also on the lookout for personal and homemade items delegates may bring .
Since Graddy and Jerry are n't running around an arena this year , they said it feels as if they have more time to determine what items would be most meaningful for the collection .
`` It ’ s not ( the ) frenzied feeling of being there and we ’ ve all got to clear out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Graddy said .
Both traditional and this year 's virtual conventions pose their own unique challenges .
`` The physicalness of being in a convention hall or at a primary site , I think , is physically challenging because you ’ ve got a lot of places to go and a lot of people to see , '' Jerry said .
`` This is more technologically challenging .
Trying to figure out how do you find those people , how do you connect with them and where ... We ’ re in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how we ’ re going to make some of those contacts . ''
The two curators said they are in part depending on their personal connections with former and current delegates , as well as contacts they 've made at other events and museums .
While they are focusing on outreach in order to collect memorabilia , they also are depending on people to reach out to the museum .
`` People can contact the museum , and sometimes they do it while the event is happening , but it 's very common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and say ' I was involved in a political campaign in 1960 and I have material that 's left from that are you interested , ' `` Jerry said .
'Always the same and always different' Graddy said each convention is slightly different then previous events , but every four years they aim to accomplish similar goals .
`` It has to get up a certain level of enthusiasm amongst the party faithful and party activists , it has to reach out to people who may be undecided and try and convert them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s point of view , '' Graddy said .
`` It still has to hit the same things but they each do it different ways and you know these have been the things that had to do minus the TV since the 19th century .
It ’ s always a variation of the theme.
” Throughout this year 's conventions , Graddy and Jerry had to determine how the virtual platform changed the importance of memorabilia , which they found to not be very different from the past .
Signs and buttons are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convention as previous conventions .
An aspect of the conventions that are very different this time around , however , is the campaign rhetoric , which is Jerry 's particular specialty .
`` The speeches at a convention have very specific things that they try to accomplish .
You accomplish those a little bit differently if you have people interrupt you every 30 seconds or 10 seconds to applaud or cheer or boo , '' Jerry said .
`` Now the speeches are shorter because the media coverage is limited and you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re not responding to the crowd and so although the speeches are still trying to ... accomplish the same goals , they ’ re having to do that in different ways .
”

How Smithsonian curators had to adapt to the RNC, DNC virtual conventions
Show Caption Hide Caption How a contentious election affects a peaceful transition of power What history has shown us about contested elections and peaceful transitions of power. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Just like the planners of the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, curators from the Smithsonian museum have had to adapt due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Political history curators Lisa Kathleen Graddy and Claire Jerry watched the conventions this month from the comfort of their homes instead of on the ground in Milwaukee and Charlotte, where the conventions were supposed to be held. Instead, both the Republican and Democratic National Committees had to move almost all convention-related business to a virtual format.
Before shutdowns due to the pandemic, the Smithsonian said curators from the National Museum of American History would be traveling to "a variety of campaign events," including the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary "to collect materials and memorabilia reflecting the electoral process."
"I’d say we’re rethinking," Graddy said. "We’re adapting like the convention itself is adapting."
Instead of spending hours running around an arena, trying to collect as many possible artifacts and attempting to text other curators both at home and on location while fighting spotty cell service, Graddy and Jerry have the ability to take notes of what they saw on TV before discussing what items they want to try to acquire.
"If we were physically on the ground at the convention – or anything you’re collecting in a crowd – what you’re partly running all the time is a list in your head to see what’s new and different, what speaks to and relates to the collection going back through time...," Graddy said. "The upside ... is we can take notes and talk to each other later about what we’ve seen and what we might go after, so it’s weirdly a curated curation.”
A tradition going back decades
Curators from the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History have attended both parties national conventions as well as presidential primaries since the 1980s, contributing to the museum's political campaign a collection with more than 100,000 artifacts, according to Smithsonian Magazine.
While curators have only attended political events for nearly 40 years, the collection contains artifacts dating as far back as George Washington's presidential inauguration.
Items collected are a mix of things officially produced by the convention, as well as items, like buttons and signs, that are commercially produced. But the curators are also on the lookout for personal and homemade items delegates may bring.
Since Graddy and Jerry aren't running around an arena this year, they said it feels as if they have more time to determine what items would be most meaningful for the collection.
"It’s not (the) frenzied feeling of being there and we’ve all got to clear out in a certain number of days," Graddy said.
The 'unique challenges'
Both traditional and this year's virtual conventions pose their own unique challenges.
"The physicalness of being in a convention hall or at a primary site, I think, is physically challenging because you’ve got a lot of places to go and a lot of people to see," Jerry said. "This is more technologically challenging. Trying to figure out how do you find those people, how do you connect with them and where ... We’re in the midst of trying to figure out how we’re going to make some of those contacts."
The two curators said they are in part depending on their personal connections with former and current delegates, as well as contacts they've made at other events and museums.
While they are focusing on outreach in order to collect memorabilia, they also are depending on people to reach out to the museum.
"People can contact the museum, and sometimes they do it while the event is happening, but it's very common for us to get somebody to call and say 'I was involved in a political campaign in 1960 and I have material that's left from that are you interested,' " Jerry said.
'Always the same and always different'
Graddy said each convention is slightly different then previous events, but every four years they aim to accomplish similar goals.
"It has to get up a certain level of enthusiasm amongst the party faithful and party activists, it has to reach out to people who may be undecided and try and convert them, it has to sell it’s point of view," Graddy said. "It still has to hit the same things but they each do it different ways and you know these have been the things that had to do minus the TV since the 19th century. It’s always a variation of the theme.”
Throughout this year's conventions, Graddy and Jerry had to determine how the virtual platform changed the importance of memorabilia, which they found to not be very different from the past. Signs and buttons are as important during this year's virtual convention as previous conventions.
An aspect of the conventions that are very different this time around, however, is the campaign rhetoric, which is Jerry's particular specialty.
"The speeches at a convention have very specific things that they try to accomplish. You accomplish those a little bit differently if you have people interrupt you every 30 seconds or 10 seconds to applaud or cheer or boo," Jerry said. "Now the speeches are shorter because the media coverage is limited and you’re not getting that feedback, you’re not responding to the crowd and so although the speeches are still trying to ... accomplish the same goals, they’re having to do that in different ways.”


usatoday--2020-08-29--Kenosha videos of Jacob Blake, Kyle Rittenhouse shootings prompt fierce debate over race and justice

MILWAUKEE – Two videos .
Two men .
Two police responses on the streets of Kenosha .
In the first video , taken Sunday afternoon , a Kenosha police officer fires seven shots at point blank range from behind 29-year-old Jacob Blake , a Black man , as Blake attempts to enter a gray SUV .
A woman witnessing the scene can be heard screaming over and over : `` Do n't you do it !
Do n't you do it ! ''
Police have said Blake had a knife though it can not be seen in the video .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday , paralyzed from the waist down , according to a lawyer for his family .
In the second video , taken Tuesday night , Kyle Rittenhouse , a white 17-year-old , approaches officers shouldering an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle after allegedly shooting three people .
Rittenhouse raises his arms in a gesture that appears to be surrendering , or possibly signaling that his hands are not on his weapon .
Witnesses shout : `` Hey , he just shot them !
Hey , dude right here just shot them ! ''
Four armored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and several police cruisers can be seen nearby .
No one stops Rittenhouse .
He was charged Thursday with intentional and reckless homicide .
'People 's worst fears ' came alive in Kenosha : Guns , militia inject chilling dimension into protests The differences between the two videos have prompted a fierce national debate over race and justice .
To some , the videos show clear racism .
In the Blake video , less than three minutes elapse from the time police arrive on the scene to the moment Officer Rusten Sheskey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made an inadequate effort to de-escalate the conflict or settle it by other means .
In the Rittenhouse video , gunfire is heard after the city-imposed curfew , and a white teenager with an AR-15 semiautomatic walks past law enforcement vehicles .
No one stops him , despite the cries from witnesses trying to alert police that he has just shot people .
To others who view the two videos , the blame lies not with Rittenhouse , but state and local authorities who allowed the protests in Kenosha to devolve into anarchy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ themselves .
Still others say it is too early to draw conclusions from video of the Blake shooting .
They say Blake did not follow orders from the officers and reached into a vehicle where , according to the Wisconsin Department of Justice , a knife lay on the floor .
The Kenosha Professional Police Association issued a statement Friday saying Blake was armed and wanted on an open warrant .
The union also said he was tased twice by officers to no effect .
The Blake and Rittenhouse videos have their limitations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longer incidents always do .
Neither shows the viewer what happened in the minutes before the video opens .
The Blake video does not show what happened when police arrived and displays little interaction between Blake and two officers prior to the shooting ; any police orders to Blake can not be heard .
The Rittenhouse video is just one of a number involving him .
But it 's unclear whether any of the officers in the video taken after the gunfire recognized him as he approached their vehicles .
Experts on race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two scenes is neither new nor surprising , said Gloria J. Browne-Marshall , professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and author of the book , `` Race , Law , and American Society : 1607 to Present . ''
`` How long are Black people supposed to drop to their knees and put their face to the dirt because a police officer wants to play gun and cop ?
We 've been doing this for 400 years , '' Browne-Marshall said after viewing the video of the Jacob Blake shooting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' she said of the second video , showing an armed Rittenhouse being allowed to pass police .
`` This is not implicit bias .
These disparities demonstrate blatant racism . ''
Michael German , a fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University Law School and a former FBI agent , said it was `` certainly fair '' to compare the two videos .
`` Obviously , each circumstance will have its own surrounding facts that need to be addressed .
But there 's no doubt that there 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement reacts to a white suspect vs. a Black suspect . ''
German has worked undercover in domestic terrorism cases involving white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups and has lobbied on civil rights and national security issues for the ACLU .
He called the lack of police response to Rittenhouse `` astonishing , '' even if the officers did not see who had fired the shots .
`` They know there was a shooting , and there 's a person walking toward them with a rifle , '' he said .
`` It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try to ascertain that person 's identity .
He 's trying to surrender . ''
Jim Palmer , executive director of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association , watched both videos and said , `` We need to know more about both incidents — but perhaps the best explanation for the different treatment stems from the fact that they 're different situations . ''
Palmer stressed that the night of the video involving Rittenhouse `` was chaotic . ''
`` In that video , '' he continued , `` it does appear that ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get out of the road , ' and they seem more focused on responding to that than to the fact that someone is walking towards them , granted with a weapon , but with his hands in the air .
`` They are potentially receiving information about the report of a shooting and they are more focused on getting to that and rendering aid , and in the process , ( overlooked ) the fact that the person who committed that act was so close , walking toward them . ''
Palmer added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard or were aware of the witnesses shouting that Rittenhouse had shot people .
Ralph Richard Banks , a professor at Stanford Law School , and director and founder of Stanford Center for Racial Justice , said that watching the Rittenhouse video , `` it was hard for me to make out what was going on . ''
Still , he added , `` It 's hard for anyone to avoid some very sobering conclusions .
...
While law enforcement is meant to protect , and we think of law enforcement as ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it 's hard not to wonder if they are protecting and serving some people and see their job as keeping them safe from other people . ''
Banks also stressed that it 's important not to lose sight of the larger picture by focusing too much on a single incident .
`` There are always ambiguities in what happens in any particular case , '' he said .
`` The evidence that something is wrong with society is the whole run of cases . ''
There are some who may see different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racism and policing in the Blake footage ; and gun laws in the Rittenhouse footage .
`` I can say it 's fair to compare those videos , but this is a case where you do n't need comparison .
It 's so egregious , '' said Henry Smart III , an associate professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice .
He said the officer shot Blake `` like he was a dog , or some kind of rabid animal . ''
Smart said the Blake video points to some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ covering every stage in the law enforcement process .
He said the racial disparities begin with the use of 911 to call police when a Black man is involved , continue as vague or inaccurate information is relayed by dispatchers , and finally influence the expectations and mindsets of the responding officers .
Browne-Marshall said the disparities that lead to racist shootings by some police officers are then compounded by the refusal of prosecutors to charge them .
The Washington Post 's database of police shootings since 2015 shows that although Black people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. population they are killed by police at more than double the rate of white people .
`` As long as there are no criminal consequences for police officers , '' Browne-Marshall said , `` as long as they can act with impunity and prosecutors refuse to do their jobs , these murders will continue . ''
Smart said the disparities that start at a 911 call even affect `` how we talk about justice .
And no matter what Black folks are doing in the incidents , we 're automatically presumed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're demonized . ''
More : Police officers should not be charged with Breonna Taylor 's death , criminal law experts say Smart said some witnesses reported that Blake had been trying to break up a fight when police arrived , responding to a report of `` family trouble . ''
If true , Smart said , the police response could send the message to Black children that it is too risky to help their neighbors defuse an argument or deal with a problem .
`` You are defiling communities , '' Smart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will . ''
It also perpetuates a belief already present in communities of color : that police are to be feared or distrusted .
`` When you call 911 , '' Smart said , `` You are saying , 'Bring a gun to where I am . '
`` He said other calls should be routed elsewhere and should be responded to by people trained to be `` peace officers . ''
`` Let 's start dispatching police officers without weapons '' to address non-emergency calls , he said .
In many cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with social service workers trained in dealing with less serious conflicts , Smart said .
It is not clear whether the anger stirred by the videos of Blake and Rittenhouse will lead to positive changes , or simply deeper divisions .
Some suspect that differences between the two incidents will be dismissed by a segment of America , as comparing apples and oranges .
`` No doubt they would offer many justifications for distinguishing between the two , '' said Banks at Stanford Law School , `` but it 's also easy to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of that calculus . ''
Smart said not all of the blame belongs with police because they have been left to deal with the results of systemic racism in housing , employment and other areas of American life .
`` We 've charged them to take care of America 's dirty work , '' Smart said , adding that deep change is also required in communities and policing .
`` You 've got to gut the entire system . ''
Smart offered some prescriptions for moving toward more equitable and effective policing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ should consider whether a 911 call is really needed .

Mark Johnson, Annysa Johnson and Talis Shelbourne, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Kenosha videos of Jacob Blake, Kyle Rittenhouse shootings prompt fierce debate over race and justice
Show Caption Hide Caption Jacob Blake shooting timeline: What events led to the shooting Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, was shot by Kenosha, Wisconsin, police on August 19. Here's a detailed timeline of events. USA TODAY
MILWAUKEE – Two videos. Two men. Two police responses on the streets of Kenosha.
In the first video, taken Sunday afternoon, a Kenosha police officer fires seven shots at point blank range from behind 29-year-old Jacob Blake, a Black man, as Blake attempts to enter a gray SUV. A woman witnessing the scene can be heard screaming over and over: "Don't you do it! Don't you do it!"
Police have said Blake had a knife though it cannot be seen in the video. Blake remained at Froedtert Hospital as of Friday, paralyzed from the waist down, according to a lawyer for his family.
In the second video, taken Tuesday night, Kyle Rittenhouse, a white 17-year-old, approaches officers shouldering an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle after allegedly shooting three people. Rittenhouse raises his arms in a gesture that appears to be surrendering, or possibly signaling that his hands are not on his weapon. Witnesses shout: "Hey, he just shot them! Hey, dude right here just shot them!"
Four armored vehicles, lights flashing, pass Rittenhouse, and several police cruisers can be seen nearby. No one stops Rittenhouse. He was charged Thursday with intentional and reckless homicide.
'People's worst fears' came alive in Kenosha: Guns, militia inject chilling dimension into protests
The differences between the two videos have prompted a fierce national debate over race and justice.
To some, the videos show clear racism.
In the Blake video, less than three minutes elapse from the time police arrive on the scene to the moment Officer Rusten Sheskey shoots Blake. Those viewers say police made an inadequate effort to de-escalate the conflict or settle it by other means.
In the Rittenhouse video, gunfire is heard after the city-imposed curfew, and a white teenager with an AR-15 semiautomatic walks past law enforcement vehicles. No one stops him, despite the cries from witnesses trying to alert police that he has just shot people.
To others who view the two videos, the blame lies not with Rittenhouse, but state and local authorities who allowed the protests in Kenosha to devolve into anarchy, leaving citizens to defend property and themselves.
Still others say it is too early to draw conclusions from video of the Blake shooting. They say Blake did not follow orders from the officers and reached into a vehicle where, according to the Wisconsin Department of Justice, a knife lay on the floor.
The Kenosha Professional Police Association issued a statement Friday saying Blake was armed and wanted on an open warrant. The union also said he was tased twice by officers to no effect.
The Blake and Rittenhouse videos have their limitations and ambiguities, as brief snapshots of longer incidents always do. Neither shows the viewer what happened in the minutes before the video opens.
The Blake video does not show what happened when police arrived and displays little interaction between Blake and two officers prior to the shooting; any police orders to Blake cannot be heard.
The Rittenhouse video is just one of a number involving him. But it's unclear whether any of the officers in the video taken after the gunfire recognized him as he approached their vehicles.
Experts on race and justice weigh in
The contrast between the two scenes is neither new nor surprising, said Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and author of the book, "Race, Law, and American Society: 1607 to Present."
"How long are Black people supposed to drop to their knees and put their face to the dirt because a police officer wants to play gun and cop? We've been doing this for 400 years," Browne-Marshall said after viewing the video of the Jacob Blake shooting.
"I'm deeply concerned," she said of the second video, showing an armed Rittenhouse being allowed to pass police. "This is not implicit bias. These disparities demonstrate blatant racism."
Michael German, a fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University Law School and a former FBI agent, said it was "certainly fair" to compare the two videos.
"Obviously, each circumstance will have its own surrounding facts that need to be addressed. But there's no doubt that there's a stark difference in the way law enforcement reacts to a white suspect vs. a Black suspect."
German has worked undercover in domestic terrorism cases involving white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups and has lobbied on civil rights and national security issues for the ACLU.
He called the lack of police response to Rittenhouse "astonishing," even if the officers did not see who had fired the shots.
"They know there was a shooting, and there's a person walking toward them with a rifle," he said. "It's odd that they would not at least try to ascertain that person's identity. He's trying to surrender."
Jim Palmer, executive director of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, watched both videos and said, "We need to know more about both incidents — but perhaps the best explanation for the different treatment stems from the fact that they're different situations."
Palmer stressed that the night of the video involving Rittenhouse "was chaotic."
"In that video," he continued, "it does appear that (police) are saying 'Injury ahead, get out of the road,' and they seem more focused on responding to that than to the fact that someone is walking towards them, granted with a weapon, but with his hands in the air.
"They are potentially receiving information about the report of a shooting and they are more focused on getting to that and rendering aid, and in the process, (overlooked) the fact that the person who committed that act was so close, walking toward them."
Palmer added that there is no indication that police heard or were aware of the witnesses shouting that Rittenhouse had shot people.
Ralph Richard Banks, a professor at Stanford Law School, and director and founder of Stanford Center for Racial Justice, said that watching the Rittenhouse video, "it was hard for me to make out what was going on."
Still, he added, "It's hard for anyone to avoid some very sobering conclusions. ... While law enforcement is meant to protect, and we think of law enforcement as (having the job) to serve anyone, it's hard not to wonder if they are protecting and serving some people and see their job as keeping them safe from other people."
Banks also stressed that it's important not to lose sight of the larger picture by focusing too much on a single incident.
"There are always ambiguities in what happens in any particular case," he said. "The evidence that something is wrong with society is the whole run of cases."
'We've racialized crime'
There are some who may see different issues involved in the two videos: racism and policing in the Blake footage; and gun laws in the Rittenhouse footage.
"I can say it's fair to compare those videos, but this is a case where you don't need comparison. It's so egregious," said Henry Smart III, an associate professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He said the officer shot Blake "like he was a dog, or some kind of rabid animal."
Smart said the Blake video points to some of the most fundamental problems in American justice, covering every stage in the law enforcement process.
"We've racialized crime," Smart said.
He said the racial disparities begin with the use of 911 to call police when a Black man is involved, continue as vague or inaccurate information is relayed by dispatchers, and finally influence the expectations and mindsets of the responding officers.
Browne-Marshall said the disparities that lead to racist shootings by some police officers are then compounded by the refusal of prosecutors to charge them. The Washington Post's database of police shootings since 2015 shows that although Black people account for less than 13% of the U.S. population they are killed by police at more than double the rate of white people.
"As long as there are no criminal consequences for police officers," Browne-Marshall said, "as long as they can act with impunity and prosecutors refuse to do their jobs, these murders will continue."
Smart said the disparities that start at a 911 call even affect "how we talk about justice. And no matter what Black folks are doing in the incidents, we're automatically presumed to be in the wrong. We're demonized."
More: Police officers should not be charged with Breonna Taylor's death, criminal law experts say
Damaging relationships
Smart said some witnesses reported that Blake had been trying to break up a fight when police arrived, responding to a report of "family trouble."
If true, Smart said, the police response could send the message to Black children that it is too risky to help their neighbors defuse an argument or deal with a problem.
"You are defiling communities," Smart said. "You are killing good will."
It also perpetuates a belief already present in communities of color: that police are to be feared or distrusted.
"When you call 911," Smart said, "You are saying, 'Bring a gun to where I am.' "
He said other calls should be routed elsewhere and should be responded to by people trained to be "peace officers."
"Let's start dispatching police officers without weapons" to address non-emergency calls, he said.
In many cases it would help to have officers paired with social service workers trained in dealing with less serious conflicts, Smart said.
Kenosha shootings: Kyle Rittenhouse, 17, faces first-degree intentional homicide, five other charges
It is not clear whether the anger stirred by the videos of Blake and Rittenhouse will lead to positive changes, or simply deeper divisions. Some suspect that differences between the two incidents will be dismissed by a segment of America, as comparing apples and oranges.
"No doubt they would offer many justifications for distinguishing between the two," said Banks at Stanford Law School, "but it's also easy to see that race would be a part of that calculus."
Smart said not all of the blame belongs with police because they have been left to deal with the results of systemic racism in housing, employment and other areas of American life.
"We've charged them to take care of America's dirty work," Smart said, adding that deep change is also required in communities and policing. "You've got to gut the entire system."
Smart offered some prescriptions for moving toward more equitable and effective policing. For one thing, he said people should consider whether a 911 call is really needed.


usatoday--2020-08-29--Chadwick Boseman's most beloved moments off-screen, from his Howard University speech to 'Black Jeop

Chadwick Boseman 's death Friday hit most of us — if not all of us — hard .
The actor , who showed us the glory of Black superheros , both real and fictional , died at 43 from colon cancer .
Boseman fought the disease privately for four years , while filming `` Black Panther , '' `` Marshall , '' `` Avengers and `` Da 5 Bloods , '' smiling on red carpets , attending premiere parties and junkets and dropping poignant lines during interviews and speeches .
The iconic actor 's untimely death , coupled with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black community and Boseman 's fans in joined grief .
In the midst of all the sadness , many have taken to social media to share some of Boseman 's most beloved and memorable moments off-screen .
While he gave unforgettable performances as James Brown and Jackie Robinson , Boseman also gifted us hearty laughs , touching moments and thought provoking messages .
Here are just a few of our favorite Boseman moments .
When he inspired during his Howard University Commencement speech Howard University 's graduating class of 2018 got to witness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivered by Boseman .
The actor , who graduated from the historically Black university in 2000 , came back nearly two decades later to encourage the newest graduates of `` Wakanda University '' to `` press on with pride and press on with purpose . ''
The actor 's 30 minute speech spanned a range of content .
He praised student protesters and he also shared a memory of his own : being let go from a soap opera role for voicing his concerns about playing a stereotypical Black character .
When Boseman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jimmy Fallon' If one moment could stand as testament to the influence of Boseman 's King T'Challa had on the world , it played out during a February 2018 episode of the `` Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon . ''
Shortly after the film 's release earlier that month , Boseman and Fallon decided to surprise `` Black Panther '' fans by giving them the opportunity to meet the actor .
Unsuspecting fans were instructed to speak to a poster of Boseman 's character , telling him what the movie meant to them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thoughts , Boseman would come out of hiding to surprise them .
`` As the mother of a young son , my son 's childhood has been defined by Barack Obama and now 'Black Panther ' so thank you , '' a woman accompanied by her son said .
Boseman then appears from behind curtains laughing and saying : `` That 's way too much praise '' and embraces the mom .
When he clowned Karen 's potato salad on 'Saturday Night Live' Fresh off the success of `` Black Panther , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of `` Saturday Night Live '' where he played a game of `` Black Jeopardy ! ''
— but he did n't come to compete as himself .
It was King T'Challa who showed up as a contestant joining host Darnell Hayes ( Kenan Thompson ) and fellow contestants Shanice ( Leslie Jones ) and Rashad ( Chris Redd ) for the game show bit .
Though the cultural nuances and norms of Black America were initially lost on T'Challa , he seemed to get it right when he went for gold by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 400 '' category .
`` Your friend Karen brings her potato salad to your cookout , '' Thompson 's character says .
T'Challa 's winning answer : `` It is noble that she would volunteer to cook for everyone , and although I have never had potato salad ...
I sense that this white woman does not season her food ... and if she does it 's only with a tiny bit of salt ... and no paprika .
She will probably add something unnecessary like raisins .
So something tells me that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Karen keep your bland ( expletive ) potato salad to yourself . '
'' When he gave his MTV award to a real life hero It 's not lost on us that Boseman has been a leader both on and off-screen — and he 's appreciated other leaders as well .
The actor won an MTV Movie and TV Award in 2018 for `` Black Panther , '' but instead of taking the honor home himself , he gave his award to James Shaw Jr. , the man hailed as a hero in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tennessee-area Waffle House .
`` Receiving an award for playing a superhero is amazing , but it 's even greater to acknowledge the heroes that we have in real life , '' Boseman said .
`` So I just want to acknowledge somebody that 's here today .
James Shaw Jr. , where are you ?
Stand .
You did n't even know we were about to do this , did you ?
“ He fought off a gunman in Antioch , Tennessee , at a Waffle House .
He saved lives , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who joined the actor on stage to accept the award .
“ This is going to live at your house . ''
Boseman paid a touching tribute to Denzel Washington during 2019 's American Film Institute Awards where the actor was being honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award .
`` There is no 'Black Panther ' without Denzel Washington , '' Boseman said during his speech , explaining how he was once granted a scholarship to attend a summer acting program at the University of Oxford – which he found out later was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And not just because of me , '' he added .
`` My whole cast , that generation stands on your shoulders . ''
Chadwick Boseman 's death : gives me the courage to keep going .
Here 's what he meant to me

Chadwick Boseman's most beloved moments off-screen, from his Howard University speech to 'Black Jeopardy!'
Show Caption Hide Caption Chadwick Boseman: Chris Evans, other celebs remember the actor Reactions ranged from colleagues recalling what the Marvel star was like in real life to politicians commenting on the impact he had on their lives. USA TODAY
Chadwick Boseman's death Friday hit most of us — if not all of us — hard.
The actor, who showed us the glory of Black superheros, both real and fictional, died at 43 from colon cancer.
Boseman fought the disease privately for four years, while filming "Black Panther," "Marshall," "Avengers and "Da 5 Bloods," smiling on red carpets, attending premiere parties and junkets and dropping poignant lines during interviews and speeches.
The iconic actor's untimely death, coupled with the rest of 2020's tragedies put the Black community and Boseman's fans in joined grief.
In the midst of all the sadness, many have taken to social media to share some of Boseman's most beloved and memorable moments off-screen. While he gave unforgettable performances as James Brown and Jackie Robinson, Boseman also gifted us hearty laughs, touching moments and thought provoking messages.
Here are just a few of our favorite Boseman moments.
When he inspired during his Howard University Commencement speech
Howard University's graduating class of 2018 got to witness a special moment: a commencement speech delivered by Boseman.
The actor, who graduated from the historically Black university in 2000, came back nearly two decades later to encourage the newest graduates of "Wakanda University" to "press on with pride and press on with purpose."
The actor's 30 minute speech spanned a range of content. He praised student protesters and he also shared a memory of his own: being let go from a soap opera role for voicing his concerns about playing a stereotypical Black character.
When Boseman surprised fans on the 'Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon'
If one moment could stand as testament to the influence of Boseman's King T'Challa had on the world, it played out during a February 2018 episode of the "Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon."
Shortly after the film's release earlier that month, Boseman and Fallon decided to surprise "Black Panther" fans by giving them the opportunity to meet the actor.
Unsuspecting fans were instructed to speak to a poster of Boseman's character, telling him what the movie meant to them. After they were done expressing their thoughts, Boseman would come out of hiding to surprise them.
"As the mother of a young son, my son's childhood has been defined by Barack Obama and now 'Black Panther' so thank you," a woman accompanied by her son said.
Boseman then appears from behind curtains laughing and saying: "That's way too much praise" and embraces the mom.
When he clowned Karen's potato salad on 'Saturday Night Live'
Fresh off the success of "Black Panther," Boseman appeared on an April 2018 episode of "Saturday Night Live" where he played a game of "Black Jeopardy!" — but he didn't come to compete as himself.
It was King T'Challa who showed up as a contestant joining host Darnell Hayes (Kenan Thompson) and fellow contestants Shanice (Leslie Jones) and Rashad (Chris Redd) for the game show bit.
Though the cultural nuances and norms of Black America were initially lost on T'Challa, he seemed to get it right when he went for gold by picking the "white people for $400" category.
"Your friend Karen brings her potato salad to your cookout," Thompson's character says.
T'Challa's winning answer: "It is noble that she would volunteer to cook for everyone, and although I have never had potato salad... I sense that this white woman does not season her food... and if she does it's only with a tiny bit of salt... and no paprika. She will probably add something unnecessary like raisins. So something tells me that I should say 'Aww hell no, Karen keep your bland (expletive) potato salad to yourself.'"
When he gave his MTV award to a real life hero
It's not lost on us that Boseman has been a leader both on and off-screen — and he's appreciated other leaders as well.
The actor won an MTV Movie and TV Award in 2018 for "Black Panther," but instead of taking the honor home himself, he gave his award to James Shaw Jr., the man hailed as a hero in a mass shooting at a Nashville, Tennessee-area Waffle House.
"Receiving an award for playing a superhero is amazing, but it's even greater to acknowledge the heroes that we have in real life," Boseman said. "So I just want to acknowledge somebody that's here today. James Shaw Jr., where are you? Stand. You didn't even know we were about to do this, did you?
“He fought off a gunman in Antioch, Tennessee, at a Waffle House. He saved lives,” Boseman said of Shaw Jr., who joined the actor on stage to accept the award. “This is going to live at your house."
When Chadwick Boseman paid tribute to Denzel Washington
Boseman paid a touching tribute to Denzel Washington during 2019's American Film Institute Awards where the actor was being honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
"There is no 'Black Panther' without Denzel Washington," Boseman said during his speech, explaining how he was once granted a scholarship to attend a summer acting program at the University of Oxford – which he found out later was funded by the Oscar winner.
"And not just because of me," he added. "My whole cast, that generation stands on your shoulders."
Chadwick Boseman's death: gives me the courage to keep going. Here's what he meant to me


usatoday--2020-08-30--Bucks return to floor after protest to close out Magic in Game 5

On the 51st day in the NBA bubble , isolated from the coronavirus pandemic but refusing to live detached from the events and social unrest following the shooting of Jacob Blake back in Wisconsin , the Milwaukee Bucks marched on the court .
By defeating Orlando 118-104 on Saturday in a game that was meant for Wednesday — but postponed over a team-wide protest that had a ripple effect around the rest of the NBA games and other sports everywhere — the Bucks also beat the Magic 4-1 to advance in the playoffs .
A game featuring jump shots sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a march on Washington , D.C. , and demonstrations and protests back in Kenosha , but Milwaukee will plan to face Miami in the Eastern Conference semifinals .
`` Trying to end racial injustice and racism and make this world a better place is still more important than anything we did today and more important than us winning , '' said Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer .
Neither team shot well to start , sub 40 % early on .
With crisp passing at times , off-target shots at others , the Bucks still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thanks in part because Orlando hadn ’ t converted any of its 3-pointers and had committed five turnovers .
But in a sign of the exceptional times — where basketball is played in the summer , in a bubble , and from the beginning , on a social mission — ESPN sideline reporter Malika Andrews asked Orlando coach Steve Clifford about how he wants to educate others about voting during the break between the first and second quarter .
The game did not always feel like the main event ; the social statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bucks pulled away in the second quarter , taking a 67-50 lead at the half .
Milwaukee elevated its shooting to 52.2 % shooting while Orlando remained at 35.4 % in the first half .
Giannis Antetokounmpo ’ s extremely high efficiency continued in this game with 28 points and 17 boards in 28 minutes .
But fouls plagued him again , picking up his fourth with five minutes remaining in the third quarter and fifth foul with one minute left in third .
The Bucks ' one-time 21 point lead was whittled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bucks newcomer Marvin Williams answered while Antetokounmpo was on the bench .
He hit two 3-pointers and secured an offensive rebound .
The Bucks had an 8-0 run out of a timeout , and just like that they were up 104-93 with 5:42 left .
`` The team 's ability to respond — it got cut to three points , '' said Budenholzer .
`` There were stretches where there were a couple big offensive rebounds , which I think , Marvin was one of them .
Then he hits a 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other end , hits another 3 .
A great example of multiple winning plays , stepping up to meet somebody and responding when the game got tight . ''
Budenholzer said that in the last couple of days , the Bucks locker room felt more like a living room , kitchen table or gathering place .
The discussions of personal experiences , the news and the role the team wanted to take in the world outside their bubble was bigger than basketball .
After the game Saturday , in fact , Khris Middleton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basketball .
He wanted to talk about social change .
`` We ’ re not going to talk about the game , huh ? ''
said Antetokounmpo just before the final questioner was allowed through for his video conference call with the press .
He shrugged ; that was OK with him .
Sometimes basketball is a welcome escape from grief and turmoil , from pandemics and crisis .
But the Bucks are choosing to put social issues , like racism , police practices and voting first .

Bucks return to floor after protest to close out Magic in Game 5
Show Caption Hide Caption Weekly Pulse Special Edition: How an NBA boycott altered America In a special edition of Weekly Pulse, Mackenzie Salmon is joined by USA TODAY Sports reporters Mark Medina, Jeff Zillgitt, Nancy Armour and Jarrett Bell for a roundtable discussion on the meteoric changes that could take place in America as a result of a historic week in sports. USA TODAY
On the 51st day in the NBA bubble, isolated from the coronavirus pandemic but refusing to live detached from the events and social unrest following the shooting of Jacob Blake back in Wisconsin, the Milwaukee Bucks marched on the court.
By defeating Orlando 118-104 on Saturday in a game that was meant for Wednesday — but postponed over a team-wide protest that had a ripple effect around the rest of the NBA games and other sports everywhere — the Bucks also beat the Magic 4-1 to advance in the playoffs.
A game featuring jump shots sure did seem immaterial on a weekend with a march on Washington, D.C., and demonstrations and protests back in Kenosha, but Milwaukee will plan to face Miami in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
"Trying to end racial injustice and racism and make this world a better place is still more important than anything we did today and more important than us winning," said Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer.
.@George_Hill3 explained (after Game 5 today) that since his teammates stood by him Wednesday, he was going to stand with them today. And play. pic.twitter.com/mruksRGYys — Lori Nickel (@LoriNickel) August 30, 2020
Neither team shot well to start, sub 40% early on. With crisp passing at times, off-target shots at others, the Bucks still led by nine after the first quarter thanks in part because Orlando hadn’t converted any of its 3-pointers and had committed five turnovers.
But in a sign of the exceptional times — where basketball is played in the summer, in a bubble, and from the beginning, on a social mission — ESPN sideline reporter Malika Andrews asked Orlando coach Steve Clifford about how he wants to educate others about voting during the break between the first and second quarter.
The game did not always feel like the main event; the social statement was.
UNION LEADERSHIP: Players "always unified" during protest discussions
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Tied at 31, the Bucks pulled away in the second quarter, taking a 67-50 lead at the half. Milwaukee elevated its shooting to 52.2% shooting while Orlando remained at 35.4% in the first half.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s extremely high efficiency continued in this game with 28 points and 17 boards in 28 minutes. But fouls plagued him again, picking up his fourth with five minutes remaining in the third quarter and fifth foul with one minute left in third.
The Bucks' one-time 21 point lead was whittled down to three with 7:37 minutes left.
Bucks newcomer Marvin Williams answered while Antetokounmpo was on the bench. He hit two 3-pointers and secured an offensive rebound. The Bucks had an 8-0 run out of a timeout, and just like that they were up 104-93 with 5:42 left.
"The team's ability to respond — it got cut to three points," said Budenholzer. "There were stretches where there were a couple big offensive rebounds, which I think, Marvin was one of them. Then he hits a 3. He takes a charge on the other end, hits another 3. A great example of multiple winning plays, stepping up to meet somebody and responding when the game got tight."
Budenholzer said that in the last couple of days, the Bucks locker room felt more like a living room, kitchen table or gathering place. The discussions of personal experiences, the news and the role the team wanted to take in the world outside their bubble was bigger than basketball.
After the game Saturday, in fact, Khris Middleton didn’t want to talk about basketball. He wanted to talk about social change.
"We’re not going to talk about the game, huh?" said Antetokounmpo just before the final questioner was allowed through for his video conference call with the press. He shrugged; that was OK with him.
Sometimes basketball is a welcome escape from grief and turmoil, from pandemics and crisis. But the Bucks are choosing to put social issues, like racism, police practices and voting first.


usatoday--2020-08-30--'World's oldest married couple' have lived a combined 215 years and are still in good health

Their families disapproved of the marriage nearly 80 years ago , but today they are recognized around the world as a record-breaking couple .
Julio Cesar Mora Tapia , 110 , and Waldramina Maclovia Quinteros Reyes , 104 , have lived a combined 215 years — making them the world 's oldest married couple , Guinness World Records reported Tuesday .
There are longer marriages , but the record certifies the couple , who live in Ecuador 's capital of Quito , as having the `` highest combined age of a married couple , '' Guinness World Records reports .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lived a combined 78,654 days .
The retired teachers have been married 79 years , 6 months and 22 days .
They 're both in good health , although disappointed the pandemic is keeping them from a larger celebration with their 11 grandchildren , 21 great-grandchildren , and nine great-great-grandchildren .
Among their proudest achievements : Parenting five children who all received college degrees .
`` The love and maturity that we had as a couple from the beginning of the marriage allowed us to know each other and grow emotionally to define @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Records release quotes the couple , who knew each other for seven years before marrying on Feb. 7 , 1941 .
`` It was not easy because our relatives did not have a good relationship , but with time and patience we were able to unite them and we became an example and the best reference for the younger generations . ''
They say their `` secret formula '' is `` love + maturity + mutual respect . ''
Previously listed as the oldest were an Austin , Texas , couple , Charlotte @ @ @ @ @

'World's oldest married couple' have lived a combined 215 years and are still in good health
Their families disapproved of the marriage nearly 80 years ago, but today they are recognized around the world as a record-breaking couple.
Julio Cesar Mora Tapia, 110, and Waldramina Maclovia Quinteros Reyes, 104, have lived a combined 215 years – making them the world's oldest married couple, Guinness World Records reported Tuesday.
There are longer marriages, but the record certifies the couple, who live in Ecuador's capital, Quito, as having the "highest combined age of a married couple," Guinness World Records reports.
As of Saturday, the couple have lived a combined 78,654 days. The retired teachers have been married 79 years, 6 months and 22 days.
They're both in good health, although disappointed the pandemic is keeping them from a larger celebration with their 11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren.
Watch: Oregon man attempts world record for juggling while swimming
Another record: Joey Chestnut sets world record, downs 75 hot dogs in Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest
Among their proudest achievements: parenting five children who all earned college degrees.
"The love and maturity that we had as a couple from the beginning of the marriage allowed us to know each other and grow emotionally to define our future," a Guinness World Records release quotes the couple, who knew each other for seven years before marrying on Feb. 7, 1941.
"It was not easy because our relatives did not have a good relationship, but with time and patience we were able to unite them and we became an example and the best reference for the younger generations."
They say their "secret formula" is "love + maturity + mutual respect."
Previously listed as the oldest were an Austin, Texas, couple, Charlotte Henderson and John Henderson.
Contributing: The Associated Press


usatoday--2020-08-29--Derek Chauvin, former officer accused in George Floyd's death, wants murder charges dismissed

Defense attorneys for Derek Chauvin , the former Minneapolis police officer accused of killing George Floyd , have asked a judge to dismiss the murder charges against him , arguing that Floyd 's alleged drug use , not the improper use of force by the officer , was to blame for his death .
At the same time , prosecutors in the case against Chauvin and three other former Minneapolis police officers said they plan to seek stiff sentences if the men are convicted .
They said in court documents that Floyd was vulnerable because he was handcuffed with his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was treated `` with particular cruelty . ''
`` Despite Mr. Floyd 's pleas that he could not breathe and was going to die , as well as the pleas of eyewitnesses to get off Mr. Floyd and help him , Defendant and his co-defendants continued to restrain Mr. Floyd , '' the prosecutors wrote .
The competing scenarios surrounding Floyd 's death were put forth in court documents filed on Friday .
Floyd , a Black man , died May 25 after Chauvin , who is white , pressed his knee against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight minutes as Floyd said he couldn ’ t breathe and became motionless .
Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder , third-degree murder and manslaughter .
The other three officers , J. Alexander Kueng , Thomas Lane and Tou Thao , are charged with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and manslaughter .
All four were fired .
Under the state ’ s sentencing guidelines , a conviction on second-degree unintentional murder and third-degree murder both carry presumptive sentences of 12.5 years .
But a judge can order a sentence ranging up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For second-degree manslaughter , the guidelines call for four years in prison , or a discretionary range up to 4.75 years .
'Inherently dangerous ' : What 's in the criminal complaint in the George Floyd case Floyd 's killing , captured on video , sparked worldwide protests against systemic racism and police brutality .
Defense attorneys sought to put the blame on Floyd for his death , arguing that his alleged drug use was the critical factor .
`` Put simply , Mr. Floyd could not breathe because he had ingested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibly , a speedball , '' Chauvin 's attorney said in the court documents .
`` Combined with sickle cell trait , his pre-existing heart conditions , Mr. Floyd ’ s use of fentanyl and methamphetamine most likely killed him . ''
They argued that without knowledge of Floyd 's alleged drug use or symptoms of overdose , Chauvin `` was unaware of the potential dangerous of using MRT ( Maximal Restraint Technique ) , '' a reference to the officer 's knee on the victim 's neck .
`` Instead , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the information available to him to try and assist his fellow officers and to prevent Mr. Floyd from harming himself , '' the defense attorneys argued .
`` Derek Chauvin did not cause George Floyd ’ s death . ''

Derek Chauvin, former officer accused in George Floyd's death, wants murder charges dismissed
Show Caption Hide Caption George Floyd's family sues Minneapolis for 'wrongful death' Floyd family attorney Benjamin Crump announces the wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Minneapolis and its police department. USA TODAY
Defense attorneys for Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer accused of killing George Floyd, have asked a judge to dismiss the murder charges against him, arguing that Floyd's alleged drug use, not the improper use of force by the officer, was to blame for his death.
At the same time, prosecutors in the case against Chauvin and three other former Minneapolis police officers said they plan to seek stiff sentences if the men are convicted. They said in court documents that Floyd was vulnerable because he was handcuffed with his chest pressed against the ground and he was treated "with particular cruelty."
"Despite Mr. Floyd's pleas that he could not breathe and was going to die, as well as the pleas of eyewitnesses to get off Mr. Floyd and help him, Defendant and his co-defendants continued to restrain Mr. Floyd," the prosecutors wrote.
The competing scenarios surrounding Floyd's death were put forth in court documents filed on Friday.
Floyd, a Black man, died May 25 after Chauvin, who is white, pressed his knee against Floyd's neck for at least eight minutes as Floyd said he couldn’t breathe and became motionless. Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter.
The other three officers, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao, are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter. All four were fired.
Under the state’s sentencing guidelines, a conviction on second-degree unintentional murder and third-degree murder each carries a presumptive sentence of 12½ years. But a judge can order a sentence ranging up to 15 years without departing from the guidelines. For second-degree manslaughter, the guidelines call for four years in prison or a discretionary range up to 4¾ years.
'Inherently dangerous': What's in the criminal complaint in the George Floyd case
Floyd's killing, captured on video, sparked worldwide protests against systemic racism and police brutality.
Defense attorneys sought to put the blame on Floyd for his death, arguing that his alleged drug use was the crucial factor.
"Put simply, Mr. Floyd could not breathe because he had ingested a lethal dose of fentanyl and, possibly, a speedball," Chauvin's attorney said in the court documents. "Combined with sickle cell trait, his pre-existing heart conditions, Mr. Floyd’s use of fentanyl and methamphetamine most likely killed him."
They argued that without knowledge of Floyd's alleged drug use or symptoms of overdose, Chauvin "was unaware of the potential dangers of using MRT (Maximal Restraint Technique)," a reference to the officer's knee on the victim's neck.
"Instead, he (Chauvin) relied on his training and the information available to him to try and assist his fellow officers and to prevent Mr. Floyd from harming himself," the defense attorneys argued. "Derek Chauvin did not cause George Floyd’s death."
Contributing: The Associated Press


usatoday--2020-08-29--Austin Peay football team walks across Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama

Members of the Austin Peay football team stopped in Selma , Alabama , on Friday to walk across the Edmund @ @ @ @ @ were on their way to Montgomery for Saturday night 's FCS Kickoff against Central Arkansas @ @ @ @ @ experience in Selma with our Govs football student athletes ! ''
Austin Peay athletic director @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Also great to have president Dannelle Whiteside join us as we walked across @ @ @ @ @ Today we all learned a little more about Good Trouble . ''
Former Georgia Congressman @ @ @ @ @ Lewis , who died July 17 , was one of the prominent activists who marched @ @ @ @ @ 7 , 1965 .
He suffered a fractured skull when state troopers beat the peaceful @ @ @ @ @ bridge to bring awareness to racial inequities in voting registration .

Austin Peay football team walks across Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama
Show Caption Hide Caption Why college football will never be the same financially USA Today Sports' Dan Wolken and Paul Myerberg explain the financial debt college football will incur from a fall without football. USA TODAY
Members of the Austin Peay football team stopped in Selma, Alabama, on Friday to walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge.
The Governors were on their way to Montgomery for Saturday night's FCS Kickoff against Central Arkansas.
"What a great experience in Selma with our Govs football student athletes!" Austin Peay athletic director Gerald Harrison wrote on Twitter. "Also great to have president Dannelle Whiteside join us as we walked across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Today we all learned a little more about Good Trouble."
Former Georgia Congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis, who died July 17, was one of the prominent activists who marched across the bridge on March 7, 1965. He suffered a fractured skull when state troopers beat the peaceful protesters trying to cross the bridge to bring awareness to racial inequities in voting registration.


usatoday--2020-08-29--His father survived the 1918 flu pandemic. At 94, he survived COVID-19.

BROCKTON , Mass .
— Like his father before him , Francis Cashin can now call himself a pandemic survivor .
At age 94 , survival was a feat for Cashin , who contracted the coronavirus while in hospice care in a Longwood , Florida , assisted living facility .
But despite a bleak outlook , and multiple near-death instances before , Cashin pulled through , said Francis Cashin ’ s son , Mike Cashin .
Cashin ’ s survival of a global pandemic that Johns Hopkins University says has so far killed over 181,000 victims in the U.S. alone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Cashin , faced a pandemic of his own .
John Cashin was around 30 years old and living in Brockton when the flu pandemic struck in 1918 , claiming the lives of his first wife and their three children .
“ What are the odds ?
” Mike Cashin said .
But John Cashin survived , later meeting his second wife , Nina , and the couple had three children , including Francis .
Francis Cashin was born in Brockton in 1926 and grew up on North Montello Street , where he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fran ” or “ Franny , ” his son said .
After graduating from Brockton High School , Francis Cashin joined the Navy , serving two years toward the end of World War II .
He then went to college in Miami on the G.I .
bill and joined the FBI after graduation , where he primarily worked in New York and Washington , D.C. And while Francis Cashin did not live in Brockton again , he would often return to visit family back home , where Mike Cashin said their family would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ash Street playground .
“ That was his home , so we always spent time visiting , ” Mike Cashin said .
” ...
He ’ s been away from there a long time , but he ’ s there .
He ’ s always been a Brocktoninan.
” And it was in Brockton he developed a determined attitude that carried him throughout his life , Mike Cashin said .
“ He ’ s a very strong-willed person , ” Mike Cashin said .
“ I never lived in Brockton .
I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Washington , D.C. , but I always associated Brockton with that attitude.
” Francis Cashin tested positive for the coronavirus around July 29 , after three of his caregivers , who would sit by his side for about 12 hours day , had previously tested positive , Mike Cashin said .
While his father never had to go on a ventilator , as other patients have had to do as their conditions declined , Francis Cashin ’ s oxygen levels were down and he had dangerous blood pressure levels , his son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple days and he was very , very weak , ” Mike Cashin said .
“ He had very , very little energy.
” It looked grim , Mike Cashin said , especially with several instances in the past where his family thought Francis Cashin was on his last legs after years of being on hospice , two strokes and having had his last rites read to him at least two times before .
They tried calling a nearby church to give him additional last rites , but they weren ’ t going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus , Mike Cashin said .
But despite the odds , Francis Cashin , like all the times before , managed to pull through .
“ I think he kind of knows himself a little bit where he just kind of shut himself down ( to rest ) and gradually took the oxygen off himself and was breathing the room air and his attitude even changed , ” Mike Cashin said .
“ He had almost a ‘ Come to Jesus ’ attitude , a new spark of life in him.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week , we were laughing .
He has heavy dementia , but he asked if he could borrow my car because he wanted to get the hell out of there.
” When he would visit before the pandemic limited visitors , Mike Cashin said it ’ s been a ritual of his to bring his father a chocolate milkshake .
“ When he ’ s healthy , when visitors are allowed , I never show up without a milkshake when I visit him , ” he said .
“ Life is good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ milkshakes , chocolate and his cookies.
” Back in the day , when Francis Cashin worked as an FBI agent , he had very strict weight limitations and forced him to eat a healthier diet , Mike Cashin said .
But in his later years , his father has been treating himself .
“ We find it funny that all he eats right now is milkshakes and candy bars , ” he said .
“ Not the fault of the facility .
They try to feed him good food , but he just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chocolate bars and milkshakes .
He went a lifetime with nothing , now he ’ s making up for it in old age.
” And it was when his sweet tooth returned after he tested positive for COVID-19 that they knew he was going to be OK , Mike Cashin said .
“ He had a couple really tough days where ... we were very , very concerned , and once we knew he started drinking his milkshakes and eating candy bars , we knew he was on the road to recovery , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has recovered , ” he said .
“ And we ’ re not surprised.
” And on Aug. 4 , roughly a week after initially testing positive for the coronavirus , Francis Cashin celebrated his 94th birthday .
“ He ’ s lived this full life and so many other families suffer , ” Mike Cashin said .
“ These folks die along and for that to happen , I understand it ’ s happening to thousands of people , I just hoped it didn ’ t happen to him .
It didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get through this thing and get back to our normal routine .
”

His father survived the 1918 flu pandemic. At 94, he survived COVID-19.
Show Caption Hide Caption Coronavirus: Safety tips you need to know As coronavirus cases in some states start to rise again, make sure to remember these safety tips. ProblemSolved, USA TODAY
BROCKTON, Mass. — Like his father before him, Francis Cashin can now call himself a pandemic survivor.
At age 94, survival was a feat for Cashin, who contracted the coronavirus while in hospice care in a Longwood, Florida, assisted living facility. But despite a bleak outlook, and multiple near-death instances before, Cashin pulled through, said Francis Cashin’s son, Mike Cashin.
Cashin’s survival of a global pandemic that Johns Hopkins University says has so far killed over 181,000 victims in the U.S. alone comes a century after his father, John Cashin, faced a pandemic of his own. John Cashin was around 30 years old and living in Brockton when the flu pandemic struck in 1918, claiming the lives of his first wife and their three children.
“What are the odds?” Mike Cashin said.
But John Cashin survived, later meeting his second wife, Nina, and the couple had three children, including Francis.
Francis Cashin was born in Brockton in 1926 and grew up on North Montello Street, where he was known around the city as “Fran” or “Franny,” his son said. After graduating from Brockton High School, Francis Cashin joined the Navy, serving two years toward the end of World War II. He then went to college in Miami on the G.I. bill and joined the FBI after graduation, where he primarily worked in New York and Washington, D.C.
And while Francis Cashin did not live in Brockton again, he would often return to visit family back home, where Mike Cashin said their family would spend a lot of time at the Ash Street playground.
“That was his home, so we always spent time visiting,” Mike Cashin said. ”... He’s been away from there a long time, but he’s there. He’s always been a Brocktoninan.”
And it was in Brockton he developed a determined attitude that carried him throughout his life, Mike Cashin said.
“He’s a very strong-willed person,” Mike Cashin said. “I never lived in Brockton. I was born in New York and grew up in Washington, D.C., but I always associated Brockton with that attitude.”
Francis Cashin tested positive for the coronavirus around July 29, after three of his caregivers, who would sit by his side for about 12 hours day, had previously tested positive, Mike Cashin said.
While his father never had to go on a ventilator, as other patients have had to do as their conditions declined, Francis Cashin’s oxygen levels were down and he had dangerous blood pressure levels, his son said.
“He slept for a couple days and he was very, very weak,” Mike Cashin said. “He had very, very little energy.”
It looked grim, Mike Cashin said, especially with several instances in the past where his family thought Francis Cashin was on his last legs after years of being on hospice, two strokes and having had his last rites read to him at least two times before. They tried calling a nearby church to give him additional last rites, but they weren’t going into facilities due to the risk of the virus, Mike Cashin said.
But despite the odds, Francis Cashin, like all the times before, managed to pull through.
“I think he kind of knows himself a little bit where he just kind of shut himself down (to rest) and gradually took the oxygen off himself and was breathing the room air and his attitude even changed,” Mike Cashin said. “He had almost a ‘Come to Jesus’ attitude, a new spark of life in him.”
He added: “I mean, last week, we were laughing. He has heavy dementia, but he asked if he could borrow my car because he wanted to get the hell out of there.”
When he would visit before the pandemic limited visitors, Mike Cashin said it’s been a ritual of his to bring his father a chocolate milkshake.
“When he’s healthy, when visitors are allowed, I never show up without a milkshake when I visit him,” he said. “Life is good. He’s living for the milkshakes, chocolate and his cookies.”
Back in the day, when Francis Cashin worked as an FBI agent, he had very strict weight limitations and forced him to eat a healthier diet, Mike Cashin said. But in his later years, his father has been treating himself.
“We find it funny that all he eats right now is milkshakes and candy bars,” he said. “Not the fault of the facility. They try to feed him good food, but he just seems to only want to eat the chocolate bars and milkshakes. He went a lifetime with nothing, now he’s making up for it in old age.”
And it was when his sweet tooth returned after he tested positive for COVID-19 that they knew he was going to be OK, Mike Cashin said.
“He had a couple really tough days where ... we were very, very concerned, and once we knew he started drinking his milkshakes and eating candy bars, we knew he was on the road to recovery, so we’re very happy he has recovered,” he said. “And we’re not surprised.”
And on Aug. 4, roughly a week after initially testing positive for the coronavirus, Francis Cashin celebrated his 94th birthday.
“He’s lived this full life and so many other families suffer,” Mike Cashin said. “These folks die along and for that to happen, I understand it’s happening to thousands of people, I just hoped it didn’t happen to him. It didn’t, so hopefully we can get through this thing and get back to our normal routine.”
Follow Corlyn Voorhees on Twitter: @corlyn_ENT.