truthout--2020-05-27--George Floyd, Chris Cooper and the Racist Terror Faced by Black People in the US

“ I can ’ t breathe ” — that ’ s what George Floyd , an unarmed African American man , repeatedly told a white Minneapolis police officer who pinned him to the ground Monday with a knee to his neck .
Video of the police attack went viral .
Now four officers have been fired .
This comes as another video went viral of a white woman calling the cops on a Black man in New York City ’ s Central Park and falsely accusing him of “ threatening her life ” after he asked her to leash her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more with Ibram X. Kendi , founding director of the Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University and National Book Award–winning author of Stamped from the Beginning : The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America and How to Be an Antiracist .
This is a rush transcript .
Copy may not be in its final form .
AMY GOODMAN : We ’ re going to Minneapolis right now , where police fired tear gas and rubber-coated bullets at thousands of demonstrators who gathered Tuesday to protest the killing of George Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died in police custody Monday after a white police officer pinned him to the ground .
A video circulated widely on social media shows Floyd gasping for air , saying , “ I can not breathe , ” while officer Derek Chauvin holds a knee to his neck .
A warning : The video is extremely graphic .
AMY GOODMAN : The video shows the officer continued to pin George Floyd to the pavement with his knee in over his neck even after Floyd became silent and still .
Four officers involved in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The FBI has launched a federal civil rights investigation .
Minnesota authorities are also investigating .
“ I can ’ t breathe ” were the same last words Eric Garner said before he was killed by a police officer in Staten Island in 2014 .
This is Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey .
AMY GOODMAN : George Floyd ’ s family says the officer should be charged with murder .
They ’ re being represented by civil rights lawyer Benjamin Crump — the family is — who said , quote , “ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force cost the life of a man who was being detained by the police for questioning about a nonviolent charge.
” This is Floyd ’ s brother Philonise speaking on CNN Tuesday .
AMY GOODMAN : Well , for more , we ’ re joined by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi , professor of history and international relations , founding director of the Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University , National Book Award-winning author of Stamped from the Beginning : The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America , his latest book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His forthcoming children ’ s book is titled Antiracist Baby .
It ’ s great to have you with us , Professor Kendi , but under terrible circumstances , from the pandemic to what we just see happened in Minneapolis .
Can you respond to the killing of George Floyd ?
IBRAM X. KENDI : I mean , I think , like so many Americans , so many Black Americans , in particular , I ’ m just completely outraged .
And it ’ s certainly the case , as the mayor said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help , other human beings should seek to help us .
But , essentially , the job of a police officer is to listen to those calls for help , is not to be our executioners .
And so , the fact that a police officer did not hear the cry for help , that ’ s more — that ’ s even worse than any of us .
We ’ re not sworn to protect .
We ’ re not trained to hear those cries .
But police officers are .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I ’ m outraged , like so many people who care about Black lives .
JUAN GONZÁLEZ : And , Professor Kendi , in this particular case , the actions of the mayor , not only in immediately firing the officer involved , but also the three other officers who were on the scene — so often many of these cases of police abuse depend on the officer being able to get away with it because other members of the force , in essence , back them up through the blue wall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to how the city immediately moved on this case ?
IBRAM X. KENDI : So , I mean , I think , obviously , their firing was immediately warranted .
I think they should also be seeking to charge the officers with murder .
I also think that we really need to consider : If we did not have a video , would the officers have been fired as quickly ?
Would they have believed all of those witnesses who were looking at what was happening and who was the asking officers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough to fire the officers .
You literally need to root out other officers in the Minneapolis police force that have the capacity to do this , I mean , and just like all over this country .
It ’ s not enough to imagine that there are bad apples .
You know , we need to recognize that there ’ s something wrong with the tree .
AMY GOODMAN : I wanted to read Bernice King ’ s tweet , the youngest child of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin with his knee on the neck of George Floyd , next to a picture of Colin Kaepernick taking a knee to peacefully protest deaths like this , for which he ’ s banned from the NFL .
Next to the pictures , King wrote , quote , “ If you ’ re unbothered or mildly bothered by the 1st knee , but outraged by the 2nd , then , in my father ’ s words , you ’ re ‘ more devoted to order than to justice.
’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passionate about an anthem that supposedly symbolizes freedom than you are about a Black man ’ s freedom to live ” was her final part of that tweet .
Dr. Kendi , talk about that .
IBRAM X. KENDI : Oh , I just think it was a powerful , powerful statement and speaking certainly not only to her father ’ s legacy , but even Dr. King — Dr. Bernice King ’ s analysis of the situation .
I mean , fundamentally , Colin Kaepernick was kneeling for the freedom to live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have equity , even for the freedom , as he would , I suspect , say now , from infection .
I mean , you know , Black people are — you know , we ’ re not only sort of — we were running from racist terror , only to run into the face of COVID-19 , only to run from COVID-19 into the face of racist terror .
JUAN GONZÁLEZ : And , Ibram Kendi , I wanted to ask you about the second video that we mentioned that went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amy Cooper , this New York resident in Central Park , calling — falsely calling police on Christian Cooper , when he urged her to leash her dog , and claiming he was assaulting her .
Franklin Templeton , the investment firm , subsequently fired her .
Interestingly , Franklin Templeton is the same investment firm that fought the government of Puerto Rico over its bankruptcy , had no problem with creating massive distress for millions and millions of Puerto Ricans during their crisis , but now , because of the bad publicity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response to that particular incident ?
AMY GOODMAN : And let ’ s go to a clip of what exactly happened , the clip filmed by the man , Christian Cooper — no relation to Amy Cooper — a writer , editor and avid bird watcher , a board member of New York City Audubon Society , who filmed this .
JUAN GONZÁLEZ : The incident involving Amy Cooper and Christian Cooper .
When the police arrived on the scene , they arrested no one and issued no summons .
Your response , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Well , I think , first and foremost , it ’ s critical for us to recognize that oftentimes , too often , what Amy Cooper did is typically the beginning of racist terror .
And what happened to [ inaudible ] the end .
In other words , you have a white woman weaponizing her white womanhood .
And instead of seeking to resolve a dispute with another person and actually follow the rules and leash her dog , instead she projects herself as the victim and then calls the cops , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come and protect her .
And then , oftentimes , those cops actually believe that this white woman is being threatened by this so-called superpredator of an African American male .
And then , oftentimes , or too often , it leads to that unarmed victim ultimately becoming harmed or even killed .
I mean , the fact that we are talking about these two stories on the same day [ inaudible ] obviously did not lead to , you know , he is safe .
Too often , it leads to people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t think white women should have the power to do that anymore .
AMY GOODMAN : Ibram Kendi , we ’ re going to break , and then we ’ re going to go back to you to talk about this COVID Racial [ Data ] Tracker that you ’ ve developed .
Ibram Kendi is a professor of history and international relations and founding director of the Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University in Washington , D.C. , also National Book Award-winning author of Stamped from the Beginning : The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and , his latest book , How to Be an Antiracist .
Stay with us .

“I can’t breathe” — that’s what George Floyd, an unarmed African American man, repeatedly told a white Minneapolis police officer who pinned him to the ground Monday with a knee to his neck. Video of the police attack went viral. Now four officers have been fired. This comes as another video went viral of a white woman calling the cops on a Black man in New York City’s Central Park and falsely accusing him of “threatening her life” after he asked her to leash her dog. We discuss these developments and more with Ibram X. Kendi, founding director of the Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University and National Book Award–winning author of Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America and How to Be an Antiracist.
TRANSCRIPT
This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form.
AMY GOODMAN: We’re going to Minneapolis right now, where police fired tear gas and rubber-coated bullets at thousands of demonstrators who gathered Tuesday to protest the killing of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American man who died in police custody Monday after a white police officer pinned him to the ground.
A video circulated widely on social media shows Floyd gasping for air, saying, “I cannot breathe,” while officer Derek Chauvin holds a knee to his neck. A warning: The video is extremely graphic.
EYEWITNESS 1: You have your knee on his neck. Related Story News | Racial Justice US University Leading COVID Response Leaves Black Workers Behind Laid-off employees at Johns Hopkins University are demanding the four weeks’ pay the institution promised. Truthout EYEWITNESS 2: You’ve got your knee right on his neck, officer. EYEWITNESS 1: He ain’t even resisting arrest. GEORGE FLOYD: I cannot breathe. EYEWITNESS 3: Are you having fun? GEORGE FLOYD: I cannot breathe. EYEWITNESS 1: You’re just a grown — you’re a tough guy. You’re a tough guy, huh? OFFICER: What’s that? EYEWITNESS 1: I said he’s a tough guy. He’s not even resisting arrest, bro. OFFICER: Did you get the whole part when we fought with him? EYEWITNESS 1: But, bro, why are you just sitting there? He ain’t doing nothing now. Put him in the car. GEORGE FLOYD: Don’t kill me. Don’t kill me.
AMY GOODMAN: The video shows the officer continued to pin George Floyd to the pavement with his knee in over his neck even after Floyd became silent and still. Four officers involved in Floyd’s killing were fired Tuesday. The FBI has launched a federal civil rights investigation. Minnesota authorities are also investigating. “I can’t breathe” were the same last words Eric Garner said before he was killed by a police officer in Staten Island in 2014. This is Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.
MAYOR JACOB FREY: Whatever the investigation reveals, it does not change the simple truth that he should be with us this morning. I believe what I saw, and what I saw was wrong at every level. … Being Black in America should not be a death sentence. For five minutes, we watched as a white officer pressed his knee into the neck of a Black man. For five minutes. When you hear someone calling for help, you are supposed to help. This officer failed in the most basic human sense. What happened on Chicago and 38th this last night is simply awful. It was traumatic. And it serves as a clear reminder of just how far we have to go.
AMY GOODMAN: George Floyd’s family says the officer should be charged with murder. They’re being represented by civil rights lawyer Benjamin Crump — the family is — who said, quote, “This abusive, excessive and inhumane use of force cost the life of a man who was being detained by the police for questioning about a nonviolent charge.” This is Floyd’s brother Philonise speaking on CNN Tuesday.
PHILONISE FLOYD: I loved my brother. Everybody loved my brother. Knowing my brother is to love my brother. They could have tased him. They could have maced him. Instead, they put their knee in his neck and just sat on him, and then carried on. He screamed, “Mama! Mama! I can’t breathe! I can’t breathe!” And they didn’t care. So, I don’t — I just don’t understand what more we’ve got to go through in life, man. They didn’t have to do that to him.
AMY GOODMAN: Well, for more, we’re joined by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, professor of history and international relations, founding director of the Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University, National Book Award-winning author of Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, his latest book, How to Be an Antiracist. His forthcoming children’s book is titled Antiracist Baby.
It’s great to have you with us, Professor Kendi, but under terrible circumstances, from the pandemic to what we just see happened in Minneapolis. Can you respond to the killing of George Floyd?
IBRAM X. KENDI: I mean, I think, like so many Americans, so many Black Americans, in particular, I’m just completely outraged. And it’s certainly the case, as the mayor said, that when we cry out for help, other human beings should seek to help us. But, essentially, the job of a police officer is to listen to those calls for help, is not to be our executioners. And so, the fact that a police officer did not hear the cry for help, that’s more — that’s even worse than any of us. We’re not sworn to protect. We’re not trained to hear those cries. But police officers are. And so, to me, you know, I’m outraged, like so many people who care about Black lives.
JUAN GONZÁLEZ: And, Professor Kendi, in this particular case, the actions of the mayor, not only in immediately firing the officer involved, but also the three other officers who were on the scene — so often many of these cases of police abuse depend on the officer being able to get away with it because other members of the force, in essence, back them up through the blue wall of silence. So, your reaction to how the city immediately moved on this case?
IBRAM X. KENDI: So, I mean, I think, obviously, their firing was immediately warranted. I think they should also be seeking to charge the officers with murder. I also think that we really need to consider: If we did not have a video, would the officers have been fired as quickly? Would they have believed all of those witnesses who were looking at what was happening and who was the asking officers to stop?
But it’s not enough to fire the officers. You literally need to root out other officers in the Minneapolis police force that have the capacity to do this, I mean, and just like all over this country. It’s not enough to imagine that there are bad apples. You know, we need to recognize that there’s something wrong with the tree.
AMY GOODMAN: I wanted to read Bernice King’s tweet, the youngest child of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. She tweeted a picture of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin with his knee on the neck of George Floyd, next to a picture of Colin Kaepernick taking a knee to peacefully protest deaths like this, for which he’s banned from the NFL. Next to the pictures, King wrote, quote, “If you’re unbothered or mildly bothered by the 1st knee, but outraged by the 2nd, then, in my father’s words, you’re ‘more devoted to order than to justice.’” she said. “And more passionate about an anthem that supposedly symbolizes freedom than you are about a Black man’s freedom to live” was her final part of that tweet. Dr. Kendi, talk about that.
IBRAM X. KENDI: Oh, I just think it was a powerful, powerful statement and speaking certainly not only to her father’s legacy, but even Dr. King — Dr. Bernice King’s analysis of the situation. I mean, fundamentally, Colin Kaepernick was kneeling for the freedom to live, you know, for the freedom to have equity, even for the freedom, as he would, I suspect, say now, from infection. I mean, you know, Black people are — you know, we’re not only sort of — we were running from racist terror, only to run into the face of COVID-19, only to run from COVID-19 into the face of racist terror.
JUAN GONZÁLEZ: And, Ibram Kendi, I wanted to ask you about the second video that we mentioned that went viral over Memorial Day weekend of this Amy Cooper, this New York resident in Central Park, calling — falsely calling police on Christian Cooper, when he urged her to leash her dog, and claiming he was assaulting her. Franklin Templeton, the investment firm, subsequently fired her. Interestingly, Franklin Templeton is the same investment firm that fought the government of Puerto Rico over its bankruptcy, had no problem with creating massive distress for millions and millions of Puerto Ricans during their crisis, but now, because of the bad publicity, immediately fired Amy Cooper. Your response to that particular incident?
AMY GOODMAN: And let’s go to a clip of what exactly happened, the clip filmed by the man, Christian Cooper — no relation to Amy Cooper — a writer, editor and avid bird watcher, a board member of New York City Audubon Society, who filmed this.
AMY COOPER: Could you please stop? Sir, I’m asking you to stop. CHRISTIAN COOPER: Please don’t come close to me. AMY COOPER: Sir, I’m asking you to stop recording me with your camera. CHRISTIAN COOPER: Please don’t come close to me. AMY COOPER: Please take your phone off. CHRISTIAN COOPER: Please don’t come close to me. AMY COOPER: Then I’m going to [inaudible]. I’m calling the cops. CHRISTIAN COOPER: Please call the cops. Please call the cops. AMY COOPER: I’m going to tell them there’s an African American man threatening my life. CHRISTIAN COOPER: Please tell them whatever you like. AMY COOPER: Excuse me? I’m sorry, I’m in the Ramble, and there is a man, African American. He has a bicycle helmet. He’s recording me and threatening me and my dog. There is an African American man. I am in Central Park. He is recording me and threatening myself and my dog. And like — I’m sorry, I can’t hear you, either. I’m being threatened by a man in the Ramble. Please send the cops immediately! I’m in Central Park in the Ramble. I don’t know! CHRISTIAN COOPER: Thank you.
JUAN GONZÁLEZ: The incident involving Amy Cooper and Christian Cooper. When the police arrived on the scene, they arrested no one and issued no summons. Your response, Ibram Kendi?
IBRAM X. KENDI: Well, I think, first and foremost, it’s critical for us to recognize that oftentimes, too often, what Amy Cooper did is typically the beginning of racist terror. And what happened to [inaudible] the end. In other words, you have a white woman weaponizing her white womanhood. And instead of seeking to resolve a dispute with another person and actually follow the rules and leash her dog, instead she projects herself as the victim and then calls the cops, through that projection, so they can come and protect her. And then, oftentimes, those cops actually believe that this white woman is being threatened by this so-called superpredator of an African American male. And then, oftentimes, or too often, it leads to that unarmed victim ultimately becoming harmed or even killed. I mean, the fact that we are talking about these two stories on the same day [inaudible] obviously did not lead to, you know, he is safe. Too often, it leads to people being harmed. And I don’t think white women should have the power to do that anymore.
AMY GOODMAN: Ibram Kendi, we’re going to break, and then we’re going to go back to you to talk about this COVID Racial [Data] Tracker that you’ve developed. Ibram Kendi is a professor of history and international relations and founding director of the Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University in Washington, D.C., also National Book Award-winning author of Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America and, his latest book, How to Be an Antiracist. Stay with us.
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truthout--2020-05-27--Trump and GOP Want COVID-19 Protections for Bosses — But Not Workers

A new Morning Consult poll finds that nearly three-quarters of all voters — including 63 percent of Republicans — agree that COVID-19 testing should be required for workers returning to their jobs as states lift stay-at-home orders and businesses reopen , but don ’ t expect to see any such requirement come from the Trump administration or Republicans in Congress .
The GOP has consistently sided with employers over issues of workplace safety as pro-business forces push to reopen the country and jump-start the economy , which Trump sees as crucial to his reelection .
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday legislation that would provide businesses with legal protection from lawsuits if their employees or customers get sick on the job , and they have vowed numerous times in recent weeks to hold up the next COVID-19 aid package in order to pass secure protections for employers .
Meanwhile , Trump ’ s Labor Department was recently sued by unions after ignoring multiple petitions demanding regulators issue enforceable safety standards to protect those working during the pandemic , despite outcry from nurses and other essential workers who have suffered under shortages of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the beginning of the outbreak .
The department ’ s enforcement arm , the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ) , has instead issued “ guidance , ” fact sheets and pamphlets , keeping in line with Trump ’ s deregulatory agenda .
While McConnell cautioned that the COVID-19 liability legislation would not provide employers with absolute “ immunity ” from lawsuits , labor advocates say employers in a number of industries have already failed to protect workers from COVID-19 .
Workers face steep barriers to holding their employers accountable for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only grown under Trump and Eugene Scalia , the president ’ s notoriously right-wing labor secretary .
Over the past two months , workers have filed thousands of complaints with OSHA — 4,326 as of Tuesday and thousands more with state-level agencies — but OSHA has not issued a single citation against an employer , according to reports .
Truthout contacted the agency ’ s press office about citations on Tuesday and has not received any information to the contrary .
“ For every worker working right now , this administration has made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care about worker safety and health , what they care about is protecting employers ’ — big companies ’ — profits and protecting them from liability for negligence , ” said Debbie Berkowitz , the Worker Safety and Health program director at the National Employment Law Project ( NELP ) , in an interview .
“ The GOP is now racing to make sure that employers don ’ t have to provide any protections.
” Berkowitz said Scalia , who spent much of his career as a corporate lawyer fighting protections for workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had already “ completely weakened ” OSHA before the pandemic hit .
The Labor Department then “ abandoned ” its mission to protect workers as COVID-19 spread nationwide .
“ Workers need mandates to make employers to protect them , and under Scalia , in a stunning departure from any other time in OSHA ’ s history , OSHA is issuing no mandates , no required protections that need to implemented , ” Berkowitz said .
Peter Dooley , the Safety and Health coordinator for the National Council on Occupational Safety and Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with OSHA are just one indicator that workers are in desperate need of better protection from COVID-19 .
Across the country , workers in health care , retail , meatpacking and other industries have held strikes , protests or simply refused to work due to a lack of protections against COVID-19 .
While Dooley said there have been improvements at a number of workplaces since the outbreak began , many of those changes are the result of workers raising red flags , organizing and making changes themselves .
Unfortunately , there are no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are getting sick and dying across various industries .
“ It ’ s interesting that it ’ s become so popular to be characterizing essential workers as heroes , and yet on the other hand the heroes are asking for help in so many ways in terms of better protections on the job , and they are largely being ignored [ when ] filing complaints and basically urgently calling for help , ” Dooley told Truthout .
OSHA has closed 3,291 cases that resulted from COVID-related complaints as of Tuesday , and Dooley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ informal and weak at best .
Instead of fining employers and mandating changes , OSHA inspectors make a phone call or send a letter to an employer to discuss the complaint .
Some employers may clean up their acts as a result , but there is little incentive for others to follow suit .
“ Obviously OSHA doesn ’ t have the resources to be in every workplace at once , ” Dooley said .
“ But they can be sending the message by doing strong enforcement and having that be public record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that don ’ t implement a workplace health and safety plan that evaluates workers ’ exposure to COVID-19 and is doing everything reasonable to protect workers from this deadly hazard.
” Scalia defended the Labor Department ’ s approach to the pandemic after coming under fire from unions , arguing that workers are already protected under existing laws and standards , and the COVID-19 “ guidance ” issued by his agency allows employers to remain flexible as new facts emerge about the pandemic .
Advocates say facts about the pandemic speak for themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PPE early on and demanded that OSHA issue enforceable safety standards for health care , but those never materialized .
In a national survey of nurses conducted by National Nurses United , a health care union , 87 percent of respondents said they were forced to reuse a single-use respirator or mask with a COVID-19 patient as recently as late April and early May .
Reusing PPE is a dangerous practice that can increase the risk of exposure for nurses , other staff and patients .
In recent testimony to Congress , NELP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where employers failed to implement proper workplace health and safety measures , many of them at meatpacking plants , warehouses and manufacturing facilities , digital delivery services , and grocery and retail stores .
Employers would like to frame COVID-19 infections at work as inevitable during a pandemic , and many are arguing that businesses need the legal protections offered by McConnell and the GOP to reopen successfully .
NELP argues that COVID-19 is very preventable when employers are held to account .
“ Proof positive that Scalia has failed to protect workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where there are 16,000 cases of workers [ being ] infected and scores have died … the number of cases continues to rise because voluntary compliance does not work , ” Berkowitz said .
Scalia has largely stayed out of public view during the pandemic besides the occasional interview with conservative and pro-business media outlets .
On Tuesday , Scalia told Bloomberg journalists that he doesn ’ t expect the $ 600 per week federal unemployment benefit included in the first COVID-19 relief package to be extended beyond its current expiration date in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that unemployment benefits provide an incentive for workers to stay home .
Scalia then dodged a question about raising the federal minimum wage — currently stuck at $ 7.25 per hour — and called for a return to the “ vibrant economy ” that existed before COVID-19 .
“ In terms of the things I ’ ll be looking at , of greatest interest will be simply , how quickly we put people back to work as we reopen , ” Scalia said .

A new Morning Consult poll finds that nearly three-quarters of all voters — including 63 percent of Republicans — agree that COVID-19 testing should be required for workers returning to their jobs as states lift stay-at-home orders and businesses reopen, but don’t expect to see any such requirement come from the Trump administration or Republicans in Congress. The GOP has consistently sided with employers over issues of workplace safety as pro-business forces push to reopen the country and jump-start the economy, which Trump sees as crucial to his reelection.
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and the Republican leadership in the Senate announced on Tuesday legislation that would provide businesses with legal protection from lawsuits if their employees or customers get sick on the job, and they have vowed numerous times in recent weeks to hold up the next COVID-19 aid package in order to pass secure protections for employers.
Meanwhile, Trump’s Labor Department was recently sued by unions after ignoring multiple petitions demanding regulators issue enforceable safety standards to protect those working during the pandemic, despite outcry from nurses and other essential workers who have suffered under shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) since the beginning of the outbreak. The department’s enforcement arm, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), has instead issued “guidance,” fact sheets and pamphlets, keeping in line with Trump’s deregulatory agenda.
While McConnell cautioned that the COVID-19 liability legislation would not provide employers with absolute “immunity” from lawsuits, labor advocates say employers in a number of industries have already failed to protect workers from COVID-19. Workers face steep barriers to holding their employers accountable for unsafe conditions, and those barriers have only grown under Trump and Eugene Scalia, the president’s notoriously right-wing labor secretary.
Over the past two months, workers have filed thousands of complaints with OSHA — 4,326 as of Tuesday and thousands more with state-level agencies — but OSHA has not issued a single citation against an employer, according to reports. Truthout contacted the agency’s press office about citations on Tuesday and has not received any information to the contrary.
“For every worker working right now, this administration has made it clear that they don’t care about worker safety and health, what they care about is protecting employers’ — big companies’ — profits and protecting them from liability for negligence,” said Debbie Berkowitz, the Worker Safety and Health program director at the National Employment Law Project (NELP), in an interview. “The GOP is now racing to make sure that employers don’t have to provide any protections.”
Berkowitz said Scalia, who spent much of his career as a corporate lawyer fighting protections for workers and defending big businesses in court, had already “completely weakened” OSHA before the pandemic hit. The Labor Department then “abandoned” its mission to protect workers as COVID-19 spread nationwide.
T he Republican leadership in the Senate announced on Tuesday legislation that would provide businesses with legal protection from lawsuits if their employees or customers get sick on the job .
“Workers need mandates to make employers to protect them, and under Scalia, in a stunning departure from any other time in OSHA’s history, OSHA is issuing no mandates, no required protections that need to implemented,” Berkowitz said.
Peter Dooley, the Safety and Health coordinator for the National Council on Occupational Safety and Health, said the thousands of complaints filed with OSHA are just one indicator that workers are in desperate need of better protection from COVID-19. Across the country, workers in health care, retail, meatpacking and other industries have held strikes, protests or simply refused to work due to a lack of protections against COVID-19.
While Dooley said there have been improvements at a number of workplaces since the outbreak began, many of those changes are the result of workers raising red flags, organizing and making changes themselves. Unfortunately, there are no centralized efforts to track how many workers are getting sick and dying across various industries.
“It’s interesting that it’s become so popular to be characterizing essential workers as heroes, and yet on the other hand the heroes are asking for help in so many ways in terms of better protections on the job, and they are largely being ignored [when] filing complaints and basically urgently calling for help,” Dooley told Truthout.
OSHA has closed 3,291 cases that resulted from COVID-related complaints as of Tuesday, and Dooley and Berkowitz agreed that enforcement has been informal and weak at best. Instead of fining employers and mandating changes, OSHA inspectors make a phone call or send a letter to an employer to discuss the complaint. Some employers may clean up their acts as a result, but there is little incentive for others to follow suit.
“Obviously OSHA doesn’t have the resources to be in every workplace at once,” Dooley said. “But they can be sending the message by doing strong enforcement and having that be public record, that there are repercussions for employers that don’t implement a workplace health and safety plan that evaluates workers’ exposure to COVID-19 and is doing everything reasonable to protect workers from this deadly hazard.”
T his administration has made it clear that they don’t care about worker safety and health, what they care about is protecting employers’ profits.
Scalia defended the Labor Department’s approach to the pandemic after coming under fire from unions, arguing that workers are already protected under existing laws and standards, and the COVID-19 “guidance” issued by his agency allows employers to remain flexible as new facts emerge about the pandemic. Advocates say facts about the pandemic speak for themselves.
Nurses began reporting severe shortages of PPE early on and demanded that OSHA issue enforceable safety standards for health care, but those never materialized. In a national survey of nurses conducted by National Nurses United, a health care union, 87 percent of respondents said they were forced to reuse a single-use respirator or mask with a COVID-19 patient as recently as late April and early May. Reusing PPE is a dangerous practice that can increase the risk of exposure for nurses, other staff and patients.
In recent testimony to Congress, NELP cites “literally hundreds” of cases where employers failed to implement proper workplace health and safety measures, many of them at meatpacking plants, warehouses and manufacturing facilities, digital delivery services, and grocery and retail stores. Employers would like to frame COVID-19 infections at work as inevitable during a pandemic, and many are arguing that businesses need the legal protections offered by McConnell and the GOP to reopen successfully. NELP argues that COVID-19 is very preventable when employers are held to account.
“Proof positive that Scalia has failed to protect workers is that in the meatpacking industry, where there are 16,000 cases of workers [being] infected and scores have died … the number of cases continues to rise because voluntary compliance does not work,” Berkowitz said.
Scalia has largely stayed out of public view during the pandemic besides the occasional interview with conservative and pro-business media outlets. On Tuesday, Scalia told Bloomberg journalists that he doesn’t expect the $600 per week federal unemployment benefit included in the first COVID-19 relief package to be extended beyond its current expiration date in July. Trump and other Republicans worry that unemployment benefits provide an incentive for workers to stay home. Scalia then dodged a question about raising the federal minimum wage — currently stuck at $7.25 per hour — and called for a return to the “vibrant economy” that existed before COVID-19.
“In terms of the things I’ll be looking at, of greatest interest will be simply, how quickly we put people back to work as we reopen,” Scalia said.
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truthout--2020-05-27--McConnell Says COVID Unemployment Checks “Make It More Lucrative Not to Work”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , on Tuesday said that he would not take up the next round of coronavirus relief for a “ month or so.
” “ Many of you are asking , ‘ What next ?
’ I think there ’ s likely to be another bill .
It will not be the $ 3 trillion bill the House passed the other day , but there ’ s still a likelihood that more will be needed , ” McConnell said during an event in Louisville .
“ In the next month or so , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill.
” The remark was met with swift criticism from Democrats .
“ The first of the month is less than a week away , ” Rep. Susie Lee , D-Nevada , who sits on the House Education and Labor Committee , said .
“ Americans don ’ t have a ‘ month or so . '
” Though McConnell floated negotiations for June , The Hill reported that some Senate Republicans believed a bill would “ more likely ” be considered in August .
The House earlier this month passed a $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other things , provide $ 1 trillion in aid to local and state governments and fund another round of $ 1,200 direct payments to the public .
That bill was pared down from a $ 4 trillion proposal , according to Politico .
Rather than take up the bill , the Senate went on recess last week .
McConnell also said Tuesday that he was planning a proposal that would include significantly less aid than the House bill .
“ We may need , as I said , one more plug here at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through this period , but it will be very carefully crafted .
It won ’ t be [ a ] $ 3 trillion left-wing wish list , ” he said .
“ We ’ re not going to be doing a $ 3 trillion bill .
That won ’ t happen… That isn ’ t going to happen.
” McConnell also vowed not to renew the $ 600 federal unemployment boost allocated by Congress in the last round of coronavirus relief , arguing that they “ make it more lucrative not to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McConnell ’ s leading Democratic challenger , called out McConnell on Twitter for ignoring the needs of his own state with his opposition to the benefits .
“ Nearly a third of Kentucky ’ s workforce is unemployed , but Mitch wants to leave the commonwealth in the dust , ” she wrote .
“ Cutting unemployment benefits ?
Who even does that ?
An out-of-touch millionaire !
” McConnell , who has argued that states should consider bankruptcy rather than get help from the federal government , said that he no longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targeted aid to local and state governments so long as the money was not spent on “ pre-existing ” financial problems .
McConnell last month referred to the proposed state aid as “ blue state bailouts , ” adding that he “ would certainly be in favor of allowing states to use the bankruptcy route.
” The remarks were met with widespread condemnation , including from Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , D-N.Y. , who repeatedly called out Kentucky for taking far more from the federal government than it contributes in taxes .
McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made a suggestion — not a recommendation .
Republicans , meanwhile , have pushed for the next relief bill to include tax cuts for the wealthy , Social Security cuts and liability protections from coronavirus lawsuits .
The New York Times editorial board skewered McConnell for delaying negotiations and going on vacation last week “ without even pretending to tackle the next round of coronavirus relief.
” “ This course of inaction is unsustainable .
Jerome Powell , the Federal Reserve chair , warned this week that the economic damage from the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , ” the editorial said .
“ Over the past nine weeks , new jobless claims have hit nearly 39 million , and the official unemployment rate is expected to approach 20 percent this month .
Behind these numbers are real people suffering significant hardship.
” The delay has drawn consternation from even members of McConnell ’ s own party .
“ I think June doesn ’ t need to come and go without a phase four , ” Sen. Roger Wicker , R-Miss.
, told CNN earlier this month .
Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Susan Collins , R-Maine , both vulnerable senators facing re-election this year , have urged McConnell to act faster as unemployment continues to skyrocket .
“ It ’ s unfathomable that the Senate is set to go on recess without considering any additional # COVID19 assistance for the American people , ” Gardner said on Twitter .
“ Anyone who thinks now is the time to go on recess hasn ’ t been listening , ” “ Congress has a tremendous responsibility to help mitigate the impact of this crisis on our states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families they serve , ” Collins said on the Senate floor last week .
“ We must not wait .
We should act now .
”

As unemployment skyrockets, McConnell says he won’t consider a new round of coronavirus relief for a “month or so.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., on Tuesday said that he would not take up the next round of coronavirus relief for a “month or so.”
“Many of you are asking, ‘What next?’ I think there’s likely to be another bill. It will not be the $3 trillion bill the House passed the other day, but there’s still a likelihood that more will be needed,” McConnell said during an event in Louisville. “In the next month or so, we’ll be talking about possibly another bill.”
The remark was met with swift criticism from Democrats.
“The first of the month is less than a week away,” Rep. Susie Lee, D-Nevada, who sits on the House Education and Labor Committee, said. “Americans don’t have a ‘month or so.'”
Though McConnell floated negotiations for June, The Hill reported that some Senate Republicans believed a bill would “more likely” be considered in August.
The House earlier this month passed a $3 trillion bill that would, among other things, provide $1 trillion in aid to local and state governments and fund another round of $1,200 direct payments to the public. That bill was pared down from a $4 trillion proposal, according to Politico.
Rather than take up the bill, the Senate went on recess last week. McConnell also said Tuesday that he was planning a proposal that would include significantly less aid than the House bill.
“We may need, as I said, one more plug here at the federal level to help us get through this period, but it will be very carefully crafted. It won’t be [a] $3 trillion left-wing wish list,” he said. “We’re not going to be doing a $3 trillion bill. That won’t happen… That isn’t going to happen.”
McConnell also vowed not to renew the $600 federal unemployment boost allocated by Congress in the last round of coronavirus relief, arguing that they “make it more lucrative not to work than to work.”
Amy McGrath, McConnell’s leading Democratic challenger, called out McConnell on Twitter for ignoring the needs of his own state with his opposition to the benefits.
“Nearly a third of Kentucky’s workforce is unemployed, but Mitch wants to leave the commonwealth in the dust,” she wrote. “Cutting unemployment benefits? Who even does that? An out-of-touch millionaire!”
McConnell, who has argued that states should consider bankruptcy rather than get help from the federal government, said that he no longer supported states seeking bankruptcy and would support targeted aid to local and state governments so long as the money was not spent on “pre-existing” financial problems.
McConnell last month referred to the proposed state aid as “blue state bailouts,” adding that he “would certainly be in favor of allowing states to use the bankruptcy route.” The remarks were met with widespread condemnation, including from Gov. Andrew Cuomo, D-N.Y., who repeatedly called out Kentucky for taking far more from the federal government than it contributes in taxes.
McConnell on Tuesday said that he had only made a suggestion — not a recommendation.
Republicans, meanwhile, have pushed for the next relief bill to include tax cuts for the wealthy, Social Security cuts and liability protections from coronavirus lawsuits.
The New York Times editorial board skewered McConnell for delaying negotiations and going on vacation last week “without even pretending to tackle the next round of coronavirus relief.”
“This course of inaction is unsustainable. Jerome Powell, the Federal Reserve chair, warned this week that the economic damage from the pandemic could stretch through the end of next year,” the editorial said. “Over the past nine weeks, new jobless claims have hit nearly 39 million, and the official unemployment rate is expected to approach 20 percent this month. Behind these numbers are real people suffering significant hardship.”
The delay has drawn consternation from even members of McConnell’s own party.
“I think June doesn’t need to come and go without a phase four,” Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., told CNN earlier this month.
Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, both vulnerable senators facing re-election this year, have urged McConnell to act faster as unemployment continues to skyrocket.
“It’s unfathomable that the Senate is set to go on recess without considering any additional #COVID19 assistance for the American people,” Gardner said on Twitter. “Anyone who thinks now is the time to go on recess hasn’t been listening,”
“Congress has a tremendous responsibility to help mitigate the impact of this crisis on our states and our local communities and on the families they serve,” Collins said on the Senate floor last week. “We must not wait. We should act now.”
Tired of reading the same old news from the same old sources? So are we! That’s why we’re on a mission to shake things up and bring you the stories and perspectives that often go untold in mainstream media. But being a radically, unapologetically independent news site isn’t easy (or cheap), and we rely on reader support to keep the lights on.
If you like what you’re reading, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We’re not asking for a handout, we’re asking for an investment: Invest in a nonprofit news site that’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, not afraid to stand up for what’s right, and not afraid to tell it like it is.
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truthout--2020-05-27--Police Fire Rubber Bullets, Tear Gas at Protest Against Killing of George Floyd

Minneapolis police officers dressed in riot gear fired rubber bullets , tear gas , and stun grenades into crowds of protesters that gathered late Tuesday to demand justice for the killing of George Floyd after video footage showed a cop kneeling on the back of the man ’ s neck as he cried out , “ I can not breathe !
” Videos and photos posted to social media show people pouring milk into the eyes of demonstrators affected by tear gas as the chemical substance clouds the air , enveloping the thousands of protesters marching in the streets near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This is a disgusting display , ” said Jeremiah Ellison , a city council member representing Minneapolis Ward 5 .
“ I ’ m here on the southside , helping people as I can with milk , water , and towels .
So far , I have been unable to prevent the police from firing indiscriminately into the crowd .
Moments ago , I held a towel to a teenage girl ’ s head as blood poured from it.
” Rep. Ilhan Omar ( D-Minn. ) tweeted that “ shooting rubber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when there are children present should never be tolerated .
Ever.
” “ What is happening tonight in our city is shameful , ” Omar added .
“ Police need to exercise restraint , and our community needs space to heal.
” The massive protests erupted in the wake of video footage showing a Minneapolis police officer kneeling on Floyd ’ s neck as he lay handcuffed and face-first on the asphalt .
Floyd and onlookers repeatedly pleaded with the officer to take his knee off Floyd ’ s neck , but he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrived .
By that point , Floyd had been unconscious for minutes .
In a statement following the Monday night incident , the Minneapolis Police Department said they were responding to “ a report of a forgery in progress ” and claimed Floyd ’ s death was caused by an unspecified “ medical incident.
” Shortly after video of the incident emerged and spread rapidly across social media , Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announced the firing of four officers who were on the scene .
“ It is the right decision for our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community .
It is the right decision for the Minneapolis Police Department , ” Frey said at a press conference Tuesday .
“ We ’ ve stated our values , and ultimately we need to live by them.
” In an appearance on CNN late Tuesday , Floyd ’ s family members said termination of the officers is not enough .
“ Firing them is a good start , but we want to see justice for our family .
We want to see them charged .
We want to have them arrested , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s cousin .
“ What they did was murder.
” As the demonstrations kicked off Tuesday , Democratic members of Congress representing Minnesota sent a letter to U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald and Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman demanding a thorough investigation into Floyd ’ s killing and accountability for the officers involved .
“ Mr .
Floyd ’ s death appears to be yet another horrifying instance of excessive force leading to the death of African Americans across this country , ” wrote Rep. Omar , Rep. Betty McCollum , Sen. Tina Smith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In addition to the obvious state laws that will govern this case , federal law makes it a crime for a state or local police officer to willfully violate a person ’ s constitutional rights , which includes the use of excessive force .
”

Minneapolis police officers dressed in riot gear fired rubber bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades into crowds of protesters that gathered late Tuesday to demand justice for the killing of George Floyd after video footage showed a cop kneeling on the back of the man’s neck as he cried out, “I cannot breathe!”
Videos and photos posted to social media show people pouring milk into the eyes of demonstrators affected by tear gas as the chemical substance clouds the air, enveloping the thousands of protesters marching in the streets near the site of Floyd’s killing.
“This is a disgusting display,” said Jeremiah Ellison, a city council member representing Minneapolis Ward 5. “I’m here on the southside, helping people as I can with milk, water, and towels. So far, I have been unable to prevent the police from firing indiscriminately into the crowd. Moments ago, I held a towel to a teenage girl’s head as blood poured from it.”
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) tweeted that “shooting rubber bullets and tear gas at unarmed protesters when there are children present should never be tolerated. Ever.”
“What is happening tonight in our city is shameful,” Omar added. “Police need to exercise restraint, and our community needs space to heal.”
I got hit w rubber bullet right after taking video of this mayhem scene. I was across the street from the precinct pic.twitter.com/qz1KHNADtQ — Andy Mannix (@AndrewMannix) May 27, 2020
The massive protests erupted in the wake of video footage showing a Minneapolis police officer kneeling on Floyd’s neck as he lay handcuffed and face-first on the asphalt.
Floyd and onlookers repeatedly pleaded with the officer to take his knee off Floyd’s neck, but he refused to do so until an ambulance arrived. By that point, Floyd had been unconscious for minutes. In a statement following the Monday night incident, the Minneapolis Police Department said they were responding to “a report of a forgery in progress” and claimed Floyd’s death was caused by an unspecified “medical incident.”
Shortly after video of the incident emerged and spread rapidly across social media, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announced the firing of four officers who were on the scene.
“It is the right decision for our city, the right decision for our community. It is the right decision for the Minneapolis Police Department,” Frey said at a press conference Tuesday. “We’ve stated our values, and ultimately we need to live by them.”
Lots of violent images being shared, this is the protest before cops fired gas. They hired the first shot. Not us. But they dont hear us when we march so we fight back. #GeorgeFloyd #BlackLivesMatter #Minneapolis pic.twitter.com/jCwsu3D6QY — Triple H (@HenryHuber) May 27, 2020
Hours after the firing of the four cops involved, this is the south Minneapolis intersection near where George Floyd was killed on Memorial Day when an officer knelt on his neck. Protest has the whole block at a standstill. Vid: @KSTP pic.twitter.com/bOqYlyEoYe — Alejandro Alvarez (@aletweetsnews) May 27, 2020
In an appearance on CNN late Tuesday, Floyd’s family members said termination of the officers is not enough.
“Firing them is a good start, but we want to see justice for our family. We want to see them charged. We want to have them arrested,” said Tera Brown, Floyd’s cousin. “What they did was murder.”
“He didn’t deserve what happened to him,” says Tera Brown, cousin of George Floyd, who said he couldn’t breathe as a police officer used a knee to hold him down by the neck. Brown said the four Minneapolis police officers involved in Floyd’s death should be “charged with murder.” pic.twitter.com/ESXMVMdcXH — CNN (@CNN) May 27, 2020
As the demonstrations kicked off Tuesday, Democratic members of Congress representing Minnesota sent a letter to U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald and Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman demanding a thorough investigation into Floyd’s killing and accountability for the officers involved.
“Mr. Floyd’s death appears to be yet another horrifying instance of excessive force leading to the death of African Americans across this country,” wrote Rep. Omar, Rep. Betty McCollum, Sen. Tina Smith, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar. “In addition to the obvious state laws that will govern this case, federal law makes it a crime for a state or local police officer to willfully violate a person’s constitutional rights, which includes the use of excessive force.”
Tired of reading the same old news from the same old sources? So are we! That’s why we’re on a mission to shake things up and bring you the stories and perspectives that often go untold in mainstream media. But being a radically, unapologetically independent news site isn’t easy (or cheap), and we rely on reader support to keep the lights on.
If you like what you’re reading, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We’re not asking for a handout, we’re asking for an investment: Invest in a nonprofit news site that’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, not afraid to stand up for what’s right, and not afraid to tell it like it is.
This piece was reprinted by Truthout with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.


truthout--2020-05-27--Trump Threatens to “Close” Twitter for Fact Checking His Tweets on Voting

President Donald Trump is threatening that his administration “ will strongly regulate , or close ” social media sites that attach disclaimers to inaccurate or misleading content , following an incident in which Twitter fact-checked his tweet about mail-in voting .
On Tuesday , a tweet from Trump that included an unsubstantiated claim about voter fraud and mail-in voting was examined by Twitter and later featured a disclaimer from the site at the bottom of it .
“ There is NO WAY ( ZERO ! )
that Mail-In Ballots will be anything less than substantially fraudulent , ” Trump wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be robbed , ballots will be forged & even illegally printed out & fraudulently signed.
” Voting by mail has been expanded in 2020 due to fears about spreading coronavirus at in-person voting locations later this year .
Mail-in voting and absentee ballots have been a part of the American political process for more than a century — Trump himself has utilized voting by mail as he ’ s a resident of Florida but lives and works in Washington , D.C .
There is no evidence to back the president ’ s claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rampant fraud .
Twitter inserted a caveat below the tweet from Trump in the form of a hyperlink next to an exclamation mark , which read , “ Get the facts about mail-in ballots.
” Those who clicked on the link were directed to a page produced by Twitter that was titled , “ Trump makes unsubstantiated claim that mail-in ballots will lead to voter fraud.
” The president ’ s claims “ are unsubstantiated , according to CNN , Washington Post and others .
Experts say mail-in ballots are very rarely linked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media site wrote , adding a slew of tweets to back up its point .
In response , Trump later on Tuesday launched a missive against the company .
“ Twitter is completely stifling FREE SPEECH , and I , as President , will not allow it to happen !
” he said .
On Wednesday he went further , threatening that his administration “ will strongly regulate , or close ” social media sites that regulate content in such a way .
However , Trump ’ s threats may be limited by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isn ’ t “ stifled ” by companies like Twitter — the right to free speech is protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution , which prevents the government from regulating or curtailing speech it disagrees with , except in rare circumstances where community safety may warrant it .
The amendment does not apply to a private platform like Twitter , which can set its own rules about what ’ s acceptable content and who can or can not participate .
Twitter ’ s actions are also protected by the Communications Decency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant leeway in deciding how to regulate their content .
If anything , Trump ’ s actions threatening to regulate a platform like Twitter itself may be a threat to free speech — telling a private entity that its actions around regulating content on its platform are themselves going to be regulated , simply because the president didn ’ t like what it chose to do over his tweets that were full of false information .
Twitter ’ s actions this week were a rare rebuttal of Trump ’ s frequently errant tweets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past to hold the president to the same community standards that other users are subjected to .
While users on the platform can be suspended or even removed from the site permanently for excessive bullying or spreading of false information , Trump has been given free rein to continue on without impediments of any kind , or threats of action against him by the company if he doesn ’ t stop behaving outside of their rules .
Last October , in an effort to address concerns by users about the president ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a policy about content from “ world leaders ” that the company hoped would explain why it didn ’ t take actions against political heads of state .
“ Our mission is to provide a forum that enables people to be informed and to engage their leaders directly , ” Twitter said on its page explaining the policy , adding that only the promotion of terrorism , threats of violence , the posting of private information , harm to children , or encouragement of self-harm to others , would be regulated .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we will err on the side of leaving the content up if there is a clear public interest in doing so , ” the site said at the time .

President Donald Trump is threatening that his administration “will strongly regulate, or close” social media sites that attach disclaimers to inaccurate or misleading content, following an incident in which Twitter fact-checked his tweet about mail-in voting.
On Tuesday, a tweet from Trump that included an unsubstantiated claim about voter fraud and mail-in voting was examined by Twitter and later featured a disclaimer from the site at the bottom of it.
“There is NO WAY (ZERO!) that Mail-In Ballots will be anything less than substantially fraudulent,” Trump wrote, adding that “Mail boxes will be robbed, ballots will be forged & even illegally printed out & fraudulently signed.”
Voting by mail has been expanded in 2020 due to fears about spreading coronavirus at in-person voting locations later this year.
Mail-in voting and absentee ballots have been a part of the American political process for more than a century — Trump himself has utilized voting by mail as he’s a resident of Florida but lives and works in Washington, D.C. There is no evidence to back the president’s claims that voting by mail would lead to rampant fraud.
Twitter inserted a caveat below the tweet from Trump in the form of a hyperlink next to an exclamation mark, which read, “Get the facts about mail-in ballots.” Those who clicked on the link were directed to a page produced by Twitter that was titled, “Trump makes unsubstantiated claim that mail-in ballots will lead to voter fraud.”
The president’s claims “are unsubstantiated, according to CNN, Washington Post and others. Experts say mail-in ballots are very rarely linked to voter fraud,” the social media site wrote, adding a slew of tweets to back up its point.
In response, Trump later on Tuesday launched a missive against the company. “Twitter is completely stifling FREE SPEECH, and I, as President, will not allow it to happen!” he said.
On Wednesday he went further, threatening that his administration “will strongly regulate, or close” social media sites that regulate content in such a way.
However, Trump’s threats may be limited by constitutional and statutory law. Free speech isn’t “stifled” by companies like Twitter — the right to free speech is protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution, which prevents the government from regulating or curtailing speech it disagrees with, except in rare circumstances where community safety may warrant it. The amendment does not apply to a private platform like Twitter, which can set its own rules about what’s acceptable content and who can or cannot participate.
Twitter’s actions are also protected by the Communications Decency Act, which gives social media sites significant leeway in deciding how to regulate their content.
If anything, Trump’s actions threatening to regulate a platform like Twitter itself may be a threat to free speech — telling a private entity that its actions around regulating content on its platform are themselves going to be regulated, simply because the president didn’t like what it chose to do over his tweets that were full of false information.
Twitter’s actions this week were a rare rebuttal of Trump’s frequently errant tweets. The company has resisted calls in the past to hold the president to the same community standards that other users are subjected to. While users on the platform can be suspended or even removed from the site permanently for excessive bullying or spreading of false information, Trump has been given free rein to continue on without impediments of any kind, or threats of action against him by the company if he doesn’t stop behaving outside of their rules.
Last October, in an effort to address concerns by users about the president’s actions online, Twitter put forward a policy about content from “world leaders” that the company hoped would explain why it didn’t take actions against political heads of state.
“Our mission is to provide a forum that enables people to be informed and to engage their leaders directly,” Twitter said on its page explaining the policy, adding that only the promotion of terrorism, threats of violence, the posting of private information, harm to children, or encouragement of self-harm to others, would be regulated.
“In other cases involving a world leader, we will err on the side of leaving the content up if there is a clear public interest in doing so,” the site said at the time.
Tired of reading the same old news from the same old sources? So are we! That’s why we’re on a mission to shake things up and bring you the stories and perspectives that often go untold in mainstream media. But being a radically, unapologetically independent news site isn’t easy (or cheap), and we rely on reader support to keep the lights on.
If you like what you’re reading, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We’re not asking for a handout, we’re asking for an investment: Invest in a nonprofit news site that’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, not afraid to stand up for what’s right, and not afraid to tell it like it is.
Copyright © Truthout. May not be reprinted without permission.


truthout--2020-05-27--Small Towns Have Been Left to Fend for Themselves as COVID-19 Depletes Budgets

Kevin Smith , the mayor of Helena-West Helena , Arkansas , feels abandoned by the federal government .
On Easter Sunday , a storm hit his city of 10,000 , one of the poorest in the state .
It knocked out power for most residents ; those who ’ d used SNAP benefits to stock their refrigerators saw their groceries spoil .
Streets flooded .
Sewers overflowed .
In the thick of a pandemic , debris blocked roads to the hospital .
His city faces a loss of up to 30 % in revenue because of the coronavirus , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stimulus funding , which is reserved for those with populations of 500,000 or more .
So at a time when his city needs infrastructure the most , he is weighing cuts and layoffs .
Smaller cities and towns , already reeling from the pandemic and the resulting financial crisis , face natural disasters like spring floods and the approaching hurricane season , additional blows exacerbated by climate change .
Meanwhile , they ’ ve been left behind as federal coronavirus relief efforts favor larger cities .
The House of Representatives passed another stimulus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion for local governments , including smaller towns .
It has little chance of passing the Senate .
A separate bipartisan bill introduced in the Senate would provide emergency assistance for local budgets .
The United States Conference of Mayors has a growing database of fiscal impacts in 170 cities .
Santa Monica , California , for example , is eliminating 337 staff positions , and Oakland Park , Florida , has announced that all city employees , including first responders , must take one day off every two weeks without pay .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ It doesn ’ t include Midland , Michigan , where 28 % of city workers were furloughed or faced reduced work hours last month .
Midland is now the epicenter of a massive flood that forced 10,000 people to evacuate after heavy rainfall and two collapsed dams sent the Tittabawassee River to record levels .
Noah Ponte , an out-of-work hotel manager in Detroit who grew up in Midland , drove into town last Tuesday night to help with volunteer efforts .
He and other volunteers created Google forms to match people offering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evacuees who need it .
“ We really can ’ t catch a break right now , ” Ponte said .
The storm is consistent with climate models that predict increasing rainfall for the Midwest .
It ’ s an example of the cascading catastrophes experts have warned about , as weather and climate-related disasters pile on top of the coronavirus .
Communities face a “ three-front war : it ’ s the pandemic , other natural disasters , and the revenue , ” said Colin Wellenkamp , executive director of the Mississippi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ represents 96 communities along the river .
Some towns are still recovering from last year ’ s floods .
Greenville , Mississippi , a city in the Delta region , was still fixing streets and sewers after $ 4 million worth of municipal damage .
Mayor Errick Simmons said they won ’ t be able to open the city ’ s parks and swimming pool this summer , because they ’ re funded by gaming revenues from local casinos that had to close due to the virus .
Last year , Greenville received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This year , he said , the check came to $ 900 .
Simmons faces a $ 3.5 million budget shortfall .
The city just approved furloughs of up to 120 days for as many as 25 city employees , and another 37 crossing guards are out of work due to school closures .
The 2019 flood also left its mark on Kimmswick , Missouri , which spent $ 150,000 building a temporary levee that saved the town last year .
The tiny community of 170 residents relies heavily on festivals it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The spring Strawberry Festival , where vendors sell strawberry cake , pie , jam and “ anything you can do to a damn strawberry , ” supplies a quarter of the budget .
Last year , it was cancelled because of the flood .
The coronavirus forced him to cancel it again this year .
Now he ’ s wondering about the fall Apple Butter Festival , known for its beehive-shaped Levee High apple pie , stuffed with 18 apples and coated in caramel .
The event usually generates half the city ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laid off anyone yet , but he ’ s curtailed police presence and deferred all but the most urgent road maintenance , he said .
“ If you get a big enough hole in the street , we ’ ll go find some gravel and fill it in so you don ’ t fall in.
” The mayors said they ’ ve received little state or federal aid .
“ The best thing the government can do is pass a package for cities and towns of all sizes , to cover revenue shortfalls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need cash infusions.
” Until then , they are relying on charity .
The most immediate aid for Helena-West Helena came from volunteers with the Arkansas Baptist Disaster Relief , a group affiliated with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention .
Randy Garrett , its disaster relief director , said they showed up the evening of the storm and began clearing trees , cooking meals and distributing supplies .
Crucially , they brought in a generator to power the water pumps , so the hospital and nursing home could stay open .
A construction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Phillips , who lives in the city with her family , said it took four days to get their electricity restored .
She enjoyed one home-cooked meal at a relative ’ s house in a neighboring town .
The rest of the time she stayed home , opening the fridge as little as possible to preserve their food .
“ I thank God every day for the volunteers , ” she said .
When she saw workers clearing the trees on her street , it was such a welcome sight that she took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t have managed without the Baptist State Convention .
The state never provided recovery funds .
He applied for FEMA disaster aid after a volunteer suggested it ; more than six weeks after the storm , he is still waiting to see if that will be approved .
“ We need more immediate , direct help , ” said Simmons , the Greenville mayor .
“ If we do not receive that … we do not see how we will survive into the following year .
”

It’s flood season and local leaders have no idea how to help residents through natural disasters.
Kevin Smith, the mayor of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas, feels abandoned by the federal government. On Easter Sunday, a storm hit his city of 10,000, one of the poorest in the state. It knocked out power for most residents; those who’d used SNAP benefits to stock their refrigerators saw their groceries spoil. Streets flooded. Sewers overflowed. In the thick of a pandemic, debris blocked roads to the hospital.
His city faces a loss of up to 30% in revenue because of the coronavirus, but doesn’t qualify for direct federal stimulus funding, which is reserved for those with populations of 500,000 or more. So at a time when his city needs infrastructure the most, he is weighing cuts and layoffs.
Smaller cities and towns, already reeling from the pandemic and the resulting financial crisis, face natural disasters like spring floods and the approaching hurricane season, additional blows exacerbated by climate change. Meanwhile, they’ve been left behind as federal coronavirus relief efforts favor larger cities. The House of Representatives passed another stimulus bill this month that allocates $188 billion for local governments, including smaller towns. It has little chance of passing the Senate. A separate bipartisan bill introduced in the Senate would provide emergency assistance for local budgets.
The United States Conference of Mayors has a growing database of fiscal impacts in 170 cities. Santa Monica, California, for example, is eliminating 337 staff positions, and Oakland Park, Florida, has announced that all city employees, including first responders, must take one day off every two weeks without pay.
That list is far from complete. It doesn’t include Midland, Michigan, where 28% of city workers were furloughed or faced reduced work hours last month. Midland is now the epicenter of a massive flood that forced 10,000 people to evacuate after heavy rainfall and two collapsed dams sent the Tittabawassee River to record levels.
Noah Ponte, an out-of-work hotel manager in Detroit who grew up in Midland, drove into town last Tuesday night to help with volunteer efforts. He and other volunteers created Google forms to match people offering housing, food and clothing assistance with evacuees who need it. “We really can’t catch a break right now,” Ponte said.
The storm is consistent with climate models that predict increasing rainfall for the Midwest. It’s an example of the cascading catastrophes experts have warned about, as weather and climate-related disasters pile on top of the coronavirus.
Communities face a “three-front war: it’s the pandemic, other natural disasters, and the revenue,” said Colin Wellenkamp, executive director of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative, which represents 96 communities along the river.
Some towns are still recovering from last year’s floods. Greenville, Mississippi, a city in the Delta region, was still fixing streets and sewers after $4 million worth of municipal damage. Mayor Errick Simmons said they won’t be able to open the city’s parks and swimming pool this summer, because they’re funded by gaming revenues from local casinos that had to close due to the virus. Last year, Greenville received $118,000 of that revenue in April. This year, he said, the check came to $900.
Simmons faces a $3.5 million budget shortfall. The city just approved furloughs of up to 120 days for as many as 25 city employees, and another 37 crossing guards are out of work due to school closures.
The 2019 flood also left its mark on Kimmswick, Missouri, which spent $150,000 building a temporary levee that saved the town last year. The tiny community of 170 residents relies heavily on festivals it hosts, said Mayor Philip Stang. The spring Strawberry Festival, where vendors sell strawberry cake, pie, jam and “anything you can do to a damn strawberry,” supplies a quarter of the budget. Last year, it was cancelled because of the flood. The coronavirus forced him to cancel it again this year.
Now he’s wondering about the fall Apple Butter Festival, known for its beehive-shaped Levee High apple pie, stuffed with 18 apples and coated in caramel. The event usually generates half the city’s budget.
Stang hasn’t laid off anyone yet, but he’s curtailed police presence and deferred all but the most urgent road maintenance, he said. “If you get a big enough hole in the street, we’ll go find some gravel and fill it in so you don’t fall in.”
The mayors said they’ve received little state or federal aid. “The best thing the government can do is pass a package for cities and towns of all sizes, to cover revenue shortfalls,” Simmons said. “We need cash infusions.”
Until then, they are relying on charity.
The most immediate aid for Helena-West Helena came from volunteers with the Arkansas Baptist Disaster Relief, a group affiliated with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. Randy Garrett, its disaster relief director, said they showed up the evening of the storm and began clearing trees, cooking meals and distributing supplies. Crucially, they brought in a generator to power the water pumps, so the hospital and nursing home could stay open. A construction company provided a second generator.
Tonya Phillips, who lives in the city with her family, said it took four days to get their electricity restored. She enjoyed one home-cooked meal at a relative’s house in a neighboring town. The rest of the time she stayed home, opening the fridge as little as possible to preserve their food. “I thank God every day for the volunteers,” she said. When she saw workers clearing the trees on her street, it was such a welcome sight that she took a photo.
Smith said he couldn’t have managed without the Baptist State Convention. The state never provided recovery funds. He applied for FEMA disaster aid after a volunteer suggested it; more than six weeks after the storm, he is still waiting to see if that will be approved.
“We need more immediate, direct help,” said Simmons, the Greenville mayor. “If we do not receive that … we do not see how we will survive into the following year.”
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