truthout--2020-08-07--Right-Wing Groups Took Millions in COVID Aid and Spent It Lobbying Against Aid

Conservative groups whose board members have taken in tens of millions in coronavirus relief from Congress have spent millions to lobby lawmakers to cut aid for unemployed workers .
Negotiations over the next phase of much-needed coronavirus relief have stalled , largely because Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other Republicans have insisted on cutting the federal unemployment benefit created under the CARES Act in March from $ 600 per week to around $ 200 — based on a widely-debunked premise that it keeps workers from returning to their jobs .
Just three months ahead of a national election , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expire last week despite research showing that any significant lapse or cut would devastate the economy .
These negotiations have been driven by a lobbying frenzy , The New York Times reported , and many of the board members of the groups urging Congress to drastically slash the unemployment benefit — such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce , FreedomWorks , Americans for Tax Reform and the Club for Growth — have themselves benefited greatly from the CARES Act .
“ The ‘ stimulus for me , but not for thee ’ pleas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be laughable if Senate Republicans weren ’ t marching in lockstep , ” Kyle Herrig , the president of the progressive government watchdog group Accountable.US , told Salon .
“ McConnell and his allies are mulling drastic cuts to unemployment benefits that will leave struggling workers with even less money to feed their families and avoid eviction .
They know but don ’ t care that amid the worsening health crisis , millions more people are out of work than there are jobs available .
Cutting benefits for families in need won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The U.S. Chamber of Commerce , a pro-business group that has been blamed for making the pandemic “ worse ” by opposing government efforts to fight the coronavirus , has been a leading opponent of federal unemployment benefits .
The group spent more than $ 15 million lobbying on “ unemployment insurance ” and other issues in the first quarter , according to lobbying disclosures , and another $ 12 million lobbying on “ unemployment insurance and the COVID-19 pandemic , ” as well as “ workplace liability , ” another McConnell pet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In May , the chamber “ joined Republicans in arguing that the extra payments might deter people from returning to work , ” The Washington Post reported .
This claim has been widely rejected by economists .
The group was among several that lobbied lawmakers to reject the unemployment benefit in favor of an “ alternative ” like a “ back-to-work ” bonus , Bloomberg Law reported .
Last month , the Chamber of Commerce wrote to Congress demanding the unemployment benefit be “ significantly revised , ” again echoing the discredited claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their jobs .
The chamber ’ s board of directors ’ companies have received millions in aid under the CARES Act .
Stephen Johnson , a member of the board of directors , is the executive vice president of corporate affairs at American Airlines , which received more than $ 5.8 million in government aid under the Payroll Support Program , according to a COVID Bailout Tracker launched by Accountable.US .
Heather Wingate , also on the board of directors , is a senior vice president of Delta Airlines , which received $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fariello , another member of the board , is a senior executive at United Airlines , which received nearly $ 5 million under the PSP .
Other board members ’ companies received millions under the Paycheck Protection Program .
Mark Wilson is the CEO of Chime Solutions , which took up to $ 10 million in PPP funding .
Edward McCoy is the CEO of Eaheart Industrial Service , which took up to $ 2 million in PPP funding .
Karen Olson Beenken is the CEO of Blue Rock Companies , which took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding .
Other heads of companies that took up to $ 1 million include William Little of the Quam-Nichols Company ; Natalie Kaddas , the CEO of Kaddas Enterprises ; Maxine Turner , the founder of Cuisine Unlimited ; and Maura Donahue , the president of DonahueFavret Conractors .
Business Roundtable , another pro-business group , spent more than $ 4.8 million lobbying on unemployment and “ issues relating to federal response to COVID-19 ” in the first quarter , according to a lobbying disclosure , and another $ 800,000 in the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Liability Protections ” and opposing the HEROES Act , the $ 3 trillion bill the House passed in May , which would extend the federal unemployment benefit through January .
In May , the group wrote to Congress urging members to “ avoid ” unemployment insurance , repeating the discredited claim that it provides a “ disincentive to work.
” Business Roundtable ’ s board of directors includes Jamie Dimon , the chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase , which earned up to $ 1.4 billion in fees administering PPP loans .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chairman of Carnegie Hall , which took up to $ 10 million in PPP funding , Brendan Bechtel and Julie Sweet , who sit on the board of trustees for the Center for Strategic and International Studies , which took up to $ 5 million in PPP aid , Alex Gorsky , a member of the Travis Manion Foundation , which got up to $ 1 million in PPP aid , and Mark Sutton , who sits on the board of directors for the New Memphis Institute , which got up to $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has been instrumental behind the scenes is FreedomWorks , whose members include Stephen Moore , a longtime Trump economic adviser .
The group also helped organize anti-lockdown protests in the spring .
FreedomWorks spent $ 550,000 in the second quarter to lobby on legislation including the “ Getting Americans Back to Work Act ” and other issues related to the pandemic .
The group referred to the federal unemployment benefit as a “ glaring error in the CARES Act , ” repeating the same dubious claim that it would “ create a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there has been a shortage of jobs .
FreedomWorks president Adam Brandon has also warned that extending the benefits would drive up the deficit , even though economists warn that cutting the benefit would shrink the economy and cost millions of jobs .
But FreedomWorks had no problem seeking government aid itself , applying for $ 300,000 under the PPP .
FreedomWorks “ made its name opposing bailouts , ” The New York Times reported , “ but in this case [ is ] willing to take one.
” Heritage Action for America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foundation , spent more than $ 200,000 lobbying on the CARES Act and “ issues pertaining to an extension of the bonus $ 600 UI benefit , ” according to their disclosures for the first and second quarters .
The Heritage Foundation opposed the CARES Act , mainly over the unemployment benefits , and later echoed the same discredited claim that the benefit was “ incentivizing job losses.
” In June , the group pushed Congress to end the unemployment benefits a month earlier than the law required .
Meanwhile , Heritage Foundation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rappahannock Media , received up to $ 350,000 in PPP funding .
It was a curious move for the former Trump transition “ landing team ” member , who was described by a former colleague as so “ libertarian ” he “ doesn ’ t believe in government at all.
” Americans for Tax Reform spent $ 170,000 lobbying against federal unemployment benefits in the first and second quarters .
The group argued that the unemployment benefit created an “ incentive for Americans to choose welfare over work ” even as businesses across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grover Norquist-led group received up to $ 350,000 in PPP aid from the government .
The same trend repeats with several other conservative groups that have urged Congress to cut or end aid for tens of millions of jobless Americans .
Citizens Against Government Waste spent $ 25,000 to lobby against the HEROES Act in the second quarter .
Board member Terry Grace Sears is executive director of Tuesday ’ s Children , which received up to $ 350,000 in PPP funding .
Club for Growth called the unemployment benefits “ unfair ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Board member Terry Considine also serves on the board of Intrepid Potash , which received a $ 10 million PPP loan .
The Cato Institute called the CARES Act an “ excessive ” response and claimed it would disincentivize workers from returning .
Board member Nestor Weigand Jr. Is the CEO of JP Weigand & Sons , which took up to $ 1 million in PPP funds .
R Street Institute called on Congress to “ oppose any effort to extend this aid past the point of immediate crisis ” while the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million in PPP funds .
William Gray , the group ’ s communications director , told Salon the notion that the group opposes individual aid is false , noting that the group has supported recurring cash payments to individuals and opposed unemployment benefits because it views them as insufficient .
Herrig , the Accountable.US president , noted the apparent hypocrisy at work here , with so many entities that were eager to accept government aid demanding that Congress strip it away from laid-off individuals .
“ If these groups are concerned the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis , ” he said , “ they are welcome to return their taxpayer-funded bailouts .
”

Conservative groups whose board members have taken in tens of millions in coronavirus relief from Congress have spent millions to lobby lawmakers to cut aid for unemployed workers.
Negotiations over the next phase of much-needed coronavirus relief have stalled, largely because Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other Republicans have insisted on cutting the federal unemployment benefit created under the CARES Act in March from $600 per week to around $200 — based on a widely-debunked premise that it keeps workers from returning to their jobs.
Just three months ahead of a national election, Republicans inexplicably let the federal unemployment benefit expire last week despite research showing that any significant lapse or cut would devastate the economy.
These negotiations have been driven by a lobbying frenzy, The New York Times reported, and many of the board members of the groups urging Congress to drastically slash the unemployment benefit — such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, FreedomWorks, Americans for Tax Reform and the Club for Growth — have themselves benefited greatly from the CARES Act.
“The ‘stimulus for me, but not for thee’ pleas from wealthy and well-connected right-wing special interests would be laughable if Senate Republicans weren’t marching in lockstep,” Kyle Herrig, the president of the progressive government watchdog group Accountable.US, told Salon. “McConnell and his allies are mulling drastic cuts to unemployment benefits that will leave struggling workers with even less money to feed their families and avoid eviction. They know but don’t care that amid the worsening health crisis, millions more people are out of work than there are jobs available. Cutting benefits for families in need won’t make jobs magically reappear.”
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a pro-business group that has been blamed for making the pandemic “worse” by opposing government efforts to fight the coronavirus, has been a leading opponent of federal unemployment benefits.
The group spent more than $15 million lobbying on “unemployment insurance” and other issues in the first quarter, according to lobbying disclosures, and another $12 million lobbying on “unemployment insurance and the COVID-19 pandemic,” as well as “workplace liability,” another McConnell pet issue, in the second quarter.
In May, the chamber “joined Republicans in arguing that the extra payments might deter people from returning to work,” The Washington Post reported. This claim has been widely rejected by economists. The group was among several that lobbied lawmakers to reject the unemployment benefit in favor of an “alternative” like a “back-to-work” bonus, Bloomberg Law reported.
Last month, the Chamber of Commerce wrote to Congress demanding the unemployment benefit be “significantly revised,” again echoing the discredited claim that it deters workers from returning to their jobs.
The chamber’s board of directors’ companies have received millions in aid under the CARES Act.
Stephen Johnson, a member of the board of directors, is the executive vice president of corporate affairs at American Airlines, which received more than $5.8 million in government aid under the Payroll Support Program, according to a COVID Bailout Tracker launched by Accountable.US. Heather Wingate, also on the board of directors, is a senior vice president of Delta Airlines, which received $5.4 million under the PSP. Terri Fariello, another member of the board, is a senior executive at United Airlines, which received nearly $5 million under the PSP.
Other board members’ companies received millions under the Paycheck Protection Program. Mark Wilson is the CEO of Chime Solutions, which took up to $10 million in PPP funding. Edward McCoy is the CEO of Eaheart Industrial Service, which took up to $2 million in PPP funding. Karen Olson Beenken is the CEO of Blue Rock Companies, which took up to $1 million in PPP funding. Other heads of companies that took up to $1 million include William Little of the Quam-Nichols Company; Natalie Kaddas, the CEO of Kaddas Enterprises; Maxine Turner, the founder of Cuisine Unlimited; and Maura Donahue, the president of DonahueFavret Conractors.
Business Roundtable, another pro-business group, spent more than $4.8 million lobbying on unemployment and “issues relating to federal response to COVID-19” in the first quarter, according to a lobbying disclosure, and another $800,000 in the second quarter to lobby on “COVID-19 Pandemic Liability Protections” and opposing the HEROES Act, the $3 trillion bill the House passed in May, which would extend the federal unemployment benefit through January.
In May, the group wrote to Congress urging members to “avoid” unemployment insurance, repeating the discredited claim that it provides a “disincentive to work.”
Business Roundtable’s board of directors includes Jamie Dimon, the chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase, which earned up to $1.4 billion in fees administering PPP loans.
The board also includes Robert Smith, the chairman of Carnegie Hall, which took up to $10 million in PPP funding, Brendan Bechtel and Julie Sweet, who sit on the board of trustees for the Center for Strategic and International Studies, which took up to $5 million in PPP aid, Alex Gorsky, a member of the Travis Manion Foundation, which got up to $1 million in PPP aid, and Mark Sutton, who sits on the board of directors for the New Memphis Institute, which got up to $350,000 in PPP funding.
Another group that has been instrumental behind the scenes is FreedomWorks, whose members include Stephen Moore, a longtime Trump economic adviser. The group also helped organize anti-lockdown protests in the spring.
FreedomWorks spent $550,000 in the second quarter to lobby on legislation including the “Getting Americans Back to Work Act” and other issues related to the pandemic.
The group referred to the federal unemployment benefit as a “glaring error in the CARES Act,” repeating the same dubious claim that it would “create a shortage of workers” when in reality there has been a shortage of jobs. FreedomWorks president Adam Brandon has also warned that extending the benefits would drive up the deficit, even though economists warn that cutting the benefit would shrink the economy and cost millions of jobs.
But FreedomWorks had no problem seeking government aid itself, applying for $300,000 under the PPP.
FreedomWorks “made its name opposing bailouts,” The New York Times reported, “but in this case [is] willing to take one.”
Heritage Action for America, the sister organization of the Heritage Foundation, spent more than $200,000 lobbying on the CARES Act and “issues pertaining to an extension of the bonus $600 UI benefit,” according to their disclosures for the first and second quarters.
The Heritage Foundation opposed the CARES Act, mainly over the unemployment benefits, and later echoed the same discredited claim that the benefit was “incentivizing job losses.” In June, the group pushed Congress to end the unemployment benefits a month earlier than the law required.
Meanwhile, Heritage Foundation trustee William Walton, the owner of Rappahannock Media, received up to $350,000 in PPP funding. It was a curious move for the former Trump transition “landing team” member, who was described by a former colleague as so “libertarian” he “doesn’t believe in government at all.”
Americans for Tax Reform spent $170,000 lobbying against federal unemployment benefits in the first and second quarters. The group argued that the unemployment benefit created an “incentive for Americans to choose welfare over work” even as businesses across the U.S. were shuttered.
But the Grover Norquist-led group received up to $350,000 in PPP aid from the government.
The same trend repeats with several other conservative groups that have urged Congress to cut or end aid for tens of millions of jobless Americans.
Citizens Against Government Waste spent $25,000 to lobby against the HEROES Act in the second quarter. Board member Terry Grace Sears is executive director of Tuesday’s Children, which received up to $350,000 in PPP funding.
Club for Growth called the unemployment benefits “unfair” and demanded Congress end the benefit entirely. Board member Terry Considine also serves on the board of Intrepid Potash, which received a $10 million PPP loan.
The Cato Institute called the CARES Act an “excessive” response and claimed it would disincentivize workers from returning. Board member Nestor Weigand Jr. Is the CEO of JP Weigand & Sons, which took up to $1 million in PPP funds.
R Street Institute called on Congress to “oppose any effort to extend this aid past the point of immediate crisis” while the group itself took up to $2 million in PPP funds. William Gray, the group’s communications director, told Salon the notion that the group opposes individual aid is false, noting that the group has supported recurring cash payments to individuals and opposed unemployment benefits because it views them as insufficient.
Herrig, the Accountable.US president, noted the apparent hypocrisy at work here, with so many entities that were eager to accept government aid demanding that Congress strip it away from laid-off individuals.
“If these groups are concerned the government is spending too much during this historic crisis,” he said, “they are welcome to return their taxpayer-funded bailouts.”
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--2020-08-07--Students Suspended for Taking Pictures of Crowds in Georgia School’s Reopening

A high school in Paulding County , Georgia , is facing steep criticism for how it has handled reopening its schools after several images on social media revealed a lack of social distancing and mask-wearing among the student body .
But rather than addressing these concerns or taking precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 , the district instead appears to be disciplining students that have shared these images on social media .
Hannah Watters , a 15-year-old student at North Paulding High School , received a 5-day out-of-school suspension for posting a photo and a video of the conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , BuzzFeed News reported .
Another student , who did not want to be named , also faced suspension for sharing images .
The images , which showed crowded hallways with few students wearing masks , went viral on social media earlier this week .
Watters , who posted a picture on the second day of school to her Twitter account , described the situation as being “ just as bad ” as it was on day one .
“ We were stopped [ in the hallway ] because it was jammed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her photo .
“ We are close enough to the point where I got pushed multiple go to second block .
This is not ok. Not to mention the 10 % mask rate.
” The district has adopted a policy that wearing a mask should be a “ personal choice ” for students and parents .
Over the course of three days , Watter said that she attended 12 classes , interacting with 300 students during those periods of time .
Only 96 of the students were wearing a mask , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Control and Prevention ( CDC ) recommends that schools choosing to reopen their doors amid the pandemic should have students wearing masks or facial coverings “ when around people who live outside of their household , especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
” In classrooms , students should still wear their masks if they ’ re unable to be seated more than six feet apart .
After posting the photos and video to social media , Watters was called into Principal Gabe Carmona ’ s office , where she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned other students against posting criticisms against the district online .
“ Anything that ’ s going on social media that ’ s negative or alike without permission , photography , that ’ s video or anything , there will be consequences , ” he reportedly said over the school ’ s intercom .
The school ’ s student handbook has provisions against the use of cell phones in hallways without authorization from teachers or the school , or recording minors in the school without obtaining permission .
However , the school district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ First Amendment rights if they ’ re inconsistent in the enforcement of the measure , such as punishing those who are critical of the reopening standards but taking no action in other similar circumstances .
“ From a rights perspective , the question I would have is whether or not the school has exercised similar discipline for other students who have posted anything during the school day , especially instances of people posting favorable things , ” Fred Smith Jr. , associate professor of law at Emory University , said to The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , citing the philosophy of the late Rep. John Lewis .
“ I ’ d like to say this is some good and necessary trouble , ” she said to CNN about the matter .
“ My biggest concern is not only about me being safe , it ’ s about everyone being safe because behind every teacher , student and staff member , there is a family , there are friends , and I would just want to keep everyone safe.
” Watters said she had not been disciplined by the district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns over the way the schools in the district have reopened , including the lack of mask enforcement and social distancing .
Superintendent Brian Otott responded to those worries in a letter to parents sent this week .
“ There is no question that the photo does not look good , ” Otott said in the letter .
“ I can understand if your first reaction was one of concern.
” But he also suggested the images were being taken “ without context.
” “ Under the COVID-19 protocols we have adopted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen , especially at a high school with more than 2,000 students , ” he added .
As districts across the country struggle to develop plans to reopen schools safely , if at all , President Donald Trump has suggested worries are overblown , falsely claiming that children can not be harmed by coronavirus .
“ If you look at children , children are almost — and I would almost say definitely — but almost immune from this disease , ” Trump incorrectly stated in a Fox News interview earlier this week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ problem .
They just don ’ t have a problem.
” But children can indeed be harmed by coronavirus .
A 7-year-old boy in Chatham County , Georgia , became the youngest person in the state to die from COVID-19 on Thursday .
The boy did not have underlying health conditions , according to local news reports on his death .

The school’s principal announced this week there would be “consequences” if students criticized the reopening online.
A high school in Paulding County, Georgia, is facing steep criticism for how it has handled reopening its schools after several images on social media revealed a lack of social distancing and mask-wearing among the student body.
But rather than addressing these concerns or taking precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the district instead appears to be disciplining students that have shared these images on social media.
Hannah Watters, a 15-year-old student at North Paulding High School, received a 5-day out-of-school suspension for posting a photo and a video of the conditions inside the school to her Twitter account, BuzzFeed News reported. Another student, who did not want to be named, also faced suspension for sharing images.
The images, which showed crowded hallways with few students wearing masks, went viral on social media earlier this week.
Watters, who posted a picture on the second day of school to her Twitter account, described the situation as being “just as bad” as it was on day one.
“We were stopped [in the hallway] because it was jammed,” Watters wrote in the caption of her photo. “We are close enough to the point where I got pushed multiple go to second block. This is not ok. Not to mention the 10% mask rate.”
The district has adopted a policy that wearing a mask should be a “personal choice” for students and parents.
Over the course of three days, Watter said that she attended 12 classes, interacting with 300 students during those periods of time. Only 96 of the students were wearing a mask, according to her count.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that schools choosing to reopen their doors amid the pandemic should have students wearing masks or facial coverings “when around people who live outside of their household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.” In classrooms, students should still wear their masks if they’re unable to be seated more than six feet apart.
After posting the photos and video to social media, Watters was called into Principal Gabe Carmona’s office, where she was issued her suspension. Carmona also warned other students against posting criticisms against the district online.
“Anything that’s going on social media that’s negative or alike without permission, photography, that’s video or anything, there will be consequences,” he reportedly said over the school’s intercom.
The school’s student handbook has provisions against the use of cell phones in hallways without authorization from teachers or the school, or recording minors in the school without obtaining permission. However, the school district may still be in violation of students’ First Amendment rights if they’re inconsistent in the enforcement of the measure, such as punishing those who are critical of the reopening standards but taking no action in other similar circumstances.
“From a rights perspective, the question I would have is whether or not the school has exercised similar discipline for other students who have posted anything during the school day, especially instances of people posting favorable things,” Fred Smith Jr., associate professor of law at Emory University, said to The Washington Post.
Watters defended her actions, citing the philosophy of the late Rep. John Lewis.
“I’d like to say this is some good and necessary trouble,” she said to CNN about the matter. “My biggest concern is not only about me being safe, it’s about everyone being safe because behind every teacher, student and staff member, there is a family, there are friends, and I would just want to keep everyone safe.”
Watters said she had not been disciplined by the district before this week.
Parents have expressed concerns over the way the schools in the district have reopened, including the lack of mask enforcement and social distancing. Superintendent Brian Otott responded to those worries in a letter to parents sent this week.
“There is no question that the photo does not look good,” Otott said in the letter. “I can understand if your first reaction was one of concern.”
But he also suggested the images were being taken “without context.”
“Under the COVID-19 protocols we have adopted, class changes that look like this may happen, especially at a high school with more than 2,000 students,” he added.
As districts across the country struggle to develop plans to reopen schools safely, if at all, President Donald Trump has suggested worries are overblown, falsely claiming that children cannot be harmed by coronavirus.
“If you look at children, children are almost — and I would almost say definitely — but almost immune from this disease,” Trump incorrectly stated in a Fox News interview earlier this week. “They don’t have a problem. They just don’t have a problem.”
But children can indeed be harmed by coronavirus. A 7-year-old boy in Chatham County, Georgia, became the youngest person in the state to die from COVID-19 on Thursday. The boy did not have underlying health conditions, according to local news reports on his death.
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--2020-08-07--Outraised 250-1, Progressive Marquita Bradshaw Upsets Establishment Opponent

Despite being outraised 250-1 by her establishment-backed opponent , progressive environmentalist Marquita Bradshaw scored a stunning upset victory in the Tennessee Democratic primary for an open U.S. Senate seat on Thursday after running on a platform that included Medicare for All and the Green New Deal .
James Mackler , one of Bradshaw ’ s four primary competitors , was endorsed by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and raised more than $ 2 million over the course of the campaign , according to Federal Election Commission filings .
Bradshaw , by contrast , had the backing of the Memphis-Midsouth chapter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raised just over $ 8,400 .
“ The progressive movement is undeniable !
” Bradshaw , whose campaign consisted entirely of volunteers , tweeted following her win .
“ Thank you all so much for your support and this victory .
It ’ s time to put hardworking people first .
Onward.
” The youth-led Sunrise Movement celebrated Bradshaw ’ s win as a testament to the power of her vision of a Green New Deal that “ puts racial justice at its core.
” “ She took down the party-backed candidate who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group tweeted .
“ It ’ s 2020 and big things are happening y ’ all.
” In November , Bradshaw will face off against former U.S .
Ambassador to Japan Bill Hagerty , who prevailed in a close Republican primary race Thursday with the backing of President Donald Trump .
No Democrat has won a Senate election in Tennessee since 1990 .
“ This is a network that has reached across Tennessee , ” Bradshaw said of her campaign .
“ Now it ’ s time to move forward to flip this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do it by working together , by staying true to the principles… by listening to voters.
” “ I don ’ t have an opponent .
We have issues to solve , ” Bradshaw added .
“ And that ’ s the reason why we ’ re leading in the state right now .
And that ’ s how we ’ re going to flip this U.S. Senate seat .
”

Despite being outraised 250-1 by her establishment-backed opponent, progressive environmentalist Marquita Bradshaw scored a stunning upset victory in the Tennessee Democratic primary for an open U.S. Senate seat on Thursday after running on a platform that included Medicare for All and the Green New Deal.
James Mackler, one of Bradshaw’s four primary competitors, was endorsed by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and raised more than $2 million over the course of the campaign, according to Federal Election Commission filings. Bradshaw, by contrast, had the backing of the Memphis-Midsouth chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America and raised just over $8,400.
“The progressive movement is undeniable!” Bradshaw, whose campaign consisted entirely of volunteers, tweeted following her win. “Thank you all so much for your support and this victory. It’s time to put hardworking people first. Onward.”
The youth-led Sunrise Movement celebrated Bradshaw’s win as a testament to the power of her vision of a Green New Deal that “puts racial justice at its core.”
“She took down the party-backed candidate who raised millions of dollars,” the group tweeted. “It’s 2020 and big things are happening y’all.”
Environmental justice is social justice. I’ve lived in Memphis for 46 years, and I am proud to call it home. But let’s face it– TN deserves better. Tomorrow, you get to decide which direction we’re headed. Let’s move forward together! https://t.co/NefIL08FJj #GoVoteTN pic.twitter.com/d11DUhjAtN — Marquita Bradshaw (@Bradshaw2020) August 5, 2020
In November, Bradshaw will face off against former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Bill Hagerty, who prevailed in a close Republican primary race Thursday with the backing of President Donald Trump. No Democrat has won a Senate election in Tennessee since 1990.
“This is a network that has reached across Tennessee,” Bradshaw said of her campaign. “Now it’s time to move forward to flip this U.S. Senate seat. And we can do it by working together, by staying true to the principles… by listening to voters.”
“I don’t have an opponent. We have issues to solve,” Bradshaw added. “And that’s the reason why we’re leading in the state right now. And that’s how we’re going to flip this U.S. Senate seat.”
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--2020-08-07--Young People Are Leading the Growing Movement for Police-Free Schools

In this moment of transformative possibility , amid activists ’ growing calls to defund and abolish the police , young people across the country are leading a movement to remove police officers from schools .
They are demanding that city and school district leaders reallocate funding for police into services and resources for students , including counseling , social workers and restorative justice programming .
The movement for police-free schools has a long history of Black youth leading this fight as a key strategy to dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline , a process of funneling predominately Black and Latinx students out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system .
Minneapolis Public School student Nathaniel Genene talked about this decades-long struggle to remove police from schools in an interview with The Nation .
“ I think it ’ s important to point out that this has been a generational struggle .
We ’ ve had cops in schools since the ’ 60s , ” Genene said .
“ So , this movement definitely did not start last week .
And groups today such as Young People ’ s Action Coalition [ YPAC ] , Our Turn , and Youth Out Loud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some time.
” The week of June 22 saw a National Week of Action to support youth organizers in their fight for police-free schools .
Black youth and other youth of color led daily actions across the country , including marches , calling school board members , creating and encouraging supporters to sign petitions , and providing virtual political education events .
There have been some victories in response .
On July 7 , Phoenix Union Superintendent Chad Gaston announced that the school district will not renew its agreement for school resource officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
Although the Chicago Public School Board voted against terminating its contract with the Chicago Police Department , local school councils have until August 14 to vote on whether to remove police officers from campus .
Of the eight councils that have voted so far , Benito Juarez Community Academy and Northside College Prep voted to remove officers .
“ This issue is important to me because it affects me , being Latino [ and ] likely to be led through the school-to-prison pipeline .
I ’ ve experienced firsthand how this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ youth leader with the Puente Youth Movement , told Truthout .
The Puente Youth Movement is a youth-led program that works to fight the school-to-prison pipeline in Phoenix and Central Arizona through the Youth Leadership Program and # CopsOuttaCampus campaign .
“ Cops do not make me feel safe at all , and I hate how we have to check ourselves to make sure we ’ re not acting ‘ wrong ’ when we are just being ourselves .
Cops give me anxiety , ” Ramos-Valdez said .
The rise in the 1990s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public schools across the country led to a reliance on police in schools , and suspensions and expulsions to address behavioral issues that were once handled by teachers and other school staff .
The violence of policing in schools manifests as both anti-Black violence and gender-based violence .
In a 2015 report from the African American Policy Forum , U.S. Department of Education data was presented that showed that while Black boys were suspended three times more than white boys in the 2011-12 school year , Black girls were six times more likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police in schools have also led to the violent treatment of students .
For instance , on January 29 , 2019 , a 16-year-old high school student on Chicago ’ s West Side was shocked with a Taser in school by a school resource officer after being removed from class for pulling out her cellphone .
Incidents like this , and the fact that although Black students account for 36 percent of Chicago Public Schools ’ students they accounted for 66 percent of police notifications , have spurred organizing to remove police from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PoliceFreeSchools Coalition demanded that the Chicago Board of Education end Chicago Public Schools ’ $ 33 million contract with the Chicago Police Department ( CPD ) , and reallocate those funds to counseling and other youth services .
A youth-led direct action included protesting outside of Chicago Board of Education President Miguel Del Valle ’ s home on June 24 , the morning where the seven-member Board voted 4-3 to not end CPD ’ s contract .
Chicago Public Schools student Essence Gatheright expressed her frustration with the vote .
“ We need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with youth , who are willing [ to ] genuinely see us , ” Gatheright told ABC 7 Chicago .
Meanwhile , in Minneapolis , student activists in organizations such as the Black Liberation Project , Youth Out Loud and the Young Muslim Collective have for years attended school board meetings and organized rallies demanding the school board to end their contract with the police department .
Their committed activism led to the Minneapolis Public School Board voting unanimously for a resolution to end the district ’ s contract with the police department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when bold abolitionist demands are being heard and considered by cities and school districts , youth are leading the fight for police-free schools and a police-free society .
Kysani London , a member of Chicago Public School Alumni for Abolition who organized a protest at Northside College Prep to pressure the local school council to remove school resource officers , connected the police-free-schools movement to the broader police abolition movement .
“ Right now , the small-scale police-free-school work that we ’ re engaging in can — in some ways — be seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall in a series in the move for police abolition.… We , along with numerous other national organizations , are helping to push the door ajar for radical change surrounding the concept of policing , ” London told Liberation News .
These intensified campaigns have come amid a broader movement for defunding police .
Thanks to these efforts , a veto-proof majority of the Minneapolis City Council announced their intent to disband the city ’ s police department and replace it with an alternative system of public safety , and other city governments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York City and Philadelphia , have expressed support for decreasing or opposing increases in city police budgets .
Youth organizers are showing us that the movement for police-free schools , which has been building for decades , is a key component of the vision for a world beyond policing .

Youth across the U.S. are organizing for police-free schools and resources that prioritize their well-being.
Part of the Series The Road to Abolition
In this moment of transformative possibility, amid activists’ growing calls to defund and abolish the police, young people across the country are leading a movement to remove police officers from schools. They are demanding that city and school district leaders reallocate funding for police into services and resources for students, including counseling, social workers and restorative justice programming.
The movement for police-free schools has a long history of Black youth leading this fight as a key strategy to dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline, a process of funneling predominately Black and Latinx students out of schools and into the juvenile legal system.
Minneapolis Public School student Nathaniel Genene talked about this decades-long struggle to remove police from schools in an interview with The Nation. “I think it’s important to point out that this has been a generational struggle. We’ve had cops in schools since the ’60s,” Genene said. “So, this movement definitely did not start last week. And groups today such as Young People’s Action Coalition [YPAC], Our Turn, and Youth Out Loud have been working on this issue for some time.”
The week of June 22 saw a National Week of Action to support youth organizers in their fight for police-free schools. Black youth and other youth of color led daily actions across the country, including marches, calling school board members, creating and encouraging supporters to sign petitions, and providing virtual political education events. There have been some victories in response.
On July 7, Phoenix Union Superintendent Chad Gaston announced that the school district will not renew its agreement for school resource officers with Phoenix police for the 2020-2021 school year.
Although the Chicago Public School Board voted against terminating its contract with the Chicago Police Department, local school councils have until August 14 to vote on whether to remove police officers from campus. Of the eight councils that have voted so far, Benito Juarez Community Academy and Northside College Prep voted to remove officers.
“This issue is important to me because it affects me, being Latino [and] likely to be led through the school-to-prison pipeline. I’ve experienced firsthand how this feels,” Joseeduardo Ramos-Valdez, a youth leader with the Puente Youth Movement, told Truthout.
The Puente Youth Movement is a youth-led program that works to fight the school-to-prison pipeline in Phoenix and Central Arizona through the Youth Leadership Program and #CopsOuttaCampus campaign.
“Cops do not make me feel safe at all, and I hate how we have to check ourselves to make sure we’re not acting ‘wrong’ when we are just being ourselves. Cops give me anxiety,” Ramos-Valdez said.
Youth organizers are showing us that the movement for police-free schools, which has been building for decades, is a key component of the vision for a world beyond policing.
The rise in the 1990s of “zero-tolerance” discipline policies in public schools across the country led to a reliance on police in schools, and suspensions and expulsions to address behavioral issues that were once handled by teachers and other school staff. The violence of policing in schools manifests as both anti-Black violence and gender-based violence.
In a 2015 report from the African American Policy Forum, U.S. Department of Education data was presented that showed that while Black boys were suspended three times more than white boys in the 2011-12 school year, Black girls were six times more likely to be suspended than white girls. Police in schools have also led to the violent treatment of students. For instance, on January 29, 2019, a 16-year-old high school student on Chicago’s West Side was shocked with a Taser in school by a school resource officer after being removed from class for pulling out her cellphone.
Incidents like this, and the fact that although Black students account for 36 percent of Chicago Public Schools’ students they accounted for 66 percent of police notifications, have spurred organizing to remove police from schools. Youth organizers in the #PoliceFreeSchools Coalition demanded that the Chicago Board of Education end Chicago Public Schools’ $33 million contract with the Chicago Police Department (CPD), and reallocate those funds to counseling and other youth services. A youth-led direct action included protesting outside of Chicago Board of Education President Miguel Del Valle’s home on June 24, the morning where the seven-member Board voted 4-3 to not end CPD’s contract.
Chicago Public Schools student Essence Gatheright expressed her frustration with the vote. “We need more people who are willing to side with youth, who are willing [to] genuinely see us,” Gatheright told ABC 7 Chicago.
Meanwhile, in Minneapolis, student activists in organizations such as the Black Liberation Project, Youth Out Loud and the Young Muslim Collective have for years attended school board meetings and organized rallies demanding the school board to end their contract with the police department. Their committed activism led to the Minneapolis Public School Board voting unanimously for a resolution to end the district’s contract with the police department on June 2.
In this moment when bold abolitionist demands are being heard and considered by cities and school districts, youth are leading the fight for police-free schools and a police-free society. Kysani London, a member of Chicago Public School Alumni for Abolition who organized a protest at Northside College Prep to pressure the local school council to remove school resource officers, connected the police-free-schools movement to the broader police abolition movement. “Right now, the small-scale police-free-school work that we’re engaging in can — in some ways — be seen as one of the first dominoes to fall in a series in the move for police abolition.… We, along with numerous other national organizations, are helping to push the door ajar for radical change surrounding the concept of policing,” London told Liberation News.
These intensified campaigns have come amid a broader movement for defunding police. Thanks to these efforts, a veto-proof majority of the Minneapolis City Council announced their intent to disband the city’s police department and replace it with an alternative system of public safety, and other city governments, such as Los Angeles, New York City and Philadelphia, have expressed support for decreasing or opposing increases in city police budgets. Youth organizers are showing us that the movement for police-free schools, which has been building for decades, is a key component of the vision for a world beyond policing.
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--2020-08-07--DNC Platform Condemns BDS But Not Israel’s Occupation of Palestine

Due to a series of decisions by the Democratic National Committee ’ s ( DNC ’ s ) platform committee , progressives are concerned that the Biden-led Democratic Party ’ s foreign policy toward Israel and Palestine will more closely resemble that of Republicans than that of the Democratic rank-and-file .
There has already been much consternation among party activists over Biden ’ s key role in pushing the Iraq War resolution through the Democrat-controlled Senate in 2002 , and his support for the invasion despite the return of UN inspectors and absence of “ weapons of mass destruction , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ falsely claimed Iraq possessed .
As a result , Democratic activists were hoping the 2020 platform would offer reassurances of a less militarist foreign policy in light of the increasingly liberal views within the party with regards to the Middle East .
Instead , the incipient nominee ’ s representatives on the committee were solid in their defense of continued U.S. backing for Israel ’ s corrupt right-wing government , defeating proposed amendments to modify such unconditional support by a nearly 4 to 1 margin .
The draft plank on Israel and Palestine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occupation .
Nor does it offer any criticism regarding the vast network of more than 250 illegal settlements Israel has established in the West Bank and other occupied territories in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention , a series of UN Security Council resolutions and a landmark ruling by the International Court of Justice .
The draft does , however , criticize international civil society campaigns to boycott companies and other entities supporting the Israeli occupation and settlements .
The platform stresses Israel ’ s “ right to defend itself , ” which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact that the majority of congressional Democrats have referred to massively disproportionate Israeli attacks on Palestinian and Lebanese civilian population centers as “ legitimate self-defense.
” Neither the Palestinians nor any other government in the world is specifically mentioned in the platform regarding their right to self-defense — only Israel .
In response to a new law pushed through by Israel ’ s right-wing government that “ the right to exercise national self-determination ” in Israel is “ unique to the Jewish people , ” there was a proposed amendment to support Israel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The idea of equality was apparently such an anathema to the DNC majority that it was not even allowed to come for a vote .
Instead , the language in the platform emphasizes U.S. support for Israel as a “ Jewish ” state .
The platform also says that Jerusalem “ should remain the capital of Israel ” but makes no mention of Palestinians ’ demand to share that multiethnic , multi-faith , and historically Palestinian city as their capital as well .
Nor does it address Trump ’ s highly controversial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israel ’ s capital and to move the U.S. embassy there — a move made possible by a 1995 bill co-sponsored by then-Senator Biden .
The Democratic platform also opposes “ any effort to unfairly single out and delegitimize Israel , including at the United Nations.
” Given that Biden and the majority of congressional Democrats have repeatedly gone on record claiming that virtually any UN-backed effort to hold Israel accountable for its violations of international legal norms is somehow unfairly singling out Israel or attempting to “ delegitimize ” Israel , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marginalize the role of the United Nations in resolving the conflict .
U.S .
Taxpayer Subsidies for the Israeli Military For decades , human rights advocates have tried — with only limited success — to condition U.S. military aid and arms transfers on recipient governments ’ adherence to internationally recognized human rights criteria and other international legal tenets .
Israel ’ s use of U.S. weapons in its occupation of the Palestinian West Bank and bombing of civilian targets in the Gaza Strip and elsewhere have proved particularly controversial .
However , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Understanding — which called for $ 38 billion in unconditional taxpayer-funded military aid to the Israeli government over the subsequent decade — is “ ironclad , ” rejecting calls that it be made conditional to Israel ending its human rights abuses or as a deterrent to Israel ’ s planned annexation of additional occupied territories .
While the mass majority of U.S. arms transfers worldwide is through commercial sales , this insistence on direct military aid also raises questions as to why U.S. taxpayers should foot the bill for Israel ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the world ’ s wealthier countries and could easily pay for American arms itself .
Indeed , Israel provides its citizens with free universal health care and other social programs that the Democratic Party platform refuses to endorse as supposedly being “ too costly ” for Americans .
The answer may lie in the fact that 80 percent of this aid comes in the form of subsidies for U.S. arms manufacturers for weapons , ordinance and weapons systems that the Israelis might not otherwise purchase .
While the platform says , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and protect our safety and security for less , ” there are no specific calls for how or where to reduce Trump ’ s bloated military budget other than a vague call to “ end waste and fraud.
” Rather than simply calling for Israel to have adequate military resources for its defense , the platform instead calls on the United States to ensure Israel maintains a “ qualitative military edge ” against any conceivable military rivals in the Middle East , presumably to enable Israel to play a more hegemonic role in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that U.S. military aid to Israel is not about protecting Israel , but about using Israel to advance U.S. strategic influence in the region .
“ It is the best $ 3 billion investment we make , ” Biden said in 1986 in reference to the annual largesse in military assistance , implying it was worthier of funding than any other federal funding .
“ Were there not an Israel , ” he continued , “ the United States of America would have to invent an Israel to protect her interests in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposed a series of amendments to the draft plank .
An amendment stating that Palestinians have the right to live “ without occupation ” and that U.S. aid should not be used “ to facilitate annexation or violate Palestinian rights ” was soundly defeated .
Even the leadership of the moderate Zionist group J Street called on the Democrats to criticize the occupation by name , but the majority on the platform committee instead sided with right-wing Zionist groups like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in rejecting such a call .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic platform does not support the views of most Democrats or even most Americans .
A 2019 poll showed that 71 percent of Democrats and 56 percent of American voters overall believe the U.S. should discontinue unconditional military aid to Israel if it continues its expansion of settlements or annexes portions of the West Bank .
Instead , the DNC sided with Trump and the Republicans to maintain the current policy .
Bernie Sanders , Elizabeth Warren , Pete Buttigieg and other Democratic candidates raised the issue of conditioning aid to Israel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which Biden referred to as “ absolutely outrageous ” and a “ gigantic mistake.
” Josh Ruebner , a human rights activist and active member of the Fairfax County ( Virginia ) Democratic Committee , noted how the platform “ conveys tepid support for Palestinian statehood and opposition to Israeli annexation , but fails to press Israel in any meaningful way to end its military occupation and stop its land grab.
” Indeed , by ruling out conditioning military aid , enforcing UN Security Council resolutions and condemning civil society activism , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and likely annexation inevitable .
Similarly , prominent journalist and commentator Peter Beinart tweeted : “ Understand what this means : Most Democratic leaders don ’ t actually support 2 states .
In practice , they support 1 state that denies millions of Palestinians basic rights.
” The explicit opposition in the platform to the boycotts , divestment and sanctions ( BDS ) movement is particularly striking , given that only 15 percent of Democrats familiar with it are in opposition .
And the clear favoritism toward Israel relative to Palestine in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 90 percent of Democrats who believe the United States should either favor the Palestinians or take a more neutral stance in the peace process .
And , despite the platform ’ s insistence that Israel remain a “ Jewish ” state , 81 percent of Democrats “ favor Israel ’ s democracy more than its Jewishness ” and believe — should a two-state solution no longer be possible as a result of continued Israeli colonization of the West Bank , which may already be the case — they would “ support a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jews are equal even if that means Israel would no longer be a politically Jewish state.
” There are some improvements in the platform , however .
While not opposing Israel ’ s existing illegal settlements , the platform for the first time goes on record opposing their further expansion .
The platform also for the first time explicitly opposes further Israeli annexation .
While condemning campaigns utilizing such tactics like BDS against the occupation , the platform did confirm the constitutional rights of those advocating such nonviolent tactics .
Said Ruebner , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , BDS advocates would not have to fear federal prison time for coordinating with the UN to boycott Israeli settlement goods , as was proposed in the Israel Anti-Boycott Act by Sen. Ben Cardin ( D-MD ) in 2017.
” The platform also goes on record supporting “ the right of Palestinians to live in freedom and security in a viable state of their own.
” Effectively blocking the means to make that a reality , however , raises questions as to whether it is simply a throwaway line for Democrats concerned about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not clear why such an overwhelming majority of Democratic leaders feel obliged to support such hawkish views as outlined in the platform since most voters who support the Israeli occupation will likely vote Republican anyway .
Indeed , despite the language of the plank , Republicans have nonetheless denounced the platform as “ anti-Israel.
” Taking positions on this important international conflict so contrary to the views of most Democrats is not simply a matter of influence by right-wing Zionist groups .
The committee also voted against amendments in support of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling for expanding Medicare to children or lowering the Medicare eligibility age from 65 to 55 — ideas which have overwhelming support among Democratic voters .
The DNC voted down amendments to legalize marijuana and other initiatives from the progressive wing of the party which also reflect majority views of the rank-and-file .
Taking such hardline positions on foreign policy is just another way of saying to those who supported Sanders , Warren and other progressives , “ We won .
You lost .
Now get over it , since you have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Left-leaning millennials — whom the Democrats need to turn out in high numbers in order to defeat Trump — are particularly opposed to unconditional support for the Israeli government .
U.S. policy toward Israel and Palestine is as big an issue for this generation as was U.S. policy toward Central America and Southern Africa in the 1980s .
Such failure to support human rights and international law could , potentially , lower turnout during one of the most high-stakes elections in U.S. history .
Even if it does not , the entrenchment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ platform demonstrates how out of touch the Democratic Party leadership is with its base — and portends continued U.S. condonement of brutal human rights violations against Palestinians .

Part of the Series Struggle and Solidarity: Writing Toward Palestinian Liberation
Due to a series of decisions by the Democratic National Committee’s (DNC’s) platform committee, progressives are concerned that the Biden-led Democratic Party’s foreign policy toward Israel and Palestine will more closely resemble that of Republicans than that of the Democratic rank-and-file.
There has already been much consternation among party activists over Biden’s key role in pushing the Iraq War resolution through the Democrat-controlled Senate in 2002, and his support for the invasion despite the return of UN inspectors and absence of “weapons of mass destruction,” weapons programs and weapons systems he falsely claimed Iraq possessed. As a result, Democratic activists were hoping the 2020 platform would offer reassurances of a less militarist foreign policy in light of the increasingly liberal views within the party with regards to the Middle East. Instead, the incipient nominee’s representatives on the committee were solid in their defense of continued U.S. backing for Israel’s corrupt right-wing government, defeating proposed amendments to modify such unconditional support by a nearly 4 to 1 margin.
The draft plank on Israel and Palestine fails to criticize or even mention the occupation. Nor does it offer any criticism regarding the vast network of more than 250 illegal settlements Israel has established in the West Bank and other occupied territories in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, a series of UN Security Council resolutions and a landmark ruling by the International Court of Justice. The draft does, however, criticize international civil society campaigns to boycott companies and other entities supporting the Israeli occupation and settlements.
The platform stresses Israel’s “right to defend itself,” which would not be problematic except for the fact that the majority of congressional Democrats have referred to massively disproportionate Israeli attacks on Palestinian and Lebanese civilian population centers as “legitimate self-defense.” Neither the Palestinians nor any other government in the world is specifically mentioned in the platform regarding their right to self-defense — only Israel.
In response to a new law pushed through by Israel’s right-wing government that “the right to exercise national self-determination” in Israel is “unique to the Jewish people,” there was a proposed amendment to support Israel as a state for all its citizens. The idea of equality was apparently such an anathema to the DNC majority that it was not even allowed to come for a vote. Instead, the language in the platform emphasizes U.S. support for Israel as a “Jewish” state.
The platform also says that Jerusalem “should remain the capital of Israel” but makes no mention of Palestinians’ demand to share that multiethnic, multi-faith, and historically Palestinian city as their capital as well. Nor does it address Trump’s highly controversial decision to formally recognize Jerusalem as solely Israel’s capital and to move the U.S. embassy there — a move made possible by a 1995 bill co-sponsored by then-Senator Biden.
The platform instead calls on the United States to ensure Israel maintains a “qualitative military edge” against any conceivable military rivals in the Middle East.
The Democratic platform also opposes “any effort to unfairly single out and delegitimize Israel, including at the United Nations.” Given that Biden and the majority of congressional Democrats have repeatedly gone on record claiming that virtually any UN-backed effort to hold Israel accountable for its violations of international legal norms is somehow unfairly singling out Israel or attempting to “delegitimize” Israel, this appears to be yet another effort to marginalize the role of the United Nations in resolving the conflict.
U.S. Taxpayer Subsidies for the Israeli Military
For decades, human rights advocates have tried — with only limited success — to condition U.S. military aid and arms transfers on recipient governments’ adherence to internationally recognized human rights criteria and other international legal tenets. Israel’s use of U.S. weapons in its occupation of the Palestinian West Bank and bombing of civilian targets in the Gaza Strip and elsewhere have proved particularly controversial. However, the Democratic platform insists that the 2016 Memorandum of Understanding — which called for $38 billion in unconditional taxpayer-funded military aid to the Israeli government over the subsequent decade — is “ironclad,” rejecting calls that it be made conditional to Israel ending its human rights abuses or as a deterrent to Israel’s planned annexation of additional occupied territories.
While the mass majority of U.S. arms transfers worldwide is through commercial sales, this insistence on direct military aid also raises questions as to why U.S. taxpayers should foot the bill for Israel’s military procurement, given that Israel is one of the world’s wealthier countries and could easily pay for American arms itself. Indeed, Israel provides its citizens with free universal health care and other social programs that the Democratic Party platform refuses to endorse as supposedly being “too costly” for Americans.
The answer may lie in the fact that 80 percent of this aid comes in the form of subsidies for U.S. arms manufacturers for weapons, ordinance and weapons systems that the Israelis might not otherwise purchase. While the platform says, “We can maintain a strong defense and protect our safety and security for less,” there are no specific calls for how or where to reduce Trump’s bloated military budget other than a vague call to “end waste and fraud.”
Rather than simply calling for Israel to have adequate military resources for its defense, the platform instead calls on the United States to ensure Israel maintains a “qualitative military edge” against any conceivable military rivals in the Middle East, presumably to enable Israel to play a more hegemonic role in the region.
On the issue of Israel and Palestine, the Democratic platform does not support the views of most Democrats or even most Americans.
Biden all but acknowledges that U.S. military aid to Israel is not about protecting Israel, but about using Israel to advance U.S. strategic influence in the region. “It is the best $3 billion investment we make,” Biden said in 1986 in reference to the annual largesse in military assistance, implying it was worthier of funding than any other federal funding. “Were there not an Israel,” he continued, “the United States of America would have to invent an Israel to protect her interests in the region.”
Pushback on the Platform
Last week, some delegates proposed a series of amendments to the draft plank. An amendment stating that Palestinians have the right to live “without occupation” and that U.S. aid should not be used “to facilitate annexation or violate Palestinian rights” was soundly defeated. Even the leadership of the moderate Zionist group J Street called on the Democrats to criticize the occupation by name, but the majority on the platform committee instead sided with right-wing Zionist groups like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in rejecting such a call.
On the issue of Israel and Palestine, the Democratic platform does not support the views of most Democrats or even most Americans. A 2019 poll showed that 71 percent of Democrats and 56 percent of American voters overall believe the U.S. should discontinue unconditional military aid to Israel if it continues its expansion of settlements or annexes portions of the West Bank. Instead, the DNC sided with Trump and the Republicans to maintain the current policy.
Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg and other Democratic candidates raised the issue of conditioning aid to Israel during the primary campaigns, a suggestion which Biden referred to as “absolutely outrageous” and a “gigantic mistake.”
Josh Ruebner, a human rights activist and active member of the Fairfax County (Virginia) Democratic Committee, noted how the platform “conveys tepid support for Palestinian statehood and opposition to Israeli annexation, but fails to press Israel in any meaningful way to end its military occupation and stop its land grab.” Indeed, by ruling out conditioning military aid, enforcing UN Security Council resolutions and condemning civil society activism, the platform is effectively making the ongoing occupation and likely annexation inevitable.
Similarly, prominent journalist and commentator Peter Beinart tweeted: “Understand what this means: Most Democratic leaders don’t actually support 2 states. In practice, they support 1 state that denies millions of Palestinians basic rights.”
The explicit opposition in the platform to the boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement is particularly striking, given that only 15 percent of Democrats familiar with it are in opposition. And the clear favoritism toward Israel relative to Palestine in the document contrasts with the views of close to 90 percent of Democrats who believe the United States should either favor the Palestinians or take a more neutral stance in the peace process.
The platform is effectively making the ongoing occupation and likely annexation inevitable.
And, despite the platform’s insistence that Israel remain a “Jewish” state, 81 percent of Democrats “favor Israel’s democracy more than its Jewishness” and believe — should a two-state solution no longer be possible as a result of continued Israeli colonization of the West Bank, which may already be the case — they would “support a single democratic state in which Arabs and Jews are equal even if that means Israel would no longer be a politically Jewish state.”
Glimmers of Hope
There are some improvements in the platform, however. While not opposing Israel’s existing illegal settlements, the platform for the first time goes on record opposing their further expansion. The platform also for the first time explicitly opposes further Israeli annexation. While condemning campaigns utilizing such tactics like BDS against the occupation, the platform did confirm the constitutional rights of those advocating such nonviolent tactics. Said Ruebner, “At least under a Biden administration, BDS advocates would not have to fear federal prison time for coordinating with the UN to boycott Israeli settlement goods, as was proposed in the Israel Anti-Boycott Act by Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) in 2017.”
The platform also goes on record supporting “the right of Palestinians to live in freedom and security in a viable state of their own.” Effectively blocking the means to make that a reality, however, raises questions as to whether it is simply a throwaway line for Democrats concerned about human rights and international law.
It’s not clear why such an overwhelming majority of Democratic leaders feel obliged to support such hawkish views as outlined in the platform since most voters who support the Israeli occupation will likely vote Republican anyway. Indeed, despite the language of the plank, Republicans have nonetheless denounced the platform as “anti-Israel.”
Taking positions on this important international conflict so contrary to the views of most Democrats is not simply a matter of influence by right-wing Zionist groups. The committee also voted against amendments in support of Medicare for All or even those simply calling for expanding Medicare to children or lowering the Medicare eligibility age from 65 to 55 — ideas which have overwhelming support among Democratic voters. The DNC voted down amendments to legalize marijuana and other initiatives from the progressive wing of the party which also reflect majority views of the rank-and-file. Taking such hardline positions on foreign policy is just another way of saying to those who supported Sanders, Warren and other progressives, “We won. You lost. Now get over it, since you have to support Biden regardless, to defeat Trump.”
Left-leaning millennials — whom the Democrats need to turn out in high numbers in order to defeat Trump — are particularly opposed to unconditional support for the Israeli government. U.S. policy toward Israel and Palestine is as big an issue for this generation as was U.S. policy toward Central America and Southern Africa in the 1980s. Such failure to support human rights and international law could, potentially, lower turnout during one of the most high-stakes elections in U.S. history. Even if it does not, the entrenchment of these hawkish policies in the Democratic platform demonstrates how out of touch the Democratic Party leadership is with its base — and portends continued U.S. condonement of brutal human rights violations against Palestinians.
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--2020-08-07--Navajo Nation’s Shortage of Clean Water Is Impeding Efforts to Control COVID

Growing up in Vanderwagen , an arid , mountainous checker-board region of the Navajo Nation near the Arizona-New Mexico border , Sunny Dooley learned from an early age that safe , clean water was as precious as a rare mineral , and just as hard to find .
Because of naturally occurring uranium and arsenic in the groundwater , the nearest clean well was two miles away .
Dooley and her family used to make the trip on foot with steel buckets they would drop down the well before lugging them back , a trail of splashes in the dirt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when a manual water pump was installed at the well , the water flowed more freely .
And when the family purchased a truck , they were able to make the four-mile round-trip in a breeze .
Still , water remained a treasured commodity .
“ We acclimated to live sparingly with water , ” said Dooley , now a distinguished storyteller , who still doesn ’ t have running water or indoor plumbing in her home .
Nowadays , Dooley ’ s nephew makes the near 20-mile trek in his large truck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fill a giant container that provides for Dooley and other members of her family for weeks .
Dooley ’ s story , however , isn ’ t an oddity in this great 27,000 square mile swath of land in the Four Corners region of Southwestern U.S. Of the Navajo Nation ’ s 200,000 plus residents , between 30 and 40 percent have no direct access to running water .
Some residents speculate that number is even higher .
Half of the Navajo population within the Utah portion of the Nation alone lack indoor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ median household income is about half that for the U.S. as a whole , these long , routine treks to find clean water can cost some households hundreds of dollars a month in gas .
The reasons underpinning the Nation ’ s current clean water crisis date back more than 100 years to a federal Supreme Court ruling that was supposed to favor reservations , but in its application has led to a complex tangle of water rights that impede the Nation ’ s efforts to provide for its members .
“ There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Dooley .
“ Tribal government bureaucracy .
New Mexico state bureaucracy .
United States government bureaucracy.
” Added to that is a disastrous environmental legacy from drilling and mining projects on the Nation that have destroyed precious water resources , along with climate change ’ s growing environmental footprint in an area already prone to drought .
In terms of the latest crisis , the coronavirus has hit the Navajo Nation harder than any other region of the U.S. Universal access to clean water would be a “ gamechanger ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an associate professor with the University of California , San Francisco ( UCSF ) , who recently spent a month helping the Nation through a UCSF program designed to funnel health care workers toward disadvantaged communities .
“ My recommendations for COVID are so much of a flat-tax , ” said Shamasunder , pointing to good hand hygiene and being able to shelter in place .
“ It doesn ’ t work for poor people that don ’ t have running water.
” It ’ s no wonder George McGraw , founder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Navajo Nation ’ s clean water problems a “ life and death ” scenario .
“ We ’ re all in this work because we know that race is the strongest predictor of whether or not your family will have access to running water in the U.S. in 2020 , ” said McGraw , whose organization aims to help bring running water to the more than 2.2 million Americans who don ’ t even have such basic amenities as sinks and toilets .
“ No one is more impacted than Indigenous people.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water basins — including the Upper and Lower Basins of the Colorado River and the Rio Grande Basin — regulatory constraints mean the Nation ’ s primary water sources are the San Juan and Little Colorado River tributaries of the mighty Colorado River .
For various reasons , including the sheer size of the reservation coupled with limited infrastructure , the water derived from these sources fail to stretch far enough to meet the demands of the Nation ’ s residents .
It shouldn ’ t be this way .
The Navajo Nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date back to a 1908 Supreme Court decision , Winters v. United States , which gave reservations the legal rights to an amount of water “ sufficient to fulfil the reservation ’ s purpose.
” The problem is , the “ amount ” was never specified , which opened the door to federal and state governments , as well as private industry , to annex the water of the West .
Over the years , the Nation has sought formalization of its rights in court , which has resulted in the Nation pursuing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reservation overlaps : New Mexico , Utah and Arizona .
Long gestating legislation in Utah would secure the Nation several rights in the state , including 81,500 acre-feet of water per year from Utah ’ s Colorado River Basin , along with $ 210 million in water infrastructure funding that reportedly could bring water to more than 300 homes .
Back in 2013 , a settlement was formalized between the Navajo and the State of New Mexico , affording the Nation access to water from the San Juan River Basin and massive water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settlements have led the Nation to sign away too many of its rights in exchange for too few concessions considering the sheer amount of time the Nation has been deprived what it ’ s rightfully owed .
Pollution is no minor obstacle to the Nation ’ s efforts to fix its drinking water issues .
Where water infrastructure is lacking , it ’ s rarely a simple fix of drilling new wells .
If clean groundwater is buried too deep , the associated costs can make well-drilling unfeasible , while more accessible groundwater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years of uranium mining on Navajo lands saw 30 million tons of uranium ore removed , leading to widespread groundwater contamination from some 1,100 abandoned mines , mills and associated waste piles , bringing with it human health fears for Navajo residents .
Possible health effects from drinking contaminated water include lung and bone cancer , and kidney disease .
More than a quarter of Navajo women , along with some babies , tested as part of a recent University of New Mexico study , had higher levels of uranium in their body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent of the U.S. population .
Rates of reproductive organ cancers in teenage Navajo girls have been found to be 17 times higher than that of U.S. girls on average .
Uranium mining is one of several environmentally destructive activities on Navajo lands .
One recently shuttered coal mining operation run by the Peabody Western Coal Company , a subsidiary of coal giant Peabody Energy , reportedly pulled so much water from an underground aquifer that many wells and springs relying on it ran dry .
A surge in oil and gas drilling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for nearby water resources .
One study found that practices like overgrazing have degraded “ almost all ” of the Nation ’ s watersheds .
Some of the everyday impacts from the Navajo ’ s clean water problems are economic .
The Navajo home of the mother of Bleu Adams , a Navajo-based small business owner and interim chair of the Native Women Entrepreneurs of Arizona , sits a mere 100 feet from the existing water line and 200 feet from the existing electricity pole .
But the permitting and labor costs associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running water system will set them back some $ 30,000 , said Adams .
“ It ’ s just how the system is , ” she said .
Technicalities surrounding home ownership mean that “ we have to meet those costs out of pocket.
” The Peabody Western Coal Company ’ s water-intensive mining operations on Black Mesa , which has led to barren springs and wells , also have spiritual implications for the Colorado Plateau tribal nations , Dooley explained .
“ Waters coming off the mountains are sacred , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these mountains that are utilized for a variety of different ceremonies.
” “ How Will I Get Enough Water to Survive ?
” The Navajo Water Project , under the umbrella of DigDeep , has delivered hot and cold running water to over 330 Navajo families so far , with plans to serve another 225 this year “ at least , ” said McGraw .
“ That work is always urgent , ” McGraw added .
“ How can you get through your day when the first thing you think when you wake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ What does my day look like ?
’ It ’ s , ‘ How will I get enough water to survive ?
’ ” The Nation has teamed up with Arizona State University ( ASU ) to explore the feasibility of microgrids on the reservation — a development that could be utilized in systems to pump , treat and deliver clean water where it ’ s needed , said ASU engineer Nathan Johnson .
It ’ s all about “ optimizing the energy and the water system together to deliver the lowest-cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for practical purposes , this partnership is still in its early stages .
What ’ s important to note is the Navajo ’ s desire to fix the problems themselves , said Jo Overton of Protect Native Elders , a program geared around providing needed services to Native elders of multiple tribes .
Aside from delivering much needed water storage and supplies to the Nation ’ s elderly , the program is exploring the possibility of bringing to the Nation solar powered atmospheric water generators , which extract water from the humid air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Overton said .
“ The Native Americans are taking care of their own.
” Some of these avenues are legal strategies .
The Nation recently filed suit against the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers , for example , arguing that the recent 2020 Navigable Waters Protection Rule blunts protections for the Nation ’ s threatened water resources , potentially impacting federal funding for needed water programs .
The Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project is a massive infrastructure project involving about 280 miles of pipeline , and several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sprawling project , already underway , is expected to deliver water to some 250,000 people by 2040 .
Its genesis was the prior water rights settlement with New Mexico .
Much tighter deadlines , however , threaten the Navajo ’ s hopes to use some of the $ 714 million in federal aid it received to fight COVID-19 on water infrastructure projects .
If the money isn ’ t spent by December 30 , it might have to be returned .
At the end of the day , this ongoing struggle for clean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact on the Nation ’ s future — just like it has shaped its past .
When a water fight erupted at the public school she attended as a child , Dooley and other Indigenous classmates were “ stunned , ” she said .
“ You don ’ t play with water , ” said Dooley .
“ This is something instilled into you from a very young age.
” Nowadays , Dooley has a saying in her journal : “ She knows she was enormously successful because she had a rose garden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s thirsty needs .
“ That ’ s how I look at myself .
When I have made it in the world , I will have roses .
”

Part of the Series Despair and Disparity: The Uneven Burdens of COVID-19
Growing up in Vanderwagen, an arid, mountainous checker-board region of the Navajo Nation near the Arizona-New Mexico border, Sunny Dooley learned from an early age that safe, clean water was as precious as a rare mineral, and just as hard to find.
Because of naturally occurring uranium and arsenic in the groundwater, the nearest clean well was two miles away. Dooley and her family used to make the trip on foot with steel buckets they would drop down the well before lugging them back, a trail of splashes in the dirt marking the route behind.
Later, when a manual water pump was installed at the well, the water flowed more freely. And when the family purchased a truck, they were able to make the four-mile round-trip in a breeze. Still, water remained a treasured commodity.
“We acclimated to live sparingly with water,” said Dooley, now a distinguished storyteller, who still doesn’t have running water or indoor plumbing in her home. Nowadays, Dooley’s nephew makes the near 20-mile trek in his large truck to the nearby town of Gallup to fill a giant container that provides for Dooley and other members of her family for weeks.
Dooley’s story, however, isn’t an oddity in this great 27,000 square mile swath of land in the Four Corners region of Southwestern U.S. Of the Navajo Nation’s 200,000 plus residents, between 30 and 40 percent have no direct access to running water. Some residents speculate that number is even higher. Half of the Navajo population within the Utah portion of the Nation alone lack indoor plumbing. In a region where the median household income is about half that for the U.S. as a whole, these long, routine treks to find clean water can cost some households hundreds of dollars a month in gas.
The reasons underpinning the Nation’s current clean water crisis date back more than 100 years to a federal Supreme Court ruling that was supposed to favor reservations, but in its application has led to a complex tangle of water rights that impede the Nation’s efforts to provide for its members.
“There’s a bureaucracy of water here,” said Dooley. “Tribal government bureaucracy. New Mexico state bureaucracy. United States government bureaucracy.”
Reasons underpinning the current crisis date back more than 100 years to a Supreme Court ruling that has led to a complex tangle of water rights that impede the Nation’s efforts to provide for its members.
Added to that is a disastrous environmental legacy from drilling and mining projects on the Nation that have destroyed precious water resources, along with climate change’s growing environmental footprint in an area already prone to drought.
In terms of the latest crisis, the coronavirus has hit the Navajo Nation harder than any other region of the U.S. Universal access to clean water would be a “gamechanger” for the Nation, said Sriram Shamasunder, an associate professor with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), who recently spent a month helping the Nation through a UCSF program designed to funnel health care workers toward disadvantaged communities.
“My recommendations for COVID are so much of a flat-tax,” said Shamasunder, pointing to good hand hygiene and being able to shelter in place. “It doesn’t work for poor people that don’t have running water.”
It’s no wonder George McGraw, founder and CEO of DigDeep, calls the Navajo Nation’s clean water problems a “life and death” scenario.
“We’re all in this work because we know that race is the strongest predictor of whether or not your family will have access to running water in the U.S. in 2020,” said McGraw, whose organization aims to help bring running water to the more than 2.2 million Americans who don’t even have such basic amenities as sinks and toilets. “No one is more impacted than Indigenous people.”
Winning Limited Water Settlements, Losing Cleanup Rights
Though the Navajo Nation overlaps several major water basins — including the Upper and Lower Basins of the Colorado River and the Rio Grande Basin — regulatory constraints mean the Nation’s primary water sources are the San Juan and Little Colorado River tributaries of the mighty Colorado River. For various reasons, including the sheer size of the reservation coupled with limited infrastructure, the water derived from these sources fail to stretch far enough to meet the demands of the Nation’s residents.
It shouldn’t be this way.
The Navajo Nation’s claims to their local waterways date back to a 1908 Supreme Court decision, Winters v. United States, which gave reservations the legal rights to an amount of water “sufficient to fulfil the reservation’s purpose.” The problem is, the “amount” was never specified, which opened the door to federal and state governments, as well as private industry, to annex the water of the West. Over the years, the Nation has sought formalization of its rights in court, which has resulted in the Nation pursuing settlement agreements with the three states the reservation overlaps: New Mexico, Utah and Arizona.
Long gestating legislation in Utah would secure the Nation several rights in the state, including 81,500 acre-feet of water per year from Utah’s Colorado River Basin, along with $210 million in water infrastructure funding that reportedly could bring water to more than 300 homes. Back in 2013, a settlement was formalized between the Navajo and the State of New Mexico, affording the Nation access to water from the San Juan River Basin and massive water development projects.
But many say these settlements have led the Nation to sign away too many of its rights in exchange for too few concessions considering the sheer amount of time the Nation has been deprived what it’s rightfully owed.
Pollution is no minor obstacle to the Nation’s efforts to fix its drinking water issues. Where water infrastructure is lacking, it’s rarely a simple fix of drilling new wells. If clean groundwater is buried too deep, the associated costs can make well-drilling unfeasible, while more accessible groundwater is often contaminated.
More than 70 years of uranium mining on Navajo lands saw 30 million tons of uranium ore removed, leading to widespread groundwater contamination.
More than 70 years of uranium mining on Navajo lands saw 30 million tons of uranium ore removed, leading to widespread groundwater contamination from some 1,100 abandoned mines, mills and associated waste piles, bringing with it human health fears for Navajo residents. Possible health effects from drinking contaminated water include lung and bone cancer, and kidney disease. More than a quarter of Navajo women, along with some babies, tested as part of a recent University of New Mexico study, had higher levels of uranium in their body than that found in the top 5 percent of the U.S. population. Rates of reproductive organ cancers in teenage Navajo girls have been found to be 17 times higher than that of U.S. girls on average.
Uranium mining is one of several environmentally destructive activities on Navajo lands. One recently shuttered coal mining operation run by the Peabody Western Coal Company, a subsidiary of coal giant Peabody Energy, reportedly pulled so much water from an underground aquifer that many wells and springs relying on it ran dry. A surge in oil and gas drilling on Navajo lands comes with serious implications for nearby water resources. One study found that practices like overgrazing have degraded “almost all” of the Nation’s watersheds.
Some of the everyday impacts from the Navajo’s clean water problems are economic. The Navajo home of the mother of Bleu Adams, a Navajo-based small business owner and interim chair of the Native Women Entrepreneurs of Arizona, sits a mere 100 feet from the existing water line and 200 feet from the existing electricity pole. But the permitting and labor costs associated with hooking the home up to a running water system will set them back some $30,000, said Adams. “It’s just how the system is,” she said. Technicalities surrounding home ownership mean that “we have to meet those costs out of pocket.”
The Peabody Western Coal Company’s water-intensive mining operations on Black Mesa, which has led to barren springs and wells, also have spiritual implications for the Colorado Plateau tribal nations, Dooley explained. “Waters coming off the mountains are sacred,” she said. “There are springs underneath these mountains that are utilized for a variety of different ceremonies.”
“How Will I Get Enough Water to Survive?”
The Navajo Water Project, under the umbrella of DigDeep, has delivered hot and cold running water to over 330 Navajo families so far, with plans to serve another 225 this year “at least,” said McGraw. “That work is always urgent,” McGraw added. “How can you get through your day when the first thing you think when you wake up in the morning is not, ‘What does my day look like?’ It’s, ‘How will I get enough water to survive?’”
The Nation has teamed up with Arizona State University (ASU) to explore the feasibility of microgrids on the reservation — a development that could be utilized in systems to pump, treat and deliver clean water where it’s needed, said ASU engineer Nathan Johnson. It’s all about “optimizing the energy and the water system together to deliver the lowest-cost water,” he said. But for practical purposes, this partnership is still in its early stages.
What’s important to note is the Navajo’s desire to fix the problems themselves, said Jo Overton of Protect Native Elders, a program geared around providing needed services to Native elders of multiple tribes. Aside from delivering much needed water storage and supplies to the Nation’s elderly, the program is exploring the possibility of bringing to the Nation solar powered atmospheric water generators, which extract water from the humid air.
“We’re strong,” Overton said. “The Native Americans are taking care of their own.”
At the end of the day, this ongoing struggle for clean accessible water promises to have a profound impact on the Nation’s future — just like it has shaped its past.
Some of these avenues are legal strategies. The Nation recently filed suit against the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, for example, arguing that the recent 2020 Navigable Waters Protection Rule blunts protections for the Nation’s threatened water resources, potentially impacting federal funding for needed water programs.
The Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project is a massive infrastructure project involving about 280 miles of pipeline, and several pumping and water treatment plants. The sprawling project, already underway, is expected to deliver water to some 250,000 people by 2040. Its genesis was the prior water rights settlement with New Mexico.
Much tighter deadlines, however, threaten the Navajo’s hopes to use some of the $714 million in federal aid it received to fight COVID-19 on water infrastructure projects. If the money isn’t spent by December 30, it might have to be returned.
At the end of the day, this ongoing struggle for clean accessible water promises to have a profound impact on the Nation’s future — just like it has shaped its past.
When a water fight erupted at the public school she attended as a child, Dooley and other Indigenous classmates were “stunned,” she said. “You don’t play with water,” said Dooley. “This is something instilled into you from a very young age.”
Nowadays, Dooley has a saying in her journal: “She knows she was enormously successful because she had a rose garden” — a nod to the flower’s thirsty needs. “That’s how I look at myself. When I have made it in the world, I will have roses.”
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