washingtontimes--2020-09-04--'Black Lives Matter' paint coming to MLK Blvd, not Boardwalk

ATLANTIC CITY , N.J. ( AP ) - The words “ Black Lives Matter ” will be written large in a public place in Atlantic City on Friday - just not where some demonstrators originally hoped .
What had originally loomed as a potential confrontation pitting people protesting racial injustice against city officials determined to prevent the gambling resort ’ s Boardwalk from being painted could now be headed for a more peaceful conclusion .
Steve Young , a community activist who had announced plans for a protest in front of Boardwalk Hall , in which the words “ Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wooden walkway , said Thursday no one would attempt to do so .
“ We will not be painting anything on the Boardwalk , ” he said in an interview .
“ We want everyone to stand with us in peace and non-violence.
” The words will instead be written on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard .
Young said the event he organized will still be held at 1 p.m .
He said he will then participate in the city-sponsored event at 2:30 p.m. in which the slogan of the racial justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the boulevard in front of the Civil Rights Garden .
“ We don ’ t want this to just be a photo opportunity , ” Young said .
“ We need to improve our community .
The poverty rate in Atlantic City is 40 % .
That says that black lives don ’ t matter to a lot of people.
” Small , who is Black , said he organized the city event as “ a better way ” to support the Black Lives Matter movement .
“ All lives matter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order for all lives to matter , Black lives have to matter , too.
” There have been three racial justice demonstrations in Atlantic City this year .
The first , on May 31 , was followed by theft and property destruction for which about 100 people were charged .
A second on June 6 was peaceful .
Young organized the July 4 protest as the casinos were permitted to reopen after more than three months of being shut due to the coronavirus outbreak .
He was among seven people arrested when marchers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Atlantic City Expressway , the main route to the city and its casinos .
The city is trying to strip Young of two city posts he holds as a consequence of the July 4 protest , whose stated goal was to “ shut the city down .
”

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) - A “Black Lives Matter” protest that arose amid threats of vandalism and arrest ended in Atlantic City’s mayor and a community activist who had threatened to paint those words on the seaside gambling resort’s historic Boardwalk peacefully joining together Friday.
Mayor Marty Small and protest organizer Steve Young picked up roller paint brushes and helped write those words on the pavement of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in front of the city’s Civil Rights Garden.
“This city truly understands the Black Lives Matter movement,” said Small, who is Black and who had announced plans earlier in the week for the city to co-opt the event in order to spare the Boardwalk. “In order for all lives to matter, Black lives need to matter.”
“We are saying the same thing right now - Black lives matter,” Young said. “And as long as we have something in common, there’s plenty of room at this table.”
Weeks ago, Young announced plans to write the slogan on the city’s Boardwalk. But Small said doing so would be illegal. He then decided the city would hold its own event where the slogan would be painted on a roadway.
At Young’s event, speakers included Gwen Carr, the mother of Eric Garner, who was put into a deadly chokehold by New York City police. His dying words, “I can’t breathe,” have become a rallying cry.
“They say enough is enough of the marching,” Carr said. “But they’re still killing us. We have to make America uncomfortable because they have made us uncomfortable.”
While Young’s rally was being held with about a dozen demonstrators outside a Boardwalk Hall that was boarded up in advance of the protest, volunteers were already slathering paint onto the roadway. But they deliberately left some letters unfinished so community members could participate in the painting.
Young and Small jointly filled in a latter “A,” then passed their paint rollers to children who continued.
Despite the good feelings, authorities were prepared for possible disturbances. An armored personnel carrier with what appeared to be a battering ram attached to it idled outside police headquarters, its red and blue lights flashing and a driver at the wheel.
Small said that every Friday afternoon of Labor Day weekend henceforth, Atlantic City will commence a monthlong celebration of “Black Lives Matter” community events.
There have been three racial justice demonstrations in Atlantic City this year. The first, on May 31, was followed by theft and property destruction for which about 100 people were charged. A second on June 6 was peaceful.
Young organized a July Fourth protest as the casinos were permitted to reopen after more than three months of being shut because of the coronavirus pandemic. He was among seven people arrested when marchers tried to block the entrance of the Atlantic City Expressway, the main route to the city and the casinos that are its lifeblood.
As a consequence of the July protest, whose stated goal was to “shut the city down,” the city is trying to strip Young of two city posts he holds.
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Follow Wayne Parry at http://twitter.com/WayneParryAC


washingtontimes--2020-09-04--Madrid struggles with Europe's acutest 2nd wave of pandemic

MADRID ( AP ) - The Madrid regional government is further restricting family reunions and social gatherings to curb a sharp spike in confirmed coronavirus cases as schools are set to re-open , although officials said Friday that new infections in and around the Spanish capital were being brought under control .
Authorities said an existing ban on outdoor meetings of more than 10 people is being extended indoors because most recent infections have been tied to gatherings in private homes .
Attendance at funerals , burials , weddings and religious celebrations , as well as group visits to museums @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starting Monday , authorities said .
Nearly one-third of Spain ’ s new virus infections are in and around Madrid , a region of 6.6 million with high population density and a hub for economic activity for the rest of the country .
At least 16 % of the beds in Madrid ’ s hospitals are occupied by COVID-19 patients , the highest rate of all Spanish regions .
Regional health chief Enrique Ruíz Escudero said that despite the recent trends , “ the situation has nothing to do with what we went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic in the Madrid community is stable and is controlled , ” Ruíz Escudero said .
“ We are not alarmed.
” Madrid is also expanding the number of contact tracers , which has been one of the weakest links in dealing with the new wave of virus cases , and purchasing 2 million rapid coronavirus test kits .
Spain , which is edging to a half-million confirmed cases since February , is leading the pandemic ’ s second wave in Europe .
The country had a rate of virus prevalence above 212 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two weeks .
At least 29,234 people have died in Spain during the pandemic .

MADRID (AP) - A mix of worry and resignation is discernible behind the masks of parents picking up school textbooks in a working class Spanish neighborhood with a steady rise in new coronavirus infections.
Authorities in Madrid, the European capital experiencing the worst second-wave outbreak, are introducing new curbs on social gatherings starting Monday. The restrictions coincide with the opening of most schools, which is perceived as a potential tipping point in the battle against the virus.
The focus is especially on areas like San Diego, a culturally diverse neighborhood of narrow streets and small apartments where many residents continued commuting to work over the summer, often to do manual labor and unstable jobs.
“The south of Madrid is where the north’s cheap labor crams into small apartments,” said Simona Filip, 44, a migrant from Romania whose 6-year-old son is set to go back to school on Tuesday.
Her son struggled with online learning ever since Spain went into lockdown in mid-March and a non-profit organization gave the family an electronic tablet for the boy to use.
“The kid needs proper studies because I can’t help him and my husband needs to work,” Filip told The Associated Press this week. “We have no other choice but to hope that the school will keep him safe.”
In the past two weeks, Spain has had a cumulative incidence of nearly 217 confirmed virus cases for every 100,000 residents, four times the European average. But in the southern Vallecas district with San Diego at its center, that index closely watched by pandemic experts rose to 1,300 last week and remained on Friday above 1,000 cases.
Jorge Nacarino, president of the local neighbors’ association, said that poverty and years of inadequate investments for the area are behind the spike. Tiny, cheap apartments built five to eight decades ago have not been replaced and now house extended families or groups of migrants who can’t afford real estate price hikes in other neighborhoods.
As happened during the first wave, social distancing is again difficult in the apartments, and many of those who had contact with people already infected with the coronavirus can’t afford to quarantine and miss work, Nacarino said.
“We need a serious plan of public investment in the area, from health centers and sports facilities to social programs,” he said. “It’s been through decades of neglect that San Diego has fallen behind the development seen in surrounding areas.”
With Spanish unemployment on the rise in the wake of virus-induced lockdowns, “narcoflats,” or vacant apartments taken over by gangs as drug distribution and consumption dens, are likely to spread, Nacarino said. So are gambling parlors, which are seen as a source of social problems in the area, with at least seven establishments operating along a short stretch of one of San Diego’s main streets.
Since most of new recent infections have been tied to gatherings in private homes, the regional government on Friday extended to indoor meetings a ban on outdoor gatherings of more than 10 people. Attendance to funerals, burials, weddings or religious celebrations, as well as group visits to museums or guided tourism will also be restricted starting on Monday, authorities said.
That comes on the heels of a crackdown on nightlife entertainment, early closure for the city’s parks to prevent youth from drinking alcohol and partying in large groups, and a ban on outdoor smoking, all of them measures announced in response to Madrid’s spiral of new cases since mid-July.
The Spanish capital, home to 6.6 million and a magnet for workers from around the country, accounted last week for one-third of Spain’s new virus infections. At least 16% of beds in Madrid’s hospitals are currently occupied by patients with COVID-19, the highest rate of all Spanish regions.
The situation “has nothing to do with what we went through a couple of months ago,” on Friday said the region’s health chief, Enrique Ruíz Escudero, referring to the peak of the pandemic in April, when makeshift hospitals had to be built and intensive-care-units expanded to cope with the influx of COVID-19 patients.
“The pandemic in the Madrid community is stable and is controlled,” the official said at a press briefing, arguing that some of the effects of recent measures are starting to have an effect. “We are worried … but we are not alarmed.”
Madrid is also expanding the number of contact tracers, one of the weakest links in dealing with the new wave of outbreaks, and purchasing two million kits of rapid coronavirus tests.
Spain, which is edging to a half-million confirmed cases since February, is leading the pandemic’s second wave in Europe. At least 29,418 people have died in Spain during the pandemic, including 184 reported on Friday. But the real death toll is believed to be higher because many who died during the March and April peak of the outbreak were never tested.
The northern region of Navarra was Spain’s first to launch a new school year on Friday, with masks mandatory for all students aged 6 or above and social distancing measures in schools.
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Follow AP pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-09-04--Shooting leaves Cleveland officer dead; suspects sought

CLEVELAND ( AP ) - A shooting killed a Cleveland police officer and another person , and authorities on Friday sought the person or people responsible , officials said .
Detective James Skernivitz , 53 , was shot around 10 p.m. Thursday on the west side .
Police Chief Calvin Williams told reporters that Skernivitz was with the department for 25 years , saying : “ Cleveland lost one of its finest.
” Cleveland Police Patrolmen ’ s Association President Jeff Follmer said a second person , who was not an officer but was in Skernivitz ’ s car , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weren ’ t immediately released by police .
Investigators appealed to the public for help in finding a suspect or suspects .
The FBI in Cleveland offered a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction .
It has been more than 10 years since an on-duty Cleveland police officer was fatally shot .
Patrol Officer Derek Owens , 36 , was killed in February 2008 while chasing a suspect .
Owens caught up to the man , who turned and shot Owens in the abdomen below his bulletproof vest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ murder and was sentenced to life in prison with no chance for parole .

CLEVELAND (AP) - A Cleveland police detective who had just joined a federal violence task force was shot and killed in his unmarked car along with a police informant during a drug operation, officials said Friday.
Three people have been arrested in the shooting that killed Detective James Skernivitz, 53, and another man on Thursday night. Cleveland Safety Director Karrie Howard said at a news briefing Friday afternoon that two juveniles and an adult taken into custody for unrelated arrest warrants are being questioned. Their names have not been released.
Scott Dingess, 50, has been identified by the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office as the other man killed inside Skernivitz’s car.
An emotional Police Chief Calvin Williams did not provide details about the shootings during the briefing.
“It could have been random, it could have been targeted,” Williams said. “We don’t know. We’re still investigating.”
Skernivitz and Dingess were shot around 10 p.m. Thursday on the city’s west side. A Cleveland police official knowledgeable about some details of the shooting, but who was not authorized to speak publicly, told The Associated Press that Skernivitz was working undercover as part of a drug operation and that Dingess was a police informant.
Jeff Follmer, president of the Cleveland Police Patrolmen’s Association, said there were no other officers in the area when the two men were shot.
Officials have not said whether Skernivitz was working Thursday night as part of the federal task force or as a member of the Cleveland police gang unit to which he was normally assigned.
Skernivitz was a 25-year veteran. Williams at Friday’s briefing called him a “policeman’s policeman.”
Skernivitz and other law enforcement officers were sworn in Wednesday at the Cleveland FBI office to become members of the FBI’s Violent Crime Task Force in support of Operation Legend, a Justice Department effort to crack down on violent crime in a number of U.S. cities, including Cleveland, FBI spokesperson Vicki Anderson.
U.S. Attorney General William Barr called Skernivitz’s death “a very sad day for the city of Cleveland and the entire law enforcement community.”
“It takes a special kind of courage to be a police officer,” Barr said. “Our men and women in blue put their lives on the line day after day in order to keep us safe. We will not forget Detective Skernivitz and his life of service and sacrifice.”
Gov. Mike DeWine ordered the U.S. and state flags to be flown at half-staff at public buildings in Cuyahoga County and at the Statehouse in Columbus.
U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said Thursday that 54 defendants have been charged criminally, including 39 people for drug-related offenses, since Operation Legend got underway in Cleveland on July 29.
It has been more than 10 years since an on-duty Cleveland police officer was fatally shot.
Patrol Officer Derek Owens, 36, was killed in February 2008 while chasing a suspect. Owens caught up to the man, who turned and shot Owens in the abdomen below his bulletproof vest.
The man was found guilty of aggravated murder and was sentenced to life in prison with no chance for parole.


washingtontimes--2020-09-04--Myrtle Beach renews mask order as virus cases trend downward

MYRTLE BEACH , S.C. ( AP ) - A South Carolina beach town has renewed its mask mandate as coronavirus cases trend downward following a spike linked to the popular tourist destination this summer .
Myrtle Beach on Thursday extended through Sept. 30 the July executive order mandating face coverings to be worn in public places , according to the city ’ s website .
The order was set to expire Sept. 9 , news outlets reported .
“ This is not the time to stop our efforts , ” City Manager John Pedersen said during a City Council meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some coronavirus clusters in other states , including West Virginia and New Jersey , were linked to vacationers , wedding attendees and others returning from trips to Myrtle Beach .
Horry County , which contains Myrtle Beach , also saw a spike in cases .
Since then , data shows the county has seen a downward trend in case numbers , according to The Sun News .
Pedersen said the area saw fewer tourists in August , which may have contributed to slowing the spread , the newspaper said .
He added that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mandate .
The mandate calls for face masks to be worn in all retail businesses or establishments that are open to the public , including grocery stores , restaurants , pharmacies , salons , gyms and other buildings , according to the policy .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) - A South Carolina beach town has renewed its mask mandate as coronavirus cases trend downward following a spike linked to the popular tourist destination this summer.
Myrtle Beach on Thursday extended through Sept. 30 the July executive order mandating face coverings to be worn in public places, according to the city’s website. The order was set to expire Sept. 9, news outlets reported.
“This is not the time to stop our efforts,” City Manager John Pedersen said during a City Council meeting Thursday.
In June and July, some coronavirus clusters in other states, including West Virginia and New Jersey, were linked to vacationers, wedding attendees and others returning from trips to Myrtle Beach. Horry County, which contains Myrtle Beach, also saw a spike in cases. Since then, data shows the county has seen a downward trend in case numbers, according to The Sun News.
Pedersen said the area saw fewer tourists in August, which may have contributed to slowing the spread, the newspaper said. He added that businesses within the city were enforcing the mandate.
The mandate calls for face masks to be worn in all retail businesses or establishments that are open to the public, including grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacies, salons, gyms and other buildings, according to the policy.
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Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-09-04--Japan bracing for dangerously powerful typhoon

TOKYO ( AP ) - Japan is bracing for a dangerously powerful typhoon approaching its southern regions this weekend on the heels of an earlier storm that injured dozens of people in the country and on the Korean Peninsula .
Typhoon Haishen , or Sea God in Chinese , could bring nearly unprecedentedly severe rain , rough waves and high tides to Okinawa and Kyushu by early Sunday , Japan Meteorological Agency officials said .
Agency weather forecaster Yoshihisa Nakamoto , in a televised news conference , urged people in the typhoon ’ s path to take precautions and secure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other necessities .
The typhoon was moving north in the Pacific Ocean at a speed of 15 kilometers ( 9 miles ) per hour .
By Sunday it is projected to have winds of up to 198 kph ( 122 mph ) .
Officials said Haishen is comparable to a September 1959 typhoon that killed more than 5,000 people in central Japan .
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said the government is setting up a crisis response team and urged people to take precautions “ to protect your own lives.
” He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Nagasaki , Kagoshima and other southwestern prefectures to lower the risk of flooding .
Typhoon Maysak hit the region earlier this week , injuring dozens of people , cutting power to thousands of homes and causing other damage .
A search continued Friday for a livestock cargo ship carrying 43 crew members and 5,800 cows from New Zealand that capsized during the typhoon .
Rescuers have found only one survivor , a chief officer from the Philippines .

TOKYO (AP) - Japan is bracing for a dangerously powerful typhoon approaching its southern regions this weekend on the heels of an earlier storm that injured dozens of people in the country and on the Korean Peninsula.
Typhoon Haishen, or Sea God in Chinese, could bring nearly unprecedentedly severe rain, rough waves and high tides to Okinawa and Kyushu by early Sunday, Japan Meteorological Agency officials said.
Agency weather forecaster Yoshihisa Nakamoto, in a televised news conference, urged people in the typhoon’s path to take precautions and secure extra stocks of water, food and other necessities.
The typhoon was moving north in the Pacific Ocean at a speed of 15 kilometers (9 miles) per hour. By Sunday it is projected to have winds of up to 198 kph (122 mph).
Officials said Haishen is comparable to a September 1959 typhoon that killed more than 5,000 people in central Japan.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said the government is setting up a crisis response team and urged people to take precautions “to protect your own lives.”
He said water was being released from nine dams in Nagasaki, Kagoshima and other southwestern prefectures to lower the risk of flooding. More than 22,000 military troops, coast guard personnel, police and firefighters have been placed on standby.
Hundreds of residents of a cluster of southern islands were airlifted by military helicopters to Kagoshima city on the nearby main island as a precaution.
Typhoon Maysak hit the region earlier this week, injuring dozens of people, cutting power to thousands of homes and causing other damage. A search continued Friday for a livestock cargo ship carrying 43 crew members and 5,800 cows from New Zealand that capsized during the typhoon. Rescuers have found only two survivors.
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Follow Mari Yamaguchi on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/mariyamaaguchi


washingtontimes--2020-09-04--Police: 4 found dead after shooting in Ontario home

OSHAWA , Ontario ( AP ) - Police said five people were found dead and another with serious injuries following an early morning shooting Friday in a home east of Toronto .
A spokesman said multiple calls came in around 1:20 a.m. reporting the sound of gunshots from a home in Oshawa , Ontario .
Constable George Tudos said four of the deceased are believed to be men and one of them is believed to be a woman , but added that police are waiting for the coroner to confirm ages .
Tudos said officers also found another woman in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was sent to a local hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries .
Investigators said they believe the shooter is among the dead .
Police were not looking for any more suspects and there were no community safety concerns .
Police initially believed there were four people dead and one injured , but later updated that another person had died .
Tudus told reporters that police were waiting for the homicide team to arrive to get a better understanding of what happened .
Carol Gibson , who lives down the street from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ awake by the incident .
“ The first shot woke me up , and then I heard about four or five more after that , ″ Gibson said .
“ Then a woman screamed and there were two shots after that.
” Gibson said she had known the family in the house for around 20 years .
“ They were a family that cared for each other quite a bit , ” said Gibson .
“ If they weren ’ t playing baseball , hockey or shooting hoops on the driveway , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it as a family .
A very caring family.″ Rob Mitchell , another neighbor , described them as kind and outgoing .
“ They are very very involved with their kids and what they are doing in the community .
It definitely doesn ’ t make any sense at all , ” Mitchell told CBC news .

OSHAWA, Ontario (AP) - A gunman killed four of his relatives before taking his own life in a early Friday morning shooting at a home in Ontario east of Toronto, Canadian authorities said.
Police said Michael Lapa, 48, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, was the sole shooter and died as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A police statement said he was a relative of the family living at the residence in Oshawa, Ontario.
Investigators said Lapa was an “uninvited person” to the home and the homicide unit was still investigating the motive behind the shooting.
Police were seen towing away a pickup truck registered to Lapa with Manitoba licence plates, which some neighbors said they hadn’t seen parked at the residence in the past.
Multiple calls came in around 1:20 a.m. reporting the sound of gunshots from the home.
Constable George Tudos said the dead included four men and one woman - two of them under 18. He said officers also found a 50-year-old woman in the house with a gunshot wound and she was taken to a hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Liz McIntosh, who lives next door to the family, said she woke up to the sound of gunshots and screams, and then saw police approach the property with guns drawn.
“It’s horrible. You never would think that this could happen, especially this neighborhood. It’s very quiet,″ she said, noting that most families have lived there for years.
“This is a very peaceful neighborhood,″ said her husband, Cliff Chow. “Most of the time we don’t lock the doors.″
McIntosh said she heard the shots ring out over a period of 20 or 30 minutes.
“I feel awful for this family, how heartbreaking. It’s just horrible,″ she said, adding she was also afraid for herself.
“I didn’t know when it was going on if there was a shooter running around the neighborhood trying to hide, maybe they would come kick through our door?″
Carol Gibson, who lives down the street, said she was startled awake by the incident.
“The first shot woke me up, and then I heard about four or five more after that,″ Gibson said. “Then a woman screamed and there were two shots after that.”
Gibson said she had known the family in the house for around 20 years.
“They were a family that cared for each other quite a bit,” said Gibson. “If they weren’t playing baseball, hockey or shooting hoops on the driveway, they were out raking leaves and they did it as a family. A very caring family.″
Rob Mitchell, another neighbor, described them as kind and outgoing.
“They are very very involved with their kids and what they are doing in the community. It definitely doesn’t make any sense at all,” Mitchell said.


washingtontimes--2020-09-04--Everett man accused of stealing police rifle at protest

EVERETT , Wash. ( AP ) - An Everett man has been accused of stealing a high-powered rifle from a patrol car during a protest that was declared a riot in downtown Seattle on May 30 .
Jacob D. Little , 24 , was charged in U.S. District Court in Seattle on Friday with possession of a stolen firearm , the Daily Herald reported .
In a criminal complaint , U.S. attorneys said the rifle was stolen during protests that happened after the death of George Floyd , who was killed by a Minneapolis police officer .
Officers with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicle when they were reportedly overwhelmed by protesters .
Police say they took refuge in the nearby Nordstrom store , where they took photos from above , according to the charges .
Around 3:30 p.m. , police say , the protests escalated , resulting in the destruction of six patrol cars .
Among other equipment , five firearms reportedly disappeared from police vehicles , including a Colt M4 rifle with a suppressor that , according to U.S. attorneys , was taken by Little .
U.S. attorneys say he was seen - in photos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on YouTube - taking a heavy bag from a Seattle police vehicle outside Nordstrom .
Little also apparently posted an image of himself on Snapchat in which he is posing in front of the same vehicle .
An anonymous tipster reportedly shared the Snapchat image with police , along with the name of a suspect .
Investigators searched Little ’ s house , where they say they found guns and clothes that appeared similar to those worn by the man in the photos and video .
Investigators also searched Little ’ s phone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to sell the firearm .
According to the charges , he texted a potential buyer that he took off accessories that matched those that were with the police firearm .
The gun has not been recovered .
The case is being investigated by the Seattle Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms & Explosives , with assistance from the Snohomish County Violent Offender Task Force .

EVERETT, Wash. (AP) - An Everett man has been accused of stealing a high-powered rifle from a patrol car during a protest that was declared a riot in downtown Seattle on May 30.
Jacob D. Little, 24, was charged in U.S. District Court in Seattle on Friday with possession of a stolen firearm, the Daily Herald reported.
In a criminal complaint, U.S. attorneys said the rifle was stolen during protests that happened after the death of George Floyd, who was killed by a Minneapolis police officer.
Officers with the Seattle police photo unit abandoned their patrol vehicle when they were reportedly overwhelmed by protesters. Police say they took refuge in the nearby Nordstrom store, where they took photos from above, according to the charges.
Around 3:30 p.m., police say, the protests escalated, resulting in the destruction of six patrol cars. Among other equipment, five firearms reportedly disappeared from police vehicles, including a Colt M4 rifle with a suppressor that, according to U.S. attorneys, was taken by Little.
U.S. attorneys say he was seen - in photos taken by police and in video posted on YouTube - taking a heavy bag from a Seattle police vehicle outside Nordstrom. Little also apparently posted an image of himself on Snapchat in which he is posing in front of the same vehicle. An anonymous tipster reportedly shared the Snapchat image with police, along with the name of a suspect.
Investigators searched Little’s house, where they say they found guns and clothes that appeared similar to those worn by the man in the photos and video.
Investigators also searched Little’s phone and say he found that he was trying to sell the firearm. According to the charges, he texted a potential buyer that he took off accessories that matched those that were with the police firearm.
The gun has not been recovered.
The case is being investigated by the Seattle Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, with assistance from the Snohomish County Violent Offender Task Force.


washingtontimes--2020-09-04--Typhoon Haishen approaching Japan, packing powerful winds

TOKYO ( AP ) - A powerful typhoon , the second in a week , was barreling toward the southern cluster of Japanese Okinawa islands on Saturday , prompting warnings about torrential rainfall and fierce wind gusts .
Weather officials have cautioned about Typhoon Haishen for the last several days , urging people to brace for what could be a record storm and be ready to take shelter and stock up on food and water .
The Japan Meteorological Agency said Haishen , packing sustained winds of up to 198 kilometers ( 123 miles ) per hour early Saturday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday , and later the main southern island of Kyushu .
But the pouring rain , high tides and winds will hit long before the typhoon , the agency said .
Haishen , or “ sea god ” in Chinese , was moving northward at 15 kmh ( 9 mph ) from out at sea , south of Minami Daito , an island to the south of Japan .
The projected course has Haishen hitting the Korean Peninsula on Tuesday .
Earlier this week , Typhoon Maysak battered southern Japan , injuring dozens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of homes .
A cargo ship carrying 43 crew members and 5,800 cows from New Zealand capsized off the coast of Japan .
Two people were rescued on Friday and was one body was recovered .
Rescuers also spotted dozens of cow carcasses floating in the area .

TOKYO (AP) - A powerful typhoon, the second in a week, was barreling toward the Okinawa islands in southern Japan on Saturday, prompting warnings about torrential rainfall and fierce wind gusts.
Weather officials have cautioned about Typhoon Haishen for the last several days, urging people to brace for what could be a record storm and be ready to take shelter and stock up on food and water.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said Haishen, packing sustained winds of up to 180 kilometers (112 miles) per hour early Saturday, was on course to hit Okinawa by Sunday, and later the main southern island of Kyushu.
But the pouring rain, high tides and winds will hit before the typhoon, the agency said.
Okinawa is home to more than half of the roughly 50,000 U.S. troops based in Japan under a bilateral treaty.
Haishen, or “sea god” in Chinese, was moving northward at 15 kph (9 mph) from out at sea, south of Minami Daito, an island to the south of Japan. The projected course has Haishen hitting the Korean Peninsula on Tuesday.
Meteorological agency official Yoshihisa Nakamoto said he was concerned about people staying home instead of fleeing because of fears about the coronavirus.
“You should not avoid getting out because of such fears,” he told reporters, stressing that local communities will have social distancing measures in place at evacuation locales.
Earlier in the week, Typhoon Maysak battered southern Japan, injuring dozens of people and cutting power to thousands of homes. A cargo ship carrying 43 crew members and 5,800 cows from New Zealand capsized off the coast of Japan. Two people, both Filipino, were rescued Friday and one body was recovered. Rescuers also spotted dozens of cow carcasses floating in the area.
The search has been temporarily halted because of Typhoon Haishen, according to the Philippine government. The two rescued Filipinos have spoken with their families, the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
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Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter https://twitter.com/yurikageyama


washingtontimes--2020-09-04--Judge orders DHS to stop holding illegal immigrant families in hotels

A federal judge late Friday ordered the Trump administration to stop using hotels to hold illegal immigrant children and families nabbed at the border during the coronavirus pandemic , ruling that the conditions aren ’ t good enough .
Judge Dolly M. Gee , an Obama appointee to the bench , said a decades-old agreement about how illegal immigrant children are to be treated sets standards , and the hotels don ’ t meet those standards .
“ The court finds that these conditions are not adequately safe and do not sufficiently account for the vulnerability of unaccompanied minors in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who more than any other individual save President Trump is responsible for writing the rules of the modern immigration system .
The government is using the hotels as a stopgap measure to keep migrants for about five days before they are expelled back to their home country under the public health emergency .
Some 660 children ages 10 to 17 have been housed in 25 hotels across three states .
Judge Gee said those hotels run the risks of spreading coronavirus to the children , with housekeeping and other staff coming and going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be sent to government-run shelters for illegal immigrant children — the very shelters the government , under court pressure , has tried to empty out to prevent the spread of coronavirus .
“ This court is sensitive to the exigencies created by COVID-19 and recognizes that the pandemic may require temporary , emergency modifications to the immigration system to enhance public safety , ” she wrote .
“ But that is no excuse for DHS to skirt the fundamental humanitarian protections that the Flores Agreement guarantees for minors in their custody , especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoteling is safer than licensed facilities.
” The Flores Agreement is the court-imposed settlement that governs the treatment of illegal immigrant children .
Originally , it only applied to children who showed up at the border without a parent , but under a Judge Gee order in 2015 , it now also applies to those who arrive with parents , too .
That sparked the family migrant surge that saw hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants jump the border last year — and saw some children die in the attempt .
The Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health law , Title 42 , that allows immediate expulsion of unauthorized border crossers .
The administration had argued that people subject to that weren ’ t part of the Flores Agreement .

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to stop using hotels to hold migrant children and families caught at the border during the coronavirus pandemic, ruling that the conditions aren’t good enough.
Judge Dolly M. Gee, an Obama appointee, said a decades-old agreement about how immigrant children who are in the country illegally are to be treated sets the standards, and the hotels don’t meet them.
“The court finds that these conditions are not adequately safe and do not sufficiently account for the vulnerability of unaccompanied minors in detention,” wrote Judge Gee, who more than any other individual save President Trump is responsible for writing the rules of the modern immigration system.
The government is using the hotels as a stopgap measure to keep migrants for about five days before they are expelled back to their home country.
Some 660 children ages 10 to 17 have been housed in 25 hotels across three states.
Judge Gee said in her decision late Friday that those hotels run the risks of spreading coronavirus to the children, with housekeeping and other staff coming and going.
She said the children should instead be sent to government-run shelters for undocumented immigrant children — the very shelters the government, under court pressure, has tried to empty out to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
“This court is sensitive to the exigencies created by COVID-19 and recognizes that the pandemic may require temporary, emergency modifications to the immigration system to enhance public safety,” she wrote. “But that is no excuse for DHS to skirt the fundamental humanitarian protections that the Flores Agreement guarantees for minors in their custody, especially when there is no persuasive evidence that hoteling is safer than licensed facilities.”
The Flores Agreement is the court-imposed settlement that governs the treatment of migrant children. Originally, it only applied to children who showed up at the border without a parent, but under a Judge Gee order in 2015, it now applies to those who arrive with parents.
That sparked the family migrant surge that saw hundreds of thousands of migrants jump the border last year — and saw some children die.
The Trump administration this year triggered part of a public health law, Title 42, that allows immediate expulsion of unauthorized border crossers.
The administration had argued that people subject to that weren’t part of the Flores Agreement. Judge Gee rejected that attempt to draw a distinction.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-04--Hyundai now says recalled vehicles should be parked outside

DETROIT ( AP ) - Hyundai has reversed itself on a recall to fix a defect that could cause engine fires and is now telling owners of more than 200,000 vehicles to park them outdoors until repairs are made .
The company , along with affiliated South Korean automaker Kia , on Thursday said they were recalling over 600,000 vehicles in the U.S. and Canada to fix a brake fluid leak that could cause the fires .
Hyundai initially said it was OK for its vehicles to be parked indoors .
The recalls cover 203,000 Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 440,000 Kia Optima midsize sedans from 2013 through 2015 and Kia Sorento SUVs from 2014 and 2015 .
Hyundai spokesman Michael Stewart said the company ’ s North America safety team met Friday and decided that the Santa Fes should not be parked in garages .
“ After further review , it was determined that out of an abundance of caution , customers should park the vehicles outside until the recall is completed , ” Stewart said .
The recalls cover 203,000 Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs from 2013 to 2015 .
Also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sedans from 2013 through 2015 and Kia Sorento SUVs from 2014 and 2015 .
A message was left Friday seeking comment from Kia on whether it also recommends the vehicles be parked outside .
The automakers said in paperwork released Thursday by U.S. safety regulators that brake fluid can leak inside a hydraulic control unit for the anti-lock brakes , possibly causing an electrical short that can lead to fires .
Kia ’ s recall will start Oct. 15 , while Hyundai ’ s will start Oct. 23 .
Dealers for both companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and replace them if needed at no cost to owners .
In company documents posted Thursday by U.S. safety regulators , Hyundai said it had 15 reports of engine fires caused by the fluid leaks , while Kia said it had eight .
Hyundai said it ’ s not aware of any injuries , and Kia said it had none .
Hyundai said earlier that if the anti-lock brake warning light comes on , owners should not drive their vehicles and should contact a dealer .
If there ’ s a warning light @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battery by removing the positive cable , the company said .
Hyundai documents said the company received its first complaint about an engine fire in a 2014 Santa Fe in April of 2018 , and it started an investigation .
Kia began investigating after getting a complaint of a melted control unit in a 2015 Sorento last February .
The recalls are the latest in a series of engine fire problems that have plagued the two automakers and have touched off investigations by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration .
Hyundai said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the previous recalls or the U.S. investigations .
Engine failure and fire problems with Hyundais and Kias have affected more than 6 million vehicles since 2015 , according to NHTSA documents .

DETROIT (AP) - Hyundai has reversed itself on a recall to fix a defect that could cause engine fires and is now telling owners of more than 200,000 vehicles to park them outdoors until repairs are made.
The company, along with affiliated South Korean automaker Kia, on Thursday said they were recalling over 600,000 vehicles in the U.S. and Canada to fix a brake fluid leak that could cause the fires. Hyundai initially said it was OK for its vehicles to be parked indoors.
The recalls cover 203,000 Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs from 2013 to 2015. Also included are over 440,000 Kia Optima midsize sedans from 2013 through 2015 and Kia Sorento SUVs from 2014 and 2015.
Hyundai spokesman Michael Stewart said the company’s North America safety team met Friday and decided that the Santa Fes should not be parked in garages.
“After further review, it was determined that out of an abundance of caution, customers should park the vehicles outside until the recall is completed,” Stewart said.
The recalls cover 203,000 Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs from 2013 to 2015. Also included are over 440,000 Kia Optima midsize sedans from 2013 through 2015 and Kia Sorento SUVs from 2014 and 2015.
A message was left Friday seeking comment from Kia on whether it also recommends the vehicles be parked outside.
The automakers said in paperwork released Thursday by U.S. safety regulators that brake fluid can leak inside a hydraulic control unit for the anti-lock brakes, possibly causing an electrical short that can lead to fires.
Kia’s recall will start Oct. 15, while Hyundai’s will start Oct. 23. Dealers for both companies will inspect the control units for leaks and replace them if needed at no cost to owners.
In company documents posted Thursday by U.S. safety regulators, Hyundai said it had 15 reports of engine fires caused by the fluid leaks, while Kia said it had eight. Hyundai said it’s not aware of any injuries, and Kia said it had none.
Hyundai said earlier that if the anti-lock brake warning light comes on, owners should not drive their vehicles and should contact a dealer. If there’s a warning light, owners also should disconnect the 12-volt battery by removing the positive cable, the company said.
Hyundai documents said the company received its first complaint about an engine fire in a 2014 Santa Fe in April of 2018, and it started an investigation. Kia began investigating after getting a complaint of a melted control unit in a 2015 Sorento last February.
The recalls are the latest in a series of engine fire problems that have plagued the two automakers and have touched off investigations by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Hyundai said the latest recall is not related to the previous recalls or the U.S. investigations.
Engine failure and fire problems with Hyundais and Kias have affected more than 6 million vehicles since 2015, according to NHTSA documents.


washingtontimes--2020-09-04--Mexico tortilla shop gives free TV, internet for school kids

MEXICO CITY ( AP ) - A tortilla shop has started giving free wifi and television access for kids in its Mexico City neighborhood whose homes don ’ t have them , or whose brothers and sisters are already using the services for remote learning during the pandemic .
Mexico ’ s government schools started at-distance classes Aug. 24 using televised lessons due to the coronavirus , because 94 % of Mexican homes have TVs .
But there are often many youngsters in a Mexican family and they all need to look up something online or watch classes at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Rinconcito de Esperanza ” - the Corner of Hope - comes in .
The owners of Grandma ’ s Tortilla Shop in the southern borough of Tlalpan set up learning areas to offer free tutoring , TV and computer access .
The assemblage of space spills out of the store into a tent set up on the sidewalk outside , and continues into the bed of an old pickup truck parked at the curb .
A true community effort , classes that need more room or quiet are held in neighboring shops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fernando Lozano , set up the informal non-profit project at their tortilla shop after she heard neighbors ad friends worrying about how their children were going to keep up with classes .
Initially it started with a single balky TV and the store ’ s wifi , but when the TV burned out in a rainstorm , neighbors came to her aid by providing a new television set and other items .
“ We saw how worried they ( mothers ) were , thinking : ‘ Either I work , or I educate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my child with their classes , how are we going to eat ?
’ ” said Dávila , who continues to bake and sell tortillas while overseeing the project .
“ So we neighbors started organizing to help out.
” There is a box of textbooks , one smartphone , one tablet and a laptop , all donated .
“ People have brought pencils , donated notebooks and even brought donated grain for food packages , ” Lozano said .
The spaces serve about 50 children each day , and classes are staggered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families .
Volunteer tutors come to teach classes in English , math and the sciences .
“ We saw there was inequality right now , because of the pandemic .
A lot of parents don ’ t have money to buy a telephone , a television or a computer , ” Lozano said .
“ The truth is that if you miss out on a year you never make it up .
And the truth is we are not talking about one or two children , we are talking about millions of kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is going to have real repercussions.
” The government has distributed some 140 million free textbooks , and homes that have no television can listen to radio classes .
Students will not return to classrooms until the government ’ s version of a stoplight to evaluate the pandemic ’ s risk is safely at green .
Only 44 % of Mexican households have a computer .
A slightly higher percentage , 56 % , have some sort of internet service , though many of those connections are used just for smartphones .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Mexico say they use the internet for phones , 33 % with a laptop and 29 % for a desktop computer .
Most households have more than one child , often taking classes simultaneously and putting a strain on TV and computer access .
María Luisa Moreno Barajas , a mother of four whose husband is unemployed , brought her young son José Mario to study at one part of the improvised learning area that spills over into a neighboring ironworker ’ s shop .
José Maria isn ’ t disturbed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I feel as if I was in school , ” he said .
“ This project has helped us a lot , ” his mother said .
“ We do have internet that my father lent us , but because there are a lot of us , we ’ re all using the internet at the same time.
” “ So there are times when we can ’ t do all research we need to do , ” she said .
“ That ’ s why I come to the Corner of Hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the internet or print off something , there is someone who can help us.
” Manuel López Pereyra , a researcher in the education department of Mexico City ’ s Iberoamerican University , said such community efforts are great , but they illustrate what the government hasn ’ t done .
“ One of the education policies that we would expect is for the government to help these families that don ’ t have access to technology , ” he said .
“ But now , when we are in a moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving us what we need , the community is who is coming to save the day .
”

MEXICO CITY (AP) - A tortilla shop has started giving free wifi and television access for kids in its Mexico City neighborhood whose homes don’t have them, or whose brothers and sisters are already using the services for remote learning during the pandemic.
Mexico’s government schools started at-distance classes Aug. 24 using televised lessons due to the coronavirus, because 94% of Mexican homes have TVs. But there are often many youngsters in a Mexican family and they all need to look up something online or watch classes at the same time.
That is where the “Rinconcito de Esperanza” - the Corner of Hope - comes in. The owners of Grandma’s Tortilla Shop in the southern borough of Tlalpan set up learning areas to offer free tutoring, TV and computer access.
The assemblage of space spills out of the store into a tent set up on the sidewalk outside, and continues into the bed of an old pickup truck parked at the curb. A true community effort, classes that need more room or quiet are held in neighboring shops.
Dalia Dãvila and her companion, Fernando Lozano, set up the informal non-profit project at their tortilla shop after she heard neighbors ad friends worrying about how their children were going to keep up with classes. Initially it started with a single balky TV and the store’s wifi, but when the TV burned out in a rainstorm, neighbors came to her aid by providing a new television set and other items.
“We saw how worried they (mothers) were, thinking: ‘Either I work, or I educate my children, and if I help my child with their classes, how are we going to eat?’” said Dávila, who continues to bake and sell tortillas while overseeing the project. “So we neighbors started organizing to help out.”
There is a box of textbooks, one smartphone, one tablet and a laptop, all donated. “People have brought pencils, donated notebooks and even brought donated grain for food packages,” Lozano said.
The spaces serve about 50 children each day, and classes are staggered to avoid crowding together children from different families. Volunteer tutors come to teach classes in English, math and the sciences.
“We saw there was inequality right now, because of the pandemic. A lot of parents don’t have money to buy a telephone, a television or a computer,” Lozano said. “The truth is that if you miss out on a year you never make it up. And the truth is we are not talking about one or two children, we are talking about millions of kids all over the world, and this is going to have real repercussions.”
The government has distributed some 140 million free textbooks, and homes that have no television can listen to radio classes. Students will not return to classrooms until the government’s version of a stoplight to evaluate the pandemic’s risk is safely at green.
Only 44% of Mexican households have a computer. A slightly higher percentage, 56%, have some sort of internet service, though many of those connections are used just for smartphones. According to polling, 95% of people in Mexico say they use the internet for phones, 33% with a laptop and 29% for a desktop computer.
Most households have more than one child, often taking classes simultaneously and putting a strain on TV and computer access.
María Luisa Moreno Barajas, a mother of four whose husband is unemployed, brought her young son José Mario to study at one part of the improvised learning area that spills over into a neighboring ironworker’s shop.
José Maria isn’t disturbed at all by the unusual surroundings. “I feel as if I was in school,” he said.
“This project has helped us a lot,” his mother said. “We do have internet that my father lent us, but because there are a lot of us, we’re all using the internet at the same time.”
“So there are times when we can’t do all research we need to do,” she said. “That’s why I come to the Corner of Hope. If we need to do homework on the internet or print off something, there is someone who can help us.”
Manuel López Pereyra, a researcher in the education department of Mexico City’s Iberoamerican University, said such community efforts are great, but they illustrate what the government hasn’t done.
“One of the education policies that we would expect is for the government to help these families that don’t have access to technology,” he said. “But now, when we are in a moment of crisis and the government is not giving us what we need, the community is who is coming to save the day.”


washingtontimes--2020-09-04--Family of man killed by Vallejo police to get nearly $6M

VALLEJO , Calif. ( AP ) - The city of Vallejo in the San Francisco Bay area has agreed to pay $ 5.7 million to the family of a Black man who was shot and killed by a Vallejo police officer in 2018 , city officials announced Friday .
Ronell Foster , 33 , was riding a bike in downtown Vallejo without a headlamp the evening of Feb. 13 , 2018 , when he was spotted and pursued by Officer Ryan McMahon , who later told investigators that he stopped Foster in order to “ educate the public on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself and the traffic on Sonoma Boulevard , ” the San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday .
After a brief pursuit , McMahon said , Foster grabbed his metal flashlight and tried to strike him during a physical altercation , prompting McMahon to open fire .
Foster died at the scene after being shot in the back of the head .
McMahon was cleared of wrongdoing in January by the Solano County District Attorney ’ s Office , which declared McMahon ’ s deadly use of force justified after an investigation that included body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family brought a federal civil rights lawsuit against McMahon and the city .
The city itself will pay the Foster family only $ 500,000 .
The rest will be paid by the California Association of Joint Powers Authorities , a municipal insurance provider .
The Foster family is “ happy the truth has finally come out , ” Adanté Pointer , a lawyer for the family , said Friday .
“ Ronell did not deserve to die , ” Pointer said .
“ True justice would be to see Officer McMahon walking into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What the family found most disturbing are the lies the city put out to justify his death when they knew the whole time Ronell ’ s death was not justified and the officer ’ s conduct flat-out wrong.
” Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams indicated his intent to fire McMahon in March , based in part on his conduct during another fatal shooting , that of 21-year old Willie McCoy .
The termination is pending , a spokeswoman for the city said .
In a March letter to McMahon that was made public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of other police officers , neglected basic firearm safety and demonstrated “ unsatisfactory work performance including , but not limited to , failure , incompetence , ” in connection with the McCoy incident .
McMahon was temporarily placed on paid administrative leave following the fatal shooting of Foster , but was later cleared to return to duty .
One year later , he was one of six officers who shot and killed McCoy , who was asleep in a car in a Taco Bell drive-through lane .
Vallejo police spokeswoman Brittany Jackson declined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave , calling it a “ pending personnel matter.
” McMahon was paid $ 219,433 in salary and benefits in 2018 , the year he shot Foster , according to public records .

VALLEJO, Calif. (AP) - The city of Vallejo in the San Francisco Bay area has agreed to pay $5.7 million to the family of a Black man who was shot and killed by a Vallejo police officer in 2018, city officials announced Friday.
Ronell Foster, 33, was riding a bike in downtown Vallejo without a headlamp the evening of Feb. 13, 2018, when he was spotted and pursued by Officer Ryan McMahon, who later told investigators that he stopped Foster in order to “educate the public on the dangers that this person was creating for himself and the traffic on Sonoma Boulevard,” the San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday.
After a brief pursuit, McMahon said, Foster grabbed his metal flashlight and tried to strike him during a physical altercation, prompting McMahon to open fire. Foster died at the scene after being shot in the back of the head.
McMahon was cleared of wrongdoing in January by the Solano County District Attorney’s Office, which declared McMahon’s deadly use of force justified after an investigation that included body camera footage.
But Foster’s family brought a federal civil rights lawsuit against McMahon and the city.
The city itself will pay the Foster family only $500,000. The rest will be paid by the California Association of Joint Powers Authorities, a municipal insurance provider.
The Foster family is “happy the truth has finally come out,” Adanté Pointer, a lawyer for the family, said Friday.
“Ronell did not deserve to die,” Pointer said. “True justice would be to see Officer McMahon walking into court as a criminal defendant.
“What the family found most disturbing are the lies the city put out to justify his death when they knew the whole time Ronell’s death was not justified and the officer’s conduct flat-out wrong.”
Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams indicated his intent to fire McMahon in March, based in part on his conduct during another fatal shooting, that of 21-year old Willie McCoy. The termination is pending, a spokeswoman for the city said.
In a March letter to McMahon that was made public, Williams said McMahon endangered the lives of other police officers, neglected basic firearm safety and demonstrated “unsatisfactory work performance including, but not limited to, failure, incompetence,” in connection with the McCoy incident.
McMahon was temporarily placed on paid administrative leave following the fatal shooting of Foster, but was later cleared to return to duty. One year later, he was one of six officers who shot and killed McCoy, who was asleep in a car in a Taco Bell drive-through lane.
Vallejo police spokeswoman Brittany Jackson declined to provide details about McMahon’s leave, calling it a “pending personnel matter.” McMahon was paid $219,433 in salary and benefits in 2018, the year he shot Foster, according to public records.


washingtontimes--2020-09-04--Baltimore settles 12 lawsuits related to gun task force

BALTIMORE ( AP ) - Court records show Baltimore has settled at least 12 lawsuits related to the Gun Trace Task Force scandal .
The Baltimore Sun reported Friday that City Solicitor Dana Moore declined to provide details , saying city attorneys were “ working through the process of finalizing the agreements that have been reached.
” Settlements orders for nine cases appeared Friday afternoon in filings from the federal lawsuits filed in U.S. District Court .
Attorneys confirmed to the newspaper that an additional three cases also had been settled .
The cases include a man who reported to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11,000 in 2009 , a crime that one of the officers admitted to on the witness stand during the Gun Trace Task Force trial nine years later .
It also includes a lawsuit brought by a woman who , along with her husband , in 2016 was abducted and taken to their home in Westminster , where members of the task force stole more than $ 20,000 despite having no evidence of a crime .
The city is facing dozens of claims related to the actions of the corrupt GTTF officers , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between seven and 25 years in federal prison .

BALTIMORE (AP) - Court records show Baltimore has settled at least 12 lawsuits related to the Gun Trace Task Force scandal.
The Baltimore Sun reported Friday that City Solicitor Dana Moore declined to provide details, saying city attorneys were “working through the process of finalizing the agreements that have been reached.”
Settlements orders for nine cases appeared Friday afternoon in filings from the federal lawsuits filed in U.S. District Court. Attorneys confirmed to the newspaper that an additional three cases also had been settled.
The cases include a man who reported to police that officers robbed him of $11,000 in 2009, a crime that one of the officers admitted to on the witness stand during the Gun Trace Task Force trial nine years later.
It also includes a lawsuit brought by a woman who, along with her husband, in 2016 was abducted and taken to their home in Westminster, where members of the task force stole more than $20,000 despite having no evidence of a crime.
The city is facing dozens of claims related to the actions of the corrupt GTTF officers, who were convicted of racketeering and sentenced to between seven and 25 years in federal prison.


washingtontimes--2020-09-04--Police: Shoplifting suspect shot dead after stabbing officer

SAN ANTONIO ( AP ) - A San Antonio police officer and a security guard fatally shot a Black shoplifting suspect Friday after he stabbed the officer in the face , officials said .
The shooting happened about 2:30 p.m. in the parking lot of an H-E-B supermarket in northwest San Antonio .
Police Chief William McManus said the security guard suspected the man of shoplifting and detained him inside the store until a police officer arrived .
The guard and officer escorted the man to the officer ’ s patrol car .
“ The suspect was standing in front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things in his backpack .
I ’ m not sure what that was about .
He stepped to his right out of the view of the COBAN ( police dashboard camera system ) , and a second later he came back , very aggressively and very quickly , and stabbed the officer in the face , ” McManus said .
“ It was quite a vicious attack.
” The knife used had a blade almost 5 inches ( 13 centimeters ) long , McManus said .
When the struggle continued , the officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killing the man .
The officer was passing in and out of consciousness en route to the hospital because of blood loss , McManus said .
He was listed in serious condition at San Antonio Military Medical Center .
San Antonio has experienced increased tension between law enforcement officers and the Black community in recent days .
A Black man spent two days in jail after he was mistakenly arrested while jogging last month as a domestic violence suspect .
McManus has said the officers “ acted appropriately ” after the man refused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a sheriff ’ s deputy shot and killed a knife-wielding , troubled Black combat veteran while he and two other deputies had been responding to a call for mental health detention .

SAN ANTONIO (AP) - A San Antonio police officer and a security guard fatally shot a Black shoplifting suspect Friday after he stabbed the officer in the face, officials said.
The shooting happened about 2:30 p.m. in the parking lot of an H-E-B supermarket in northwest San Antonio. Police Chief William McManus said the security guard suspected the man of shoplifting and detained him inside the store until a police officer arrived. The guard and officer escorted the man to the officer’s patrol car.
“The suspect was standing in front of the police vehicle going through some things in his backpack. I’m not sure what that was about. He stepped to his right out of the view of the COBAN (police dashboard camera system), and a second later he came back, very aggressively and very quickly, and stabbed the officer in the face,” McManus said. “It was quite a vicious attack.”
The knife used had a blade almost 5 inches (13 centimeters) long, McManus said. When the struggle continued, the officer and the guard fired multiple gunshots, killing the man.
The officer was passing in and out of consciousness en route to the hospital because of blood loss, McManus said. He was listed in serious condition at San Antonio Military Medical Center.
San Antonio has experienced increased tension between law enforcement officers and the Black community in recent days.
A Black man spent two days in jail after he was mistakenly arrested while jogging last month as a domestic violence suspect. McManus has said the officers “acted appropriately” after the man refused to identify himself. Also last month, a sheriff’s deputy shot and killed a knife-wielding, troubled Black combat veteran while he and two other deputies had been responding to a call for mental health detention.


washingtontimes--2020-09-04--Minnesota man charged with assaulting officer during unrest

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) - Minnesota prosecutors on Friday charged a Minneapolis man with assaulting a police officer with a @ @ @ @ @ Aug. 26 , Brayshaun Lamar Gibson , 28 , allegedly threw a garbage can lid @ @ @ @ @ unrest in Minneapolis after the shooting of Jacob Blake , a 29-year-old Black man from @ @ @ @ @ officer was knocked unconscious after getting hit in the head by the lid that weighed @ @ @ @ @ ) .
He was taken to a hospital and treated for possible spinal damage , @ @ @ @ @ Gibson told investigators that he had gone downtown to eat dinner , but he heard @ @ @ @ @ shot someone in the area and became enraged , according to the criminal complaint .
@ @ @ @ @ being downtown and getting caught up in the “ chaos.
” Gibson later entered a @ @ @ @ @ window and stole property , the complaint states .
He is charged with second-degree assault @ @ @ @ @ riot and third-degree burglary .

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minnesota prosecutors on Friday charged a Minneapolis man with assaulting a police officer with a garbage can lid.
On Aug. 26, Brayshaun Lamar Gibson, 28, allegedly threw a garbage can lid at a police officer during unrest in Minneapolis after the shooting of Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man from Kenosha, Wisconsin.
The officer was knocked unconscious after getting hit in the head by the lid that weighed 15 pounds (6.8 kilograms). He was taken to a hospital and treated for possible spinal damage, according to the complaint.
Gibson told investigators that he had gone downtown to eat dinner, but he heard a rumor that officers had shot someone in the area and became enraged, according to the criminal complaint. He told police he regretted being downtown and getting caught up in the “chaos.”
Gibson later entered a department store through a broken window and stole property, the complaint states.
He is charged with second-degree assault, third-degree assault, second-degree riot and third-degree burglary.


washingtontimes--2020-09-04--Brazil leader rapped for stirring doubt on COVID-19 vaccine

SAO PAULO ( AP ) — Critics of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro are again speaking out against the leader ’ s stance on the coronavirus pandemic , this time rejecting his view that vaccination for the virus shouldn ’ t be mandatory .
Bolsonaro ’ s first such comments came Monday , when he told a supporter , “ No one can force anyone to get a vaccine.
” He repeated it Thursday night during a live broadcast on Facebook , adding his opposition to administering vaccines that are yet to be proven on Brazilian soil .
“ It has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not here in Brazil , ” he said , without specifying to which potential vaccine he was referring .
“ We can not be irresponsible and put a vaccine into people ’ s bodies .
As I said , nobody can oblige someone to take a vacccine.
” The comments were swiftly rebuked by opponents on social media .
Sao Paulo state Gov .
João Doria , a former Bolsonaro ally turned foe , said in an interview with The Associated Press on Friday that immunization can not be viewed as a personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million residents , is the pandemic ’ s epicenter in Brazil , with its more than 30,000 dead from COVID-19 accounting for about a fourth of the country ’ s death toll from the illness .
“ It is sad that once again Brazil ’ s president is setting a denialist example , ” Doria said in a video call .
“ It should be obligatory , except in special cases or under health circumstances that justify not taking a vaccine .
An infected person infects others , and makes possible the death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Party , an adversary of both Bolsonaro and Doria , said in a statement that the president ’ s efforts to create an air of doubt about a future vaccine “ ignores the importance of the shots to protect the health of the entire population.
” The national health council , which is a branch of Bolsonaro ’ s own health ministry , said in a statement that the government should not be talking about vaccination against COVID-19 not being mandatory .
“ The right to individual liberty is not absolute to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well-being , ” the council said .
Since the onset of the crisis , Bolsonaro has set himself against lockdowns and other broad restrictions on activity imposed by governors at the recommendation of health experts .
The president called COVID-19 “ a little flu , ” and warned that shutting down the economy would inflict a greater hardship on the millions who live hand to mouth .
Brazil ’ s health ministry to date has confirmed more than 4 million cases of the disease and 125,000 deaths .
Both numbers trail only the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kept by Johns Hopkins University .
Because Brazil ’ s caseload is so high , and it has a large , dispersed population of 210 million people , several vaccine developers selected the nation to conduct human trials of their products .
Bolsonaro ’ s federal government struck an initial deal with AstraZeneca for 30 million doses of its vaccine , which could later rise to 100 million in total .
Sao Paulo ’ s state government , meanwhile , forged an agreement with Chinese vaccine developer Sinovac for 60 million shots , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bolsonaro supporters frequently call COVID-19 a “ Chinese virus ” and reject working with companies from China .
Doria said Bolsonaro ’ s move to stir skepticism about foreign-made vaccines is a mistake .
“ With one vaccine we can not immunize the entire Brazilian population .
We need two , three , maybe four , produced in large scale , ” the governor said .
“ As long as it is proven to be efficient , it doesn ’ t matter if it is Chinese , Russian , French , American or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saves lives.
” A recent poll by Ipsos Institute in 27 countries published Wednesday found 88 % of Brazilians surveyed said they would get immunized against COVID-19 if a vaccine was available .
Brazil ’ s health ministry expects the distribution of vaccines can start in the first months of 2021 .
Max Igor Lopes , an infectious disease specialist at Sao Paulo ’ s Hospital das Clinicas , believes controversy about mandatory vaccination isn ’ t helpful .
“ What is important is that people take the vaccine because they understand that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ And this is the vaccine ’ s purpose .
”

SAO PAULO (AP) — Critics of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro are again speaking out against the leader’s stance on the coronavirus pandemic, this time rejecting his view that vaccination for the virus shouldn’t be mandatory.
Bolsonaro’s first such comments came Monday, when he told a supporter, “No one can force anyone to get a vaccine.” He repeated it Thursday night during a live broadcast on Facebook, adding his opposition to administering vaccines that are yet to be proven on Brazilian soil.
“It has been proven in other countries, but not here in Brazil,” he said, without specifying to which potential vaccine he was referring. “We cannot be irresponsible and put a vaccine into people’s bodies. As I said, nobody can oblige someone to take a vacccine.”
The comments were swiftly rebuked by opponents on social media.
Sao Paulo state Gov. João Doria, a former Bolsonaro ally turned foe, said in an interview with The Associated Press on Friday that immunization cannot be viewed as a personal decision. Sao Paulo, with 46 million residents, is the pandemic’s epicenter in Brazil, with its more than 30,000 dead from COVID-19 accounting for about a fourth of the country’s death toll from the illness.
“It is sad that once again Brazil’s president is setting a denialist example,” Doria said in a video call. “It should be obligatory, except in special cases or under health circumstances that justify not taking a vaccine. An infected person infects others, and makes possible the death of others.”
Brazil’s Workers’ Party, an adversary of both Bolsonaro and Doria, said in a statement that the president’s efforts to create an air of doubt about a future vaccine “ignores the importance of the shots to protect the health of the entire population.”
The national health council, which is a branch of Bolsonaro’s own health ministry, said in a statement that the government should not be talking about vaccination against COVID-19 not being mandatory.
“The right to individual liberty is not absolute to the point of being above the collective well-being,” the council said.
Since the onset of the crisis, Bolsonaro has set himself against lockdowns and other broad restrictions on activity imposed by governors at the recommendation of health experts. The president called COVID-19 “a little flu,” and warned that shutting down the economy would inflict a greater hardship on the millions who live hand to mouth.
Brazil’s health ministry to date has confirmed more than 4 million cases of the disease and 125,000 deaths. Both numbers trail only the United States, according to the tally kept by Johns Hopkins University.
Because Brazil’s caseload is so high, and it has a large, dispersed population of 210 million people, several vaccine developers selected the nation to conduct human trials of their products.
Bolsonaro’s federal government struck an initial deal with AstraZeneca for 30 million doses of its vaccine, which could later rise to 100 million in total.
Sao Paulo’s state government, meanwhile, forged an agreement with Chinese vaccine developer Sinovac for 60 million shots, if it is proven effective. But Bolsonaro supporters frequently call COVID-19 a “Chinese virus” and reject working with companies from China.
Doria said Bolsonaro’s move to stir skepticism about foreign-made vaccines is a mistake.
“With one vaccine we cannot immunize the entire Brazilian population. We need two, three, maybe four, produced in large scale,” the governor said. “As long as it is proven to be efficient, it doesn’t matter if it is Chinese, Russian, French, American or British. What matters is that it saves lives.”
A recent poll by Ipsos Institute in 27 countries published Wednesday found 88% of Brazilians surveyed said they would get immunized against COVID-19 if a vaccine was available.
Brazil’s health ministry expects the distribution of vaccines can start in the first months of 2021.
Max Igor Lopes, an infectious disease specialist at Sao Paulo’s Hospital das Clinicas, believes controversy about mandatory vaccination isn’t helpful.
“What is important is that people take the vaccine because they understand that it brings a benefit to them,” he said. “And this is the vaccine’s purpose.”


washingtontimes--2020-09-04--2 grizzly bears killed after conflicts near Yellowstone

BOZEMAN , Mont .
( AP ) - Wildlife officials in Montana have said two grizzly bears were killed this week after entering an occupied tent and an recreational vehicle storage compartment near Yellowstone National Park .
The Montana Department of Fish , Wildlife and Parks responded to 15 reports of two bears getting into garbage , approaching houses and entering campgrounds , the Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported Friday .
“ When garbage and other attractants are left unsecured and available to bears , human safety becomes a huge concern , and bear mortalities are the unfortunate result , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Department officials said the bears , one male and one female , were previously removed from residential areas last year but resurfaced last month .
Experts then captured the animals Aug. 16 for relocation but they returned to the area again Aug. 25 .
The department decided to euthanize the bears over concerns for human safety after consulting with the U.S .
Fish and Wildlife Service .
Wildlife officials have urged travelers to store food , garbage and other bear attractants in bear-resistant containers or hung at least 10 feet ( @ @ @ @ @ @

BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) - Wildlife officials in Montana have said two grizzly bears were killed this week after entering an occupied tent and an recreational vehicle storage compartment near Yellowstone National Park.
The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks responded to 15 reports of two bears getting into garbage, approaching houses and entering campgrounds, the Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported Friday.
“When garbage and other attractants are left unsecured and available to bears, human safety becomes a huge concern, and bear mortalities are the unfortunate result,” department southwest Montana Regional Supervisor Mark Deleray said.
Department officials said the bears, one male and one female, were previously removed from residential areas last year but resurfaced last month. Experts then captured the animals Aug. 16 for relocation but they returned to the area again Aug. 25.
The department decided to euthanize the bears over concerns for human safety after consulting with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Wildlife officials have urged travelers to store food, garbage and other bear attractants in bear-resistant containers or hung at least 10 feet (3 meters) above ground.


washingtontimes--2020-09-04--Judge 'concerned' about virus rate in Texas foster care

AUSTIN , Texas ( AP ) - A federal judge in Texas said Friday that she is “ concerned ” about the high rate of coronavirus infections in the state ’ s troubled foster care system .
Court-ordered monitors say the positive test rate was at 20 % in late August , The Dallas Morning News reported .
U.S. District Judge Janis Jack ruled in 2015 that the state foster care system was unconstitutionally broken and ordered sweeping reforms , which have also been partially upheld on appeal .
Jack threatened Friday to hold state agencies in contempt for disobeying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children in what Texas calls “ permanent managing conservatorship.
” The rate of children testing positive for COVID-19 in the seven days before Aug. 28 was higher than the 12 % among all Texans , according to court-appointed monitors .
“ I am concerned about that , ” ’ Jack said .
Jamie Masters , commissioner of the Texas Department of Family and State Health Services , told the judge that she was could not explain the higher positivity rate .
“ I can ’ t say why , except for kids in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t know , ” Masters said .
On Friday , Texas reported more than 4,200 confirmed new coronavirus cases and 140 more deaths .
More than 13,000 people in Texas have died from COVID-19 .
The number of people hospitalized with the virus dropped below 4,000 for the first time since June .
The actual number of cases in Texas could be higher because many people have not been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - A federal judge in Texas said Friday that she is “concerned” about the high rate of coronavirus infections in the state’s troubled foster care system.
Court-ordered monitors say the positive test rate was at 20% in late August, The Dallas Morning News reported.
U.S. District Judge Janis Jack ruled in 2015 that the state foster care system was unconstitutionally broken and ordered sweeping reforms, which have also been partially upheld on appeal. Jack threatened Friday to hold state agencies in contempt for disobeying those orders.
There are nearly 11,000 children in what Texas calls “permanent managing conservatorship.” The rate of children testing positive for COVID-19 in the seven days before Aug. 28 was higher than the 12% among all Texans, according to court-appointed monitors.
“I am concerned about that,”’ Jack said.
Jamie Masters, commissioner of the Texas Department of Family and State Health Services, told the judge that she was could not explain the higher positivity rate.
“I can’t say why, except for kids in closer proximity to each other? I don’t know,” Masters said.
On Friday, Texas reported more than 4,200 confirmed new coronavirus cases and 140 more deaths. More than 13,000 people in Texas have died from COVID-19. The number of people hospitalized with the virus dropped below 4,000 for the first time since June.
The actual number of cases in Texas could be higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and a cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.


washingtontimes--2020-09-04--Court: Money owed can't block voting rights for NC felons

A North Carolina court ruled Friday that outstanding restitution , fees or other court-imposed monetary obligations can ’ t prevent convicted felons from voting if they ’ ve completed all other portions of their sentence .
The ruling , which may face appeals , could pave the way for an influx of thousands of felons to have their voting rights restored amid hotly contested races for the presidency and U.S. Senate in the battleground state .
It wasn ’ t immediately clear how many were affected by the ruling , but lawyers for the plaintiffs said it was in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice , one of the advocacy groups involved in the challenge , said that the ruling would allow some convicted felons to start registering to vote immediately .
“ This ruling is a major victory for the thousands of North Carolinians who have been denied access to the ballot due to an inability to pay financial obligations , ” said Dennis Gaddy , executive director of Community Success Initiative , one of the organizations behind the legal challenge .
Asked whether the state government defendants would appeal , Laura Brewer , a spokeswoman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office , said lawyers were reviewing the ruling .
The three-judge panel of Wake County Superior Court , which was considering a challenge to state law governing the restoration of voting rights , declined to settle the lawsuit ’ s arguments that probation , parole and post-release supervision are also unfair impediments to voting for those who have completed their incarceration .
The judges said further proceedings were needed to address those issues .
In North Carolina , felons can register to vote again once they complete all aspects of their sentence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court fees or restitution .
In a 2-1 decision , the judges ruled that a portion of state law requiring felons to pay all monetary obligations before voting again violates the state constitution because it conditions the ability to cast a ballot on one ’ s financial means .
In the majority opinion , the judges note that the state constitution requires that one ’ s property , or financial means , must not affect their ability to vote .
Yet , under current state law , “ the ability for a person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditioned on whether that person possesses , at minimum , a monetary amount equal to any fees , fines and debts assessed as a result of that person ’ s felony conviction , ” the judges wrote in the opinion .
Therefore , they ruled that the provision of state law regarding the payment of financial obligations violates the equal protection clause of the state constitution .
A separate preliminary injunction issued Friday bars the state from stopping felons from registering to vote if the only remaining portion of their sentence is satisfying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the plaintiffs has previously told the judges that an estimated 56,000 felons who completed their incarceration still couldn ’ t vote because of other unfinished aspects of their sentence .
It wasn ’ t immediately clear how many of those were prevented from voting solely because of monetary obligations and would benefit from Friday ’ s ruling .
The plaintiffs , which include advocacy groups and several ex-offenders seeking to vote again , have argued that the 1970s-era state law on restoration of voting rights disproportionately hurts minorities and is racially discriminatory .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ represent 42 % of the people on probation , parole and post-release supervision in North Carolina and are unable to vote , even though they make up 21 % of the state ’ s voting-age population .
State lawyers representing legislative leaders and state elections board members have said the law doesn ’ t violate constitutional rights because it treats all people convicted of felonies the same by withholding the right to vote .
The chairman of the North Carolina GOP , Michael Whatley , said in a statement : “ It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules for an election when absentee ballots have already started going out and voting has begun .
”

A North Carolina court ruled Friday that outstanding restitution, fees or other court-imposed monetary obligations can’t prevent convicted felons from voting if they’ve completed all other portions of their sentence.
The ruling, which may face appeals, could pave the way for an influx of thousands of felons to have their voting rights restored amid hotly contested races for the presidency and U.S. Senate in the battleground state. It wasn’t immediately clear how many were affected by the ruling, but lawyers for the plaintiffs said it was in the thousands. A statement issued by Forward Justice, one of the advocacy groups involved in the challenge, said that the ruling would allow some convicted felons to start registering to vote immediately.
“This ruling is a major victory for the thousands of North Carolinians who have been denied access to the ballot due to an inability to pay financial obligations,” said Dennis Gaddy, executive director of Community Success Initiative, one of the organizations behind the legal challenge.
Asked whether the state government defendants would appeal, Laura Brewer, a spokeswoman for the state attorney general’s office, said lawyers were reviewing the ruling.
The three-judge panel of Wake County Superior Court, which was considering a challenge to state law governing the restoration of voting rights, declined to settle the lawsuit’s arguments that probation, parole and post-release supervision are also unfair impediments to voting for those who have completed their incarceration. The judges said further proceedings were needed to address those issues.
In North Carolina, felons can register to vote again once they complete all aspects of their sentence, which can range from prison time to court fees or restitution.
In a 2-1 decision, the judges ruled that a portion of state law requiring felons to pay all monetary obligations before voting again violates the state constitution because it conditions the ability to cast a ballot on one’s financial means.
In the majority opinion, the judges note that the state constitution requires that one’s property, or financial means, must not affect their ability to vote. Yet, under current state law, “the ability for a person convicted of a felony to vote is conditioned on whether that person possesses, at minimum, a monetary amount equal to any fees, fines and debts assessed as a result of that person’s felony conviction,” the judges wrote in the opinion.
Therefore, they ruled that the provision of state law regarding the payment of financial obligations violates the equal protection clause of the state constitution. A separate preliminary injunction issued Friday bars the state from stopping felons from registering to vote if the only remaining portion of their sentence is satisfying a monetary obligation.
An attorney for the plaintiffs has previously told the judges that an estimated 56,000 felons who completed their incarceration still couldn’t vote because of other unfinished aspects of their sentence. It wasn’t immediately clear how many of those were prevented from voting solely because of monetary obligations and would benefit from Friday’s ruling.
The plaintiffs, which include advocacy groups and several ex-offenders seeking to vote again, have argued that the 1970s-era state law on restoration of voting rights disproportionately hurts minorities and is racially discriminatory. The plaintiffs have said that African Americans represent 42% of the people on probation, parole and post-release supervision in North Carolina and are unable to vote, even though they make up 21% of the state’s voting-age population.
State lawyers representing legislative leaders and state elections board members have said the law doesn’t violate constitutional rights because it treats all people convicted of felonies the same by withholding the right to vote.
The chairman of the North Carolina GOP, Michael Whatley, said in a statement: “It is outrageous for these judges to change the rules for an election when absentee ballots have already started going out and voting has begun.”
___
Follow Drew at www.twitter.com/JonathanLDrew


washingtontimes--2020-09-04--Confederate statue protest turns tense after militia arrives

GULFPORT , Miss .
( AP ) - A protest around a Confederate monument in Harrison County turned tense Thursday night after a militia group wearing bulletproof vests and carrying firearms arrived on site .
The protest was attended by both advocates for keeping and removing the statue , which has stood outside the courthouse in downtown Gulfport since 1911 , the Sun Herald reported .
Some protesters , both for and against the monument , also carried guns .
Members of the militia group the Southern Defense Force arrived slightly after the protest started , when activists were giving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Southern Defense Force is a “ constitutional conservative ” group with membership spanning throughout Mississippi and the South , according to the Herald .
Members of the group spread out on either side of the monument , keeping some distance from protesters .
At one point , as demonstrators calling for the monument ’ s removal were yelling criticisms of the militia , a member rushed towards the group around the monument and yelled that they were a “ great disgrace ” to the country .
The militia ’ s leader pulled the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jeremy Bridges , a board member of Black Lives Matter Mississippi , came to the demonstration to show support for the push to remove the monument .
According to the Herald , he saw people standing at the top level of the parking lot above the monument , positioned like snipers .
“ I ’ m trying to figure out what the guns were for , ” he said .
Activists have sought to remove the monument since June , but the Harrison County supervisors have not yet held a vote on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for at least one other protest since the start of the summer .
Jeffrey Hulum III , one of the organizers of Thursday ’ s protest , told the Sun Herald he was tired of waiting on the board to act .
“ To us , it seems like the can is being kicked down the road , because they refuse to even take up a vote on it , ” Hulum told the Herald .
“ If they move it , and they don ’ t have no place to put it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warehouse .
At least give the community and the citizens a vote , and respect the vote .
If they vote not to move it , we ’ ll respect it.
” John Whitfield , pastor of Morningstar Baptist Church , told the Herald the statue , erected following a period of increased economic and political power for Black Americans in the South , was intended “ to send a message to African Americans … that you are not considered part of the citizenry.
” Supporters of the monument say it pays tribute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t think this statue should be offensive to anyone , ” Bruce Roberts told the Herald .
“ He was , like my ancestor , a common , simple man .
”

GULFPORT, Miss. (AP) - A protest around a Confederate monument in Harrison County turned tense Thursday night after a militia group wearing bulletproof vests and carrying firearms arrived on site.
The protest was attended by both advocates for keeping and removing the statue, which has stood outside the courthouse in downtown Gulfport since 1911, the Sun Herald reported. Some protesters, both for and against the monument, also carried guns. Members of the militia group the Southern Defense Force arrived slightly after the protest started, when activists were giving speeches, the Herald reported.
The Southern Defense Force is a “constitutional conservative” group with membership spanning throughout Mississippi and the South, according to the Herald.
Members of the group spread out on either side of the monument, keeping some distance from protesters. At one point, as demonstrators calling for the monument’s removal were yelling criticisms of the militia, a member rushed towards the group around the monument and yelled that they were a “great disgrace” to the country. The militia’s leader pulled the member back, the Herald said.
Jeremy Bridges, a board member of Black Lives Matter Mississippi, came to the demonstration to show support for the push to remove the monument. According to the Herald, he saw people standing at the top level of the parking lot above the monument, positioned like snipers.
“I’m trying to figure out what the guns were for,” he said.
Activists have sought to remove the monument since June, but the Harrison County supervisors have not yet held a vote on the matter. Protesters and counterprotesters have gathered for at least one other protest since the start of the summer.
Jeffrey Hulum III, one of the organizers of Thursday’s protest, told the Sun Herald he was tired of waiting on the board to act.
“To us, it seems like the can is being kicked down the road, because they refuse to even take up a vote on it,” Hulum told the Herald. “If they move it, and they don’t have no place to put it, they can put it in a warehouse. At least give the community and the citizens a vote, and respect the vote. If they vote not to move it, we’ll respect it.”
John Whitfield, pastor of Morningstar Baptist Church, told the Herald the statue, erected following a period of increased economic and political power for Black Americans in the South, was intended “to send a message to African Americans … that you are not considered part of the citizenry.”
Supporters of the monument say it pays tribute to their history.
“I don’t think this statue should be offensive to anyone,” Bruce Roberts told the Herald. “He was, like my ancestor, a common, simple man.”