courthousenews--2020-06-04--Fight Over New Mexico Nuke Waste Plan Lands in DC Circuit

( CN ) — Opponents of a plan to ship highly radioactive nuclear waste from power plants across the U.S. to a site in rural New Mexico elevated their fight Thursday with a lawsuit against the federal regulators considering the plan .
The Maryland-based group Beyond Nuclear claims in a petition for review filed in the D.C .
Circuit that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission was wrong to push the group out of earlier regulatory proceedings where opponents tried to challenge a license application for the plan .
A company called Holtec International has asked regulators for permission to build a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waste in the Chihuahuan Desert region of southeastern New Mexico .
Under the plan , the nation ’ s growing stockpile of used-up nuclear power plant fuel would be shipped to the site and stored there , potentially for decades , until the U.S. finds a more permanent disposal solution .
Beyond Nuclear , the Sierra Club and other opponents have challenged the plan for years , along with a similar proposal just across the state border in Texas , claiming a variety of environmental , health and safety risks .
In New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has spoken out against the proposal , though a draft federal review of the plan released earlier this year concluded it would be acceptably safe .
Still , Thursday ’ s filing in the federal appellate court doesn ’ t center on environmental concerns .
Rather , the lawsuit includes allegations that regulators have violated procedural laws as they consider whether to give Holtec the go-ahead to build the facility .
Specifically , Beyond Nuclear claims that regulators should never have considered Holtec ’ s proposal for the site in the first place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company contracting with the Department of Energy to handle the waste .
The group claims that would be illegal under current federal law .
“ Our arguments will be focused on solely whether an agency is allowed to issue a license with an illegal provision in it , ” Mindy Goldstein , an attorney for Beyond Nuclear and professor at the Emory University School of Law , said in an interview .
“ The Administrative Procedures Act prohibits agencies from issuing hypothetical or illegal licenses , ” she said .
“ You don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You have to wait for the law to change.
” The group is also challenging the regulators ’ handling of the process under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act .
“ We generally do not comment on litigation , but will respond in court , ” Nuclear Regulatory Commission spokesperson David McIntyre said in an email .
McIntyre referred Courthouse News to the commission ’ s April decision that dismissed the environmental group from being formally involved in the discussion of whether to approve the plan .
“ We disagree with the assertions that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the commission wrote at the time .
Holtec did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday ’ s lawsuit .
Goldstein , the attorney for Beyond Nuclear , suggested that the group may seek to take further legal action against the similar Texas nuclear waste plan if it wins its court battle against the New Mexico plan .
“ If we won this Holtec proceeding , and we had the D.C .
Circuit say this provision is not allowed , that would absolutely impact the [ Texas ] proceeding @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Opponents of a plan to ship highly radioactive nuclear waste from power plants across the U.S. to a site in rural New Mexico elevated their fight Thursday with a lawsuit against the federal regulators considering the plan.
(CN) — Opponents of a plan to ship highly radioactive nuclear waste from power plants across the U.S. to a site in rural New Mexico elevated their fight Thursday with a lawsuit against the federal regulators considering the plan.
The Maryland-based group Beyond Nuclear claims in a petition for review filed in the D.C. Circuit that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission was wrong to push the group out of earlier regulatory proceedings where opponents tried to challenge a license application for the plan.
A company called Holtec International has asked regulators for permission to build a storage facility for “high-level” nuclear waste in the Chihuahuan Desert region of southeastern New Mexico. Under the plan, the nation’s growing stockpile of used-up nuclear power plant fuel would be shipped to the site and stored there, potentially for decades, until the U.S. finds a more permanent disposal solution.
Beyond Nuclear, the Sierra Club and other opponents have challenged the plan for years, along with a similar proposal just across the state border in Texas, claiming a variety of environmental, health and safety risks.
In New Mexico, Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has spoken out against the proposal, though a draft federal review of the plan released earlier this year concluded it would be acceptably safe.
Still, Thursday’s filing in the federal appellate court doesn’t center on environmental concerns. Rather, the lawsuit includes allegations that regulators have violated procedural laws as they consider whether to give Holtec the go-ahead to build the facility.
Specifically, Beyond Nuclear claims that regulators should never have considered Holtec’s proposal for the site in the first place because it mentions the possibility of the company contracting with the Department of Energy to handle the waste. The group claims that would be illegal under current federal law.
“Our arguments will be focused on solely whether an agency is allowed to issue a license with an illegal provision in it,” Mindy Goldstein, an attorney for Beyond Nuclear and professor at the Emory University School of Law, said in an interview.
“The Administrative Procedures Act prohibits agencies from issuing hypothetical or illegal licenses,” she said. “You don’t get to do that. You have to wait for the law to change.”
The group is also challenging the regulators’ handling of the process under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act.
“We generally do not comment on litigation, but will respond in court,” Nuclear Regulatory Commission spokesperson David McIntyre said in an email.
McIntyre referred Courthouse News to the commission’s April decision that dismissed the environmental group from being formally involved in the discussion of whether to approve the plan.
“We disagree with the assertions that the license would violate the NWPA,” the commission wrote at the time.
Holtec did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday’s lawsuit.
Goldstein, the attorney for Beyond Nuclear, suggested that the group may seek to take further legal action against the similar Texas nuclear waste plan if it wins its court battle against the New Mexico plan.
“If we won this Holtec proceeding, and we had the D.C. Circuit say this provision is not allowed, that would absolutely impact the [Texas] proceeding as well,” she said.


courthousenews--2020-06-04--Denying Release, a Judge Reiterates: Bernie Madoff Will Die in Prison

( CN ) — Bernie Madoff ’ s terminal illness will not alter a federal judge ’ s ruling from just more than a decade ago : The man behind an “ extraordinarily evil ” Ponzi scheme will die in prison .
“ When I sentenced Mr. Madoff in 2009 , it was fully my intent that he live out the rest of his life in prison , ” Judge Denny Chin , who dealt Madoff ’ s 150-year sentence before being appointed to the Second Circuit , wrote on Thursday .
“ His lawyers asked then for a sentence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , specifically with the hope that Mr. Madoff would live to see ‘ the light of day.
’ I was not persuaded ; I did not believe that Mr. Madoff was deserving of that hope .
Nothing has happened in the 11 years since to change my thinking .
“ While Mr. Madoff ’ s present medical situation is most unfortunate , compassionate release is not warranted , ” Chin added .
Madoff ’ s attorney Brandon Sample said his client suffers from end-stage renal disease and other conditions that give him less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Judge Chin recognized today that Madoff ’ s health is in serious decline and that he is , in fact , terminally ill , ” Sample wrote .
“ Nonetheless , Judge Chin essentially found that because of the nature of Madoff ’ s crimes — Madoff is beyond redemption .
We are disappointed with Judge Chin ’ s refusal to grant Madoff any compassion.
” The financial criminal will seek clemency from President Donald Trump .
“ We implore the president to personally consider Madoff ’ s rapidly declining health , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentence to Madoff drew scattered applause in a federal courtroom in New York for the largest and most sweeping Ponzi scheme in history .
“ Life has been a living hell , ” one of his victims Carla Hirshhorn said at the time .
“ It feels like the nightmare we can ’ t wake from.
” Tom Fizmaurice , another victim , observed that Madoff ’ s targets ran the gamut : “ He stole from the rich .
He stole from the poor .
He stole from the in-between .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s release showed that this sentiment has not ebbed .
Prosecutors said that more than 500 victims opposed his release , and only 20 wrote in support .
“ I also agree that at age 81 , with his declining physical condition , Mr. Madoff probably does not pose a danger to any person or the community , ” Chin wrote .
“ But as the recent victim letters show , many people are still suffering from Mr. Madoff ’ s actions .
I also believe that Mr. Madoff was never truly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sorry that his life as he knew it was collapsing around him .
Even at the end , he was trying to send more millions of his ill-gotten gains to family members , friends , and certain employees.
” Madoff is confined to the Federal Medical Center in Butner , North Carolina , which — like many prisons throughout the country — is grappling with the coronavirus .
Neither Madoff ’ s request nor the ruling mentions the pandemic .

Bernie Madoff’s terminal illness will not alter a federal judge’s ruling from just more than a decade ago: The man behind an “extraordinarily evil” Ponzi scheme will die in prison.
(CN) — Bernie Madoff’s terminal illness will not alter a federal judge’s ruling from just more than a decade ago: The man behind an “extraordinarily evil” Ponzi scheme will die in prison.
“When I sentenced Mr. Madoff in 2009, it was fully my intent that he live out the rest of his life in prison,” Judge Denny Chin, who dealt Madoff’s 150-year sentence before being appointed to the Second Circuit, wrote on Thursday. “His lawyers asked then for a sentence of 12 to 15 to 20 years, specifically with the hope that Mr. Madoff would live to see ‘the light of day.’ I was not persuaded; I did not believe that Mr. Madoff was deserving of that hope. Nothing has happened in the 11 years since to change my thinking.
“While Mr. Madoff's present medical situation is most unfortunate, compassionate release is not warranted,” Chin added.
Madoff’s attorney Brandon Sample said his client suffers from end-stage renal disease and other conditions that give him less than 18 months to live.
"Judge Chin recognized today that Madoff's health is in serious decline and that he is, in fact, terminally ill,” Sample wrote. “Nonetheless, Judge Chin essentially found that because of the nature of Madoff's crimes — Madoff is beyond redemption. We are disappointed with Judge Chin's refusal to grant Madoff any compassion.”
The financial criminal will seek clemency from President Donald Trump.
“We implore the president to personally consider Madoff's rapidly declining health,” Sample added.
Chin’s century-and-a-half sentence to Madoff drew scattered applause in a federal courtroom in New York for the largest and most sweeping Ponzi scheme in history.
“Life has been a living hell,” one of his victims Carla Hirshhorn said at the time. “It feels like the nightmare we can’t wake from.”
Tom Fizmaurice, another victim, observed that Madoff’s targets ran the gamut: “He stole from the rich. He stole from the poor. He stole from the in-between. He had no values.”
Letters opposing Madoff’s release showed that this sentiment has not ebbed. Prosecutors said that more than 500 victims opposed his release, and only 20 wrote in support.
“I also agree that at age 81, with his declining physical condition, Mr. Madoff probably does not pose a danger to any person or the community,” Chin wrote. “But as the recent victim letters show, many people are still suffering from Mr. Madoff's actions. I also believe that Mr. Madoff was never truly remorseful, and that he was only sorry that his life as he knew it was collapsing around him. Even at the end, he was trying to send more millions of his ill-gotten gains to family members, friends, and certain employees.”
Madoff is confined to the Federal Medical Center in Butner, North Carolina, which — like many prisons throughout the country — is grappling with the coronavirus.
Neither Madoff’s request nor the ruling mentions the pandemic.


courthousenews--2020-06-04--Texas Democratic Judicial Candidates Pledge to Reduce Mass Incarceration

SAN ANTONIO ( CN ) — A handful of Texas Democratic candidates seeking to flip seats on the state ’ s two high courts committed Thursday to making the reduction of mass incarceration in the Lone Star State a top priority if elected in November .
The high-profile cases of death row inmate Rodney Reed and Benjamin Spencer – who is still serving a life sentence after a judge declared him innocent of a 1987 aggravated robbery he has long maintained he did not commit – are just two examples that Judge Elizabeth Frizell says should motivate voters to pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judicial races .
“ We have to make sure we understand who we ’ re electing to those benches to make decisions on those cases , ” said Frizell , one of three Democratic candidates for the Court of Criminal Appeals speaking as part of a panel Thursday afternoon .
“ And now you have three strong Democrats who can take those seats , who are very experienced , and will make sure that we listen to all the facts.
” Frizell , a criminal defense attorney and former judge of the Dallas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said making sure trial courts allow mitigating evidence , and that appeals courts review disparate sentences , are two ways to achieve a reduction of mass incarcerations .
“ This is one area where it ’ s not just Democrats , we have a lot of Republicans and Independents with us in this as well , ” said Judge Amy Clark Meachum , a Democratic nominee for the Texas Supreme Court .
“ And I will say , when I become chief justice , we ’ re going to make this issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ panel conversation with seven statewide 2020 Democratic judicial candidates on Thursday was one of 50 online events held in the last four days as part of the state party ’ s first ever virtual convention .
The result has been a weeklong showcase of Democratic candidates , platform ideas and get-out-the-vote strategies that focus heavily on recruitment and massive registration efforts , an undertaking made more difficult during the Covid-19 pandemic .
Texas Republicans are continuing plans to host an in-person convention next month in Houston that will include extra meeting space to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowing most businesses in the state to reopen at 50 % capacity .
“ We ’ re comfortable that we have worked it out , now it ’ s just implementing the plan , ” said Texas GOP Chairman James Dickey .
“ I ’ m quite comfortable that our convention-goers will be responsible and respectful of each other and that we will successfully pull off the biggest political convention in the country.
” Dickey said Thursday morning that Texas Republicans would not only be excited to welcome President Donald Trump and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event be moved from Charlotte , but that the state is completely capable of hosting such a gathering , even with Covid-19 still lingering .
“ We will have led by example by having our event in July and we will gladly support the RNC and whatever they need to do to respond to the challenges presented by the North Carolina governor , ” Dickey said .
While no Democrat has won statewide office in Texas since the 1990s , including in positions on the state ’ s two highest courts , Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week that shifting demographics , gains in the 2018 election and increased interest from national committees make it “ the biggest battleground state in the country.
” “ These benches have been majority Republican for over 25 years , but this is our best chance that we ’ ve had in 25 years to win , ” Meachum said .
But Republicans in Texas won ’ t let that happen without a fight .
Dickey said his party is seeing successes with their biggest voter registration effort in decades , which he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters .
“ They ’ ve been talking about turning Texas blue since we turned Texas red , ” he said .
The Texas Democratic convention will continue Friday and Saturday with two training opportunities , a U.S. Senate runoff debate and two evenings of general sessions with some of the biggest names in the Democratic Party set to deliver speeches , including presumptive presidential nominee Joe Biden .

A handful of Texas Democratic candidates seeking to flip seats on the state’s two high courts committed Thursday to making the reduction of mass incarceration in the Lone Star State a top priority if elected in November.
SAN ANTONIO (CN) — A handful of Texas Democratic candidates seeking to flip seats on the state’s two high courts committed Thursday to making the reduction of mass incarceration in the Lone Star State a top priority if elected in November.
The high-profile cases of death row inmate Rodney Reed and Benjamin Spencer – who is still serving a life sentence after a judge declared him innocent of a 1987 aggravated robbery he has long maintained he did not commit – are just two examples that Judge Elizabeth Frizell says should motivate voters to pay attention to the typically overlooked, down-ballot judicial races.
Judge Elizabeth Frizell, Democratic nominee for a spot on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, addresses viewers Thursday, June 4, 2020, during a panel discussion on the 2020 statewide Democratic judicial slate.
“We have to make sure we understand who we’re electing to those benches to make decisions on those cases,” said Frizell, one of three Democratic candidates for the Court of Criminal Appeals speaking as part of a panel Thursday afternoon. “And now you have three strong Democrats who can take those seats, who are very experienced, and will make sure that we listen to all the facts.”
Frizell, a criminal defense attorney and former judge of the Dallas County Criminal District Court No. 7, said making sure trial courts allow mitigating evidence, and that appeals courts review disparate sentences, are two ways to achieve a reduction of mass incarcerations.
“This is one area where it’s not just Democrats, we have a lot of Republicans and Independents with us in this as well,” said Judge Amy Clark Meachum, a Democratic nominee for the Texas Supreme Court. “And I will say, when I become chief justice, we’re going to make this issue one of our top priorities.”
The panel conversation with seven statewide 2020 Democratic judicial candidates on Thursday was one of 50 online events held in the last four days as part of the state party’s first ever virtual convention. The result has been a weeklong showcase of Democratic candidates, platform ideas and get-out-the-vote strategies that focus heavily on recruitment and massive registration efforts, an undertaking made more difficult during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Judge Amy Clark Meachum, Democratic nominee for Texas Supreme Court chief justice, speaks during a panel discussion on the 2020 statewide Democratic judicial slate on Thursday, June 4, 2020, the fourth day of the Texas Democratic Party’s virtual convention.
Texas Republicans are continuing plans to host an in-person convention next month in Houston that will include extra meeting space to accommodate Governor Greg Abbott’s order allowing most businesses in the state to reopen at 50% capacity.
“We’re comfortable that we have worked it out, now it’s just implementing the plan,” said Texas GOP Chairman James Dickey. “I’m quite comfortable that our convention-goers will be responsible and respectful of each other and that we will successfully pull off the biggest political convention in the country.”
Dickey said Thursday morning that Texas Republicans would not only be excited to welcome President Donald Trump and the national GOP convention to Texas should the event be moved from Charlotte, but that the state is completely capable of hosting such a gathering, even with Covid-19 still lingering.
“We will have led by example by having our event in July and we will gladly support the RNC and whatever they need to do to respond to the challenges presented by the North Carolina governor,” Dickey said.
While no Democrat has won statewide office in Texas since the 1990s, including in positions on the state’s two highest courts, Democratic party officials and candidates have insisted all week that shifting demographics, gains in the 2018 election and increased interest from national committees make it “the biggest battleground state in the country.”
“These benches have been majority Republican for over 25 years, but this is our best chance that we’ve had in 25 years to win,” Meachum said.
But Republicans in Texas won’t let that happen without a fight. Dickey said his party is seeing successes with their biggest voter registration effort in decades, which he said has brought in 89,070 new Texas Republican voters.
“They’ve been talking about turning Texas blue since we turned Texas red,” he said.
The Texas Democratic convention will continue Friday and Saturday with two training opportunities, a U.S. Senate runoff debate and two evenings of general sessions with some of the biggest names in the Democratic Party set to deliver speeches, including presumptive presidential nominee Joe Biden.


courthousenews--2020-06-04--Right-Wing Filmmaker Confirmed to Head Voice of America

WASHINGTON ( CN ) — The Senate on Thursday confirmed a conservative filmmaker whose nonprofit is under investigation to lead the agency that oversees Voice of America .
Following a 53-38 vote on Thursday afternoon , Michael Pack will serve as CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media , an independent federal agency that runs several government-funded media networks , including Voice of America and Radio Free Europe .
Pack has previously served as senior vice president at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and was a member of the National Council on the Humanities during the George W. Bush @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bannon , the former head of the right-wing Breitbart News and adviser to President Donald Trump .
Trump has been vocal in his criticism of Voice of America , including recently claiming the organization has been too soft in its coverage of China during the coronavirus pandemic .
“ Congratulations to Michael Pack !
” Trump tweeted Thursday .
“ Nobody has any idea what a big victory this is for America .
Why ?
Because he is going to be running the VOICE OF AMERICA… and everything associated with it.
” In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times , Bannon called Voice of America “ a rotten fish from top to bottom ” and accused the organization of being “ totally controlled by the deep-state apparatus.
” The Times reported Bannon had been advocating for Trump to take more control over the outlet .
Democrats have expressed concern that Pack will not keep Voice of America and the other government-funded organizations he oversees separate from the White House , allowing Trump to assert influence over the outlets .
Pack ’ s nomination , which first came to the Senate in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Senator Bob Menendez , the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee , revealed that a nonprofit Pack operates was under investigation by the District of Columbia Attorney General ’ s Office .
According to Menendez , the city ’ s attorney general is probing whether Pack improperly transferred grants his nonprofit , Public Media Lab , received into his for-profit production company .
On Thursday , Menendez called Pack a “ blatantly flawed nominee , ” saying he was not candid with the committee about tax filings related to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr .
Pack is confirmed , the new bar for advice and consent is now set below that of a nominee who is under open investigation by law enforcement and who blatantly provided Congress and the executive branch false information , ” Menendez said Thursday .
Senator Jim Risch , the Idaho Republican who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee , defended Pack as “ uniquely qualified ” for the job , pointing to a recent documentary the nominee produced about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas .
“ There ’ s been a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and one day — today is the moment of truth , ” Risch said .
In addition to his work in broadcasting , Pack worked as president and CEO of the conservative Claremont Institute from 2015 to 2017 , serving as publisher of its Claremont Review of Books .

The Senate on Thursday confirmed a conservative filmmaker whose nonprofit is under investigation to lead the agency that oversees Voice of America.
WASHINGTON (CN) — The Senate on Thursday confirmed a conservative filmmaker whose nonprofit is under investigation to lead the agency that oversees Voice of America.
Following a 53-38 vote on Thursday afternoon, Michael Pack will serve as CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, an independent federal agency that runs several government-funded media networks, including Voice of America and Radio Free Europe.
Pack has previously served as senior vice president at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and was a member of the National Council on the Humanities during the George W. Bush administration.
Pack has worked with Steve Bannon, the former head of the right-wing Breitbart News and adviser to President Donald Trump. Trump has been vocal in his criticism of Voice of America, including recently claiming the organization has been too soft in its coverage of China during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Congratulations to Michael Pack!” Trump tweeted Thursday. “Nobody has any idea what a big victory this is for America. Why? Because he is going to be running the VOICE OF AMERICA… and everything associated with it.”
In a 2018 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Bannon called Voice of America “a rotten fish from top to bottom” and accused the organization of being “totally controlled by the deep-state apparatus.” The Times reported Bannon had been advocating for Trump to take more control over the outlet.
Democrats have expressed concern that Pack will not keep Voice of America and the other government-funded organizations he oversees separate from the White House, allowing Trump to assert influence over the outlets.
Pack’s nomination, which first came to the Senate in 2018, faced additional scrutiny last month after Senator Bob Menendez, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, revealed that a nonprofit Pack operates was under investigation by the District of Columbia Attorney General’s Office.
According to Menendez, the city’s attorney general is probing whether Pack improperly transferred grants his nonprofit, Public Media Lab, received into his for-profit production company.
On Thursday, Menendez called Pack a “blatantly flawed nominee,” saying he was not candid with the committee about tax filings related to the matters now under investigation.
“If Mr. Pack is confirmed, the new bar for advice and consent is now set below that of a nominee who is under open investigation by law enforcement and who blatantly provided Congress and the executive branch false information,” Menendez said Thursday.
Senator Jim Risch, the Idaho Republican who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, defended Pack as “uniquely qualified” for the job, pointing to a recent documentary the nominee produced about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
“There’s been a political fight over him for two years and one day — today is the moment of truth,” Risch said.
In addition to his work in broadcasting, Pack worked as president and CEO of the conservative Claremont Institute from 2015 to 2017, serving as publisher of its Claremont Review of Books.


courthousenews--2020-06-04--Thousands Gather to Mourn George Floyd in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS ( CN ) — Community members , relatives and black dignitaries attended a memorial service Thursday for George Floyd on the edge of downtown Minneapolis , with mourners spread across two city blocks shouting protest chants , listening to a sermon from the Reverend Al Sharpton and clamoring for a look at visiting celebrities .
Sharpton didn ’ t hold back on his trademark vigor in the sermon .
“ Nobody calls me to keep a secret , ” he said early on .
“ People call me to blow up issues.
” Floyd ’ s May 25 death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knelt on his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds sparked an uprising of protests and riots in Minneapolis and later across the world over the past week and a half .
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on Wednesday brought an upgraded second-degree murder charge against Chauvin , along with aiding-and-abetting charges for the three officers who looked on and held Floyd down or kept bystanders away while Chauvin knelt on him .
“ George Floyd should not be among the deceased , ” Sharpton said at the memorial service .
“ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions .
He died of a common American justice malfunction.
” “ It ’ s time for us to stand up , and shout his name , and say ‘ Get your knee off my neck , ’ ” he added , introducing a major motif of his eulogy .
Sharpton said “ time is out ” for empty promises and excuses in the justice system .
“ Go home , George .
Get your rest , George .
You changed the world , George , ” he added , emphasizing the need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for racial justice .
Floyd ’ s family was joined by black celebrities and political figures from the Twin Cities and around the country .
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus , including Ayana Pressley , attended the service , alongside director Tyler Perry , actors Kevin Hart , Regina Hall and Tiffany Haddish , rapper T.I.
, singer Tyrese Gibson and Martin Luther King III .
Also present were civil rights leader Jesse Jackson and a variety of Minnesota Democratic officials , including U.S .
Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Frey .
International media crowded barricades in front of the Trask Worship Center at North Central University , an Assemblies of God-affiliated university in the city ’ s Elliot Park neighborhood .
Early in the service , the Reverend Scott Hagan , president of the university , addressed attendees and the crowd gathered outside to announce the George Floyd Memorial Scholarship , which he said will go toward the success of black students .
“ I am now challenging every university president in the United States of America to establish your own , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowd through a prayer in which he cited Proverbs 31 : “ Speak up for those who can not speak for themselves , for the rights of all who are destitute .
Speak up and judge fairly ; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
” The service also included reminiscences from Floyd ’ s family , who remembered him as a comforting , charismatic and encouraging presence through a joyful but impoverished upbringing by a single mother in Houston .
“ He was powerful , man .
He had a way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brother , Philonese Floyd , said .
“ Everybody loved George .
We followed George.
” “ Everybody asking for justice for George – he ’ s gon na get it .
He ’ s gon na get it , ” Floyd ’ s brother concluded .
On the sidelines among the thousands gathered outside , Jerry Woods handed out straps to hold up onlookers ’ face masks , featuring slogans like “ I Can ’ t Breathe ” and “ Stay Strong.
” Beyond saving mask wearers ’ ears , Woods said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a co-worker had given him , as his way to help .
He says he has watched the videos of Floyd ’ s death , the riots that followed and the police response to those riots .
“ I wanted to come down here to memorialize him , ” Woods said , “ see that his life wasn ’ t taken in vain , and to try to be part of the solution.
” As mourners exited the sanctuary , followed by Floyd ’ s gold casket , a crowd assembled on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some family members encouraged them , giving the cry that has marked protests in Minneapolis since Floyd ’ s death : “ Say his name !
” “ George Floyd !
”

Mourners gather outside the memorial service for George Floyd in downtown Minneapolis on Thursday. (Courthouse News photos/Andy Monserud)
MINNEAPOLIS (CN) — Community members, relatives and black dignitaries attended a memorial service Thursday for George Floyd on the edge of downtown Minneapolis, with mourners spread across two city blocks shouting protest chants, listening to a sermon from the Reverend Al Sharpton and clamoring for a look at visiting celebrities.
Sharpton didn’t hold back on his trademark vigor in the sermon.
“Nobody calls me to keep a secret,” he said early on. “People call me to blow up issues.”
Floyd’s May 25 death after white Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds sparked an uprising of protests and riots in Minneapolis and later across the world over the past week and a half.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on Wednesday brought an upgraded second-degree murder charge against Chauvin, along with aiding-and-abetting charges for the three officers who looked on and held Floyd down or kept bystanders away while Chauvin knelt on him.
“George Floyd should not be among the deceased,” Sharpton said at the memorial service. “He didn’t die of critical heart conditions. He died of a common American justice malfunction.”
Guests gather at North Central University Thursday, June 4, 2020, before a memorial service for George Floyd in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
“It’s time for us to stand up, and shout his name, and say ‘Get your knee off my neck,’” he added, introducing a major motif of his eulogy.
Sharpton said “time is out” for empty promises and excuses in the justice system.
“Go home, George. Get your rest, George. You changed the world, George,” he added, emphasizing the need for black Americans to continue to push for racial justice.
Floyd’s family was joined by black celebrities and political figures from the Twin Cities and around the country. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus, including Ayana Pressley, attended the service, alongside director Tyler Perry, actors Kevin Hart, Regina Hall and Tiffany Haddish, rapper T.I., singer Tyrese Gibson and Martin Luther King III.
Also present were civil rights leader Jesse Jackson and a variety of Minnesota Democratic officials, including U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.
International media crowded barricades in front of the Trask Worship Center at North Central University, an Assemblies of God-affiliated university in the city’s Elliot Park neighborhood. Early in the service, the Reverend Scott Hagan, president of the university, addressed attendees and the crowd gathered outside to announce the George Floyd Memorial Scholarship, which he said will go toward the success of black students.
Members of the Minneapolis African American Professional Firefighters Association kneel outside the memorial service for George Floyd on Thursday, June 4, 2020. (Courthouse News photo/Andy Monserud)
“I am now challenging every university president in the United States of America to establish your own,” he said, before leading the crowd through a prayer in which he cited Proverbs 31: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
The service also included reminiscences from Floyd’s family, who remembered him as a comforting, charismatic and encouraging presence through a joyful but impoverished upbringing by a single mother in Houston.
“He was powerful, man. He had a way with words,” Floyd’s brother, Philonese Floyd, said. “Everybody loved George. We followed George.”
“Everybody asking for justice for George – he’s gonna get it. He’s gonna get it,” Floyd’s brother concluded.
On the sidelines among the thousands gathered outside, Jerry Woods handed out straps to hold up onlookers’ face masks, featuring slogans like “I Can’t Breathe” and “Stay Strong.” Beyond saving mask wearers’ ears, Woods said, he saw the straps, which a co-worker had given him, as his way to help.
Detrine James uses a “Stay Strong” band to hold up her face mask outside the memorial service for George Floyd in downtown Minneapolis on Thursday, June 4, 2020. (Courthouse News photo/Andy Monserud)
Woods - a former defensive back for the Green Bay Packers - says he has watched the videos of Floyd’s death, the riots that followed and the police response to those riots.
“I wanted to come down here to memorialize him,” he said, “see that his life wasn’t taken in vain, and to try to be part of the solution.”
As mourners exited the sanctuary, followed by Floyd’s gold casket, a crowd assembled on a nearby street raised their fists and chanted. Some family members encouraged them, giving the cry that has marked protests in Minneapolis since Floyd’s death: “Say his name!” “George Floyd!”


courthousenews--2020-06-04--Most Americans Say Second Covid Wave Will Come

But they told pollsters they still want to be able to get their hair cut .
( CN ) — Even as the first wave of the novel coronavirus continues to sicken and kill people in the United States and around the world , a poll released Thursday shows most people believe a second wave will come — but many still want to keep beaches , churches and hair salons open .
The Monmouth University poll shows that around two-thirds of public say they expect the second Covid-19 wave to hit the nation within the next year , echoing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surge of cases could be in our near future .
Only a quarter of Americans believe there won ’ t be a second surge and that Covid-19 cases will continue to decline .
Political ideologies play a role in how people view the coronavirus prospects , with an overwhelming 85 % of Democrats and 76 % of independents believing a second wave is on the horizon compared to just 41 % of Republicans .
Despite the fears of the future , however , many Americans maintain that several businesses that have previously been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nearly half of those polled say public beaches should be open with either some social distancing restrictions in place or none at all .
More than 40 % of Americans also want playgrounds and places of worship open under the same circumstances , while roughly a quarter say the same about hair salons and barbershops .
Patrick Murray , director of the independent Monmouth University Polling Institute , said that these numbers suggest much of the country grows restless with the coronavirus health measures .
“ Parts of America are starting to reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leery because it doesn ’ t seem they are convinced the virus is under control .
Still , there is evidence that a sizable minority are getting antsy about the current restrictions , ” Murray said with the release of the poll .
People remain skeptical about the safety of other businesses and venues , however .
Almost half say indoor arenas and public swimming pools should stay shuttered for the time being , while 40 % say the same about movie theaters .
Only about a third say gyms and outdoor arenas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of Americans say the same for hair salons .
Murray notes the public seems to base much of their comfort levels when it comes to business operations on how close they have to be with other people — save one interesting outlier .
“ The public is a little more hesitant about opening places that put you in close contact with other people .
But there is a notable exception .
Americans really want to get their hair cut , ” Murray said .
As more states around the county begin to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many Americans continue to urge caution .
The poll reports that 60 % of Americans are worried restrictions are being lifted too quickly , largely consistent with the 63 % who felt the same last month .
Roughly a third of Americans say they are concerned restrictions are not being lifted quickly enough .
The poll also shows that when states and local governments make reopening decisions , most people think that public safety should be prioritized over economic interests .
Over half of Americans think the most important factor to weigh during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people from contracting the coronavirus .
Just 36 % believe that preventing further economic downturn should be the top priority .
These feelings are , once again , largely influenced by party politics .
A sizeable 82 % of Democrats say that health concerns overtake economic ones , while 61 % of Republicans say that concerns over the economy should be the driver behind reopening decisions .
Independents are largely split down the middle on the issue .
Regardless of how they feel on reopening guidelines moving forward , most Americans are more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state during the pandemic than the actions of the federal government .
Only about a third of those polled say they think the federal government ’ s response to Covid-19 has been appropriate , while nearly half say the government has not gone far enough .
The numbers practically switch when people rate their own states , with 56 % believing their state has done a good job in their Covid-19 response and 23 % saying the opposite .
When evaluating the specific response of President Donald Trump , most Americans also report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of Americans think he has done a poor job responding to the pandemic and just 42 % approve his performance .
Thursday ’ s Monmouth University Poll contained a sample size of 807 adults and a 3.5 % margin of error .

Even as the first wave of the novel coronavirus continues to sicken and kill people in the United States and around the world, a poll released Thursday shows most people believe a second wave will come — but many still want to keep beaches, churches and hair salons open.
(CN) — Even as the first wave of the novel coronavirus continues to sicken and kill people in the United States and around the world, a poll released Thursday shows most people believe a second wave will come — but many still want to keep beaches, churches and hair salons open.
The Monmouth University poll shows that around two-thirds of public say they expect the second Covid-19 wave to hit the nation within the next year, echoing the warnings of health experts that a fresh surge of cases could be in our near future. Only a quarter of Americans believe there won’t be a second surge and that Covid-19 cases will continue to decline.
Political ideologies play a role in how people view the coronavirus prospects, with an overwhelming 85% of Democrats and 76% of independents believing a second wave is on the horizon compared to just 41% of Republicans.
Despite the fears of the future, however, many Americans maintain that several businesses that have previously been labeled as nonessential should remain open.
Nearly half of those polled say public beaches should be open with either some social distancing restrictions in place or none at all. More than 40% of Americans also want playgrounds and places of worship open under the same circumstances, while roughly a quarter say the same about hair salons and barbershops.
Patrick Murray, director of the independent Monmouth University Polling Institute, said that these numbers suggest much of the country grows restless with the coronavirus health measures.
“Parts of America are starting to reopen, but much of the public remains leery because it doesn’t seem they are convinced the virus is under control. Still, there is evidence that a sizable minority are getting antsy about the current restrictions,” Murray said with the release of the poll.
People remain skeptical about the safety of other businesses and venues, however. Almost half say indoor arenas and public swimming pools should stay shuttered for the time being, while 40% say the same about movie theaters.
Only about a third say gyms and outdoor arenas should remain closed, and just 19% of Americans say the same for hair salons.
Murray notes the public seems to base much of their comfort levels when it comes to business operations on how close they have to be with other people — save one interesting outlier.
“The public is a little more hesitant about opening places that put you in close contact with other people. But there is a notable exception. Americans really want to get their hair cut,” Murray said.
As more states around the county begin to lift the restrictions on these businesses, many Americans continue to urge caution. The poll reports that 60% of Americans are worried restrictions are being lifted too quickly, largely consistent with the 63% who felt the same last month. Roughly a third of Americans say they are concerned restrictions are not being lifted quickly enough.
The poll also shows that when states and local governments make reopening decisions, most people think that public safety should be prioritized over economic interests. Over half of Americans think the most important factor to weigh during the reopening process is how to prevent people from contracting the coronavirus. Just 36% believe that preventing further economic downturn should be the top priority.
These feelings are, once again, largely influenced by party politics.
A sizeable 82% of Democrats say that health concerns overtake economic ones, while 61% of Republicans say that concerns over the economy should be the driver behind reopening decisions. Independents are largely split down the middle on the issue.
Regardless of how they feel on reopening guidelines moving forward, most Americans are more apt to applaud the actions of their state during the pandemic than the actions of the federal government.
Only about a third of those polled say they think the federal government’s response to Covid-19 has been appropriate, while nearly half say the government has not gone far enough.
The numbers practically switch when people rate their own states, with 56% believing their state has done a good job in their Covid-19 response and 23% saying the opposite.
When evaluating the specific response of President Donald Trump, most Americans also report disappointment. The poll shows that 56% of Americans think he has done a poor job responding to the pandemic and just 42% approve his performance.
Thursday’s Monmouth University Poll contained a sample size of 807 adults and a 3.5% margin of error.


courthousenews--2020-06-05--Earth Just Saw the Hottest May on Record

PARIS ( AFP ) — Temperatures soared 10 degrees Celsius ( 18˚F ) above average last month in Siberia , home to much of Earth ’ s permafrost , as the world experienced its hottest May on record , the European Union ’ s climate monitoring network said Friday .
The Copernicus Climate Change Service ( C3S ) said May 2020 was 0.68C ( 1.2˚F ) warmer than the average May from 1981 to 2010 , with above-average temperatures across parts of Alaska , Europe , North America , South America , swathes of Africa and Antarctica .
Globally , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months to May 2020 is close to 1.3C ( 2.3 ˚F ) above the ( pre-industrial ) level , ” Copernicus said referring to the benchmark by which global warming is often measured .
Under the 2015 Paris Agreement , nearly 200 countries have pledged to cap the rise in Earth average surface temperature to “ well below ” 2C ( 3.6˚F ) , and to 1.5C if possible .
( One degree Celsius , or Centigrade , equals 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit . )
The heatwave across parts of Siberia and Alaska will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engulfed by huge forest fires last year fueled by record heat , and where Copernicus has warned that “ zombie ” blazes smoldering underground may be reigniting .
The monitoring network said that there were “ highly anomalous ” temperatures throughout Siberia throughout the March to May period .
These reached close to 10C above the 1981 to 2010 average over parts of the Ob and Yenisei rivers , where “ record-early breakup of river ice has been reported.
” Copernicus recorded above-average temperatures around much of the Arctic from March to May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ northern Canada .
Parts of Europe — from the Balkans to Scandinavia — also saw cooler than average temperatures in May , as did Australia , southern Asia and eastern United States .
The 12 months to May were 0.7C hotter than the 1981 to 2010 average , matching the warmest equivalent period on record , between October 2015 and September 2016 .
Overall , global temperatures have risen more than 1 degree Celsius since mid-19th century levels , driven mostly by the burning fossil fuels .
There has been a sustained period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past five years have been the hottest on record , as was the past decade .
In the Arctic region , average temperatures have risen by 2 degrees Celsius since the mid-19th century , almost twice the global average .
This has accelerated melting of Greenland ’ s miles-thick ice sheet , resulting in a net loss of 600 billion tons of ice mass for the year — accounting for about 40 % of total sea level rise in 2019 .
The permafrost in Russian and Canadian forests contains as much as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around 40 times current annual emissions .
The United Nations said last year that manmade greenhouse gas emissions needed to tumble by 7.6 % annually over the next decade to cap global warming at 1.5C .
Current pledges to cut emissions put Earth on a path of several degrees warming by the end of the century .

Temperatures soared 10 degrees Celsius (18˚F) above average last month in Siberia, home to much of Earth’s permafrost, as the world experienced its hottest May on record, the European Union's climate monitoring network said Friday.
PARIS (AFP) — Temperatures soared 10 degrees Celsius (18˚F) above average last month in Siberia, home to much of Earth’s permafrost, as the world experienced its hottest May on record, the European Union's climate monitoring network said Friday.
The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) said May 2020 was 0.68C (1.2˚F) warmer than the average May from 1981 to 2010, with above-average temperatures across parts of Alaska, Europe, North America, South America, swathes of Africa and Antarctica.
Globally, "the average temperature for the twelve months to May 2020 is close to 1.3C (2.3 ˚F) above the (pre-industrial) level," Copernicus said referring to the benchmark by which global warming is often measured.
Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, nearly 200 countries have pledged to cap the rise in Earth average surface temperature to "well below" 2C (3.6˚F), and to 1.5C if possible. (One degree Celsius, or Centigrade, equals 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit.)
The heatwave across parts of Siberia and Alaska will cause particular alarm in regions that were engulfed by huge forest fires last year fueled by record heat, and where Copernicus has warned that "zombie" blazes smoldering underground may be reigniting.
The monitoring network said that there were "highly anomalous" temperatures throughout Siberia throughout the March to May period.
These reached close to 10C above the 1981 to 2010 average over parts of the Ob and Yenisei rivers, where "record-early breakup of river ice has been reported."
Copernicus recorded above-average temperatures around much of the Arctic from March to May, although the spring was colder in northern Canada.
Parts of Europe — from the Balkans to Scandinavia — also saw cooler than average temperatures in May, as did Australia, southern Asia and eastern United States.
The 12 months to May were 0.7C hotter than the 1981 to 2010 average, matching the warmest equivalent period on record, between October 2015 and September 2016.
Overall, global temperatures have risen more than 1 degree Celsius since mid-19th century levels, driven mostly by the burning fossil fuels.
There has been a sustained period of above-average temperatures since 2002, while the past five years have been the hottest on record, as was the past decade.
In the Arctic region, average temperatures have risen by 2 degrees Celsius since the mid-19th century, almost twice the global average.
This has accelerated melting of Greenland's miles-thick ice sheet, resulting in a net loss of 600 billion tons of ice mass for the year — accounting for about 40% of total sea level rise in 2019.
The permafrost in Russian and Canadian forests contains as much as 1.5 trillion tons of carbon dioxide — around 40 times current annual emissions.
The United Nations said last year that manmade greenhouse gas emissions needed to tumble by 7.6% annually over the next decade to cap global warming at 1.5C.
Current pledges to cut emissions put Earth on a path of several degrees warming by the end of the century.
by KELLY MACNAMARA and MARLOWE HOOD
© Agence France-Presse


courthousenews--2020-06-05--Japanese Firms Say Electrified Clothes Kill Bacteria

TOKYO ( AFP ) — Here ’ s a shocking idea : a fabric that can produce small amounts of electricity powered by movement , allowing your clothing to zap microbes and bacteria as you go about your day .
Two Japanese firms say that ’ s exactly what their new product can do , and are touting it for everything from curbing body odor to offering the ideal material for protective gear like face masks .
The fabric jointly developed by electronics company Murata Manufacturing and Teijin Frontier , dubbed PIECLEX , generates power from the expansion and contraction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worn by someone moving around .
The low voltages aren ’ t strong enough to be felt by the wearer , but they effectively stop bacteria and viruses from multiplying inside the fabric , the companies said .
“ It has been effective on 99.9 % of bacteria and viruses we tested , working to curb their proliferation or inactivate them , ” a Murata spokeswoman told AFP on Friday .
The firms say the fabric has shown promise for products like sportswear , sanitary items including diapers and masks , and for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They are hoping to test whether the fabric can take on a particularly potent foe : the new coronavirus .
But testing is proving a challenge , with strict limits on the institutions that are allowed to handle the infectious disease .

Here’s a shocking idea: a fabric that can produce small amounts of electricity powered by movement, allowing your clothing to zap microbes and bacteria as you go about your day.
TOKYO (AFP) — Here’s a shocking idea: a fabric that can produce small amounts of electricity powered by movement, allowing your clothing to zap microbes and bacteria as you go about your day.
Two Japanese firms say that's exactly what their new product can do, and are touting it for everything from curbing body odor to offering the ideal material for protective gear like face masks.
The fabric jointly developed by electronics company Murata Manufacturing and Teijin Frontier, dubbed PIECLEX, generates power from the expansion and contraction of the material itself, including when worn by someone moving around.
The low voltages aren't strong enough to be felt by the wearer, but they effectively stop bacteria and viruses from multiplying inside the fabric, the companies said.
"It has been effective on 99.9% of bacteria and viruses we tested, working to curb their proliferation or inactivate them," a Murata spokeswoman told AFP on Friday.
The firms say the fabric has shown promise for products like sportswear, sanitary items including diapers and masks, and for use in filters in industrial products.
They are hoping to test whether the fabric can take on a particularly potent foe: the new coronavirus.
But testing is proving a challenge, with strict limits on the institutions that are allowed to handle the infectious disease.
© Agence France-Presse


courthousenews--2020-06-05--Buffalo Police Condemned for Attack on Old Man

The elderly man is in serious but stable condition at a hospital after the latest videotaped incident of police violence .
NEW YORK ( AP ) — Video of a police officer shoving an elderly protester who falls and cracks his head in Buffalo , New York drew widespread condemnation Thursday .
Video from WFBO showed a Buffalo police officer pushing the 75-year-old man who walked up to police clearing Niagara Square around the 8 p.m. curfew Thursday .
The man fell straight backward and hit his head on the pavement , with blood leaking out of an ear as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The video quickly went viral on social media , spurring outrage .
Buffalo police said in a statement that a person “ was injured when he tripped & fell , ” WIVB-TV reported .
Captain Jeff Rinaldo later told the TV station that an internal affairs investigation has been opened .
The police commissioner subsequently suspended two police officers without pay , Mayor Byron Brown said in a statement .
The mayor said he was “ deeply disturbed ” by the video , and that the unidentified man was in “ stable but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ While it is early , thankfully he is expected to recover , ” Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz tweeted shortly after midnight .
Governor Andrew Cuomo endorsed the officers ’ suspensions , tweeting that what was seen on video was “ wholly unjustified and utterly disgraceful.
” The office of State Attorney General Letitia James tweeted that they were aware of the video .
Senator Charles Schumer called for an investigation , according to a statement reported by WIVB-TV .
“ The casual cruelty demonstrated by Buffalo police officers tonight is gut-wrenching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Buffalo chapter director for the New York Civil Liberties Union , said in a statement , adding that it should be a “ wake-up call ” for city leaders to address police violence .
Calls and emails to Buffalo police seeking comment Thursday night had not been returned by Friday morning .
Meanwhile in New York City , protesters again stayed on the streets past 8 p.m. , in defiance of the citywide curfew that ’ s set to remain in effect through at least Sunday .
Nationwide , the tenor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Floyd , a black man who died Memorial Day after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd ’ s neck , moved from explosive anger to a quiet yet forceful call for more to be done to address racial injustice .
The switch was largely mirrored in New York City , which saw fewer violent clashes than in days past .
But several videos posted to Twitter on Thursday night showed police aggressively confronting peaceful protesters — often resulting in arrest — in the Bronx and elsewhere .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not immediately move in , or made orderly arrests without the batons and riot gear of previous nights .
Miguel Fernandes said there were “ a lot more nights to go ” of marching .
“ We ’ re still waiting for a conviction .
We still haven ’ t gotten it , ” Fernandes said .
“ All they ’ re doing is putting in charges .
The system is not doing anything to make these guys pay for what they did.
” Earlier Thursday , a memorial service featuring Floyd ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brooklyn ’ s Cadman Plaza , where the night before police had used batons and pepper spray on protesters who remained after curfew .
Mayor Bill de Blasio and Cuomo , both Democrats , said they had not seen the widely shared videos , but Cuomo later tweeted that he was asking James to investigate as part of her look into police tactics during the protests .
NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea has defended his officers and the department ’ s overall use of force .
De Blasio was booed and heckled at Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took shots at the mayor , criticizing his management of the NYPD and response to the coronavirus pandemic .
The mayor had praised the police for using “ a lot of restraint ” overall , but added that “ if there ’ s anything that needs to reviewed , it will be.
” Shortly after midnight , the mayor tweeted that he had spoken to Shea after seeing a video of a delivery worker arrested .
Food delivery is essential work , de Blasio said , adding in a second tweet that journalists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers .
De Blasio had previously condemned police for roughing up journalists , including two from the AP who were shoved , cursed at and told to go home by officers Tuesday night .
“ Will get NYPD to fix this immediately , ” he tweeted Thursday .
Both Cuomo and de Blasio have said protesters should abide by the curfew to deter the violence , vandalism and destruction that followed protests Sunday and Monday nights .
But as darkness fell Thursday , cries of “ George Floyd ” and “ No justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out from crowds , even as they shrank .
“ It ’ s energetic , ” Kenyata Taylor said .
“ It ’ s great to be alive , it ’ s history right now .
”

Video of a police officer shoving an elderly protester who falls and cracks his head in Buffalo, New York drew widespread condemnation Thursday.
NEW YORK (AP) — Video of a police officer shoving an elderly protester who falls and cracks his head in Buffalo, New York, drew widespread condemnation Thursday.
Video from WFBO showed a Buffalo police officer pushing the 75-year-old man who walked up to police clearing Niagara Square around the 8 p.m. curfew Thursday. The man fell straight backward and hit his head on the pavement, with blood leaking out of an ear as officers walked past his prone body.
The video quickly went viral on social media, spurring outrage. Buffalo police said in a statement that a person "was injured when he tripped & fell," WIVB-TV reported. Captain Jeff Rinaldo later told the TV station that an internal affairs investigation has been opened. The police commissioner subsequently suspended two police officers without pay, Mayor Byron Brown said in a statement.
The mayor said he was "deeply disturbed" by the video, and that the unidentified man was in "stable but serious" condition at a hospital.
"While it is early, thankfully he is expected to recover," Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz tweeted shortly after midnight.
Governor Andrew Cuomo endorsed the officers’ suspensions, tweeting that what was seen on video was "wholly unjustified and utterly disgraceful." The office of State Attorney General Letitia James tweeted that they were aware of the video. Senator Charles Schumer called for an investigation, according to a statement reported by WIVB-TV.
"The casual cruelty demonstrated by Buffalo police officers tonight is gut-wrenching and unacceptable," John Curr, the Buffalo chapter director for the New York Civil Liberties Union, said in a statement, adding that it should be a "wake-up call" for city leaders to address police violence.
Calls and emails to Buffalo police seeking comment Thursday night had not been returned by Friday morning.
Meanwhile in New York City, protesters again stayed on the streets past 8 p.m., in defiance of the citywide curfew that's set to remain in effect through at least Sunday. Nationwide, the tenor of the protests set off by the death of Floyd, a black man who died Memorial Day after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd's neck, moved from explosive anger to a quiet yet forceful call for more to be done to address racial injustice.
The switch was largely mirrored in New York City, which saw fewer violent clashes than in days past. But several videos posted to Twitter on Thursday night showed police aggressively confronting peaceful protesters — often resulting in arrest — in the Bronx and elsewhere. In other places, police watched but did not immediately move in, or made orderly arrests without the batons and riot gear of previous nights.
Miguel Fernandes said there were "a lot more nights to go" of marching.
"We're still waiting for a conviction. We still haven't gotten it," Fernandes said. "All they're doing is putting in charges. The system is not doing anything to make these guys pay for what they did."
Earlier Thursday, a memorial service featuring Floyd's brother Terrence Floyd was held at Brooklyn's Cadman Plaza, where the night before police had used batons and pepper spray on protesters who remained after curfew.
Mayor Bill de Blasio and Cuomo, both Democrats, said they had not seen the widely shared videos, but Cuomo later tweeted that he was asking James to investigate as part of her look into police tactics during the protests.
NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea has defended his officers and the department's overall use of force.
De Blasio was booed and heckled at Floyd's memorial, where some speakers took shots at the mayor, criticizing his management of the NYPD and response to the coronavirus pandemic. The mayor had praised the police for using "a lot of restraint" overall, but added that "if there's anything that needs to reviewed, it will be."
Shortly after midnight, the mayor tweeted that he had spoken to Shea after seeing a video of a delivery worker arrested. Food delivery is essential work, de Blasio said, adding in a second tweet that journalists covering protests, too, were essential workers.
De Blasio had previously condemned police for roughing up journalists, including two from the AP who were shoved, cursed at and told to go home by officers Tuesday night.
"Will get NYPD to fix this immediately," he tweeted Thursday.
Both Cuomo and de Blasio have said protesters should abide by the curfew to deter the violence, vandalism and destruction that followed protests Sunday and Monday nights. But as darkness fell Thursday, cries of "George Floyd" and "No justice, no peace" continued to ring out from crowds, even as they shrank.
"It's energetic," Kenyata Taylor said. "It's great to be alive, it's history right now."
By JAKE SEINER


courthousenews--2020-06-05--‘They Need to Think Before They Tweet’

‘They Need to Think Before They Tweet’

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) — A writer from a “ Law & Order ” spinoff and the play-by-play broadcaster for the NBA ’ s Sacramento Kings found themselves out of jobs after making social media posts this week that their bosses found too incendiary or insensitive , highlighting an apparent surge in such firings across many lines of work .
Lost jobs over social media statements that seemed like a good idea at the time have become a common occurrence , but the tense environment of nationwide protests against racism and police brutality with the backdrop of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook especially dangerous for those who want to remain among the employed .
With the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis , who died when a police officer pinned his knee into his neck , even after he had become unresponsive , and the coronavirus that has killed 110,000 in the United States and left others unemployed and many socially distant , feelings and emotions are strong .
It can be difficult to resist the urge to post or tweet , even for people such as police officers , local officials or teachers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ People when they see a breaking news story they get that rush of wanting to be a part of something , ” said Danny Deraney , a publicist who often works in crisis management .
“ There ’ s an adrenaline .
They feel like they ’ re saying something so profound .
But they need to think before they tweet.
” Craig Gore , who has worked on the shows “ S.W.A.T.
” and “ Chicago P.D.
, ” was fired Tuesday from the forthcoming “ Law & Order : Organized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One was captioned “ Curfew … ” in which he ’ s shown holding a rifle on his front porch , and in another full of expletives , he threatens to shoot looters who come near his home .
Given the gravity of the moment , Gore ’ s boss , “ Law & Order ” franchise creator Dick Wolf , did not warn or suspend him but went straight to firing , saying in a statement , “ I will not tolerate this conduct , especially during our hour of national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not respond to a request for comment .
Grant Napear , longtime TV announcer for the NBA ’ s Sacramento Kings was fired from his talk radio job and subsequently resigned Tuesday from the team ’ s broadcast crew after he tweeted “ ALL LIVES MATTER ” and more to former Kings player DeMarcus Cousins when asked his opinion on the Black Lives Matter movement .
Bonneville International , owner of the radio station that fired Napear , said in a statement , “ The timing of Grant ’ s tweet was particularly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve been doing more listening than talking the past few days , ” and “ I believe the past few days will change this country for the better !
” Social media-based firings are not just for the prominent .
Many others from public-facing institutions and businesses have been sanctioned , demoted , suspended or fired for impolitic statements online in recent days .
The principal trombonist from the Austin Symphony Orchestra was let go after a string of Facebook comments , including one in which she said black protesters “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accounts of police too are under scrutiny .
A Denver officer was fired Tuesday for writing “ Let ’ s start a riot ” as the caption to an Instagram picture of himself and two fellow officers smiling in riot gear .
An officer in Fulton , New York , posted an Instagram image that said , “ Black lives only matter to black people unless they are killed by a white person ” and found himself out of a job .
The poor timing cited by the former bosses Gore and Napear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unnoticed have major consequences in a moment marked by a volatile combination of politics and race .
“ If you ’ re in a situation like this , you ’ ve got to read the room , ” Deraney said .
You ’ ve got to get a sense of what ’ s going on .
You don ’ t need to always say something .
These people who are getting fired or resigning , they ’ re not realizing this .
”

A writer from a "Law & Order" spinoff and the play-by-play broadcaster for the NBA's Sacramento Kings found themselves out of jobs after making social media posts this week that their bosses found too incendiary or insensitive, highlighting an apparent surge in such firings across many lines of work.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A writer from a "Law & Order" spinoff and the play-by-play broadcaster for the NBA's Sacramento Kings found themselves out of jobs after making social media posts this week that their bosses found too incendiary or insensitive, highlighting an apparent surge in such firings across many lines of work.
Lost jobs over social media statements that seemed like a good idea at the time have become a common occurrence, but the tense environment of nationwide protests against racism and police brutality with the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic have made Twitter, Instagram and Facebook especially dangerous for those who want to remain among the employed.
With the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, who died when a police officer pinned his knee into his neck, even after he had become unresponsive, and the coronavirus that has killed 110,000 in the United States and left others unemployed and many socially distant, feelings and emotions are strong. It can be difficult to resist the urge to post or tweet, even for people such as police officers, local officials or teachers who are bound to draw scrutiny.
"People when they see a breaking news story they get that rush of wanting to be a part of something," said Danny Deraney, a publicist who often works in crisis management. "There's an adrenaline. They feel like they're saying something so profound. But they need to think before they tweet."
Craig Gore, who has worked on the shows "S.W.A.T." and "Chicago P.D.," was fired Tuesday from the forthcoming "Law & Order: Organized Crime" spinoff because of Facebook posts. One was captioned "Curfew …" in which he's shown holding a rifle on his front porch, and in another full of expletives, he threatens to shoot looters who come near his home.
Given the gravity of the moment, Gore's boss, "Law & Order" franchise creator Dick Wolf, did not warn or suspend him but went straight to firing, saying in a statement, "I will not tolerate this conduct, especially during our hour of national grief."
An attorney for Gore did not respond to a request for comment.
Grant Napear, longtime TV announcer for the NBA's Sacramento Kings was fired from his talk radio job and subsequently resigned Tuesday from the team's broadcast crew after he tweeted "ALL LIVES MATTER" and more to former Kings player DeMarcus Cousins when asked his opinion on the Black Lives Matter movement.
Bonneville International, owner of the radio station that fired Napear, said in a statement, "The timing of Grant's tweet was particularly insensitive."
Napear later tweeted, "I've been doing more listening than talking the past few days," and "I believe the past few days will change this country for the better!"
Social media-based firings are not just for the prominent.
Many others from public-facing institutions and businesses have been sanctioned, demoted, suspended or fired for impolitic statements online in recent days.
The principal trombonist from the Austin Symphony Orchestra was let go after a string of Facebook comments, including one in which she said black protesters "deserve what they get."
The personal accounts of police too are under scrutiny.
A Denver officer was fired Tuesday for writing "Let's start a riot" as the caption to an Instagram picture of himself and two fellow officers smiling in riot gear. An officer in Fulton, New York, posted an Instagram image that said, "Black lives only matter to black people unless they are killed by a white person" and found himself out of a job.
The poor timing cited by the former bosses Gore and Napear can make posts that might otherwise pass unnoticed have major consequences in a moment marked by a volatile combination of politics and race.
"If you're in a situation like this, you've got to read the room," Deraney said. You've got to get a sense of what's going on. You don't need to always say something. These people who are getting fired or resigning, they're not realizing this."
By ANDREW DALTON


courthousenews--2020-06-05--Dreamers Brace for Imminent Supreme Court Ruling

PHOENIX ( AP ) — Reyna Montoya ’ s hands get sweaty and her throat feels like it ’ s closing up just talking about the anxiety of every Monday this spring .
The immigrant rights activist who is shielded from deportation — for now — and allowed to work in the United States under an Obama-era program sets a 6 a.m. alarm so she ’ s alert when the latest Supreme Court decision may be posted online about an hour later .
Montoya , like 650,000 others enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program , is waiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on President Trump ’ s attempt to end the protections .
The Supreme Court heard arguments last fall and typically releases rulings on Mondays in the spring .
But it ’ s unclear when an answer will come because the court sometimes issues decisions on other days as work wraps up for the summer .
“ My gut hurts , ” said Montoya , 29 , who was born in Mexico but has grown up in the Phoenix area .
“ It ’ s this constant level of anxiety.
” Montoya ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , provides arts and healing workshops for other DACA recipients who struggle with not knowing their fate .
She openly talks about going to therapy to quell her anxiety .
The toll of the unknown — of who will take care of her financial assets , her mortgage — weighs heavily .
“ When you actually pause and think about all the things you need to think about , it ’ s very daunting , ” said Montoya , who sometimes feels guilty because others also have children to worry about .
Under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barack Obama announced DACA in 2012 .
Commonly known as “ Dreamers ” after the failed legislation that would have provided a path to citizenship , these immigrants have been in the United States since they were children .
Recipients went through extensive background screening to get two-year work permits and protection from deportation .
The Trump administration in 2017 announced the end of the program , resulting in legal challenges now in the hands of the Supreme Court .
Those already enrolled still have protections and can renew their two-year permits , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Montoya , Adrián Escárate has awakened early most Mondays this year .
The 31-year-old from Chile has been in the United States since he was 3 .
He immediately grabs his phone or computer and starts scrolling a blog that tracks Supreme Court rulings .
Escárate , in Santa Cruz , California , checks in with friends on a group message and keeps refreshing Twitter and the blog .
“ When it hasn ’ t come down , you kind of breathe a sigh of relief and say , ‘ OK , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' ” said Escárate , who ’ s been part of DACA since 2014 and is a communications coordinator for immigrant rights organization Define American .
Escárate said it ’ s hard to think about what life will be like if the Supreme Court sides with Trump .
He ’ s protected until 2022 , and hopes that if the program does end , the court will allow people to keep their permits until they expire .
It ’ s not clear how the Trump administration would end the program , but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supportive of allowing him to do so .
Immigration authorities have said they would deport any DACA recipients who have a pending immigration court case .
At a congressional hearing Tuesday , Sen. Dick Durbin , an Illinois Democrat , asked a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official about the potential deportation of DACA recipients if the Supreme Court sides with Trump .
Henry Lucero , head of ICE removal operations , said “ there is no plan or current planning for that situation ” but that the agency carries out removal orders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously protected immigrants , including many who work in the health care industry , could be kicked out of the country , possibly during the coronavirus pandemic .
Some households could lose their sole providers , like Joella Roberts , whose mother does not have legal status and whose grandmother is ill .
The 22-year-old , who lives in Washington , D.C. , and is from Trinidad and Tobago , just finished college and got her first post-graduation job as a university program coordinator for FWD.us , a bipartisan organization advocating for criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approved for DACA in 2015 , which helped her support her family and pay her way through college .
She says the pandemic and keeping up with nationwide protests over police brutality and racial injustice have disrupted her sleep , and the nights before Supreme Court decision days are particularly bad .
Roberts says she never sleeps Sunday nights and spends Monday mornings waiting for an update .
Many black DACA recipients rely on her for the latest information , she said .
“ It ’ s caused me to lean full-fledged into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me an unwanted sense of responsibility because I will in fact have to work , have to be put together , ” Roberts said .
“ You never really know how you ’ re going to react or how you ’ re going to feel , and so you just brace yourself for whatever comes .
”

Reyna Montoya's hands get sweaty and her throat feels like it's closing up just talking about the anxiety of every Monday this spring.
PHOENIX (AP) — Reyna Montoya's hands get sweaty and her throat feels like it's closing up just talking about the anxiety of every Monday this spring.
The immigrant rights activist who is shielded from deportation — for now — and allowed to work in the United States under an Obama-era program sets a 6 a.m. alarm so she's alert when the latest Supreme Court decision may be posted online about an hour later.
Montoya, like 650,000 others enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, is waiting for the justices to release their decision on President Trump's attempt to end the protections. The Supreme Court heard arguments last fall and typically releases rulings on Mondays in the spring. But it's unclear when an answer will come because the court sometimes issues decisions on other days as work wraps up for the summer.
"My gut hurts," said Montoya, 29, who was born in Mexico but has grown up in the Phoenix area. "It's this constant level of anxiety."
Montoya's advocacy group, Aliento (Breath), provides arts and healing workshops for other DACA recipients who struggle with not knowing their fate. She openly talks about going to therapy to quell her anxiety. The toll of the unknown — of who will take care of her financial assets, her mortgage — weighs heavily.
"When you actually pause and think about all the things you need to think about, it's very daunting," said Montoya, who sometimes feels guilty because others also have children to worry about.
Under intense pressure from young activists, President Barack Obama announced DACA in 2012. Commonly known as "Dreamers" after the failed legislation that would have provided a path to citizenship, these immigrants have been in the United States since they were children. Recipients went through extensive background screening to get two-year work permits and protection from deportation.
The Trump administration in 2017 announced the end of the program, resulting in legal challenges now in the hands of the Supreme Court. Those already enrolled still have protections and can renew their two-year permits, but nobody new can join.
Like Montoya, Adrián Escárate has awakened early most Mondays this year. The 31-year-old from Chile has been in the United States since he was 3. He immediately grabs his phone or computer and starts scrolling a blog that tracks Supreme Court rulings.
Escárate, in Santa Cruz, California, checks in with friends on a group message and keeps refreshing Twitter and the blog.
"When it hasn’t come down, you kind of breathe a sigh of relief and say, 'OK, we're good for this week,'" said Escárate, who's been part of DACA since 2014 and is a communications coordinator for immigrant rights organization Define American.
Escárate said it's hard to think about what life will be like if the Supreme Court sides with Trump. He's protected until 2022, and hopes that if the program does end, the court will allow people to keep their permits until they expire.
It's not clear how the Trump administration would end the program, but the Supreme Court's right-wing majority seems supportive of allowing him to do so.
Immigration authorities have said they would deport any DACA recipients who have a pending immigration court case. At a congressional hearing Tuesday, Sen. Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, asked a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official about the potential deportation of DACA recipients if the Supreme Court sides with Trump.
Henry Lucero, head of ICE removal operations, said "there is no plan or current planning for that situation" but that the agency carries out removal orders as directed. That means thousands of previously protected immigrants, including many who work in the health care industry, could be kicked out of the country, possibly during the coronavirus pandemic.
Some households could lose their sole providers, like Joella Roberts, whose mother does not have legal status and whose grandmother is ill.
The 22-year-old, who lives in Washington, D.C., and is from Trinidad and Tobago, just finished college and got her first post-graduation job as a university program coordinator for FWD.us, a bipartisan organization advocating for criminal justice and immigration reform.
Roberts was approved for DACA in 2015, which helped her support her family and pay her way through college.
She says the pandemic and keeping up with nationwide protests over police brutality and racial injustice have disrupted her sleep, and the nights before Supreme Court decision days are particularly bad. Roberts says she never sleeps Sunday nights and spends Monday mornings waiting for an update.
Many black DACA recipients rely on her for the latest information, she said.
"It's caused me to lean full-fledged into knowledge. However, it does give me an unwanted sense of responsibility because I will in fact have to work, have to be put together," Roberts said. "You never really know how you're going to react or how you're going to feel, and so you just brace yourself for whatever comes."
By ASTRID GALVAN


courthousenews--2020-06-05--Rand Paul Holds Up Anti-Lynching Bill in Senate

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — A Senate impasse over a widely backed bill to designate lynching as a federal hate crime boiled over on Thursday in an emotional debate cast against a backdrop of widespread protests over police treatment of African Americans .
Raw feelings were evident as Senator Rand Paul , Republican of Kentucky — who is single-handedly holding up the bill despite letting it pass last year — sought changes to the legislation as a condition of allowing it to pass .
But the Senate ’ s two black Democrats , Cory Booker of New Jersey and Kamala @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the measure should pass as is .
The debate occurred as a memorial service was taking place for George Floyd , a Minneapolis man who died after a police officer kneeled on his neck for almost nine minutes , sparking the protests that have convulsed the nation .
The legislative effort to make lynching a federal hate crime punishable by up to life in prison comes 65 years after 14-year-old Emmett Till was lynched in Mississippi , and follows dozens of failed attempts to pass anti-lynching legislation .
The Senate unanimously passed virtually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then passed it by a sweeping 410-4 vote in February but renamed the legislation for Till — the sole change that returned the measure to the Senate .
“ Black lives have not been taken seriously as being fully human and deserving of dignity , and it should not require a maiming or torture in order for us to recognize a lynching when we see it , ” said Harris .
Paul , who has a history of rankling colleagues by slowing down bills , said the legislation was drafted too broadly and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said that murdering someone because of their race is already a hate crime .
He said the Senate should make other reforms , such as easing “ qualified immunity ” rules that shield police officers from being sued .
“ Rather than consider a good-intentioned but symbolic bill , the Senate could immediately consider addressing qualified immunity and ending police militarization , ” Paul said .
He sought to offer an amendment to weaken the measure , and Booker blocked it .
The conflict had been kept relatively quiet as Booker and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports recently pegged Paul as the reason the measure is stalled .
“ Tell me another time when 500-plus Congress people , Democrats , Republicans , House members and senators come together in a chorus of conviction and say , ‘ Now is the time in America that we condemn the dark history of our past and actually pass anti-lynching legislation , ' ” Booker said .
Paul is the junior senator from Kentucky ; Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is the state ’ s senior senator .

A Senate impasse over a widely backed bill to designate lynching as a federal hate crime boiled over on Thursday in an emotional debate cast against a backdrop of widespread protests over police treatment of African Americans.
WASHINGTON (AP) — A Senate impasse over a widely backed bill to designate lynching as a federal hate crime boiled over on Thursday in an emotional debate cast against a backdrop of widespread protests over police treatment of African Americans.
Raw feelings were evident as Senator Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky — who is single-handedly holding up the bill despite letting it pass last year — sought changes to the legislation as a condition of allowing it to pass.
In this image from video, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., speaks on the Senate floor at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, March 18, 2020. (Senate Television via AP)
But the Senate's two black Democrats, Cory Booker of New Jersey and Kamala Harris of California, protested, saying the measure should pass as is. The debate occurred as a memorial service was taking place for George Floyd, a Minneapolis man who died after a police officer kneeled on his neck for almost nine minutes, sparking the protests that have convulsed the nation.
The legislative effort to make lynching a federal hate crime punishable by up to life in prison comes 65 years after 14-year-old Emmett Till was lynched in Mississippi, and follows dozens of failed attempts to pass anti-lynching legislation.
The Senate unanimously passed virtually identical legislation last year. The House then passed it by a sweeping 410-4 vote in February but renamed the legislation for Till — the sole change that returned the measure to the Senate.
"Black lives have not been taken seriously as being fully human and deserving of dignity, and it should not require a maiming or torture in order for us to recognize a lynching when we see it," said Harris.
Paul, who has a history of rankling colleagues by slowing down bills, said the legislation was drafted too broadly and could define minor assaults as lynching. He said that murdering someone because of their race is already a hate crime. He said the Senate should make other reforms, such as easing "qualified immunity" rules that shield police officers from being sued.
"Rather than consider a good-intentioned but symbolic bill, the Senate could immediately consider addressing qualified immunity and ending police militarization," Paul said. He sought to offer an amendment to weaken the measure, and Booker blocked it.
The conflict had been kept relatively quiet as Booker and Paul sought an agreement, but media reports recently pegged Paul as the reason the measure is stalled.
"Tell me another time when 500-plus Congress people, Democrats, Republicans, House members and senators come together in a chorus of conviction and say, 'Now is the time in America that we condemn the dark history of our past and actually pass anti-lynching legislation,'" Booker said.
Paul is the junior senator from Kentucky; Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is the state’s senior senator.
By ANDREW TAYLOR