courthousenews--2020-06-08--FBI Seeks Link Between Killings of Two Officers

A Northern California sheriff ’ s officer was killed in an ambush Saturday night , less than two weeks after another ambush killing in Oakland .
SANTA CRUZ , Calif. ( AP ) — The FBI and local investigators are trying to determine if there is a link between the ambush-style killing of a Northern California sheriff ’ s deputy Saturday night and that of a federal officer who was fatally shot outside the U.S. courthouse in Oakland more than a week ago .
The FBI office in San Francisco on Sunday confirmed its investigators were working with the Santa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determine a possible motive and links to other crimes committed in the San Francisco Bay Area , including the attack that killed a Federal Protective Service officer and critically wounded another officer on May 29 .
Both involved shooters in a van .
An active-duty Air Force sergeant has been arrested on suspicion of fatally shooting Santa Cruz Sheriff ’ s Sgt .
Damon Gutzwiller , 38 , and wounding two other officers Saturday .
Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart said Gutzwiller was a beloved 14-year veteran of the force .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our hearts now.
” he said at a vigil Sunday that drew more than 1,000 mourners .
Deputies responded to a 911 call around 1:30 p.m. Saturday about a suspicious van in Ben Lomond , an unincorporated area near Santa Cruz .
The caller said there were guns and bomb-making devices inside , Hart said .
When deputies arrived , the van pulled away and deputies followed .
The van went down a driveway at a home , and the deputies were ambushed by gunfire and explosives after getting out of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a hospital .
Another deputy was wounded by gunfire or shrapnel and struck by a vehicle as the suspect fled .
A third officer from the California Highway Patrol was shot in the hand , Hart said .
The suspect , 32-year-old Steven Carrillo , attempted a carjacking and was shot during his arrest , Hart said .
He was being treated at the hospital for nonlife-threatening injuries .
The injured deputy was listed in stable condition Sunday .
Carrillo will be charged with first-degree murder , Hart said .
Carrillo had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 miles northeast of San Francisco , in June 2018 and was a member of the 60th Security Forces Squadron , a base spokesman said .
Carrillo ’ s wife , Monika Leigh Scott Carrillo , who also was in the Air Force , was found dead in an off-base hotel in May 2018 while she was stationed in South Carolina .
She was 30 .
Her death was investigated by the Sumter County Sheriff ’ s Office , in coordination with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations , and ruled a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Meanwhile , the FBI has been trying to identify a suspect and motive in the drive-by shooting outside the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building that killed Dave Patrick Underwood , 53 , and critically injured a fellow officer .
They had been monitoring a nearby protest over the death of George Floyd .
Surveillance cameras captured a white Ford van believed to be driven by the shooter or shooters .
The FBI said the vehicle did not appear to have license plates .
Governor Gavin Newsom extended condolences to Gutzwiller ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be flown at half-staff in honor of the slain deputy .
“ He will be remembered as a hero who devoted his life to protecting the community and as a loving husband and father , ” Newsom said in a statement .
The shooting shocked Ben Lomond , a town of about 6,000 tucked in the Santa Cruz mountains .
Gutzwiller was married , with a young son and a second on the way .
At the vigil , Hart stood with Gutzwiller ’ s widow and son as he praised the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ He was kind , patient , caring , empathetic .
He can take enforcement action when he needed to , but he would rather communicate his way through any problem that was in front of him , ” Hart said .
Coworkers said Gutzwiller was a gentle man who cared about the community he was raised in and lived in .
“ He ’ s just everything you want the police to be , ” said Amy Christey , a former lieutenant with the sheriff ’ s office .

The FBI and local investigators are trying to determine if there is a link between the ambush-style killing of a Northern California sheriff's deputy Saturday night and that of a federal officer who was fatally shot outside the U.S. courthouse in Oakland more than a week ago.
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) — The FBI and local investigators are trying to determine if there is a link between the ambush-style killing of a Northern California sheriff's deputy Saturday night and that of a federal officer who was fatally shot outside the U.S. courthouse in Oakland more than a week ago.
The FBI office in San Francisco on Sunday confirmed its investigators were working with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Department to determine a possible motive and links to other crimes committed in the San Francisco Bay Area, including the attack that killed a Federal Protective Service officer and critically wounded another officer on May 29. Both involved shooters in a van.
This photo provided by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office shows Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller. Gutzwiller was shot and killed Saturday, June 6, 2020, in Ben Lomond, an unincorporated area near Santa Cruz, Calif., when he and two other law enforcement officers were ambushed by a suspect. (Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office via AP)
An active-duty Air Force sergeant has been arrested on suspicion of fatally shooting Santa Cruz Sheriff's Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller, 38, and wounding two other officers Saturday.
Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart said Gutzwiller was a beloved 14-year veteran of the force.
"There's a hole in all of our hearts now." he said at a vigil Sunday that drew more than 1,000 mourners.
Deputies responded to a 911 call around 1:30 p.m. Saturday about a suspicious van in Ben Lomond, an unincorporated area near Santa Cruz. The caller said there were guns and bomb-making devices inside, Hart said.
When deputies arrived, the van pulled away and deputies followed. The van went down a driveway at a home, and the deputies were ambushed by gunfire and explosives after getting out of their vehicle.
Gutzwiller was wounded and died at a hospital. Another deputy was wounded by gunfire or shrapnel and struck by a vehicle as the suspect fled. A third officer from the California Highway Patrol was shot in the hand, Hart said.
The suspect, 32-year-old Steven Carrillo, attempted a carjacking and was shot during his arrest, Hart said. He was being treated at the hospital for nonlife-threatening injuries. The injured deputy was listed in stable condition Sunday.
Carrillo will be charged with first-degree murder, Hart said.
Carrillo had arrived at Travis Air Force Base, 50 miles northeast of San Francisco, in June 2018 and was a member of the 60th Security Forces Squadron, a base spokesman said.
Carrillo's wife, Monika Leigh Scott Carrillo, who also was in the Air Force, was found dead in an off-base hotel in May 2018 while she was stationed in South Carolina. She was 30. Her death was investigated by the Sumter County Sheriff's Office, in coordination with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, and ruled a suicide, according to the Air Force.
Meanwhile, the FBI has been trying to identify a suspect and motive in the drive-by shooting outside the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building that killed Dave Patrick Underwood, 53, and critically injured a fellow officer. They had been monitoring a nearby protest over the death of George Floyd.
Surveillance cameras captured a white Ford van believed to be driven by the shooter or shooters. The FBI said the vehicle did not appear to have license plates.
Governor Gavin Newsom extended condolences to Gutzwiller's family and ordered flags at the Capitol to be flown at half-staff in honor of the slain deputy.
"He will be remembered as a hero who devoted his life to protecting the community and as a loving husband and father," Newsom said in a statement.
The shooting shocked Ben Lomond, a town of about 6,000 tucked in the Santa Cruz mountains.
Gutzwiller was married, with a young son and a second on the way.
At the vigil, Hart stood with Gutzwiller's widow and son as he praised the sergeant's community approach to policing.
"He was kind, patient, caring, empathetic. He can take enforcement action when he needed to, but he would rather communicate his way through any problem that was in front of him," Hart said.
Coworkers said Gutzwiller was a gentle man who cared about the community he was raised in and lived in.
"He's just everything you want the police to be," said Amy Christey, a former lieutenant with the sheriff's office.
By MARTHA MENDOZA


courthousenews--2020-06-08--Democrats Fight Vote-by-Mail Fraud Claims

Voting by mail may be crucial to turnout if the Covid-19 pandemic lasts until Election Day .
WASHINGTON ( AP ) — Democrats are mounting an effort to rebut a well-funded Republican campaign that seeks to undermine public confidence in mail-in-voting , which President Trump has said , without offering proof , will lead to election fraud .
Fair Fight , led by former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams , has joined forces with Priorities USA , the largest Democratic outside group , and American Bridge , the party ’ s opposition research clearinghouse , to form a new effort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to counter Republicans in the courts and in public relations , while playing offense by providing opposition research that often forms the grist of critical news stories .
“ The 2020 election is the most pivotal election that I can think of , and we have known for a while that there would be efforts made to suppress the vote , ” Abrams said Sunday in an interview with The Associated Press .
“ We need to not only have a concerted effort to push back , but we need to raise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic , a partisan fight over ballot access was playing out in a handful of state courts .
Now that the virus has raised fears that in-person voting could be a threat to the elderly , those in poor health and people of color , whom statistics show have disproportionately borne the brunt of its effects , efforts to expand voting by mail have faced stiff opposition from Trump and his allies .
They argue , without evidence , that it will lead to increased voter fraud , even as they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a number of recent elections .
Trump casts his own ballots by mail .
Democrats say the Republican opposition to mail voting is a smokescreen being used to push for broader vote suppression .
“ While everyone is focusing on the vote-by-mail argument , the architecture of their work is incredibly broad , ” Abrams said .
“ One of our missions will be to raise the resources necessary to push back against their efforts across the country.
” Over more than a decade , Republicans have enacted laws at the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for members of their party to vote .
These include voter ID laws , limiting polling sites in urban areas and rules that limit early voting .
Republicans claims their efforts are aimed at limiting widespread voter fraud , though there ’ s little evidence to back up those claims .
Bolstered by a federal court ruling , for the first time in decades the Republican Party will also be allowed to conduct poll monitoring on election day in November .
Historically , there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud through mail-in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have pushed grandiose theories casting doubt on the method .
Trump has encouraged the skepticism , saying during a televised briefing that “ a lot of people cheat with mail-in voting .
In May , he tweeted : “ Don ’ t allow RIGGED ELECTIONS !
” Democrats and voting rights groups say they simply want to protect the voting rights of all citizens , and note that repeated studies have found no widespread fraud and no partisan benefit to mail-in voting .
“ We want to build a strong coalition to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Republican side doesn ’ t go unanswered , ” said Aneesa McMillan , director of strategic communications and voting rights at Priorities USA .
The new Democratic coalition has not raised additional funds for the effort , though that could change .
Abrams , who is among those being considered as Joe Biden ’ s running mate , said she aims to raise millions for the cause .
“ I don ’ t think there ’ s a path for Trump getting reelected without voter suppression tactics , ” said David Brock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the founders of American Bridge .
“ While there ’ s an improbable path for Trump to get an Electoral College victory , donors should be paying attention and giving to the overall effort.
” His group has unearthed evidence that Trump and his allies aim to limit ballot access .
A recording the group provided to the AP in December revealed that a Trump adviser told Republicans in Wisconsin , a battleground state , that Republicans were counting on voter suppression tactics to provide an edge on Election Day .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suppressing votes in places , ” Justin Clark , a senior political adviser and senior counsel to Trump ’ s reelection campaign , told Wisconsin Republicans at a November 2019 event .
“ Let ’ s start playing offense a little bit .
That ’ s what you ’ re going to see in 2020 .
It ’ s going to be a much bigger program , a much more aggressive program , a much better-funded program.
” Democrats say Trump ’ s claims of voter fraud have morphed what was once a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broader culture war issue .
“ You can immediately see it is political , ” said McMillan .
“ The bad thing about Donald Trump is that he says the first thing that comes to his mind ; the good thing about Donald Trump is that he says the first thing that comes to mind .
”

emocrats are mounting an effort to rebut a well-funded Republican campaign that seeks to undermine public confidence in mail-in-voting, which President Trump has said, without offering proof, will lead to election fraud.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats are mounting an effort to rebut a well-funded Republican campaign that seeks to undermine public confidence in mail-in-voting, which President Trump has said, without offering proof, will lead to election fraud.
Fair Fight, led by former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, has joined forces with Priorities USA, the largest Democratic outside group, and American Bridge, the party's opposition research clearinghouse, to form a new effort called Voter Suppression Watch.
The aim is to counter Republicans in the courts and in public relations, while playing offense by providing opposition research that often forms the grist of critical news stories.
"The 2020 election is the most pivotal election that I can think of, and we have known for a while that there would be efforts made to suppress the vote," Abrams said Sunday in an interview with The Associated Press. "We need to not only have a concerted effort to push back, but we need to raise awareness, too."
Even before the coronavirus pandemic, a partisan fight over ballot access was playing out in a handful of state courts. Now that the virus has raised fears that in-person voting could be a threat to the elderly, those in poor health and people of color, whom statistics show have disproportionately borne the brunt of its effects, efforts to expand voting by mail have faced stiff opposition from Trump and his allies.
They argue, without evidence, that it will lead to increased voter fraud, even as they have encouraged Republicans to cast ballots by mail in a number of recent elections. Trump casts his own ballots by mail.
Democrats say the Republican opposition to mail voting is a smokescreen being used to push for broader vote suppression.
"While everyone is focusing on the vote-by-mail argument, the architecture of their work is incredibly broad," Abrams said. "One of our missions will be to raise the resources necessary to push back against their efforts across the country."
Over more than a decade, Republicans have enacted laws at the state level that Democrats say makes it harder for members of their party to vote. These include voter ID laws, limiting polling sites in urban areas and rules that limit early voting. Republicans claims their efforts are aimed at limiting widespread voter fraud, though there's little evidence to back up those claims.
Bolstered by a federal court ruling, for the first time in decades the Republican Party will also be allowed to conduct poll monitoring on election day in November.
Historically, there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud through mail-in voting. But some social media users have pushed grandiose theories casting doubt on the method. Trump has encouraged the skepticism, saying during a televised briefing that "a lot of people cheat with mail-in voting. In May, he tweeted: "Don't allow RIGGED ELECTIONS!"
Democrats and voting rights groups say they simply want to protect the voting rights of all citizens, and note that repeated studies have found no widespread fraud and no partisan benefit to mail-in voting.
"We want to build a strong coalition to make sure that what's happening on the Republican side doesn't go unanswered," said Aneesa McMillan, director of strategic communications and voting rights at Priorities USA.
The new Democratic coalition has not raised additional funds for the effort, though that could change. Abrams, who is among those being considered as Joe Biden's running mate, said she aims to raise millions for the cause.
"I don't think there's a path for Trump getting reelected without voter suppression tactics," said David Brock, a prolific fundraiser who is one of the founders of American Bridge. "While there's an improbable path for Trump to get an Electoral College victory, donors should be paying attention and giving to the overall effort."
His group has unearthed evidence that Trump and his allies aim to limit ballot access.
A recording the group provided to the AP in December revealed that a Trump adviser told Republicans in Wisconsin, a battleground state, that Republicans were counting on voter suppression tactics to provide an edge on Election Day.
"Traditionally it's always been Republicans suppressing votes in places," Justin Clark, a senior political adviser and senior counsel to Trump's reelection campaign, told Wisconsin Republicans at a November 2019 event. "Let's start playing offense a little bit. That's what you're going to see in 2020. It's going to be a much bigger program, a much more aggressive program, a much better-funded program."
Democrats say Trump's claims of voter fraud have morphed what was once a quiet focus of the party into a broader culture war issue.
"You can immediately see it is political," said McMillan. "The bad thing about Donald Trump is that he says the first thing that comes to his mind; the good thing about Donald Trump is that he says the first thing that comes to mind."
By BRIAN SLODYSKO and NICHOLAS RICCARDI


courthousenews--2020-06-08--Facts Still in Short Supply in the White House

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — President Trump is exaggerating economic gains for African Americans during his administration .
He claims full credit for achieving the best economic figures for blacks across the board .
That ’ s not accurate .
Black unemployment did reach a low last year , but much of the progress came during the Obama administration .
Household median income also was higher for blacks before Trump took office .
Trump asserts that Friday ’ s unemployment report was a triumph in “ equality , ” making it a “ great day ” for George Floyd , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inequality .
But black unemployment actually increased , while declining for whites .
The statements came in a week of alternate realities put forth by Trump and his team .
Taking measure of the nation ’ s capital after demonstrations involving injured police , gagging protesters and shattered storefronts , Trump exclaimed : “ Washington , D.C. , was the safest place on earth last night !
” He and aides denied that authorities in Washington used tear gas against protesters , who fled from chemical clouds that stung eyes like it and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Attorney General William Barr claimed that pepper spray was “ not chemicals.
” And when former Defense Secretary “ Mad Dog ” Jim Mattis snapped at him , Trump falsely claimed to have fired him as defense secretary and to have given him that nickname .
Here is a look at some of his claims TRUMP : “ What we ’ re announcing today is a tremendous tribute to equality .
We ’ re bringing our jobs back.
” — remarks Friday to reporters THE FACTS : The joblessness figures in Friday ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racial and ethnic groups .
The unemployment rate did decline in May for white workers , to 12.4 % from 14.2 % in April , as well as for Latinos , to 17.6 % from 18.9 % .
But joblessness rose slightly for African American workers , to 16.8 % from 16.7 % .
For Asian Americans , it increased to 15 % from 14.5 % .
TRUMP , on the economy before the pandemic : “ We had the best numbers for African Americans on employment and unemployment in history … best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ THE FACTS : True on unemployment .
Not true by a long shot on “ everything ” in the economy .
Black unemployment reached a record low during the Trump administration , 5.4 % in August , as the longest economic expansion in history continued .
Most of the progress came when Barack Obama was president : Black unemployment dropped from a recession high of 16.8 % in March 2010 to 7.8 % in January 2017 .
Improvement continued under Trump until the pandemic .
Black unemployment reached 16.8 % in May , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population .
Not all economic measures improved for African Americans under Trump before the pandemic .
A black household earned median income of $ 41,361 in 2018 , the latest data available .
That ’ s below a 2000 peak of $ 43,380 , according to the Census Bureau .
More broadly , there were multiple signs before the pandemic that the racial wealth gap had been worsening .
TRUMP : Before the pandemic , “ we had the most people working in the history of our country , almost 160 million people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that.
” — remarks Friday THE FACTS : That ’ s because of population growth .
A more relevant measure is the proportion of Americans with jobs , and that never came close to record highs .
According to Labor Department data , 61.2 % of people in the United States 16 years and older were working in January .
That ’ s below the all-time high of 64.7 % in April 2000 , though higher than the 59.9 % when Trump was inaugurated in January 2017 .
WHITE HOUSE : “ Antifa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , staging bricks and weapons to instigate violence .
These are acts of domestic terror.
” — tweet Wednesday , with a video showing collections of bricks and stones as if stockpiled for attacks THE FACTS : The tweet ’ s evidence of malfeasance was bogus .
The video contained multiple clips showing brick or stone for construction projects and the like , not for a nefarious plot .
One clip captured rocks encased in wire frames .
Those are actually a protective barrier outside Chabad of Sherman Oaks , a synagogue on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop vehicles from ramming the building .
“ They ’ ve been there for about a year , ” Rabbi Mendel Lipskier of the synagogue told The Associated Press .
“ THESE ARE SECURITY BARRIERS , ” the synagogue said in a statement reassuring neighbors and friends .
Last Monday , posts had circulated on social media with photos of that gabion wall , falsely describing the stones as being left on Ventura Boulevard “ for the next round of Antifa riots ” and saying such “ drop offs ” were being repeated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fed into the White House tweet two days later as Trump and others brushed aside the peaceful nature of most of the protesting , highlighted the violence and portrayed the unrest as overwhelmingly the work of radicals .
The White House later deleted the tweet and video without explanation .
TRUMP : “ They didn ’ t use tear gas.
” — Fox News Radio on Wednesday , referring to the previous night ’ s demonstrations outside the White House KAYLEIGH McENANY , White House press secretary : “ No tear gas was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Let me make that clear.
” — briefing Wednesday Authorities acknowledged using pepper compound fired in plastic balls .
Scientific sources , including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , list pepper spray as a tear gas .
Officers also fired projectiles containing chemicals that likewise meet the common and scientific definitions of tear gas .
People scattered in the stinging fog , coughing and gagging , some with eyes red and streaming .
“ Tear gas is anything that makes you cry , ” said Dr. Lynn Goldman , dean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ School of Public Health , speaking of chemicals used in crowd dispersal .
“ Pepper spray is a tear gas .
But there are all kinds of other ones , too.
” Dr. Sven-Eric Jordt , who researches tear gas agents and chemical exposure injuries at the Duke University School of Medicine , said newer compounds , categorized as OC agents , might or might not fit a traditional scientific definition of tear gas but are as potent and have the same effects .
CS and CN are classic categories of tear gasses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington , reported that its journalists found spent OC and CS canisters on the street immediately after authorities cleared the protest ; one canister was still warm .
TRUMP : “ Washington , D.C. , was the safest place on earth last night !
” — tweet and Facebook post Tuesday The crackdown on peaceful as well as violent protesters , the injuries to police who were attacked , the fortifications around the White House , the phalanx of police forces and National Guard lining the steps of the Lincoln Memorial , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighborhoods well away from the militarized scene all spoke to the dangers of the night .
More than half a dozen federal agencies joined in the effort to bring order .
Among them , the U.S. Park Police said Tuesday that 51 of its members were injured over the previous four days of demonstrations .
During that time , Trump warned that anyone getting past White House security would face “ the most vicious dogs , and the most ominous weapons.
” At one point early in the confrontations , Secret Service agents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Last Monday night and other nights , Washington was not the safest place on Earth .
The White House may have been the safest place in Washington .
TRUMP : “ Probably the only thing Barack Obama & I have in common is that we both had the honor of firing Jim Mattis , the world ’ s most overrated General.
” — tweet Wednesday THE FACTS : No , what Trump and Obama have in common is that Mattis resigned under them .
They did not fire him .
As Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s defense secretary , Mattis disagreed with elements of administration policy .
This past week he also voiced anger over what he regards as Trump ’ s divisive , immature leadership .
The retired four-star Marine general announced in December 2018 that he would step down in as defense secretary in two months .
“ General Jim Mattis will be retiring , with distinction , ” Trump tweeted then , praising his tenure .
Then Trump flipped his tone , cut short Mattis ’ remaining time and started claiming that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ His nickname was ‘ Chaos , ’ which I didn ’ t like , & changed to ‘ Mad Dog . '
” — tweet Wednesday .
THE FACTS : No , he didn ’ t change Mattis ’ nickname to Mad Dog .
Mattis had been called that for more than a decade before joining the Trump administration .
He was also known by his military call sign Chaos when he was a Marine colonel .
Mattis joked that it stood for “ Colonel Has An Outstanding Solution.
” TRUMP : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So we ’ ve done a great job.
” — interview Wednesday on Fox ’ s “ Brian Kilmeade Show ” TRUMP , on coordination with states : “ We jointly developed testing projections and goals for each state for the month of May , altogether totaling 12.9 million tests .
Think of that : 12.9 million tests.
” — news briefing on May 11 THE FACTS : U.S. testing has been far from “ incredible.
” It was a failure in the crucial early weeks , U.S. officials acknowledge , meaning missed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus before infections surged above 2 million and deaths above 112,000 — a 5.6 % death rate , far higher than in many countries around the world .
Brett Giroir , the lead federal official on testing , said Thursday that the U.S. conducted about 12 million tests in May , falling 900,000 short of the administration ’ s target for the month .
Trump has repeatedly overstated the availability of U.S. testing , falsely declaring in March , in the midst of dire shortages , “ Anybody who wants a test , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ availability of tests varies widely .
Some governors and local officials say they have more tests available than people who want them .
Others say they can ’ t meet the demand .
That ’ s the case at the Department of Veterans Affairs , for example .

The video contained multiple clips showing brick or stone for construction projects and the like, not for a nefarious plot. One clip captured rocks encased in wire frames. Those are actually a protective barrier outside Chabad of Sherman Oaks, a synagogue on Ventura Boulevard in Los Angeles, to stop vehicles from ramming the building.
"They've been there for about a year," Rabbi Mendel Lipskier of the synagogue told The Associated Press. "THESE ARE SECURITY BARRIERS," the synagogue said in a statement reassuring neighbors and friends.
Last Monday, posts had circulated on social media with photos of that gabion wall, falsely describing the stones as being left on Ventura Boulevard "for the next round of Antifa riots" and saying such "drop offs" were being repeated around the country.
That conspiracy theory fed into the White House tweet two days later as Trump and others brushed aside the peaceful nature of most of the protesting, highlighted the violence and portrayed the unrest as overwhelmingly the work of radicals. The White House later deleted the tweet and video without explanation.
___
Capital chaos
TRUMP: "They didn't use tear gas." — Fox News Radio on Wednesday, referring to the previous night's demonstrations outside the White House
KAYLEIGH McENANY, White House press secretary: "No tear gas was used. ... No one was tear-gassed. Let me make that clear." — briefing Wednesday
THE FACTS: People were tear-gassed.
Authorities acknowledged using pepper compound fired in plastic balls. Scientific sources, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, list pepper spray as a tear gas. Officers also fired projectiles containing chemicals that likewise meet the common and scientific definitions of tear gas.
People scattered in the stinging fog, coughing and gagging, some with eyes red and streaming.
"Tear gas is anything that makes you cry," said Dr. Lynn Goldman, dean of the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, speaking of chemicals used in crowd dispersal. "Pepper spray is a tear gas. But there are all kinds of other ones, too."
Dr. Sven-Eric Jordt, who researches tear gas agents and chemical exposure injuries at the Duke University School of Medicine, said newer compounds, categorized as OC agents, might or might not fit a traditional scientific definition of tear gas but are as potent and have the same effects. CS and CN are classic categories of tear gasses.
WUSA9, a CBS affiliate in Washington, reported that its journalists found spent OC and CS canisters on the street immediately after authorities cleared the protest; one canister was still warm.
___
TRUMP: "Washington, D.C., was the safest place on earth last night!" — tweet and Facebook post Tuesday
THE FACTS: Obviously untrue.
The crackdown on peaceful as well as violent protesters, the injuries to police who were attacked, the fortifications around the White House, the phalanx of police forces and National Guard lining the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, and the threat of looting and vandalism in neighborhoods well away from the militarized scene all spoke to the dangers of the night.
More than half a dozen federal agencies joined in the effort to bring order. Among them, the U.S. Park Police said Tuesday that 51 of its members were injured over the previous four days of demonstrations.
During that time, Trump warned that anyone getting past White House security would face "the most vicious dogs, and the most ominous weapons." At one point early in the confrontations, Secret Service agents spirited Trump to a White House bunker.
Last Monday night and other nights, Washington was not the safest place on Earth. The White House may have been the safest place in Washington.
___
Jim Mattis
TRUMP: "Probably the only thing Barack Obama & I have in common is that we both had the honor of firing Jim Mattis, the world's most overrated General." — tweet Wednesday
THE FACTS: No, what Trump and Obama have in common is that Mattis resigned under them. They did not fire him.
As Obama's head of Central Command and Trump's defense secretary, Mattis disagreed with elements of administration policy. This past week he also voiced anger over what he regards as Trump's divisive, immature leadership.
The retired four-star Marine general announced in December 2018 that he would step down in as defense secretary in two months. "General Jim Mattis will be retiring, with distinction," Trump tweeted then, praising his tenure. Then Trump flipped his tone, cut short Mattis' remaining time and started claiming that he'd fired him.
___
TRUMP: "His nickname was 'Chaos,' which I didn't like, & changed to 'Mad Dog.'" — tweet Wednesday.
THE FACTS: No, he didn't change Mattis’ nickname to Mad Dog. Mattis had been called that for more than a decade before joining the Trump administration.
He was also known by his military call sign Chaos when he was a Marine colonel. Mattis joked that it stood for "Colonel Has An Outstanding Solution."
___
Virus testing
TRUMP: "We have incredible testing now. So we've done a great job." — interview Wednesday on Fox's "Brian Kilmeade Show"
TRUMP, on coordination with states: "We jointly developed testing projections and goals for each state for the month of May, altogether totaling 12.9 million tests. Think of that: 12.9 million tests." — news briefing on May 11
THE FACTS: U.S. testing has been far from "incredible." It was a failure in the crucial early weeks, U.S. officials acknowledge, meaning missed opportunity to limit the spread of the virus before infections surged above 2 million and deaths above 112,000 — a 5.6% death rate, far higher than in many countries around the world.
Brett Giroir, the lead federal official on testing, said Thursday that the U.S. conducted about 12 million tests in May, falling 900,000 short of the administration's target for the month.
Trump has repeatedly overstated the availability of U.S. testing, falsely declaring in March, in the midst of dire shortages, "Anybody who wants a test, can get a test."
Now the availability of tests varies widely. Some governors and local officials say they have more tests available than people who want them. Others say they can't meet the demand. That's the case at the Department of Veterans Affairs, for example.
By CALVIN WOODWARD, HOPE YEN and ARIJETA LAJKA


courthousenews--2020-06-08--New Zealand Appears to Have Beaten Coronavirus

Frequent and early testing and a strict , early lockdown were key to New Zealand ’ s apparently successful effort against the Covid-19 pandemic .
WELLINGTON , New Zealand ( AP ) — New Zealand appears to have completely eradicated the coronavirus — at least for now — after health officials said Monday the last known infected person had recovered .
The announcement was greeted with joy around the country and means the nation of 5 million people will be among the first to welcome throngs of fans back into sports stadiums , crowded concerts and remove seating restrictions from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the last new case was reported , during which time an additional 40,000 people have been tested , bringing the number tested to about 300,000 — or 6 % of the population .
Monday was the first time since late February there have been no active cases .
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she was confident New Zealand had halted the spread of the virus but it still must be prepared for more .
“ We are confident we have eliminated transmission of the virus in New Zealand for now , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it is a sustained effort , ” she said at a news conference .
“ We almost certainly will see cases here again , and … that is not a sign that we have failed , it is a reality of this virus .
But if and when that occurs we have to make sure — and we are — that we are prepared.
” More cases are likely to be imported as people enter the country .
For now , the border remains shut to all but citizens and residents , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enter has to go into quarantine .
Ardern said that the Cabinet had agreed to remove almost all remaining virus restrictions beginning at midnight , with the exception of the border strictures .
“ We can hold public events without limitations , private events such as weddings , functions and funerals without limitations , ” Ardern said .
“ Retail is back without limitations .
Hospitality is back without limitations .
Public transport and travel across the country is fully opened.
” Experts say a number of factors helped New Zealand wipe out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the South Pacific gave it vital time to see the devastating spread of the virus in other countries .
And Ardern acted decisively by imposing a strict lockdown early in the outbreak .
She said her government ’ s focus will be on the borders , where isolation and quarantine will continue .
Just over 1,500 people contracted the virus in New Zealand , including 22 who died .
Eliminating the virus won ’ t end the economic pain for the country .
Thousands of people have lost their jobs .
The tourism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of the economy , has been particularly hard hit .
But Monday was a time of celebration for many .
Ardern said that when she heard there were no more active cases , she did a little dance in her living room in front of her daughter Neve , who turns 2 this month .
Ardern said the toddler had no idea what was going on but was happy to join her .

New Zealand appears to have completely eradicated the coronavirus — at least for now — after health officials said Monday the last known infected person had recovered.
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand appears to have completely eradicated the coronavirus — at least for now — after health officials said Monday the last known infected person had recovered.
The announcement was greeted with joy around the country and means the nation of 5 million people will be among the first to welcome throngs of fans back into sports stadiums, crowded concerts and remove seating restrictions from flights.
It has been 17 days since the last new case was reported, during which time an additional 40,000 people have been tested, bringing the number tested to about 300,000 — or 6% of the population. Monday was the first time since late February there have been no active cases.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she was confident New Zealand had halted the spread of the virus but it still must be prepared for more.
"We are confident we have eliminated transmission of the virus in New Zealand for now, but elimination is not a point in time, it is a sustained effort," she said at a news conference. "We almost certainly will see cases here again, and … that is not a sign that we have failed, it is a reality of this virus. But if and when that occurs we have to make sure — and we are — that we are prepared."
More cases are likely to be imported as people enter the country. For now, the border remains shut to all but citizens and residents, with limited exceptions. Everyone who does enter has to go into quarantine.
Ardern said that the Cabinet had agreed to remove almost all remaining virus restrictions beginning at midnight, with the exception of the border strictures.
"We can hold public events without limitations, private events such as weddings, functions and funerals without limitations," Ardern said. "Retail is back without limitations. Hospitality is back without limitations. Public transport and travel across the country is fully opened."
Experts say a number of factors helped New Zealand wipe out the disease. Its isolated location in the South Pacific gave it vital time to see the devastating spread of the virus in other countries. And Ardern acted decisively by imposing a strict lockdown early in the outbreak.
She said her government's focus will be on the borders, where isolation and quarantine will continue.
Just over 1,500 people contracted the virus in New Zealand, including 22 who died.
Eliminating the virus won't end the economic pain for the country. Thousands of people have lost their jobs. The tourism industry, which accounts for about 10% of the economy, has been particularly hard hit.
But Monday was a time of celebration for many. Ardern said that when she heard there were no more active cases, she did a little dance in her living room in front of her daughter Neve, who turns 2 this month. Ardern said the toddler had no idea what was going on but was happy to join her.
By NICK PERRY


courthousenews--2020-06-08--Cristobal Weakens to Tropical Depression in South

NEW ORLEANS ( AP ) — Cristobal weakened to a tropical depression Monday morning , after crashing ashore as a lopsided tropical storm Sunday in Louisiana and ginning up dangerous weather farther east , sending waves crashing over Mississippi beaches , swamping parts of an Alabama island town and spawning a tornado in Florida .
Cristobal made a Saturday afternoon landfall between the mouth of the Mississippi River and the since-evacuated barrier island resort community of Grand Isle , with 50-mph winds .
Making landfall well under hurricane strength , the storm had begun weakening as it moved inland — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were continuing along the Gulf Coast , threatening a wide area into the Florida Panhandle .
At 4 a.m. CDT Monday , Cristobal was centered about 40 miles north of Baton Rouge , Louisiana , packing winds of 35 mph .
With drenching rains , Cristobal — moving north-northwest at 10 mph — was expected to keep inundating the northern Gulf Coast well into Monday , but tropical storm warnings had been discontinued .
Cristobal ’ s forecast path takes it inland through northeastern Louisiana and southwestern Mississippi on Monday , continuing through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , and reaching Wisconsin and the western Great Lakes by Wednesday .
The National Hurricane Center in Miami said additional weakening was expected through Tuesday but some strengthening was expected Tuesday night and Wednesday .
In New Orleans , the question was how much rain would fall and whether there would be enough breaks in the bands of heavy weather for the beleaguered pumping system to meet its latest test of keeping streets free of flood waters .
Coastal Mississippi news outlets reported stalled cars and trucks as floodwaters inundated beaches and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Biloxi Facebook page , officials said emergency workers helped dozens of motorists through flood waters , mostly on U.S. 90 along the coast .
In Alabama , the bridge linking the mainland to Dauphin Island was closed much of Sunday .
Police and state transportation department vehicles led convoys of motorists to and from the island when breaks in the weather permitted .
Forecasters said up to 12 inches of rain could fall in some areas , with storm surges up to 5 feet .
The weather service warned that rain would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gulf Coast and up into the Mississippi Valley .
“ It ’ s very efficient , very tropical rainfall , ” National Hurricane Center Director Ken Graham said in a Facebook video .
“ It rains a whole bunch real quick.
” Rising water on Lake Pontchartrain near New Orleans pushed about 2 feet of water into the first floor of Rudy Horvath ’ s residence — a boathouse that sits on pilings over the brackish lake .
Horvath said he and his family have lived there a year and have learned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They ’ ve put tables on the lower floor to stack belongings above the high water .
“ We thought it would be pretty cool to live out here , and it has been , ” Horvath said .
“ The sunsets are great .
Elsewhere in south Louisiana , water covered the only road to Grand Isle and in low-lying parts of Plaquemines Parish at the state ’ s southeastern tip .
“ You can ’ t go down there by car , ” shrimper Acy Cooper said Sunday of one marina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go by boat.
” In Florida , a tornado — the second in two days in the state as the storm approached — uprooted trees and downed power lines Sunday afternoon south of Lake City near Interstate 75 , the weather service and authorities said .
There were no reports of injuries .
The storm also forced a waterlogged stretch of Interstate 10 in north Florida to close for a time Sunday .
Rain fell intermittently in the New Orleans French Quarter on Sunday afternoon , and the streets were nearly deserted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to the coronavirus .
Daniel Priestman said he didn ’ t see people frantically stocking up as in previous storms .
He said people may be “ overwhelmed ” by the coronavirus and recent police violence and protests .
They seemed “ resigned to whatever happens — happens , ” he said .
At one New Orleans intersection , a handmade “ Black Lives Matter ” sign , wired to a lamppost , rattled in a stiff wind as the crew of a massive vacuum truck worked to unclog a storm drain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Orleans said the city ’ s aging street drainage system has limits , so residents should avoid underpasses and low-lying areas prone to street flooding .
Jefferson Parish , a suburb of New Orleans , had called for voluntary evacuations Saturday of some low-lying communities because of threatened storm surge , high tides and heavy rain .
President Trump agreed to issue an emergency declaration for Louisiana , officials said .

Cristobal weakened to a tropical depression Monday morning, after crashing ashore as a lopsided tropical storm Sunday in Louisiana and ginning up dangerous weather farther east, sending waves crashing over Mississippi beaches, swamping parts of an Alabama island town and spawning a tornado in Florida.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Cristobal weakened to a tropical depression Monday morning, after crashing ashore as a lopsided tropical storm Sunday in Louisiana and ginning up dangerous weather farther east, sending waves crashing over Mississippi beaches, swamping parts of an Alabama island town and spawning a tornado in Florida.
Cristobal made a Saturday afternoon landfall between the mouth of the Mississippi River and the since-evacuated barrier island resort community of Grand Isle, with 50-mph winds.
Making landfall well under hurricane strength, the storm had begun weakening as it moved inland — but heavy rainfall and a storm surge were continuing along the Gulf Coast, threatening a wide area into the Florida Panhandle.
At 4 a.m. CDT Monday, Cristobal was centered about 40 miles north of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, packing winds of 35 mph. With drenching rains, Cristobal — moving north-northwest at 10 mph — was expected to keep inundating the northern Gulf Coast well into Monday, but tropical storm warnings had been discontinued.
Cristobal's forecast path takes it inland through northeastern Louisiana and southwestern Mississippi on Monday, continuing through Arkansas and eastern Missouri Monday night and Tuesday, and reaching Wisconsin and the western Great Lakes by Wednesday. The National Hurricane Center in Miami said additional weakening was expected through Tuesday but some strengthening was expected Tuesday night and Wednesday.
In New Orleans, the question was how much rain would fall and whether there would be enough breaks in the bands of heavy weather for the beleaguered pumping system to meet its latest test of keeping streets free of flood waters.
Rudy Horvath Jr., left, moves his bicycle from his home, a boat house in the West End section of New Orleans, as his father, Rudy Horvath Sr., right, looks on after it took on water from a rising storm surge from Lake Pontchartrain in advance of Tropical Storm Cristobal, Sunday, June 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Coastal Mississippi news outlets reported stalled cars and trucks as floodwaters inundated beaches and crashed over highways. On the City of Biloxi Facebook page, officials said emergency workers helped dozens of motorists through flood waters, mostly on U.S. 90 along the coast.
In Alabama, the bridge linking the mainland to Dauphin Island was closed much of Sunday. Police and state transportation department vehicles led convoys of motorists to and from the island when breaks in the weather permitted.
Forecasters said up to 12 inches of rain could fall in some areas, with storm surges up to 5 feet. The weather service warned that rain would contribute to rivers flooding on the central Gulf Coast and up into the Mississippi Valley.
"It's very efficient, very tropical rainfall," National Hurricane Center Director Ken Graham said in a Facebook video. "It rains a whole bunch real quick."
Rising water on Lake Pontchartrain near New Orleans pushed about 2 feet of water into the first floor of Rudy Horvath's residence — a boathouse that sits on pilings over the brackish lake. Horvath said he and his family have lived there a year and have learned to take the occasional flood in stride. They've put tables on the lower floor to stack belongings above the high water.
"We thought it would be pretty cool to live out here, and it has been," Horvath said. "The sunsets are great.
Elsewhere in south Louisiana, water covered the only road to Grand Isle and in low-lying parts of Plaquemines Parish at the state's southeastern tip. "You can't go down there by car," shrimper Acy Cooper said Sunday of one marina in the area. "You have to go by boat."
In Florida, a tornado — the second in two days in the state as the storm approached — uprooted trees and downed power lines Sunday afternoon south of Lake City near Interstate 75, the weather service and authorities said. There were no reports of injuries.
The storm also forced a waterlogged stretch of Interstate 10 in north Florida to close for a time Sunday.
Rain fell intermittently in the New Orleans French Quarter on Sunday afternoon, and the streets were nearly deserted, with many businesses already boarded up due to the coronavirus.
Daniel Priestman said he didn't see people frantically stocking up as in previous storms. He said people may be "overwhelmed" by the coronavirus and recent police violence and protests. They seemed "resigned to whatever happens — happens," he said.
At one New Orleans intersection, a handmade "Black Lives Matter" sign, wired to a lamppost, rattled in a stiff wind as the crew of a massive vacuum truck worked to unclog a storm drain.
The Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans said the city's aging street drainage system has limits, so residents should avoid underpasses and low-lying areas prone to street flooding.
Jefferson Parish, a suburb of New Orleans, had called for voluntary evacuations Saturday of some low-lying communities because of threatened storm surge, high tides and heavy rain.
President Trump agreed to issue an emergency declaration for Louisiana, officials said.
By GERALD HERBERT and KEVIN McGILL


courthousenews--2020-06-08--Worm Turns on Trump’s Path to Re-election

The Covid-19 pandemic and nationwide demonstrations against police violence have complicated the nation ’ s political situation .
WASHINGTON ( AP ) — Less than five months before voters will decide his fate , President Trump is confronting a vastly different political reality than he envisioned not long ago .
For starters , if the election were held today , he ’ d likely lose .
The president , West Wing advisers and campaign aides have grown increasingly concerned about his reelection chances as they ’ ve watched Trump ’ s standing take a pummeling on his handling of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wave of protests against racial injustice .
His allies worry the president has achieved something his November foe had been unable to do : igniting enthusiasm in a Democratic Party base that ’ s been lukewarm to former Vice President Joe Biden .
Trump was facing tougher political prospects even before the death of George Floyd .
Covid-19 ’ s mounting human and economic tolls — and the president ’ s incoherent response — cost him support among constituencies his campaign believes are key to victory in November .
His signature rallies had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cash advantage over Biden , while vast , wasn ’ t growing as quickly as hoped because the pandemic put a halt to high-dollar fund raisers .
Internal campaign surveys and public polling showed a steady erosion in support for Trump among seniors and in battleground states once believed to be leaning in his direction , according to six current and former campaign officials not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations .
The campaign recently launched a television ad blitz in Ohio , a state the Trump carried by 8 percentage points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trouble in Arizona and warning signs in once-safely Republican Georgia .
Aides have warned that the renewed national conversation about racial injustice and Trump ’ s big “ law and order ” push have animated parts of the Democratic base — black and younger voters — whose lagging enthusiasm for Hillary Clinton in 2016 cleared the way for Trump ’ s narrow victory .
“ I have polls , ” Trump told Fox News Radio on Thursday , dismissing a spate of public surveys showing him trailing Biden in key states .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ losing to Hillary in every state , and I won every state.
” Though outwardly confident , Trump has complained to advisers in White House meetings about the perception that he is losing to Biden and has pressed his aides for strategies to improve his standing .
In late May , the Trump campaign moved two veteran political aides into senior leadership roles , in an effort to bring more experience to the campaign team .
And on Friday , the campaign brought on board former communications chief Jason Miller as a senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seized on better-than-expected economic news Friday — the nation added 2.5 million jobs in May and the unemployment rate fell — with an over-the-top victory lap , selling it as a sign of a post-pandemic economic comeback that the president ’ s advisers believe will be the single most important factor in victory in November .
The campaign ’ s plan had been to spend the spring of 2020 trying to malign Biden , a strategy that went out the window when Covid-19 reached U.S. shores .
Trump ’ s aides have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to largely stay out of public sight ; they believe the gaffe-prone Democrat often damages himself when speaking in public settings .
Now discussions are under way for a renewed effort to attack Biden on several fronts , according to the officials .
Among the lines of attack : his ties to China , which the White House blames for the spread of the pandemic ; Hunter Biden , the vice president ’ s son , whom aides believe can be painted as a symbol of corruption ; and Biden ’ s support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump says helped create conditions that have led to the unrest in U.S. cities .
“ A lot of Americans know of Joe Biden , but not too many know Joe Biden .
And our job is to educate voters about the real Joe Biden , ” said Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtagh .
“ He ’ s sided with the rioters .
He ’ s barely made a passing reference to all the violence that happened .
Black Americans care about safe communities , too.
” Driving up Biden ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump team : It sees little it can do to increase the president ’ s own favorability numbers , which have been stubbornly underwater since Trump took office .
In 2016 , Clinton ’ s negative favorability ratings were nearly as high as Trump ’ s , and voters who disliked both candidates largely broke for Trump .
But those same type of voters , at least for now , favor Biden this time around and the former vice president is viewed more favorably by the public .
“ The Trump campaign keeps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big game and then getting smoked on the field , ” said Biden campaign spokesman T.J. Ducklo .
“ The Trump campaign and their Super PAC have spent nearly $ 20 million attacking Biden since April 1 , and they have watched Trump steadily decline in the polls.
” Trump has tried to adjust to the new reality in which packed rallies are prohibited by social distancing requirements .
He ’ s been scheduling taxpayer-funded trips to battleground states .
Friday ’ s trip to Maine was the latest White House visit doubling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Michigan , Pennsylvania , Florida and Arizona .
But Trump has been hankering for a return to his old mainstay , so much so that he yanked the public-facing parts of the Republican National Convention from North Carolina , casting doubt on millions of dollars of commitments and more than a year of planning .
Now the boring business of the convention will remain in Charlotte , but the celebratory aspects will shift to a to-be-determined city that will allow Trump to put on the show he desires , without social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has demanded that the campaign prepare to schedule rallies as soon as the summer , aides have cautioned that it could be risky to fill an arena — creating the potential for negative news stories if the virus were found to have spread at a campaign event .
And that is if they could even persuade the requisite crowds to gather before there is a vaccine .

Less than five months before voters will decide his fate, President Trump is confronting a vastly different political reality than he envisioned not long ago. For starters, if the election were held today, he'd likely lose.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Less than five months before voters will decide his fate, President Trump is confronting a vastly different political reality than he envisioned not long ago. For starters, if the election were held today, he'd likely lose.
The president, West Wing advisers and campaign aides have grown increasingly concerned about his reelection chances as they've watched Trump's standing take a pummeling on his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and now during a nationwide wave of protests against racial injustice. His allies worry the president has achieved something his November foe had been unable to do: igniting enthusiasm in a Democratic Party base that's been lukewarm to former Vice President Joe Biden.
Trump was facing tougher political prospects even before the death of George Floyd. Covid-19's mounting human and economic tolls — and the president’s incoherent response — cost him support among constituencies his campaign believes are key to victory in November. His signature rallies had been frozen for months, and his cash advantage over Biden, while vast, wasn't growing as quickly as hoped because the pandemic put a halt to high-dollar fund raisers.
Internal campaign surveys and public polling showed a steady erosion in support for Trump among seniors and in battleground states once believed to be leaning in his direction, according to six current and former campaign officials not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations. The campaign recently launched a television ad blitz in Ohio, a state the Trump carried by 8 percentage points four years ago, and it sees trouble in Arizona and warning signs in once-safely Republican Georgia.
Aides have warned that the renewed national conversation about racial injustice and Trump’s big "law and order" push have animated parts of the Democratic base — black and younger voters — whose lagging enthusiasm for Hillary Clinton in 2016 cleared the way for Trump's narrow victory.
"I have polls," Trump told Fox News Radio on Thursday, dismissing a spate of public surveys showing him trailing Biden in key states. "Just like last time, I was losing to Hillary in every state, and I won every state."
Though outwardly confident, Trump has complained to advisers in White House meetings about the perception that he is losing to Biden and has pressed his aides for strategies to improve his standing. In late May, the Trump campaign moved two veteran political aides into senior leadership roles, in an effort to bring more experience to the campaign team. And on Friday, the campaign brought on board former communications chief Jason Miller as a senior adviser as well.
The White House seized on better-than-expected economic news Friday — the nation added 2.5 million jobs in May and the unemployment rate fell — with an over-the-top victory lap, selling it as a sign of a post-pandemic economic comeback that the president's advisers believe will be the single most important factor in victory in November.
The campaign's plan had been to spend the spring of 2020 trying to malign Biden, a strategy that went out the window when Covid-19 reached U.S. shores. Trump's aides have been frustrated that the pandemic has allowed Biden to largely stay out of public sight; they believe the gaffe-prone Democrat often damages himself when speaking in public settings.
Now discussions are under way for a renewed effort to attack Biden on several fronts, according to the officials. Among the lines of attack: his ties to China, which the White House blames for the spread of the pandemic; Hunter Biden, the vice president's son, whom aides believe can be painted as a symbol of corruption; and Biden's support for a 1994 crime bill, which Trump says helped create conditions that have led to the unrest in U.S. cities.
"A lot of Americans know of Joe Biden, but not too many know Joe Biden. And our job is to educate voters about the real Joe Biden," said Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtagh. "He's sided with the rioters. He's barely made a passing reference to all the violence that happened. Black Americans care about safe communities, too."
Driving up Biden's negative ratings is an imperative for the Trump team: It sees little it can do to increase the president's own favorability numbers, which have been stubbornly underwater since Trump took office. In 2016, Clinton's negative favorability ratings were nearly as high as Trump's, and voters who disliked both candidates largely broke for Trump. But those same type of voters, at least for now, favor Biden this time around and the former vice president is viewed more favorably by the public.
"The Trump campaign keeps calling the same play, talking a big game and then getting smoked on the field," said Biden campaign spokesman T.J. Ducklo. "The Trump campaign and their Super PAC have spent nearly $20 million attacking Biden since April 1, and they have watched Trump steadily decline in the polls."
Trump has tried to adjust to the new reality in which packed rallies are prohibited by social distancing requirements. He's been scheduling taxpayer-funded trips to battleground states. Friday's trip to Maine was the latest White House visit doubling as a campaign stop, after others to Michigan, Pennsylvania, Florida and Arizona.
But Trump has been hankering for a return to his old mainstay, so much so that he yanked the public-facing parts of the Republican National Convention from North Carolina, casting doubt on millions of dollars of commitments and more than a year of planning. Now the boring business of the convention will remain in Charlotte, but the celebratory aspects will shift to a to-be-determined city that will allow Trump to put on the show he desires, without social distancing against the Covid-19 pandemic.
While Trump has demanded that the campaign prepare to schedule rallies as soon as the summer, aides have cautioned that it could be risky to fill an arena — creating the potential for negative news stories if the virus were found to have spread at a campaign event. And that is if they could even persuade the requisite crowds to gather before there is a vaccine.
By JONATHAN LEMIRE and ZEKE MILLER


courthousenews--2020-06-08--‘Chainsaw Man’ Charged With Attacking Protesters

MCALLEN , Texas ( CN ) — A South Texas man was charged and arraigned Saturday with revving a chainsaw and shouting racial slurs at people protesting police brutality and the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police .
Daniel Soto Pena , 44 , was charged with one count of misdemeanor assault and four counts of deadly conduct , according to Hidalgo County Jail records .
In a viral video taken by a bystander on Friday , Pena is shown exiting a truck in downtown McAllen and shouting “ move ” and “ go home ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chainsaw while walking toward several protesters on a sidewalk .
“ Don ’ t let these fucking niggers fool you , ” Pena yells while pointing .
“ Don ’ t let those fucking trash antifa bullshit people .
Don ’ t let these pendejos right here , don ’ t let these assholes lie to you .
This is the [ Rio Grande ] Valley.
” McAllen Mayor Jim Darling apologized to the protesters , saying , “ That is not what we do or who we are.
” “ The ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the mayor tweeted Saturday , ” We will not tolerate such conduct in our City of McAllen.
” The truck that Pena exits had decals for Edinburg-based Delta Specialties Signs & Supply .
The company apologized for the incident and said that Pena was not an employee , “ nor does he represent our company.
” “ We are sadden [ ed ] and heartbroken that this even took place , ” the company posted on Facebook .
“ Delta Specialties Signs & Supply ’ s values and belie [ fs ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ please continue being the voice of change and stand for what is right .
This is a time to stand united and strong.
” Pena remains jailed under $ 17,000 bond .
A GoFundMe campaign claiming to have been started by Pena for help with legal fees has been taken down from the website .
The campaign allegedly claimed some protesters “ are just there to vandalize and to affect the small local business.
” “ To be honest I ’ m tired about what is going on in the USA and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peacefully I told some of the protester to take it easy and go home , ” the campaign allegedly stated .
“ I think the Rio Grand [ e ] Valley area don ’ t need this kind of demonstration since others are affected by the protesters and most likely some of them are not even there for the real cause.
” GoFundMe confirmed Saturday it had taken down the campaign for unspecified violations of its terms of service .
A second GoFundMe campaign for Pena ’ s benefit was created Saturday evening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did nothing wrong ” and was “ protecting his body and property as armed protesters attacked him , ” a statement that does not align with what is seen on the video .

A South Texas man was charged and arraigned Saturday with revving a chainsaw and shouting racial slurs at people protesting police brutality and the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.
MCALLEN, Texas (CN) — A South Texas man was charged and arraigned Saturday with revving a chainsaw and shouting racial slurs at people protesting police brutality and the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.
Daniel Soto Pena, 44, was charged with one count of misdemeanor assault and four counts of deadly conduct, according to Hidalgo County Jail records.
In a viral video taken by a bystander on Friday, Pena is shown exiting a truck in downtown McAllen and shouting “move” and “go home” several times as he fires up a chainsaw while walking toward several protesters on a sidewalk.
“Don’t let these fucking niggers fool you,” Pena yells while pointing. “Don’t let those fucking trash antifa bullshit people. Don’t let these pendejos right here, don’t let these assholes lie to you. This is the [Rio Grande] Valley.”
McAllen Mayor Jim Darling apologized to the protesters, saying, “That is not what we do or who we are.”
“The ‘chainsaw’ man has been arrested,” the mayor tweeted Saturday,” We will not tolerate such conduct in our City of McAllen.”
The truck that Pena exits had decals for Edinburg-based Delta Specialties Signs & Supply. The company apologized for the incident and said that Pena was not an employee, “nor does he represent our company.”
“We are sadden[ed] and heartbroken that this even took place,” the company posted on Facebook. “Delta Specialties Signs & Supply’s values and belie[fs] are not the ones represented today … please continue being the voice of change and stand for what is right. This is a time to stand united and strong.”
Pena remains jailed under $17,000 bond. A GoFundMe campaign claiming to have been started by Pena for help with legal fees has been taken down from the website. The campaign allegedly claimed some protesters “are just there to vandalize and to affect the small local business.”
“To be honest I’m tired about what is going on in the USA and I did step out of my truck and peacefully I told some of the protester to take it easy and go home,” the campaign allegedly stated. “I think the Rio Grand[e] Valley area don’t need this kind of demonstration since others are affected by the protesters and most likely some of them are not even there for the real cause.”
GoFundMe confirmed Saturday it had taken down the campaign for unspecified violations of its terms of service.
A second GoFundMe campaign for Pena’s benefit was created Saturday evening by another user, claiming Pena “did nothing wrong” and was “protecting his body and property as armed protesters attacked him,” a statement that does not align with what is seen on the video.


courthousenews--2020-06-09--Congressman Vents Vets’ Disgust with Trump Politicizing the Military: ‘They’re All Appalled’

( CN ) – An ex-Marine turned U.S. congressman , Representative Ruben Gallego has been having numerous conversations with his fellow veteran-lawmakers about President Trump ’ s use of the military last week on the streets of Washington , D.C. Each of them had the same reaction .
“ They ’ re all appalled by it , ” Gallego said in an interview Monday .
“ They know that there is a thin line that connects our democracy to an apolitical military and these types of actions really blur that line .
We want to make sure that we want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After announcing the troops ’ deployment at a carefully stage-managed briefing , Trump followed up on the D.C. mayor ’ s request to withdraw them on Sunday in his traditional manner : with a tweet .
Now sitting on two House Armed Services subcommittees , Gallego , of Arizona ’ s 7th Congressional District , is well-placed to investigate what happened during those intense days .
The congressman joined a group of 30 House Democrats last week calling for answers from Secretary of Defense Mark Esper , Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McCarthy on why 4,000 troops deployed to the U.S. Capitol during peacetime .
“ There has been some pushback by the Pentagon to come in and testify , ” Gallego said of those requests , adding that he believes the committee ultimately will be successful .
If brought before Congress , General Milley would certainly face questions about his decision to stroll down the streets of Washington last week in battle fatigues , and Secretary Esper would be asked to clarify what he meant in describing civilian streets as a “ battlespace ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of U.S. cities that inspired widespread outrage .
“ if you ’ re bringing military professionals into the streets , during a political fight essentially and being used as props , you ’ re gon na diminish the standing of the military and in the long term diminish their ability to operate a democracy , ” Gallego said .
Drawing international scrutiny from human rights observers was the appearance of Lakota and Blackhawk helicopters flying low above protesters ’ heads , a technique known as a show of force during the Iraq War @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to disperse peaceful protesters , or to intimidate protesters , that is just wrong , ” Gallego said .
“ Those types of actions are the actions that we used to use in Iraq against insurgents .
You don ’ t do that to U.S. citizens , as much as you may not like their politics.
” On Friday , Human Rights Watch went further , calling the maneuver a dangerous and excessive use of force prohibited by international human rights law .
The wind shooting from the copters snapped tree branches and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that type of force being used on Americans , peaceful Americans , it scares me , because it tells you that we ’ re sliding down a path we don ’ t want to go to , ” Gallego recalled reacting .
“ And the fact that those officers and those pilots , even though they probably were ordered to do it didn ’ t stop and say : ‘ No I won ’ t do that .
This is the United States of America.
’ ” For Gallego , the image symbolized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s where we have to be very , very afraid because if we slide ourselves away from a democracy closer to some type of authoritarian regime , it ’ s not going to happen automatically , ” he said .
“ It ’ s gon na happen with these little things , such as the pilots doing the downdraft or those federal police in front of the White House shooting at innocent protesters with tear gas.
” The congressman also revealed that the Armed Services Committee is eyeing language on the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appropriations bill , to restrict its use of force on civilians .
Another visual warning for the congressman has been the appearance of federal officers on the streets without visual badges , avoiding questions from reporters about what agency ’ s they serve .
In a June 4th letter to Attorney General Bill Barr , four Democrats—Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi and Hakeem Jeffries along with Senators Liz Warren and Cory Booker—showed the photographs and demanded answers .
The letter asked whether any of the law enforcement officials sent by the Bureau of Prisons included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action , where you have nameless police officers being flown in with zero accountability is a slow slide , I think , to a possible police state , which I don ’ t think any of us wants , ” Gallego commented .
The congressman hopes that veteran-lawmakers can serve as an example for armed service members .
“ We know what it is to be a soldier , sailor , Marine , airman , ” Gallego said .
“ And we ’ re going to defend that honor that we ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the military is here to be apolitical and to protect citizens—and certainly not to be ordered in the streets to shoot them.
” Reminding members of the military that history is watching , Gallego noted that Trump will not always remain president .
“ Hopefully it ’ s within the next , with this election cycle , but we will find out who acted dishonorably , ” he said .
“ We will find out who did illegal orders .
Paperwork is very easy to track down , and if you violated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of giving out or following illegal orders , you will be held accountable.
” While largely approving the behavior of National Guard troops on the ground , Gallego worried about the message sent in deploying an “ occupying force in D.C. ” in such massive numbers .
“ They had one or two nights of some looting happening , but to occupy the city with 4,000 troops during peacetime , you ’ re trying to send a message , ” Gallego said .
“ You ’ re not actually trying to quell any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has nothing to do with trying to keep looters away .
I think it ’ s more the message that this president is trying to say is that he can do this.
” On the night Milley walked on the streets of Washington in military attire , Gallego fired off a letter to the general consisting of a single question : “ Do you intended to obey illegal orders from the President ?
” Asked whether Milley responded , Gallego answered that the general ’ s staff passed on the message that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law .

Representative Ruben Gallego wants to know why President Trump deployed troops on home soil and is set to start an investigation into it.
(CN) — An ex-Marine turned U.S. congressman, Representative Ruben Gallego has been having numerous conversations with his fellow veteran-lawmakers about President Trump’s use of the military last week on the streets of Washington, D.C.
Each of them had the same reaction.
“They're all appalled by it,” Gallego said in an interview Monday. “They know that there is a thin line that connects our democracy to an apolitical military and these types of actions really blur that line. We want to make sure that we want to push back hard on it.”
After announcing the troops' deployment at a carefully stage-managed briefing, Trump followed up on the Washington mayor's request to withdraw them on Sunday in his traditional manner: with a tweet.
Now sitting on two House Armed Services subcommittees, Gallego, of Arizona's 7th Congressional District, is well-placed to investigate what happened during those intense days. The congressman joined a group of 30 House Democrats last week calling for answers from Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley and Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy on why 4,000 troops deployed to the U.S. Capitol during peacetime.
“There has been some pushback by the Pentagon to come in and testify,” Gallego said of those requests, adding that he believes the committee ultimately will be successful.
If brought before Congress, General Milley would certainly face questions about his decision to stroll down the streets of Washington last week in battle fatigues, and Secretary Esper would be asked to clarify what he meant in describing civilian streets as a “battlespace” to “dominate” — a militarization of U.S. cities that inspired widespread outrage.
“If you're bringing military professionals into the streets, during a political fight essentially and being used as props, you're gonna diminish the standing of the military and in the long term diminish their ability to operate a democracy,” Gallego said.
Drawing international scrutiny from human rights observers was the appearance of Lakota and Blackhawk helicopters flying low above protesters’ heads, a technique known as a show of force during the Iraq War.
“When you use helicopter-created downdraft to disperse peaceful protesters, or to intimidate protesters, that is just wrong,” Gallego said. “Those types of actions are the actions that we used to use in Iraq against insurgents. You don't do that to U.S. citizens, as much as you may not like their politics.”
On Friday, Human Rights Watch went further, calling the maneuver a dangerous and excessive use of force prohibited by international human rights law. The wind shooting from the copters snapped tree branches and sent debris flying.
“To see that type of force being used on Americans, peaceful Americans, it scares me, because it tells you that we're sliding down a path we don't want to go to,” Gallego recalled reacting. “And the fact that those officers and those pilots, even though they probably were ordered to do it didn't stop and say: ‘No I won't do that. This is the United States of America.’”
For Gallego, the image symbolized a descent into autocracy.
“That's where we have to be very, very afraid because if we slide ourselves away from a democracy closer to some type of authoritarian regime, it's not going to happen automatically,” he said. “It's gonna happen with these little things, such as the pilots doing the downdraft or those federal police in front of the White House shooting at innocent protesters with tear gas.”
Ruben Gallego, U.S. Congresman from Arizona's 7th Congressional District.
The congressman also revealed that the Armed Services Committee is eyeing language on the National Defense Authorization Act, the annual military appropriations bill, to restrict its use of force on civilians.
Another visual warning for the congressman has been the appearance of federal officers on the streets without visual badges, avoiding questions from reporters about what agency’s they serve.
In a June 4th letter to Attorney General Bill Barr, four Democrats — Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi and Hakeem Jeffries along with Senators Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker — showed the photographs and demanded answers. The letter asked whether any of the law enforcement officials sent by the Bureau of Prisons included private contractors.
“That type of action, where you have nameless police officers being flown in with zero accountability is a slow slide, I think, to a possible police state, which I don't think any of us wants,” Gallego commented.
The congressman hopes that veteran-lawmakers can serve as an example for armed service members.
“We know what it is to be a soldier, sailor, Marine, airman,” Gallego said. “And we're going to defend that honor that we've established over the last 200 some years that the military is here to be apolitical and to protect citizens — and certainly not to be ordered in the streets to shoot them.”
Reminding members of the military that history is watching, Gallego noted that Trump will not always remain president.
“Hopefully it's within the next, with this election cycle, but we will find out who acted dishonorably,” he said. “We will find out who did illegal orders. Paperwork is very easy to track down, and if you violated Americans' civil liberties in the process of giving out or following illegal orders, you will be held accountable.”
While largely approving the behavior of National Guard troops on the ground, Gallego worried about the message sent in deploying an “occupying force in D.C.” in such massive numbers.
“They had one or two nights of some looting happening, but to occupy the city with 4,000 troops during peacetime, you're trying to send a message,” Gallego said. “You're not actually trying to quell any type of looting, and the message has nothing to do with trying to keep looters away. I think it's more the message that this president is trying to say is that he can do this.”
On the night Milley walked on the streets of Washington in military attire, Gallego fired off a letter to the general consisting of a single question: “Do you intended to obey illegal orders from the President?”
Asked whether Milley responded, Gallego answered that the general’s staff passed on the message that the chairman fully intends to stay within the law.


courthousenews--2020-06-08--LA Remembers George Floyd

LA Remembers George Floyd

LOS ANGELES ( CN ) – Four funeral processions met in downtown Los Angeles to honor the life of George Floyd on Monday , coinciding with services in his hometown of Houston , Texas .
The Southern California procession originated in multiple locations , including the city of Long Beach where Max Thomas , 16 , decorated his family ’ s car with “ Black Lives Matter ” in bright red ink .
“ My closest friends who are minorities talk about police violence and they understand their voices need to be heard , ” Thomas said from behind a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s my other friends who may not agree with me who are speaking about it too .
A change has to come no matter what.
” For nearly two weeks , large protests and rallies have been a regular fixture throughout the country .
In LA , thousands have marched through the streets demanding police reform and to hold officers accountable when they kill unarmed black people .
LA officials announced over the weekend that they would not prosecute civilians for participating in protests as the National Guard , who were called in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pull out of the city .
Left in their wake on Monday was prayer .
When the funeral processions converged downtown , thousands sang to honor victims of police violence and shared with each other their experiences with police brutality .
They included Quintus Moore , father of Grechario Mack , a black man who was shot and killed while having a mental breakdown at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw shopping mall .
Floyd ’ s body will be laid to rest later this week in his hometown .
Floyd was 46 when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police officer pinned his neck to the ground with his knee .
Those moments caught on video have become synonymous with the groundswell of support for victims of police violence and a push against racism .
Sisters Julianna , 17 , and Katherine Maleki , 23 , wrote the name of Tony McDade , a black trans man who was shot and killed by a Tallahassee , Florida police officer just two days after Floyd was killed .
“ Too many people are focused on rioters and looters when they talk about protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ What really needs to be called attention to is people of color are not treated the same as other people .
It wasn ’ t acceptable 100 years ago and it isn ’ t now.
” Clergy members led prayers ahead of the procession , while members from the local Black Live Matter chapter poured holy water onto the ground and spoke out the names of other people of color killed by police .
Water was poured for Breonna Taylor , an EMT who was shot and killed in her Louisville @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as Trayvon Martin , a 17-year-old boy who was shot and killed in Florida in 2012 .
The organizers ran out of water only after a few minutes , but continued to read out names .
Alejandra Lopez , 20 , says Floyd ’ s murder feels different for so many reasons , like the fact that his death happened during a global pandemic .
“ Folks were at home and this was able to get their attention .
And they were mad , ” Lopez said .
“ You have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking the opportunity .
There ’ s this strong momentum that can not be denied .
”

Four funeral processions met in downtown Los Angeles to honor the life of George Floyd on Monday, coinciding with services in his hometown of Houston, Texas.
LOS ANGELES (CN) — Four funeral processions met in downtown Los Angeles to honor the life of George Floyd on Monday, coinciding with services in his hometown of Houston, Texas.
The Southern California procession originated in multiple locations, including the city of Long Beach where Max Thomas, 16, decorated his family’s car with “Black Lives Matter” in bright red ink.
“My closest friends who are minorities talk about police violence and they understand their voices need to be heard,” Thomas said from behind a cloth mask. “Now it’s my other friends who may not agree with me who are speaking about it too. A change has to come no matter what.”
For nearly two weeks, large protests and rallies have been a regular fixture throughout the country. In LA, thousands have marched through the streets demanding police reform and to hold officers accountable when they kill unarmed black people.
LA officials announced over the weekend that they would not prosecute civilians for participating in protests as the National Guard, who were called in after reports of looting, began to pull out of the city.
Left in their wake on Monday was prayer.
When the funeral processions converged downtown, thousands sang to honor victims of police violence and shared with each other their experiences with police brutality.
They included Quintus Moore, father of Grechario Mack, a black man who was shot and killed while having a mental breakdown at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw shopping mall.
Moore said people who criticize the Black Lives Matter movement try to paint the issue as ignoring other groups of people.
“If you live in a beautiful neighborhood and everyone has a nice home and someone else’s house catches fire, when the fire department comes it would be absurd for the person whose house isn’t on fire to say, 'What about my house?'” Moore said.
He explained how his son was shot and killed in June 2018.
“That’s when they set my house on fire,” he said.
Melina Abdullah, co-founder of the LA Black Lives Matter chapter and a professor at California State University Los Angeles said, “We say Black Lives Matter unapologetically because it's black people who stand at the bottom of every economic, social and political measure. And if we refuse to say it we will stay there.”
Abdullah told the rally crowd that she takes issue with clergy members taking a knee with police officers in a sign of solidarity.
“It's really important that when we say abolition we mean tearing down the system of policing that we are now submitting to and also building something new,” Abdullah said.
Floyd’s body will be laid to rest later this week in his hometown. Floyd was 46 when he died on Memorial Day after a white police officer pinned his neck to the ground with his knee.
Thousands rallied in downtown Los Angeles on June 8, 2020 at a funeral procession to honor George Floyd and other victims of police violence. (Courthouse News photo/Nathan Solis)
Those moments caught on video have become synonymous with the groundswell of support for victims of police violence and a push against racism.
Sisters Julianna, 17, and Katherine Maleki, 23, wrote the name of Tony McDade, a black trans man who was shot and killed by a Tallahassee, Florida police officer just two days after Floyd was killed.
“Too many people are focused on rioters and looters when they talk about protests around race,” said Julianna Maleki. “What really needs to be called attention to is people of color are not treated the same as other people. It wasn’t acceptable 100 years ago and it isn’t now.”
Dawn Modkins, co-founder of the Long Beach Black Lives Matter chapter, described the symbolism behind the procession as something that will unite people and remind them that no matter where they are police violence is present.
“This is not only to stand up and put the spotlight on the deaths that are in the national media, but in each of these cities we’re all experiencing police violence in enormous ways,” said Modkin.
Clergy members led prayers ahead of the procession, while members from the local Black Live Matter chapter poured holy water onto the ground and spoke out the names of other people of color killed by police.
Water was poured for Breonna Taylor, an EMT who was shot and killed in her Louisville, Kentucky home by police officers, as well as Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old boy who was shot and killed in Florida in 2012.
The organizers ran out of water only after a few minutes, but continued to read out names.
Alejandra Lopez, 20, says Floyd’s murder feels different for so many reasons, like the fact that his death happened during a global pandemic.
“Folks were at home and this was able to get their attention. And they were mad,” Lopez said. “You have this feeling among minority folks who are taking the opportunity. There’s this strong momentum that cannot be denied.”


Safe Release Program

SAN DIEGO — A federal court in California dismissed San Diego County ’ s suit against the federal government for @ @ @ @ @ ” program , which helped asylum seekers travel to sponsors across the country .
The @ @ @ @ @ its claims under the Administrative Procedures Act and the county failed to state a due @ @ @ @ @ legally cognizable theory .
”

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