latimes--2020-06-18--Column: All the stupid excuses for not investigating hangings of Black men in the high desert

The only sign of life in this place of death were the girls shrieking .
All around them , clothes were strewn about and a portable toilet smelled as if it hadn ’ t been emptied in weeks , but the girls giggled with glee as they slid down a grassy hill on pieces of cardboard , sheltered from the Tuesday afternoon high desert sun by the shade of trees .
Malcolm Harsch was found dangling from one of these trees .
On the last morning of May , San Bernardino County sheriff ’ s deputies were summoned to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Harsch had been strung up , his girlfriend said .
The 38-year-old Black man died at the scene .
Now , I ’ d like to believe that most Americans , knowing there have been nonstop protests over police brutality in recent weeks , would think : “ You know , that seems an awful lot like a lynching .
Perhaps we should investigate.
” But not our local law enforcement agencies .
The San Bernardino County Sheriff ’ s Department initially wrote Harsch ’ s death off as a suicide , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s the same story the L.A. County Sheriff ’ s Department offered about Robert Fuller , yet another Black man , who was found hanging from yet another tree — this one mere steps from Palmdale City Hall .
“ A suicide in public , or a hanging in a public place , is not , uhm , unheard of .
They do occur , ” L.A. County Medical Examiner-Coroner Jonathan Lucas insisted at a news conference on Monday morning .
“ And , uhm , I think initially , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t any evidence , uhh , or information that led , uhh , us to believe that there was anything other than a suicide , but that that was , uhh , that change very — I should say we , we felt better that we should look , uhm , into a little more deeply and carefully just considering all the circumstances at play.
” L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva doubled down on that during a “ community conversation ” on Monday afternoon .
“ We ’ re not going to jump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rumor , ” he said , pivoting to spread rumors and offer unfounded conclusions about Fuller ’ s mental health .
“ The facts that we have today don ’ t point to anything other than a suicide.
” Do they really believe this ?
It ’ s the sort of explanation that I ’ d expect from a sheriff ’ s department in Indiana , not California .
For during my decade of Hoosier cosplay , I was often unsure whether some of the people I met were genuinely ignorant or whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about something that seemed obvious — e.g.
, yes , Black people do get sunburned and , no , it ’ s not OK to use the word “ colored ” anymore .
Yes , for real .
So I wanted to hear what residents of Victorville and Palmdale had to say .
Why , I asked in an anonymous informal poll , do you think local law enforcement agencies tried to classify these cases as suicides rather than homicides ?
The answers were predictable and yet somehow still surprising .
In Victorville @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who grew up in the city at a time when racial tensions were rising because Black people were moving in from L.A. She theorized that it was easier for police to say it was a suicide than to “ do the paper work ” of investigating a homicide .
“ The more the protesters show up , the more it will push the cops to investigate and do something , ” she said , as people lined up to speak at a City Council meeting , a few miles from the library where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , all of them Black , agreed that the official response was designed to avoid calling attention to the hanging of a Black man at a time when protests are happening nationwide over racial injustice .
“ They don ’ t like it when we stand up for ourselves , ” one said , recounting how he had been recently harassed by police .
Glancing at the half-dozen Victorville officers glowering at us from across the parking lot , I couldn ’ t help but agree .
An older Black woman admitted she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a suicide , though his family has released a statement saying otherwise .
Her question was why the Sheriff ’ s Department and Victorville officials weren ’ t more forthcoming about what happened , given the national reckoning that ’ s underway on racism .
“ It is suspicious because no one heard about it until after the hanging in Palmdale , ” she said .
“ Where ’ s the transparency ?
” At a protest some 50 miles away in Palmdale , a white woman speculated that , with Fuller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were trying to hide something — a Nazi flag or some other symbol denoting white supremacy .
As we spoke , Black person after Black person got up to vent about the city ’ s entrenched racism , the Confederate flags and racial slurs .
“ Even if it was true what they ’ re saying , ” she said of Villanueva and his deputies , “ why would anyone out here believe them ?
” And this was before deputies killed Fuller ’ s half-brother , Terron Boone , during a shootout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high desert community about 20 miles north of Palmdale .
On Tuesday , a young Black man told me he wasn ’ t at all surprised about how the department had handled Fuller ’ s death .
His friend agreed .
“ The cops thought they could just sweep it under the rug like Malcolm , ” he said .
“ They didn ’ t think anyone would notice.
” I asked whether it was possible the deputies might not have made the connection to lynching .
I brought up — admittedly halfheartedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ School who were put on leave last year after a photo of them smiling and holding a noose surfaced on social media .
An official investigation found they had no knowledge of the racial hatred a noose symbolizes .
“ They knew , ” the friends said almost in unison .
In the end , the general public will probably never know for sure why both sheriff ’ s departments of San Bernardino and Los Angeles tried to close both cases as suicides — even with parallel investigations by the FBI and State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office .
But what is abundantly clear is that it doesn ’ t really matter .
There are huge problems in California ’ s high desert , ones that rival those in parts of the Midwest and Deep South .
It was only five years ago , for example , that Los Angeles County settled with the U.S. Department of Justice over allegations that deputies systematically harassed and discriminated against Black people and Latinos in Palmdale , including with military-style sweeps of federally subsidized Section 8 housing .
Unsurprisingly , when it comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also a thing , which — and I ’ m just spitballing here — might be one reason so few Black men and women want to become deputies and patrol the high desert .
Villanueva was complaining about this very thing on Monday , when a Palmdale resident called into the community conversation to press him about the lack of diversity on his force .
It ’ s an awful cycle of systemic racism that has led to where we are today .
Either the departments , if the sheriffs are to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ignorant that they can ’ t see why a Black man hanging from a tree would be evidence enough to start a homicide investigation .
Or , if we are to believe residents , we have deputies who believe Black lives are expendable .
And since no one will notice when they are gone , why spend money and energy investigating a possible murder that will only rile up Black people and possibly shine a light on longstanding racist practices ?
No wonder people at Tuesday ’ s protest were calling Palmdale a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I haven ’ t heard since my days in Indiana .
“ My brothers and sisters , do not be outside after dark , ” a Black woman pleaded into the microphone across from City Hall .
“ We are in a war zone .
”

People gather at a memorial for Robert Fuller near Palmdale City Hall, where the young Black man was found hanging from a tree last week.
The only sign of life in this place of death were the girls shrieking. All around them, clothes were strewn about and a portable toilet smelled as if it hadn’t been emptied in weeks, but the girls giggled with glee as they slid down a grassy hill on pieces of cardboard, sheltered from the Tuesday afternoon high desert sun by the shade of trees.
Malcolm Harsch was found dangling from one of these trees.
On the last morning of May, San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies were summoned to a homeless encampment outside Victorville’s library. Harsch had been strung up, his girlfriend said. The 38-year-old Black man died at the scene.
Now, I’d like to believe that most Americans, knowing there have been nonstop protests over police brutality in recent weeks, would think: “You know, that seems an awful lot like a lynching. Perhaps we should investigate.”
But not our local law enforcement agencies.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department initially wrote Harsch’s death off as a suicide, saying that foul play was not suspected. It’s the same story the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department offered about Robert Fuller, yet another Black man, who was found hanging from yet another tree — this one mere steps from Palmdale City Hall.
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“A suicide in public, or a hanging in a public place, is not, uhm, unheard of. They do occur,” L.A. County Medical Examiner-Coroner Jonathan Lucas insisted at a news conference on Monday morning.
“And, uhm, I think initially, [long pause] there wasn’t any evidence, uhh, or information that led, uhh, us to believe that there was anything other than a suicide, but that that was, uhh, that change very — I should say we, we felt better that we should look, uhm, into a little more deeply and carefully just considering all the circumstances at play.”
L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva doubled down on that during a “community conversation” on Monday afternoon.
“We’re not going to jump to a conclusion or act on a rumor,” he said, pivoting to spread rumors and offer unfounded conclusions about Fuller’s mental health. “The facts that we have today don’t point to anything other than a suicide.”
Do they really believe this?
It’s the sort of explanation that I’d expect from a sheriff’s department in Indiana, not California. For during my decade of Hoosier cosplay, I was often unsure whether some of the people I met were genuinely ignorant or whether they were racist and merely feigning ignorance about something that seemed obvious — e.g., yes, Black people do get sunburned and, no, it’s not OK to use the word “colored” anymore. Yes, for real.
So I wanted to hear what residents of Victorville and Palmdale had to say. Why, I asked in an anonymous informal poll, do you think local law enforcement agencies tried to classify these cases as suicides rather than homicides?
Advertisement
The answers were predictable and yet somehow still surprising.
In Victorville, I talked to a white woman who grew up in the city at a time when racial tensions were rising because Black people were moving in from L.A. She theorized that it was easier for police to say it was a suicide than to “do the paper work” of investigating a homicide.
“The more the protesters show up, the more it will push the cops to investigate and do something,” she said, as people lined up to speak at a City Council meeting, a few miles from the library where Harsh died.
A group of teenagers, all of them Black, agreed that the official response was designed to avoid calling attention to the hanging of a Black man at a time when protests are happening nationwide over racial injustice.
“They don’t like it when we stand up for ourselves,” one said, recounting how he had been recently harassed by police. Glancing at the half-dozen Victorville officers glowering at us from across the parking lot, I couldn’t help but agree.
An older Black woman admitted she thinks what happened to Harsch might have been a suicide, though his family has released a statement saying otherwise. Her question was why the Sheriff’s Department and Victorville officials weren’t more forthcoming about what happened, given the national reckoning that’s underway on racism.
“It is suspicious because no one heard about it until after the hanging in Palmdale,” she said. “Where’s the transparency?”
At a protest some 50 miles away in Palmdale, a white woman speculated that, with Fuller’s death, maybe the deputies were trying to hide something — a Nazi flag or some other symbol denoting white supremacy. As we spoke, Black person after Black person got up to vent about the city’s entrenched racism, the Confederate flags and racial slurs.
“Even if it was true what they’re saying,” she said of Villanueva and his deputies, “why would anyone out here believe them?” And this was before deputies killed Fuller’s half-brother, Terron Boone, during a shootout on Wednesday afternoon in Rosamond, another high desert community about 20 miles north of Palmdale.
On Tuesday, a young Black man told me he wasn’t at all surprised about how the department had handled Fuller’s death. His friend agreed.
“The cops thought they could just sweep it under the rug like Malcolm,” he said. “They didn’t think anyone would notice.”
I asked whether it was possible the deputies might not have made the connection to lynching. I brought up — admittedly halfheartedly — the four teachers at Summerwind Elementary School who were put on leave last year after a photo of them smiling and holding a noose surfaced on social media. An official investigation found they had no knowledge of the racial hatred a noose symbolizes.
“They knew,” the friends said almost in unison.
In the end, the general public will probably never know for sure why both sheriff’s departments of San Bernardino and Los Angeles tried to close both cases as suicides — even with parallel investigations by the FBI and State Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra’s office. But what is abundantly clear is that it doesn’t really matter.
There are huge problems in California’s high desert, ones that rival those in parts of the Midwest and Deep South.
It was only five years ago, for example, that Los Angeles County settled with the U.S. Department of Justice over allegations that deputies systematically harassed and discriminated against Black people and Latinos in Palmdale, including with military-style sweeps of federally subsidized Section 8 housing.
Unsurprisingly, when it comes to traffic stops, racial profiling is also a thing, which — and I’m just spitballing here — might be one reason so few Black men and women want to become deputies and patrol the high desert. Villanueva was complaining about this very thing on Monday, when a Palmdale resident called into the community conversation to press him about the lack of diversity on his force.
It’s an awful cycle of systemic racism that has led to where we are today.
Either the departments, if the sheriffs are to be believed, have deputies who are so ignorant that they can’t see why a Black man hanging from a tree would be evidence enough to start a homicide investigation.
Or, if we are to believe residents, we have deputies who believe Black lives are expendable. And since no one will notice when they are gone, why spend money and energy investigating a possible murder that will only rile up Black people and possibly shine a light on longstanding racist practices?
No wonder people at Tuesday’s protest were calling Palmdale a “sundown town” — something else I haven’t heard since my days in Indiana.
“My brothers and sisters, do not be outside after dark,” a Black woman pleaded into the microphone across from City Hall. “We are in a war zone.”


latimes--2020-06-18--Column: Let civilians police the police. Politicians and law enforcement are protecting bad cops

The U.S. government had the right answer from the start : civilian control of the armed forces .
State and local governments should have paid attention .
The commander in chief : a civilian .
The ranking No .
2 : a civilian secretary of Defense .
The American military isn ’ t perfect .
But it ’ s basically disciplined and tends to keep the troops in line .
Bad apples are routinely discarded .
Contrast that with local police and sheriffs ’ departments — and , in much of their history , state prison guards .
Bad apples @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re protected by the buddy system and hardly ever tossed .
City councils , boards of supervisors and state legislatures have been afraid to significantly control law enforcement because they fear risking their cozy political relationships with uniformed officers .
Now , finally , public pressure is mounting to force change because of repeated unjust white cop killings of Black men .
Los Angeles , San Francisco and Sacramento are among the cities moving toward dramatically changing their police forces ’ missions .
The goal is for cops to respond mostly only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handle noncriminal incidents .
On Monday , state Atty .
Gen. Xavier Becerra announced a package designed to rein in officers who use excessive force .
He urged that all agencies ban chokeholds , among other killer restraints , and make it easier to dump bad cops .
Last year , the Legislature passed a compromise bill requiring that deadly force be used only when “ necessary ” instead of the old standard : when “ reasonable.
” Police unions in L.A. , San Francisco and San Jose recently proposed a package of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , de-escalation , a duty to intercede [ against abusive cops ] , proportional responses to dangerous incidents and strong accountability.
” Clearly , police unions are responding to the nationwide Black Lives Matter protests and the call to — as politically foolish as it is — “ defund the police.
” It ’ s “ either one of the dumbest ideas of all time or the hands-down winner of the worst slogan ever , ” retired politician Willie Brown wrote in his Sunday column for the San Francisco Chronicle .
Brown was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Francisco mayor and the first Black state Assembly speaker .
On paper , state and local law enforcement are under civilian control .
But it ’ s a façade because politicians — especially Democrats — rely on law enforcement unions to help them get reelected .
Not enough politicians will stand up against the unions to crack down on their members ’ misbehavior , let alone their retirement benefits .
Union endorsements are golden and their campaign money sweetens the pot .
You don ’ t see the Army , Navy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for federal office .
Nor U.S .
Marshals and FBI agents .
What ’ s sorely needed in local law enforcement are independent , nonpolitical entities that investigate alleged abusive officers , recommend whether they should be fired and make their findings public .
Police and sheriff ’ s departments are incapable of honestly investigating themselves because it ’ s a blatant conflict of interest .
And local politicians haven ’ t had the guts to force the issue .
“ Democrats in particular are so afraid of being labeled ‘ soft on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of standing up to police associations , ” says Phil Trounstine , a former political and government reporter for the San Jose Mercury News who became Democratic Gov .
Gray Davis ’ chief spokesman .
“ The only way to gain control of police behavior is to institute genuine civilian control with the power to discipline and terminate police officers for abusive behavior.
” Trounstine and longtime Democratic consultant Garry South are promoting the need for powerful , independent civilian review boards to oversee local law enforcement .
“ I ’ m exposing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says South , who was Davis ’ chief strategist .
“ There ’ s an unholy alliance between Democratic politicians and police officer associations , ” South says .
“ Democrats need to show they ’ re tough on crime .
And one of the ways they do that is scoring endorsements from police associations .
“ I ’ ve sat in on dozens and dozens of endorsement conferences and they ’ re never about law enforcement issues that affect the public .
They ’ re about working conditions , salaries , pensions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing wrong with that , but it puts Democratic politicians in bed with police unions .
“ That ’ s the dirty little secret in the political world that everyone knows but nobody wants to talk about.
” In California , it ’ s illegal to use a law enforcement uniform and badge in a political ad .
“ There ’ s a way around that , ” South says .
“ I ’ ve done it.
” You craft a plastic badge with the union ’ s name on it and rent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Voters “ don ’ t know the difference , ” South says .
“ I ’ ve rented cop cars from movie rental agencies with lights on top flashing around .
“ It ’ s all basically a game .
… The consequences are that when there are calls for really substantial reform , a lot of Democratic politicians are compromised because they ’ re dependent on unions giving them a fig leaf on public safety.
” MapLight , which monitors political donations , counted up $ 7 million in police union contributions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Roughly half the lawmakers received more than $ 50,000 .
The biggest donors were the California Correctional Peace Officers Assn.
, the Peace Officers Research Assn .
of California and the California Assn .
of Highway Patrolmen .
“ That ’ s only a fraction of what police unions spend on politics in California , ” says MapLight President Dan Newman .
Unions have a constitutional right to support political candidates .
But the ability of politicians to repay unions can be substantially lessened by true civilian control of police .

The U.S. government had the right answer from the start: civilian control of the armed forces. State and local governments should have paid attention.
The commander in chief: a civilian. The ranking No. 2: a civilian secretary of Defense.
The American military isn’t perfect. But it’s basically disciplined and tends to keep the troops in line. Bad apples are routinely discarded.
Advertisement
Contrast that with local police and sheriffs’ departments — and, in much of their history, state prison guards. Bad apples stink up the entire place because they’re protected by the buddy system and hardly ever tossed.
City councils, boards of supervisors and state legislatures have been afraid to significantly control law enforcement because they fear risking their cozy political relationships with uniformed officers.
Now, finally, public pressure is mounting to force change because of repeated unjust white cop killings of Black men.
Los Angeles, San Francisco and Sacramento are among the cities moving toward dramatically changing their police forces’ missions. The goal is for cops to respond mostly only to criminal cases — trained specialists would handle noncriminal incidents.
On Monday, state Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra announced a package designed to rein in officers who use excessive force. He urged that all agencies ban chokeholds, among other killer restraints, and make it easier to dump bad cops.
Last year, the Legislature passed a compromise bill requiring that deadly force be used only when “necessary” instead of the old standard: when “reasonable.”
Advertisement
Police unions in L.A., San Francisco and San Jose recently proposed a package of reforms that “emphasizes reverence for life, de-escalation, a duty to intercede [against abusive cops], proportional responses to dangerous incidents and strong accountability.”
Clearly, police unions are responding to the nationwide Black Lives Matter protests and the call to — as politically foolish as it is — “defund the police.”
It’s “either one of the dumbest ideas of all time or the hands-down winner of the worst slogan ever,” retired politician Willie Brown wrote in his Sunday column for the San Francisco Chronicle. Brown was the first Black person to be elected San Francisco mayor and the first Black state Assembly speaker.
On paper, state and local law enforcement are under civilian control. But it’s a façade because politicians — especially Democrats — rely on law enforcement unions to help them get reelected. Not enough politicians will stand up against the unions to crack down on their members’ misbehavior, let alone their retirement benefits.
Union endorsements are golden and their campaign money sweetens the pot.
You don’t see the Army, Navy and Air Force endorsing or donating to candidates for federal office. Nor U.S. Marshals and FBI agents.
What’s sorely needed in local law enforcement are independent, nonpolitical entities that investigate alleged abusive officers, recommend whether they should be fired and make their findings public.
Police and sheriff’s departments are incapable of honestly investigating themselves because it’s a blatant conflict of interest. And local politicians haven’t had the guts to force the issue.
“Democrats in particular are so afraid of being labeled ‘soft on crime’ that they’re terrified of standing up to police associations,” says Phil Trounstine, a former political and government reporter for the San Jose Mercury News who became Democratic Gov. Gray Davis’ chief spokesman.
“The only way to gain control of police behavior is to institute genuine civilian control with the power to discipline and terminate police officers for abusive behavior.”
Trounstine and longtime Democratic consultant Garry South are promoting the need for powerful, independent civilian review boards to oversee local law enforcement.
“I’m exposing the Democrats’ dirty laundry,” says South, who was Davis’ chief strategist.
“There’s an unholy alliance between Democratic politicians and police officer associations,” South says. “Democrats need to show they’re tough on crime. And one of the ways they do that is scoring endorsements from police associations.
“I’ve sat in on dozens and dozens of endorsement conferences and they’re never about law enforcement issues that affect the public. They’re about working conditions, salaries, pensions, binding arbitration. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it puts Democratic politicians in bed with police unions.
“That’s the dirty little secret in the political world that everyone knows but nobody wants to talk about.”
In California, it’s illegal to use a law enforcement uniform and badge in a political ad.
“There’s a way around that,” South says. “I’ve done it.”
You craft a plastic badge with the union’s name on it and rent a uniform from a costume store. Voters “don’t know the difference,” South says. “I’ve rented cop cars from movie rental agencies with lights on top flashing around.
“It’s all basically a game. … The consequences are that when there are calls for really substantial reform, a lot of Democratic politicians are compromised because they’re dependent on unions giving them a fig leaf on public safety.”
Campaign money helps too.
MapLight, which monitors political donations, counted up $7 million in police union contributions to current California legislators over several elections. Roughly half the lawmakers received more than $50,000.
The biggest donors were the California Correctional Peace Officers Assn., the Peace Officers Research Assn. of California and the California Assn. of Highway Patrolmen.
“That’s only a fraction of what police unions spend on politics in California,” says MapLight President Dan Newman.
Unions have a constitutional right to support political candidates.
But the ability of politicians to repay unions can be substantially lessened by true civilian control of police.


latimes--2020-06-17--Days after half brother is found hanging in tree, man is fatally shot amid kidnap probe

The half brother of Robert Fuller , a young Black man who was found hanging from a tree in Palmdale last week , was killed by Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s deputies during a shootout Wednesday afternoon in Kern County , according to law enforcement sources and an attorney for the family .
The fatal shooting of Terron Boone , 31 , occurred about 4:30 p.m. in a parking lot in Rosamond , a community about 20 miles north of Palmdale .
The killing came as activists and community members had been openly critical of how Los Angeles County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into Fuller ’ s death .
Lt. Robert Westphal said authorities were investigating a report from Monday that Boone had pistol-whipped and threatened a former girlfriend .
Westphal said Boone allegedly held the woman , with whom he had had an on-and-off relationship for years , at her residence .
When asked about a connection with Robert Fuller ’ s death , Westphal said he did not have information about Boone ’ s motivations and that “ so far this is a standalone incident.
” Court records show that Boone had been charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counts of making criminal threats , four counts of abusing a cohabitant , two counts of false imprisonment and one count of assault with a deadly weapon .
Westphal said that on Wednesday afternoon undercover detectives trailed a blue SUV that the suspect was riding in and followed it to an apartment complex in Rosamond .
The deputies attempted a traffic stop .
Boone exited the car ’ s passenger side and began shooting , firing at least five shots toward the detectives and striking the police vehicle ’ s hood and roof @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire and shot him multiple times in the chest , killing him , Westphal said .
The woman driving the car , who had a prior relationship with Boone , was shot once in the chest and taken to a local hospital , where she was treated and released Wednesday night .
Her 7-year-old daughter was in the car ’ s back seat but was not injured in the gunfire , Westphal said .
None of the detectives nor their vehicles were equipped with cameras , but investigators are trying to recover footage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systems in the area , Westphal said .
Surveillance video of the incident posted by the Rosamond Community Watchdog , a local news platform , showed multiple vehicles trailing a dark SUV into a housing complex parking lot .
Voices repeatedly shouted , “ Hands up !
” before gunfire erupted .
Westphal said details of an investigation were still pending .
Meanwhile , several men who identified themselves as acquaintances of Boone set up a memorial Thursday morning in the parking lot where he was killed .
They arranged dozens of candles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ T.J. ” next to a bouquet of flowers .
The woman who was driving the car , who identified herself as Boone ’ s fiancee but did not give her name , sat on steps nearby and wept .
Several friends described Boone as a positive person and “ fashion junkie ” who was uplifting people with his hip-hop music .
“ It was always good every time he pulled up with his music real loud , ” said Patrick Dennis , a 34-year-old resident of Lancaster .
Nyki Walker , 29 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had remained friends with him .
She said he was a caring father who was pursuing his path as an artist , having recorded singles and music videos under the name TJ Goon .
“ Terron was the sweetest guy I ’ ve ever dated , and he meant a lot to our community .
A true soldier , a true friend and angel , ” she said .
Walker said Boone had been close to his brother Robert Fuller and had been upset about Fuller ’ s death .
Siara Anderson said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apartment building adjacent to the parking lot in the 3400 block of 15th Street West when Boone was shot .
Anderson said she heard four or five gunshots and saw a man slumped in the passenger seat of a blue sport utility vehicle , clearly dead .
Law enforcement officers , in plainclothes but wearing bulletproof vests , were at the scene , she said , along with about five unmarked police cars .
Jamon Hicks , the attorney representing the Fuller family , said relatives and the legal team had no further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family respectfully asks that their privacy be respected .
Our prayers remain with the Fuller family , ” Hicks said in a statement .
Fuller ’ s death became the focus of national attention , coinciding with huge protests over the police killing of George Floyd .
Fuller from a tree in a Palmdale park on June 10 , and the initial cause of death was listed as suicide .
But after protests , sheriff ’ s officials said they would do a full investigation , with assistance from the FBI and state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with some describing racial incidents in the Antelope Valley and raising concerns over whether Fuller was lynched .
“ This is really crazy to all of us , ” Fuller ’ s sister Diamond Alexander said .
“ We want to find out the truth of what really happened .
Everything that they ’ ve been telling us has not been right .
“ To be here , staring at this tree , it don ’ t make no sense , ” Alexander added .
“ My brother was not suicidal .
My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s family and friends described him as a peacemaker , a street-smart man with shoulder-length dreadlocks and a bright smile who loved music , anime and video games and mostly stayed to himself .
Days before he died , he attended a Black Lives Matter protest .

Matthew Ormseth, Richard Winton, Matt Hamilton, Maya Lau, Alene Tchekmedyian, Leila Miller

The half brother of Robert Fuller, a young Black man who was found hanging from a tree in Palmdale last week, was killed by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies during a shootout Wednesday afternoon in Kern County, according to law enforcement sources and an attorney for the family.
The fatal shooting of Terron Boone, 31, occurred about 4:30 p.m. in a parking lot in Rosamond, a community about 20 miles north of Palmdale. The killing came as activists and community members had been openly critical of how Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies handled the investigation into Fuller’s death.
Lt. Robert Westphal said authorities were investigating a report from Monday that Boone had pistol-whipped and threatened a former girlfriend. Westphal said Boone allegedly held the woman, with whom he had had an on-and-off relationship for years, at her residence.
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When asked about a connection with Robert Fuller’s death, Westphal said he did not have information about Boone’s motivations and that “so far this is a standalone incident.”
Court records show that Boone had been charged Tuesday with multiple criminal counts including six counts of making criminal threats, four counts of abusing a cohabitant, two counts of false imprisonment and one count of assault with a deadly weapon.
Westphal said that on Wednesday afternoon undercover detectives trailed a blue SUV that the suspect was riding in and followed it to an apartment complex in Rosamond. The deputies attempted a traffic stop. Boone exited the car’s passenger side and began shooting, firing at least five shots toward the detectives and striking the police vehicle’s hood and roof, Westphal said.
Three detectives returned fire and shot him multiple times in the chest, killing him, Westphal said.
The woman driving the car, who had a prior relationship with Boone, was shot once in the chest and taken to a local hospital, where she was treated and released Wednesday night. Her 7-year-old daughter was in the car’s back seat but was not injured in the gunfire, Westphal said.
A bullet went through the kitchen window of the home of Joyce Chaney, who lives in the Rosamond complex where Terron Boone was fatally shot by deputies. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Detectives recovered a semiautomatic handgun at the scene.
None of the detectives nor their vehicles were equipped with cameras, but investigators are trying to recover footage from Ring cameras and other home video systems in the area, Westphal said.
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Surveillance video of the incident posted by the Rosamond Community Watchdog, a local news platform, showed multiple vehicles trailing a dark SUV into a housing complex parking lot. Voices repeatedly shouted, “Hands up!” before gunfire erupted.
Westphal said details of an investigation were still pending.
Terron Boone (Courtesy of Nyki Walker)
Meanwhile, several men who identified themselves as acquaintances of Boone set up a memorial Thursday morning in the parking lot where he was killed. They arranged dozens of candles in the shape of the initials “T.J.” next to a bouquet of flowers. The woman who was driving the car, who identified herself as Boone’s fiancee but did not give her name, sat on steps nearby and wept.
Several friends described Boone as a positive person and “fashion junkie” who was uplifting people with his hip-hop music.
“It was always good every time he pulled up with his music real loud,” said Patrick Dennis, a 34-year-old resident of Lancaster.
Nyki Walker, 29, said she used to date Boone and had remained friends with him. She said he was a caring father who was pursuing his path as an artist, having recorded singles and music videos under the name TJ Goon.
“Terron was the sweetest guy I’ve ever dated, and he meant a lot to our community. A true soldier, a true friend and angel,” she said.
Walker said Boone had been close to his brother Robert Fuller and had been upset about Fuller’s death.
Siara Anderson said she was on the balcony of an apartment building adjacent to the parking lot in the 3400 block of 15th Street West when Boone was shot. Anderson said she heard four or five gunshots and saw a man slumped in the passenger seat of a blue sport utility vehicle, clearly dead.
Joyce Chaney, left, talks to the woman who was driving the car at the time of the deputy involved fatal shooting in which Terron Boone was killed. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
Law enforcement officers, in plainclothes but wearing bulletproof vests, were at the scene, she said, along with about five unmarked police cars.
Jamon Hicks, the attorney representing the Fuller family, said relatives and the legal team had no further comment on the incident.
“The family respectfully asks that their privacy be respected. Our prayers remain with the Fuller family,” Hicks said in a statement.
Fuller’s death became the focus of national attention, coinciding with huge protests over the police killing of George Floyd.
Fuller was discovered hanging from a tree in a Palmdale park on June 10, and the initial cause of death was listed as suicide. But after protests, sheriff’s officials said they would do a full investigation, with assistance from the FBI and state attorney general.
Thousands protested this weekend at the park, with some describing racial incidents in the Antelope Valley and raising concerns over whether Fuller was lynched.
“This is really crazy to all of us,” Fuller’s sister Diamond Alexander said. “We want to find out the truth of what really happened. Everything that they’ve been telling us has not been right.
“To be here, staring at this tree, it don’t make no sense,” Alexander added. “My brother was not suicidal. My brother was a survivor.”
Fuller’s family and friends described him as a peacemaker, a street-smart man with shoulder-length dreadlocks and a bright smile who loved music, anime and video games and mostly stayed to himself. Days before he died, he attended a Black Lives Matter protest.


latimes--2020-06-19--Junipero Serra statue to be moved away from Ventura City Hall

Sainthood may reserve a prominent space in heaven for California missionary Junipero Serra , but a statue of the 18th century Roman Catholic priest will soon no longer have a home in front of Ventura City Hall .
Ventura Mayor Matt LaVere , representatives from the Barbareño/Venureño Band of Mission Indians and Father Tom Elewaut , pastor of nearby Mission San Buenaventura , issued a joint statement Thursday agreeing to take down the statue and have it “ moved to a more appropriate non-public location.
” “ I always knew that this moment , despite all the issues our people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chief Julie Tumamait Stenslie , whose Barbareño/Venureño Band comprises Chumash members , said in a phone interview Thursday evening .
“ We ’ re constantly fighting to correct our history , and if there was ever a time to speak up , the time was now.
” While there has been a global movement to remove statues from England to New Zealand , with a focus on Confederate statues in the United States , momentum has been growing in California .
In the last few days , a likeness of explorer Christopher Columbus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while a statue of California Gold Rush colonizer John Sutter was defaced and then removed in Sacramento .
Thursday ’ s joint statement confirmed an agreement to move the statue of Serra , though where and when is still murky .
“ A historic decision such as this must involve the Ventura City Council , the voices of the Chumash tribe and residents of Ventura , ” the statement read .
Serra , born on the Spanish island of Mallorca in 1713 , is a controversial figure in California , particularly among indigenous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 21 missions throughout the state and is perhaps the person most responsible for spreading Roman Catholicism into the Western United States , which then was Spanish territory .
Serra ’ s mission system was responsible for the destruction of several tribes , often through the introduction of foreign diseases .
Tribes that did survive , such as the Chumash , still suffered greatly and were often forced into building the missions .
The mission system not only pressured indigenous peoples into becoming Catholic , but pressured them to assimilate and , therefore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this history , Los Angeles Archbishop José Gómez referred to Serra as one of his “ spiritual heroes.
” Pope Francis canonized him a saint in 2015 .
Serra ’ s bronzed , roughly nine-foot statue resides in a pristine location in a small park in front of City Hall .
Serra has his back to the government building and gazes down upon California Street with a view of the ocean .
An original statue was commissioned in the 1930s but wore down and was replaced by the modern version in 1989 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ many people understand what it means to our people to pass by City Hall and see that statue and the pain it ’ s caused and causes to do this day , ” said Stenslie , who noted that Chumash people had lived in the area for thousands of years prior to Serra ’ s arrival .
“ We in Ventura are a much more diverse community and deserve to be represented by someone else.
” A local online petition advocating the statue ’ s removal garnered over 5,000 signatures as of Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 23 , a Ventura High graduate , is one a few organizers preparing a protest for Saturday at 1 p.m. near the statue .
The original goal of the protest was to pressure city officials to remove the statue .
Now that officials have conceded quicker than expected , Leaños said the demonstration will focus on making sure the City Council and mayor move swiftly .
“ Just because we don ’ t have Confederate generals or slavery in California like in other parts of the country doesn ’ t mean we don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and genocide , ” Leaños said .
“ We ’ re going to be out there on Saturday to say thank you , but also to remind the city government that we ’ re going to be watching them .
”

Junipero Serra’s mission system in California was responsible for the destruction of several tribes, often through the introduction of foreign diseases. Tribes that did survive, such as the Chumash, still suffered greatly and were often forced into building the missions.
Sainthood may reserve a prominent space in heaven for California missionary Junipero Serra, but a statue of the 18th century Roman Catholic priest will soon no longer have a home in front of Ventura City Hall.
Ventura Mayor Matt LaVere, representatives from the Barbareño/Venureño Band of Mission Indians and Father Tom Elewaut, pastor of nearby Mission San Buenaventura, issued a joint statement Thursday agreeing to take down the statue and have it “moved to a more appropriate non-public location.”
“I always knew that this moment, despite all the issues our people have faced, would happen,” Chief Julie Tumamait Stenslie, whose Barbareño/Venureño Band comprises Chumash members, said in a phone interview Thursday evening. “We’re constantly fighting to correct our history, and if there was ever a time to speak up, the time was now.”
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While there has been a global movement to remove statues from England to New Zealand, with a focus on Confederate statues in the United States, momentum has been growing in California.
In the last few days, a likeness of explorer Christopher Columbus was taken down in San Francisco, while a statue of California Gold Rush colonizer John Sutter was defaced and then removed in Sacramento.
Thursday’s joint statement confirmed an agreement to move the statue of Serra, though where and when is still murky.
“A historic decision such as this must involve the Ventura City Council, the voices of the Chumash tribe and residents of Ventura,” the statement read.
Serra, born on the Spanish island of Mallorca in 1713, is a controversial figure in California, particularly among indigenous tribes.
The Franciscan priest founded nine of 21 missions throughout the state and is perhaps the person most responsible for spreading Roman Catholicism into the Western United States, which then was Spanish territory.
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Serra’s mission system was responsible for the destruction of several tribes, often through the introduction of foreign diseases. Tribes that did survive, such as the Chumash, still suffered greatly and were often forced into building the missions.
The mission system not only pressured indigenous peoples into becoming Catholic, but pressured them to assimilate and, therefore, lose their cultural ways.
Despite this history, Los Angeles Archbishop José Gómez referred to Serra as one of his “spiritual heroes.” Pope Francis canonized him a saint in 2015.
Serra’s bronzed, roughly nine-foot statue resides in a pristine location in a small park in front of City Hall. Serra has his back to the government building and gazes down upon California Street with a view of the ocean.
An original statue was commissioned in the 1930s but wore down and was replaced by the modern version in 1989.
“I just don’t believe many people understand what it means to our people to pass by City Hall and see that statue and the pain it’s caused and causes to do this day,” said Stenslie, who noted that Chumash people had lived in the area for thousands of years prior to Serra’s arrival. “We in Ventura are a much more diverse community and deserve to be represented by someone else.”
A local online petition advocating the statue’s removal garnered over 5,000 signatures as of Thursday evening.
Camarillo resident Ben Leaños, 23, a Ventura High graduate, is one a few organizers preparing a protest for Saturday at 1 p.m. near the statue.
The original goal of the protest was to pressure city officials to remove the statue. Now that officials have conceded quicker than expected, Leaños said the demonstration will focus on making sure the City Council and mayor move swiftly.
“Just because we don’t have Confederate generals or slavery in California like in other parts of the country doesn’t mean we don’t have monuments to white supremacy and genocide,” Leaños said. “We’re going to be out there on Saturday to say thank you, but also to remind the city government that we’re going to be watching them.”


latimes--2020-06-19--An unusual spring draws to a close on a somewhat normal June-gloom note

A spring that has been unusual on so many levels will finally turn into summer — officially — on Saturday afternoon .
This is the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere , when the sun appears at its highest point in the noontime sky .
The cool May gray and June gloom conditions that usually precede the hot dog days of summer were mostly absent this year , and temperatures in Los Angeles were above normal in May and June .
“ The last few days of extensive marine layer have felt more typical for this time of the year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Eric Boldt , a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard .
A satellite photo taken this morning shows how extensive the marine layer was .
In the picture , low clouds and fog are seen reaching inland from the coast as far as the Cajon and San Gorgonio passes .
The Santa Ana Mountains between Orange and Riverside counties are seen poking through the cottony white shroud .
Clouds extend to Santa Clarita and out toward the High Desert , and along the coast westward beyond Santa Barbara to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circulation around a point west of Santa Catalina Island and northwest of San Clemente Island .
These are the telltale markers of a Catalina eddy , a counterclockwise spin that is a byproduct of west to northwest winds along the California Coast .
The winds interact with the coastal topography as they pass Point Conception , behaving much as water does on the downstream side of rocks or obstructions in a river .
The winds turn inland in the Southern California Bight , the curvature of the coast from Point Conception to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fog ashore into Los Angeles .
More such eddy circulation is likely each morning through this weekend , the National Weather Service said .
“ During the hot , dry summer months , the winds are welcome because they carry the marine layer onshore , blanketing and cooling the Los Angeles Basin , ” explains climatologist Bill Patzert .
June is the peak season for the Catalina eddy , also called a coastal eddy .
But this May and June , high pressure along with offshore winds — warm winds blowing from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making a spring that was unusually sunny and warm .
There even were rare , late-season Santa Ana winds this month .
“ Santa Anas in early June are not a good omen for this summer .
The fire season could pop up on us any time now , ” Patzert said .
Fuels throughout the West are dry .
The U.S. Drought Monitor data released Thursday shows that widespread drought conditions in the West continue to be a reflection of unusually warm spring temperatures .
Although some parts of the West received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Four Corners saw little or no rain .
And warmer-than-normal temperatures from a couple of degrees to as much as 10 degrees exacerbated conditions in the areas that remained dry , according to the Drought Monitor .
The northern half of California and large portions of the Great Basin and Pacific Northwest are deemed to be in moderate to severe drought .
Potential for significant large fires is expected to be above normal throughout much of the West in July , according to the National Interagency Fire Center , primarily because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mountain snowpacks , lightning strikesand the hot and dry conditions that are expected to persist through August .
In the outlooks for July and August , lightning is viewed as a primary trigger .
Then in September the increasing threat of dry offshore winds takes precedence .
Regardless of the trigger , dry fuels are expected to keep the potential for significant large fires above normal through the summer season and well into September .

A man wades into the surf in Hermosa Beach under overcast June skies in 2018.
A spring that has been unusual on so many levels will finally turn into summer — officially — on Saturday afternoon. This is the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, when the sun appears at its highest point in the noontime sky.
The cool May gray and June gloom conditions that usually precede the hot dog days of summer were mostly absent this year, and temperatures in Los Angeles were above normal in May and June.
The sun’s position in the sky throughout the seasons. (Paul Duginski / Los Angeles Times)
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“The last few days of extensive marine layer have felt more typical for this time of the year compared to most days this month,” said Eric Boldt, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.
A satellite photo taken at 8:10 a.m. PDT on Thursday shows marine clouds spreading inland from the immediate coast. (Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere & Los Angeles Times)
A satellite photo taken this morning shows how extensive the marine layer was. In the picture, low clouds and fog are seen reaching inland from the coast as far as the Cajon and San Gorgonio passes. The Santa Ana Mountains between Orange and Riverside counties are seen poking through the cottony white shroud. Clouds extend to Santa Clarita and out toward the High Desert, and along the coast westward beyond Santa Barbara to Point Conception.
A satellite loop showed circulation around a point west of Santa Catalina Island and northwest of San Clemente Island. These are the telltale markers of a Catalina eddy, a counterclockwise spin that is a byproduct of west to northwest winds along the California Coast.
Winds along the California Coast cause eddy formation. (Paul Duginski / Los Angeles Times)
The winds interact with the coastal topography as they pass Point Conception, behaving much as water does on the downstream side of rocks or obstructions in a river. The winds turn inland in the Southern California Bight, the curvature of the coast from Point Conception to the Mexican Border, and spin clouds and fog ashore into Los Angeles.
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More such eddy circulation is likely each morning through this weekend, the National Weather Service said.
“During the hot, dry summer months, the winds are welcome because they carry the marine layer onshore, blanketing and cooling the Los Angeles Basin,” explains climatologist Bill Patzert.
June is the peak season for the Catalina eddy, also called a coastal eddy. But this May and June, high pressure along with offshore winds — warm winds blowing from the land toward the ocean — dominated, making a spring that was unusually sunny and warm. There even were rare, late-season Santa Ana winds this month.
“Santa Anas in early June are not a good omen for this summer. The fire season could pop up on us any time now,” Patzert said.
U.S. Drought Monitor data released Thursday. (Paul Duginski / Los Angeles Times)
Fuels throughout the West are dry. The U.S. Drought Monitor data released Thursday shows that widespread drought conditions in the West continue to be a reflection of unusually warm spring temperatures. Although some parts of the West received precipitation, areas west and north of the Four Corners saw little or no rain. And warmer-than-normal temperatures from a couple of degrees to as much as 10 degrees exacerbated conditions in the areas that remained dry, according to the Drought Monitor.
Wildfire outlook for July is expected to be above normal in the West. (Paul Duginski / Los Angeles Times)
The northern half of California and large portions of the Great Basin and Pacific Northwest are deemed to be in moderate to severe drought.
Potential for significant large fires is expected to be above normal throughout much of the West in July, according to the National Interagency Fire Center, primarily because of increasing drought conditions, early melting of mountain snowpacks, lightning strikes and the hot and dry conditions that are expected to persist through August.
In the outlooks for July and August, lightning is viewed as a primary trigger. Then in September the increasing threat of dry offshore winds takes precedence. Regardless of the trigger, dry fuels are expected to keep the potential for significant large fires above normal through the summer season and well into September.


latimes--2020-06-18--Memories of George Floyd, Robert Fuller bring protesters to Palmdale park

At Poncitlan Square in Palmdale , steps away from City Hall where the body of Robert Fuller was found hanging days ago , dozens of people gathered Thursday to demand justice for Fuller and to honor George Floyd , the Black man who died in police custody in Minneapolis .
People stood or sat on the grass and on lawn chairs , holding signs that said “ Vote Your Power Back , ” “ Justice for Robert Fuller , ” “ Black Lives Matter , ” “ We Need Subpoena Power ” and “ Reallocate Police Funds.
” Some wore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t Breathe , ” echoing some of the last words Floyd said before he died .
Star-shaped balloons were tied around a tree , where people left bouquets and candles alongside such messages as : “ Cops and Klan go hand in hand , ” “ Defend Black People , ” “ Investigate Don ’ t Discriminate , ” “ Enough is Enough ” and “ Robert Fuller We Love You.
” Jorge , a 26-year-old Palmdale resident who declined to give his last name , sat on the grass holding a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ till Black Lives Matter.
” “ What brings me out here today is just this boiled-over event that ’ s [ been ] years in the making of systemic racism and oppressed communities being targeted by police , ” he said .
He said what happened to Fuller “ symbolizes the hate that we have in this valley ... and I ’ m just done with it .
I just want to do my part and be here.
” Jorge said he ’ s attended protests in Palmdale , North Hollywood , Sherman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I can be.
” Scattered around the plaza , dozens of attendees lay on their stomachs , sat cross-legged or kneeled for 8 minutes and 46 seconds , the length of time a white Minneapolis police officer pinned his knee on Floyd ’ s neck despite his pleading that he couldn ’ t breath .
Romerra Williams , 53 , of Palmdale lay on her stomach and held up a sign that said “ Justice for Robert Fuller ” and “ Black Lives Matter.
” A light breeze blew and all was silent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rev .
Martin Luther King Jr. sounding from the speakers .
After the protesters stood , Arthur Calloway II from the Antelope Valley Black Chamber of Commerce urged attendees to vote and keep the movement alive to enact change .
“ Let ’ s make sure we get out there and that we vote with our hearts .
Imagine how much change we could have already if we just kept kicking people out that did not listen to us , ” he said .
“ We have to keep protesting ... .
My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to let up , and we ’ re going to let football distract us , basketball , Beyoncé and all of the stuff is going to distract us and we ’ re going to forget in November , ” he said .
“ We need to turn out for voting ... because that stops us from dying on a tree .
”

People pose for a photo at Poncitlan Square in Palmdale, where a demonstration was held Thursday to honor George Floyd and demand justice for Robert Fuller.
At Poncitlan Square in Palmdale, steps away from City Hall where the body of Robert Fuller was found hanging days ago, dozens of people gathered Thursday to demand justice for Fuller and to honor George Floyd, the Black man who died in police custody in Minneapolis.
People stood or sat on the grass and on lawn chairs, holding signs that said “Vote Your Power Back,” “Justice for Robert Fuller,” “Black Lives Matter,” “We Need Subpoena Power” and “Reallocate Police Funds.”
Some wore black T-shirts that read “I Can’t Breathe,” echoing some of the last words Floyd said before he died.
Star-shaped balloons were tied around a tree, where people left bouquets and candles alongside such messages as: “Cops and Klan go hand in hand,” “Defend Black People,” “Investigate Don’t Discriminate,” “Enough is Enough” and “Robert Fuller We Love You.”
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Bob Marley’s “War” blasted from speakers.
At Poncitlan Square in Palmdale, where people placed candles and flowers beneath a tree to honor Robert Fuller during a protest honoring George Floyd. pic.twitter.com/q7wwpB2EQJ — Dorany Pineda (@DoranyPineda90) June 19, 2020
Jorge, a 26-year-old Palmdale resident who declined to give his last name, sat on the grass holding a sign saying: “No lives matter till Black Lives Matter.”
“What brings me out here today is just this boiled-over event that’s [been] years in the making of systemic racism and oppressed communities being targeted by police,” he said.
He said what happened to Fuller “symbolizes the hate that we have in this valley ... and I’m just done with it. I just want to do my part and be here.”
VIDEO | 09:30 As suicide rate rises among Black youths, Robert Fuller’s death prompts much-needed discussion On June 10, Robert Fuller’s body was found hanging from a tree outside Palmdale City Hall. His death came in the middle of the George Floyd protests and a week after Malcolm Harsch, another Black man, was found hanging from a tree in Victorville, less than 50 miles away. Their deaths shed light on the concerning rise in suicides among Black Americans.
Jorge said he’s attended protests in Palmdale, North Hollywood, Sherman Oaks, downtown L.A., “everywhere I can be.”
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Scattered around the plaza, dozens of attendees lay on their stomachs, sat cross-legged or kneeled for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the length of time a white Minneapolis police officer pinned his knee on Floyd’s neck despite his pleading that he couldn’t breath.
Demonstrators in Palmdale lay down in a moment of reflection for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the length of time a Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee on George Floyd’s neck. pic.twitter.com/5nmZ464RAR — Dorany Pineda (@DoranyPineda90) June 19, 2020
Romerra Williams, 53, of Palmdale lay on her stomach and held up a sign that said “Justice for Robert Fuller” and “Black Lives Matter.”
A light breeze blew and all was silent, except for a speech by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. sounding from the speakers.
After the protesters stood, Arthur Calloway II from the Antelope Valley Black Chamber of Commerce urged attendees to vote and keep the movement alive to enact change.
“Let’s make sure we get out there and that we vote with our hearts. Imagine how much change we could have already if we just kept kicking people out that did not listen to us,” he said.
“We have to keep protesting.... My biggest fear is that COVID is going to let up, and we’re going to let football distract us, basketball, Beyoncé and all of the stuff is going to distract us and we’re going to forget in November,” he said.
“We need to turn out for voting ... because that stops us from dying on a tree.”


latimes--2020-06-18--After Supreme Court DACA decision, state universities commit support to immigrant students

The University of California vowed Thursday to continue leading the way in supporting immigrant students , hours after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration ’ s plan to rescind temporary protections for young immigrants brought to the country illegally as children .
UC President Janet Napolitano and Board of Regents Chair John A. Pérez hailed the court decision in a case that the UC system first brought in 2017 and said the university would continue to provide its generous immigrant support services , including the nation ’ s first free legal services center for students without legal status @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , particularly in the current environment , and we want to make sure that we are supporting them even as they pursue their university educations , ” Napolitano said in a teleconference Thursday .
The 10-campus UC system enrolls an estimated 4,000 such students , but it is unknown how many of them qualified for the temporary protection from deportation and the right to a work permit under the program at issue , known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals .
Napolitano crafted that program in 2012 as Homeland Security secretary , benefiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States illegally before age 16 , attended school and stayed out of trouble .
Those beneficiaries became known as “ Dreamers.
” Pérez noted that California has long been in the forefront of immigrant rights — a cause he said he marched for as a 15-year-old student in the 1980s .
Under a law known as AB 540 , the state allows students without legal residency to pay in-state college tuition if they attended California schools , and the California Dream Act provides limited financial aid to immigrant students without legal status .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ those of us in California to make sure that we expanded opportunity and worked towards broad-based immigration reform as well , ” Pérez said .
“ And so I think it would be no surprise to anybody that this university is going to continue to commit itself to representing the interest of all our students , ” The UC leaders , along with California State University Chancellor Timothy P. White and California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley , vowed to fight for a permanent path to citizenship for the roughly 11 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ status .
The 23-campus Cal State system enrolls an estimated 9,800 students without legal status , and the 115-campus community college system has about 70,000 , including about 20,000 to 35,000 with DACA protections .
“ While this decision is an important victory , it does not protect the program from further challenge , nor does it provide a permanent solution to allow our Dreamers to achieve their aspirational goals , ” White said in a statement .
“ The CSU continues to urge Congress to take swift , bipartisan legislative action toward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dreamers can continue to fulfill their human potential and strengthen our campuses , communities , state and nation.
” Cal State Fullerton , which launched the Cal State system ’ s first resource center for students without legal status in 2014 , had scheduled virtual listening and counseling sessions for Thursday in case the high court sided with Trump in rescinding DACA .
Tonantzin Oseguera , Cal State Fullerton ’ s associate vice president of student affairs who lacked legal papers when she first emigrated from Mexico , said the sessions have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the impending court decision rose .
Many students were particularly nervous that the federal government has their addresses and other personal information required for the DACA application .
“ There ’ s been real concern that agents would use that information , drag you away and put you in a cage , ” she said .
On Thursday , however , she was all smiles and said the sessions would now be celebrations .
“ Honestly , I was stunned ” by the court decision , she said .
“ This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dreamers .
They can continue to go to school and continue their livelihoods as productive citizens.
” Clara Medina Maya , a UC Merced graduate who just completed a yearlong fellowship at the University of Chicago , woke up Thursday to a string of text messages celebrating the high court ’ s decision .
The first one came from a co-worker at 7:07 a.m. : “ SUPREME COURT BLOCKS TRUMP FROM CANCELLING DACA PROGRAM.
” Medina Maya , who was brought to the Los Angeles area from Mexico at age 4 , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least for now — working for an Illinois higher education advocacy group and then pursuit of a graduate degree in public policy .
“ It felt like such a relief , ” Medina Maya said .
“ Definitely this is the time to take it as a win for the community and use it to energize us to keep on fighting for more .
”

The University of California vowed Thursday to continue leading the way in supporting immigrant students, hours after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration’s plan to rescind temporary protections for young immigrants brought to the country illegally as children.
UC President Janet Napolitano and Board of Regents Chair John A. Pérez hailed the court decision in a case that the UC system first brought in 2017 and said the university would continue to provide its generous immigrant support services, including the nation’s first free legal services center for students without legal status.
“They still have special needs, particularly in the current environment, and we want to make sure that we are supporting them even as they pursue their university educations,” Napolitano said in a teleconference Thursday.
The 10-campus UC system enrolls an estimated 4,000 such students, but it is unknown how many of them qualified for the temporary protection from deportation and the right to a work permit under the program at issue, known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Napolitano crafted that program in 2012 as Homeland Security secretary, benefiting immigrants who were bought to the United States illegally before age 16, attended school and stayed out of trouble. Those beneficiaries became known as “Dreamers.”
Pérez noted that California has long been in the forefront of immigrant rights — a cause he said he marched for as a 15-year-old student in the 1980s. Under a law known as AB 540, the state allows students without legal residency to pay in-state college tuition if they attended California schools, and the California Dream Act provides limited financial aid to immigrant students without legal status.
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Such actions “expressed the desire of those of us in California to make sure that we expanded opportunity and worked towards broad-based immigration reform as well,” Pérez said. “And so I think it would be no surprise to anybody that this university is going to continue to commit itself to representing the interest of all our students,”
The UC leaders, along with California State University Chancellor Timothy P. White and California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley, vowed to fight for a permanent path to citizenship for the roughly 11 million immigrants in the United States without legal status.
The 23-campus Cal State system enrolls an estimated 9,800 students without legal status, and the 115-campus community college system has about 70,000, including about 20,000 to 35,000 with DACA protections.
“While this decision is an important victory, it does not protect the program from further challenge, nor does it provide a permanent solution to allow our Dreamers to achieve their aspirational goals,” White said in a statement. “The CSU continues to urge Congress to take swift, bipartisan legislative action toward a much-needed permanent solution so that our Dreamers can continue to fulfill their human potential and strengthen our campuses, communities, state and nation.”
Cal State Fullerton, which launched the Cal State system’s first resource center for students without legal status in 2014, had scheduled virtual listening and counseling sessions for Thursday in case the high court sided with Trump in rescinding DACA. Tonantzin Oseguera, Cal State Fullerton’s associate vice president of student affairs who lacked legal papers when she first emigrated from Mexico, said the sessions have been at capacity in recent weeks as anxieties about the impending court decision rose.
Many students were particularly nervous that the federal government has their addresses and other personal information required for the DACA application. “There’s been real concern that agents would use that information, drag you away and put you in a cage,” she said.
On Thursday, however, she was all smiles and said the sessions would now be celebrations. “Honestly, I was stunned” by the court decision, she said. “This is a huge and significant win for our Dreamers. They can continue to go to school and continue their livelihoods as productive citizens.”
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Clara Medina Maya, a UC Merced graduate who just completed a yearlong fellowship at the University of Chicago, woke up Thursday to a string of text messages celebrating the high court’s decision. The first one came from a co-worker at 7:07 a.m.: “SUPREME COURT BLOCKS TRUMP FROM CANCELLING DACA PROGRAM.”
Medina Maya, who was brought to the Los Angeles area from Mexico at age 4, said the news means a life undisturbed — at least for now — working for an Illinois higher education advocacy group and then pursuit of a graduate degree in public policy.
“It felt like such a relief,” Medina Maya said. “Definitely this is the time to take it as a win for the community and use it to energize us to keep on fighting for more.”


latimes--2020-06-18--Column: Newsom's new mask order won't sit well with the resistance. I know. They're packing my inbox

California Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s Thursday order for everyone in the state to wear a face covering while in public or high-risk settings is going to be cheered and jeered , guaranteed .
I know this because that ’ s what happened to me after my Wednesday column about why some people resist wearing masks , even as COVID-19 infections and deaths continue to rise .
A reader named Paul had this to say : “ I think you should have used some stronger language than you did : call these folks selfish.
” But a reader named @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Take a look in the mirror .
In your case a mask is a good thing.
” That ’ s not nice .
And Robert , who was just getting warmed up , went on to say : “ My wife and I both visited our physicians in the past week .
Both advised to avoid wearing masks as much as possible .
These are real doctors , not the ones you visit in the park down the alley behind the liquor store .
Choke on your own mask dumbass !
” My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an alley , but I do need a drink .
Maybe it will help get me through my inbox in this crazy time when so many people have worked themselves into a lather of defiance over a simple precautionary procedure that can save lives .
This is their brave and noble crusade ?
They ’ re anti-mask ?
The good news — for me , at least — is that most of the people who responded to my column were not rooting for me to choke on a mask .
Readers by and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement , and offered their own explanation for what ’ s going on .
“ I am convinced the problem stems from a true lack of leadership on a national level , ” wrote Howard .
“ When the president … refuses to wear a mask or social distance , it leaves the door open for millions of Americans to take off their masks and follow his lead… .
People see stories of ‘ reopening ’ and … think the virus is adhering to man-made declarations.
” I think Howard is on to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age of enlightenment , folks .
We ’ ve got a president who ignores the advice of his own public health experts and thinks we should look into injecting Lysol to beat back the coronavirus .
And yet the loyal masses are expected to swarm a Trump rally Saturday in Tulsa despite pleas of local health officials to cancel .
Yes , we do need to get people back to work , but in much of the country , we could not be much dumber about how we ’ re reopening .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revelers shoulder to shoulder .
Several readers noted that massive demonstrations against police brutality may have added to the spread of the coronavirus .
That ’ s surely possible , but I saw lots of masks out there at the protests .
And there ’ s no disputing that COVID-19 cases are soaring in some states that trampled sensible protocols for reopening gradually and intelligently .
California is no gold medal winner in this regard , which is one reason Newsom went from nice guy to tough guy on Thursday .
“ Simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people with faces uncovered — putting at risk the real progress we have made in fighting the disease , ” the governor said .
A lot of my readers feel the same way .
“ I live in Orange County and have been asking myself why so many people are not wearing masks , ” said Shannon .
“ Personally , I care enough to wear a mask to protect others and get angry at the stupidity of those who don ’ t .
I … have a child that works at Starbucks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the people who don ’ t bother to wear a mask may be giving her COVID and in turn infect our family.
” Speaking of Orange County , a reader named Diane had something to say about the item in my column on the public health director who resigned after she received a death threat and was compared to Hitler for requiring face coverings .
“ As the daughter of Holocaust survivors who suffered under the real Hitler , I am doubly appalled by the idiots who have the gall to compare the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency , who was simply following the best medical knowledge , to the person who caused the death of millions , ” said Diane .
“ Unbelievable.
” A reader named Jackie said she and her husband are in their 70s and keeping indoors for the most part .
“ I can ’ t believe how much ageism is on full display regarding COVID-19 .
Younger folks , especially , are seen all over the U.S. , without masks , drinking , partying , or going about their daily activities as if nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who thinks that ’ s going to delay a full recovery .
“ I see our self-isolation extending way into the future , with no end in sight , ” she said .
From across the divide , a reader named Jim seems to think that if not for Trump ’ s leadership we would have seen 2 million deaths by now , and guess what : I did just choke on my mask .
Bob said it ’ s time to open everything without restrictions .
The impact won ’ t be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Those under 40 might get a slight cough , ” said Bob , who must go to the same doctor as Robert , who wants me to choke on my mask .
“ The 40-65 group might need a few days off .
Those older than 65 will have to make a risk assessment if they have an underlying condition.
” Just a reminder : We are approaching 120,000 deaths in the U.S. Jon called me one of the “ pro muzzlers , ” said he was going on a 35-mile bike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ d be more compliance if I wasn ’ t such a fascist .
Actually , Jon , I wouldn ’ t wear a mask on a bike ride or taking a walk in the woods , if I could stay far away from other people .
But in settings where you can ’ t social distance , is it that much of a sacrifice to protect someone near you in the event you might be positive but asymptomatic ?
Louise called herself an elder who wears a mask and gloves when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the threat of the disease is overstated and that the spread of the virus among young people will lead to immunity for all .
“ I feel that in the big scheme of life the pandemic is really a panic-demic , ” she said .
It ’ s a nice idea , and similar to the approach in Sweden , but the latest statistics from that country are not terribly encouraging .
“ Nobody has a clue about the true infection/exposure rate , ” argued Tim .
“ The most frequent statistic I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 exposures are either mild or asymptomatic .
The death rate is therefore quite low.
” But if we know that distancing , hand washing and face covering can prevent spread and save lives , why do we have to be such hardheads ?
A study from Germany found that the use of masks after wearing them became compulsory reduced the spread of COVID there .
And another new study estimates that in New York City , the use of masks prevented 66,000 additional cases of COVID-19 .
The virus attacks the lungs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its very presence among us also seems to be destroying common sense and consideration of others .
“ I have a cousin who won ’ t wear a mask because he says it ’ s unconstitutional .
It takes away his right to life , liberty and the pursuit of happiness , ” said a reader named Rick , who added one last word .

A scene from “Knives Out,” with actor Don Johnson, seen at the Mission Tiki Drive-in Theatre in Montclair. Opened with one screen in 1956, the Mission Tiki expanded to four screens in 1975 and began renovation in 2006, updating to FM transmitters and digital projectors. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)
Traveling nurse Gail Cunningham waves thanks outside the emergency room entrance to Riverside University Health System in Moreno Valley as residents pay tribute to her and other medical personnel with a drive-by rally. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
Some beachgoers actively use the beach while others relax on the sand, despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s active-use-only order, in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
Thousands of rental cars are stored at Dodger Stadium as the coronavirus crisis has caused rentals to nosedive. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
On a recent day, there’s not a face mask in sight as a roller skater and others share the reopened walking path on the Strand in Manhattan Beach. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Maria Morales, center, a member of the USC class of 2020, participates in virtual graduation via Zoom with her brother Manny Morales, left, mom Pilar Morales and stepdad Victor Ramos from her home in Orange. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
The Air Force Thunderbirds precision flying team banks over downtown Los Angeles in formation to salute healthcare workers and first responders on May 15. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Mary Perez, a salesperson at High Class Jewels on Broadway in downtown Los Angeles, helps a customer as he tries on a gold rope chain inside the recently reopened store. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times)
Manon Guijarro, a new graduate of Pierce College, has her photo taken by friend Paige Johnson at Chris Burden’s outdoor work “Urban Light” at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
A woman, masked against COVID-19, walks past a building that features the image of Britney Spears at a shopping center in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Hikers and bikers traverse the Santa Fe Dam trail as county parks officially reopen to the public. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
A jogger passes Evergreen Cemetery in Los Angeles as local stay-at-home orders are increasingly relaxed months into the coronavirus outbreak. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Eric Larkin hands an order to Brittany Wright as she fastens her face covering outside the Last Bookstore in downtown Los Angeles. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)
Mildred “Millie” Stratton waves to a caravan of cars led by Alhambra police officers and firefighters. The parade past her home celebrated Stratton’s 102nd birthday. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Melissa Gomes fixes the tassel on the mortarboard of Sarah Anggraini as the new graduate gets ready for a photo at Chaffey College, which held a drive-through graduation, in Rancho Cucamonga. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Destiny VanSciner is tested for COVID-19 with an oral swab by family nurse practitioner Anniesatu Newland at a walk-in site at St. John’s Well Child and Family Center in South Los Angeles. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
A worker directs drivers at a drive-up testing site for COVID-19 outside of Jackie Robinson Stadium at UCLA. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
New West Charter School vice principal Mark Herrera shouts at graduate Joe Reid to come and receive his diploma during a drive-up graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020 at the charter school in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
Sophia Strauss, left, and Sarah Hoffmeister celebrate after their drive-through graduation from Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Pedestrians cross the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue in Hollywood. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday ordered all Californians to wear face coverings while in public, following growing concerns that an increase in coronavirus cases has been caused by residents failing to voluntarily take that precaution. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
People wear masks while walking along the boardwalk in Venice Beach. Californians must wear face masks in public under a coronavirus order issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Pedestrians, some with face coverings, some without, walk past musicians Brent Kendell, background left, and Sam Jones, background right, as they perform at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue in Hollywood. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
A mask-wearing skateboarder and her dog make their way along the boardwalk in Venice Beach. Californians must wear face masks in public under a coronavirus order issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Jair Guido, 36, a veterinarian visiting from Durango, Mexico, right, wearing a sombrero with an American flag draped over his shoulders, walks with other pedestrians along Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood. Guido said that he wore this outfit to show people that he is proud to be a Mexican and that he loves America. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday ordered all Californians to wear face coverings while in public. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Cameron Johnson,18, left, headed to UC Berkeley in the fall and Simona Krasnegor,17, headed to UCLA in the fall, watched the sun set while sitting next to the Manhattan Beach Pier, following their drive-through graduation from Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)
People wait in line to have a COVID-19 screening administered by the Community Organized Relief Effort at the Los Angeles City Mayor’s test site at Dodger Stadium on Thursday. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times)
Patrons wear face coverings at Grand Central Market in downtown Los Angeles on Thursday. A recent surge in COVID-19 cases in California has pushed the state’s total past 200,000 with more than 5,800 deaths. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times)
Bella Nousiainen, left, with daughter, Helmi Nousiainen, of Los Angeles, at the Santa Monica Pier, which reopens after being closed to guests for months because of the coronavirus. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times)
Southern California residents watch the fireworks during the Drive-Up 4th of July Spectacular at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base on Saturday in Los Alamitos. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
Dusk sets in over the the Santa Monica Pier on Friday. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
No-parking signs from the July 4 weekend still block spots on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica on Monday. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times)
A police officer and a lifeguard boat comb the shoreline in Venice Beach on July 5. Even though the beach was closed over the weekend a few still made their way to the shoreline. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
A bicyclist with her child rides along the closed bike path on July 3 in Manhattan Beach. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times)
Peter Gratzinger of Pacific Palisades heads to the water at Santa Monica State Beach, which opened to the public at 5 a.m. July 6. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times)
A bicyclist rides along Highland Avenue with the pier closed to beachgoers on July 3 in Manhattan Beach. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times)
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Thursday order for everyone in the state to wear a face covering while in public or high-risk settings is going to be cheered and jeered, guaranteed.
I know this because that’s what happened to me after my Wednesday column about why some people resist wearing masks, even as COVID-19 infections and deaths continue to rise.
A reader named Paul had this to say:
“I think you should have used some stronger language than you did: call these folks selfish.”
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But a reader named Robert was definitely a jeerer.
“Take a look in the mirror. In your case a mask is a good thing.”
That’s not nice. And Robert, who was just getting warmed up, went on to say:
“My wife and I both visited our physicians in the past week. Both advised to avoid wearing masks as much as possible. These are real doctors, not the ones you visit in the park down the alley behind the liquor store. Choke on your own mask dumbass!”
My doctor’s office is not in an alley, but I do need a drink. Maybe it will help get me through my inbox in this crazy time when so many people have worked themselves into a lather of defiance over a simple precautionary procedure that can save lives.
This is their brave and noble crusade? They’re anti-mask?
The good news — for me, at least — is that most of the people who responded to my column were not rooting for me to choke on a mask. Readers by and large shared my disdain for the resistance movement, and offered their own explanation for what’s going on.
“I am convinced the problem stems from a true lack of leadership on a national level,” wrote Howard. “When the president … refuses to wear a mask or social distance, it leaves the door open for millions of Americans to take off their masks and follow his lead…. People see stories of ‘reopening’ and … think the virus is adhering to man-made declarations.”
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I think Howard is on to something there.
This is not the age of enlightenment, folks.
We’ve got a president who ignores the advice of his own public health experts and thinks we should look into injecting Lysol to beat back the coronavirus. And yet the loyal masses are expected to swarm a Trump rally Saturday in Tulsa despite pleas of local health officials to cancel.
Yes, we do need to get people back to work, but in much of the country, we could not be much dumber about how we’re reopening. You see mob scenes everywhere, with unmasked revelers shoulder to shoulder.
Several readers noted that massive demonstrations against police brutality may have added to the spread of the coronavirus. That’s surely possible, but I saw lots of masks out there at the protests. And there’s no disputing that COVID-19 cases are soaring in some states that trampled sensible protocols for reopening gradually and intelligently.
California is no gold medal winner in this regard, which is one reason Newsom went from nice guy to tough guy on Thursday.
“Simply put, we are seeing too many people with faces uncovered — putting at risk the real progress we have made in fighting the disease,” the governor said.
A lot of my readers feel the same way.
“I live in Orange County and have been asking myself why so many people are not wearing masks,” said Shannon. “Personally, I care enough to wear a mask to protect others and get angry at the stupidity of those who don’t. I … have a child that works at Starbucks and she worries all the time that the people who don’t bother to wear a mask may be giving her COVID and in turn infect our family.”
Speaking of Orange County, a reader named Diane had something to say about the item in my column on the public health director who resigned after she received a death threat and was compared to Hitler for requiring face coverings.
“As the daughter of Holocaust survivors who suffered under the real Hitler, I am doubly appalled by the idiots who have the gall to compare the former head of the Orange County health agency, who was simply following the best medical knowledge, to the person who caused the death of millions,” said Diane. “Unbelievable.”
A reader named Jackie said she and her husband are in their 70s and keeping indoors for the most part.
“I can’t believe how much ageism is on full display regarding COVID-19. Younger folks, especially, are seen all over the U.S., without masks, drinking, partying, or going about their daily activities as if nothing is wrong,” said Jackie, who thinks that’s going to delay a full recovery.
“I see our self-isolation extending way into the future, with no end in sight,” she said.
From across the divide, a reader named Jim seems to think that if not for Trump’s leadership we would have seen 2 million deaths by now, and guess what:
I did just choke on my mask.
Bob said it’s time to open everything without restrictions. The impact won’t be that bad, in his opinion.
“Those under 40 might get a slight cough,” said Bob, who must go to the same doctor as Robert, who wants me to choke on my mask. “The 40-65 group might need a few days off. Those older than 65 will have to make a risk assessment if they have an underlying condition.”
Just a reminder: We are approaching 120,000 deaths in the U.S.
Jon called me one of the “pro muzzlers,” said he was going on a 35-mile bike ride without a mask, and suggested there’d be more compliance if I wasn’t such a fascist.
Actually, Jon, I wouldn’t wear a mask on a bike ride or taking a walk in the woods, if I could stay far away from other people. But in settings where you can’t social distance, is it that much of a sacrifice to protect someone near you in the event you might be positive but asymptomatic?
Louise called herself an elder who wears a mask and gloves when she goes outside, but thinks that the threat of the disease is overstated and that the spread of the virus among young people will lead to immunity for all.
“I feel that in the big scheme of life the pandemic is really a panic-demic,” she said.
It’s a nice idea, and similar to the approach in Sweden, but the latest statistics from that country are not terribly encouraging.
“Nobody has a clue about the true infection/exposure rate,” argued Tim. “The most frequent statistic I have read is that 80% of COVID-19 exposures are either mild or asymptomatic. The death rate is therefore quite low.”
But if we know that distancing, hand washing and face covering can prevent spread and save lives, why do we have to be such hardheads?
A study from Germany found that the use of masks after wearing them became compulsory reduced the spread of COVID there. And another new study estimates that in New York City, the use of masks prevented 66,000 additional cases of COVID-19.
The virus attacks the lungs of those who contract it. But its very presence among us also seems to be destroying common sense and consideration of others.
“I have a cousin who won’t wear a mask because he says it’s unconstitutional. It takes away his right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” said a reader named Rick, who added one last word.
“WOW.”
steve.lopez@latimes.com