June 5, 2020

In false FB posts, Texas Ag Comm. Sid Miller accused George Soros of paying protesters to "destroy"

In false Facebook posts, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller accused George Soros of paying protesters to “destroy” the country

by Alex Samuels, Texas Tribune


Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, a statewide elected Republican official, has posted multiple memes and comments on his Facebook page in recent days falsely claiming that billionaire George Soros orchestrated nationwide protests over the death of George Floyd.

The posts are similar in nature and tone to some of the racist posts by local GOP officials in recent days that suggested the killing of Floyd in Minneapolis police custody was done with the intent of starting a race war or to erode black support for President Donald Trump. The posts from those local officials have prompted calls for resignation from the state’s top GOP officials.

One post from Miller on Sunday included an image of Soros with accompanying text that read, “Climate change didn’t work. Impeachment didn’t work. The virus didn’t work. Start the race war.”

“The man is pure evil!” Miller commented.

Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2020/06/05/sid-miller-george-floyd-protests/

June 5, 2020

Kimmel: Wanda Sykes on Black Lives Matter, Quarantine with Her Twins & Twitter Feud with Scott Baio

June 5, 2020

Clemson University said 'we must do better.' Black students, alumni say that's not enough.

Clemson University is being criticized by black alumni and students for failing to condemn racism and bigotry on campus even as two students are under investigation for posting offensive messages to social media.

The investigations into students' offensive posts and a letter demanding Clemson address its "systemic racism, bigotry and intolerance" come on the heels of national protests condemning police brutality, and four years after the Sikes Sit-In that prompted an institutional commitment to diversity and inclusion at the university.

Clemson confirmed Tuesday it is investigating two students for social media posts "expressing racist or otherwise offensive sentiments," according to a tweet from the university.

https://twitter.com/ClemsonUniv/status/1268219028201488386

"Racist and dehumanizing expression do not reflect the Clemson community’s values of honesty, integrity and respect and the University denounces them in the strongest possible terms. These incidents are being investigated by the University," the university added.

Read more: https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/2020/06/04/clemson-investigating-students-after-offensive-social-media-posts/3129482001/

June 5, 2020

Jimmy Kimmel's Quarantine Monologue - Trump Attacks Mattis & Builds White House Fence

June 4, 2020

Dallas County reports 285 new coronavirus cases, a new single-day high

Dallas County reported 285 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, its new highest single-day increase.

The county also reported its 250th COVID-19 death. The latest victim was a DeSoto man in his 60s who had underlying health conditions and had been critically ill in a hospital, officials said.

Dallas County has now reported a total of 11,243 coronavirus cases.

“Today, we saw the highest number of new cases on record for COVID-19,” Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said in a statement, adding that there has been a significant increase this week in average numbers of new daily cases compared to last week.

Read more: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/public-health/2020/06/04/dallas-county-reports-285-new-coronavirus-cases-a-new-single-day-high/

Expect to see the numbers to continue climbing as businesses can open to 50% capacity and because of the protest marches (although most of the protesters are wearing masks).

June 4, 2020

Two gatherings against police use of force planned in Georgetown this weekend

Two gatherings, both spurred by the death of George Floyd and the use of force by police, are planned for Saturday and Sunday at the downtown square in Georgetown.

The first event is an assembly from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday outside the Williamson County Courthouse,710 Main St. The Georgetown Events Facebook page said the assembly is about asking for policy changes to end police violence against all people, including limiting use of force.

“We love and support our Georgetown police,” the post said. “This is a respectful, peaceful assembly to promote positive change. If you have other agendas, please keep it civil, respectful and lawful.”

The second event is a prayer to honor all of the black people who have lost their lives to police violence. It will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, also outside the courthouse.

Read more: https://www.statesman.com/news/20200604/two-gatherings-against-police-use-of-force-planned-in-georgetown-this-weekend

I'm enjoying the irony since Georgetown was known as the conservative bastion north of Austin since before I went to college there.

June 4, 2020

As Austin protests continue, hundreds take their voices to City Hall

Austin City Council members are preparing to hear public comments from hundreds of people who signed up to speak at a special-called meeting to discuss police tactics and policies in the wake of protests that erupted in Austin over the weekend.

Thursday’s meeting initially was called as a briefing from law enforcement officials on the protests, but after more than 300 people signed up to weigh in on police issues, the council opted instead to hear public testimony starting Thursday afternoon.

City staff said a total of 330 people signed up to speak, the first 20 of whom will get three minutes to make their remarks. After that, those remaining will each have one minute to speak. Public comments could take more than 6 hours and go well into the night. Normally. speakers have been allowed to cede time to others when they run out. However, since council meetings have been held virtually to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, sharing time has not been allowed.

The briefing has been reset to 9 a.m. Friday. While council will discuss the protests and action of the police department, they will not take any action or votes on the issue.

Another protest in front of Austin Police Headquarters at Interstate 35 and 7th Street is scheduled for Thursday night, led by the Mike Ramos Brigade, which has organized previous protests in the city.

Read more: https://www.statesman.com/news/20200604/as-austin-protests-continue-hundreds-take-their-voices-to-city-hall

June 4, 2020

Federal appeals court extends block on voting-by-mail expansion in Texas

by Alexa Ura, Texas Tribune


A three-judge panel of the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals extended its order Thursday blocking a lower court’s sweeping ruling that would have allowed all Texas voters to qualify to vote by mail during the coronavirus pandemic.

With early voting for the primary runoff elections starting later this month — and the Texas Supreme Court also blocking expanded voting by mail in a separate case —Thursday's ruling effectively eliminates the possibility that Texas voters will be able to legally request mail-in ballots solely because they fear a lack of immunity to the new coronavirus will put them at risk if they vote in person.

The issue is likely headed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

U.S. District Judge Fred Biery issued a preliminary injunction in late May expanding mail-in voting, but the appellate panel almost immediately put it on administrative hold while awaiting legal briefings from both sides. Thursday's ruling keeps Biery's ruling on ice while Texas appeals it.

Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2020/06/04/federal-appeals-court-extends-block-voting-mail-expansion-texas/

June 4, 2020

Bexar County GOP chair refuses to resign for racist George Floyd conspiracy theory post despite call

Bexar County GOP chair refuses to resign for racist George Floyd conspiracy theory post despite calls from her own party

by Patrick Svitek, Texas Tribune


Gov. Greg Abbott and other top Texas Republicans are calling for the resignation of the GOP chair in one of the state's biggest counties after she floated a conspiracy theory about the death of George Floyd. The chairwoman, Bexar County's Cynthia Brehm, is refusing to step down.

In a since-deleted Facebook post from this week, Brehm asked for her friends' thoughts on a theory that Floyd's death was a "staged event," apparently to gin up opposition to President Donald Trump. There is no evidence to support that claim; Floyd, a black Minnesota man, died last week after a white police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes.

"These comments are disgusting and have no place in the Republican Party or in public discourse," Abbott spokesman John Wittman said in a statement Thursday morning. "Cynthia Brehm should immediately resign her position as Chair of the Bexar County Republican Party."

Brehm did not respond to request for comment for this story but told Spectrum News that she would not resign. She told the TV station that she did not agree with the post and rebuffed the cast of GOP leaders calling for her to step down, saying they "do a lot of things, too, that I don’t agree with but I don’t ask for their resignation."

Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2020/06/04/texas-greg-abbott-bexar-GOP-conspiracy/

June 4, 2020

Barbershop owner told to leave building after allegation of racist comment. Bananas had been left at

Barbershop owner told to leave building after allegation of racist comment. Bananas had been left at Old Winston Barber & Style.


The owner of Old Winston Barber & Style Co., on the corner of Sixth and Trade streets, was told Tuesday by the building's owner that he could no longer rent there because of racist comments from his Facebook account.

Michael Berrier, the owner of the barbershop, was singled out by people in the community after the comment began to circulate on social media during a weekend of protests and heightened awareness of police brutality.

A screen shot of the comment made from Barrier's Facebook account, “Throw some bananas down the street and they'll run towards them ... they like bananas."

The comment was on a post about protests over the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd's neck. The protesters were mostly black and comparisons to monkeys, including the use of images of bananas, have long been considered a slur against African Americans.

Read more: https://www.journalnow.com/news/local/barbershop-owner-told-to-leave-building-after-allegation-of-racist-comment-bananas-had-been-left/article_d06b1fbe-707a-5af2-8471-7799b0a21e6f.html
(Winston-Salem Journal)