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Funeral for civil rights leader John Lewis under way in Atlanta – live Funeral for civil rights leader John Lewis under way in Atlanta – live
(32 minutes later)
Lewis honored as ‘true American patriot’ at Georgia service, while attendees keep social distance and wear masksLewis honored as ‘true American patriot’ at Georgia service, while attendees keep social distance and wear masks
Meanwhile in Washington DC, Republican senators are facing questions about the president’s suggestion to delay the election. There is pretty widespread rejection of the comments – even in his own party.
The visibly emotional House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, listed the other Congress members in attendance at John Lewis’s memorial service, including representatives Bill Clyburn, a Democrat from South Carolina, and Steny Hoyer, a Democrat from Maryland, who like Pelosi has worked with Lewis for thirty years.
Pelosi says Lewis was “so revered” in Congress and referenced Lewis leading the Democrats sit-in demanding action in gun control.
She said while being great at politics, he was also funny and mischievous.
“He loved to dance, he loved to make us laugh, sometimes while he was dancing,” Pelosi said.
Pelosi said once her granddaughter asked Lewis if he was ever asked to sing during the Civil Rights movement. And Lewis told her they asked him to sing solo, solo so they couldn’t hear him. That got some laughs from the crowd.
Pelosi concluded: “We always knew he worked on the side of the angels, and now he is with them.”
At the podium, Bill Clinton makes a special mention of Keisha Lance Bottoms, the Atlanta mayor who has been sued by Georgia’s governor because she put a mask mandate in place in the city. Clinton acknowledged that Bottoms, who is at the service, has faced obstacles lately. “You have faced them with candor and dignity and honor,” he said.At the podium, Bill Clinton makes a special mention of Keisha Lance Bottoms, the Atlanta mayor who has been sued by Georgia’s governor because she put a mask mandate in place in the city. Clinton acknowledged that Bottoms, who is at the service, has faced obstacles lately. “You have faced them with candor and dignity and honor,” he said.
Clinton, like Bush, reflected on Lewis’s work while Clinton served as president.Clinton, like Bush, reflected on Lewis’s work while Clinton served as president.
“John Lewis was a walking rebuke to people who thought well, we ain’t there yet, we have been working a long time, isn’t it time to bag it? He kept moving.”“John Lewis was a walking rebuke to people who thought well, we ain’t there yet, we have been working a long time, isn’t it time to bag it? He kept moving.”
“No matter what, John always kept walking to reach the beloved community,” Clinton said. “He got into a lot of good trouble along the way, but let’s not forget he also had an absolutely uncanny ability to calm troubled waters.”“No matter what, John always kept walking to reach the beloved community,” Clinton said. “He got into a lot of good trouble along the way, but let’s not forget he also had an absolutely uncanny ability to calm troubled waters.”
Clinton referenced an essay Lewis recently wrote, and submitted to the New York Times two days before he died, requesting it be published on the day of his funeral. Clinton said: “It’s so fitting on the day of his service, he leaves us his marching orders: keep moving.”Clinton referenced an essay Lewis recently wrote, and submitted to the New York Times two days before he died, requesting it be published on the day of his funeral. Clinton said: “It’s so fitting on the day of his service, he leaves us his marching orders: keep moving.”
The church’s senior pastor, reverend Raphael Warnock, welcomed three presidents to the service.The church’s senior pastor, reverend Raphael Warnock, welcomed three presidents to the service.
In attendance was George W Bush, who he noted was president “last time we renewed the voting rights act,” Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.In attendance was George W Bush, who he noted was president “last time we renewed the voting rights act,” Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
Bush spoke first at the funeral, relating a story Lewis told him about his family’s chickens, who he cared for so deeply that he preached to them. Bush said Lewis also noted the chickens were much more productive than Congress. “At least they produced eggs,” Lewis told Bush.Bush spoke first at the funeral, relating a story Lewis told him about his family’s chickens, who he cared for so deeply that he preached to them. Bush said Lewis also noted the chickens were much more productive than Congress. “At least they produced eggs,” Lewis told Bush.
“He’s been called an American saint, a believer willing to give up everything,” Bush said of Lewis.“He’s been called an American saint, a believer willing to give up everything,” Bush said of Lewis.
Bush acknowledged the two occasionally disagreed, adding: “In the America John Lewis fought for, and the America I believe in, differences in opinion are evidence of Democracy in action.”Bush acknowledged the two occasionally disagreed, adding: “In the America John Lewis fought for, and the America I believe in, differences in opinion are evidence of Democracy in action.”
Reverend Bernice King, the daughter of Martin Luther King Jr, just delivered a prayer at John Lewis’s funeral. “We praise you, oh God, for this non-violent warrior,” King declared.Reverend Bernice King, the daughter of Martin Luther King Jr, just delivered a prayer at John Lewis’s funeral. “We praise you, oh God, for this non-violent warrior,” King declared.
In the prayer, King implored Congress to pass the Voting Rights Act, which includes voting protections Lewis spent his life defending and seeking to restore after they were taken away by the supreme court seven years ago. She also called for an end to the school-to-prison pipeline and other social justice causes Lewis campaigned for in his life.In the prayer, King implored Congress to pass the Voting Rights Act, which includes voting protections Lewis spent his life defending and seeking to restore after they were taken away by the supreme court seven years ago. She also called for an end to the school-to-prison pipeline and other social justice causes Lewis campaigned for in his life.
“Grant us, dear god, a double portion to get in to Good Trouble until white supremacy around the world is uprooted and dismantled,” King said.“Grant us, dear god, a double portion to get in to Good Trouble until white supremacy around the world is uprooted and dismantled,” King said.
The funeral for civil rights leader John Lewis has just begun at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia.The funeral for civil rights leader John Lewis has just begun at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia.
The church’s senior pastor, reverend Raphael Warnock, is leading the service, which has dozens of attendees who are keeping social distance and wearing masks.The church’s senior pastor, reverend Raphael Warnock, is leading the service, which has dozens of attendees who are keeping social distance and wearing masks.
“Here lies a true American patriot,” Warnock said.“Here lies a true American patriot,” Warnock said.
This morning, the New York Times published a powerful essay Lewis submitted two days before he died from pancreatic cancer at age 80.This morning, the New York Times published a powerful essay Lewis submitted two days before he died from pancreatic cancer at age 80.
The Guardian’s Ed Pilkington writes:The Guardian’s Ed Pilkington writes:
The Guardian’s world affairs editor, Julian Borger, is watching secretary of state Mike Pompeo testify before the Republican-led Senate Foreign Relations committee.The Guardian’s world affairs editor, Julian Borger, is watching secretary of state Mike Pompeo testify before the Republican-led Senate Foreign Relations committee.
Mike Pompeo has been questioned on the decision announced yesterday to pull nearly 12,000 US troops out of Germany, bringing 6,400 of them back to the US, and how that squared with Pompeo’s claims to be leading a tough policy towards Russia. He confirmed the state department was “very involved at the strategic level” but argued that bringing the troops home did not mean they were “off the field”Mike Pompeo has been questioned on the decision announced yesterday to pull nearly 12,000 US troops out of Germany, bringing 6,400 of them back to the US, and how that squared with Pompeo’s claims to be leading a tough policy towards Russia. He confirmed the state department was “very involved at the strategic level” but argued that bringing the troops home did not mean they were “off the field”
“These units will participate in rotational activity. They’ll be forward deployed. They won’t be stationed or garrisoned. But make no mistake about it they will be fully available to ensure that we can properly prosecute the challenges we have from the global powers.”Senator Jeanne Shaheen asked him whether the impact on relations with Germany had been taken into account, to which Pompeo replied: “This is personal for me I fought on the border of East Germany when I was a young soldier I was stationed there.”“These units will participate in rotational activity. They’ll be forward deployed. They won’t be stationed or garrisoned. But make no mistake about it they will be fully available to ensure that we can properly prosecute the challenges we have from the global powers.”Senator Jeanne Shaheen asked him whether the impact on relations with Germany had been taken into account, to which Pompeo replied: “This is personal for me I fought on the border of East Germany when I was a young soldier I was stationed there.”
Pompeo was stationed in West Germany as an army lieutenant in the late eighties. There was no fighting there.Pompeo was stationed in West Germany as an army lieutenant in the late eighties. There was no fighting there.
Mitt Romney, who continues to be the only Republican senator to seriously challenge the administration, picked up the issue in his own remarks, saying: “I have heard from the highest levels of the German government that this is seen by them as an insult to Germany, and I can’t imagine, at a time when we need to be drawing in our friends and allies so that we can collectively confront China, we want to insult them.”Mitt Romney, who continues to be the only Republican senator to seriously challenge the administration, picked up the issue in his own remarks, saying: “I have heard from the highest levels of the German government that this is seen by them as an insult to Germany, and I can’t imagine, at a time when we need to be drawing in our friends and allies so that we can collectively confront China, we want to insult them.”
Pompeo was also questioned about Donald Trump’s suggestion that the election might be delayed.Pompeo was also questioned about Donald Trump’s suggestion that the election might be delayed.
Senator Tom Udall asked the secretary of state: “Will you respect the results of the certified election as the State Department typically does throughout the world?”Senator Tom Udall asked the secretary of state: “Will you respect the results of the certified election as the State Department typically does throughout the world?”
Pompeo replied: “Senator I’m not going to speculate. You had about 15 ‘ifs’ in there.. I’ve said repeatedly to this committee I will follow the rule of law, follow the Constitution. I’ve endeavored to do that in everything I’ve done and I’ll continue to do that every day.”Pompeo replied: “Senator I’m not going to speculate. You had about 15 ‘ifs’ in there.. I’ve said repeatedly to this committee I will follow the rule of law, follow the Constitution. I’ve endeavored to do that in everything I’ve done and I’ll continue to do that every day.”
Former presidential candidate Herman Cain, 74, has died from Covid-19 after contracting the illness nearly one month ago.Former presidential candidate Herman Cain, 74, has died from Covid-19 after contracting the illness nearly one month ago.
His official Twitter account, which had been providing updates on Cain’s hospitalization due to Covid-19, posted an announcement of his death on Thursday morning.His official Twitter account, which had been providing updates on Cain’s hospitalization due to Covid-19, posted an announcement of his death on Thursday morning.
Cain, the co-chair of Black Voices for Trump, had attended Donald Trump’s rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma in June, where he did not wear a mask.Cain, the co-chair of Black Voices for Trump, had attended Donald Trump’s rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma in June, where he did not wear a mask.
“We’re heartbroken, and the world is poorer,” said a post on Cain’s website, which provided insight into his Covid-19 infection.“We’re heartbroken, and the world is poorer,” said a post on Cain’s website, which provided insight into his Covid-19 infection.
“There were hopeful indicators, including a mere five days ago when doctors told us they thought he would eventually recover, although it wouldn’t be quick,” the post said. “We were relieved to be told that, and passed on the news via Herman’s social media. And yet we also felt real concern about the fact that he never quite seemed to get to the point where the doctors could advance him to the recovery phase.”“There were hopeful indicators, including a mere five days ago when doctors told us they thought he would eventually recover, although it wouldn’t be quick,” the post said. “We were relieved to be told that, and passed on the news via Herman’s social media. And yet we also felt real concern about the fact that he never quite seemed to get to the point where the doctors could advance him to the recovery phase.”
More on the staggering drop in GDP figures from the Guardian US’s business editor, Dominic Rushe:More on the staggering drop in GDP figures from the Guardian US’s business editor, Dominic Rushe:
The fall came as large parts of the US economy shutdown in March in an attempt to halt the spread of the coronavirus across the US. The closures led to a historic number of layoffs and sent unemployment soaring to levels unseen since the 1930s Great Depression.The fall came as large parts of the US economy shutdown in March in an attempt to halt the spread of the coronavirus across the US. The closures led to a historic number of layoffs and sent unemployment soaring to levels unseen since the 1930s Great Depression.
Lexie Testa, 26, from Lansing, Michigan lost her hotel job at the end of May and waited two months to receive her first unemployment payment. While her husband has retained his job, she said it had been a struggle since her layoff and that she was wary about finding new work as the virus continues to spread.Lexie Testa, 26, from Lansing, Michigan lost her hotel job at the end of May and waited two months to receive her first unemployment payment. While her husband has retained his job, she said it had been a struggle since her layoff and that she was wary about finding new work as the virus continues to spread.
Testa said it was too early to cut benefits given how hard it remains to find work and the fact that the virus is still spreading. “I know a lot of people who aren’t really comfortable returning to work with children in their home and actually I have a few friends that cannot because they have no child care,” she said.Testa said it was too early to cut benefits given how hard it remains to find work and the fact that the virus is still spreading. “I know a lot of people who aren’t really comfortable returning to work with children in their home and actually I have a few friends that cannot because they have no child care,” she said.
“I am lucky enough that I have a grandmother who usually babysits for me but I just am not really comfortable yet as I have always worked in the food service industry and I see places in my city of Lansing shut down and reopen due to Covid cases often.”“I am lucky enough that I have a grandmother who usually babysits for me but I just am not really comfortable yet as I have always worked in the food service industry and I see places in my city of Lansing shut down and reopen due to Covid cases often.”
The Guardian’s voting rights report, Sam Levine, notes that the president can’t unilaterally change the election date.The Guardian’s voting rights report, Sam Levine, notes that the president can’t unilaterally change the election date.
This is why people are speculating one of the reasons Trump asked whether the election should be delayed this morning is to distract from the very bad economic news this morning.This is why people are speculating one of the reasons Trump asked whether the election should be delayed this morning is to distract from the very bad economic news this morning.
Government figures revealed Thursday morning that the US economy shrank by an annualized rate of 32.9% between April and June, its sharpest contraction since the second world war.Government figures revealed Thursday morning that the US economy shrank by an annualized rate of 32.9% between April and June, its sharpest contraction since the second world war.
Secretary of state Mike Pompeo is appearing before the Senate foreign relations committee for the first time in more than a year, in what is already a particularly contentious hearing.Secretary of state Mike Pompeo is appearing before the Senate foreign relations committee for the first time in more than a year, in what is already a particularly contentious hearing.
The ranking Democrat, Bob Menendez said the Trump administration had “at worst simply abetted Putin’s efforts” to undermine the US, and said the state department was “at risk of catastrophic failure.”The ranking Democrat, Bob Menendez said the Trump administration had “at worst simply abetted Putin’s efforts” to undermine the US, and said the state department was “at risk of catastrophic failure.”
Menendez started his questioning on Trump’s admission on Wednesday that he had not confronted Vladimir Putin with intelligence reports that Russia was paying bounties to Taliban fighters for killing US soldiers in Afghanistan and asked Pompeo whether he had raised the issue with his counterpart, Sergei Lavrov.Menendez started his questioning on Trump’s admission on Wednesday that he had not confronted Vladimir Putin with intelligence reports that Russia was paying bounties to Taliban fighters for killing US soldiers in Afghanistan and asked Pompeo whether he had raised the issue with his counterpart, Sergei Lavrov.
Pompeo’s reply avoided confirming the reports, which Trump called “fake news”, but claimed that if it was true, he raised it.Pompeo’s reply avoided confirming the reports, which Trump called “fake news”, but claimed that if it was true, he raised it.
“Anytime there was a tactical threat on the lives for the health of the safety and security or our assets in place, we have raised this with our Russian counterparts not only at my level but Ambassador Sullivan [US ambassador to Moscow], and every one of our team that interacts with the Russians we’ve made very clear our expectations.”“Anytime there was a tactical threat on the lives for the health of the safety and security or our assets in place, we have raised this with our Russian counterparts not only at my level but Ambassador Sullivan [US ambassador to Moscow], and every one of our team that interacts with the Russians we’ve made very clear our expectations.”
One thing undermining Donald Trump’s ongoing quest against mail-in voting is that he and his officials have used it in the past.One thing undermining Donald Trump’s ongoing quest against mail-in voting is that he and his officials have used it in the past.
Mother Jones reporter Ari Berman notes that at least 16 Trump officials have either voted by mail or requested absentee ballots, including the president himself. Others include attorney general William Barr, adviser and president’s daughter Ivanka Trump and White House press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany.Mother Jones reporter Ari Berman notes that at least 16 Trump officials have either voted by mail or requested absentee ballots, including the president himself. Others include attorney general William Barr, adviser and president’s daughter Ivanka Trump and White House press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany.
McEnany has voted by mail in every Florida election she has participated in since 2010, according to the Tampa Bay Times.McEnany has voted by mail in every Florida election she has participated in since 2010, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
When asked about this in late May, McEnany said: “Absentee voting has the word absent in it for a reason. It means you’re absent from the jurisdiction or unable to vote in person. President Trump is against the Democrat plan to politicize the coronavirus and expand mass mail-in voting without a reason, which has a high propensity for voter fraud. This is a simple distinction that the media fails to grasp.”When asked about this in late May, McEnany said: “Absentee voting has the word absent in it for a reason. It means you’re absent from the jurisdiction or unable to vote in person. President Trump is against the Democrat plan to politicize the coronavirus and expand mass mail-in voting without a reason, which has a high propensity for voter fraud. This is a simple distinction that the media fails to grasp.”
On a brighter note, and sticking to their timetable, Nasa appears to have successfully launched the Perseverance mission, the third and final Mars launch from Earth this summer. China and the United Arab Emirates got a head start last week, but all three missions should reach their destination in February.On a brighter note, and sticking to their timetable, Nasa appears to have successfully launched the Perseverance mission, the third and final Mars launch from Earth this summer. China and the United Arab Emirates got a head start last week, but all three missions should reach their destination in February.
Nasa’s science mission chief, Thomas Zurbuchen, pronounced the launch the start of “humanity’s first round trip to another planet.”Nasa’s science mission chief, Thomas Zurbuchen, pronounced the launch the start of “humanity’s first round trip to another planet.”
“Oh, I loved it, punching a hole in the sky, right? Getting off the cosmic shore of our Earth, wading out there in the cosmic ocean,” he said. “Every time, it gets me.”“Oh, I loved it, punching a hole in the sky, right? Getting off the cosmic shore of our Earth, wading out there in the cosmic ocean,” he said. “Every time, it gets me.”
“There’s a reason we call the robot Perseverance. Because going to Mars is hard,” Nasa Administrator Jim Bridenstine said just before liftoff. “It is always hard. It’s never been easy. In this case, it’s harder than ever before because we’re doing it in the midst of a pandemic.”“There’s a reason we call the robot Perseverance. Because going to Mars is hard,” Nasa Administrator Jim Bridenstine said just before liftoff. “It is always hard. It’s never been easy. In this case, it’s harder than ever before because we’re doing it in the midst of a pandemic.”
The US is the only country to safely put a spacecraft on Mars, and is seeking its ninth successful landing on the planetThe US is the only country to safely put a spacecraft on Mars, and is seeking its ninth successful landing on the planet
Donald Trump has ratcheted up his claims that increased mail-in voting will lead to election fraud, and appears to be making a call to delay November’s presidential election.Donald Trump has ratcheted up his claims that increased mail-in voting will lead to election fraud, and appears to be making a call to delay November’s presidential election.
Even by Trump’s standards, it is truly unprecedented for a sitting American president to call a US election “the most inaccurate & fraudulent election in history” in advance and float the idea that the country cannot carry them out safely.Even by Trump’s standards, it is truly unprecedented for a sitting American president to call a US election “the most inaccurate & fraudulent election in history” in advance and float the idea that the country cannot carry them out safely.
There were mixed reviews for the tech giant CEOs that appeared before Congress yesterday - and for the people who posed them questions.There were mixed reviews for the tech giant CEOs that appeared before Congress yesterday - and for the people who posed them questions.
Matt Stoller, the author of Goliath: The 100-Year War Between Monopoly Power and Democracy, writes for us today, saying “Congress forced Silicon Valley to answer for its misdeeds. It was a glorious sight”Matt Stoller, the author of Goliath: The 100-Year War Between Monopoly Power and Democracy, writes for us today, saying “Congress forced Silicon Valley to answer for its misdeeds. It was a glorious sight”
Read it here: Matt Stoller – Congress forced Silicon Valley to answer for its misdeeds. It was a glorious sightRead it here: Matt Stoller – Congress forced Silicon Valley to answer for its misdeeds. It was a glorious sight
Over at Slate, however, Aaron Mak’s ire last night was reserved not for the CEOs, but for the people posing the questions:Over at Slate, however, Aaron Mak’s ire last night was reserved not for the CEOs, but for the people posing the questions:
Read it here: Slate – Republicans are too fixated on “bias” to conduct actual oversight of techRead it here: Slate – Republicans are too fixated on “bias” to conduct actual oversight of tech
Mike Pompeo is up before the Senate foreign relations committee right now, and they haven’t wasted any time in criticising his failure to appear since April 2019. You should be able to watch the session here in the blog by pressing play above - you may have to refresh the page to get the video to appear.Mike Pompeo is up before the Senate foreign relations committee right now, and they haven’t wasted any time in criticising his failure to appear since April 2019. You should be able to watch the session here in the blog by pressing play above - you may have to refresh the page to get the video to appear.
We’ve just had two bits of key economic data out. Jobless claims were up again by 12,000, with over 1.4m Americans making initial claims.We’ve just had two bits of key economic data out. Jobless claims were up again by 12,000, with over 1.4m Americans making initial claims.
Unsurprisingly yesterday the bureau reported that unemployment rates were higher in June 2020 than in June 2019 in 388 of the 389 metropolitan areas it measured.Unsurprisingly yesterday the bureau reported that unemployment rates were higher in June 2020 than in June 2019 in 388 of the 389 metropolitan areas it measured.
The GDP numbers were out too, and the US economy suffered its worst quarter since the second world war, as GDP shrunk by 32.9%. Here’s our full report:The GDP numbers were out too, and the US economy suffered its worst quarter since the second world war, as GDP shrunk by 32.9%. Here’s our full report:
There will be more market reaction to come, for sure, and we’ll have that on our business live blogThere will be more market reaction to come, for sure, and we’ll have that on our business live blog