Ten people were shot, two of them fatally, Tuesday in Chicago including a man who was fatally shot in the East Side neighborhood.
The man, who was between 35 and 40 years old, walked into a restaurant about 7:45 p.m. in the 10600 block of South Indianapolis Avenue, and sat down, Chicago police said. Employees at the restaurant noticed he was hurt and called 911. Fire department officials arrived at the restaurant and discovered the man had been shot several times in the lower back. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
A man was killed, and a 16-year-old girl was wounded as they sat in a car in Lawndale on the West Side. The man, 31, and the girl were in the 4700 block of West Arthington Street, when someone approached and fired about 2:10 a.m., police said. The man was struck in the head and brought to Mt. Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The girl was struck in the leg and brought to Stroger Hospital, where her condition was stabilized.
In non-fatal shootings, a 13-year-old girl was shot in Riverdale on the Far South Side. About 10:30 p.m., she was in the back seat of a vehicle in the 300 block of East 131st Place, when a man pulled out a gun and shot at a man who was sitting next to her, police said. The shooter missed his target, but shot the girl in the left leg. She was brought to South Shore Hospital in good condition. The shooter fled and is not in custody.
A man was shot outside a gas station in Chatham on the South Side. The man was leaving a gas station about 9 p.m. in the 7800 block of South State Street when he was shot at several times, police said. He told officers he saw the male suspect reach inside a Chevy Impala and pull out a handgun before firing shots. The gunman then got in his vehicle and left the scene. The 32-year-old suffered four gunshot wounds to the body and was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where his condition was stable.
About an hour prior a man was wounded in a shooting in Austin on the West Side. He was standing outside with a group of friends about 8:15 p.m. in the 5100 block of West North Avenue when someone fired shots, police said. The 18-year-old was struck in the chest and taken to Stroger Hospital, where his condition was stabilized.
A woman was shot in Gresham on the South Side. She was on the sidewalk about 7:20 p.m. in the 1100 block of West 81st Street when someone opened fire, striking her in the leg, police said. The 45-year-old was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in good condition.
A man was shot in Back of the Yards on the South Side. He was standing in front of a home about 4:05 p.m. in the 4300 block of South Hermitage Avenue when someone approached him and fired shots, police said. The 24-year-old was struck in the thigh and was taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition.
Minutes prior a man was critically wounded after being shot in Grand Crossing on the South Side. The 60-year-old was on the sidewalk about 3:45 p.m. in the 1500 block of East 75th Street when someone approached, pulled out a gun and opened fire, police said. The man was struck in the face and chest. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition.
A 17-year-old boy walked into a hospital with gunshot wounds. He entered Rush University Medical Center about 1:45 a.m. with gunshot wounds to his right leg and left knee, police said. The boy would not tell officers the details of the shooting. He was in fair condition.
Four teens were shot, one fatally, May 26, 2021, inside an apartment in the 7200 block of South Princeton Avenue. | Adobe Stock Photo
About 1:10 a.m., the boys, were in a second floor apartment with several people in the 7200 block of South Princeton Avenue, when someone opened fire after an argument.
Four teen boys were shot, one fatally, after getting into an argument inside an apartment Wednesday in Englewood on the South Side.
About 1:10 a.m., the boys were inside a second floor apartment with several people in the 7200 block of South Princeton Avenue, when someone got into an argument and opened fire, Chicago police said.
A 16-year-old boy was struck in the head and rushed to the University of Chicago Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, police said. A 17-year-old man was struck in the left shoulder and brought to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in serious condition.
A 19-year-old man was struck in the back and a second 17-year-old man was struck in the neck, police said. They were both brought to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where the 19-year-old is in critical condition and the younger man is in serious condition.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office has not yet identified the teen.
Area One detectives are investigating the shooting.
Actor Samuel E. Wright. who voiced the playful Sebastian the Crab in the 1989 Disney animated feature “The Little Mermaid,” has died. He was 74.
According to hollywoodreporter.com the veteran actor died peacefully Monday night at his home in Walden, New York, after a three-year battle with prostate cancer.
In a loving tribute to her father on Facebook, Wright’s daughter Dee Kelly wrote, in part: “Please continue to wrap us in love and please please keep talking about my daddy. Speak his name today, tell his stories, make someone smile by sharing something you learned from him. That is what he would want.”
Wright’s fun-loving take on the calypso-infused “Under the Sea” helped propel the song to an Academy Award for best original song, beating out his second solo effort from the film, ‘Kiss the Girl.” “Under the Sea” also won Grammy Award for best song written for visual media a year later.
Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” featured Jodi Benson as the voice of Ariel, and Samuel E. Wright as the voice of Sebastian the Crab.Disney
Wright’s stage credits include roles on Broadway in “The Lion King” (in a Tony Award-nominated turn as Mufasa), “Pippin,” “The Tap Dance Kid” and “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Film credits include “Bird” (in which he portrayed jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie, and two “Mermaid” direct-to-video sequels. On television, Wright made guest appearances on series such as “Enos,” “Ball Four,” “Simon and Simon” and “The Cosby Show.”
The South Carolina-born Wright is survived by Amanda Wright, his wife of 49 years, and their children, Dee, Sam and Keely.
There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. The full moon in Sagittarius peaks at 6:14 a.m. Chicago time.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
Be careful because the full moon can trigger an accident-prone situation for your sign. Therefore, be wise and pay attention to everything you say and do. Keep your eyes open! The problem with a full moon is people’s emotions escalate and erupt. (Not you, of course.)
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Avoid disputes about inheritances, banking matters, insurance issues or anything to do with shared property because something like this might come to a head. (This is classic for any full moon.)
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
The only full moon that is directly opposite your sign all year is taking place. This is bound to set up some kind of tension between you and those who are close to you, especially partners, spouses and dear friends. Patience will be your ally.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Today’s full moon might trigger some dissension between you and others, especially related to your work or people you might encounter regarding your health or a pet. Remember: Patience is the antidote to anger. (And of course, you feel this full moon because the moon is your ruler.)
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
Parents must be patient with their kids; likewise, romantic partners must be patient with each other because of the energy of today’s full moon. Some kind of situation might come to a head, which makes you think you have to choose. But maybe you don’t?
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Today you feel caught between the demands of home and family vs. the demands of your career or your public reputation. Because of this particular full moon, you cannot ignore your reputation, especially because things from the past are back in the picture.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Be mindful and pay attention to everything you say and do because this is an accident-prone day for you. Primarily, accidents are caused by distraction. Stay focused and alert — you’ll be fine. (Be aware of the fact that these accidents could be physical or verbal.)
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Some kind of money or financial issue might peak because of the energy of today’s full moon. A full moon tends to pit people or issues against each other. This is why disputes about earnings, possessions or shared responsibilities are likely. Be clear about your expectations.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Today the only full moon in your sign all year is taking place. This will likely create some tension between you and partners and close friends. However, if you are aware of this, you can be mindful of your response and not be too emotional. Stay chill.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Avoid bickering or squabbles with work colleagues or something to do with pets or your health because these might occur because of today’s full moon energy. This is nothing you can’t handle. Demonstrate grace under pressure because you do this so well.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Emotions might run high today about anything ranging from sportsevents, activities with kids, social outings or romantic tete-a-tetes. This is because of today’s full moon. Your solution is to keep smiling and not lose your cool.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
Today you have to devote your attention to home, family and perhaps a parent, despite the demands of your career, your job or your public reputation. You can’t be all things to all people. Maturity is being able to accept your limitations and function to the best of your ability within them.
If Your Birthday Is Today
Jazz trumpeter, bandleader, composer Miles Davis (1926-1991) shares your birthday. You are a charismatic communicator who is always in touch with your audience. You are dignified, intelligent and have a forever youthful wit. You also are warm hearted, easy-going but also practical and hard working. Go through closets, cupboards, garages and storage areas to get rid of what you no longer need, because this is your year of downsizing. Get rid of excess baggage!
Around a dozen people rally outside the Thompson Center on Tuesday to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. | Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Speakers at a Thompson Center rally, organized by the Chicago Alliance Against Racism and Political Repression, discussed the nationwide fight against police brutality and other oppression of people of color.
MINNEAPOLIS — A family-friendly street festival, musical performances and moments of silence were held Tuesday to honor George Floyd and mark the year since he died at the hands of Minneapolis police, a death captured on wrenching bystander video that galvanized the racial justice movement and continues to bring calls for change.
Floyd’s sister Bridgett and other family members held a moment of silence at a “Celebration of Life” event at a downtown Minneapolis park that included music, food trucks, an inflatable bouncy house and a vaccination stand. A few miles away, at the site of the intersection where Floyd died, dozens of people kneeled around a steel fist sculpture for several minutes — symbolizing the 9 minutes, 29 seconds during which Floyd was pinned down.
“It’s been a troubling year, a long year,” Bridgett Floyd told the crowd downtown. “But we made it. … The love is here. George is here.”
Other members of Floyd’s family met in Washington with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who urged Congress to quickly pass a law in Floyd’s name that would bring changes to policing. A moment of silence to honor Floyd was also held in New York and a rally was held in Los Angeles. Globally, a rally took place in Germany and Floyd’s death was marked by U.S. embassies in Greece and Spain.
In Chicago, just over a dozen people gathered outside the Thompson Center on Tuesday afternoon to commemorate the anniversary and call for police reform and other change in the city.
Speakers at the rally, organized by the Chicago Alliance Against Racism and Political Repression, discussed the nationwide fight against police brutality and other oppression of people of color.
They also questioned Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s priorities on police funding.
“The people in this country, by the millions, are sick and tired of racism and want some change, so we came out here today to talk about what those changes need to be,” Frank Chapman, executive director of the Chicago Alliance Against Racism and Political Repression, said.
The group was in broad support of community control of the police, including Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th), who spoke at the rally.
“I’ve been proud to stand with the Chicago Alliance Against Racism and Political Repression to fight for community control of the police, to say no more police misconduct, no more police crimes, no more public lynchings and executions of Black and brown Chicagoans by the police,” Ramirez-Rosa said.
Getty ImagesPeople pay their respects to George Floyd in the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue on May 25, 2021, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Hours before the Minneapolis festivities, the intersection where Floyd died was disrupted by gunfire.
Associated Press video from 38th Street and Chicago Avenue — informally known as George Floyd Square — showed people running for cover as shots rang out. Police said a man, who they believe was injured in the shooting, went to a nearby hospital with a gunshot wound. Police said he was in critical condition but was expected to survive. There were no immediate arrests.
Philip Crowther, a reporter working for AP Global Media Services, which provides live video coverage, reported hearing as many as 30 gunshots about a block from the intersection. Crowther said a storefront window appeared to have been broken by gunshots.
“Very quickly things got back to normal,” Crowther said. “People here who spend a significant amount of time, the organizers, were running around asking, ‘Does anyone need a medic?’”
Like other major cities, Minneapolis has been struggling with rising gun violence, a problem made worse, in part, by many officers leaving the embattled force since Floyd’s death. A 6-year-old girl was fatally shot and two other children wounded in recent weeks. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey last week unveiled sweeping public safety proposals aimed at fixing the problem. Other groups are pursuing a more radical remaking of the police department.
The intersection of 38th and Chicago has been barricaded since soon after Floyd’s death. It quickly turned into a memorial — and also a challenging spot for the city, with police officers not always welcome.
The square was transformed Tuesday into an outdoor festival, with food, children’s activities and music. At times, people danced in the street. Artwork and signs from protests after Floyd’s death also were on display. One group hosted an open mic next to a greenhouse that community members constructed earlier this year to house flowers left by mourners. Nearby, a brass band played for passersby.
The celebration also includes a candlelight vigil and caps several days of marches, rallies and panel discussions about his death and confronting racial discrimination.
Xavier Simmons, 24, from Racine, Wisconsin, chanted “Say his name!” as people kneeled. Simmons said he hopes people taking part in the festivities will both honor Floyd’s life and legacy and continue to “uplift and empower this movement.”
“We got the verdict that we needed, but it’s never going to change until we make a change,” he said.
Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-TimesNicolette Peñaranda with Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation, speaks during a rally outside the Thompson Center on Tuesday to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Floyd, 46, who was Black, died May 25, 2020, after then-Officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck, pinning him to the ground for about 9 1/2 minutes. Chauvin, who is white, was convicted last month of murder and faces sentencing June 25. Three other fired officers still face trial.
Earl Vaughn, 20, of Minneapolis, attended the downtown event and said despite its celebratory atmosphere: “For all this a Black man had to die, so that’s really unfortunate.”
In New York City, elected officials, including Mayor Bill de Blasio and U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, joined the Rev. Al Sharpton in kneeling for 9 minutes, 29 seconds. “As we took a knee, imagine how long that was on a human being’s neck,” Sharpton said. “Never switched knees, just dug in. It’s time we correct policing in this country.”
On Tuesday evening, activists and demonstrators gathered with some families of people who had died in interactions with the New York Police Department at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. They called for defunding the police, holding officers accountable and removing police officers from schools. Following the rally, they set off on a march through Brooklyn streets.
Several Floyd family members, including his young daughter Gianna, met with Biden and Harris earlier Tuesday. Biden, who previously pledged to continue fighting for racial justice, said he hopes the Senate can quickly pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act and get it to his desk.
“We have to act,” he said of the legislation that would ban chokeholds and no-knock police raids and create a national registry for officers disciplined for serious misconduct.
Floyd’s brother Philonise told CNN he thinks about George “all the time.”
“My sister called me at 12 o’clock last night and said ’This is the day our brother left us,’” he said, adding: “I think things have changed. I think it is moving slowly but we are making progress.”
Also Tuesday, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Kristen Clarke as assistant attorney general for civil rights, the first Black woman to hold the position. In the last few weeks, the Justice Department under Biden has announced sweeping investigations into the police in Minneapolis and Louisville and brought federal civil rights charges against the officers involved in Floyd’s death.
Separately, the Floyd family announced the launch of a fund that will make grants to businesses and community organizations in the neighborhood, as well as broader grants “encouraging the success and growth of Black citizens and community harmony.” The money comes from $500,000 earmarked as part of the city’s $27 million civil settlement for the Floyd family.
___
Chicago Sun-Times reporter Mary Chappell along with Associated Press writers Amy Forliti and Deepti Hajela contributed to this report.
Starting pitcher Lucas Giolito #27 of the Chicago White Sox delivers the ball against the St. Louis Cardinals at Guaranteed Rate Field on May 25, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. | Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images
Sox right-hander outpitches high school teammate Flaherty
Tuesday was a big day for White Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito and pitching coach Ethan Katz and Cardinals starter Jack Flaherty.
It just wasn’t a pitchers’ duel.
Let down by three errors, two hit batters and two wild pitches, Flaherty lasted only 3⅔ innings and allowed seven runs (three earned) inthe Sox’ 8-3 victory. After entering the game with an 8-0 record and a 2.53 ERA, it was apparent early that Flaherty was on his way to his worst outing of the year. Jose Abreu made it worse with a two-run home run in the fourth inning.
Giolito, meanwhile, was making his first start since an eight-inning, one-run victory May 19 over the Twins. Looking to build off that breakthrough after a slow start, Giolito, who was checked out by the Sox’ training staff on the mound before the fourth, went six innings and allowed two runs, retiring the last eight batters he faced in the battle of former high school teammates.
No, the matchup didn’t live up to the hype. But it was still a meaningful evening for Katz, the high school pitching coach for Giolito and Flaherty at Harvard-Westlake in Los Angeles.
“I don’t know if this will ever happen again, where a high school coach is in a dugout [watching] two guys he had at the age of 14,” Katz said before the game. “We’re all still very close, and it will be a special night.”
Katz, 37, was hired to replace Don Cooper as the Sox’ pitching coach and has helped the rotation become one of baseball’s best. His path to the gig was not direct and included stops in the Angels, Mariners and Giants organizations.
“I’m blessed to be where I am today, to be able to say I’m a big-league coach and I’m able to watch guys that I coached in high school when I didn’t even know I was going to be a coach,” Katz said. “It’s special. It’s something that I don’t take any days for granted.”
The game ended up not being as special for Flaherty.
Clearly struggling with his command, he fell behind in a 26-pitch first inning. The troubles, though, weren’t entirely of his making.
Tim Anderson led off and reached on an error by Cardinals shortstop Edmundo Sosa, then eventually scored on Abreu’s groundout. Adam Eaton, who was hit by a Flaherty pitch, scored when Cardinals right fielder Tommy Edman dropped what should’ve been an inning-ending fly ball hit by Yermin Mercedes.
Flaherty’s and the defense’s struggles continued in the second inning.
Zack Collins led off with a single, reached second on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Nick Madrigal to center but was only sent by third-base coach Joe McEwing after Dylan Carlson couldn’t come up with the ball cleanly. Anderson then reached to load the bases when perennial Gold Glove third baseman Nolan Arenado misplayed his grounder. Flaherty walked Yoan Moncada to make it 4-0 before another wild pitch brought in Madrigal to increase the Sox’ lead to 5-0.
Staked to that advantage, Giolito allowed Carlson’s third-inning sacrifice fly and another run in the fourth on a wild pitch before settling in to beat Flaherty. He did that despite waiting out long innings with the Sox at bat.
“He’s talented, he’s tough and he’s courageous,” Sox manager Tony La Russa said.
Katz’s focus, even considering his relationship with Flaherty, was Giolito.
“There’s been a lot of work put in behind the scenes with him,” Katz said, “but the last outing was exceptional, and we’re hoping that everything continues on from what he did, and we’ll just continue putting in the work on the side.”
Chicago Cubs’ Nico Hoerner bats against the Detroit Tigers in the eighth inning of a baseball game in Detroit, Sunday, May 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) ORG XMIT: NYOTK | Paul Sancya, AP Photos
Hoerner injured the hamstring while trying to beat out a bunt in the fifth inning of the Cubs’ 4-3 victory.
PITTSBURGH — The Cubs aren’t catching any breaks on the injury front.
On the same day they put infielder Matt Duffy on the 10-day injured list with a strained muscle in his lower back, they also lost one of their biggest contributors to date.
Second baseman Nico Hoerner left the game Tuesday against the Pirates after suffering a strained left hamstring while trying to beat out a bunt in front of the pitcher’s mound in the fifth inning. He made an awkward step before he got to first base and tumbled after touching the bag.
Hoerner lay on the ground in pain while members of the training staff and manager David Ross quickly came to check on him.
‘‘I did not see it at all,’’ Ross said. ‘‘I was watching the play; I was not watching him run. Then I just saw him hit the bag and go down.’’
After several minutes, Hoerner was helped to his feet before gingerly walking off the field under his own power and heading to the clubhouse with head trainer PJ Mainville.
‘‘He’s been outstanding in all aspects,’’ Cubs president Jed Hoyer said of Hoerner last week. ‘‘His offense, his ability to come up and get hits in big spots, his defense . . . I think he has had a really positive impact since [being called up from the minors].’’
There has been an alarming increase in injuries across the majors among position players and pitchers alike. If Hoerner has to miss any time, Eric Sogard and David Bote likely would fill in for him.
‘‘I think with the [trend] we’ve seen around the [majors], I’ve tried to emphasize rest and get guys off their feet as best we can,’’ Ross said.
Cubs farmhand Sergio Alcantara was pulled from Triple-A Iowa’s game and might be promoted to the majors if a roster move needs to be made.
Festivals are beginning to announce their future plans for 2021. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
Improving coronavirus numbers have made more summer events possible. Here’s the latest updates on this year’s changing entertainment landscape.
With coronavirus case numbers and positivity rates on the decline, the summer festival season in Chicago is in much better shape than last year.
The city has given the green light for festivals and “general admission outdoor spectator events” to welcome 15 people for every 1,000 square feet.
The city has debated various ways bolster vaccination rates among young people most likely to attend outdoor music events like Lollapalooza and Riot Fest. Mayor Lori Lightfoot said a proposal to create a coronavirus vaccine passport for Chicago events is “very much a work in progress” but that preferred seating at those events could be one way to urge vaccination.
Some festivals have already announced their return and concerts are starting to be rescheduled.
We’re tracking the status of the city’s festival and major events throughout the area as new cancellations and postponements are announced. Check back for more updates.
May
Navy Pier Fireworks: The Pier is hosting a 10-minute fireworks show every Saturday in May at 9:00 p.m.
Manifest Urban Arts Festival: Columbia College Chicago’s student driven event that showcases graduating student work. May 10-14.
For the Love of Chocolate: Long Grove, demonstrations, classes, presentations, experiences, vendors, chocolatiers, entertainment and so much more. Advanced online registration is required, May 14-16.
Hot Stove Cool Music virtual music festival, benefits the Foundation To Be Named Later, which was co-founded by former Cubs president Theo Epstein. Eddie Vedder headlines. May 18.
Mayfest: Armitage Ave. at Sheffield Ave. in Lincoln Park, May 21 – 23.
Pivot Arts Festival: Reimagining Utopia – A Performance Tour: Live, a multi-arts experience featuring world premieres in theatre, dance, video, music and puppetry. May 21 – June 5.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra concerts at Symphony Center, beginning May 27. Tickets will go on sale 10 a.m. May 11, at cso.org. Performances will take place over three consecutive weekends at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 1:30 p.m. Fridays, 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays.
Pride in the Park, Grant Park, Headlining will be Chaka Khan, the legendary Queen of Funk; Gryffin, the self-taught prodigal producer; and Tiësto, who has been dubbed “the world’s greatest DJ.” June 26- 27.
July
The Ravinia Festival announced it will reopen in July 1 for 64 concerts through Sept. 26 with a slate of outdoor concerts including a six-week residency by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Also slated to appear are: Cynthia Erivo, Kurt Elling, Brian McKnight, Ides of March, Madeleine Peyroux, Midori, Joshua Bell, Pinchas Zukerman, the Chicago Sinfonietta and the Joffrey Ballet.
Grant Park Music Festival, Millennium Park. All concerts are free with reserved seats for all concertgoers and will take place Wednesday, Fridays and Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. Run time will be 90 minutes, without intermission. July 2-Aug. 21.
Summerfest: Milwaukee. The festival will take place over three weekends, Sept. 2-4, 9-11 and 16-18. More than 100 artists are slated to perform including Chance the Rapper, Miley Cyrus, Luke Bryan, Pixies, Rise Against, Wilco, Diplo, and Fitz and the Tantrums.
It’s time for the House Republican leaders — who dumped Rep. Liz Cheney from leadership because she would not embrace ex-President Trump’s lies — to do something about Greene.
Last week, Greene, in an interview on the podcast “The Water Cooler with David Brody,” slammed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi after the California Democrat decided to continue masking mandates on the House floor because she was not convinced all members were vaccinated.
“This woman is mentally ill,” Greene said, referring to Pelosi. “You know, we can look back in a time in history where people were told to wear a gold star and they were definitely treated like second-class citizens — so much so that they were put in trains and taken to gas chambers in Nazi Germany, and this is exactly the type of abuse that Nancy Pelosi is talking about.”
On Saturday, Greene, in Arizona, was asked if she stood by her comment by Bianca Buono, a reporter for Arizona’s 12 News.
“I stand by all of my statements. I’ve said nothing wrong. And I think any rational Jewish person didn’t like what happened in Nazi Germany and any rational Jewish person doesn’t like what’s happening with overbearing mask mandates and overbearing vaccine policy,” Greene said.
Buono asked Greene if she understood why some people would be “upset and offended” by her comment.
Greene, never one to disappoint, of course did not.
She told Buono in reply, “Well, do you understand how people feel about being forced to wear masks or being forced to have to take a vaccine or even have to say whether they have taken it or not. These are just things that shouldn’t be happening in America.”
The U.S. Holocaust Museum in D.C. reopened last week after a COVID-19-imposed closure. I wish I had the power to send Greene there for Holocaust education — perhaps meet with survivors and listen to their stories — because her ignorance is more that appalling. It is dangerous.
The Holocaust museum on Tuesday sent out a tweet about the danger of Holocaust analogies. “Simplistic comparisons to the Holocaust don’t help us understand the past or the present. These kinds of analogies demean the memory of the victims.”
We are in a bad place now, with anti-Semitic incidents hitting a “historic high” in 2020, according to the Anti-Defamation League.
I’m torn about giving any attention to Greene. But to ignore her totally is to risk normalizing her noxious behavior and her promotion of anti-Semitism and lies, especially the big one about Trump winning the election.
The Big Lie is taking hold.
A new national Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll taken May 17-19 shows 53% of Republicans — compared to 3% of Democrats — believe Trump won the 2020 election and President Joe Biden only won, they believe, because of illegal voting.
On Tuesday, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy condemned Greene, saying in a statement, “Marjorie is wrong, and her intentional decision to compare the horrors of the Holocaust with wearing masks is appalling. The Holocaust is the greatest atrocity committed in history. The fact that this needs to be stated today is deeply troubling.”
The words of McCarthy, a California Republican, were not matched by any disciplinary action against Greene.
McCarthy led the charge to get rid of Cheney, the Wyoming Republican.
Greene’s sanction so far is a rhetorical slap on the wrist.
Rep. Brad Schneider, an Illinois Democrat, on Tuesday was drafting legislation to censure Greene. He said in a statement, “It is shameful that the Republican Conference continues to let her define their party, and dangerous that they refuse to expel her. There should be no room for such unapologetic hate and anti-Semitism in our politics or our government.”
Rep. Adam Kinzinger, the Illinois Republican who is one of the few in the GOP party fighting against Trump-inspired denialism and McCarthy’s fealty to Trump on Tuesday, at a POLITICO event, said House Republicans should kick Greene out of their organization.
Said Kinzinger “What we can do as a party is take a stand and say you don’t belong in our conference.”
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