Dec 7, 2017 - Politics & Policy

Lewis, Thompson not attending civil rights museum opening to protest Trump

Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga. Photo: Andrew Harnik / AP

Reps. John Lewis and Bennie Thompson will not be attending the opening of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum this weekend in protest of President Trump's attendance.

The two lawmakers said in a statement: "President Trump's attendance and his hurtful policies are an insult to the people portrayed in this civil rights museum... After President Trump departs, we encourage all Mississippians and Americans to visit this historic civil rights museum."

Why it matters: Lewis was a key leader and icon of the Civil Rights movement, and has been criticized by President Trump in the past for being "all talk...no action."

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Axios
Updated 48 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 1:30 p.m. ET: 20,412,501 — Total deaths: 744,649— Total recoveries: 12,629,465 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 1:30 p.m. ET: 5,163,509 — Total deaths: 164,994 — Total recoveries: 1,714,960 — Total tests: 63,252,257 — Map.
  3. Politics: Pelosi on state of coronavirus stimulus talks: "It's a chasm"
  4. Business: U.S. already feeling effects of ending unemployment benefits.
  5. Public health: America is flying blind on its coronavirus response.
  6. Education: Gallup: America's confidence in public school system jumps to highest level since 2004.
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Pelosi on state of coronavirus stimulus talks: "It's a chasm"

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Driving the news, via Axios' Dion Rabouin: Congress' failure to renew enhanced unemployment measures for millions of Americans at the end of July is already affecting consumer spending patterns, holding down retail purchases and foot traffic, economists at Deutsche Bank say.

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U.S. threatens to veto UN peacekeeping in Lebanon over Hezbollah concerns

Peacekeepers with Lebanese troops in southern Lebanon. Photo: Jalaa Marey/AFP via Getty

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Why it matters: The U.S. is the main funder of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which has an annual budget of $250 million. The veto threat is a tactical move, and part of a broader effort to put pressure on Iran and its proxy in Lebanon, Hezbollah.

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