WASHINGTON:Dozens of activist groups who claim to represent millions of Americans from both political parties plan to hit the streets next week, if President Donald Trump appears to be interfering with vote counting or manipulating poll results after Election Day.
The "Protect the Results" coalition of over 130 groups from Planned Parenthood to Republicans for the Rule of Law, has about 400 events https://protecttheresults.com planned to date. Participants are prepping to demonstrate "as early as the afternoon on Wednesday, November 4," the day after Election Day, and await a SMS message.
"We can’t assume that Donald Trump will respect the peaceful transfer of power" said Sean Eldridge, the founder and president of Stand Up America, which started organizing the coalition in June.
If Trump tries to interfere in the counting of ballots, or pressures state or local officials to say ballots should no longer be counted "then we would mobilize," he said.
Determining ahead of time, how, exactly, to define "interference" by the U.S. president is difficult, activists said, but it could include refusing to accept state vote tallies or prematurely declaring victory.
"We are very concerned that Trump is going to try to steal this election, using his position of power," said Kaela Bamberger, an organizer with Shut Down DC, which plans civil action that may include stopping traffic in the U.S. capital, with dozens of other groups.
Lessons from other countries that have suffered coups show that "time is of the essence," Bamberger said. "The longer the person claims to be in power and tries to force their position of power to be extended, the more likely it is there's nothing to be done about it."
Trump has not committed https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-trump-transition/trump-hedges-when-asked-whether-he-would-transfer-power-peacefully-idUSKCN26E3N7 to a peaceful transfer of power, instead warning, without evidence, of the possibility of fraud from mail-in ballots. Other Republicans have rejected https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-election-transfer/top-u-s-republicans-pledge-peaceful-transition-as-trump-sows-election-doubts-idUSKCN26F37A the idea that he won't step down if defeated.
Trump said this week a result should be announced on Tuesday, an unlikely scenario given the huge jump in mail-in ballots that need time to be counted because of the coronavirus pandemic.
"The President will accept the results of a free and fair election," White House deputy press secretary Sarah Matthews said in response to questions about the activists' plans.
"We Count on Us," a coalition of student activists, plans hundreds of proactive, peaceful demonstrations at city halls and counting centers to "make sure no lines are crossed," said Neha Desaraju of the Sunrise Movement, which is a part of the coalition.
Others are focused on keeping voters patient until results are announced.
The bi-partisan National Council on Election Integrity has spent $4.5 million on voting education ads, especially in some swing states, said spokesman Michael Beckel.
"Because of the pandemic, things look different this year, and that will require us to be more patient than usual," Beckel said. Election experts in these states are already warning it could be days before results are known, he added.
Reuters
Thu Oct 29 2020
A man holds up his fist at a protest against U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence in Lafayette Square Park across the street from The White House in Washington, U.S. REUTERS file pic
AWANI Pagi: Filem Oppa semai mesej PDRM banteras jenayah scam
Ikuti diskusi bersama Pengarah Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah Komersial (JSJK) Bukit Aman, Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf akan berkongsi mesej disemai PDRM dalam membanteras jenayah scam yang berleluasa ketika ini.
Pusat penamaan calon PRK Kuala Kubu Baharu dibuka
Pusat penamaan calon bagi PRK DUN Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) di Dewan Serbaguna dan Kompleks Sukan Daerah Hulu Selangor dibuka pada jam 9 pagi ini.
EPL: "Ada sesiapa jangka kami bakal muncul juara?"
Klopp belum sedia nilai musim terakhir bersama Liverpool.
AWANI Pagi: Break the Siege - Pelayaran ditangguhkan, apa seterusnya?
Misi Freedom Flotilla to Gaza, yang sepatutnya memulakan pelayaran minggu lalu, akhirnya ditangguhkan atas pelbagai faktor. Wartawan kami di Istanbul, Syaff Syukri akan kongsi perancangan seterusnya misi ini.
Polis tahan lelaki bersama pil Yaba bernilai lebih RM12,000
Polis menahan seorang lelaki bersama 823 biji pil yaba bernilai lebih RM12,000 di sebuah bangsal kereta di Rantau Panjang.
PM Anwar ke Riyadh sempena Mesyuarat Khas Forum Ekonomi Sedunia
Mesyuarat Khas bertemakan "Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy Development" akan dihadiri oleh Ketua-ketua Negara dan Kerajaan serta pemimpin industri.
Proses penamaan calon berlangsung 9 pagi ini
Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) membuka tirai hari ini dengan bermulanya proses penamaan calon di Dewan Serbaguna Dan Kompleks Sukan Daerah Hulu Selangor.
Penunggang motosikal berkuasa tinggi maut nahas
Mangsa lelaki berusia 34 tahun yang bekerja sebagai pemuzik di DBKL meninggal dunia di tempat kejadian.
Bebaskan pasaran buruh dari perangkap gaji berasaskan kelayakan akademik - Penganalisis
Malaysia harus beralih ke arah penetapan gaji berdasarkan kompetensi pekerja.
Raja Charles III sambung tugas awam minggu depan
Raja Britain, Raja Charles ketiga akan meneruskan tugas awamnya minggu depan setelah cataT perubahan baik dalam rawatan kanser. Baginda akan memulakan dengan lawatan simbolik ke pusat rawatan kanser.
Biden rancang untuk berdebat dengan Trump
Sebelum ini, Biden tidak komited untuk berdebat dengan lawannya, Trump.
Lelaki bertindak bakar diri di luar mahkamah New York
Max Azzarello yang berasal dari St. Augustine, Florida, dilaporkan telah diselamatkan dan berada dalam keadaan kritikal.
7 juri dipilih dalam bicara kes wang sogok yang dihadapi Trump
Tujuh juri dipilih dalam perbicaraan kes wang sogok Donald Trump di New York, perbicaraan jenayah pertama terhadap bekas presiden Amerika Syarikat.
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
Perbicaraan skandal Donald Trump - bintang porno bermula
Donald Trump menjadi bekas Presiden Amerika Syarikat pertama yang menghadapi perbicaraan kes jenayah.
Bicara kes bayaran tutup mulut yang dihadapi Trump bermula dengan pemilihan juri
Donald Trump akan menjadi bekas presiden pertama dalam sejarah Amerika Syarikat (AS) yang dibicarakan atas tuduhan jenayah.
Trump gagal tangguh, perbicaraan tetap berlangsung 15 April ini
Ini merupakan kali pertama bekas Presiden AS dibicarakan melibatkan bayaran menutup mulut kepada seorang bintang filem lucah.
Biden menang pemilihan peringkat awal di Dakota Utara
Dalam pemilihan peringkat awal di Dakota Utara, terdapat 13 perwakilan ditawarkan dan kebanyakan pengundian dilakukan melalui undi pos.
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
Perbicaraan Donald Trump bermula 15 April
Ini merupakan kali pertama bekas Presiden AS dibicarakan melibatkan bayaran menutup mulut kepada seorang bintang filem lucah.