Death of Defenseless African American in Police Custody Leads to Massive Protests Across the United States

By Nate Feldman

In a year that has already seen disorder as the norm, things in the United States took another chaotic turn this week with the death of George Floyd, a defenseless African American who was killed by a police office in Minneapolis on Monday. 

Mr. Floyd, who was being arrested for allegedly using a counterfeit twenty dollar bill, was put on the ground and suffocated by the officer, who put his knee on top of Mr. Floyd's neck, causing him to say he couldn't breathe.  The police initially claimed he was resisting arrest, but videotapes of the incident from bystanders show that he was complying with the officers, and that the police were using excessive force.  Eventually, Mr. Floyd died from being suffocated.

Outraged by continuing violence against African Americans from authority figures, protests have erupted across major cities in the United States, many of which have become violent.  The police officer responsible for George Floyd's death is currently under arrest and charged with third degree murder, but this has done little to calm down tensions. 

Around the World, May 17, 2020

By Nate Feldman

In this week's episode of Around the World, I give a tour of the Red Bank Battlefield Park in National Park, NJ.  This is the same park I was at last week when I talked about parks re-opening in New Jersey.  This week I focus on the historical significance of this area. 

I also have some short videos from Panama and Bahrain.  The video from Panama shows a street and how it looked before the COVID-19 outbreak and how it looks now.  It has gone from a crowded street to one that is mostly empty because of strict lockdowns.  In Bahrain, I have a clip of the evening call for prayer, which this month signifies the end of the daily fast for Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan.

Around the World, May 10, 2020

By Nate Feldman

In recent weeks, I have changed my weekly video program from "This Week in Review," to "Around the World."  Around the world is a collection of videos from different countries showing what is taking place in our local communities.  The goal of this project is to inform people about what is happening in our world while also connecting people of different cultures. 

This week's program focuses on a number of important issues.

*The re-opening of parks in New Jersey.  This state has been hit terribly by the coronavirus pandemic with recent estimates of over 9,000 people dead.  Like most of the world, this has required the state to close non-essential businesses and places to the public to encourage people to stay at home and not spread the virus.  Nevertheless, last week the Governor permitted parks to re-open so long as people follow strict social distancing guidelines. 

At Red Bank Battlefield Park in Gloucester County, the park is open but there are strict rules.  Cars cannot park next to each other.  There are orange cones in parking spaces to ensure this.  There are signs placed throughout the park telling people to maintain a distance of six feet from one another.  People are able to walk along the trail, but they are no longer allowed to use the park's playgrounds, pavilions, benches, or even its restrooms.  Many policemen are on patrol making sure people follow these measures. 

*Recent corruption by political officials in Panama has led to protests by some people.  People are unable to go outside because of strict quarantine measures taken to fight the coronavirus.  Nevertheless, this hasn't stopped them from finding ways to show their displeasure.  As an act of protest, people are banging pots and pans by their windows to demonstrate against the government.  It is a unique way of staying indoors while taking a stand against the government.