March 2020

Correct behaviour when looting

How should I act when I'm looting. A guide for young and old.

United Nations Agency Calls for $1 Trillion COVID-19 Debt Relief Package

Vatican Official Calls for "Jubilee"Washington DC -  A United Nations agency that predicted the 2008 financial crisis is calling for $1 trillion in debt relief for developing countries to battle the economic impacts of the coronavirus. "We are in a recession and likely facing the greatest financial crisis since the Great Depression," stated Eric LeCompte, the Executive Director of the religious development group Jubilee USA.

Mayor Bowser lifts "Cherry Blossom Blockade"

On the 26th of March, the swarm of cops and occasional National Guard vehicles were gone from the Tidal Basin area, but the cherry blossoms were still out. With very few people present beyond some car traffic it was an utterly safe time for the few who braved reports of the Mayor calling out the Guard over the cherry blossoms and got to see them in privacy.

Video-"private showing" of Haines Point cherry blossoms after Mayor Bowser withdraws National Guard 1 min 34 sec

Some car traffic but relatively few people on foot

IMF Announces Coronavirus Debt Relief and Increased Lending Resources

Washington DC -  As the coronavirus continues to take lives and wreak havoc on health systems and the economy, the International Monetary Fund announced plans for debt relief for poor countries and increased lending resources for all countries. "Debt relief and aid to bolster health systems in developing countries is urgently needed," said Jubilee USA Executive Director Eric LeCompte. LeCompte's organization sent a letter to the IMF on Monday urging debt relief, increased below market-rate lending and improving debt restructuring processes.

The Shortwave Report 03/27/20 Listen Globally!

Dear Radio Friend,     This week's show features stories from NHK Japan, Radio Deutsche-Welle, Radio Havana Cuba, and Sputnik Radio.http://www.outfarpress.com/swr200327.mp3   (If you have access to Audioport there is a highest quality version posted up there {33MB} http://www.audioport.org/index.php?op=producer-info&uid=904&nav=&)        From JAPAN- The UN has called

G20 Emergency Meeting Convenes on Coronavirus Health and Economic Impacts

Washington DC -  Saudi Arabia chaired an emergency virtual G20 meeting for Presidents and Prime Minsters as the coronavirus wreaks havoc on the global economy. The leaders pledged to pump $5 trillion into the economy, cooperate on health efforts and address debt risks facing poor countries."World leaders are incredibly concerned about a crisis that is taking lives and could destroy our economy," shared Eric LeCompte, a United Nations finance expert and Executive Director of the religious development group Jubilee USA.

Somalia Wins Debt Relief

Washington, DC -  The International Monetary Fund and World Bank announced that Somalia qualifies to receive debt relief. In three years time, Somalia's debt will be reduced from $5.2 billion to $557 million."Debt relief for Somalia is incredibly exciting news and can't come soon enough," said Eric LeCompte who leads Jubilee USA, a development group that advocated for debt relief for the African country.

IMF and World Bank Ask G20 to Halt Debt Collection for Poor Countries

Washington, DC -  The International Monetary Fund asked G20 countries and other lending countries to stop collecting debt from poor countries due to the coronavirus pandemic."We urge lending countries to take up this call so billions of dollars can be freed up for poor countries dealing with impacts of the coronavirus," said Eric LeCompte who leads Jubilee USA. The religious development group sent a letter to the IMF on Monday urging debt payment moratoriums.

Amidst Covid-19 Spread, IMF and World Bank Signal Debt Relief for Poor Countries

Washington, DC -  On Monday the heads of the IMF and World Bank stated support for debt relief for very poor countries as the coronavirus spreads. African Finance Ministers called for suspension of debt payments to free up $44 billion to fight Covid-19. Ecuador's Congress also demanded its government stop paying debt."Countries need to prioritize fighting Covid-19 and billions can be freed up right away by halting debt payments," stated Eric LeCompte who leads the development group Jubilee USA and serves on United Nations debt expert groups.

Jubilee USA Urges Immediate IMF Covid-19 Action

Washington, DC - The leadership of a religious development group wrote the head of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva, to help stop negative economic consequences of the Covid-19 virus. “Economic forecasts warn that a possible financial crisis or depression, spurred by the coronavirus, could be worse than the 2008 financial crisis,” warned the letter sent on Monday to the IMF from Jubilee USA's executive officers, Celeste Drake, Reverend Steve Herder, Rabbi Matthew Cutler, Reverend Aniedi Okure and Eric LeCompte.

National Guard called out to block Cherry Blossom crowds from defying Trump and Bowser

On the 21st of March, substantial crowds defied Donald Trump's demands to stay home and took significant personal risk to see the cherry blossoms and vote NO to lockdowns and curfews. The next day, MPD was deployed to block street access to cars. The night after that, Muriel Bowser announced she was deploying the National Guard as well as MPD to block pedestrians and bikes as well as cars from the cherry blossoms.

Video-scenes near the Tidal Basin on 3-25 after cops, guard called out

Park Police at cherry blossom roadblock on March 22. National Guard to be added to these(Photo by Darcy Spencer via Twitter)

Coronavirus bungling and plays for new government power risk major unrest

In just one week the Covid-19 mess has erupted from toilet paper disappearing to sporadic food shortages, all of California being ordered to stay at home, Md Gov Hogan, closing parks (after defiant and possibly safe mass cookouts) and many businesses, and French police being deployed against wholesale defiance of beach closures. There has even been talk of declaring martial law in California.

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