Denis Moynihan

President Trump's planned rally at Mount Rushmore occurs as the U.S. suffers an explosion of COVID-19 cases and a national debate on how to deal with symbols enshrining systemic racism.

Across the sports world, athletes are speaking out, risking their careers in the fight against racism.

No matter how much Trump tries to vilify activists as thugs and terrorists, it is they, people in the streets, who represent the proudest traditions of protest and dissent.

Protest against police terror across the United States over the last two weeks is beginning to produce change.

Floyd's murder, in the crucible of the twin pandemics of COVID-19 and police brutality, has sparked a diverse rebellion against the scourge of systemic racism.

The pandemic lays bare what cell phone and body camera videos have increasingly exposed and communities of color have long known: racism is alive and well in the United States, and it is deadly.

These are difficult, dangerous times. The undocumented, the poor and communities of colour face COVID-19 infection on a daily basis, with practically no safety net.

Governor Kristi Noem supports armed vigilantes in states like Wisconsin. But if Native Americans dare to protect public health on their sovereign territory, Noem suddenly embraces "big government."

"The federal government announced that they intend to release a portion of funds ... to tribes to help fight COVID-19, but I'll believe it when I see it," said Navajo President Jonathan Nez.

"End the sickness of war and fight the disease that is ravaging our world. It starts by stopping the fighting everywhere. Now," United Nations Secretary General António Guterres said on March 23.