'It needs to stop': Whitmer blasts Trump over Michigan rally rhetoric

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer excoriated President Donald Trump for continuing his incendiary rhetoric toward her at a Saturday campaign rally in the wake of an alleged plot to kidnap her.

Speaking in Western Michigan as part of a swing through the Rust Belt, Trump urged Whitmer to loosen restrictions on economic activity enacted to curtail the spread of coronavirus, which is surging in the region.

“You’ve got to get your governor to open up your state,” he said to cheers. “And get your schools open.”

Trump’s supporters erupted into chants of “lock her up” — a refrain from the 2016 campaign originally lobbed at Hillary Clinton, but since repurposed against Whitmer and other high-profile Democrats — which Trump did little to dissuade.

“Lock ‘em all up,” he said before pausing to soak up energy in the crowd.

The striking visual quickly came to Whitmer’s attention, who responded while the president was still speaking.

“This is exactly the rhetoric that has put me, my family, and other government officials’ lives in danger while we try to save the lives of our fellow Americans,” she tweeted. “It needs to stop.”

Trump and other critics of the measures taken by governors to combat the virus — which has now infected more than 8 million Americans and killed at least 210,000 across the country — had singled out Whitmer, a freshman governor in a battleground state, on numerous occasions. In April Trump tweeted in all caps “Liberate Michigan” and more recently derided her as the “lock-up queen.”

Earlier this month federal and state law enforcement officials announced an array of charges — including violations of Michigan’s anti-terrorism statute — against at least seven people in connection with an elaborate plot to kidnap and possibly harm the governor.

But the alleged kidnapping plot, which included members of a militia group the FBI also suspected off planning to potentially kill police officers and possibly Whitmer herself, has done little to tamp down criticism against her by Trump and other conservatives.

“I guess they said she was threatened, right? And she blamed me,” Trump said, incredulously. ”She blamed me, and our people were the ones that worked with her people, so let's see what happens. Let's see what happens.”

Trump then urged the FBI to target antifa, a frequent comeback when the president is questioned over his previous equivocations on white supremacist and other extremist groups.

Whitmer’s deputy digital director, Tori Saylor, linked Trump's comments to spikes in online abuse against the governor.

“Every single time the President does this at a rally, the violent rhetoric towards her immediately escalates on social media,” Saylor wrote. “It has to stop. It just has to.”

The Trump campaign did not immediately return a request for comment on Whitmer's tweet.

Former Trump aide turned critic Anthony Scaramucci blasted Trump's rhetoric, saying it was "inciting violence," and accusing other GOP leaders of being complicit for not denouncing it.

"Hey guys: Trump is inciting violence against a sitting governor, @VP @senatemajldr @GOPLeader your silence is complicity. Is this how you want to be remembered?" Scaramucci wrote on Twitter.

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Black-owned tech company awarded patent on kiosk

PopCom, owner of PopShop, raised a historic $2.3 million by using Equity crowdfunding

After four years of development, CEO of PopCom, Dawn Dickson has been awarded the patent on the PopShop Kiosk, something she calls a “digital pop-up-shop.”

In 2017 I set out to create the 'iPhone of vending machines'. I have always been inspired by @Apple when it comes to design. I am so excited to be awarded US Patent #D896310 for the PopShop, a digital pop-up shop with software to revolutionize automated retail @PopComSaaS pic.twitter.com/HYsmFnpK65

— Dawn Dickson-Akpoghene (@THEDawnDickson) October 5, 2020

Dickson refers to the PopShop as the “iPhone of vending machines” because of the sleek and innovative design coupled with a range of novel features that are not available on traditional vending machines.

This feature set includes exterior cameras to anonymously collect customer data, including age, gender, emotion, and engagement.

The PopShop kiosk features a large display monitor to allow retailers to monetize their kiosks by selling advertisements and promoting products.

Kiosk example via PopCom

The cashless machines accept all major credit cards and PopCom has future plans to integrate digital currency acceptance and “pay with face” options.

With the goal of being completely “contact-less” and to protect customers from COVID-19, each sale can be conducted with a pen, stylus or even gloves.

Read More: Black tech startup founders take on the racial status quo in Silicon Valley

“I was tired of the same ‘box’ shape of machines,” said Dickson. “I am excited that after over four years of development we have been awarded the patent on the PopShop design. It was my vision to completely redesign the vending machine as we know it today and change the way people interact with automated retail. I have always been inspired by Apple and their approach to design, the PopShop was created by channeling that mindset of innovation.”

Invest now at startengine,com/popcom

Offering Circular: https://t.co/qpTsTcqh8F, Selected Risks: https://t.co/AZ2GrAeMCS – Reg A+ offering available through StartEngine Primary, LLC. pic.twitter.com/hhdBnpvSCD

— PopCom (@PopComSaaS) October 16, 2020

Previously, PopCom raised a historic $2.3 million by using Equity crowdfunding, a fundraising instrument that allows companies to secure investments from the general public with both accredited and non-accredited investors, which is outside the traditional fundraising route that most technology start-ups take.

Its latest offerings went live on October 1 on StartEngine, and individuals can invest starting at $252.

Read More: Black women investors help fund women-led start-ups through Pipeline Angels program

“It was important to me to be able to raise capital this way to build and encourage intergenerational wealth in often overlooked communities,” Dickson said.

via social media

Dickson recently won the 2020 OBWS Entrepreneur of the Year Award presented by SnapChat and was a Finalist for 2020 Rising Pay Tech Star Award.

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The post Black-owned tech company awarded patent on kiosk appeared first on TheGrio.

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Black Girl Who Hit Six Figures By the 6th Grade Shares Her Story With Millions on QVC, HSN, and Zulily

Confidence by GaBBY Goodwin has been selected for Qurate Retail Group’s Small Business Spotlight, a collaboration with the NRF Foundation to help small businesses navigate today’s challenging retail environment. This phase of the program is highlighting 20 Black-owned businesses as part of Qurate Retail Group’s commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion within its company and in society at large.

Qurate Retail Group, a multi-platform retailer that includes QVC, HSN, Zulily, and several other brands, is using its production resources, television broadcasts, and digital platforms to help GaBBY share her story with millions of consumers nationwide. GaBBY’s story began appearing on QVC’s and HSN’s websites and social pages in August and the company was highlighted on air in early October on QVC and on HSN. Click here to watch a replay.

Zulily is promoting the campaign on its website, email, and social, and Confidence by GaBBY Goodwin can also tap Qurate Retail Group team members for advice on solving a business issue through a virtual mentoring initiative.

“I am super excited to showcase my business and inspire girls around the world to follow their dreams and walk in confidence,” GaBBY Goodwin shared.

At the age of seven, GaBBY and her mom Rozalynn solved the age-old problem of disappearing hair barrettes by inventing GaBBY Bows, and non-slip Double-Face Double-Snap Barrette. GaBBY Bows, along with their line of girls’ hair styling products help remove stress from the styling process so moms, dads and girls can cherish this precious time together. The company’s online hair care tutorials and hair tool organizer also save time and frustration, while GaBBY’s children’s book, virtual entrepreneurship academy for girls and keynote presentations inspire confidence and creativity.

Qurate Retail Group has a long tradition of helping small business owners and entrepreneurs launch and grow their brands through the incredible power of storytelling and shopping discovery. QVC, HSN, and Zulily provide compelling platforms, with unmatched reach, that enable small businesses to speak directly to millions of consumers in their homes.

Earlier this spring, Qurate Retail Group and the NRF Foundation launched the Small Business Spotlight with 20 small businesses across America that have been impacted by COVID-19. The current focus on Black-owned businesses is part of several initiatives announced by Qurate Retail Group to promote diversity, equity and inclusion.

“We’re proud to stand with the Black community by sharing the stories of these extraordinary businesses, including their innovation, their triumphs, the challenges they face, and their remarkable resilience,” said Mike George, President and CEO, Qurate Retail, Inc. “In these important times, we want to be part of the solution and help build inclusive communities where all people are treated with equity.”

This phase of the Small Business Spotlight runs from August 12th through October 16th.

“Retailers serve every community across the country and support one out of every four jobs. Diversity and inclusion have always been at the heart of our industry, but we know there is so much more work to be done,” said Matthew Shay, president and CEO of the National Retail Federation. “By amplifying Black voices and businesses through programs like the Small Business Spotlight, we are taking an important step to ensure our industry remains a catalyst for promoting equity and opportunity in America today.”

For additional information on Confidence by GaBBY Goodwin, visit GabbyBows.com

This article was originally published by BlackBusiness.com.

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