USA today

USA today

The ban on protesting + Derek Chauvin

Do you know what has been going on in the US since Trump has been re-elected? Write down what you have heard.

The first month of Trump's second term - what has he done so far?

- fired many important government workers, like air traffic controllers (result: more plane crashes)

- has threatened to invade Canada, Panama and Greenland (he wants Canada to be part of the USA)

- has started a trade war with Canada and Mexico (the US's friendly neighbors)

- has said he doesn't care about Europe and destroyed 80 years of friendship between Europe and the USA

- has said he will not help Ukraine anymore in their fight against the Russian invasion (even though the US has promised they would help out if Ukraine got rid of their nuclear weapons)

- has been very friendly with Putin, a dictator who is waging a war in Europe 

- has said he will turn Gaza into a luxury resort and send all Palestinians away permanently

- has let his friend Elon Musk close down programs to help poor people

- has fired all Black people and women at the top of the US army

- there will no longer be any extra help for people with disabilities, children in poverty, queer people, etc

- he has closed down the Department of Education so children with special needs will no longer get help

- he has promised to give the richest people in the country all the money he is saving by not giving any money to the poor.

Part 1: freedom of speech

What does 'freedom of speech' mean in a society?

How important do you think freedom of speech is in a society?

Very important!

Somewhat important.

Not very important.

Not at all important!

The constitution (= grondwet)

America has a constitution. It is the most important set of laws in a country. The Bill of Rights explains the rights of citizens of the United States. Let's read the very first part together. 

The first amendment explained

It says: People are free to practise any religion. 

People are free to say what they want (= freedom of speech). The press are free to publish what they want. 

People have the right to protest: to come together and demand change for things they are unhappy with.  

What part of the First Amendment do you agree with?

What kind of people protest more often and want things to change?

young people

middle-aged people

old people

What Trump has said:

If students rally or protest at any school, college or university, that school is no longer getting any money from the government. 

Students from other countries who protest will be sent back to their country. 

American students who protest will be expelled from the school, arrested and thrown in prison.  

What is your opinion on this new protest ban from President Trump? Give an argument for your opinion.
For instance: I think it's a good/bad idea, because...

Part 2: Derek Chauvin 

Derek Chauvin, a police officer, had his knee on Floyd's neck for 9 minutes. Floyd kept saying "I can't breathe" before he died. After a long trial, Chauvin was sentenced to 21 years in prison for killing George Floyd.

What do you know about Elon Musk?

Elon Musk

* from South Africa, his father owned a diamond mine

* richest man in the world

* Tesla, X, Starlink, Space X

* paid of lot of money to make sure Trump won the election

* now has enormous influence on Trump

* is helping Trump to get rid of all government programs that help poor people

* is an immigrant himself but hates immigrants

* has twice made a Nazi salute at a Trump rally 

* has suddenly stopped letting Ukraine use Starlink to communicate with their troops 

* has no official job in the government but keeps showing up next to Trump

What does Musk say exactly? 

Musk says George Floyd died because he was an unhealthy person. Derek Chauvin did not kill him. Musk says President Trump should think about releasing Chauvin from prison.

Should Derek Chauvin be released from prison? Why, or why not?

Wil je vaker een les over het nieuws?

Next class: 

We finish weekly task 4 on Peppels / Blink Engels.