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Don Lemon Tonight

CNN Town Hall; A Week That Put America's Trauma Over Race and Policing on Display; Call to Dispatch, Andrew Brown Jr. Shooting; N.C. Government Calls for Bodycam Footage to Be Made Public as Quickly as Possible; Laura Coates Interviews Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-NY); George Floyd Policing Bill Stuck in Senate; Laura's Case, All Americans Deserve the Benefit of Full Citizenship; Athletes Making Their Voices Heard in the Fight for Racial Justice; Federal Prosecutors Examine Whether Gaetz Took Gifts, Including Travel and Paid Escorts, for Political Favors; Racist Replacement theory claims Democrats Want Immigrants to Replace Native-Born White Americans; CNN Heroes: Glenn Close's Mental Health Mission. Aired 11p-12a ET

Aired April 23, 2021 - 23:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[23:03:00]

LAURA COATES, CNN HOST: Such an important town hall. Thank you, Dana Bash. This is CNN Tonight. I'm Laura Coates in for Don Lemon. And this has been quite a week. A week that puts America's trauma over race and policing on full display. A week when an ex-police officer was found guilty on all charges for murdering George Floyd. Kneeling on his neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds. Derek Chauvin will be sentenced on June 16th.

A week when just a few miles away from that Minneapolis courtroom, another family buried their son, 20-year-old Daunte Wright, shot to death by a police officer who yelled taser, taser. A week when Attorney General Merrick Garland announced a sweeping DOJ investigation that goes beyond George Floyd's case to investigate the practices of the Minneapolis Police Department itself, and a week when there were two more police shootings.

16-year-old Ma'Khia Bryant shot to death by a police officer as she appeared to lunge with a knife at another young woman. And 42-year-old Andrew Brown Jr., dispatch audio saying that he was shot in the back in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, that while deputies were serving a warrant.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNKNOWN: Central, advise EMS has got one male, 42 years of age, gunshot to the back.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COATES: Now, I want to be clear. The facts in all of these cases are very different. And we do need to know all the facts before we can know exactly what happened. But what we are learning tonight is that seven deputies in that North Carolina case have been put on administrative leave, seven of them. And two others have resigned. And one deputy has now retired. That is Governor Roy Cooper is calling for the bodycam footage in this case to be made public as quickly as possible.

[23:05:12]

Let's get the latest on the Andrew Brown Jr. shooting investigation from North Carolina. CNN's Dianne Gallagher is there for us now. Dianne, we can hear on the dispatch audio that Andrew Brown was shot in the back, and now his family says that he never carried a gun. So have we learned anything else about what might've happened?

DIANNE GALLAGHER, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I'm going to be honest, Laura. The details on this are sparse. We have not learned very much, at least from the official side on what happened here. We know very much what I would consider to be the basics here. And maybe not even that.

The sheriff saying today that the deputies who were there were serving arrest and search warrants with the drug and alcohol task force, saying that there were felony warrants for Mr. Brown and that they pointed out that he had a history, they say, of resisting arrest. They haven't said a whole lot more. They have said that it's all under investigation.

We do know that in the words of the sheriff, there is a lot of body camera video from all of the deputies that were there. That has yet to be released at this point, Laura. Now we've talked to witnesses, though, and their stories match up right now that we've spoken to these neighbors. They claim that deputies were firing on the car that Brown was in. But they aren't sure, the people we've spoken with say they don't know if the gunfire began before he began driving, the car was in motion or after the car was already in motion.

But they say that he was definitely in that car, and they say that the vehicle sort of skipped across the street into a lot and came there at a tree in the yard. There are gunshot -- there are bullet holes basically in neighbors' homes in this area. People were obviously very frightened by the situation and then became angry because they didn't know what was going on.

And that's kind of what we've seen in the streets here of Elizabeth City, Laura. People say they just don't have enough information right now to even come to any sort of conclusions that they feel like there's just a serious lack of transparency. The sheriff said that he's trying to make everything perfect right now, put all the details together. There's a lot of body camera footage, a lot of people involved. But so far we still don't have what I would consider to be in many of these cases the basic details of what happened on Wednesday morning.

COATES: I mean, the idea of holding off for perfection sounds a bit odd to me. And you have new reporting now about the family and of course the bodycam footage. What are you telling us? I mean, there's all this bodycam footage, why haven't we seen any of it?

GALLAGHER: So, in the state of North Carolina, the bodycam footage to be released requires a court order basically, a judge's order. I can tell you that the family -- that's for public release. The family can see it before that. They have not seen it, though. Now, they were invited by the sheriff for their very first meeting with the sheriff actually this afternoon.

His aunts, his uncle, his cousins came into the sheriff's office, Laura. They were under the impression, they said it was an assumption on their part, but they thought they were going to get a chance to see this body camera video. They did not. One of his cousins told me, you know, I walked in there, and I walked out of there with basically the same amount of information.

They say that the sheriff continued to offer his condolences throughout the entire meeting, but didn't give them a lot of details, didn't give them a lot of information that they are really desperate for at this point because they still don't know what happened to their nephew, to their cousin.

You know, Andrew Brown was a father of seven children. He was a grandfather. So those children still don't know what happened on Wednesday morning to their dad. And that's I think what's been so hard for them. They've been out in the streets with the protesters here, you know, peacefully demanding answers and transparency. But the family really thought they were going to get a chance to see that video today, and they didn't.

COATES: And still they're waiting. Thank you, Dianne. Keep on top of this. I appreciate it so much. Joining me now Democratic Congressman from New York Mondaire Jones. Congressman, thank you for joining us on Friday evening. What a week this has truly been. I mean, it has been such an emotional rollercoaster for so many communities all across the country.

I mean you've got waiting for the verdict, the guilty decision by a jury, and then we're learning about as we just spoke with our colleague about different cases, at least two more cases of police shootings with very different circumstances. And of course, on Thursday the very heart wrenching Daunte Wright funeral. I mean, what do you think of where we are as a country tonight?

[23:10:00]

REP. MONDAIRE JONES (D-NY): I think that we are reaching a boiling point as it concerns systemic racism and policing in this country. But as a member of Congress where Democrats in the House of Representatives just passed the George Floyd Justice and Policing Act.

I have never been more hopeful about what we can do to re-imagine policing in this country to hold bad actors accountable and to finally deliver justice for communities that have borne the brunt of the unjust policing practices that we are seeing play out in video footage after video footage, seemingly daily these days.

COATES: And, Congressman, you've mentioned the George Floyd Justice and Policing Act. It was passed by the House, but it was passed without any Republican support in March. And now we know that it's being held up in the Senate with an effort to get it passed by the one-year anniversary of Floyd's murder on May 25th. I mean, do you think that this bill is going to be not only passed but also the answer to the questions that we are all trying to face and grapple with right now? Will this solve it?

JONES: Well, let's be clear. This will solve some of the problems that we're facing, but it is not a panacea for racism and policing. We must go further to re-imagine policing. But this is still a significant strive forward. And I do believe that we will pass policing reform this Congress. There are folks actively working to do precisely that.

I had a conversation with one of those individuals just an hour ago. And so I am optimistic that we will get something done in the Senate, but we have to keep the pressure on. Democrats and the House have done what they need to do with respect to the George Floyd Justice and Policing Act. And now it's time for Democrats in the Senate to rise to the occasion.

And any Republicans of good conscience who remain in that body after seeing everything that has been happening in this country over the past year alone must come forward in good faith, come to the negotiating table and help to deliver on behalf of the American people. We can still have a multiracial democracy in this country. But we need people in government to fight for it and to do the right thing.

COATES: And speaking of Republicans. Republican Senator Tim Scott is proposing a bit of a compromise for the bill that's focused on qualified immunity, which has been one of the real sticking points here. You know, he wants to shift it from the burden of responsibility on an individual police officer who could be sued to now being able to sue the employer, the police departments.

Is that an effective compromise, is that going to move the needle? I know that there are some Democrats who are already pushing back on this notion of just shifting the burden. Do you accept that compromise as a possibility?

JONES: Well, as you know, qualified immunity itself is a doctrine that the Supreme Court created, and that has allowed officers to evade civil liability even after they have demonstrably violated the constitutional rights of civilians.

And so I am committed to making sure that we hold officers accountable so that we can deter officers from ever engaging in racist policing moving forward. And so it's why I'm focused at the officer level with respect to reforming qualified immunity. And I say that as just one member of Congress. But I know that many people share my view on that subject.

COATES: And this is one member of Congress, I mean the qualified immunity is used, but one of the aspects of the George Floyd Justice and Policing Act. There is a very comprehensive set of initiatives there include in there that really run the gamut. So, the idea of one hurdle being one to have to overcome. There are still other aspects to consider, of course, that need to be taken into account. You know, I want to play this moment for you today, Congressman,

because, you were on the House floor, and you were taking on your Republican colleagues' arguments about a very important issue that's in the press and all across this region against D.C. statehood. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JONES: I have had enough of my colleagues' racist insinuations that somehow the people of Washington, D.C. are incapable or even unworthy of our democracy. One Senate Republican said that D.C. wouldn't be a, quote, well-rounded working-class state. I had no idea there were so many syllables in the word white.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COATES: Now, after some backlash from Republican members, you withdrew those remarks. But do you still believe that a lot of the arguments against making D.C. a state have some basis and foundation in racism?

JONES: I meant everything I said on the floor that day. I voluntarily agreed to strike some of those remarks because I didn't want to have to call back my colleagues for a vote, which is something that is a procedural tool available to Republicans in the case of what happened on Thursday.

But I think based on the response, and of course based on the underlying rhetoric of my Republican colleagues in the House and in the Senate, I refer to Tom Cotton statement in that particular clip.

[23:15:06]

You know, it is clear that these arguments against enfranchising 700,000 people, most of whom are black and brown are not rooted in anything other than white supremacy, which we've been seeing a lot of lately. I think back to the so-called America first policy that Marjorie Taylor Greene tried to create, and then there was backlash to that, that idea that we need a caucus committed to Anglo-Saxon traditions, in the words of herself and others who would be interested in joining such a caucus.

We have seen white supremacy on steroids lately, and many people aren't even denying it, which I suppose is a silver lining that we can have an honest discussion about what is motivating this debate. And that is precisely what we've been hearing on the House floor and in the Senate chamber as well.

COATES: Congressman Jones, thank you so much for your time. I appreciate it.

You know, what we saw in that Minneapolis courtroom this week was never about one case. It was never about one trial. It was never about one guilty verdict or even three guilty verdicts. It was about equality. And it requires more. And that more is being able to enjoy the full benefits of citizenship in this country, which prides itself not just on its constitution, but on the subsequent amendments to the constitution.

Prides itself on being a form of government that is of, for, and by all the people. A country that prides itself on securing human and civil rights across the entire globe. And, yet, we are confronted by the reality that we are also a country that denies the rights that we are promising to others.

You know, while many were waiting for the Derek Chauvin trial jurors to deliberate, others were deliberating how best to undermine voting rights, civil rights. We look at the new election laws in Georgia which restrict access to the ballot for so many voters. And as we waited for the judge to read aloud a verdict and confirm what mattered, others were plotting how to silence lawful, legitimate protests, like in Florida where the Republican Governor signed a controversial so-called pro-law enforcement bill into law this very week.

GOP lawmakers claimed that it's going to crack down on riots and property damage. But Democrats say its real aim is to limit peaceful protests. A new law in Oklahoma granting immunity to drivers who unintentionally run over and in injure or kill protesters. And it ups the fines on protesters who block streets.

You know, as jurors were reading the text of a criminal statute, still others were using pretext to justify the gross infringement of civil rights. You know, perhaps they were hoping that people would be so singularly focused on one trial before them that they could do what they pleased in the periphery.

Justice doesn't work like that. Democracy doesn't work like that either. And it just shows that there is still more work to be done. Former President Barack Obama knows it, especially when it comes to Republican efforts in nearly every state to suppress voting, especially the votes of black and brown Americans.

He told Vet.com they know they can't win you over with their policies, so they're hoping to convince you that your vote and your voice doesn't matter. That's how they win. And that's why we need to keep marching, keep speaking up, keep voting. And if you think it's too hard to bring about change today, remember that those who came before us had it a whole lot harder. If anyone had a right to believe that this democracy did not work and could not work, it was those Americans.

You know, our founding fathers envisioned a system of checks and balances by co-equal branches all working toward the goal of one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. So, the work ahead will require us to check and balance the public servants and elected officials who ask for the opportunity to lead, but then fail not only to not protect and serve but also deny your right to vote, your constitutional rights, your civil rights, your human rights. That's called accountability when you check and balance that.

[23:20:02]

See, it was never about one trial. It was always about the pursuit of justice. And one day with a little bit of accountability and fair representation, our nation just might finally catch justice.

The verdict was not the end. It's just the beginning. And America is grappling with the trauma over race and policing, and athletes are making their voices heard in the fight for racial justice. Up next, I'll talk with three incredible basketball players. Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz, Garrett Temple of the Chicago Bulls. And Nneka Ogwumike of the Los Angeles Sparks.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COATES: It's been a week of emotional turmoil for so many black Americans. The relief was palpable after Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murdering George Floyd. But since then, we've seen shooting after shooting and more black people being killed at the hands of police. Though the facts in each case are admittedly different.

[23:25:00]

Athletes are playing a very important role in highlighting the ongoing fight for racial justice. Now, some ignorant people want them to just shut up and dribble. But I'm honored to speak with three incredible basketball players who are not staying in their lane. Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz, Garrett Temple of the Chicago bulls and Nneka Ogwumike of the Los Angeles Sparks. I am so glad that you're all here for this very important conversation. Donovan, I want to start with you and the Chauvin trial. What was your reaction when you heard the guilty verdicts?

DONOVAN MITCHELL, NBA PLAYER, UTAH JAZZ: You know, for me, it's funny. It's not funny but I was with my teammates. You know, we all kind of -- we asked the same question, you know, when I was with them, and the biggest thing, we were just relieved but not satisfied. I think that he was held accountable. We finally got our justice. But there's still more work to do.

I think you know, that's been my mindset, I think that's been everybody's mindset. Like this was a step in the right direction, but there's definitely more work to be done, but we're definitely happy, you know, with the result of how it happened. And obviously we wish George Floyd was still here with us, and prayers out to his family, but we finally got justice, but we're not done yet. We have more to do.

COATES: Because in many ways, Nneka, it was never about just one particular trial. It was about why it was so illustrative on so many other cases that we've heard about, names we don't know. What went through your mind Nneka, when you heard guilty on every single count?

NNEKA OGWUMIKE, WNBA PLAYER, LOS ANGELES, SPARKS: Well, you know, it's disappointing for me because, you know, I'm watching the TV, and I'm hearing the judge read out the verdict. And I'm still anxious, you know. And I don't think it should be the case with something that was so obvious and so blatant. So, for me, there was kind of an anticipation that I wasn't settled in.

But, of course, once understanding on all accounts, you know, it really sunk in that, you know, for the longest, that so much of this country has understood that that verdict was really the only option, although the issue that we have is the anticipation of hearing it, and we need to fix that.

COATES: I mean, Garrett, you think about it even with a nine minute and 29 second video, it was still a three-week trial. People still had concern, as Nneka was talking about. The idea of still being anxious about whether in fact it would be a guilty verdict. I mean, we've seen people of color dying at the hands of police over and over and over again with no accountability, which is why that anxiety comes. Was this verdict for you a turning point or just a one-off?

GARRETT TEMPLE, NBA PLAYER, CHICAGO BULLS: I think it was -- I would hope that it's a turning point. I'm not the person that can make that judgment call. But I do agree with Nneka in the fact that because there was still that anticipation, because there were still people like our parents, people, you know, our grandparents that just couldn't believe it to be true unless they heard that guilty verdict.

Even though as you said there was nine minutes and 30 seconds of video evidence that showed what the verdict should have been, no matter what happened there in the trial or what not. As you stated, all of America saw what happened and knew what the verdict should have been. But to still have that anticipation, to her point, that is the problem in this country right now.

And for it to be a turning point, I'd have to see what comes next. Because on that day we know what else happened in Minneapolis or near Minneapolis. And we know what happened on that day as well, you know, somewhere else in America. And unfortunately, it's probably going to continue to happen, but if we can hold police accountable like Donovan said, hopefully it happens less and less.

COATES: You know, Donovan, to your point as well, the idea of you were happy or relieved but not satisfied, in recognition of the work that needs to be done and moving forward and this not being the end of the conversation. I mean, the video of Derek Chauvin kneeling on George Floyd's neck did open up so many eyes to the real depths of racial injustice and disparity.

So I'm wondering for you, how can role models like each one of you keep this conversation going in a productive way? And when I say role models, I don't just mean for younger people looking up to you. I'm talking about people who are looking to you all to use your platform in this way.

MITCHELL: I think, you know, I think the biggest thing is conversations like the ones we're having, you know, just keeping it on the forefront of everybody's brains. You know, one thing I think since the pandemic and everything and George Floyd was really the catalyst to this.

[23:30:00]

MITCHELL: I think this year or so has been -- you know, I think the country has done a great job of continuing to keep it on the forefront of everybody's brain. You know, there been times where this has happened and it kind of dwindles off or goes away, you know, and then we re-attack it when it comes back up.

I think for us as African Americans, continuing to keep our foot on the gas and continuing to bring light to the situation, you know, I think that's really where it all starts, continuing to bring light to it.

I think I agree with Garrett and them saying, you know, we don't know if this is going to be a turning point, but it's a good place to start, you know, and I think for us it's just a matter of continuing to shine light on the necessary situations and holding people accountable of doing wrong.

COATES: You know, I think it's so, you know, laudable that each of you did not choose to use your platforms as merely a form of escapism for the nation to turn their eyes away. It was an opportunity for you as you talk about to shine that light, to hold the magnifying and the mirror up. And Nneka, I mean, what do you say to people who think that athletes should just stay away from politics? This is not your lane?

OGWUMIKE: You know, I got asked this question last year in the bubble. And, quite frankly, athletes wish that they could just play. But we can't, you know. We're not just players. We're citizens as well. We're members of our communities. And we would be remiss not to use our platforms.

I know in the W, we've really seen a big turning point with how we were able to use our platforms for change. In 2021, we have a social advocacy agenda that includes racial justice and voting rights. And in a lot of times -- in a lot of ways, you know, these pillars that we're standing on in our agenda this year, you know, something like police reform is about both racial justice and public health, you know, because they shouldn't be the ones that are responding to mental health calls, you know.

And I think that it's important for everyone to understand that we need to honor George Floyd, and for us especially as women in the W, we want to lift up his daughter because, you know, she said that he was going to change the world. And bringing our advocacy to the forefront not just through what we do collectively, but in conversation, you know, like Donovan said, these conversations need to evolve.

And so we're -- we're having conversations in the W about members of Congress and how they can do better. And we know that both Vanita Gupta and Kristen Clarke are exceptionally qualified nominees for the Justice Department. So, we need the Senate to confirm them immediately so we can get to work for the American people because, you know, we need people in these seats that are fighting for civil rights for all.

COATES: Oh, it looks like we must've lost Garrett's shot. So, Donovan, I'm going to give you the last word here. You know, I've got to ask, what is it like to be so revered as an athlete? I mean, people all over the country are wearing your jersey and singing praises. And then when you leave the court, you have just as much of a chance as any other Black man of having a routine traffic stop escalate into something that could be deadly.

MITCHELL: Um, you know, it's -- it's the reality, you know. I think the craziest part about it. I've been pulled over while in the NBA. You know, I have a pretty loud car, colorful, definitely a car that's not, you know, with the music blaring and, you know, I got pulled over in a neighborhood that the cop thought I shouldn't be in. And, you know, it was very aggressive, you know, kind of like, what are you doing here, are you sure you're going home? Said I was heading home.

And it wasn't until I gave him my license that his demeanor changed you know. And so, the reason why I continue to speak up is because, like, there are people, there are Black men, Black women, people of color who can't just hand them their license and get -- and be able to have it -- the cop's demeanor change because they play basketball or they're famous, you know.

That's really what I speak for. And I think that's something we all speak for. I think at the end of the day, I'm a Black man first. You know, I play basketball. I do that. That's great. I'm a Black man first, and I would like to speak for Black men, Black women.

And I think that's -- that's really my biggest push as a role model, as an athlete, because at the end of the day, like you said, it can happen to any one of us, especially once we step off that floor, we're a Black man, a Black woman, people of color. I think that's really where it starts for us.

COATES: I want to thank you all so much for the conversation, and we'll keep going with it. Garrett, Donovan, Nneka, so important to hear from you and thank you for using your platforms in the way that you have to really shine a light and keep moving everything forward. I appreciate it.

MITCHELL: Thank you.

COATES: And CNN is learning more about the federal investigation now into Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz. How a trip to the Bahamas, paid escorts, and medical marijuana all play into it.

[23:35:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COATES: New details about the federal investigation into Congressman Matt Gaetz. Sources tell CNN prosecutors are looking into whether the Florida Republican took gifts, including travel and paid escorts in exchange for political favors.

Now, this is part of an ongoing probe also examining whether Gaetz engaged in a relationship with a girl that began when she was just 17 years old.

CNN's Paula Reid joins us now. Paula, what are the federal investigators looking at here?

PAULA REID, CNN SENIOR LEGAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Good evening, Laura. CNN has learned that the federal sex trafficking investigation into Congressman Gaetz includes looking at whether he took gifts like travel and paid escorts in exchange for political favors.

[23:39:59]

REID: Sources briefed on the matter say the Justice Department is scrutinizing a 2018 trip to the Bahamas involving Gaetz and several young women. Now, they're specifically looking at whether the getaway was part of an orchestrated effort to illegally influence the congressman in the area of medical marijuana.

CNN has previously reported Gaetz is under investigation for engaging in a relationship with a woman that began when she was just 17, and that Gaetz attended sex parties in Orlando with other prominent Republicans that involved women, drugs, and exchanging sex for money.

CNN has also learned that investigators already have one key witness who is cooperating, and that is Joel Greenberg. He is the former Seminole County tax commissioner and he is also a close associate of Congressman Gaetz. He also attended those sex parties. He was indicted last year on multiple federal charges, including sex trafficking. And Laura, he is expected to enter a plea deal in the coming weeks.

COATES: You know, Paula, I mean, you report that a number of his close associates have ties to the industry. Just who are these people?

REID: Well, the congressman has a long history of advocating for medical marijuana. He has introduced bills both at the state and federal level seeking to loosen laws that regulate the drug. He has many associates who are involved in this industry.

But according to reports, Dr. Jason Pirozzolo, a Florida doctor who founded a medical marijuana advocacy group, accompanied Gaetz on that 2018 trip to the Bahamas. Now, Gaetz has referred to the doctor as one of his best friends and the pair had repeatedly intersected over medical marijuana.

Now, if you go as far back as 2014, Gaetz then a state representative in Florida introduced medical marijuana legislation just two weeks after vacationing with Pirozzolo in the Florida keys. One week after the legislation passed, Pirozzolo launched a medical marijuana consulting company.

Flash forward to April 2018, when Gaetz introduced the medical cannabis research bill, well, a source tells CNN the congressman hand- delivered a fully written draft of this bill to his staff, which overlapped significantly with the agenda of Dr. Pirozzolo's group.

Now, Gaetz nor the doctor haven't accused by the Justice Department of any crimes. An attorney for the doctor declined to comment. But a spokesman for Gaetz told CNN in a statement -- quote -- "Matt Gaetz is a longtime policy expert on the subject and passed legislation on the matter as far back as 2013. To suggest he needed anyone else nudging him along is risible." Laura?

COATES: I mean, gosh, the racist -- the racist replacement theory is up next. I think we're going to end it there. But, you know what, Paula Reid, thank you for your reporting. Excellent as always. I appreciate it.

You know, the racist replacement theory is gaining prominence in right-wing circles. My next guest says the people promoting it have it all wrong.

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[23:45:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COATES: White supremacist groups and right-wing media personalities pushing this racist replacement theory. It holds that Democrats want immigrants, Black and brown people, to replace native-born whites, not only in American culture, but also in the voting booth.

But CNN's senior political analyst Ron Brownstein says they have it all backwards. He joins me now. Ron, good evening. I'm glad that you're here because, you know, today, America is about 60 percent white. And if the United States shut off all immigration entirely, that share would decline to just over 51 percent by 2060. You argue that immigration is really important. Why?

RON BROWNSTEIN, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, look, I mean, the proponents of the racist replacement theory are telling their audience, primarily older white Americans, that they are being threatened by the idea of immigrants -- quote -- "replacing them in American society."

The real threat to older white America is immigrants won't replace them in the tax base and in the workforce because what we know, Laura, is that with or without immigration, America is aging. There will be 40 percent more seniors by 2035 than there are today, even if immigration is completely cut off. And that means there are going to be a lot more people who need social security and Medicare.

But without immigration, the working-age population will be stagnant or declined. That means there will be a lot more seniors for each working-age adult which means, in turn, either huge tax increases on the working-age population or big benefit cuts in the social security and Medicare on which those older whites rely.

So not for the first time the kind of the right-wing voices advancing this replacement theory are trying to activate cultural fears of older white America in service of an economic agenda that is actually against their financial interests.

COATES: Ron, I wish you could talk more because it's a very thorough piece and it's excellent on CNN. Thank you for your time. We'll be right back.

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[23:50:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COATES: Well, the Academy Awards are on Sunday, and actress Glenn Close is up for best supporting actress for her role in "Hillbilly Elegy." She is taking a moment to shine a spotlight on mental health. Her sister was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and Close is working to end the stigma.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GLENN CLOSE, ACTRESS: I have always said that mental health is a family affair. When my sister, Jess, came to me and said, I need help because I can't stop thinking of killing myself. It was like a bolt out of nowhere. We have, over the last 10 years, learned a tremendous amount about stigma, about how toxic it is.

[23:55:05]

CLOSE: We have found that the best way to start ending stigma is to talk about it. Bring Change 2Mind is a non-profit organization that fights against the stigma that surrounds mental illness. It's a chronic illness. It's not who you are. It's something because we have this amazing, wondrous, fragile brain.

It is part of being a human being, especially now because our collective mental health is under such stress. It should be something that really connects us, this need to take care of our brains. It makes us human.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COATES: And to learn more, go to cnnheroes.com.

Thanks for watching. Our coverage continues.

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