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Bloody Sunday Anniversary; Second Norfolk Southern Trail Derails In Ohio; More Than 10 Million People Under Winter Alerts, As Series Of Storms Set To Bring More Heavy Snow To Much Of Western U.S. Aired 3-4p ET

Aired March 05, 2023 - 15:00   ET

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

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Welcome.

Welcome.

Welcome.

Welcome to Confetti.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Welcome to the Q Live Trivia Game Network.

RAHEL SOLOMON, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT (voice over):But none achieve the popularity and power of the original.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm probably a little nostalgic for HQ Trivia. It definitely reminds me of a certain time and a certain place and a certain way of life that's different from now.

SOLOMON (voice over): Rahel Solomon, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN HOST: All right, be sure to tune in to the all-new CNN film, "Glitch: The Rise and Fall of HQ Trivia." It premieres Sunday or that's tonight actually. It premieres tonight, nine o'clock right here on CNN.

The next hour of the CNN NEWSROOM starts right now.

[15:00:44]

WHITFIELD: All right, hello again, everyone. Thank you so much for joining me. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.

And we begin this hour in Selma, Alabama, where just moments ago President Biden arrived to mark the 58th Anniversary of the day known as Bloody Sunday.

On this day in 1965l, six hundred people began a march from Selma to Montgomery, demanding an end to discrimination in voter registration. Marchers, including the late Congressman John Lewis, were beaten by White State Troopers as they tried to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge, an event that sparked outrage and helped rally support for the Voting Rights Act. CNN's Arlette Saenz is in Selma for today's event.

Arlette, the President is expected to give his speech. Set the stage for us right now.

ARLETTE SAENZ, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fred, President Biden's speech here in Selma on the anniversary of Bloody Sunday really has two purposes.

First off, the White House says that he wants to ensure that the memory of what happened on that day 58 years ago is not erased from American history.

And secondly, the President is expected to use his speech here to once again make the case for voting rights. Of course, that brutal and historic day here in Selma, Alabama, really served as a significant moment in the Civil Rights Movement and also led to the signing of the Voting Rights Act.

And what the President has repeatedly tried to do throughout his administration is stress and try to put the spotlight on new voting rights legislation.

Of course, that was a hallmark of his 2020 presidential campaign promising that he would get some type of voting rights legislation passed up on Capitol Hill. But so far, those efforts have simply floundered.

They were unable to get two pieces of legislation, one named after the late Congressman John Lewis, they were unable to get those pieces of legislation passed when Democrats controlled both chambers. And now, it's an increasingly a more uphill climb as Republicans have control of the House.

Now, a short while ago, we had the chance to catch up with Congressman Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, a key powerful Biden ally, and he essentially said we are on a road, and we just have to keep rolling, that they will keep working to try to get Voting Rights legislation passed.

But he was also very cognizant of the hurdles that remain up on Capitol Hill, particularly when it comes to the filibuster, that 60- vote threshold that would need to be cleared in order to get anything passed in the Senate, and now that GOP control of the House.

Now, the President will once again try to make his case here at a time when many activists have become frustrated with the inability to get voting rights legislation across the finish line.

I will also note that in addition to this Voting Rights push coming from the President here today, it will also serve as his first visit here to Selma after those tornadoes devastated the city and neighborhoods nearby.

As we drove through the city today, we saw much of that devastation that impacted homes and buildings, the President might have an opportunity to see some of that as he is driving here to this site today, but in just a short while we are expecting the President to once again make his push for Voting Rights at a time when many activist wants to see the White House doing more.

WHITFIELD: And Arlette, just moments ago, while you were talking, we were looking at live pictures of the President who was getting off Marine One after arriving, Air Force One there and then getting into the limo and making his way presumably there to downtown Selma.

And so what's your understanding about, you know, traditionally, on this day marking this day, people walk across that bridge. Is it your understanding that the President will do that? And I think earlier I saw some images of the Vice President, is she there with him or was that at a different venue?

SAENZ: So Vice President Kamala Harris actually traveled here last year for these commemorations, but this will be President Biden's first time here as President. He is expected to speak at this rally right behind me. In front of me, there are hundreds of people who are gathered, awaiting to listen to his speech, and then we do expect the President to participate in a march across this bridge.

[15:05:00]

SAENZ: Now when the President traveled here, then as a candidate back in 2020, he did not partake in that march across the bridge. He instead spoke at a historic chapel just a few blocks away.

And last time when he was here in 2020, it was also when the late Congressman John Lewis was on hand. He actually surprised the crowd. People didn't know that he was coming here that day, and he had taken his car to the top of that bridge, gotten out and said that people needed to keep fighting for Voting Rights.

So certainly, this is a very historic day that people take to heart here in Selma, Alabama and across the country when you think about Civil Rights.

WHITFIELD: All right, Arlette Saenz, thanks so much, in Selma, Alabama, and again, the President will be speaking there momentarily when he arrives. And of course, we'll monitor those comments if not able to, of course, take them live.

All right, turning now to another Norfolk Southern freight train derailment in Ohio, this one near Springfield. That's about 200 miles away from East Palestine, the site of the company's fiery train derailment and toxic spill one month ago. Twenty cars came off the track early Saturday evening.

Nearby residents were temporarily asked to shelter out of an abundance of caution. That order was lifted earlier today.

Norfolk Southern officials say there were no hazardous materials on board. Hazmat teams from the EPA and Clark County, each independently examining the site to confirm that.

CNN's Polo Sandoval is following the latest developments.

And polo, of course, people there and everywhere are wondering how can this be, yet, another train derailment involving the same company, same State, and really very similar worries even though we're told now no hazardous materials. So people have to, you know, wonder what is going on with the tracks there and with this company?

POLO SANDOVAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A lot of valid questions, Fred, and I have to tell you, the moment that we found out about this yesterday afternoon, that certainly raised some serious concerns in light of what we saw take place in East Palestine just a little over a month ago.

However, when you look at the details here, including what the nation's Transportation Secretary tweeted late last night, they determined that there was no hazardous material that was being transported on these trains. This accident also happened in an area that does not have a protective water source, so that is putting some concerns to bed.

Also, when you look at this aftermath, it really is quite incredible. About 20 of 212 train cars derailed, four tankers that you may be able to make out there in the lower portion of your screen, were identified. They were transporting what the Fire Chief described as common industrial solutions. Two of them carried residual amounts of diesel exhaust fluid, while the other two contains a water soluble solution and no evidence of any leaks.

But this kind of gives you a breakdown of what authorities took a very close look at and this was authorities from three separate entities. There was the local hazmat team, you also have the EPA, not to mention the Norfolk Southern company that owns this train, all of them independently were able to confirm that this is not any sort of public health threat. But still, it is certainly going to be quite the aftermath that has to be cleaned up there.

In terms of the why, Fred, that's still a question that is yet to be answered regarding what took place here in Springfield, Ohio yesterday. And this also happens just a couple of weeks after the preliminary report was released by the National Transportation Safety Board when it comes to the East Palestine, the nonrelated East Palestine accident when the head of that agency admitted that more needs to be done by the rail industry to try to keep some of these derailments from happening again. They do happen hundreds of times a year.

WHITFIELD: Yes. All right. Still worrisome, nonetheless.

Polo Sandoval, thanks so much.

SANDOVAL: Thanks, Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right. happening right now, emergency crews in New York are battling a massive Five Alarm fire. The FDNY tweeting this video showing the thick billowing smoke filling the sky with first responders on the scene. The Fire Department says the structure is a grocery store located inside a one-story commercial building in the Bronx.

Officials with the NYPD say it began burning shortly before 11 this morning. The cause of the blaze is being investigated and is believed to have come from the lithium battery in an e-bike. So far, there are no reports of injuries. We'll have much more right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:13:26]

WHITFIELD: All right, welcome back.

President Biden there arriving in Selma, Alabama a short time ago. He is marking the 58th Anniversary of the Bloody Sunday Civil Rights March, the outcome of what was a Civil Rights march, Bloody Sunday.

The President is expected to give a speech at any moment as well, and this comes as he begins his own push for Voting Rights.

Here with me right now, the Executive Director of the ACLU of Georgia, Andrea Young. She is also the daughter of Civil Rights leader and former US Ambassador to the UN, Andrew Young.

Andrea, so good to see you.

So this is the President's first visit as a sitting President.

ANDREA YOUNG, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ACLU OF GEORGIA: As President.

WHITFIELD: Of course, on this anniversary, and he will speak momentarily.

What are you hoping his message will encompass?

YOUNG: Yes, yes. Well, you know, this is a very important time for Voting Rights. You know, after 58 years, we actually didn't think we would still be having these battles at the level that we are. And so there are two very important pieces of legislation that we hoped would pass in the last Congress, one in honor of John Lewis, which would restore the Voting Rights Act and another that would create a sort of a level playing field for how elections are administered around the country. Neither of those were able to pass the Senate in the last Congress.

WHITFIELD: Right, incredibly disappointing for so many and of course, even the Vice President, Kamala Harris made that comment. She visited Selma, last year.

YOUNG: Yes.

WHITFIELD: Does the President, in your view, does he -- is he in a position where he can leverage, you know some influence so that this measure does get passed?

[15:15:12] YOUNG: You know, quite frankly, I think, you know, this is one more time when voters have to undertake heroic efforts, voters and the people who helped to mobilize them, the civic leaders in our communities, to make sure that people vote despite the barriers that have been erected, so that we can, you know, hopefully restore the Voting Rights Act at some point.

You know, the Voting Rights Act was always bipartisan. In fact, the last time it was reauthorized, it was with 97 percent of the Senate, 97 senators. So the politicization of it is actually a fairly recent thing, and quite unfortunate for our democracy.

WHITFIELD: Yes, and while restrictions have been imposed, especially after the 2020 race, during Midterms, you saw that the outcome was vigorous. People were incentivized even more so it seemed.

What are your concerns about this upcoming presidential election? And whether that kind of momentum that we are seeing in the Midterms will wane or perhaps even, you know, intensify?

YOUNG: Well, I think one of the difficulties that that we still see, restrictions on voting being enacted in State Legislatures around the country, including here in Georgia.

And so the, the efforts to suppress the vote have not stopped and without the Voting Rights Act preclearance provision, you know, the ACLU is in litigation in Georgia, but litigation takes the years as opposed to perhaps months if you had an administrative review that used to be available under the Voting Rights Act.

WHITFIELD: Yes. And in fact, it's been 10 years since the US Supreme Court overturned a key provision in the 1965 Voting Rights Act. And in Shelby County versus Holder, the High Court ruled that the formula for deciding which States have a history of voting discrimination was unconstitutional. So you know, how much of a setback -- as we see now, the President's motorcade making it over the Edmund Pettus Bridge -- how much of a setback do you see that as?

YOUNG: Well, it was a tremendous setback and we immediately saw laws for -- laws, you know, coming around, State Legislatures making it more difficult for people to vote.

Also, the redistricting that we just had, you know, really skewed districts in favor of the party in power, which -- you know, which in the case of Georgia, and many, many States, you know, it was the Republican Party that then continued to put in place even more voting restrictions.

WHITFIELD: This is a tradition that comes with, you know, mixed feelings, this moment, this commemoration of Bloody Sunday. And, you know, a few things happen when you're there.

I mean, it is, is a beautiful feeling of coming together, yet at the same time, you know, it's a painful reminder of, well, in this case, now, what took place 58 years ago. What do you feel when you have been there for these moments? YOUNG: You know, so I actually was there, not on the Bloody Sunday, but on March 21st, which was the march that was then allowed to go all the way to Selma. I was there for the 50th anniversary when Obama led the March, which was, you know, quite an uplifting experience. I think people found -- it was a very hopeful time.

I think this is now a time of sort of rededication and recommitment to the work of protecting our democracy, which is under assault on many different levels -- free speech, what kids learn in school, freedom of religion. So they are on many fronts, and voting, being, of course, fundamental to protecting the United States as a vigorous democracy and a leading democracy in the world.

WHITFIELD: I actually was there for that 50th Anniversary reporting on it. And one thing that struck me, too, is just the variation of generations. I mean, it was an incredible moment and there were a lot of people there.

I haven't had a chance to look at the crowd size there now, but traditionally, people who live in the region make it an effort. You know, it is an important pilgrimage in which to be there every year, and it is very enlightening for people who come for the first time from elsewhere.

YOUNG: Yes.

WHITFIELD: Is there a way in which to kind of describe that mood if you could?

YOUNG: Well, I think you know, one of the things that John Lewis really preserved as, you know, one of the people beaten on Bloody Sunday and later, served in Congress that he would bring a variety of people, elected officials to really walk the bridge, to do some study to really understand what took place with the Selma to Montgomery March.

[15:20:14]

YOUNG: And so I think, you know, that tradition is some something that continues. People from all walks of life, there have been bicycle rides that will retrace the route. There are student groups, there are church groups, you know, just across so many walks of life that people understand, this is one of the places that our democracy was fought for and defended.

WHITFIELD: Andrea Young, thank you so much.

Take a short break for now. You're going to stick with us as the President and its motorcade makes its way and the President is positioned for his remarks, soon upcoming.

We'll take that live. We're going to take a short break for now.

We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) [15:25:23]

WHITFIELD: All right, we continue to keep an eye on the live camera there trained on Selma, Alabama, because momentarily the President of the United States will be taking to the podium there and he will have remarks on this 58th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, and when that happens, we'll take you back there live.

Right now, more than 10 million people are under winter alerts, as a series of storms is set to bring even more heavy snow to much of the Western U.S.

CNN meteorologist, Allison Chinchar is with us.

ALLISON CHINCHAR, CNN METEOROLOGIST: You right, Fred. It's not one, but three separate low pressure systems that are going to be bringing all of that rain and snow to the western half of the country. So it's essentially one wave after the next. That's why you have so many of these areas under winter weather advisories and winter storm warnings not just for the West Coast States, but also spreading into the High Plains and eventually into the Midwest.

In addition to the snow, we also have wind as a pretty big component here. Wind advisories with gusts up around 65 miles per hour, the high wind warnings that could make it as high as 80 miles per hour. Now, a little further east where you don't have the moisture with it, but just the strong winds and very dry conditions, there, there is going to be some fire concern as well, at least in the short term.

When we take a look at least for today, the main focus for the heavy snow and rain is going to be across Oregon and California. But by Monday, we really start to see that spread out into the Intermountain West and eventually in towards the Midwest once we get later into the week.

Overall, most of these areas, you're talking up to about a half a foot total of snow, the highest amounts are really going to be across the Sierras in California where we could be measuring one, two, even three feet of snow over the next several days.

Rainfall along the coast, likely looking at one to two inches, but remember, this is on top of what they've already had. Now, part of that is good news. When we look at the Drought Monitor, significant improvements for a lot of these Western States, but specifically in California, when you look back just a few weeks ago, December 27th, two months ago, look at how much of this area was in red in that deep red color.

Now you fast forward to what the current drought monitor looks like. We've not only eliminated both the exceptional and the extreme drought, but the severe drought has gone from over 80 percent down to just about a quarter of the State.

So we've made huge improvements, especially in the case of the reservoirs, Fred. The unfortunate part is getting a lot of that rain and snow too quickly can lead to flooding concerns as well as mudslides.

WHITFIELD: All presenting lots of challenges still. Allison Chinchar, thank you so much.

And this quick programming note, be sure to check out the CNN film "Glitch." It explores how a trivia company went from an internet obsession to a total meltdown. The million dollar question: What happened? Here's a preview.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm working with these guys who started Vine and they want to do this trivia show on an app. To me, I didn't have high hopes for it.

SCOTT: This is HQ. I'm Scott the host.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: HQ Trivia was everywhere.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You could actually win real money.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It just kept getting bigger.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Bigger prizes, bigger celebrities.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: People dressed as me for Halloween. I was doing "Today Show," "Colbert." We had a Super Bowl commercial. This company is going to make a least $100 million.

It just got so popular and the app is not ready to work with too many people on it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Freezing, disconnection -- an error message.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And it crashes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's when the cracks started showing.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Collin and Rus started as cofounders, but both competing to be the CEO.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When you have a lack of trust between the two people running the company, it leads to chaos.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You had HQ imitators.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're in trouble.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Will Facebook copy this? And they did.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There was some jealousy. I was the face of the product we created.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am a god.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Working day and night really grueling hours, so what did they do? They got drunk.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The end of this, someone lost their life.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why don't we -- why don't we grab lunch and we can do this after lunch?

ANNOUNCER: "Glitch: The rise and fall of HQ Trivia." Tomorrow at nine on CNN.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:33:59]

WHITFIELD: The Russian invasion has helped to make Ukraine one of the largest minefields in the world. Clearing the mines and other dangerous explosives is delicate work.

CNN senior national security correspondent, Alex Marquardt has more on the demining operation and the risks to carry that out.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALEX MARQUARDT, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT (voice over): The hulking armored mine clearer lurches into an open field, over 40 tons, it spews exhaust, its tracks struggling across the muddy ground, following close behind the mine clearance team called "sappers," they advance deliberately on the hunt for deadly explosives. This is delicate work.

MARQUARDT (on camera): This was a Russian position, Russian trenches. And now these guys are working through here carefully and methodically looking for mines, for booby traps and even Ukrainian ordnance that was fired at the Russians who were here.

[15:35:03]

MARQUARDT (voice over): Last September, a Ukrainian counteroffensive pushed the Russians out of these trenches. Now Colonel Maksim Melnyk team has been charged with clearing any explosives.

(COLONEL MAKSIM MELNYK speaking in foreign language.)

MARQUARDT (voice over): "They have left many traps behind and many of our brothers, our sappers have died," Melnyk says. "Russia doesn't obey international conventions. They put mines on top of mines, leave booby traps, and use banned mines."

Russian and Ukrainian mines are scattered throughout the eastern front, making Ukraine one of the biggest minefields in the world. Rockets and other explosives can often fail to detonate when they land, too, all of it posing immense danger to civilians.

The sappers of Ukraine's DSNS Emergency Service like Eduard Herasimenko is a father of a 10-year-old daughter are keenly aware of the danger.

(EDUARD HERASIMENKO speaking in foreign language.)

MARQUARDT (voice over): "It is dangerous for everybody," he says. "I wouldn't say we take more risks than others. Everybody is taking risks now."

Herasimenko was demining before the war started, seeing what Russia has done to his country infuriates him.

(EDUARD HERASIMENKO speaking in foreign language.)

MARQUARDT (voice over): "They are just animals," he says. "There is no other way to describe them."

He finds and carries an unexploded rocket propelled grenade to the side. Working day after day all across this country, deminers know how much they still have left to do.

MARQUARDT (on camera): After the war, the soldiers get to go home, but your work will continue for years.

(COLONEL MAKSIM MELNYK speaking in foreign language.)

MARQUARDT (voice over): "We will keep working for decades," Colonel Melnyk says. "This will go on for decades."

Alex Marquardt, CNN in Eastern Ukraine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Coming up in this country, millions of Americans will soon have less money to help put food on the table as a pandemic era boost to food stamp benefits comes to an end. A look at the impact for those who rely on them, straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:41:36]

WHITFIELD: Welcome back.

Live pictures right now out of Selma, Alabama. You see President Joe Biden there. Soon, he will be giving remarks at the podium. Right now, Reverend William Barber -- all marking the 58th anniversary of Bloody Sunday.

When the President takes to the podium and has remarks we'll bring that to you live.

All right, right now emergency crews in New York are battling a massive Five Alarm fire that injured at least seven. The New York Fire Department tweeted this video showing the thick billowing smoke filling the sky with first responders there on the scene.

The Fire Department says the structure is a grocery store located inside a one-story commercial building in the Bronx. Officials with the NYPD say it began burning shortly before 11 this morning and officials are giving an update right now.

The cause is believed to be from a lithium battery that was in an e- bike. We'll bring you more details as they come.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries says he plans to have private conversations with the White House after President Biden surprised Democratic senators last week by saying he would not veto a Republican-led effort to rescind a controversial DC crime bill. The decision leaving many Democrats angry and divided. A Senate vote to scrap the DC law is expected this week.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. HAKEEM JEFFRIES (D-NY): Depending on what the Senate does, the President will have to respond one way or the other. I haven't had an opportunity to talk to the White House yet about the President's views. So I'm not going to characterize his position one way or the other until we've had a chance to talk about that issue.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: As CNN's Brian Todd reports, the GOP put the President and his party in a tough political spot.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

REPORTER: Mr. President, what do you plan to do on the DC crime bill? We understand you will not veto --

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): President Biden caught between wanting to be seen as tough on crime and wanting to support Washington, DC's right to govern itself. The President now supporting a move by Republicans in Congress to rescind a controversial new DC crime law. A law that would take measures like lowering the penalties for carjackings.

Just last month, the President was in favor of that DC law, his administration saying: "Congress should respect the District of Columbia's autonomy to govern its own local affairs." So why did the President just change his mind?

TAMARA KEITH, NPR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: That is a real soft point for Democrats because they are constantly criticized for being soft on crime.

TODD (voice over): A theme Donald Trump jumped on in recent months.

DONALD TRUMP, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: One of the worst and most sinister aspects of the Biden administration is the complete and total corruption of our justice system and the rule of law.

TODD (voice over): If President Biden had supported that DC law, Republicans could have attacked him for backing a City Council that wanted to lessen punishments in a city where violent crime is a serious problem.

DC Police say as of Friday, in 2023 alone, there were 38 homicides, 95 carjackings, and 215 assaults with a dangerous weapon in the city. Biden also may not have wanted to be perceived as being to the left of DC's Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser, who herself oppose the crime law passed by the City Council.

MAYOR MURIEL BOWSER (D), WASHINGTON, DC: There were weakening of penalties that should not happen.

TODD (voice over): Analysts say some big mayoral races where crime was a huge issue could also have shaped President Biden's strategy.

[15:45:05]

KEITH: It comes in the context of a New York Mayor's race that was very much about crime with the election of Eric Adams and then Joe Biden hugging him close after that, and then the loss of Lori Lightfoot in Chicago where crime again was a huge issue.

TODD (voice over): But now that he sides with Republicans on that DC crime law, progressive Democrats are feeling betrayed by the President.

New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez tweeting: "Plenty of places pass laws the President may disagree with. He should respect the people's government of DC, just as he does elsewhere."

The White House now trying to patch things up with that wing of the President's party, saying he is committed to the idea of DC becoming a State.

KARINE JEAN-PIERRE, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: If Congress sends him a bill making a DC state, he'll always, always be sure to sign it because he's been talking about that for the last two decades.

TODD (on camera): One big complaint from the Democratic side about the President's decision to support rescinding that DC crime law is coming from House Democrats who had already voted in favor of the DC law.

Now, some of them are complaining that there wasn't adequate communication from the White House over all of this and that they're now going to be subjected to fresh Republican attacks that they're soft on crime and to the left of President Biden on the issue.

One House Democrat who voted in favor of the DC law fumed that they cannot trust the White House.

Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: The struggle low income families face to make ends meet is about to get even harder. Millions of Americans who depend on government benefits to put food on the table are now facing a significant cut as a pandemic era relief program comes to an end. CNN's Gabe Cohen explain how some are coping with the loss of emergency funds that some experts say kept more than four million people out of poverty in 2021.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GABE COHEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Michelle Ricketts stocked up her Pittsburgh pantry in February knowing this month, buying food will be much tougher.

MICHELLE RICKETTS, SNAP RECIPIENT: I should be good until April.

COHEN (voice over): The 63-year-old is on food stamps, part of her fixed income. But she says her monthly SNAP benefit is about to go from $277.00 a month to $23.00.

RICKETTS: I'm going to be struggling.

COHEN (voice over): Wednesday marked the end of a Pandemic Hunger Relief Program, emergency SNAP benefits passed by Congress at the start of COVID expired for more than 16 million US households in 32 States and DC where they were still in place.

On average, SNAP recipients will lose $98.00 per month and some households like Ricketts could lose more than $250.00 as the program returns to its pre pandemic totals.

ELLEN VOLLINGER, SNAP DIRECTOR, FRAC: It is going to be a big impact. We don't believe that they have a financial cushion based on everything we know about these households.

COHEN (voice over): These benefits kept 4.2 million people out of poverty, lowering child poverty by 14 percent according to the Urban Institute.

Inflation on much more than food continues to strain Americans.

RICKETTS: We are going from $131.00 to $228.00. I don't even know how that happens.

COHEN (voice over): Michelle is behind on her surging power bills. She postponed her dog's vet appointment to save money.

RICKETTS: I'm just feeling some anxiety about how -- what cuts I'm making and where. I'm sure I'll be going to the food bank.

COHEN (voice over): In a survey, roughly three-quarters of us food banks reported that ending these benefits is already driving up demand as donations drop and food cost surge.

COHEN (on camera): Are you worried about keeping up with demand?

LISA SCALES, GREATER PITTSBURGH COMMUNITY FOOD BANK: We are worried about keeping up with demand.

COHEN (voice over): Lisa Scales heads the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank which was $2 million over budget in the second half of last year before the SNAP cuts.

SCALES: We're expecting to see a dramatic increase in the number of people we serve each month.

COHEN (voice over): Like Jody Sprinkle (ph), a single mom waiting to find out how much her SNAP benefits will drop.

JODI SPRINKLE, SNAP RECIPIENT: It's going to hurt. That's one thing, it's going to hurt.

COHEN (voice over): In some States, these nonprofits say they may have to ration food or limit selection so there is more to go around.

SCALES: If our network can't meet the demand, it means that more and more kids will go to bed hungry, seniors will struggle.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Gabe Cohen, thank you so much.

We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:53:43]

WHITFIELD: All right live pictures right now of the ceremony in Selma, Alabama marking 58 years since Bloody Sunday. President Joe Biden to speak soon.

NBA superstar Ja Morant has been suspended by the Memphis Grizzlies after flashing what appeared to be a gun during an Instagram Live Stream.

Carolyn Manno joining us now from New York with more on this -- Carolyn.

CAROLYN MANNO, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredricka, as a young superstar with fans around the world, he says that he is struggling to cope with the pressure of being one of the NBA's most recognizable faces, but the 23-year-old was live streaming like you said inside the club overnight on Friday, when he pulled out what looked like a gun and hours later, the Grizzlies said that he would be away from the team for at least the next two games.

Memphis plays tonight against the Clippers, and then on Tuesday against the Lakers. And the NBA is also investigating this incident, so it is possible that Morant could face additional punishment from the league as this is actually the second time this year that he has been the focus of a league investigation.

But the All-Star did apologize in a statement and say that he takes full responsibility for his actions for letting down the City of Memphis and also letting down the organization and he says that he is going to use the time away to get help and work on learning better methods of dealing with stress and his overall wellbeing as he put it. Elsewhere in sports and on a much lighter note, this year's Dance Cards are already being handed out. Tennessee Tech looking for its trip to March Madness in 60 years down two in two seconds ago in the Ohio Valley Championship. Here, Diante Wood knocking down the buzzer to force overtime, but the magic would run out there. Southeast Missouri State holding on to win 89-82 sending them to March Madness for just a second time in school history.

Two others punching their tickets as well, yesterday, Fredricka including the Tennessee Tech women's team, it is the Golden Eagles 16th time making the tournament, but their first time back since 2000.

And Fairleigh Dickinson's men are dancing after winning the Northeast Conference Semifinal Game, and that is because their opponent in the final, Merrimack, is new to Division One hoops so they are actually not eligible to dance quite yet, but there is plenty more still to come today. Ten teams, three men, seven women punching their tournament tickets, so very busy day and March Madness is here.

WHITFIELD: It's so fun to see that kind of excitement though. I mean, it really is inspiring. Super.

Thanks so much, Carolyn Manno. Good to see you.

All right, we are less than five months away from the Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and the Canadian and French national teams are at odds with their soccer federations. Both Canada Soccer and French Football Federation Presidents resigned from their posts last week following separate disputes that highlight the ongoing fight for equality in women's soccer.

CNN's Jaide Timm-Garcia details just how far some of these top ranked teams and players are willing to go in their fight for equal pay, and just as importantly, equal treatment.

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JAIDE TIMM-GARCIA, CNN INTERNATIONAL DESK PRODUCER (voice over): The road to the summer's Women's World Cup looks bright for Team USA. After winning a six-year battle for equal pay in 2022, their success paves the way for other national teams like Canada and France to fight for the same equal treatment.

CHRISTINE SINCLAIR, CANADA NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM CAPTAIN: We supported them and very proud of what they were able to accomplish, and now, it's our turn and we know that we have their support.

TIMM-GARCIA (voice over): Canada's team attempted to strike after their Federation made budget cuts to their program. Canada soccer said the strike was illegal so the players protested at a tournament last month by hiding the national crest on their practice jerseys and spelling out their message, "Enough is enough."

JANINE BECKIE, CANADA NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM: I think we've made it pretty clear that we're operating under a protest at the minute. TIMM-GARCIA (voice over): Canada Soccer President resigned following the public dispute. In his farewell, he said the men's and women's team have the potential to sign an agreement, calling it a landmark deal that will set the nation apart.

Both teams responded calling the change in leadership one necessary step, but that a change in Canada soccer strategy is still needed.

American players rallying behind their rivals.

MEGAN RAPINOE, US WOMEN'S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM: This is about just, you know, basic human rights and respect and getting what they deserve. I mean, we're talking about the Olympic champions here.

TIMM-GARCIA: Disputes in France reached a tipping point when French team Captain Wendie Renard will now and two of her teammates stepped back from their national team in protest over enduring issues with the head coach, Corinne Diacre. Renard tweeted, she needed to preserve her mental health saying, "Unfortunately, I won't be doing this World Cup in these conditions."

The French Federation's response was that no individual takes precedent over the institution, but Coach Diacre's future is set to be decided in a Board Meeting on March 9th.

Reuters reported that days after the three players stepped back, French Federation President, Noel Le Graet resigned following allegations of inappropriate behavior towards women, which he denies.

French football expert, Christian Nourry says Le Graet's departure is a step in the right direction.

CHRISTIAN NOURRY, FOUNDER, GET FRENCH FOOTBALL NEWS: The atmosphere has been so low and so toxic for so many years that I don't think this is going to negatively impact France's chances at the World Cup.

TIMM-GARCIA: The tournament that usually measures the progress of women's soccer around the world is instead spotlighting the lack of progress.

ALEX MORGAN, US WOMEN'S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM: All we're asking for the Canadian Federation and a lot of these other Federations who have not treated and paid their women seem equally, they haven't done the right thing yet.

TIMM-GARCIA: Jaide Garcia, CNN, Atlanta.

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WHITFIELD: All right happening today in Chicago, the 23rd Annual Polar Plunge.

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WHITFIELD: Oh my gosh, they're acting like it is summertime, but it's wintertime and it's a winter event where participants dive into that icy cold water of Lake Michigan to raise money for various charities. One contributor shares the importance behind this event.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's for a very good cause and we had no problem signing up, donate and giving that money. They took it right away, so we were ready.

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WHITFIELD: Everybody was ready there. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot also making an appearance there.

All right, some more live images right now out of Selma, Alabama. President Biden is expected to give a speech at any moment now. He is marking the 58th anniversary of the Bloody Sunday Civil Rights March, and we'll take those remarks live as it happens.

Thank you so much for joining me today. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.

The CNN NEWSROOM continues with Jim Acosta right now.

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