Images of 9/11 attack, porn interrupt voting machine hearing

ATLANTA (AP) — A federal hearing on a challenge to Georgia’s voting machines was interrupted Friday when someone began posting video and symbols during the live Zoom session, including images from the Sept. 11 attacks, a swastika and pornography.

Before the interruption, there were roughly 100 people signed in as participants and observers to the high-profile hearing.

During testimony by a voting machine company executive, at least two people — one with the user name Osama — began posting rapidly changing videos and still images, some accompanied by music, by sharing their screens with the video conference. The court quickly ended the Zoom session.

The hearing resumed via Zoom about an hour later with a virtual waiting room set up so that participants and observers had to be admitted by the court staff. A member of the court staff was designated to share exhibits sent to her by attorneys.

The hearing in the long-running fight over Georgia’s voting machines began Thursday and continued Friday morning.

Election integrity activists and individual voters who filed the lawsuit say Georgia’s voting machines are unaccountable and unverifiable and have security vulnerabilities. They’ve asked U.S. District Judge Amy Totenberg to order the state to use hand-marked paper ballots for the November election.

State officials argue that the new machines have been thoroughly tested and that security measures will prevent problems. They also say it would be costly and too difficult to make a switch with so little time remaining before the general election.

___

AP’s Advance Voting guide brings you the facts about voting early, by mail or absentee from each state: https://interactives.ap.org/advance-voting-2020/

News

Growing frustration with smartphones could lead to statewide ban in Georgia schools

Breaking News

Severe weather forecast for
late Saturday, early Sunday

News

Summer Camp Connections
will preview summer activities

News

GBI seeks expansion of subpoena powers

News

Hughes and Spence win gold at Special Olympics Winter Games

News

Johnson presents program
at Retired Educators meeting

News

School launches fourth leadership development program cohort

News

Legislature considers alternative path for corpses

News

Moultrie and Doerun residents express concerns over
utility bills at meeting

News

Chamber of Commerce holds 115th annual banquet

News

Marshall elected gifted organization president

News

Ga. Peanut Commission celebrates National Peanut Month

News

Ten arrests made on outstanding warrants

News

Marijuana inspires debate in Georgia Senate, with three bills passing before the deadline

News

State Senate beats deadline to send school safety measures to House

News

Martin receives Southeast Mentor of the Year award
from education council

News

CCHS Health Science Pathway earns Industry Certification

News

UGA student visits Moultrie
to collaborate on park design

News

PCOM student physician receives scholarship

Columns

EDDIE SEAGLE: More on portable plants in the landscape

Columns

HARRY MARTINEZ: God’s art work 

News

Southern Regional Technical College names Amy Carter Davis vice president for economic development

News

Local Boys and Girls Club celebrates Black History Month

News

Babysitter charged with battery