lifesitenews--2020-07-16--No public consultation as Canadian city bans help to overcome unwanted same-sex attraction

LETHBRIDGE , Alberta , July 15 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — A Canadian city in the province of Alberta has banned businesses from offering help to those with unwanted same-sex attraction , but unlike other cities in the province that have similar bylaws , it did so without any official public consultation .
On Monday , Lethbridge City Council voted 7-2 to pass Bylaw 6228 , “ A Bylaw to prohibit the Business Practice of Conversion Therapy.
” Those found to violate the law face fines of “ not less than $ 10,000 ” or a prison sentence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bylaw follows the lines of recently passed similar laws in other Alberta cities and bans businesses from offering any type of “ counselling or behaviour modification techniques ” or services “ reducing sexual attraction or sexual behavior between persons of the same sex.
” Two Lethbridge counselors , Blaine Hyggen and Joe Mauro , had brought forward a motion that would have seen the city hold a public hearing on the “ conversion therapy ” bylaw before a final vote .
Their motion was voted down in a 6-3 vote , with only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hyggen and Mauro that further debate on Bylaw 6228 should be allowed for .
Councilor Rob Miyashiro was one of the six to vote against the motion for more debate and said he did so because “ there ’ s no way that a public hearing would accomplish anything.
” Bylaw 6228 passed both second and third readings quickly .
Both Hyggen and Mauro were the only city councilors to vote against the final version of the bylaw .
Mauro said his concern about the bylaw was that in his opinion , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to it and would not hold up in court .
“ I just don ’ t believe it has any teeth , as most of our bylaws don ’ t have any teeth , ” said Mauro in the council debate Monday .
Despite not allowing public debate on the bylaw , the final version did include an amendment from Lethbridge mayor Chris Spearman to recognize one ’ s freedom of “ conscience and religion.
” LifeSiteNews reached out to Spearman ’ s office to enquire about the wording of the amendment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ City Manager ’ s Office , responded by providing LifeSiteNews with the amendment , which states that “ nothing in this bylaw affects the guarantee of conscience and religion.
” Mayor Spearman ’ s amendment reads “ [ t ] hat Bylaw 6228 be amended as follows : 1 .
Add the following whereas clauses : and a .
Whereas everyone has freedom of conscience and religion under section 2 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms ; and b , Whereas nothing in this bylaw affects the guarantee of conscience and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was suspended for calling out the Black Lives Matter organization !
Sign the petition here .
Marty Moore , a lawyer for the Alberta-based Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms ( JCCF ) , told LifeSiteNews that Spearman ’ s amendment is “ weak ” and will not protect clergy or counselors whose religious faith prohibits “ same-sex intimacy.
” “ A whereas clause generally only has any legal effect if the interpretation of the operative text is ambiguous .
In regard to freedom of conscience and religion , Lethbridge ’ s bylaw clearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... sexual behaviour between persons of the same sex .
This is an unambiguous attack on the teaching and practices of religious faiths which proscribe same-sex intimacy , ” Moore told LIfeSiteNews .
“ Clergy or counselors who provide support to individuals seeking to adhere to these religious teachings will not be protected by the Mayor ’ s weak amendment to the bylaw ’ s preamble.
” A Global News report quotes Mauro as saying the reason he and Hyggen had requested a public hearing was due to the overwhelming number of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the bylaw .
“ When I have 500 people that pay my wage — pay all of us — to be here , to listen , we always seek engagement , ” Mauro was quoted as saying in the Global News report .
“ We want the community ( to engage ) , we get frustrated and angry when we have issues and we ask and beg the community to engage and nobody comes [ . ]
... And now , they are knocking on our door , and we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It just doesn ’ t make any sense.
” The JCCF submitted a paper to Lethbridge City Council in early July that blasted the bylaw as unconstitutional .
“ Lethbridge ’ s Proposed Bylaw is an overbroad infringement of Canadians ’ liberty .
It goes much farther than banning coercive and harmful practices justly condemned , and rather prohibits , under its expansive definition of ‘ conversion therapy ’ , a broad range of medical , psychological and spiritual supports individuals may choose to receive in relation to their sexuality and gender .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 ( 1 ) of the Charter prohibit discrimination against people on the basis of their sexual orientation , religion , gender identity or expression.
” The JCCF also said the bylaw discriminates against LGBT Canadians , as it allows “ opposite-sex attracted Canadians ” to access help but not “ same-sex attracted Canadians.
” “ A bylaw that allows opposite-sex attracted Canadians to access support to reduce unwanted sexual addictions or behaviours — but bars same-sex attracted Canadians from doing so — is indisputable and egregious discrimination on the basis of sexual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Lethbridge City Council .
“ Similarly , allowing medical , psychological and other therapeutic interventions to help an individual transition away from her or his natal gender , while prohibiting such help for individuals seeking to de-transition , is likewise discriminatory on the basis of gender identity and gender expression.
” In recent months , there have been a growing number of municipalities in Alberta that have banned businesses from offering “ conversion therapy.
” In December of 2019 , Edmonton passed a bylaw that comes with a “ minimum ” fine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business that practices “ conversion therapy.
” In May , in a 14-1 final vote , the Calgary City Council passed the third reading of the “ Prohibited Businesses Bylaw-20M2020 ” to make it illegal for a business to offer help to those with unwanted same-sex attraction .
Unlike the Lethbridge City Council , which quashed a motion to allow for a community debate about the law , Calgary did allow for this .
In May , the city council held a two-day public hearing of “ The Standing Policy Committee on Community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their “ Prohibited Businesses Bylaw-20M2020.
” At the federal level , there are now two pieces of legislation that if passed would criminalize so-called “ conversion therapy ” nationwide .
The first is Bill S-202 , now before the Senate .
Bill C-8 , now before the House of Commons , is farther-reaching than Bill S-202 .
It will make it a criminal offense in Canada to 1 ) cause a minor to undergo conversion therapy , 2 ) remove a minor from Canada to undergo conversion therapy , 3 ) cause a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will , 4 ) profit from conversion therapy , and 5 ) advertise conversion therapy .
In June , retired Canadian Judge Brian Giesbrecht blasted Bill C8 and S-202 , calling them the most “ aggressive assault on parental rights ” ever attempted by a federal government .

One member of the City Council voted to deny the people a voice because 'there's no way that a public hearing would accomplish anything.'
LETHBRIDGE, Alberta, July 15, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A Canadian city in the province of Alberta has banned businesses from offering help to those with unwanted same-sex attraction, but unlike other cities in the province that have similar bylaws, it did so without any official public consultation.
On Monday, Lethbridge City Council voted 7-2 to pass Bylaw 6228, “A Bylaw to prohibit the Business Practice of Conversion Therapy.” Those found to violate the law face fines of “not less than $10,000” or a prison sentence of up to six months.
The Lethbridge bylaw follows the lines of recently passed similar laws in other Alberta cities and bans businesses from offering any type of “counselling or behaviour modification techniques” or services “reducing sexual attraction or sexual behavior between persons of the same sex.”
Two Lethbridge counselors, Blaine Hyggen and Joe Mauro, had brought forward a motion that would have seen the city hold a public hearing on the “conversion therapy” bylaw before a final vote.
Their motion was voted down in a 6-3 vote, with only counsellor, Ryan Parker, agreeing with Hyggen and Mauro that further debate on Bylaw 6228 should be allowed for.
Councilor Rob Miyashiro was one of the six to vote against the motion for more debate and said he did so because “there’s no way that a public hearing would accomplish anything.”
Bylaw 6228 passed both second and third readings quickly. Both Hyggen and Mauro were the only city councilors to vote against the final version of the bylaw.
Mauro said his concern about the bylaw was that in his opinion, it does not have enough “teeth” to it and would not hold up in court.
“I just don’t believe it has any teeth, as most of our bylaws don’t have any teeth,” said Mauro in the council debate Monday.
Bylaw 6228 reads (page 1,229):
No person may engage in or operate a business that provides the offering or provision of counselling or behaviour modification techniques, administration or prescription of medication, or any other purported treatment, service, or tactic used for the objective of changing a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or gender preference, or eliminating or reducing sexual attraction or sexual behavior between persons of the same sex, not including: (1) services that provide acceptance, support, or understanding of a person or that facilitate a person's coping, social support, or identity exploration or development, or (2) gender-affirming surgery or any service related to gender-affirming surgery.
Despite not allowing public debate on the bylaw, the final version did include an amendment from Lethbridge mayor Chris Spearman to recognize one’s freedom of “conscience and religion.”
LifeSiteNews reached out to Spearman’s office to enquire about the wording of the amendment.
Nick Kuhl, communications consultant with the City Manager’s Office, responded by providing LifeSiteNews with the amendment, which states that “nothing in this bylaw affects the guarantee of conscience and religion.”
Mayor Spearman’s amendment reads “[t]hat Bylaw 6228 be amended as follows: 1. Add the following whereas clauses: and a. Whereas everyone has freedom of conscience and religion under section 2 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms; and b, Whereas nothing in this bylaw affects the guarantee of conscience and religion.”
PETITION: Support priest who was suspended for calling out the Black Lives Matter organization! Sign the petition here.
Marty Moore, a lawyer for the Alberta-based Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF), told LifeSiteNews that Spearman’s amendment is “weak” and will not protect clergy or counselors whose religious faith prohibits “same-sex intimacy.”
“A whereas clause generally only has any legal effect if the interpretation of the operative text is ambiguous. In regard to freedom of conscience and religion, Lethbridge’s bylaw clearly would prohibit providing support for ‘reducing … sexual behaviour between persons of the same sex. This is an unambiguous attack on the teaching and practices of religious faiths which proscribe same-sex intimacy,” Moore told LIfeSiteNews.
“Clergy or counselors who provide support to individuals seeking to adhere to these religious teachings will not be protected by the Mayor’s weak amendment to the bylaw’s preamble.”
A Global News report quotes Mauro as saying the reason he and Hyggen had requested a public hearing was due to the overwhelming number of people asking him for the chance to talk about the bylaw.
“When I have 500 people that pay my wage — pay all of us — to be here, to listen, we always seek engagement,” Mauro was quoted as saying in the Global News report.
“We want the community (to engage), we get frustrated and angry when we have issues and we ask and beg the community to engage and nobody comes[.] … And now, they are knocking on our door, and we’re going to say no to them? It just doesn’t make any sense.”
The JCCF submitted a paper to Lethbridge City Council in early July that blasted the bylaw as unconstitutional.
“Lethbridge’s Proposed Bylaw is an overbroad infringement of Canadians’ liberty. It goes much farther than banning coercive and harmful practices justly condemned, and rather prohibits, under its expansive definition of ‘conversion therapy’, a broad range of medical, psychological and spiritual supports individuals may choose to receive in relation to their sexuality and gender. The Alberta Human Rights Act20 and section 15(1) of the Charter prohibit discrimination against people on the basis of their sexual orientation, religion, gender identity or expression.”
The JCCF also said the bylaw discriminates against LGBT Canadians, as it allows “opposite-sex attracted Canadians” to access help but not “same-sex attracted Canadians.”
“A bylaw that allows opposite-sex attracted Canadians to access support to reduce unwanted sexual addictions or behaviours — but bars same-sex attracted Canadians from doing so — is indisputable and egregious discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation,” said the JCCF paper to Lethbridge City Council.
“Similarly, allowing medical, psychological and other therapeutic interventions to help an individual transition away from her or his natal gender, while prohibiting such help for individuals seeking to de-transition, is likewise discriminatory on the basis of gender identity and gender expression.”
In recent months, there have been a growing number of municipalities in Alberta that have banned businesses from offering “conversion therapy.”
In December of 2019, Edmonton passed a bylaw that comes with a “minimum” fine of $10,000 a day for any business that practices “conversion therapy.”
In May, in a 14-1 final vote, the Calgary City Council passed the third reading of the “Prohibited Businesses Bylaw-20M2020” to make it illegal for a business to offer help to those with unwanted same-sex attraction.
Unlike the Lethbridge City Council, which quashed a motion to allow for a community debate about the law, Calgary did allow for this. In May, the city council held a two-day public hearing of “The Standing Policy Committee on Community and Protective Services” with regard to their “Prohibited Businesses Bylaw-20M2020.”
At the federal level, there are now two pieces of legislation that if passed would criminalize so-called “conversion therapy” nationwide. The first is Bill S-202, now before the Senate.
Bill C-8, now before the House of Commons, is farther-reaching than Bill S-202. It will make it a criminal offense in Canada to 1) cause a minor to undergo conversion therapy, 2) remove a minor from Canada to undergo conversion therapy, 3) cause a person to undergo conversion therapy against his will, 4) profit from conversion therapy, and 5) advertise conversion therapy.
In June, retired Canadian Judge Brian Giesbrecht blasted Bill C8 and S-202, calling them the most “aggressive assault on parental rights” ever attempted by a federal government.
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lifesitenews--2020-07-15--Conservative leadership candidate Sloan vows as Prime Minister to ban forced vaccinations

PETITION : No to mandatory vaccination for the coronavirus !
Sign the petition here .
July 15 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Conservative Party of Canada ( CPC ) leadership contender and member of parliament ( MP ) Derek Sloan said that if elected Prime Minister he would introduce a law that would ban provinces from forcing “ vaccinations on their residents , including children.
” “ I have for months been on the record against any mandatory ‘ COVID-19 ’ vaccine mandatory for Canadians , ” said Sloan in a July 9 email to his supporters .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ’ I must now upgrade that commitment .
As Prime Minister , I will introduce legislation to amend the Canada Health Act in such a way that provinces will not be able to force vaccinations on their residents , including children.
” Sloan ’ s email , titled “ No Mandatory Vaccinations , ” was a response to New Brunswick provincial Bill 11 , which would have effectively mandated kids to be vaccinated to attend public schools by removing religious and philosophical vaccine exemptions from existing law , leaving only a medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opt-out .
That bill was defeated in late June as lawmakers rejected the removal of “ non-medical ” religious and philosophical vaccine exemptions .
“ Had Bill 11 passed , parents in New Brunswick would have lost their rights to object to vaccines for their children based on religious or philosophical exemptions .
They would have been forced to choose between vaccination and public education , ” said Sloan in his email .
“ That ’ s how close the parents of New Brunswick came to having their Canadian charter rights infringed upon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ … It ’ s a lesson for all of us , and it shouldn ’ t come as a surprise.
” At the provincial level , Ontario and New Brunswick have made certain vaccines mandatory via legislation , with some non-medical exemptions allowed , for children to attend public schools .
In British Columbia , parents now must provide their child ’ s immunization records for their kids to be enrolled in public and private schools .
In Canada , vaccines are not mandatory at the federal level as each province is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it remains uncertain exactly how Sloan would amend the Canada Health Act to ban provinces from mandating vaccines .
LifeSiteNews reached out to Sloan for comment regarding how he would accomplish amending the Canada Health Act so that he could keep his promise to ban provinces from forcing vaccines on residents .
Sloan replied by saying that his government would use the Canada Health Act to make sure that the provinces and municipal agencies they fund never force any type of vaccine on Canadians .
“ The Canada Health Act is almost solely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for universal access .
As Prime Minister , I will amend the Canada Health Act so that voluntary vaccinations are a requirement as important as public access itself is .
Provinces violating the law will face financial penalties and if needed , will be challenged in court , ” Sloan told LifeSiteNews .
“ I oppose any mandatory vaccinations on the Canadian public , both for a future COVID vaccine and for vaccines in general … that is why a Sloan government will use the Canada Health Act to ensure that provinces and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this.
” Sloan also told LifeSiteNews that Canada 's constitution gives federal statutes “ binding power over provincial ones , ” and that he would ensure that his chief adviser of Public Health and federal agencies “ make no leeway in their policies for mandatory vaccinations .
“ “ This means making it clear that requirements will never be enacted to show proof of vaccination before receiving public services or entering private establishments for commerce and recreation.
” In his email , Sloan added that parents and not the government should be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccinated .
“ We must defend the right of every Canadian to make up their own mind when it comes to being vaccinated .
We must ensure that parents — not the government — can make the decision about their children and vaccination , ” said Sloan in his email .
“ That ’ s my position .
I ’ m on the side of parents and individual liberties.
” In his email , Sloan also said , “ During the COVID-19 pandemic , we have seen the danger of government overreach become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights we ’ ve taken for granted — such as the rights to gather , to work , to worship , or to see our loved ones — curtailed or eliminated.
” “ We ’ ve seen some government officials seize the opportunity to rule rather than to govern , and we ’ ve been forced to ponder the possibility of not necessarily getting back all of the rights we ’ ve given up so easily.
” In May , Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Health Canada had approved the coronavirus vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trials .
LifeSiteNews reported at the time that the vaccine candidate Ad5-nCoV uses the HEK293 cell line , which is made from fetal cells harvested from an aborted baby decades ago .
This is not the first time Sloan has taken a strong stand against mandatory vaccinations .
In May , he said in an email that he is “ 100 percent against a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination.
” Sloan has made media headlines for being an outspoken pro-life and pro-family voice among the CPC leadership candidates .
Dr. Leslyn Lewis is the only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pro-life , with former MP Peter MacKay and MP Erin O ’ Toole identifying as pro-abortion .
In the CPC English leaders debate , Sloan said his fellow candidates would “ agree with him ” that “ it ’ s not right ” that Canada has no laws protecting babies from abortion .
In early June , Sloan said that should he become prime minister , he would defund foreign abortions , Planned Parenthood , and “ Pride ” parades as well as the WHO .
Last week , Sloan demanded that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” be undertaken .
Sloan told LifeSiteNews that “ 80 percent of children with gender dysphoria grow out of it , ” adding that he is “ against radical gender ideology.
” Vaccine Choice Canada ( VCC ) , a not-for-profit society founded by families who have suffered from vaccine reactions and injuries , heavily opposed the controversial New Brunswick bill 11 .
In May , VCC president Ted Kuntz told LifeSiteNews that any type of forced vaccination , including a COVID-19 vaccine , is “ morally repugnant ” and unconstitutional after being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing of a coronavirus vaccine derived from an aborted fetal cell line .
Last week , VCC launched a lawsuit against Trudeau ’ s Liberal government along with Doug Ford ’ s Ontario government to hold them “ accountable ” for their “ overreach and the draconian and unjustifiable measures taken in response to COVID-19.
” In addition to seeking to be paid for the cost of the lawsuit , the VCC is seeking that the defendants do not force any mandatory COVID-19 vaccine on Canadians as it would violate one ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ VCC is also seeking $ 1 million in general and $ 10 million in punitive damages from the CBC for spreading “ misinformation ” and “ false news ” about COVID-19 .

Derek Sloan said he would ban provinces from forcing vaccinations on their residents, including children.
PETITION: No to mandatory vaccination for the coronavirus! Sign the petition here.
July 15, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) leadership contender and member of parliament (MP) Derek Sloan said that if elected Prime Minister he would introduce a law that would ban provinces from forcing “vaccinations on their residents, including children.”
“I have for months been on the record against any mandatory ‘COVID-19’ vaccine mandatory for Canadians,” said Sloan in a July 9 email to his supporters.
“After the New Brunswick ‘close call,’ I must now upgrade that commitment. As Prime Minister, I will introduce legislation to amend the Canada Health Act in such a way that provinces will not be able to force vaccinations on their residents, including children.”
Sloan’s email, titled “No Mandatory Vaccinations,” was a response to New Brunswick provincial Bill 11, which would have effectively mandated kids to be vaccinated to attend public schools by removing religious and philosophical vaccine exemptions from existing law, leaving only a medical exemption with doctor approval as the only opt-out.
That bill was defeated in late June as lawmakers rejected the removal of “non-medical” religious and philosophical vaccine exemptions.
“Had Bill 11 passed, parents in New Brunswick would have lost their rights to object to vaccines for their children based on religious or philosophical exemptions. They would have been forced to choose between vaccination and public education,” said Sloan in his email.
“That’s how close the parents of New Brunswick came to having their Canadian charter rights infringed upon in the name of ‘public safety’ … It’s a lesson for all of us, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise.”
At the provincial level, Ontario and New Brunswick have made certain vaccines mandatory via legislation, with some non-medical exemptions allowed, for children to attend public schools.
In British Columbia, parents now must provide their child’s immunization records for their kids to be enrolled in public and private schools.
In Canada, vaccines are not mandatory at the federal level as each province is responsible for their healthcare delivery, so it remains uncertain exactly how Sloan would amend the Canada Health Act to ban provinces from mandating vaccines.
LifeSiteNews reached out to Sloan for comment regarding how he would accomplish amending the Canada Health Act so that he could keep his promise to ban provinces from forcing vaccines on residents.
Sloan replied by saying that his government would use the Canada Health Act to make sure that the provinces and municipal agencies they fund never force any type of vaccine on Canadians.
“The Canada Health Act is almost solely focussed on the financing of health care for universal access. As Prime Minister, I will amend the Canada Health Act so that voluntary vaccinations are a requirement as important as public access itself is. Provinces violating the law will face financial penalties and if needed, will be challenged in court,” Sloan told LifeSiteNews.
“I oppose any mandatory vaccinations on the Canadian public, both for a future COVID vaccine and for vaccines in general … that is why a Sloan government will use the Canada Health Act to ensure that provinces and the municipal agencies they fund never do this.”
Sloan also told LifeSiteNews that Canada's constitution gives federal statutes “binding power over provincial ones,” and that he would ensure that his chief adviser of Public Health and federal agencies “make no leeway in their policies for mandatory vaccinations. “
“This means making it clear that requirements will never be enacted to show proof of vaccination before receiving public services or entering private establishments for commerce and recreation.”
In his email, Sloan added that parents and not the government should be the ones to decide if their kids get vaccinated.
“We must defend the right of every Canadian to make up their own mind when it comes to being vaccinated. We must ensure that parents — not the government — can make the decision about their children and vaccination,” said Sloan in his email.
“That’s my position. I’m on the side of parents and individual liberties.”
In his email, Sloan also said, “During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen the danger of government overreach become very real. We’ve seen rights we’ve taken for granted — such as the rights to gather, to work, to worship, or to see our loved ones — curtailed or eliminated.”
“We’ve seen some government officials seize the opportunity to rule rather than to govern, and we’ve been forced to ponder the possibility of not necessarily getting back all of the rights we’ve given up so easily.”
In May, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Health Canada had approved the coronavirus vaccine Ad5-nCoV to be used in human clinical trials.
LifeSiteNews reported at the time that the vaccine candidate Ad5-nCoV uses the HEK293 cell line, which is made from fetal cells harvested from an aborted baby decades ago.
This is not the first time Sloan has taken a strong stand against mandatory vaccinations. In May, he said in an email that he is “100 percent against a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination.”
Sloan has made media headlines for being an outspoken pro-life and pro-family voice among the CPC leadership candidates.
Dr. Leslyn Lewis is the only other candidate who identifies as pro-family and pro-life, with former MP Peter MacKay and MP Erin O’Toole identifying as pro-abortion.
In the CPC English leaders debate, Sloan said his fellow candidates would “agree with him” that “it’s not right” that Canada has no laws protecting babies from abortion.
In early June, Sloan said that should he become prime minister, he would defund foreign abortions, Planned Parenthood, and “Pride” parades as well as the WHO.
Last week, Sloan demanded that a national inquiry into kids “gender transitioning” be undertaken. Sloan told LifeSiteNews that “80 percent of children with gender dysphoria grow out of it,” adding that he is “against radical gender ideology.”
Vaccine Choice Canada (VCC), a not-for-profit society founded by families who have suffered from vaccine reactions and injuries, heavily opposed the controversial New Brunswick bill 11.
In May, VCC president Ted Kuntz told LifeSiteNews that any type of forced vaccination, including a COVID-19 vaccine, is “morally repugnant” and unconstitutional after being asked about Health Canada approving human trial testing of a coronavirus vaccine derived from an aborted fetal cell line.
Last week, VCC launched a lawsuit against Trudeau’s Liberal government along with Doug Ford’s Ontario government to hold them “accountable” for their “overreach and the draconian and unjustifiable measures taken in response to COVID-19.”
In addition to seeking to be paid for the cost of the lawsuit, the VCC is seeking that the defendants do not force any mandatory COVID-19 vaccine on Canadians as it would violate one’s rights under the Canadian constitution.
The VCC is also seeking $1 million in general and $10 million in punitive damages from the CBC for spreading “misinformation” and “false news” about COVID-19.
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lifesitenews--2020-07-15--New York City pays doctor $100,000 in wake of challenge to ban on therapy for unwanted gay attractio

New York City pays doctor $100,000 in wake of challenge to ban on therapy for unwanted gay attraction

PETITION : Urge President Trump to overrule Navy order prohibiting sailors from going to church !
Sign the petition here .
NEW YORK , July 15 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The city of New York has agreed to pay $ 100,000 in lawyers ’ fees and damages after an Orthodox Jewish psychotherapist sued the city over a 2018 law banning counselors from treating unwanted homosexual attraction or gender confusion .
Dr. Dovid Schwartz of the Chabad Lubavitch Orthodox Jewish Community launched his legal challenge last year , arguing that the law violated the First Amendment ’ s guaranteed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sought to prohibit paid services that “ seek to change a person ’ s sexual orientation or seek to change a person ’ s gender identity to conform to the sex of such individual that was recorded at birth.
” First , second , and repeat violations would be punished by fines of $ 1,000 , $ 5,000 , or $ 10,000 , respectively .
The law did , however , permit counseling that would encourage patients to adopt a gender identity different than his or her biological sex .
Schwartz asked a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the law in June 2019 , before the city decided to repeal the law in September .
Alliance Defending Freedom ( ADF ) , whIch was representing Schwartz in his lawsuit , said Schwartz and his attorneys are now dismissing the suit in light of the city having repealed the law and the out-of-court settlement .
“ All New Yorkers and all Americans deserve the right to private conversations , free from government control , ” said ADF senior counsel Roger Brooks .
“ New York City directly violated our client ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and censor private sessions between an adult and his therapist .
While the city eventually saw the writing on the wall and reversed course , it needlessly cost the taxpayers of New York tens of thousands of dollars for enacting its unconstitutional policy in the first place , because Dr. Schwartz was forced to go to court to protect his rights , ” Brooks continued .
“ Other cities should not repeat the same error .
We ’ re grateful that New York City is no longer threatening to censor Dr. Schwartz ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him or his patients.
” The ADF statement noted that in more than 50 years of general practice , “ Schwartz has regularly encountered and served patients who want his help overcoming same-sex attraction.
” “ Because of their religious beliefs and personal life goals , clients who seek his counsel often desire to experience opposite-sex attraction so they can marry , form a natural family , and live consistently with their Orthodox Jewish faith , ” the statement explained .
“ A number of patients have pursued and achieved those goals with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schwartz uses no techniques in working with his patients other than listening and talking — yet the 2018 law claimed to forbid even that.
” Last month , a UN “ Report on Conversion Therapy ” encouraged governments to outlaw doctors from offering and patients from seeking assistance in overcoming unwanted feelings of homosexual attraction or confusion about their gender identity .
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is currently pushing legislation that would prohibit parents from seeking to help their son or daughter overcome gender confusion or homosexual attraction .
In Germany , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that would ban all therapies “ aimed at changing or suppressing sexual orientation or self-perceived gender identity , ” and the recently formed Irish coalition government has made it a part of their Programme for Government to “ ban conversion therapy.
” Defenders of “ reparative ” or “ conversion ” therapy bans , such as Zack Ford of the left-wing ThinkProgress , claim that “ every major medical organization has condemned the practice as ineffective and harmful.
” But many former homosexuals , such as Angel Colon and Drew Berryessa , attest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their lives .
They say they want others currently struggling with unwanted same-sex attraction to have the same options that benefited them .

The Orthodox Jewish psychotherapist had sued the city to protect his First Amendment freedoms.
PETITION: Urge President Trump to overrule Navy order prohibiting sailors from going to church! Sign the petition here.
NEW YORK, July 15, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The city of New York has agreed to pay $100,000 in lawyers’ fees and damages after an Orthodox Jewish psychotherapist sued the city over a 2018 law banning counselors from treating unwanted homosexual attraction or gender confusion.
Dr. Dovid Schwartz of the Chabad Lubavitch Orthodox Jewish Community launched his legal challenge last year, arguing that the law violated the First Amendment’s guaranteed right to free speech.
The law sought to prohibit paid services that “seek to change a person’s sexual orientation or seek to change a person’s gender identity to conform to the sex of such individual that was recorded at birth.” First, second, and repeat violations would be punished by fines of $1,000, $5,000, or $10,000, respectively.
The law did, however, permit counseling that would encourage patients to adopt a gender identity different than his or her biological sex.
Schwartz asked a federal district court to halt enforcement of the law in June 2019, before the city decided to repeal the law in September.
Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), whIch was representing Schwartz in his lawsuit, said Schwartz and his attorneys are now dismissing the suit in light of the city having repealed the law and the out-of-court settlement.
“All New Yorkers and all Americans deserve the right to private conversations, free from government control,” said ADF senior counsel Roger Brooks.
“New York City directly violated our client’s freedom of speech by trying to regulate and censor private sessions between an adult and his therapist. While the city eventually saw the writing on the wall and reversed course, it needlessly cost the taxpayers of New York tens of thousands of dollars for enacting its unconstitutional policy in the first place, because Dr. Schwartz was forced to go to court to protect his rights,” Brooks continued.
“Other cities should not repeat the same error. We’re grateful that New York City is no longer threatening to censor Dr. Schwartz’s conversations and impose government-approved orthodoxy on him or his patients.”
The ADF statement noted that in more than 50 years of general practice, “Schwartz has regularly encountered and served patients who want his help overcoming same-sex attraction.”
“Because of their religious beliefs and personal life goals, clients who seek his counsel often desire to experience opposite-sex attraction so they can marry, form a natural family, and live consistently with their Orthodox Jewish faith,” the statement explained.
“A number of patients have pursued and achieved those goals with the aid of his psychotherapeutic services. Schwartz uses no techniques in working with his patients other than listening and talking — yet the 2018 law claimed to forbid even that.”
Last month, a UN “Report on Conversion Therapy” encouraged governments to outlaw doctors from offering and patients from seeking assistance in overcoming unwanted feelings of homosexual attraction or confusion about their gender identity.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is currently pushing legislation that would prohibit parents from seeking to help their son or daughter overcome gender confusion or homosexual attraction. In Germany, a bill was launched earlier this year that would ban all therapies “aimed at changing or suppressing sexual orientation or self-perceived gender identity,” and the recently formed Irish coalition government has made it a part of their Programme for Government to “ban conversion therapy.”
Defenders of “reparative” or “conversion” therapy bans, such as Zack Ford of the left-wing ThinkProgress, claim that “every major medical organization has condemned the practice as ineffective and harmful.” But many former homosexuals, such as Angel Colon and Drew Berryessa, attest to the treatments’ success in improving their lives. They say they want others currently struggling with unwanted same-sex attraction to have the same options that benefited them.
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lifesitenews--2020-07-15--Supreme Court to review Georgia college’s punishment of student’s free speech

PETITION : Urge President Trump to overrule Navy order prohibiting sailors from going to church !
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WASHINGTON , D.C. , July 15 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case of Chike Uzuegbunam , a student at Georgia Gwinnett College who was punished for professing his faith on campus outside of narrowly-defined “ speech zones.
” In 2016 , college officials shut down Uzuegbunam for sharing Christian leaflets with other students on campus outside one of two designated speech zones , the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secured college permission to use it to talk about Christianity , but was stopped a second time in response to a complaint .
Gwinnett ’ s policies forbid any expression “ which disturbs the peace and/or comfort of person ( s ) , ” with violators subject to disorderly conduct charges if they make people “ uncomfortable.
” However , the “ speech zones ” offered as an alternative comprised less than 0.0015 percent of the campus grounds , and were only open for use 18 hours per week .
“ College officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was standing ; they just didn ’ t like what I was saying .
So they invoked these policies to silence me , ” Uzuegbunam says .
Represented by Alliance Defending Freedom ( ADF ) , Uzuegbunam sued the college , but two federal courts dismissed the case on the grounds that Gwinnett modified its policies in response to the lawsuit , rendering the issue moot .
ADF maintains a final decision is needed to prevent the anti-speech policies from being restored ; the Supreme Court has now agreed that the matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government officials must be held responsible for enacting and enforcing policies that trample students ’ constitutionally protected freedoms .
If they get off scot free , they or others can simply do it again , ” ADF senior counsel and vice president of appellate advocacy John Bursch said .
“ Neither the district court nor the appeals court held Georgia Gwinnett College officials accountable for how they repeatedly mistreated , censored , and intimidated the two students involved in this case , so it ’ s appropriate for the U.S. Supreme Court to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to ensure that the wrong done to our clients is righted — something that both the district court and the 11th Circuit failed to do , ” ADF senior counsel Tyson Langhofer added .
“ It ’ s our hope the Supreme Court will make sure that this denial of justice doesn ’ t occur to anyone else.
” The Supreme Court ’ s next term begins in October ; it remains to be seen when it will begin hearing oral arguments in the case .

Chike Uzuegbunam maintains that he was in a designated zone to share his Christian faith, but administrators didn't like his message.
Petition:
PETITION: Urge President Trump to overrule Navy order prohibiting sailors from going to church! Sign the petition here.
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 15, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case of Chike Uzuegbunam, a student at Georgia Gwinnett College who was punished for professing his faith on campus outside of narrowly-defined “speech zones.”
In 2016, college officials shut down Uzuegbunam for sharing Christian leaflets with other students on campus outside one of two designated speech zones, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. He later reserved one of the zones and secured college permission to use it to talk about Christianity, but was stopped a second time in response to a complaint.
Gwinnett’s policies forbid any expression “which disturbs the peace and/or comfort of person(s),” with violators subject to disorderly conduct charges if they make people “uncomfortable.” However, the “speech zones” offered as an alternative comprised less than 0.0015 percent of the campus grounds, and were only open for use 18 hours per week.
“College officials didn’t really care about where I was standing; they just didn’t like what I was saying. So they invoked these policies to silence me,” Uzuegbunam says.
Represented by Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), Uzuegbunam sued the college, but two federal courts dismissed the case on the grounds that Gwinnett modified its policies in response to the lawsuit, rendering the issue moot. ADF maintains a final decision is needed to prevent the anti-speech policies from being restored; the Supreme Court has now agreed that the matter is serious enough to intervene.
“Government officials must be held responsible for enacting and enforcing policies that trample students’ constitutionally protected freedoms. If they get off scot free, they or others can simply do it again,” ADF senior counsel and vice president of appellate advocacy John Bursch said. “Neither the district court nor the appeals court held Georgia Gwinnett College officials accountable for how they repeatedly mistreated, censored, and intimidated the two students involved in this case, so it’s appropriate for the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the matter.”
“We need to ensure that the wrong done to our clients is righted — something that both the district court and the 11th Circuit failed to do,” ADF senior counsel Tyson Langhofer added. “It’s our hope the Supreme Court will make sure that this denial of justice doesn’t occur to anyone else.”
The Supreme Court’s next term begins in October; it remains to be seen when it will begin hearing oral arguments in the case.
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lifesitenews--2020-07-15--New York Times editor resigns, says ‘self-censorship has become the norm’

URGENT PETITION : Tell the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade !
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NEW YORK , July 15 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — In a scathing resignation letter released yesterday , The New York Times ’ op-ed staff editor and writer , Bari Weiss , has called out the newspaper for its anti-Trump bias and its “ bullying ” corporate culture .
“ Why edit something challenging to our readers , or write something bold only to go through the numbing process of making it ideologically kosher , when we can assure ourselves of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publishing our 4000th op-ed arguing that Donald Trump is a unique danger to the country and the world ?
” she asked rhetorically .
“ And so self-censorship has become the norm.
” “ If a person ’ s ideology is in keeping with the new orthodoxy , they and their work remain unscrutinized , ” Weiss pointed out in her letter to A.G. Sulzberger , the newspaper ’ s publisher .
“ Everyone else lives in fear of the digital thunderdome .
Online venom is excused so long as it is directed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Weiss , the standards of The New York Times have changed dramatically even within the last two years .
President Donald Trump and others had criticized news outlets like The New York Times for spreading fake news even before that .
“ Op-eds that would have easily been published just two years ago would now get an editor or a writer in serious trouble , if not fired , ” Weiss said .
“ If a piece is perceived as likely to inspire backlash internally or on social media , the editor or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feels strongly enough to suggest it , she is quickly steered to safer ground .
And if , every now and then , she succeeds in getting a piece published that does not explicitly promote progressive causes , it happens only after every line is carefully massaged , negotiated and caveated.
” The writer and editor accused the newspaper of being , “ more and more , the record of those living in a distant galaxy , one whose concerns are profoundly removed from the lives of most people .
This is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few recent examples , the Soviet space program is lauded for its ‘ diversity ’ ; the doxxing of teenagers in the name of justice is condoned ; and the worst caste systems in human history includes the United States alongside Nazi Germany.
” The term “ doxxing ” ( sometimes “ doxing ” ) refers to the practice of displaying publicly any private or identifying information about an individual or organization , for instance a person ’ s home address .
Weiss also said the Times essentially used Twitter as “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and mores of that platform have become those of the paper , the paper itself has increasingly become a kind of performance space .
Stories are chosen and told in a way to satisfy the narrowest of audiences , rather than to allow a curious public to read about the world and then draw their own conclusions.
” “ I was always taught that journalists were charged with writing the first rough draft of history , ” she said , lamenting , “ Now , history itself is one more ephemeral thing molded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ narrative.
” Weiss related she was asked to join the Times after the 2016 presidential election , doing so “ with gratitude and optimism three years ago.
” Her job was to bring in voices not otherwise published by the newspaper , including centrists and conservatives .
“ The reason for this effort was clear : The paper ’ s failure to anticipate the outcome of the 2016 election meant that it didn ’ t have a firm grasp of the country it covers , ” she explained .
“ The priority in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortcoming.
” In spite of some successes , she said “ the lessons that ought to have followed the election — lessons about the importance of understanding other Americans , the necessity of resisting tribalism , and the centrality of the free exchange of ideas to a democratic society — have not been learned.
” Rather , she added , “ a new consensus has emerged in the press , but perhaps especially at this paper : that truth isn ’ t a process of collective discovery , but an orthodoxy already known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to inform everyone else.
” “ My own forays into Wrongthink have made me the subject of constant bullying by colleagues who disagree with my views , ” Weiss revealed about the corporate culture at The New York Times .
“ They have called me a Nazi and a racist ; I have learned to brush off comments about how I ’ m ‘ writing about the Jews again.
’ Several colleagues perceived to be friendly with me were badgered by coworkers.
” The New York Times communicates internally by means of Slack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a company more efficiently .
On the papers ’ Slack channels , Weiss was being harassed by coworkers in many ways .
She said her “ work and my character are openly demeaned , ” with “ masthead editors regularly weigh [ ing ] in .
There , some coworkers insist I need to be rooted out if this company is to be a truly ‘ inclusive ’ one , while others post ax emojis next to my name.
” Weiss was also labeled “ a liar and a bigot ” by coworkers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that harassing me will be met with appropriate action .
They never are.
” “ There are terms for all of this : unlawful discrimination , hostile work environment , and constructive discharge , ” she emphasized .
“ I ’ m no legal expert .
But I know that this is wrong.
” Weiss openly criticized A. G. Sulzberger for having “ allowed this kind of behavior to go on inside your company in full view of the paper ’ s entire staff and the public .
And I certainly can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders have stood by while simultaneously praising me in private for my courage .
Showing up for work as a centrist at an American newspaper should not require bravery .
”

Bari Weiss accused the newspaper of being driven more by 'ideology' than by a search for truth
URGENT PETITION: Tell the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade! Sign the petition here.
NEW YORK, July 15, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — In a scathing resignation letter released yesterday, The New York Times’ op-ed staff editor and writer, Bari Weiss, has called out the newspaper for its anti-Trump bias and its “bullying” corporate culture.
“Why edit something challenging to our readers, or write something bold only to go through the numbing process of making it ideologically kosher, when we can assure ourselves of job security (and clicks) by publishing our 4000th op-ed arguing that Donald Trump is a unique danger to the country and the world?” she asked rhetorically. “And so self-censorship has become the norm.”
“If a person’s ideology is in keeping with the new orthodoxy, they and their work remain unscrutinized,” Weiss pointed out in her letter to A.G. Sulzberger, the newspaper’s publisher. “Everyone else lives in fear of the digital thunderdome. Online venom is excused so long as it is directed at the proper targets.”
According to Weiss, the standards of The New York Times have changed dramatically even within the last two years. President Donald Trump and others had criticized news outlets like The New York Times for spreading fake news even before that.
“Op-eds that would have easily been published just two years ago would now get an editor or a writer in serious trouble, if not fired,” Weiss said. “If a piece is perceived as likely to inspire backlash internally or on social media, the editor or writer avoids pitching it. If she feels strongly enough to suggest it, she is quickly steered to safer ground. And if, every now and then, she succeeds in getting a piece published that does not explicitly promote progressive causes, it happens only after every line is carefully massaged, negotiated and caveated.”
The writer and editor accused the newspaper of being, “more and more, the record of those living in a distant galaxy, one whose concerns are profoundly removed from the lives of most people. This is a galaxy in which, to choose just a few recent examples, the Soviet space program is lauded for its ‘diversity’; the doxxing of teenagers in the name of justice is condoned; and the worst caste systems in human history includes the United States alongside Nazi Germany.”
The term “doxxing” (sometimes “doxing”) refers to the practice of displaying publicly any private or identifying information about an individual or organization, for instance a person’s home address.
Weiss also said the Times essentially used Twitter as “its ultimate editor. As the ethics and mores of that platform have become those of the paper, the paper itself has increasingly become a kind of performance space. Stories are chosen and told in a way to satisfy the narrowest of audiences, rather than to allow a curious public to read about the world and then draw their own conclusions.”
“I was always taught that journalists were charged with writing the first rough draft of history,” she said, lamenting, “Now, history itself is one more ephemeral thing molded to fit the needs of a predetermined narrative.”
Weiss related she was asked to join the Times after the 2016 presidential election, doing so “with gratitude and optimism three years ago.” Her job was to bring in voices not otherwise published by the newspaper, including centrists and conservatives.
“The reason for this effort was clear: The paper’s failure to anticipate the outcome of the 2016 election meant that it didn’t have a firm grasp of the country it covers,” she explained. “The priority in Opinion was to help redress that critical shortcoming.”
In spite of some successes, she said “the lessons that ought to have followed the election — lessons about the importance of understanding other Americans, the necessity of resisting tribalism, and the centrality of the free exchange of ideas to a democratic society — have not been learned.”
Rather, she added, “a new consensus has emerged in the press, but perhaps especially at this paper: that truth isn’t a process of collective discovery, but an orthodoxy already known to an enlightened few whose job is to inform everyone else.”
“My own forays into Wrongthink have made me the subject of constant bullying by colleagues who disagree with my views,” Weiss revealed about the corporate culture at The New York Times. “They have called me a Nazi and a racist; I have learned to brush off comments about how I’m ‘writing about the Jews again.’ Several colleagues perceived to be friendly with me were badgered by coworkers.”
The New York Times communicates internally by means of Slack, a platform to organize work within a company more efficiently. On the papers’ Slack channels, Weiss was being harassed by coworkers in many ways.
She said her “work and my character are openly demeaned,” with “masthead editors regularly weigh[ing] in. There, some coworkers insist I need to be rooted out if this company is to be a truly ‘inclusive’ one, while others post ax emojis next to my name.”
Weiss was also labeled “a liar and a bigot” by coworkers on Twitter, “with no fear that harassing me will be met with appropriate action. They never are.”
“There are terms for all of this: unlawful discrimination, hostile work environment, and constructive discharge,” she emphasized. “I’m no legal expert. But I know that this is wrong.”
Weiss openly criticized A. G. Sulzberger for having “allowed this kind of behavior to go on inside your company in full view of the paper’s entire staff and the public. And I certainly can’t square how you and other Times leaders have stood by while simultaneously praising me in private for my courage. Showing up for work as a centrist at an American newspaper should not require bravery.”
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lifesitenews--2020-07-15--Some abortions ‘have nothing immoral about them’: retired archbishop

GALICIA , Spain , July 15 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — A retired archbishop says he believes there are “ abortions that have nothing immoral about them.
” Archbishop Santiago Agrelo Martínez of Tangiers , a Franciscan , made his startling comment to the Spanish paper El Confidencial when asked about coronavirus vaccine research that uses fetal cells harvested from an aborted baby .
“ If they are experimenting on a vaccine with aborted fetal cells , what I won ’ t do is to say that it is immoral , since even an ignoramus like me knows that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about them , ” said Agrelo , as translated by LifeSiteNews .
In Spanish , he said : “ Si se está experimentando una vacuna con células de fetos abortados , lo que no haré es decir que es inmoral , cuando hasta un ignorante como yo sabe que hay abortos que de inmorales no tienen nada.
” “ Very few in the Church will state that not all abortions are immoral , ” rejoined reporter Javier Caraballo .
“ Yes , yes , but that is something that everyone in the Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in no way can be morally condemned , ” Agrelo replied .
“ Look , in the end we are not here , I am not authorized to think that any woman who aborted , did so under immoral conditions , without having a right to do so .
I can not think that , ever , because it would be to judge in a way that isn ’ t proper for me , ” he added .
“ Theoretically , I can condemn the woman , or her family , when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the theory , the pages of a book , they are not the pages of life , and that is why I can not condemn her , never.
” The 78-year-old Franciscan stood by his comments when LifeSiteNews asked him via email to explain how he could reconcile his statements with the Church ’ s clear teaching that abortion is an “ unspeakable crime.
” '' My dear : I am not going to respond , and the reason is very simple , ” wrote Agrelo in comments translated from Spanish .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview that you referenced .
Anyone who reads it without ideological prejudice will see nothing in it that offends the faith of a disciple of Jesus .
I wish you everything good in the Lord.
” Agrelo , a native of Galicia , told Caraballo that his grandfather sent him to the Franciscan seminary at age 11 , and that he “ went in and never thought about anything else.
” Ordained a priest in 1966 , Agrelo was appointed archbishop of Tangiers in 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI .
He retired last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ province of Santiago de Compostela .
Caraballo began this line of questioning after Agrelo repudiated as “ nonsense ” the idea that the coronavirus pandemic was a punishment from God , saying : “ God does not intervene in the world in that way.
” The reporter noted that Cardinal Antonio Cañizares , archbishop of Valencia and former head of the Congregation for Divine Worship , said “ the devil is in the pandemic ” when he condemned vaccine research that uses cells from aborted human embryos .
“ I have not heard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not know the context .
What I can guess is what would go through my head if I got the news that they are experimenting with a vaccine with cultures of cells from aborted fetuses and what I would not do is take a leap and pass the field of morality , ” replied Agrelo .
“ I mean that there will be those who think that , when it comes to abortions , it is something immoral , when even an ignorant person like me knows that there are abortions that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the investigation of these cells to the immoral , is a leap that is not legitimate , ” he said .
“ As representatives of the Church ’ s teaching profession , we should always be very careful when saying certain things … This applies to everyone , naturally starting with myself.
” Agrelo also stated he did not care “ about what there is after death ” when Caraballo seemed to suggest that pastors should not talk about hell .
“ Allow me the simplicity : had not the Church already said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Because again there are those who talk about hell , ” the reporter said .
“ Are you really asking me this question ?
Let ’ s see , let ’ s see , let me tell you like this , even if some will be scandalized : I do n't care about heaven , and I don ’ t care about hell ; in other words , I don ’ t care about what there is after death , ” Agrelo said .
“ I don ’ t care .
That is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to the Lord , I don ’ t have to worry about what comes after death , I have to worry about what comes before death .
And what is before death is men , women and children who in their lives have known nothing but suffering , ” he said .
“ It is this world that worries me and it makes me laugh to see that there are people who worry about hell and heaven .
That , that they leave it to God our Lord … To worry about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Caraballo observed that Agrelo goes “ much farther ” in the line Pope Francis established soon after he was elected “ that the Church could not be all the time talking about abortions , gays and condoms.
” The retired archbishop agreed that “ to be constantly hammering away with the issue of abortion ” has “ possibly caused an increase in supporters of abortion.
” “ If instead , we had approached the woman who is in that situation , at the prospect of an abortion in her life , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of abortions , ” Agrelo said .
“ Approaching the woman to understand her , to welcome her , to walk with her … Anyway , some people think that they have to be always hammering on that nail and the only thing they get is to do damage .
We must always be found close to people and if it is sinners , much closer.
” The full interview is available in Spanish here , and in English here .

Spanish retired Archbishop Santiago Agrelo Martínez made his comment in reference to a COVID-19 vaccine that uses fetal cells harvested from an aborted baby
URGENT PETITION: Tell the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade! Sign the petition here.
GALICIA, Spain, July 15, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A retired archbishop says he believes there are “abortions that have nothing immoral about them.”
Archbishop Santiago Agrelo Martínez of Tangiers, a Franciscan, made his startling comment to the Spanish paper El Confidencial when asked about coronavirus vaccine research that uses fetal cells harvested from an aborted baby.
“If they are experimenting on a vaccine with aborted fetal cells, what I won’t do is to say that it is immoral, since even an ignoramus like me knows that there are abortions that have nothing immoral about them,” said Agrelo, as translated by LifeSiteNews.
In Spanish, he said: “Si se está experimentando una vacuna con células de fetos abortados, lo que no haré es decir que es inmoral, cuando hasta un ignorante como yo sabe que hay abortos que de inmorales no tienen nada.”
“Very few in the Church will state that not all abortions are immoral,” rejoined reporter Javier Caraballo.
“Yes, yes, but that is something that everyone in the Church knows, that there are abortions that in no way can be morally condemned,” Agrelo replied.
“Look, in the end we are not here, I am not authorized to think that any woman who aborted, did so under immoral conditions, without having a right to do so. I cannot think that, ever, because it would be to judge in a way that isn’t proper for me,” he added.
“Theoretically, I can condemn the woman, or her family, when they intentionally provoke an abortion. But that is the theory, the pages of a book, they are not the pages of life, and that is why I can not condemn her, never.”
The 78-year-old Franciscan stood by his comments when LifeSiteNews asked him via email to explain how he could reconcile his statements with the Church’s clear teaching that abortion is an “unspeakable crime.”
“My dear: I am not going to respond, and the reason is very simple,” wrote Agrelo in comments translated from Spanish.
“The answers are all in the interview that you referenced. Anyone who reads it without ideological prejudice will see nothing in it that offends the faith of a disciple of Jesus. I wish you everything good in the Lord.”
Agrelo, a native of Galicia, told Caraballo that his grandfather sent him to the Franciscan seminary at age 11, and that he “went in and never thought about anything else.”
Ordained a priest in 1966, Agrelo was appointed archbishop of Tangiers in 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI. He retired last May and was assigned to the Franciscan province of Santiago de Compostela.
Caraballo began this line of questioning after Agrelo repudiated as “nonsense” the idea that the coronavirus pandemic was a punishment from God, saying: “God does not intervene in the world in that way.”
The reporter noted that Cardinal Antonio Cañizares, archbishop of Valencia and former head of the Congregation for Divine Worship, said “the devil is in the pandemic” when he condemned vaccine research that uses cells from aborted human embryos.
“I have not heard Monsignor Cañizares’ words and I do not know the context. What I can guess is what would go through my head if I got the news that they are experimenting with a vaccine with cultures of cells from aborted fetuses and what I would not do is take a leap and pass the field of morality,” replied Agrelo.
“I mean that there will be those who think that, when it comes to abortions, it is something immoral, when even an ignorant person like me knows that there are abortions that have nothing immoral. Therefore, going from the investigation of these cells to the immoral, is a leap that is not legitimate,” he said.
“As representatives of the Church’s teaching profession, we should always be very careful when saying certain things … This applies to everyone, naturally starting with myself.”
Agrelo also stated he did not care “about what there is after death” when Caraballo seemed to suggest that pastors should not talk about hell.
“Allow me the simplicity: had not the Church already said that hell is not a place? Because again there are those who talk about hell,” the reporter said.
“Are you really asking me this question? Let’s see, let’s see, let me tell you like this, even if some will be scandalized: I don't care about heaven, and I don’t care about hell; in other words, I don’t care about what there is after death,” Agrelo said.
“I don’t care. That is up to God, I leave it up to the Lord, I don’t have to worry about what comes after death, I have to worry about what comes before death. And what is before death is men, women and children who in their lives have known nothing but suffering,” he said.
“It is this world that worries me and it makes me laugh to see that there are people who worry about hell and heaven. That, that they leave it to God our Lord … To worry about those things is to have no faith.”
Caraballo observed that Agrelo goes “much farther” in the line Pope Francis established soon after he was elected “that the Church could not be all the time talking about abortions, gays and condoms.”
The retired archbishop agreed that “to be constantly hammering away with the issue of abortion” has “possibly caused an increase in supporters of abortion.”
“If instead, we had approached the woman who is in that situation, at the prospect of an abortion in her life, we would have already greatly reduced the number of abortions,” Agrelo said.
“Approaching the woman to understand her, to welcome her, to walk with her … Anyway, some people think that they have to be always hammering on that nail and the only thing they get is to do damage. We must always be found close to people and if it is sinners, much closer.”
The full interview is available in Spanish here, and in English here.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-07-15--Ohio county launches hotline to report people spotted without masks

PETITION : No to mandatory contact tracing and government surveillance for the coronavirus !
Sign the petition here .
CLEVELAND , Ohio , July 15 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Cuyahoga County in northern Ohio has established a hotline for people to report fellow citizens not wearing face masks .
The city of Cleveland with its almost 400,000 inhabitants is part of Cuyahoga County .
Even though County Executive Armond Budish claimed on Friday that he wants people to wear masks “ voluntarily , ” bare-faced people now risk having the authorities called on them .
After a complaint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also online , county workers will contact the subject of the complaint , which could be an individual or a business , to inform them about the fact that a complaint has been filed , explained Budish .
In addition , any complaints will be forwarded to the Board of Health , as well as the city or village in question .
After several complaints , or cases of “ serious non-compliance , ” the Sheriff ’ s Department could investigate or potentially file charges .
Budish also said that local municipalities and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see fit , as well .
He did not rule out proactive policing , which usually refers to increased visible police presence .
On a political level , in case mask orders are routinely defied within a certain area , the Board of Health could reach out to local authorities to address the problem , according to Health Commissioner Terry Allan .
The online form for filing a complaint asks to “ describe your experience , providing as much detail as possible.
” Providing an email address , as well as “ [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and feedback , ” is optional .
Republican Ohio Governor Mike DeWine last Wednesday ordered seven counties to have all individuals where facial coverings “ [ in ] any indoor location that is not a residence , ” as well as outside , if it is impossible to maintain social distancing of at least six feet .
Masks have to be worn also while waiting for and using public transportation .
DeWine exempted certain groups of people from wearing a face mask , for instance the leaders of worship services and people working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County in Ohio only recently started asking citizens to report anyone not not following the latest coronavirus orders , Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti did so already over three months ago .
“ If any non-essential businesses continue to operate in violation of the stay at home order , we ’ re going to act to enforce the safer at home order and ensure their compliance , ” said Mayor Garcetti .
“ We need to make sure that everybody continues to let us know where those folks are , ” he added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recurring violations of the ‘ safer at home ’ order , please continue to let us know at Coronavirus.LACity.org/BusinessViolation.
” Garcetti even used the term “ snitch ” to describe what he was asking of the population .
“ You know the old expression about snitches ?
Well in this case , snitches get rewards , ” he said , without specifying what those rewards might be .
“ We want to thank you for turning folks in and making sure we are all safe.
” The Virginia health department ’ s website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ option to anonymously report to the state neighbors who exceed the emergency limits on building capacity or refuse to wear masks .
The form allows users to specify the “ type of establishment ” they ’ re reporting , including “ indoor gun range ” or “ religious service.
” In April , New York Mayor Bill de Blasio ’ s creation of a tip line , to which New Yorkers were urged to text photos of violations of so-called social distancing rules , backfired .
It was flooded with photos of genitalia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dropping the Staten Island groundhog ( the creature later died of internal injuries ) , and Hitler memes about how turning neighbors in is the “ Reich ” thing to do .
Also in April , thanks to the state ’ s sunshine law , a St. Louis , Missouri radio host obtained the names of residents who ’ d reported neighbors and businesses for allegedly violating draconian coronavirus lockdown rules .
One complainant wrote , “ My son and I took a walk yesterday through Heman Park in U City and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the playground equipment .
We walked out of the park and up to Olive and saw a number of people playing tennis .
Neither activity seemed safe to me .
”

After several complaints, or cases of 'serious non-compliance,' the Sheriff’s Department could investigate or potentially file charges.
PETITION: No to mandatory contact tracing and government surveillance for the coronavirus! Sign the petition here.
CLEVELAND, Ohio, July 15, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Cuyahoga County in northern Ohio has established a hotline for people to report fellow citizens not wearing face masks.
The city of Cleveland with its almost 400,000 inhabitants is part of Cuyahoga County.
Even though County Executive Armond Budish claimed on Friday that he wants people to wear masks “voluntarily,” bare-faced people now risk having the authorities called on them.
After a complaint has been filed, which is possible also online, county workers will contact the subject of the complaint, which could be an individual or a business, to inform them about the fact that a complaint has been filed, explained Budish. In addition, any complaints will be forwarded to the Board of Health, as well as the city or village in question.
After several complaints, or cases of “serious non-compliance,” the Sheriff’s Department could investigate or potentially file charges. Budish also said that local municipalities and police could respond to violations however they see fit, as well. He did not rule out proactive policing, which usually refers to increased visible police presence.
On a political level, in case mask orders are routinely defied within a certain area, the Board of Health could reach out to local authorities to address the problem, according to Health Commissioner Terry Allan.
The online form for filing a complaint asks to “describe your experience, providing as much detail as possible.” Providing an email address, as well as “[a]dditional questions, concerns, and feedback,” is optional.
Republican Ohio Governor Mike DeWine last Wednesday ordered seven counties to have all individuals where facial coverings “[in] any indoor location that is not a residence,” as well as outside, if it is impossible to maintain social distancing of at least six feet. Masks have to be worn also while waiting for and using public transportation.
DeWine exempted certain groups of people from wearing a face mask, for instance the leaders of worship services and people working out in a gym.
While Cuyahoga County in Ohio only recently started asking citizens to report anyone not not following the latest coronavirus orders, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti did so already over three months ago.
“If any non-essential businesses continue to operate in violation of the stay at home order, we’re going to act to enforce the safer at home order and ensure their compliance,” said Mayor Garcetti.
“We need to make sure that everybody continues to let us know where those folks are,” he added. “If you’ve observed recurring violations of the ‘safer at home’ order, please continue to let us know at Coronavirus.LACity.org/BusinessViolation.”
Garcetti even used the term “snitch” to describe what he was asking of the population.
“You know the old expression about snitches? Well in this case, snitches get rewards,” he said, without specifying what those rewards might be. “We want to thank you for turning folks in and making sure we are all safe.”
The Virginia health department’s website was updated last month to include the option to anonymously report to the state neighbors who exceed the emergency limits on building capacity or refuse to wear masks. The form allows users to specify the “type of establishment” they’re reporting, including “indoor gun range” or “religious service.”
In April, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio’s creation of a tip line, to which New Yorkers were urged to text photos of violations of so-called social distancing rules, backfired. It was flooded with photos of genitalia, obscene hand gestures, de Blasio dropping the Staten Island groundhog (the creature later died of internal injuries), and Hitler memes about how turning neighbors in is the “Reich” thing to do.
Also in April, thanks to the state’s sunshine law, a St. Louis, Missouri radio host obtained the names of residents who’d reported neighbors and businesses for allegedly violating draconian coronavirus lockdown rules. One complainant wrote, “My son and I took a walk yesterday through Heman Park in U City and we saw a number of families playing on the playground equipment. We walked out of the park and up to Olive and saw a number of people playing tennis. Neither activity seemed safe to me.”
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lifesitenews--2020-07-15--Trans activists denounce feminists for stating ‘only females get cervical cancer’

July 15 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – There are plenty of LGBT media sites crowding the market these days , but as British commentator Douglas Murray has pointed out , few achieve the sheer “ malice ” of Pink News .
Pink News is a launchpad for vicious attacks on anyone who disagrees with the LGBT agenda , and these days , it is the “ T ” for “ transgender ” in that acronym that is getting the most attention .
Consider this July 13 headline , for example : “ UK ’ s biggest cervical cancer charity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only females get cervical cancer.
’ ” I ’ ll give you a moment to blink , re-read that , and confirm that you read what you thought you read .
As it turns out , the idea that “ only females get cervical cancer ” is a “ disgustingly transphobic lie.
” This is because we have now ‘ discovered ’ that gender is fluid , and that many men have cervixes ( and , to be fair , many women have penises . )
The headline was triggered by a trending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cervical cancer.
” Jo ’ s Cervical Cancer Trust responded by tweeting : “ We ’ re aware that a hashtag is trending that raises the issue of gender identity and cervical health .
At Jo ’ s we want to ensure everyone with a cervix has access to the information and support they need to attend # CervicalScreening , regardless of their gender identity.
” According to Pink News , this confirms that LGBT people “ should have access to support and information about cervical cancer and smear tests , including trans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disgusting Twitter campaign by transphobes.
” They then published a series of tweets—which is the sort of thing that passes for journalism these days—condemning the feminists ( TERFs ) who apparently got the hashtag trending .
According to one tweeter identified as a “ cis lesbian ” : “ Transphobes weaponizing cervical cancer just so they can transphobe harder is undoubtedly the most vile thing I ’ ve seen in awhile .
They would rather see trans men , intersex and non-binary folks dead than see them screened .
This is so unnecessary.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ trans issues these days always ends with gaslighting .
Is anybody saying that folks who identify as transgender ( or non-binary , which Douglas Murray noted is indistinguishable from shouting “ look at me !
Look at me !
” ) should not have access to healthcare ?
Is that the claim or proposal being put forward ?
Of course not .
Only Pink News and their flamboyant fascistic followers are claiming this in order to excuse their vicious attacks .
Feminists insisting cervical cancer is a female thing probably seems reasonable to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the debate and claim that what the feminists are actually doing is proposing that trans people be left to die without healthcare .
Which nobody has suggested , except for the activists weaponizing an argument about gender and turning it into an argument about violence .
Trans activists are brilliant at ensuring that debates are fought on their terms so that they never have to respond to claims they wish to ignore .
Thus , they can always accuse their opponents of being genuinely dangerous .
Feminists are not saying that “ trans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They are saying that “ trans women ” are actually men , and men do not have cervixes .
They are also not saying that “ trans men ” should not get healthcare .
They are saying that the reason “ trans men ” have cervixes is that “ trans men ” are actually biological women .
This debate isn ’ t about who should get healthcare .
It is about whether you can change your sex by force of will .
Of course , the trans activists do not want to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , because they said so .
Ordinary people who have not been driven crazy by ideology do not think that men get cervical cancer .
But many ordinary people can be persuaded that denying people healthcare is cruel .
And thus , the trans activists are libelling the feminists in hopes of having that discussion instead .
Jonathon ’ s new podcast , The Van Maren Show , is dedicated to telling the stories of the pro-life and pro-family movement .
In his latest episode , he interviews Abigail Shrier , the author @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seducing Our Daughters .
They discuss the explosion of teenage girls identifying as transgender .
They also discuss how the trans movement is destroying an entire generation of girls and how this sinister ideology has spread so quickly .
You can subscribe here and listen to the episode below :

July 15, 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – There are plenty of LGBT media sites crowding the market these days, but as British commentator Douglas Murray has pointed out, few achieve the sheer “malice” of Pink News. Pink News is a launchpad for vicious attacks on anyone who disagrees with the LGBT agenda, and these days, it is the “T” for “transgender” in that acronym that is getting the most attention.
Consider this July 13 headline, for example: “UK’s biggest cervical cancer charity shuts down disgustingly transphobic lie that ‘only females get cervical cancer.’” I’ll give you a moment to blink, re-read that, and confirm that you read what you thought you read. As it turns out, the idea that “only females get cervical cancer” is a “disgustingly transphobic lie.” This is because we have now ‘discovered’ that gender is fluid, and that many men have cervixes (and, to be fair, many women have penises.)
The headline was triggered by a trending hashtag noting that “only females get cervical cancer.” Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust responded by tweeting: “We’re aware that a hashtag is trending that raises the issue of gender identity and cervical health. At Jo’s we want to ensure everyone with a cervix has access to the information and support they need to attend #CervicalScreening, regardless of their gender identity.”
According to Pink News, this confirms that LGBT people “should have access to support and information about cervical cancer and smear tests, including trans and non-binary people” despite the “disgusting Twitter campaign by transphobes.” They then published a series of tweets—which is the sort of thing that passes for journalism these days—condemning the feminists (TERFs) who apparently got the hashtag trending.
According to one tweeter identified as a “cis lesbian”: “Transphobes weaponizing cervical cancer just so they can transphobe harder is undoubtedly the most vile thing I’ve seen in awhile. They would rather see trans men, intersex and non-binary folks dead than see them screened. This is so unnecessary.”
Follow Jonathon van Maren on Facebook
It seems that every story on trans issues these days always ends with gaslighting. Is anybody saying that folks who identify as transgender (or non-binary, which Douglas Murray noted is indistinguishable from shouting “look at me! Look at me!”) should not have access to healthcare? Is that the claim or proposal being put forward? Of course not.
Only Pink News and their flamboyant fascistic followers are claiming this in order to excuse their vicious attacks. Feminists insisting cervical cancer is a female thing probably seems reasonable to most people, so they simply change the debate and claim that what the feminists are actually doing is proposing that trans people be left to die without healthcare. Which nobody has suggested, except for the activists weaponizing an argument about gender and turning it into an argument about violence.
Trans activists are brilliant at ensuring that debates are fought on their terms so that they never have to respond to claims they wish to ignore. Thus, they can always accuse their opponents of being genuinely dangerous. Feminists are not saying that “trans women” should not have healthcare. They are saying that “trans women” are actually men, and men do not have cervixes. They are also not saying that “trans men” should not get healthcare. They are saying that the reason “trans men” have cervixes is that “trans men” are actually biological women. This debate isn’t about who should get healthcare. It is about whether you can change your sex by force of will.
Of course, the trans activists do not want to have that discussion. That debate is closed, because they said so. Ordinary people who have not been driven crazy by ideology do not think that men get cervical cancer. But many ordinary people can be persuaded that denying people healthcare is cruel. And thus, the trans activists are libelling the feminists in hopes of having that discussion instead.


lifesitenews--2020-07-15--Congressman asks Smithsonian to remove bust of Planned Parenthood’s racist founder

URGENT PETITION : Tell the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade !
Sign the petition here .
July 15 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – As left-wing activists march across the United States to destroy monuments to historical figures with any real or perceived connection to racism , a Republican lawmaker is calling on the Smithsonian ’ s National Portrait Gallery to remove its bust of Planned Parenthood founder and notorious eugenics supporter Margaret Sanger .
“ As our nation struggles to address racial injustice , it is unconscionable that an avowed racist and eugenicist is featured so prominently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s First District wrote in a June 25 letter to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III .
“ Ms .
Sanger is not the kind , inspirational figure you refer to when you talk about challenging our nation ‘ to live up to its founding ideals.
” “ In this hinge moment of America ’ s history , when the light is shining so brightly concerning racial injustice , it is critical that our national institutions lead the way in creating positive platforms for healing and equality , ” Fulcher added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms. Sanger greatly dim this light.
” A member of the American Eugenics Society , Sanger wrote that “ clear ( ing ) the way for Birth Control ” was necessary for the success of “ eugenists and others who are laboring for racial betterment ” and declared the “ campaign for birth control is ( ... ) practically identical in ideal with the final aim of eugenics.
” “ ( T ) he mass of ignorant Negroes still breed carelessly and disastrously , so that the increase among Negroes , even more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from that part of the population least intelligent and fit , and least able to rear their children properly , ” read one article from Sanger ’ s The Birth Control Review .
To quell black suspicion of her racial agenda , in 1939 , Sanger launched the “ Negro Project ” to enlist black ministers to help her promote birth control .
“ We do not want word to go out that we want to exterminate the Negro population , ” she wrote in a letter to Clarence Gamble , explaining that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to “ straighten out that idea if it ever occurs to any of their more rebellious members.
” Sanger even admitted in her autobiography that in 1926 she spoke to the “ women ’ s branch of the Ku Klux Klan , ” through which she said she “ accomplished my purpose ” by inspiring a “ dozen invitations to speak to similar groups.
” Accordingly , the views of its founder were shared by numerous figures from Planned Parenthood ’ s early history , such as Henry Fairchild , Samuel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , C. Lalor Burdick , Hilda Cornish , Robert Dickinson , Haven Emerson , and Frank Lorimer .
In its early days , the International Committee on Planned Parenthood received rent-free office space from the American Eugenics Society .
Echoes of the organization ’ s racist origins even persist in the present day , such as audio recordings of Planned Parenthood officials in Idaho , New Mexico , Ohio , and Oklahoma enthusiastically accepting donations earmarked to abort babies of specific races .
Further , an estimated 40 percent of U.S. abortions are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed 345,672 preborn children last year , approximately 138,000 of whom would have been black – 40 times the number of blacks lynched in the United States from 1881 to 1968 .
Nevertheless , the Black Lives Matter movement , which instigated the current wave of racial unrest behind the tearing down of historical statues , officially supports the continued extermination of black lives via “ reproductive justice that gives us autonomy over our bodies.
” In 2015 , National Portrait Gallery director Kim Sajet refused a similar request from a group of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bust on the grounds that “ there is no ‘ moral test ’ ” for acceptance into the gallery , but rather it is simply for “ those who have made a significant impact on American history and culture , and that includes both the accomplished and reprehensible .
”

Idaho Rep. Russ Fulcher says eugenics supporter Margaret Sanger did not live up to the nation's 'founding ideals.'
URGENT PETITION: Tell the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade! Sign the petition here.
July 15, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – As left-wing activists march across the United States to destroy monuments to historical figures with any real or perceived connection to racism, a Republican lawmaker is calling on the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery to remove its bust of Planned Parenthood founder and notorious eugenics supporter Margaret Sanger.
“As our nation struggles to address racial injustice, it is unconscionable that an avowed racist and eugenicist is featured so prominently,” Rep. Russ Fulcher of Idaho’s First District wrote in a June 25 letter to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III. “Ms. Sanger is not the kind, inspirational figure you refer to when you talk about challenging our nation ‘to live up to its founding ideals.”
“In this hinge moment of America’s history, when the light is shining so brightly concerning racial injustice, it is critical that our national institutions lead the way in creating positive platforms for healing and equality,” Fulcher added. “Sadly, the racist views of Ms. Sanger greatly dim this light.”
A member of the American Eugenics Society, Sanger wrote that “clear(ing) the way for Birth Control” was necessary for the success of “eugenists and others who are laboring for racial betterment” and declared the “campaign for birth control is (…) practically identical in ideal with the final aim of eugenics.”
“(T)he mass of ignorant Negroes still breed carelessly and disastrously, so that the increase among Negroes, even more than the increase among whites, is from that part of the population least intelligent and fit, and least able to rear their children properly,” read one article from Sanger’s The Birth Control Review.
To quell black suspicion of her racial agenda, in 1939, Sanger launched the “Negro Project” to enlist black ministers to help her promote birth control. “We do not want word to go out that we want to exterminate the Negro population,” she wrote in a letter to Clarence Gamble, explaining that if it did, black ministers would be able to “straighten out that idea if it ever occurs to any of their more rebellious members.”
Sanger even admitted in her autobiography that in 1926 she spoke to the “women’s branch of the Ku Klux Klan,” through which she said she “accomplished my purpose” by inspiring a “dozen invitations to speak to similar groups.”
Accordingly, the views of its founder were shared by numerous figures from Planned Parenthood’s early history, such as Henry Fairchild, Samuel Anderson, CP Blacker, Dorothy Brush, C. Lalor Burdick, Hilda Cornish, Robert Dickinson, Haven Emerson, and Frank Lorimer. In its early days, the International Committee on Planned Parenthood received rent-free office space from the American Eugenics Society.
Echoes of the organization’s racist origins even persist in the present day, such as audio recordings of Planned Parenthood officials in Idaho, New Mexico, Ohio, and Oklahoma enthusiastically accepting donations earmarked to abort babies of specific races.
Further, an estimated 40 percent of U.S. abortions are sought by black women. Planned Parenthood killed 345,672 preborn children last year, approximately 138,000 of whom would have been black – 40 times the number of blacks lynched in the United States from 1881 to 1968.
Nevertheless, the Black Lives Matter movement, which instigated the current wave of racial unrest behind the tearing down of historical statues, officially supports the continued extermination of black lives via “reproductive justice that gives us autonomy over our bodies.”
In 2015, National Portrait Gallery director Kim Sajet refused a similar request from a group of black pastors to move Sanger’s bust on the grounds that “there is no ‘moral test’” for acceptance into the gallery, but rather it is simply for “those who have made a significant impact on American history and culture, and that includes both the accomplished and reprehensible.”
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