lifesitenews--2020-05-06--Gates Foundation and NY Gov. Cuomo joining forces to ‘reimagine’ a ‘new normal’ for education

NEW YORK , May 6 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Educator and parent groups are criticizing Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ’ s announcement that New York state will work with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to “ reimagine ” a “ new normal ” for education .
The collaboration was forged in response to the lack of preparedness of school systems across the state to make the sudden shift to remote instruction after the coronavirus pandemic forced the shutdown of traditional classroom teaching .
“ The last few months have been an incredibly stressful time full of change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grow from this situation and make sure we build our systems back better than they were before , ” said Cuomo in a live-streamed news conference .
Cuomo zoomed in on education , and suggested that the pandemic has triggered an opportunity to incorporate more tele-education , virtual education , and remote education as part of the new normal for teaching the state ’ s young people .
“ You know the old model of everybody goes and sits in a classroom and the teacher is in front of that classroom and teaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all across the city , all across the state , all these buildings , all these physical classrooms – why , with all the technology you have ?
” he asked .
“ It ’ s not about just reopening schools , ” said Cuomo .
“ Let ’ s open a smarter education system.
” “ I want to thank the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation ; we ’ ll be working with them on this project , ” announced Cuomo .
“ Bill Gates is a visionary who has spoken about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for many years , said Cuomo .
“ I think we now have a moment in history where we can actually incorporate and advance those ideas , ” he declared .
“ I think this is one of those moments , ” he continued .
“ Let ’ s start talking about really revolutionizing education.
” The “ reimagining ” of the future of New York ’ s education system guided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will include : • How can we use technology to provide more opportunities to students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How can we provide shared education among schools and colleges using technology ; • How can technology reduce educational inequality , including English as a new language students ; • How can we use technology to meet educational needs of students with disabilities ; • How can we provide educators more tools to use technology ; • How can technology break down barriers to K-12 and Colleges and Universities to provide greater access to high quality education no matter where the student lives ; and • Given ongoing socially distancing rules , how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immersive cloud virtual classrooms learning , to recreate larger class or lecture hall environments in different locations ?
Cuomo ’ s announcement that Gates ’ organization would be involved in overhauling education in the Empire State was met with a swift backlash .
Many pointed out that over the years the billionaire tech couple has posted a less than stellar track record with their forays into revamping education .
“ As educators , parents and school board members , we were appalled to hear that you will be working with the Gates Foundation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Covid crisis , ” stated a letter addressed to Governor Cuomo , signed by three organizations : The New York State Allies for Public Education , Class Size Matters , and the Parent Coalition for Student Privacy .
Bill Gates and the Gates Foundation have promoted one failed educational initiative after another , causing huge disaffection in districts throughout the state .
Whether that be the high-handed push by the Gates Foundation for the invalid Common Core standards , unreliable teacher evaluation linked to test scores , or privacy-violating data-collection via the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ education of our children has been repeatedly put at risk by their non-evidence based “ solutions.
” We urge you instead to listen to parents and teachers rather than allow the Gates Foundation to implement their damaging education agenda once again .
Since the schools were shut down in mid-March , our understanding of the profound deficiencies of screen-based instruction has only grown .
The use of education tech may have its place , but only as an ancillary to in-person learning , not as its replacement .
Along with many other parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Gates Foundation to influence the direction of education in the state by expanding the use of ed tech .
Critics also took to social media .
“ Gates should run for president , ” tweeted Laura Ingraham .
“ He wants to run your lives.
” New York State United Teachers President , Andy Pallotta , said remote learning will never replace in-person classes and the connections between students and teachers that form in classrooms .
Jasmine Gripper , executive director of the Alliance for Quality Education , said that online-only teaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and that too much “ screen time ” is harmful for kids .
“ In 2018 there was an attempt by a different billionaire to promote online learning in NYC public schools , the failed program led to student walkouts and dismal results , ” wrote Gripper .
“ Up-to-date technology is an essential classroom tool , but it will never replace the face-to-face interactions and relationships with caring teachers that form the bedrock of a child 's education , ” she added .
Pro-life and conservative activists have raised other concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s role in the coronavirus response .
Bill Gates said he thinks life won ’ t go back to “ normal ” until the population is “ widely vaccinated ” and that “ eventually we will have some digital certificates to show who has recovered or been tested recently or when we have a vaccine who has received it.
” Gates has also funded Massachusetts Institute of Technology ( MIT ) research that floated the idea of embedding vaccine records “ directly into the skin ” of children .
“ Along with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injected with a bit of dye that is invisible to the naked eye but easily seen with a special cell-phone filter , combined with an app that shines near-infrared light onto the skin , ” an article in Scientific American explained .
“ The dye would be expected to last up to five years , according to tests on pig and rat skin and human skin in a dish.
” The idea was “ funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation , ” Scientific American explained , and it “ came about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ founder and philanthropist Bill Gates himself , who has been supporting efforts to wipe out diseases such as polio and measles across the world .
”

PETITION: Thank President Trump for halting U.S. funding to pro-abortion World Health Organization Sign the petition here.
NEW YORK, May 6, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Educator and parent groups are criticizing Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s announcement that New York state will work with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to “reimagine” a “new normal” for education.
The collaboration was forged in response to the lack of preparedness of school systems across the state to make the sudden shift to remote instruction after the coronavirus pandemic forced the shutdown of traditional classroom teaching.
“The last few months have been an incredibly stressful time full of change, but we have to learn and grow from this situation and make sure we build our systems back better than they were before,” said Cuomo in a live-streamed news conference.
‘An historic moment to revolutionize education’
Cuomo zoomed in on education, and suggested that the pandemic has triggered an opportunity to incorporate more tele-education, virtual education, and remote education as part of the new normal for teaching the state’s young people.
“You know the old model of everybody goes and sits in a classroom and the teacher is in front of that classroom and teaches that class, and you do that all across the city, all across the state, all these buildings, all these physical classrooms – why, with all the technology you have?” he asked.
“It’s not about just reopening schools,” said Cuomo. “Let’s open a smarter education system.”
“I want to thank the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; we’ll be working with them on this project,” announced Cuomo.
“Bill Gates is a visionary who has spoken about his ideas on technology and education” for many years, said Cuomo.
“I think we now have a moment in history where we can actually incorporate and advance those ideas,” he declared.
“I think this is one of those moments,” he continued. “Let’s start talking about really revolutionizing education.”
The “reimagining” of the future of New York’s education system guided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will include:
How can we use technology to provide more opportunities to students no matter where they are;
How can we provide shared education among schools and colleges using technology;
How can technology reduce educational inequality, including English as a new language students;
How can we use technology to meet educational needs of students with disabilities;
How can we provide educators more tools to use technology;
How can technology break down barriers to K-12 and Colleges and Universities to provide greater access to high quality education no matter where the student lives; and
Given ongoing socially distancing rules, how can we deploy classroom technology, like immersive cloud virtual classrooms learning, to recreate larger class or lecture hall environments in different locations?
‘Damaging education agenda’ of the Gates Foundation
Cuomo’s announcement that Gates’ organization would be involved in overhauling education in the Empire State was met with a swift backlash. Many pointed out that over the years the billionaire tech couple has posted a less than stellar track record with their forays into revamping education.
“As educators, parents and school board members, we were appalled to hear that you will be working with the Gates Foundation on ‘reimagining’ our schools following the Covid crisis,” stated a letter addressed to Governor Cuomo, signed by three organizations: The New York State Allies for Public Education, Class Size Matters, and the Parent Coalition for Student Privacy.
The letter continued:
Bill Gates and the Gates Foundation have promoted one failed educational initiative after another, causing huge disaffection in districts throughout the state. Whether that be the high-handed push by the Gates Foundation for the invalid Common Core standards, unreliable teacher evaluation linked to test scores, or privacy-violating data-collection via the corporation known as inBloom Inc., the education of our children has been repeatedly put at risk by their non-evidence based “solutions.” We urge you instead to listen to parents and teachers rather than allow the Gates Foundation to implement their damaging education agenda once again. Since the schools were shut down in mid-March, our understanding of the profound deficiencies of screen-based instruction has only grown. The use of education tech may have its place, but only as an ancillary to in-person learning, not as its replacement. Along with many other parents and educators, we strongly oppose enabling the Gates Foundation to influence the direction of education in the state by expanding the use of ed tech.
Critics also took to social media.
“Gates should run for president,” tweeted Laura Ingraham. “He wants to run your lives.”
Gates should run for president. He wants to run your lives…New York will work with the Gates Foundation to develop a blueprint to “reimagine education” in the COVID-19 era. https://t.co/Meh4D0UzUe — Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) May 5, 2020
You can FORGET about real education and meaningful discussions if students and teachers have to worry about every thought and opinion being recorded and played back later in life by the thought police.https://t.co/F1pZpPQ43J — Kathy (@Kathy_Jankowski) May 6, 2020
A 7-year, $1 bil education initiative by @gatesfoundation was a failure. Why are they designing blueprints and not educators?! “The initiative did not achieve its goals for student achievement or graduation, particularly for low-income minority students”https://t.co/o4hvhMFGyT — TrekkerTeach (@trekkerteach12) May 5, 2020
Andrew Cuomo is partnering with the Gates Foundation to come after our children. Gates is the reason we had Common Core. This is not just a NY problem… it’s coming to your neighborhood next! pic.twitter.com/qZaZIYlWzU — realPolitiDiva (@realPolitiDiva) May 6, 2020
New York State United Teachers President, Andy Pallotta, said remote learning will never replace in-person classes and the connections between students and teachers that form in classrooms.
Jasmine Gripper, executive director of the Alliance for Quality Education, said that online-only teaching hurts students who require the most help, and that too much “screen time” is harmful for kids.
“In 2018 there was an attempt by a different billionaire to promote online learning in NYC public schools, the failed program led to student walkouts and dismal results,” wrote Gripper.
“Up-to-date technology is an essential classroom tool, but it will never replace the face-to-face interactions and relationships with caring teachers that form the bedrock of a child's education,” she added.
Pro-life and conservative activists have raised other concerns about the pro-abortion, pro-contraception Gates Foundation’s role in the coronavirus response. Bill Gates said he thinks life won’t go back to “normal” until the population is “widely vaccinated” and that “eventually we will have some digital certificates to show who has recovered or been tested recently or when we have a vaccine who has received it.”
Gates has also funded Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) research that floated the idea of embedding vaccine records “directly into the skin” of children.
“Along with the vaccine, a child would be injected with a bit of dye that is invisible to the naked eye but easily seen with a special cell-phone filter, combined with an app that shines near-infrared light onto the skin,” an article in Scientific American explained. “The dye would be expected to last up to five years, according to tests on pig and rat skin and human skin in a dish.”
The idea was “funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation,” Scientific American explained, and it “came about because of a direct request from Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates himself, who has been supporting efforts to wipe out diseases such as polio and measles across the world.”
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lifesitenews--2020-05-06--Liberals declare indifference to truth behind Biden assault claims: ‘want win, not justice’

May 6 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – As questions about whether former Vice President Joe Biden sexually assaulted former Senate staffer Tara Reade lead some liberals to consider attempting to replace the presumptive Democrat presidential nominee with a last-minute substitute , others have doubled down on their support for Biden , regardless of the truth about Reade ’ s allegations .
Reade alleges that in 1993 , then-Senator Biden assaulted her in a “ semi-private ” stairwell on Capitol Hill .
“ He had me against the wall , ” she says .
“ And then his hands were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And I was wearing – I wasn ’ t wearing anything underneath .
And then , with his hand , he went from there and entered me – with his hand – and as he was trying to kiss me , and saying things to me.
” Reade , who has a history of criticizing Biden and championing socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders on social media , added that she “ was in a very difficult position because he was my boss and he was like my dad ’ s age at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admired Biden as “ this champion of women ’ s rights in my eyes and I couldn ’ t believe it was happening .
It didn ’ t seem – it seemed surreal .
I just – I knew – I just felt sick.
” The Biden campaign has vociferously denied Reade ’ s claims .
Reade has called on Biden to unseal the University of Delaware ’ s records of his time in the Senate , which she says may still contain a copy of the complaint she filed with his office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that call . )
In response , some liberals such as New York Times columnist Liz Bruenig have urged Democrats to “ begin formulating an alternative strategy for 2020 — one that does not include Mr. Biden , ” and others have tried to simply downplay the matter with declarations of trust in Biden or token statements about “ addressing ” the allegations .
A few , however , have been strikingly candid about their indifference to whether or not Biden assaulted Reade .
“ I don ’ t want an investigation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” declared Martin Tolchin , a former New York Times journalist who helped found The Hill and Politico .
“ I don ’ t want justice , whatever that may be .
I want a win , the removal of Donald Trump from office.
” Tolchin expressed fear at the possibility of an investigation revealing “ damaging information concerning ( Biden ’ s ) relationship with Tara Reade or something else , ” such that he was forced to drop out in favor of a weaker Democrat .
“ Should we really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a trial lawyer who previously represented women who claimed President Donald Trump sexually harassed them , wrote on Twitter that she believes Biden assaulted Reade , but will support him anyway in order to “ fight Trump ” : Esquire , meanwhile , published a piece by Kelly Stout titled “ I 'll Vote for Joe Biden , But I Wo n't Be Cool About It.
” In it , Stout criticizes the implicit request of Biden supporters to “ just let this go , ” and declares the idea that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did ” is “ making me lose my cool.
” Even so , she still admits , “ I ’ m going to vote for Biden , and I hope he wins .
But I ’ m going to be annoyed about my choice right on through to the end.
” Though what little evidence exists in the case is far from conclusive , details supporting Reade ’ s include the fact that she has filed a police report ( opening herself up to legal consequences if she ’ s found to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handful of former Reade associates say she told them about the incident in the 1990s , and the discovery of a 1993 clip of Reade ’ s mother calling Larry King ’ s CNN show to discuss her daughter ’ s “ problem ” with a “ prominent senator.
” Last week , Biden told MSNBC ’ s Mika Brzezinski that he won ’ t unseal those records because personnel files would not be among them anyway ( Reade says she ’ s seeking any corroborating notes from Biden staffers , not just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that he fears the release of other documents pertaining to diplomacy in the Obama administration that could give him unrelated political headaches .
Instead , he has called the National Archives & Records Administration to identify and release any record pertaining to Reade ’ s alleged complaint ( NARA says records are not with them , but with the General Services Administration ) .

Some pundits on the Left believe the Democrats should pursue an alternative candidate, but most appear to be willing to look the other way.
May 6, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – As questions about whether former Vice President Joe Biden sexually assaulted former Senate staffer Tara Reade lead some liberals to consider attempting to replace the presumptive Democrat presidential nominee with a last-minute substitute, others have doubled down on their support for Biden, regardless of the truth about Reade’s allegations.
Reade alleges that in 1993, then-Senator Biden assaulted her in a “semi-private” stairwell on Capitol Hill. “He had me against the wall,” she says. “And then his hands were down my skirt and up my skirt. And I was wearing – I wasn’t wearing anything underneath. And then, with his hand, he went from there and entered me – with his hand – and as he was trying to kiss me, and saying things to me.”
Reade, who has a history of criticizing Biden and championing socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders on social media, added that she “was in a very difficult position because he was my boss and he was like my dad’s age at the time,” and that beforehand she admired Biden as “this champion of women’s rights in my eyes and I couldn’t believe it was happening. It didn’t seem – it seemed surreal. I just – I knew – I just felt sick.”
The Biden campaign has vociferously denied Reade’s claims. Reade has called on Biden to unseal the University of Delaware’s records of his time in the Senate, which she says may still contain a copy of the complaint she filed with his office (The left-wing Washington Post has backed that call.)
In response, some liberals such as New York Times columnist Liz Bruenig have urged Democrats to “begin formulating an alternative strategy for 2020 — one that does not include Mr. Biden,” and others have tried to simply downplay the matter with declarations of trust in Biden or token statements about “addressing” the allegations.
A few, however, have been strikingly candid about their indifference to whether or not Biden assaulted Reade.
“I don’t want an investigation. I want a coronation of Joe Biden,” declared Martin Tolchin, a former New York Times journalist who helped found The Hill and Politico. “I don’t want justice, whatever that may be. I want a win, the removal of Donald Trump from office.” Tolchin expressed fear at the possibility of an investigation revealing “damaging information concerning (Biden’s) relationship with Tara Reade or something else,” such that he was forced to drop out in favor of a weaker Democrat. “Should we really risk the possibility?”
Lisa Bloom, a trial lawyer who previously represented women who claimed President Donald Trump sexually harassed them, wrote on Twitter that she believes Biden assaulted Reade, but will support him anyway in order to “fight Trump”:
I believe you, Tara Reade.
You have people who remember you told them about this decades ago.
We know he is “handsy.”
You're not asking for $.
You've obviously struggled mightily with this.
I still have to fight Trump, so I will still support Joe.
But I believe you. And I'm sorry https://t.co/eMUBrkkVFE — Lisa Bloom (@LisaBloom) May 1, 2020
Esquire, meanwhile, published a piece by Kelly Stout titled “I'll Vote for Joe Biden, But I Won't Be Cool About It.” In it, Stout criticizes the implicit request of Biden supporters to “just let this go,” and declares the idea that “it doesn't ultimately matter if he did” is “making me lose my cool.” Even so, she still admits, “I’m going to vote for Biden, and I hope he wins. But I’m going to be annoyed about my choice right on through to the end.”
Though what little evidence exists in the case is far from conclusive, details supporting Reade’s include the fact that she has filed a police report (opening herself up to legal consequences if she’s found to be lying), the fact that a handful of former Reade associates say she told them about the incident in the 1990s, and the discovery of a 1993 clip of Reade’s mother calling Larry King’s CNN show to discuss her daughter’s “problem” with a “prominent senator.”
Last week, Biden told MSNBC’s Mika Brzezinski that he won’t unseal those records because personnel files would not be among them anyway (Reade says she’s seeking any corroborating notes from Biden staffers, not just a copy of the complaint), and that he fears the release of other documents pertaining to diplomacy in the Obama administration that could give him unrelated political headaches. Instead, he has called the National Archives & Records Administration to identify and release any record pertaining to Reade’s alleged complaint (NARA says records are not with them, but with the General Services Administration).
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lifesitenews--2020-05-06--Multi-national intelligence report validates Derek Sloan’s criticism of Theresa Tam

TORONTO , May 6 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The “ Five Eyes ” intelligence dossier confirming that China covered up the coronavirus outbreak and the World Health Organization repeated its lies is a welcome shot in the arm for Canadian Conservative Party leadership hopeful Derek Sloan , says the national pro-life group supporting his bid .
“ That intelligence report says China lied and that the WHO repeated the lies .
This is total vindication for Derek Sloan , ” said Jack Fonseca , director of political operations for Campaign Life Coalition .
But Sloan -- who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secret emergency meeting last week where , according to accounts leaked to the media , he was asked to apologize for his allegedly “ racist ” remarks -- could still be under the threat of being expelled from his party over the matter , Fonseca said .
That ’ s because , as surmised by the Toronto Star ’ s Ottawa bureau reporter Alex Boutilier , last week ’ s move to possibly expel Sloan over his critique of Canada ’ s chief medical officer Dr. Theresa Tam was essentially a “ proxy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Erin O ’ Toole and former Nova Scotia MP Peter MacKay .
Sloan , MacKay , O ’ Toole and Toronto lawyer Leslyn Lewis are the four candidates in the race to replace Conservative leader Andrew Scheer , the winner of which will be determined by a ranked mail-in ballot , with date of receipt no later than August 21 .
“ The thinking within Conservative circles goes like this : MacKay has enough of an advantage in fundraising , endorsements , and name recognition that O ’ Toole can ’ t secure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , O ’ Toole ’ s strategy will focus on cobbling together support from the corners of the Conservative tent , where MacKay is not so popular , ” wrote Boutilier .
Sloan : Tam should resign or be fired Sloan sparked a media furor when he released a video April 21 declaring that Tam should resign or be fired for her handling of the coronavirus pandemic , and asking : “ Does ( Tam ) work for Canada or for China ?
” The rookie MP pointed out in an accompanying letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who sit on the World Health Organization ’ s ( WHO ) independent Oversight and Advisory Committee , “ whose job is to prevent politics from interfering with what happens during health emergencies.
” The “ WHO has been a puppet of the People ’ s Republic of China for over a decade now , ” and Tam “ dutifully repeats the propaganda of a CCP government obsessed with political control and saving face , ” contended Sloan .
In a subsequent letter defending his position , Sloan reiterated that Tam “ has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 .
She was wrong on travel bans .
She was wrong on asymptomatic transmission .
She was wrong on voluntary quarantines .
And Justin Trudeau stood by Dr. Tam ’ s — and the WHO ’ s — advice every step of the way.
” Sloan ’ s critique has now been confirmed in a dossier by intelligence agencies of the United States , Canada , United Kingdom , Australia and New Zealand — the so-called “ Five Eyes ” intelligence alliance — which was leaked to the media last weekend .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Communist regime for its “ assault on international transparency ’ ’ -- most notably for refusing to admit until January 20 that the virus is transmitted human to human , and detailed that even as Xi ’ s regime was downplaying the threat of the virus to the world , it was destroying evidence of it at home , censoring media , and silencing whistle-blowers or making them disappear .
The intelligence dossier also faulted the WHO for uncritically repeating Beijing ’ s claims and denying human-to-human transmission of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns in late December and early January respectively .
“ Derek was right and all his critics were wrong , ” Fonseca told LifeSiteNews .
“ Shame on them for the hate campaign they waged , most especially his fellow Conservative colleagues [ Calgary MP ] Michelle Rempel , [ Ontario MP ] Dan Albas and [ Ontario MP ] Michael Chong , ” he added .
Sloan still under threat of expulsion from the party During the conference call caucus meeting last week , Ontario Conservative MPs “ were prepared to call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of caucus ” if he did not apologize for the question : “ Does [ Tam ] work for Canada or China ?
” two Conservative sources told the Toronto Star .
MP Scott Reid reportedly put forward the motion that Sloan apologize , and only Sloan and O ’ Toole voted against it , sources told CBC .
They also revealed that Sloan did not offer an apology but said his question was meant to be “ rhetorical , ” a position he held in a statement released later that day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tam to resign or be fired .
In a string of Tweets late last Thursday , Reid condemned the leaks , suggesting the MP responsible should be expelled , and that , like it or not , Sloan did offer a “ retraction ” of his remarks .
He also suggested that the only one to gain from ousting Sloan -- and leaking the information -- is another leadership candidate .
“ Under the CPC ’ s preferential ballot system , the 2nd-ballot preferences of Sloan supporters could determine who becomes our next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of him .
Thus , even if we don ’ t know who leaked , we do know why , and for whose benefit , ” Reid tweeted .
Fonseca agrees that “ from media reports , it seems pretty clear ... that it was the Peter MacKay campaign who orchestrated this attempted ouster of Sloan.
” The Ontario caucus includes at least 12 MPs and two senators who have endorsed MacKay , who is known to be hostile to social conservatives and who infamously referred to leader Andrew Scheer ’ s personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stinking albatross ” around his neck .
O ’ Toole is also pro-abortion and pro-LGBT , and not endorsed by Campaign Life .
Under the Reform Act -- which a party can opt into -- a vote to expel a member is triggered if 20 percent of the national caucus asks for it .
More than 50 percent of the national caucus must vote in favor of expulsion if the MP is to be ousted .
With high-stakes leadership politics in play , Sloan could still be under threat of expulsion , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ red Tory track record of disqualifying social conservative leadership candidates , first Richard Decarie and then Jim Karahalios , we must assume that the anti-Sloan forces are still trying to get the requisite number of signatures to force a vote on expelling Sloan , ” he told LifeSiteNews .
It ’ s therefore critical that social conservatives preemptively mobilize to support Sloan , a lawyer and father of three who is unabashedly pro-life and pro-family .
Campaign Life “ is urging all pro-life , pro-family people to contact their local Conservative MP and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expel MP Derek Sloan comes before the national CPC caucus , they must vote against it , ” Fonseca said .
Campaign Life has provided a list of all Conservative MPs , and their contact information , beginning with those in the Ontario caucus .
To contact these MPs to voice support for Derek Sloan , go here .
Campaign Life is also urging social conservatives 14 years of age and older to buy Conservative Party memberships by May 15 to be eligible to vote for the new leader .

The Conservative MP, however, may still face party expulsion after he called out Canada’s top doc’s ties with WHO
PETITION: Thank President Trump for halting U.S. funding to pro-abortion World Health Organization Sign the petition here.
TORONTO, May 6, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The “Five Eyes” intelligence dossier confirming that China covered up the coronavirus outbreak and the World Health Organization repeated its lies is a welcome shot in the arm for Canadian Conservative Party leadership hopeful Derek Sloan, says the national pro-life group supporting his bid.
“That intelligence report says China lied and that the WHO repeated the lies. This is total vindication for Derek Sloan,” said Jack Fonseca, director of political operations for Campaign Life Coalition.
But Sloan — who was the subject of an Ontario Conservative caucus secret emergency meeting last week where, according to accounts leaked to the media, he was asked to apologize for his allegedly “racist” remarks — could still be under the threat of being expelled from his party over the matter, Fonseca said.
That’s because, as surmised by the Toronto Star’s Ottawa bureau reporter Alex Boutilier, last week’s move to possibly expel Sloan over his critique of Canada’s chief medical officer Dr. Theresa Tam was essentially a “proxy war” between leadership candidates Ontario MP Erin O’Toole and former Nova Scotia MP Peter MacKay.
Sloan, MacKay, O’Toole and Toronto lawyer Leslyn Lewis are the four candidates in the race to replace Conservative leader Andrew Scheer, the winner of which will be determined by a ranked mail-in ballot, with date of receipt no later than August 21.
“The thinking within Conservative circles goes like this: MacKay has enough of an advantage in fundraising, endorsements, and name recognition that O’Toole can’t secure a first-ballot win against him. Instead, O’Toole’s strategy will focus on cobbling together support from the corners of the Conservative tent, where MacKay is not so popular,” wrote Boutilier.
Sloan: Tam should resign or be fired
Sloan sparked a media furor when he released a video April 21 declaring that Tam should resign or be fired for her handling of the coronavirus pandemic, and asking: “Does (Tam) work for Canada or for China?”
The rookie MP pointed out in an accompanying letter that Tam is one of seven people who sit on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) independent Oversight and Advisory Committee, “whose job is to prevent politics from interfering with what happens during health emergencies.”
The “WHO has been a puppet of the People’s Republic of China for over a decade now,” and Tam “dutifully repeats the propaganda of a CCP government obsessed with political control and saving face,” contended Sloan.
In a subsequent letter defending his position, Sloan reiterated that Tam “has shown terrible judgment and great incompetence handing COVID-19. She was wrong on travel bans. She was wrong on asymptomatic transmission. She was wrong on voluntary quarantines. And Justin Trudeau stood by Dr. Tam’s — and the WHO’s — advice every step of the way.”
Sloan’s critique has now been confirmed in a dossier by intelligence agencies of the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand — the so-called “Five Eyes” intelligence alliance — which was leaked to the media last weekend.
The 15-page document blasted President Xi Jinping’s Communist regime for its “assault on international transparency’’ — most notably for refusing to admit until January 20 that the virus is transmitted human to human, and detailed that even as Xi’s regime was downplaying the threat of the virus to the world, it was destroying evidence of it at home, censoring media, and silencing whistle-blowers or making them disappear.
The intelligence dossier also faulted the WHO for uncritically repeating Beijing’s claims and denying human-to-human transmission of the virus, despite Taiwan and Hong Kong raising concerns in late December and early January respectively.
“Derek was right and all his critics were wrong,” Fonseca told LifeSiteNews.
“Shame on them for the hate campaign they waged, most especially his fellow Conservative colleagues [Calgary MP] Michelle Rempel, [Ontario MP] Dan Albas and [Ontario MP] Michael Chong,” he added.
Sloan still under threat of expulsion from the party
During the conference call caucus meeting last week, Ontario Conservative MPs “were prepared to call for a vote to kick Sloan out of caucus” if he did not apologize for the question: “Does [Tam] work for Canada or China?” two Conservative sources told the Toronto Star.
MP Scott Reid reportedly put forward the motion that Sloan apologize, and only Sloan and O’Toole voted against it, sources told CBC. They also revealed that Sloan did not offer an apology but said his question was meant to be “rhetorical,” a position he held in a statement released later that day, in which he reiterated his call for Tam to resign or be fired.
In a string of Tweets late last Thursday, Reid condemned the leaks, suggesting the MP responsible should be expelled, and that, like it or not, Sloan did offer a “retraction” of his remarks.
He also suggested that the only one to gain from ousting Sloan — and leaking the information — is another leadership candidate.
“Under the CPC’s preferential ballot system, the 2nd-ballot preferences of Sloan supporters could determine who becomes our next leader. Someone wants to get rid of him. Thus, even if we don’t know who leaked, we do know why, and for whose benefit,” Reid tweeted.
Fonseca agrees that “from media reports, it seems pretty clear… that it was the Peter MacKay campaign who orchestrated this attempted ouster of Sloan.”
The Ontario caucus includes at least 12 MPs and two senators who have endorsed MacKay, who is known to be hostile to social conservatives and who infamously referred to leader Andrew Scheer’s personal pro-life and pro-family views as “a stinking albatross” around his neck. O’Toole is also pro-abortion and pro-LGBT, and not endorsed by Campaign Life.
Under the Reform Act — which a party can opt into — a vote to expel a member is triggered if 20 percent of the national caucus asks for it. More than 50 percent of the national caucus must vote in favor of expulsion if the MP is to be ousted.
With high-stakes leadership politics in play, Sloan could still be under threat of expulsion, according to Fonseca.
“Given the successful red Tory track record of disqualifying social conservative leadership candidates, first Richard Decarie and then Jim Karahalios, we must assume that the anti-Sloan forces are still trying to get the requisite number of signatures to force a vote on expelling Sloan,” he told LifeSiteNews.
It’s therefore critical that social conservatives preemptively mobilize to support Sloan, a lawyer and father of three who is unabashedly pro-life and pro-family.
Campaign Life “is urging all pro-life, pro-family people to contact their local Conservative MP and tell them that if a motion to expel MP Derek Sloan comes before the national CPC caucus, they must vote against it,” Fonseca said.
Campaign Life has provided a list of all Conservative MPs, and their contact information, beginning with those in the Ontario caucus. To contact these MPs to voice support for Derek Sloan, go here.
Campaign Life is also urging social conservatives 14 years of age and older to buy Conservative Party memberships by May 15 to be eligible to vote for the new leader.
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lifesitenews--2020-05-06--Why pro-lifers shouldn’t support the coronavirus lockdown

To help keep this and other programs on the air , please donate here .
In today ’ s episode @ @ @ @ @ , Jonathon speaks with Klusendorf about why he sees a fundamental flaw in the idea @ @ @ @ @ under the guise of preventing people from getting coronavirus .
In a recent article published @ @ @ @ @ , pro-lifer Scott Klusendorf argues that these lockdowns aren ’ t aligned with pro-life values @ @ @ @ @ speaker for the Life Training Institute and trains others to passionately defend life .

To help keep this and other programs on the air, please donate here.
In today’s episode of The Van Maren Show, Jonathon speaks with Klusendorf about why he sees a fundamental flaw in the idea that locking down the country under the guise of preventing people from getting coronavirus.
In a recent article published through the Christian Research Institute, pro-lifer Scott Klusendorf argues that these lockdowns aren’t aligned with pro-life values. Klusendorf is a renowned speaker for the Life Training Institute and trains others to passionately defend life.


lifesitenews--2020-05-06--A vote for Biden means a vote supporting abortion, LGBT agenda, end of religious liberty

May 6 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The conventional wisdom of the American chattering classes at the moment seems to be that Joe Biden was the moderate , middle-of-the-road choice for Democratic primary voters : Not too Communist , not too radical , and not too unsettling for the working-class voters that voted for Trump in 2016 .
The logic of this seems to be primarily based on two factors .
First , Biden is old .
In fact , at times he appears to be visibly aging before our eyes as he muddles through TV segments that are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The second factor is that he is not Bernie Sanders , and thus does not have baggage the size of Cuba or the former Soviet Union .
But it is important to remember that Joe Biden is not simply some geriatric and de-fanged old-school liberal who will serve as a respite from Donald Trump for the next four years .
He is a politician who has been on the cutting edge of mainstreaming the Sexual Revolution for years , and we should not be fooled by the fact that he appears to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is Biden ’ s most recent endorsement , which came from the National Center for Transgender Equality Action Fund .
In a Tuesday press release , Executive Director Mara Keisling was positively effusive : Joe Biden is the advocate and president we need at this consequential moment .
He has the temperament , the experience and wisdom to lead our country .
Throughout his career in public service , work as a private citizen through the Biden Foundation , and now his campaign to lead our nation , Biden has demonstrated his commitment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden has a strong agenda for addressing the issues that face transgender Americans , a record of getting big ideas done during his time as vice president in the Obama-Biden administration , and a history of ensuring that transgender people are protected , including protections for transgender women as part of the reauthorization of the landmark Violence Against Women Act he authored .
Over the years he has consistently made clear that ‘ transgender equality is the civil rights issue of our time.
’ With Joe Biden , we know we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and we will not be erased .
Keisling ’ s enthusiasm is understandable .
Last year , in fact , Biden was interviewed by her for the transgender lobby group ’ s Transform the White House Project .
During the interview , Biden told Keisling that people of faith—including Jews , Christians , and Muslims—need to get on board with the transgender agenda already .
After all , he certainly has .
Predictably , he also condemned Trump for “ rolling back ” transgender rights , stating that the “ idea that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be who you are in your heart and soul is just wrong.
” Biden ’ s campaign has already responded to the endorsement , with his LGBTQ+ vote director Reggie Greer stating in part that : On behalf of Vice President Biden , our campaign is deeply honored to have the National Center for Transgender Equality Action Fund 's endorsement and partnership in this election .
In 2012 , the same year he boldly declared his support for marriage equality , Vice President Biden made clear that 'transgender equality is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' He understands what 's at stake , and has built an unmatched record of ensuring our nation ’ s laws and discourse value , reflect , and see the lives , dignity , and worth of all transgender people .
To the contrary , Donald Trump and Mike Pence have done nearly everything in their power to endanger the lives of transgender people or ignore the issues disproportionately impacting them .
That 's why it 's all the more reason we are grateful for today 's announcement .
This endorsement—and the Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for voters who believe that a vote for Joe Biden is a vote for a moderate alternative to Trump .
In fact , Biden ’ s campaign website prominently features “ THE BIDEN PLAN TO ADVANCE LGBTQ+ EQUALITY IN AMERICA AND AROUND THE WORLD , ” which touts his support for the Equality Act , a piece of legislation that would transform the United States and eliminate pro-life laws in all fifty states .
The passage of the Equality Act would set the pro-life and pro-family movement back decades in one fell swoop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Equality Act would be a “ top legislative priority , ” and also promised to ensure that adoption agencies could not refuse to place children with same-sex couples This presumably includes religious adoption agencies and foster care agencies .
He has promised to enshrine in federal law recognition of “ gender identity , ” and appoint radical pro-LGBT judges to America ’ s courts .
( “ Non-binary ” people also get several prominent mentions . )
And then there is this section of The Biden Plan , which essentially advocates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And that ’ s not all .
Biden wants to allow an additional “ X ” in addition to the “ M ” and “ F ” for male and female on government identification to accommodate those with different gender identities .
He wants a total , nation-wide ban on “ conversion therapy ” via the Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act of 2019 , which according to the Congressional website is designed to do the following : Got that ?
If someone has unwanted same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria , they would be banned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ desire .
But a specific carve-out in the law ensures that those who actually wish to convert themselves into a different gender are expressly permitted to pursue those hormone treatments or sex change surgeries , probably at the taxpayer ’ s expense .
Also included in Biden ’ s LGBTQ platform is more funding for Planned Parenthood , a promise to advance the LGBTQ agenda worldwide via the State Department ( presumably also in countries that have no desire for this sort of ideological colonialism ) , and even “ [ w ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the GLOBE Act currently before the House—which will permanently make upholding LGBTQ+ rights a priority of the foreign policy of the United State [ s ] .
” So there you have it .
Joe Biden is the furthest thing there is from a moderate candidate .
In fact , the reason he is receiving such enthusiastic endorsements from LGBTQ and abortion rights groups is because he is offering them everything they ’ ve ever wanted , and then some .
A Biden presidency would fundamentally transform the United States of America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the LGBTQ activists and their progressive friends have always desired .
If Biden gets elected and the Democrats take the Senate , this could all very well come to pass .
Those comforting themselves with the idea that a vote for Joe Biden is a “ return to normalcy ” are delusional .
A vote for Joe Biden is a vote for an America where pro-life laws are overturned , religious liberty is destroyed , American power is used to bully other nations into accepting the LGBT agenda , abortion on demand and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human right , Christian adoption agencies are forced out of business if they refuse to place children with same-sex couples , and those with unwanted same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria are banned from getting the assistance they desperately desire .
That would be Joe Biden ’ s America .
And if that ’ s your idea of “ normal , ” then you were never remotely conservative in the first place .
Jonathon ’ s new podcast , The Van Maren Show , is dedicated to telling the stories of the pro-life and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he interviews Anne Schlafly Cori who highlights the smearing of her mother Phyllis Schlafly in Mrs. America and shares the wonderful , selfless things Phyllis accomplished in her life , including helping get Ronald Reagan elected .
You can subscribe here and listen to the episode below :

'A Biden presidency would fundamentally transform the United States of America and turn it into the nation that the LGBTQ activists and their progressive friends have always desired'
May 6, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The conventional wisdom of the American chattering classes at the moment seems to be that Joe Biden was the moderate, middle-of-the-road choice for Democratic primary voters: Not too Communist, not too radical, and not too unsettling for the working-class voters that voted for Trump in 2016.
The logic of this seems to be primarily based on two factors. First, Biden is old. In fact, at times he appears to be visibly aging before our eyes as he muddles through TV segments that are intentionally short but seem interminably long. The second factor is that he is not Bernie Sanders, and thus does not have baggage the size of Cuba or the former Soviet Union.
But it is important to remember that Joe Biden is not simply some geriatric and de-fanged old-school liberal who will serve as a respite from Donald Trump for the next four years. He is a politician who has been on the cutting edge of mainstreaming the Sexual Revolution for years, and we should not be fooled by the fact that he appears to be a singularly unthreatening figure.
Exhibit A is Biden’s most recent endorsement, which came from the National Center for Transgender Equality Action Fund. In a Tuesday press release, Executive Director Mara Keisling was positively effusive:
Joe Biden is the advocate and president we need at this consequential moment. He has the temperament, the experience and wisdom to lead our country. Throughout his career in public service, work as a private citizen through the Biden Foundation, and now his campaign to lead our nation, Biden has demonstrated his commitment to transgender people and the LGBTQ community. Biden has a strong agenda for addressing the issues that face transgender Americans, a record of getting big ideas done during his time as vice president in the Obama-Biden administration, and a history of ensuring that transgender people are protected, including protections for transgender women as part of the reauthorization of the landmark Violence Against Women Act he authored. Over the years he has consistently made clear that ‘transgender equality is the civil rights issue of our time.’ With Joe Biden, we know we will be engaged, we will be seen, and we will not be erased.
Keisling’s enthusiasm is understandable. Last year, in fact, Biden was interviewed by her for the transgender lobby group’s Transform the White House Project. During the interview, Biden told Keisling that people of faith—including Jews, Christians, and Muslims—need to get on board with the transgender agenda already. After all, he certainly has. Predictably, he also condemned Trump for “rolling back” transgender rights, stating that the “idea that someone can tell you that you can’t be who you are in your heart and soul is just wrong.”
Biden’s campaign has already responded to the endorsement, with his LGBTQ+ vote director Reggie Greer stating in part that:
On behalf of Vice President Biden, our campaign is deeply honored to have the National Center for Transgender Equality Action Fund's endorsement and partnership in this election. In 2012, the same year he boldly declared his support for marriage equality, Vice President Biden made clear that 'transgender equality is the civil rights issue of our time.' He understands what's at stake, and has built an unmatched record of ensuring our nation’s laws and discourse value, reflect, and see the lives, dignity, and worth of all transgender people. To the contrary, Donald Trump and Mike Pence have done nearly everything in their power to endanger the lives of transgender people or ignore the issues disproportionately impacting them. That's why it's all the more reason we are grateful for today's announcement.
This endorsement—and the Biden campaign’s response—is a good reminder for voters who believe that a vote for Joe Biden is a vote for a moderate alternative to Trump. In fact, Biden’s campaign website prominently features “THE BIDEN PLAN TO ADVANCE LGBTQ+ EQUALITY IN AMERICA AND AROUND THE WORLD,” which touts his support for the Equality Act, a piece of legislation that would transform the United States and eliminate pro-life laws in all fifty states. The passage of the Equality Act would set the pro-life and pro-family movement back decades in one fell swoop.
Follow Jonathon van Maren on Facebook
Biden has stated that the passage of the Equality Act would be a “top legislative priority,” and also promised to ensure that adoption agencies could not refuse to place children with same-sex couples This presumably includes religious adoption agencies and foster care agencies. He has promised to enshrine in federal law recognition of “gender identity,” and appoint radical pro-LGBT judges to America’s courts. (“Non-binary” people also get several prominent mentions.) And then there is this section of The Biden Plan, which essentially advocates for the elimination of religious liberty:
End the misuse of broad exemptions to discriminate. Religious freedom is a fundamental American value. But states have inappropriately used broad exemptions to allow businesses, medical providers, social service agencies, state and local government officials, and others to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people. The Trump-Pence Administration has deliberately and systematically attempted to gut protections for the LGBTQ+ community by carving out broad religious exemptions to existing nondiscrimination laws and policies across federal agencies. Biden will reverse Trump’s policies misusing these broad exemptions and fight so that no one is turned away from a business or refused service by a government official just because of who they are or who they love.
And that’s not all. Biden wants to allow an additional “X” in addition to the “M” and “F” for male and female on government identification to accommodate those with different gender identities. He wants a total, nation-wide ban on “conversion therapy” via the Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act of 2019, which according to the Congressional website is designed to do the following:
This bill prohibits commercial conversion therapy, which is a practice or treatment designed to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity or otherwise change behaviors, thoughts, or expressions related to gender or sexual attraction. This prohibition does not apply to treatment that assists an individual undergoing a gender transition or facilitates identity exploration and development.
Got that? If someone has unwanted same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria, they would be banned from seeking the counselling and help they desire. But a specific carve-out in the law ensures that those who actually wish to convert themselves into a different gender are expressly permitted to pursue those hormone treatments or sex change surgeries, probably at the taxpayer’s expense.
Also included in Biden’s LGBTQ platform is more funding for Planned Parenthood, a promise to advance the LGBTQ agenda worldwide via the State Department (presumably also in countries that have no desire for this sort of ideological colonialism), and even “[w]ork with Congress to enact legislation – like the GLOBE Act currently before the House—which will permanently make upholding LGBTQ+ rights a priority of the foreign policy of the United State[s].”
So there you have it. Joe Biden is the furthest thing there is from a moderate candidate. In fact, the reason he is receiving such enthusiastic endorsements from LGBTQ and abortion rights groups is because he is offering them everything they’ve ever wanted, and then some. A Biden presidency would fundamentally transform the United States of America and turn it into the nation that the LGBTQ activists and their progressive friends have always desired. If Biden gets elected and the Democrats take the Senate, this could all very well come to pass.
Those comforting themselves with the idea that a vote for Joe Biden is a “return to normalcy” are delusional. A vote for Joe Biden is a vote for an America where pro-life laws are overturned, religious liberty is destroyed, American power is used to bully other nations into accepting the LGBT agenda, abortion on demand and funded by the taxpayer is considered a human right, Christian adoption agencies are forced out of business if they refuse to place children with same-sex couples, and those with unwanted same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria are banned from getting the assistance they desperately desire. That would be Joe Biden’s America.
And if that’s your idea of “normal,” then you were never remotely conservative in the first place.
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 Anne Schlafly Cori who highlights the smearing of her mother Phyllis Schlafly in Mrs. America and shares the wonderful, selfless things Phyllis accomplished in her life, including helping get Ronald Reagan elected.
You can subscribe here and listen to the episode below:
Follow Jonathon Jonathon Van Maren is a public speaker, writer, and pro-life activist. His commentary has been translated into more than eight languages and published widely online as well as print newspapers such as the Jewish Independent, the National Post, the Hamilton Spectator and others. He has received an award for combating anti-Semitism in print from the Jewish organization B’nai Brith. His commentary has been featured on CTV Primetime, Global News, EWTN, and the CBC as well as dozens of radio stations and news outlets in Canada and the United States. He speaks on a wide variety of cultural topics across North America at universities, high schools, churches, and other functions. Some of these topics include abortion, pornography, the Sexual Revolution, and euthanasia. Jonathon holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in history from Simon Fraser University, and is the communications director for the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform. Jonathon’s first book, The Culture War, was released in 2016.
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lifesitenews--2020-05-06--Chicago churches to re-open regardless of ‘unconstitutional restrictions,’ willing to go to fed. cou

Chicago churches to re-open regardless of ‘unconstitutional restrictions,’ willing to go to fed. court

CHICAGO , Illinois , May 6 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Several pastors ministering to Romanian Christian congregations in the Chicago area have told Democratic Illinois Gov .
J .
B. Pritzker that they will be defying an executive order limiting religious gatherings to only 10 people and are unafraid to take the issue to court .
“ Please be advised that , beginning on May 10 , 2020 , our congregations will resume in-person church gatherings , and we will no longer adhere to the 10-person limit or the other unconstitutional restrictions comprised within your orders , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter dated May 2 .
An April 30 executive order issued by Pritzker technically permitted the people of Illinois to “ engage in the free exercise of religion.
” However , that free exercise is limited by obligatory “ social distancing ” measures , as well as a “ limit on gatherings of more than ten people.
” “ Religious organizations and houses of worship are encouraged to use online or drive-in services to protect the health and safety of their congregants , ” the executive order added .
Prior to that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Pritzker had not provided an exemption at all for religious gatherings .
The governor ’ s orders “ are in clear violation of our First Amendment rights , ” the Romanian pastors wrote .
“ The Constitution and the rights enshrined therein are not suspended during a pandemic , and neither is our religion.
” In their letter , they emphasized that many Romanians now living in the Chicago area fled “ communist oppression ” in their Eastern European home country , targeting “ religious gatherings , houses of worship and communal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Following government measures implemented after the coronavirus outbreak in the United States , they were reminded of the situation under communist rule .
“ We love our adopted country , and the Freedom we have found here , too much to stay silent as you trample on our God-given rights , ” the pastors wrote .
“ In light of our shared experience living behind the Iron Curtain – where discriminatory treatment of Churches by authoritarian governments was the norm – we are determined to do everything that we can to ensure that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the beacons of freedom that brought us here.
” While many stores , even abortion centers , are considered “ essential ” by the Illinois government , the pastors accused Pritzker of having “ singled out churches as not essential , and you have closed our doors even though we are willing and able to implement the same safety measures employed by those that remain open.
” In their defiance of the state government ’ s orders , the pastors are represented by Liberty Counsel .
Horatio Mihet , Chief Litigation Counsel for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proud to stand with the Romanian-American community against the unconstitutional , government-imposed conditions and restrictions that discriminate against the church.
” “ There is no good reason to prohibit the church from implementing the same social distancing and safety precautions that liquor stores , hardware stores , law firms and accountants are allowed to implement , ” he continued .
“ We must not let our fundamental Constitutional guarantees become another casualty of COVID-19.
” Mat Staver , the founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel , explained that he had heard “ many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repression of their religious freedom under Communism.
” He said he “ never would have thought that in America they would experience similar treatment.
” “ We are proud to stand with these pastors who understand the importance and value of religious freedom .
This shocking discrimination against houses of worship and people of faith must end.
” In their letter , the Romanian pastors argued not only from a constitutional perspective , referring to the First Amendment and recent court decisions amid about churches during the pandemic , but also by pointing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worship is not only commanded by the Holy Scripture , but it has been a foundational element of religious duty in the Christian Church for over 2,000 years , ” they wrote .
“ This has been the sacred practice of the Romanian-American faith community in Chicago for decades .
These gatherings are how we worship our God , and the means by which our soul is healed and restored.
” The pastors listed a number of steps they are willing to implement for their next gathering on Sunday , including reduced seating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the option to wear masks .
“ In the meantime , ” they concluded , “ we have authorized our legal counsel to immediately challenge your unconstitutional orders in federal court.
” Recently , even the U.S. Department of Justice ( DOJ ) came out in support of a Protestant community in Virginia , Lighthouse Fellowship , arguing that “ there is no pandemic exception to the Constitution and its Bill of Rights.
” Similar to the situation in Illinois , Democratic Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam had banned religious gatherings of more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive orders prohibit Lighthouse ’ s sixteen-person , socially distanced gathering in a 225-seat church but allow similar secular conduct , such as a gathering of 16 lawyers in a large law firm conference room , the governor ’ s executive orders may constitute a violation of the church ’ s constitutional rights to the free exercise of religion , ” the DOJ stated .

'Please be advised that … we will no longer adhere to the 10-person limit or the other unconstitutional restrictions comprised within your orders,' the Romanian-American pastors told the governor.
Urgent appeal to the bishops of the world: Feed your flock Sign the petition here.
CHICAGO, Illinois, May 6, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Several pastors ministering to Romanian Christian congregations in the Chicago area have told Democratic Illinois Gov. J. B. Pritzker that they will be defying an executive order limiting religious gatherings to only 10 people and are unafraid to take the issue to court.
“Please be advised that, beginning on May 10, 2020, our congregations will resume in-person church gatherings, and we will no longer adhere to the 10-person limit or the other unconstitutional restrictions comprised within your orders,” the pastors told the governor in a letter dated May 2.
An April 30 executive order issued by Pritzker technically permitted the people of Illinois to “engage in the free exercise of religion.” However, that free exercise is limited by obligatory “social distancing” measures, as well as a “limit on gatherings of more than ten people.”
“Religious organizations and houses of worship are encouraged to use online or drive-in services to protect the health and safety of their congregants,” the executive order added.
Prior to that, in his executive order of March 20, Pritzker had not provided an exemption at all for religious gatherings.
The governor’s orders “are in clear violation of our First Amendment rights,” the Romanian pastors wrote. “The Constitution and the rights enshrined therein are not suspended during a pandemic, and neither is our religion.”
In their letter, they emphasized that many Romanians now living in the Chicago area fled “communist oppression” in their Eastern European home country, targeting “religious gatherings, houses of worship and communal exercise of their religion and faith.”
Following government measures implemented after the coronavirus outbreak in the United States, they were reminded of the situation under communist rule.
“We love our adopted country, and the Freedom we have found here, too much to stay silent as you trample on our God-given rights,” the pastors wrote.
“In light of our shared experience living behind the Iron Curtain – where discriminatory treatment of Churches by authoritarian governments was the norm – we are determined to do everything that we can to ensure that our beloved country and our State remain the beacons of freedom that brought us here.”
While many stores, even abortion centers, are considered “essential” by the Illinois government, the pastors accused Pritzker of having “singled out churches as not essential, and you have closed our doors even though we are willing and able to implement the same safety measures employed by those that remain open.”
In their defiance of the state government’s orders, the pastors are represented by Liberty Counsel. Horatio Mihet, Chief Litigation Counsel for Liberty Counsel, said he was “proud to stand with the Romanian-American community against the unconstitutional, government-imposed conditions and restrictions that discriminate against the church.”
“There is no good reason to prohibit the church from implementing the same social distancing and safety precautions that liquor stores, hardware stores, law firms and accountants are allowed to implement,” he continued. “We must not let our fundamental Constitutional guarantees become another casualty of COVID-19.”
Mat Staver, the founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, explained that he had heard “many stories from my Romanian friends about the repression of their religious freedom under Communism.” He said he “never would have thought that in America they would experience similar treatment.”
“We are proud to stand with these pastors who understand the importance and value of religious freedom. This shocking discrimination against houses of worship and people of faith must end.”
In their letter, the Romanian pastors argued not only from a constitutional perspective, referring to the First Amendment and recent court decisions amid about churches during the pandemic, but also by pointing to the Bible.
“Our corporate worship is not only commanded by the Holy Scripture, but it has been a foundational element of religious duty in the Christian Church for over 2,000 years,” they wrote. “This has been the sacred practice of the Romanian-American faith community in Chicago for decades. These gatherings are how we worship our God, and the means by which our soul is healed and restored.”
The pastors listed a number of steps they are willing to implement for their next gathering on Sunday, including reduced seating, sanitizing of the facilities, and the option to wear masks.
“In the meantime,” they concluded, “we have authorized our legal counsel to immediately challenge your unconstitutional orders in federal court.”
Recently, even the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) came out in support of a Protestant community in Virginia, Lighthouse Fellowship, arguing that “there is no pandemic exception to the Constitution and its Bill of Rights.”
Similar to the situation in Illinois, Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam had banned religious gatherings of more than ten people.
“Because the executive orders prohibit Lighthouse’s sixteen-person, socially distanced gathering in a 225-seat church but allow similar secular conduct, such as a gathering of 16 lawyers in a large law firm conference room, the governor’s executive orders may constitute a violation of the church’s constitutional rights to the free exercise of religion,” the DOJ stated.
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lifesitenews--2020-05-06--States flooded with ‘reopen’ rallies, lawsuits over coronavirus lockdowns

May 6 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Across the country , citizens are taking to the streets to urge governments to “ reopen ” the individual states following severe restrictions on public life due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Additionally , lawsuits are being filed in many places .
Most prominently , the people of Michigan have congregated in the state ’ s capital of Lansing on two separate occasions since mid-April .
On April 30 , hundreds of protesters , “ some carrying firearms , took their demonstration against Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ’ s stay-home order inside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showdown with authorities , ” reported The Detroit News .
“ Outside the Capitol , 800 to 1,000 protesters participated in the American Patriot Rally throughout the day , according to Michigan State Police Lt. Darren Green , ” the article continued .
Prior to that event , on April 15 , thousands of vehicles had come to Lansing .
“ Police watched as horns honked and commercial and private vehicles from around the state jammed Capitol Avenue and other streets surrounding Michigan ’ s seat of government in Lansing , ” USA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost is lost forever , ’ read a sign draped across a commercial van .
‘ Security without liberty is called prison , ’ read another , stretched across the Capitol ’ s front lawn .
‘ Recall Whitmer , ’ a third sign said.
” Even President Donald Trump seemed to support the protest , tweeting “ LIBERATE MICHIGAN !
” shortly after the protest known as “ Operation Gridlock ” took place .
He sent out similar tweets about Minnesota and Virginia .
Democratic Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most severe in the country .
Citizens are now required to wear masks in public places like grocery stores .
On April 10 , Whitmer banned grocery stores from selling items like fruit and vegetable seeds and paint .
“ We ’ ve now witnessed local and state governments issue decrees about what people can and can not buy in stores , arrest parents playing with their children in public parks , yank people off public buses at random , remove basketball rims along with private property , ticket churchgoers , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lone runner on an empty beach .
All of this , we ’ re told , is for our own good , ” wrote John Daniel Davidson at The Federalist .
Davidson called Whitmer ’ s order “ an object lesson in the absurdity and inconsistency of arbitrary power and rule by fiat.
” “ Michiganders are banned from traveling ‘ between residences ’ if they own a cottage or a summer home , ” he noted , “ but the ban only applies to Michigan residents , so an out-of-stater with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presumably still visit .
The ban also still allows travel between states , so if a Michigander has a cottage in Wisconsin or Ohio , he can travel without fear of being arrested or fined by state police.
” Two ReOpen NC protests took place in April in North Carolina ’ s capital of Raleigh .
While at the first event , one arrest was made , the second protest went smoothly .
“ The second ReopenNC protest in Raleigh on Tuesday , April 21 , while boisterous , felt much calmer than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Journal .
“ Motorcycle officers from the Raleigh Police Department escorted several hundred demonstrators without incident as they marched around the Executive Mansion , the Legislative Building , and the Old Capitol Building.
” On May 5 , Democratic North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper signed an executive order easing some restrictions imposed on his state .
However , places like restaurants and hair salons remain closed .
“ The crowd included anti-vaccine activists and was no larger than a typical weekday rally over issues such as guns or teacher pay , when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Independent wrote dismissively of a Texas rally .
“ Many of the protesters are seeking an immediate lifting of restrictions that have been successful in stopping the spread of the coronavirus .
Some protesters chanted ‘ Let us work.
’ ” In Dallas , Texas , a hair salon owner was sentenced to seven days in jail , as well as a $ 7,000 fine , for opening her business and defying Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott ’ s stay-at-home order .
“ I have much respect for this court and laws , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearing .
“ I have never been in this position before and it ’ s not someplace that I want to be.
” “ But I have to disagree with you sir , when you say that I ’ m selfish because feeding my kids – is not selfish , ” she continued .
“ I have hair stylists that are going hungry because they ’ d rather feed their kids .
So sir , if you think the law is more important than kids getting fed , then please go ahead with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to shut the salon.
” California saw roughly 300 hundred protesters in Rancho Cucamonga , not far from Los Angeles , last Sunday .
“ One of several rallies over the weekend , demonstrators packed all four corners of Foothill and Day Creek boulevards , ignoring social distancing rules , and carrying signs with slogans such as ‘ Liberty & freedom before safety & security , ’ ‘ Stop the tyranny , ’ ‘ Recall Newsom , ’ and ‘ Freedom over fear , ’ ” according to the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sacramento , California ’ s capital , a confrontation with public authorities “ ultimately led to 32 arrests by the end of the rally.
” “ Decked out in American flag paraphernalia and Trump 2020 campaign gear , attendees chanted , ‘ USA !
USA !
’ and ‘ Whose house ?
Our house !
’ Some waved signs and cameras in officers ’ faces , urging them to defy Newsom ’ s order , ” wrote the San Francisco Chronicle .
Pro-life activist and filmmaker Jason Jones , who created Bella , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name a few , was arrested protesting Hawaii ’ s lockdown .
A video of his arrest can be viewed below .
Wikipedia has dedicated a website to “ 2020 United States anti-lockdown protests , ” which is updated regularly and provides a quick overview .
Many lawsuits have been filed throughout the last weeks .
A lot of those have to do with religious liberty , for instance worship services being prohibited , or restricted in ways other businesses are not .
Lighthouse Fellowship , a Protestant community in Chincoteague , Virginia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Virginia Governor Ralph Northam .
The federal Department of Justice supported the community ’ s case , stating , “ Because the executive orders prohibit Lighthouse ’ s sixteen-person , socially distanced gathering in a 225-seat church but allow similar secular conduct , such as a gathering of 16 lawyers in a large law firm conference room , the governor ’ s executive orders may constitute a violation of the church ’ s constitutional rights to the free exercise of religion.
” In North Carolina , a group of pro-life activists sued the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group ’ s First Amendment rights to walk and pray on the sidewalk outside an abortion center .
Filed by the Thomas More Society , the lawsuit describes the plaintiffs as “ individuals who pray , engage in expressive activity , and otherwise exercise their First Amendment rights on the public sidewalks and rights of way outside the abortion clinic in Greensboro and elsewhere.
” Tesla CEO Elon Musk might be the most prominent businessman who has come out strongly in support of removing current restrictions .
“ Now give people back their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 .
“ Yes , reopen with care & appropriate protection , but don ’ t put everyone under de facto house arrest , ” he explained , while praising Texas for opening up .
Musk also called classifying “ all deaths as corona even if corona didn ’ t cause the death is simply a lie , ” adding , “ This is misleading to the public .
”

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May 6, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Across the country, citizens are taking to the streets to urge governments to “reopen” the individual states following severe restrictions on public life due to the coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, lawsuits are being filed in many places.
Most prominently, the people of Michigan have congregated in the state’s capital of Lansing on two separate occasions since mid-April.
On April 30, hundreds of protesters, “some carrying firearms, took their demonstration against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-home order inside the Michigan Capitol … in a confrontational showdown with authorities,” reported The Detroit News.
“Outside the Capitol, 800 to 1,000 protesters participated in the American Patriot Rally throughout the day, according to Michigan State Police Lt. Darren Green,” the article continued.
Prior to that event, on April 15, thousands of vehicles had come to Lansing. “Police watched as horns honked and commercial and private vehicles from around the state jammed Capitol Avenue and other streets surrounding Michigan’s seat of government in Lansing,” USA Today wrote.
“‘Liberty once lost is lost forever,’ read a sign draped across a commercial van. ‘Security without liberty is called prison,’ read another, stretched across the Capitol’s front lawn. ‘Recall Whitmer,’ a third sign said.”
Even President Donald Trump seemed to support the protest, tweeting “LIBERATE MICHIGAN!” shortly after the protest known as “Operation Gridlock” took place. He sent out similar tweets about Minnesota and Virginia.
LIBERATE MICHIGAN! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 17, 2020
Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s response to the coronavirus pandemic is among the most severe in the country. Citizens are now required to wear masks in public places like grocery stores. On April 10, Whitmer banned grocery stores from selling items like fruit and vegetable seeds and paint.
“We’ve now witnessed local and state governments issue decrees about what people can and cannot buy in stores, arrest parents playing with their children in public parks, yank people off public buses at random, remove basketball rims along with private property, ticket churchgoers, and in one case try—and fail—to chase down a lone runner on an empty beach. All of this, we’re told, is for our own good,” wrote John Daniel Davidson at The Federalist.
Davidson called Whitmer’s order “an object lesson in the absurdity and inconsistency of arbitrary power and rule by fiat.”
“Michiganders are banned from traveling ‘between residences’ if they own a cottage or a summer home,” he noted, “but the ban only applies to Michigan residents, so an out-of-stater with a cottage in the Upper Peninsula could presumably still visit. The ban also still allows travel between states, so if a Michigander has a cottage in Wisconsin or Ohio, he can travel without fear of being arrested or fined by state police.”
Two ReOpen NC protests took place in April in North Carolina’s capital of Raleigh. While at the first event, one arrest was made, the second protest went smoothly.
“The second ReopenNC protest in Raleigh on Tuesday, April 21, while boisterous, felt much calmer than the first,” reported the Carolina Journal. “Motorcycle officers from the Raleigh Police Department escorted several hundred demonstrators without incident as they marched around the Executive Mansion, the Legislative Building, and the Old Capitol Building.”
On May 5, Democratic North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper signed an executive order easing some restrictions imposed on his state. However, places like restaurants and hair salons remain closed.
“The crowd included anti-vaccine activists and was no larger than a typical weekday rally over issues such as guns or teacher pay, when the Legislature is in session,” The Independent wrote dismissively of a Texas rally.
“Many of the protesters are seeking an immediate lifting of restrictions that have been successful in stopping the spread of the coronavirus. Some protesters chanted ‘Let us work.’”
In Dallas, Texas, a hair salon owner was sentenced to seven days in jail, as well as a $7,000 fine, for opening her business and defying Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s stay-at-home order.
“I have much respect for this court and laws,” said Shelley Luther during her court hearing. “I have never been in this position before and it’s not someplace that I want to be.”
“But I have to disagree with you sir, when you say that I’m selfish because feeding my kids – is not selfish,” she continued. “I have hair stylists that are going hungry because they’d rather feed their kids. So sir, if you think the law is more important than kids getting fed, then please go ahead with your decision but I am not going to shut the salon.”
California saw roughly 300 hundred protesters in Rancho Cucamonga, not far from Los Angeles, last Sunday.
“One of several rallies over the weekend, demonstrators packed all four corners of Foothill and Day Creek boulevards, ignoring social distancing rules, and carrying signs with slogans such as ‘Liberty & freedom before safety & security,’ ‘Stop the tyranny,’ ‘Recall Newsom,’ and ‘Freedom over fear,’” according to the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin.
At a May 1 protest in Sacramento, California’s capital, a confrontation with public authorities “ultimately led to 32 arrests by the end of the rally.”
“Decked out in American flag paraphernalia and Trump 2020 campaign gear, attendees chanted, ‘USA! USA!’ and ‘Whose house? Our house!’ Some waved signs and cameras in officers’ faces, urging them to defy Newsom’s order,” wrote the San Francisco Chronicle.
Pro-life activist and filmmaker Jason Jones, who created Bella, Crescendo, and Little Boy, to name a few, was arrested protesting Hawaii’s lockdown. A video of his arrest can be viewed below.
Wikipedia has dedicated a website to “2020 United States anti-lockdown protests,” which is updated regularly and provides a quick overview.
Many lawsuits have been filed throughout the last weeks. A lot of those have to do with religious liberty, for instance worship services being prohibited, or restricted in ways other businesses are not.
Lighthouse Fellowship, a Protestant community in Chincoteague, Virginia, had filed a complaint against Democratic Virginia Governor Ralph Northam.
The federal Department of Justice supported the community’s case, stating, “Because the executive orders prohibit Lighthouse’s sixteen-person, socially distanced gathering in a 225-seat church but allow similar secular conduct, such as a gathering of 16 lawyers in a large law firm conference room, the governor’s executive orders may constitute a violation of the church’s constitutional rights to the free exercise of religion.”
In North Carolina, a group of pro-life activists sued the local government of Greensboro for violating the group’s First Amendment rights to walk and pray on the sidewalk outside an abortion center.
Filed by the Thomas More Society, the lawsuit describes the plaintiffs as “individuals who pray, engage in expressive activity, and otherwise exercise their First Amendment rights on the public sidewalks and rights of way outside the abortion clinic in Greensboro and elsewhere.”
Tesla CEO Elon Musk might be the most prominent businessman who has come out strongly in support of removing current restrictions.
“Now give people back their FREEDOM,” Musk tweeted on May 1.
“Yes, reopen with care & appropriate protection, but don’t put everyone under de facto house arrest,” he explained, while praising Texas for opening up.
Musk also called classifying “all deaths as corona even if corona didn’t cause the death is simply a lie,” adding, “This is misleading to the public.”
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