lifesitenews--2020-07-02--Student senate president ousted at US university for defending Catholic teaching

July 1 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — A Florida State University senior is taking legal action after being ousted as student senate president when his comments on a private online chat regarding Catholic teaching on abortion and transgenderism and his statement that Catholics should not to support Black Lives Matter were leaked publicly .
Jack Denton told Catholic News Agency that Florida State ’ s student senate voted him out June 5 for “ simply stating Catholic doctrine in a private group chat ” about the positions of BlackLivesMatter.com , Reclaim the Block , and the American Civil Liberties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now being advised by the Alliance Defending Freedom ( ADF ) and is appealing to the university ’ s supreme court to get his job back on the grounds that his removal violated the university ’ s nondiscrimination policy , Student Government Association ( SGV ) policy , and the First Amendment , according to ADF spokesperson Ellie Wittman .
In a curious twist , several days after the student senate removed Denton , it voted to allow his successor , Ahmad Daraldik , to remain as president despite accusations that Daraldik formerly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the College Fix reported .
Notably , an anonymous Change.org petition demanding Daraldik ’ s resignation documents that his old social media posts include “ F**k Israel ” and “ stupid jew.
” It says he also “ compares the Israeli government to Nazi Germany ’ s genocide on the jews ( sic ) .
” The College Fix reported that it asked FSU media relations and Student Affairs , which oversees the SGA , “ why they have not intervened in a situation that could get the university sued for viewpoint discrimination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Denton and Daraldik , ” but received no reply .
Denton made the remarks that led to his removal on a private text messaging forum for the Catholic Student Union during a discussion of the May 27 shooting of Tony McDade , a 38-year-old black woman who identified as a transgender man , by Tallahassee Police , CNA reported .
When one member suggested certain groups that students could financially support for racial justice , Denton responded that “ everyone should be aware that BlackLivesMatter.com , Reclaim the Block , and the ACLU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-Catholic.
” He explained in subsequent texts that “ BlackLivesMatter.com fosters ‘ a queer-affirming network ’ and defends transgenderism , ” and the ACLU “ defends laws protecting abortion facilities and sued states that restrict access to abortion.
” Reclaim the Block “ claims less police will make our communities safer and advocates for cutting PD ’ s budgets .
This is a little less explicit , but I think it ’ s contrary to the Church ’ s teaching on the common good , ” Denton wrote .
“ As a devout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felt that it was my responsibility to point out this discrepancy , to make sure that my fellow Catholics knew what they were partaking in , ” he told CNA .
When it appeared that his remarks had upset some participants , Denton messaged that he didn ’ t “ mean to anger anyone ” but that he had a duty to speak up .
“ If I stay silent while my brothers and sisters may be supporting an organization that promotes grave evils , I have sinned through my silence .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us all to be aware of the truth , ” he wrote .
According to the College Fix , a “ queer ” member of the group then sent screenshots of Denton ’ s texts to the student senate without his permission , sparking calls for his removal .
A June 3 statement from the FSU College Democrats said Denton ’ s messages “ demonstrate a clear lack of respect for our Black and LGBTQ+ students at FSU.
” An June 4 op-ed in student-run magazine The Spire contended Denton was “ unfit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempting to use his religious identification as a cover for bigotry and can not be let off the hook , ” and a change.org petition demanded he be removed for alleged “ transphobic and racist remarks.
” The FSU chapters of Amnesty International and Pride Student Union also called for his resignation .
A student senate motion to bring up a vote of no-confidence in Denton failed on June 3 but passed on June 5 , CNA reported .
Denton described his removal to CNA as “ ludicrous ” and “ blatantly unconstitutional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concern was that the student senate gave in to the “ mob.
” “ It was quite scary to witness how this mob could influence all these senators in two days to just switch their vote and remove me as president , for being Catholic , ” he said .
“ I ’ m concerned for the future of students who hold religious views on college campuses , specifically students who are Catholic , devout Catholics , ” Denton told CNA .
“ This is clearly setting a bad precedent.
” Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s resignation has reached 9,887 signatures to date .
The College Fix reported Friday that the senate has not announced any plans to re-vote on the senate president position .

Replacement has posted anti-Semitic tweets but has received the student government's backing at Florida State University.
July 1, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A Florida State University senior is taking legal action after being ousted as student senate president when his comments on a private online chat regarding Catholic teaching on abortion and transgenderism and his statement that Catholics should not to support Black Lives Matter were leaked publicly.
Jack Denton told Catholic News Agency that Florida State’s student senate voted him out June 5 for “simply stating Catholic doctrine in a private group chat” about the positions of BlackLivesMatter.com, Reclaim the Block, and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
Denton is now being advised by the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) and is appealing to the university’s supreme court to get his job back on the grounds that his removal violated the university’s nondiscrimination policy, Student Government Association (SGV) policy, and the First Amendment, according to ADF spokesperson Ellie Wittman.
In a curious twist, several days after the student senate removed Denton, it voted to allow his successor, Ahmad Daraldik, to remain as president despite accusations that Daraldik formerly made anti-Semitic remarks on social media, the College Fix reported.
Notably, an anonymous Change.org petition demanding Daraldik’s resignation documents that his old social media posts include “F**k Israel” and “stupid jew.” It says he also “compares the Israeli government to Nazi Germany’s genocide on the jews (sic).”
The College Fix reported that it asked FSU media relations and Student Affairs, which oversees the SGA, “why they have not intervened in a situation that could get the university sued for viewpoint discrimination, based on the disparate treatment of Denton and Daraldik,” but received no reply.
Denton made the remarks that led to his removal on a private text messaging forum for the Catholic Student Union during a discussion of the May 27 shooting of Tony McDade, a 38-year-old black woman who identified as a transgender man, by Tallahassee Police, CNA reported.
When one member suggested certain groups that students could financially support for racial justice, Denton responded that “everyone should be aware that BlackLivesMatter.com, Reclaim the Block, and the ACLU all advocate for things that are explicitly anti-Catholic.”
He explained in subsequent texts that “BlackLivesMatter.com fosters ‘a queer-affirming network’ and defends transgenderism,” and the ACLU “defends laws protecting abortion facilities and sued states that restrict access to abortion.”
Reclaim the Block “claims less police will make our communities safer and advocates for cutting PD’s budgets. This is a little less explicit, but I think it’s contrary to the Church’s teaching on the common good,” Denton wrote.
“As a devout Catholic and a college student, I felt that it was my responsibility to point out this discrepancy, to make sure that my fellow Catholics knew what they were partaking in,” he told CNA.
When it appeared that his remarks had upset some participants, Denton messaged that he didn’t “mean to anger anyone” but that he had a duty to speak up.
“If I stay silent while my brothers and sisters may be supporting an organization that promotes grave evils, I have sinned through my silence. I love you all, and I want us all to be aware of the truth,” he wrote.
According to the College Fix, a “queer” member of the group then sent screenshots of Denton’s texts to the student senate without his permission, sparking calls for his removal.
A June 3 statement from the FSU College Democrats said Denton’s messages “demonstrate a clear lack of respect for our Black and LGBTQ+ students at FSU.”
An June 4 op-ed in student-run magazine The Spire contended Denton was “unfit” to be president and was “attempting to use his religious identification as a cover for bigotry and cannot be let off the hook,” and a change.org petition demanded he be removed for alleged “transphobic and racist remarks.”
The FSU chapters of Amnesty International and Pride Student Union also called for his resignation.
A student senate motion to bring up a vote of no-confidence in Denton failed on June 3 but passed on June 5, CNA reported.
Denton described his removal to CNA as “ludicrous” and “blatantly unconstitutional” discrimination, but said his greatest concern was that the student senate gave in to the “mob.”
“It was quite scary to witness how this mob could influence all these senators in two days to just switch their vote and remove me as president, for being Catholic,” he said.
“I’m concerned for the future of students who hold religious views on college campuses, specifically students who are Catholic, devout Catholics,” Denton told CNA. “This is clearly setting a bad precedent.”
Meanwhile, the change.org petition asking for Daraldik’s resignation has reached 9,887 signatures to date. The College Fix reported Friday that the senate has not announced any plans to re-vote on the senate president position.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-07-01--Seattle mayor likened CHOP to a ‘block party.’ Now she’s calling in the cops

PETITION : Investigate George Soros ' role in funding domestic terrorism !
Sign the petition here .
July 1 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) -- Do you remember when Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan told CNN ’ s Chris Cuomo that the takeover of a portion of her city could turn into a “ summer of love ?
” That it was “ more like a block party atmosphere ?
” Well , today , in the aftermath of another fatal shooting , coupled with protesters marching into Durkan ’ s own community , she has said enough is enough .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Time to clear out CHAZ/CHOP !
Of course , all of this was inevitable the moment the “ Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone ” was first set up .
There ’ s a reason that every society has laws and law enforcement .
People do not adequately police themselves .
Lawbreakers break laws .
That ’ s also why we have courts and prisons .
The fact that the courts and the prisons need fixing does not mean they are not needed .
In the same way , the fact that policing needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed .
In short , the whole CHAZ/CHOP thing was one big joke .
To call it a failed social experiment would be like calling a diet based on milk shakes , Oreos , cheeseburgers , and fries a failed weight loss experiment .
CHAZ/CHOP was dead in the water before it ever started .
In this light , it ’ s incredible to see just how naïve Mayor Durkan ’ s comments were to Cuomo barely three weeks ago .
She responded to one of his questions with this extraordinary answer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s assessment of the situation : “ So , I know it will shock you that the President is perhaps not giving an accurate or truthful picture.
” To paraphrase : Yes , this is just another of Trump ’ s lies .
I ’ m here on the ground .
I can tell you the truth about this beautiful new autonomous zone .
To quote Mayor Durkan directly , “ We 've got four blocks in Seattle that you just saw pictures of that is more like a block party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takeover .
It 's not a military junta .
We will -- we will make sure that we can restore this .
“ But we have block parties and the like in this part of Seattle all the time .
It 's known for that .
So , I think the President - number one , there is no threat right now to the public .
And we 're looking -- we 're taking that very seriously .
We 're meeting with businesses and residents .
“ But what the President threatened is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a presidential decision to restore order ) .
And the fact that he can think he can just tweet that , and not have ramifications is just wrong.
” Not long after this interview , the name was changed to CHOP .
And not long after that , protesters made specific reference to guillotines and the French Revolution .
This is closer to the chopping block than to a block party .
Let the truth be told .
Cuomo , who began his segment as a hit piece on Trump , pushed back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Mayor , the other counter by the President , and many people on the Right , will be ‘ Well , of course , Durkan has a “ D ” after her name .
She 's going to be OK with this because these are her people .
“ ‘ These are these left-wing anarchists and radicals , and they 're letting them run free on the streets .
You barely see any Black or African- American faces on those streets .
This is about Lefty radicalism run amok in your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it.
’ ” Exactly .
It didn ’ t take a prophet to figure this out .
Outrage over the death of George Floyd was the pretense , not the ultimate reason , for the hostile takeover .
As for the predicted “ summer of love , ” it would be better to call it a month of hatred and blood .
In the words of Horace Lorenzo Anderson , the father of a 19-year-old black teen shot and killed inside CHOP , “ This doesn ’ t look like a protest to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like they just took over and said we can take over whenever we want to.
” As reported by the Daily Wire , “ Horace Lorenzo Anderson Jr. , was the first person killed in CHOP , more than a week ago , during an outbreak of gun violence inside of the ‘ autonomous zone.
’ “ Anderson ’ s father , Anderson Sr. , spoke late Monday , after another black teen , this time a 16-year old , was killed in the CHOP over the weekend , and a 14-year-old left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of love .
So much for the block party atmosphere .
So much for having things under control .
This whole affair was a travesty that turned into a tragedy .
Good riddance to CHOP !
I imagine that businesses located there will be all too happy to see the police return .
On Sunday , the Seattle Times announced that “ After a full month of protests , demonstrators bring march to Seattle mayor ’ s neighborhood.
” Maybe that would be the next area to take over ?
And why not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extend the block party atmosphere and make the summer of love more wonderful still .
Right ?
In my previous article , I gave a stern warning to the liberal elites who thought that the mob would not soon turn on them .
That holds for Democratic mayors in Democratic cities .
To repeat my question ( which was the title of my article ) , “ What are you going to do when they come for you ?
” This doesn ’ t mean that we ignore pressing issues that have come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we separate the spirit of foolish anarchy from the cry for justice and equity .
Let ’ s turn the CHAZ/CHOP debacle into a teachable moment .
And we had better learn quickly before the same lessons are learned across America .
The hard way .

Another fatal shooting in the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone shows the naivete of the city's top official.
PETITION: Investigate George Soros' role in funding domestic terrorism! Sign the petition here.
July 1, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Do you remember when Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan told CNN’s Chris Cuomo that the takeover of a portion of her city could turn into a “summer of love?” That it was “more like a block party atmosphere?” Well, today, in the aftermath of another fatal shooting, coupled with protesters marching into Durkan’s own community, she has said enough is enough. Mayor Durkan has called in the cops. Time to clear out CHAZ/CHOP!
Of course, all of this was inevitable the moment the “Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone” was first set up.
There’s a reason that every society has laws and law enforcement. People do not adequately police themselves. Lawbreakers break laws. That’s also why we have courts and prisons.
The fact that the courts and the prisons need fixing does not mean they are not needed. In the same way, the fact that policing needs reform does not mean police are not needed.
In short, the whole CHAZ/CHOP thing was one big joke. To call it a failed social experiment would be like calling a diet based on milk shakes, Oreos, cheeseburgers, and fries a failed weight loss experiment.
CHAZ/CHOP was dead in the water before it ever started.
In this light, it’s incredible to see just how naïve Mayor Durkan’s comments were to Cuomo barely three weeks ago.
She responded to one of his questions with this extraordinary answer, beginning with a criticism of President Donald Trump’s assessment of the situation:
“So, I know it will shock you that the President is perhaps not giving an accurate or truthful picture.”
To paraphrase: Yes, this is just another of Trump’s lies. I’m here on the ground. I can tell you the truth about this beautiful new autonomous zone.
To quote Mayor Durkan directly, “We've got four blocks in Seattle that you just saw pictures of that is more like a block party atmosphere. It's not an armed takeover. It's not a military junta. We will — we will make sure that we can restore this.
“But we have block parties and the like in this part of Seattle all the time. It's known for that. So, I think the President – number one, there is no threat right now to the public. And we're looking — we're taking that very seriously. We're meeting with businesses and residents.
“But what the President threatened is illegal and unconstitutional (meaning, making a presidential decision to restore order). And the fact that he can think he can just tweet that, and not have ramifications is just wrong.”
Not long after this interview, the name was changed to CHOP. And not long after that, protesters made specific reference to guillotines and the French Revolution. This is closer to the chopping block than to a block party. Let the truth be told.
Cuomo, who began his segment as a hit piece on Trump, pushed back against Durkan’s claims, saying, “Mayor, the other counter by the President, and many people on the Right, will be ‘Well, of course, Durkan has a “D” after her name. She's going to be OK with this because these are her people.
“‘These are these left-wing anarchists and radicals, and they're letting them run free on the streets. You barely see any Black or African- American faces on those streets. This is about Lefty radicalism run amok in your City, and you seem OK with it.’”
Exactly. It didn’t take a prophet to figure this out. Outrage over the death of George Floyd was the pretense, not the ultimate reason, for the hostile takeover.
As for the predicted “summer of love,” it would be better to call it a month of hatred and blood.
In the words of Horace Lorenzo Anderson, the father of a 19-year-old black teen shot and killed inside CHOP, “This doesn’t look like a protest to me no more. That just looks like they just took over and said we can take over whenever we want to.”
As reported by the Daily Wire, “Horace Lorenzo Anderson Jr., was the first person killed in CHOP, more than a week ago, during an outbreak of gun violence inside of the ‘autonomous zone.’
“Anderson’s father, Anderson Sr., spoke late Monday, after another black teen, this time a 16-year old, was killed in the CHOP over the weekend, and a 14-year-old left wounded.”
So much for the summer of love. So much for the block party atmosphere. So much for having things under control.
This whole affair was a travesty that turned into a tragedy. Good riddance to CHOP! I imagine that businesses located there will be all too happy to see the police return.
On Sunday, the Seattle Times announced that “After a full month of protests, demonstrators bring march to Seattle mayor’s neighborhood.”
Maybe that would be the next area to take over? And why not? After all, this would just extend the block party atmosphere and make the summer of love more wonderful still. Right?
In my previous article, I gave a stern warning to the liberal elites who thought that the mob would not soon turn on them.
That holds for Democratic mayors in Democratic cities. To repeat my question (which was the title of my article), “What are you going to do when they come for you?”
This doesn’t mean that we ignore pressing issues that have come to national attention. It simply means that we separate the spirit of foolish anarchy from the cry for justice and equity.
Let’s turn the CHAZ/CHOP debacle into a teachable moment. And we had better learn quickly before the same lessons are learned across America. The hard way.
Follow Michael Dr. Brown is the author of more than 35 books, including Our Hands Are Stained with Blood: The Tragic Story of the “Church” and the Jewish People, which has been translated into more than twelve languages, the highly acclaimed five-volume series, Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus, a commentary on Jeremiah (part of the revised edition of the Expositor’s Bible Commentary), and several books on revival and the Jesus revolution. His most recent book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test?
Share


lifesitenews--2020-07-01--Christian worship leader leads national outcry against Instagram for censorship

July 1 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — An American Christian worship leader is accusing Instagram , Twitter , and Facebook of “ Big Tech censorship ” for allegedly preventing his street ministry videos filmed at peaceful prayer gatherings at protest sites from being shared and viewed among his followers .
Sean Feucht , a California Christian worship leader and activist , took to his Twitter page last week to blast Instagram and other social media companies .
He claimed they flagged his YouTube worship videos as “ harmful or false information ” and for “ going against ” their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what we ’ ve come to in America !
Instagram is now classifying my WORSHIP videos as ‘ harmful or false information ’ Religious Liberty ?
Freedom of Speech ?
Big Tech censorship ?
” wrote Feucht in a June 23 Twitter message .
The post included a screen grab of a user saying Instagram will not let him share Feucht ’ s videos from his worship rally as they go “ against community guidelines.
” Feucht added on Twitter in another post the same day that his social media feed is “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence while “ actively ” censoring “ worship.
” “ While @ Facebook @ instagram @ Twitter promote the content of violence , rioting & destruction , they are actively CENSORING worship , prayer , peaceful protest & anything going against their fear-mongering narrative , ” wrote Feucht in a June 23 tweet .
“ My feed and many others is proof .
# ChangeTheNarrative.
” On his Instagram page the same day , Feucht also posted a message blasting the social media platform for its apparent censorship of his videos .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day where my WORSHIP VIDEOS on Instagram would be deemed ‘ harmful & false information.
’ MY DMs are flooded with tons of these messages , ” wrote Feucht .
“ Yet this is where we are in America , where even our worship & prayer ( religious liberties ) is seen as ‘ hate speech ’ to Big Tech .
GOD GIVE THE CHURCH COURAGE IN THE DAYS TO COME !
We ’ ve never seen a season like this !
” Feucht ’ s backlash against Instagram is in regard to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ministry at U.S. riot hotspots .
One video of him is at a hope rally in St. Louis on June 5 , the other in Minneapolis on June 13 .
Both cities have been hit hard with violent protests , which were sparked by the death of George Floyd .
A recent Fox News report says Feucht realized that his videos were “ being suppressed and they were n't getting the normal traction ” after being alerted to the fact by his social media followers .
“ But I didn ’ t know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting tagged in people ’ s posts about it .
Other people were finding they couldn ’ t share it , screenshot it — they couldn ’ t even view it .
So I blew the trumpet on it because this is crazy , ” said Feucht in the Fox News report .
TELL VIMEO : Stop silencing conservatives and Christians !
Sign the petition here .
Instagram ’ s privacy and safety center “ Community Guidelines ” have been the source of contention before .
In the past , the social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other socially conservative views .
Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri came to the defense of Feucht on his Twitter feed last week , calling out Instagram .
“ Cancel culture meets # BigTech , ” wrote Hawley in a June 23 tweet that included a share of Feucht ’ s tweet that showed the screen grab of the alleged Instagram censorship .
“ Now @ instagram is censoring a Christian worship leader who wants to post videos of praise and worship from places where there has recently been unrest .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standards ’ ?
Can ’ t wait to hear the explanation for this.
” Also raising the alarm concerning Feucht ’ s alleged video censorship was Donald Trump , Jr. , who on June 25 shared on Twitter a link to a CBN report regarding Feucht with the following text : “ Wake up America .
There ’ s nothing sacred anymore .
There ’ s nothing the leftists & the social media masters won ’ t try to censor/destroy to push their narrative.
” According to the Fox News report , Instagram @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed that it did not remove “ any content from @ seanfreucht ’ s account . ''
“ The post in question was re-shared by another account , and we haven ’ t seen any evidence that it was removed by mistake , ” said a Facebook spokesperson to Fox News .
For his part , Feucht posted a “ thank you ” on his Instagram page to Fox News , along with other news outlets who reported on “ blowing this story wide open and exposing the blatant censorship bias of Big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foxnews @ cbnnews # Newsbusters and @ senatorhawley @ donaldjtrumpjr & countless others for blowing this story wide open and exposing the blatant censorship bias of Big Tech , ” wrote Feucht .
“ I did not pick this fight , but i ’ m here .
Since this happened , I ’ ve heard the craziest stories from many of you out there who have experienced this for years !
I feel it ’ s time we push back and stand up against those working to silence the church .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to you to stand up .
God is moving across America and there ’ s a story of reconciliation & hope many are trying to hide !
” Hawley recently introduced a bill that would allow people to sue online platforms such as Twitter and Facebook for acting in “ bad faith ” by selectively censoring political speech or hiding competitors ’ content .
In a statement about his bill , Hawley said , “ For too long , Big Tech companies like Twitter , Google and Facebook have used their power to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recourse for users.
” Trump signed an executive order ( E.O . )
in May titled “ Preventing Online Censorship , ” which was aimed to help stop discrimination against conservatives on social media .
Trump ’ s E.O .
tasks the Federal Trade Commission to go after any type of “ deceptive ” acts of communication .
The E.O .
mentions that these social media sites “ wield immense , if not unprecedented , power to shape the interpretation of public events ; to censor , delete , or disappear information ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not see .
”

Facebook, who owns Instagram, denied censoring the worship leader's videos, but many powerful voices have come out in force against the Big Tech company.
July 1, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — An American Christian worship leader is accusing Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook of “Big Tech censorship” for allegedly preventing his street ministry videos filmed at peaceful prayer gatherings at protest sites from being shared and viewed among his followers.
Sean Feucht, a California Christian worship leader and activist, took to his Twitter page last week to blast Instagram and other social media companies. He claimed they flagged his YouTube worship videos as “harmful or false information” and for “going against” their “community guidelines.”
“This is what we’ve come to in America! Instagram is now classifying my WORSHIP videos as ‘harmful or false information’ Religious Liberty? Freedom of Speech? Big Tech censorship?” wrote Feucht in a June 23 Twitter message.
The post included a screen grab of a user saying Instagram will not let him share Feucht’s videos from his worship rally as they go “against community guidelines.”
Feucht added on Twitter in another post the same day that his social media feed is “proof” that social media companies promote violence while “actively” censoring “worship.”
“While @Facebook @instagram @Twitter promote the content of violence, rioting & destruction, they are actively CENSORING worship, prayer, peaceful protest & anything going against their fear-mongering narrative,” wrote Feucht in a June 23 tweet.
“My feed and many others is proof. #ChangeTheNarrative.”
On his Instagram page the same day, Feucht also posted a message blasting the social media platform for its apparent censorship of his videos.
“Never thought I’d see the day where my WORSHIP VIDEOS on Instagram would be deemed ‘harmful & false information.’ MY DMs are flooded with tons of these messages,” wrote Feucht.
“Yet this is where we are in America, where even our worship & prayer (religious liberties) is seen as ‘hate speech’ to Big Tech. GOD GIVE THE CHURCH COURAGE IN THE DAYS TO COME! We’ve never seen a season like this!”
Feucht’s backlash against Instagram is in regard to two YouTube videos of him conducting street ministry at U.S. riot hotspots. One video of him is at a hope rally in St. Louis on June 5, the other in Minneapolis on June 13.
Both cities have been hit hard with violent protests, which were sparked by the death of George Floyd.
A recent Fox News report says Feucht realized that his videos were “being suppressed and they weren't getting the normal traction” after being alerted to the fact by his social media followers.
“But I didn’t know this was the reason until I started getting tagged in people’s posts about it. Other people were finding they couldn’t share it, screenshot it — they couldn’t even view it. So I blew the trumpet on it because this is crazy,” said Feucht in the Fox News report.
TELL VIMEO: Stop silencing conservatives and Christians! Sign the petition here.
Instagram’s privacy and safety center “Community Guidelines” have been the source of contention before. In the past, the social media company has gone after those with pro-life and other socially conservative views.
Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri came to the defense of Feucht on his Twitter feed last week, calling out Instagram.
“Cancel culture meets #BigTech,” wrote Hawley in a June 23 tweet that included a share of Feucht’s tweet that showed the screen grab of the alleged Instagram censorship.
“Now @instagram is censoring a Christian worship leader who wants to post videos of praise and worship from places where there has recently been unrest. And that doesn’t meet ‘community standards’? Can’t wait to hear the explanation for this.”
Also raising the alarm concerning Feucht’s alleged video censorship was Donald Trump, Jr., who on June 25 shared on Twitter a link to a CBN report regarding Feucht with the following text: “Wake up America. There’s nothing sacred anymore. There’s nothing the leftists & the social media masters won’t try to censor/destroy to push their narrative.”
According to the Fox News report, Instagram’s parent company, Facebook, claimed that it did not remove “any content from @seanfreucht’s account.”
“The post in question was re-shared by another account, and we haven’t seen any evidence that it was removed by mistake,” said a Facebook spokesperson to Fox News.
For his part, Feucht posted a “thank you” on his Instagram page to Fox News, along with other news outlets who reported on “blowing this story wide open and exposing the blatant censorship bias of Big Tech.”
“I wanna thank @foxnews @cbnnews #Newsbusters and @senatorhawley @donaldjtrumpjr & countless others for blowing this story wide open and exposing the blatant censorship bias of Big Tech,” wrote Feucht.
“I did not pick this fight, but i’m here. Since this happened, I’ve heard the craziest stories from many of you out there who have experienced this for years! I feel it’s time we push back and stand up against those working to silence the church. I pray this journey breathes boldness and courage to you to stand up. God is moving across America and there’s a story of reconciliation & hope many are trying to hide!”
Hawley recently introduced a bill that would allow people to sue online platforms such as Twitter and Facebook for acting in “bad faith” by selectively censoring political speech or hiding competitors’ content.
In a statement about his bill, Hawley said, “For too long, Big Tech companies like Twitter, Google and Facebook have used their power to silence political speech from conservatives without any recourse for users.”
Trump signed an executive order (E.O.) in May titled “Preventing Online Censorship,” which was aimed to help stop discrimination against conservatives on social media. Trump’s E.O. tasks the Federal Trade Commission to go after any type of “deceptive” acts of communication.
The E.O. mentions that these social media sites “wield immense, if not unprecedented, power to shape the interpretation of public events; to censor, delete, or disappear information; and to control what people see or do not see.”
Share


lifesitenews--2020-07-01--Why recreational marijuana is never morally justified (but alcohol is)

July 1 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — It ’ s coming up on two years since marijuana was legalized in Canada .
On October 17 of 2018 , Justin Trudeau made good on one of his many bad election promises , making Canada at the time only the second sovereign nation to let loose the reins of law on the notorious drug ( the other being Uruguay , with other nations taking a more incremental approach ) .
Nine of the United States have also approved recreational use : Colorado and the entire western seaboard , Washington , Oregon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then , on the east , Vermont , Maine , and Massachusetts ( funny how they all voted Democrat in the last election ) , with 21 others approving use medicinally .
Federally , marijuana is still illegal across the United States , creating quite the tension , making our friendly border perhaps a bit less friendly .
It 's now hitting close to home , as in the small town where I happen to dwell , they are putting in a fancy pot store a few doors down from my own house @ @ @ @ @ @ @ town ten miles down the highway .
October 17 is the memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch , who , as far as I know , had no connection to the green weed ; on the contrary , the early bishop and martyr comes across as rather abstinent .
He wrote in his famous seven letters on his way to be torn apart by lions for his faith that his deepest desire was to “ be ground like wheat for Christ.
” Overall , the plant was unknown to the Romans and Greeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asia from earliest recorded history .
It is not mentioned in the Bible , although the ancient Assyrians , who are mentioned , and who gave much trouble to the Israelites , are recorded as dabbling in the mind-altering substance .
So the plant has been around for a long time , but in the current milieu , it is connected most with the cultural revolution of the sixties , when getting “ high ” was all the rage , which may explain in some way the bizarre moral and metaphysical perspectives of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baby-Boomers .
Then again , perhaps with Clinton , they didn ’ t inhale .
Is it intrinsically immoral to smoke , or in some other way ingest , what some call “ the demon weed ” ?
The question is fraught , for people will often ask what the difference be between alcohol and marijuana : if both give you a euphoric “ buzz ” — for want of a more accurate term — albeit in different ways , why should we not be able to choose what kind of substance-induced euphoria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
This seems to be the perspective of most Canadians , including our own prime minister , who admitted to partaking of the illegal drug while a sitting member of Parliament , although one hopes not in Parliament ( but one never knows ) .
Trudeau , as a Catholic , would do well to listen to the Magisterium ( as in numerous other areas ) , which has taught that although the imbibing of alcoholic beverages is permitted , with their consequent , such recreational drug use is intrinsically immoral .
Her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thereof .
As the Catechism states : Note that alcohol is classed separately in the preceding paragraph , permitted within the bounds of moderation : We could just obey this guidance of the Church , accepting wine and even tobacco as gifts from the good God , to be used in moderation .
As Belloc has it : At least I have always found it so , But when we peer at the arguments behind this teaching , in the notion of having a “ reasoned defence ” ( apologia ) of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some gray areas , and it is requisite that we have some reasoned defense of the faith we profess .
We may begin with Aristotle , that intention is first in the order of execution .
Before we ingest something , we should ask , however dimly , why we are doing so .
Allow me to propose four reasons we may imbibe or ingest a substance : for nourishment , for taste , for its euphoric effects , or as therapy for some medical issue .
To begin with the last , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not for its taste , but simply because it eases pain .
Children are forced to eat their broccoli for nourishment .
But we should drink alcoholic beverages primarily for their taste .
Hence , we should buy fine stuff , for quality , and not the cheap , for quantity , unless you may afford no better .
There are more efficient ways of nourishing oneself than wine or beer , and its euphoric effect should be minimal , controlled , and willed only in a secondary and ancillary way .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ pleasure ” we derive from a glass of wine or pint of beer — that is , its inebriating effect , prescinding from the pleasure of its taste , but the two go together , as anyone who has tasted the de-alcoholized variety discovers — should not be sought as a primary end , much like the “ pleasure ” in the marital act , whose primary purpose is procreative and unitive .
Alcohol does not in general make for good medicine , although there are extreme cases where this purpose may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hasty anaesthetic in any number of westerns ) .
If we start drinking to “ heal the pain , ” we ’ re entering into trouble .
As Chesterton put it , we should always drink to remember , never drink to forget .
Tell Trudeau Liberals : Do n't discriminate against Christians on COVID-19 relief funding !
Sign the petition here .
When partaken simply to escape reality , and avoid the normal struggles of life , alcohol can indeed be used as a drug , if one seeks solely , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intoxicating effects .
We should not drink to “ get drunk.
” Imagine for a moment injecting bourbon straight into your bloodstream ; why bother with ingestion through the stomach ?
Or why not frequent bars such as this one I stumbled across ( online , not in real life ) , where an alcoholic mist ensures that every patron has a buzz equaling two beverages ?
I would also suggest that “ shots ” of alcohol , as in chasing it down the gullet without even tasting it , is also approaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even noble , substance .
What now of marijuana ?
This substance has no nutritive effects , and one would hardly seek out its taste ( prescinding from artificially laced “ brownies ” and such ) .
Rather , its use is only as a drug , as a means of achieving the euphoria it produces , which , again , sought for its own sake is illicit .
Marijuana , with other drugs , may be used medicinally and therapeutically , even if there is still some debate over whether other more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effective .
Such , to my mind , is the essential , a priori argument against marijuana and other stronger drugs .
One could also argue a posteriori , from the effects of alcohol and marijuana .
Both substances affect the brain but in vastly different ways .
There are numerous active ingredients in marijuana , the primary being the psychoactive molecules tetrahydrocannabinol ( THC ) and cannabidiol ( CBD ) , which have not well understood cascading physiological and psychological effects , among them a deleterious influence on behavior , memory loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , paranoia , hallucinations , and raised heart rate and blood pressure , as well as a strong link to psychosis , especially schizophrenia , primarily among younger users .
No one quite knows how long it resides in the body , nor where it accumulates in the fatty ( lipid ) tissue of our brains .
And the stuff nowadays is significantly more potent than what was available a half-century ago and is still increasing .
The “ munchies ” are the least of our worries .
Yes , immoderate use of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of levels ( as anyone from an alcoholic home can evince ) , but there is evidence to support moderate use of alcohol as a good and even virtuous thing in its own way ( although not required , even if Saint Paul advocated that Timothy take a little for his stomach ) .
On the contrary , there is no “ moderate ” recreational use of drugs .
Their effect is invariably debilitating to some degree , especially over the longer term .
So we ’ re back to the Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of drugs , echoed in the eighties by Nancy Reagan : just say no .
What of the controverted question of legalization ?
As Saint Thomas rightly states ( I-II .
Q .
96 , a .
2 ) , not everything immoral should be illegal , for the State can not possibly forbid all vices ; as he says , even if it were to try , far greater evils would ensue .
This is the argument sort of made by Eric Schlosser in his 2003 Reefer Madness , that making marijuana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prisons across America with desperate people , who will go on to have permanent records , leading to a vicious cycle of poverty and recidivism ( I say “ sort of ” since one can not tell whether he is an advocate of the stuff or just thinks that making it illegal is baneful ) .
The problem with full-out legalization ( as opposed to , say , a quiet sort of decriminalization of some minor offenses , already practically in effect ) is that , regardless of one ’ s libertarian leanings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the State , most people now equate “ legal ” with “ moral ” and “ good.
” Again to Saint Thomas , who emphasizes the pedagogical effect of law , which not only forces us to do the right thing , but ( should ) teach us the right thing to do .
Hence , without any sort of law against drugs such as marijuana , we will see a lot more stoned Canadians , especially young people who may otherwise have not been so , with little capacity to work , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current milieu ; more wards of the State , as marriages crumble , or never exist in the first place , as psychosis , depression , anxiety and addiction increase .
Who knows what demons , metaphorical or literal , may enter one ’ s soul in abandoning one ’ s reason to drugs ?
Communities , such as my own , are not benefited from pot stores .
The short-term evanescent economic gains are followed by longer-term intractable problems .
Even if some avoid these more deleterious effects , there will invariably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for excellence in this once prosperous nation .
As a final literary aside , I can ’ t help but be reminded of soma , the euphoric mind-numbing drug Aldous Huxley invented in his 1931 novel Brave New World to keep the enslaved populace subdued and compliant .
The only one who resists is , ironically , the “ Savage ” John , raised on the works of Shakespeare , an outsider who perceives what somnabulent , immoral zombies people have become .
The “ true , north , strong and free ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of less admirable adjectives , except the geographical one , where we ’ re going to need a few more virtuous Savages .

Is it intrinsically immoral to smoke, or in some other way ingest, what some call 'the demon weed'? The question is fraught.
July 1, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — It’s coming up on two years since marijuana was legalized in Canada. On October 17 of 2018, Justin Trudeau made good on one of his many bad election promises, making Canada at the time only the second sovereign nation to let loose the reins of law on the notorious drug (the other being Uruguay, with other nations taking a more incremental approach). Nine of the United States have also approved recreational use: Colorado and the entire western seaboard, Washington, Oregon, California, along with Nevada, then, on the east, Vermont, Maine, and Massachusetts (funny how they all voted Democrat in the last election), with 21 others approving use medicinally. Federally, marijuana is still illegal across the United States, creating quite the tension, making our friendly border perhaps a bit less friendly.
It's now hitting close to home, as in the small town where I happen to dwell, they are putting in a fancy pot store a few doors down from my own house, and another in the even smaller town ten miles down the highway.
October 17 is the memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, who, as far as I know, had no connection to the green weed; on the contrary, the early bishop and martyr comes across as rather abstinent. He wrote in his famous seven letters on his way to be torn apart by lions for his faith that his deepest desire was to “be ground like wheat for Christ.” Overall, the plant was unknown to the Romans and Greeks, being indigenous to central and south Asia from earliest recorded history. It is not mentioned in the Bible, although the ancient Assyrians, who are mentioned, and who gave much trouble to the Israelites, are recorded as dabbling in the mind-altering substance.
So the plant has been around for a long time, but in the current milieu, it is connected most with the cultural revolution of the sixties, when getting “high” was all the rage, which may explain in some way the bizarre moral and metaphysical perspectives of those youths who grew up to become Baby-Boomers. Then again, perhaps with Clinton, they didn’t inhale.
Is it intrinsically immoral to smoke, or in some other way ingest, what some call “the demon weed”? The question is fraught, for people will often ask what the difference be between alcohol and marijuana: if both give you a euphoric “buzz” — for want of a more accurate term — albeit in different ways, why should we not be able to choose what kind of substance-induced euphoria we seek, and by what means? This seems to be the perspective of most Canadians, including our own prime minister, who admitted to partaking of the illegal drug while a sitting member of Parliament, although one hopes not in Parliament (but one never knows).
Trudeau, as a Catholic, would do well to listen to the Magisterium (as in numerous other areas), which has taught that although the imbibing of alcoholic beverages is permitted, with their consequent, such recreational drug use is intrinsically immoral. Her wisdom has been proved in the fruit thereof. As the Catechism states:
The use of drugs inflicts very grave damage on human health and life. Their use, except on strictly therapeutic grounds, is a grave offense. (par. 2291)
Note that alcohol is classed separately in the preceding paragraph, permitted within the bounds of moderation:
The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. (par. 2290; emphasis added)
We could just obey this guidance of the Church, accepting wine and even tobacco as gifts from the good God, to be used in moderation. As Belloc has it:
Wherever the Catholic sun doth shine,
There’s always laughter and good red wine.
At least I have always found it so,
Benedicamus Domino!
But when we peer at the arguments behind this teaching, in the notion of having a “reasoned defence” (apologia) of our faith — they are subtle, with some gray areas, and it is requisite that we have some reasoned defense of the faith we profess.
We may begin with Aristotle, that intention is first in the order of execution. Before we ingest something, we should ask, however dimly, why we are doing so. Allow me to propose four reasons we may imbibe or ingest a substance: for nourishment, for taste, for its euphoric effects, or as therapy for some medical issue.
To begin with the last, we take aspirin, for example, not for its taste, but simply because it eases pain. Children are forced to eat their broccoli for nourishment. But we should drink alcoholic beverages primarily for their taste. Hence, we should buy fine stuff, for quality, and not the cheap, for quantity, unless you may afford no better. There are more efficient ways of nourishing oneself than wine or beer, and its euphoric effect should be minimal, controlled, and willed only in a secondary and ancillary way.
If we may apply an analogy, the “pleasure” we derive from a glass of wine or pint of beer — that is, its inebriating effect, prescinding from the pleasure of its taste, but the two go together, as anyone who has tasted the de-alcoholized variety discovers — should not be sought as a primary end, much like the “pleasure” in the marital act, whose primary purpose is procreative and unitive.
Alcohol does not in general make for good medicine, although there are extreme cases where this purpose may apply (as, for example, a hasty anaesthetic in any number of westerns). If we start drinking to “heal the pain,” we’re entering into trouble. As Chesterton put it, we should always drink to remember, never drink to forget.
Tell Trudeau Liberals: Don't discriminate against Christians on COVID-19 relief funding! Sign the petition here.
When partaken simply to escape reality, and avoid the normal struggles of life, alcohol can indeed be used as a drug, if one seeks solely, or even primarily, its euphoric and intoxicating effects. We should not drink to “get drunk.” Imagine for a moment injecting bourbon straight into your bloodstream; why bother with ingestion through the stomach? Or why not frequent bars such as this one I stumbled across (online, not in real life), where an alcoholic mist ensures that every patron has a buzz equaling two beverages? I would also suggest that “shots” of alcohol, as in chasing it down the gullet without even tasting it, is also approaching drug use of this otherwise legitimate, even noble, substance.
What now of marijuana? This substance has no nutritive effects, and one would hardly seek out its taste (prescinding from artificially laced “brownies” and such). Rather, its use is only as a drug, as a means of achieving the euphoria it produces, which, again, sought for its own sake is illicit.
Marijuana, with other drugs, may be used medicinally and therapeutically, even if there is still some debate over whether other more controllable drugs are in some cases more effective.
Such, to my mind, is the essential, a priori argument against marijuana and other stronger drugs.
One could also argue a posteriori, from the effects of alcohol and marijuana. Both substances affect the brain but in vastly different ways. There are numerous active ingredients in marijuana, the primary being the psychoactive molecules tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), which have not well understood cascading physiological and psychological effects, among them a deleterious influence on behavior, memory loss, diminution of willpower, mood changes, paranoia, hallucinations, and raised heart rate and blood pressure, as well as a strong link to psychosis, especially schizophrenia, primarily among younger users. No one quite knows how long it resides in the body, nor where it accumulates in the fatty (lipid) tissue of our brains. And the stuff nowadays is significantly more potent than what was available a half-century ago and is still increasing. The
“munchies” are the least of our worries.
Yes, immoderate use of alcohol is also detrimental, on a number of levels (as anyone from an alcoholic home can evince), but there is evidence to support moderate use of alcohol as a good and even virtuous thing in its own way (although not required, even if Saint Paul advocated that Timothy take a little for his stomach).
On the contrary, there is no “moderate” recreational use of drugs. Their effect is invariably debilitating to some degree, especially over the longer term. So we’re back to the Church’s perennial teaching on the immorality of drugs, echoed in the eighties by Nancy Reagan: just say no.
What of the controverted question of legalization? As Saint Thomas rightly states (I-II. Q. 96, a. 2), not everything immoral should be illegal, for the State cannot possibly forbid all vices; as he says, even if it were to try, far greater evils would ensue. This is the argument sort of made by Eric Schlosser in his 2003 Reefer Madness, that making marijuana possession a federal offense has filled up prisons across America with desperate people, who will go on to have permanent records, leading to a vicious cycle of poverty and recidivism (I say “sort of” since one cannot tell whether he is an advocate of the stuff or just thinks that making it illegal is baneful).
The problem with full-out legalization (as opposed to, say, a quiet sort of decriminalization of some minor offenses, already practically in effect) is that, regardless of one’s libertarian leanings and desire to limit the reach of the State, most people now equate “legal” with “moral” and “good.” Again to Saint Thomas, who emphasizes the pedagogical effect of law, which not only forces us to do the right thing, but (should) teach us the right thing to do. Hence, without any sort of law against drugs such as marijuana, we will see a lot more stoned Canadians, especially young people who may otherwise have not been so, with little capacity to work, to perfect themselves, to transcend their current milieu; more wards of the State, as marriages crumble, or never exist in the first place, as psychosis, depression, anxiety and addiction increase. Who knows what demons, metaphorical or literal, may enter one’s soul in abandoning one’s reason to drugs?
Communities, such as my own, are not benefited from pot stores. The short-term evanescent economic gains are followed by longer-term intractable problems. Even if some avoid these more deleterious effects, there will invariably be overall a lot less human striving for excellence in this once prosperous nation.
As a final literary aside, I can’t help but be reminded of soma, the euphoric mind-numbing drug Aldous Huxley invented in his 1931 novel Brave New World to keep the enslaved populace subdued and compliant. The only one who resists is, ironically, the “Savage” John, raised on the works of Shakespeare, an outsider who perceives what somnabulent, immoral zombies people have become. The “true, north, strong and free” may have to invent a new string of less admirable adjectives, except the geographical one, where we’re going to need a few more virtuous Savages.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-07-01--Republican governor accepts decision to save last abortion center in Missouri

JEFFERSON CITY , July 1 , 2020 ( Operation Rescue ) — Missouri Gov .
Mike Parson has announced he will not appeal the Administrative Court ruling that cleared the way for the Department of Health and Senior Services to issue an abortion facility license to RHS Planned Parenthood , the last abortion facility in the state .
Parson cited an unwillingness of the DHSS to proceed after it reissued the license on June 25 , 2020 .
Lisa Cox , a DHSS representative , told the St. Louis Post Dispatch that she was “ encouraged by the improvements in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ procedures that have been made over the past year.
” “ The DHSS comments are extremely naïve .
This is an abortion facility that has injured over 75 women , publicly lied about policies of the DHSS , obstructed Department investigations , and blatantly ignored regulations , ” said Troy Newman , President of Operation Rescue .
“ There is no reason to believe that these arrogant people won ’ t continue to disregard the law and patient care standards when it suits them as they have done for years.
” Last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inspection that resulted in 62 pages of deficiencies , including citations that mentioned four women who were subjected to botched abortions .
However , after the Administrative ruling was released on May 29 , 2020 , the facility finally passed a licensing inspection .
This was likely due to the fact that it has not been doing abortions , but has instead been sending all abortion patients to its clinic in Fairview Heights , Illinois , where abortion regulations are essentially non-existent .
One of the women mentioned in that 2019 deficiency report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parenthood for damages after she suffered three abortions for the same pregnancy , two of which were done by abortionist Justin Diedrich , a California abortionist who had been traveling to Missouri and other states to conduct abortions .
Diedrich is a product of the Fellowship in Family Planning , a program based at the UCSF Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health , which trains young medical residents to do abortions .
The Bixby Center is financed by heavy-hitters in the global abortion movement who support world-wide depopulation .
Information in the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 2019 deficiency report show clearly why RHS Planned Parenthood should have lost its license , and is likely to injure more women should it resume abortions .
Maureen Peal was 10 weeks , 2 days pregnant on May 26 , 2018 , when Justin Diedrich conducted a routine suction abortion on her without ultrasound guidance at RHS Planned Parenthood .
Medical records obtained by Peal indicated that a pathology examination found the abortion to be complete .
However , on June 29 , 2018 , Peal returned to RHS Planned Parenthood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conducted an ultrasound on her .
Not only was her baby still present , but he or she had a strong heartbeat .
Her growing baby ’ s gestational age was then into the second trimester at 15 weeks , one day .
Diedrich conducted a second abortion on Peal – this time a riskier Dilation and Evacuation ( D & E ) dismemberment abortion — done under ultrasound guidance .
Again , she was assured that the abortion was complete .
Three days later , Peal was admitted to Barnes Jewish Hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Family Planning program that trained Diedrich — where she was diagnosed with sepsis secondary to an infected uterus .
Peal underwent a third abortion by dilation and curettage ( D & C ) on July 2 , 2018 , most likely for retained fetal remains due to an incomplete abortion .
Retained fetal remains is a common cause for infection in post-abortive women .
When the DHSS investigated Peal ’ s case , Diedrich refused to cooperate and declined to be interviewed .
He never provided an explanation for why his patient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shifted the blame by opining that the pregnancy was originally twins .
They suggested that one twin was missed because the patient was obese .
However , there was never any evidence that Peal ’ s pregnancy involved twins .
During the malpractice case , RHS Planned Parenthood attempted to absolve itself of responsibility , noting that Diedrich was an independent contractor and therefore not an employee of the abortion business .
Planned Parenthood argued it could not be held liable for any actions of its abortionist or be held responsible for botched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On October 15 , 2019 — two weeks before an Administrative hearing was to be held on RHS Planned Parenthood ’ s licensing dispute — both parties agreed to dismiss the malpractice case .
This action almost always means the parties have settled out of court to keep the terms of the settlement , including the amount of money paid out to the plaintiff , from becoming public record .
This case is revealing of several issues for which there has never really been a resolution : • RHS Planned Parenthood botched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but twice , requiring a third abortion and treatment for a dangerous infection .
No reasonable explanation for this has ever been given .
• Diedrich continues to work as an independent contractor for Planned Parenthood and is licensed in Illinois where he is available to conduct abortions at the Fairview Heights facility .
RHS Planned Parenthood continues to assert that they are not responsible for botched abortions done in their facilities by independent contractors .
• RHS Planned Parenthood never took responsibility for injuring Peal or any of the dozens of other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injuries or other complications at its facility .
Instead , staff members made excuses , or blamed the women for their problems , as they did by claiming Peal ’ s obesity was the cause of her incomplete abortions .
“ We can be sure that if RHS Planned Parenthood resumes abortions in St. Louis , it will continue to put the lives and health of women at risk , ” said Newman .
“ Licensing this Planned Parenthood was a big mistake that will be paid for by women who will continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the past.
” In fact , the same people that run the RHS Planned Parenthood are now across the river in Illinois and have continued to injure women there .
“ I hope that Gov .
Parson and the DHSS can find the will to somehow continue their fight to close the RHS Planned Parenthood , ” said Newman .
“ If they don ’ t , we can only expect more avoidable human tragedy there .
”

Gov. Mike Parson will not appeal the court ruling that cleared the way for a license for RHS Planned Parenthood, the last abortion facility in Missouri.
JEFFERSON CITY, July 1, 2020 (Operation Rescue) — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has announced he will not appeal the Administrative Court ruling that cleared the way for the Department of Health and Senior Services to issue an abortion facility license to RHS Planned Parenthood, the last abortion facility in the state.
Parson cited an unwillingness of the DHSS to proceed after it reissued the license on June 25, 2020.
Lisa Cox, a DHSS representative, told the St. Louis Post Dispatch that she was “encouraged by the improvements in the quality of the care practices and procedures that have been made over the past year.”
“The DHSS comments are extremely naïve. This is an abortion facility that has injured over 75 women, publicly lied about policies of the DHSS, obstructed Department investigations, and blatantly ignored regulations,” said Troy Newman, President of Operation Rescue. “There is no reason to believe that these arrogant people won’t continue to disregard the law and patient care standards when it suits them as they have done for years.”
Last year, RHS Planned Parenthood failed a health inspection that resulted in 62 pages of deficiencies, including citations that mentioned four women who were subjected to botched abortions.
However, after the Administrative ruling was released on May 29, 2020, the facility finally passed a licensing inspection. This was likely due to the fact that it has not been doing abortions, but has instead been sending all abortion patients to its clinic in Fairview Heights, Illinois, where abortion regulations are essentially non-existent.
One of the women mentioned in that 2019 deficiency report — Patient 2 — sued RHS Planned Parenthood for damages after she suffered three abortions for the same pregnancy, two of which were done by abortionist Justin Diedrich, a California abortionist who had been traveling to Missouri and other states to conduct abortions.
Diedrich is a product of the Fellowship in Family Planning, a program based at the UCSF Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, which trains young medical residents to do abortions. The Bixby Center is financed by heavy-hitters in the global abortion movement who support world-wide depopulation.
Information in the public court records obtained by Operation Rescue and in the 2019 deficiency report show clearly why RHS Planned Parenthood should have lost its license, and is likely to injure more women should it resume abortions.
Maureen Peal was 10 weeks, 2 days pregnant on May 26, 2018, when Justin Diedrich conducted a routine suction abortion on her without ultrasound guidance at RHS Planned Parenthood.
Medical records obtained by Peal indicated that a pathology examination found the abortion to be complete.
However, on June 29, 2018, Peal returned to RHS Planned Parenthood where she again saw Diedrich, who conducted an ultrasound on her. Not only was her baby still present, but he or she had a strong heartbeat. Her growing baby’s gestational age was then into the second trimester at 15 weeks, one day.
Diedrich conducted a second abortion on Peal – this time a riskier Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) dismemberment abortion — done under ultrasound guidance. Again, she was assured that the abortion was complete.
Three days later, Peal was admitted to Barnes Jewish Hospital — ironically, home of the Fellowship in Family Planning program that trained Diedrich — where she was diagnosed with sepsis secondary to an infected uterus.
Peal underwent a third abortion by dilation and curettage (D&C) on July 2, 2018, most likely for retained fetal remains due to an incomplete abortion. Retained fetal remains is a common cause for infection in post-abortive women.
When the DHSS investigated Peal’s case, Diedrich refused to cooperate and declined to be interviewed. He never provided an explanation for why his patient required three abortions.
RHS Planned Parenthood shifted the blame by opining that the pregnancy was originally twins. They suggested that one twin was missed because the patient was obese. However, there was never any evidence that Peal’s pregnancy involved twins.
During the malpractice case, RHS Planned Parenthood attempted to absolve itself of responsibility, noting that Diedrich was an independent contractor and therefore not an employee of the abortion business. Planned Parenthood argued it could not be held liable for any actions of its abortionist or be held responsible for botched abortions that took place at its facility.
On October 15, 2019 — two weeks before an Administrative hearing was to be held on RHS Planned Parenthood’s licensing dispute — both parties agreed to dismiss the malpractice case. This action almost always means the parties have settled out of court to keep the terms of the settlement, including the amount of money paid out to the plaintiff, from becoming public record.
This case is revealing of several issues for which there has never really been a resolution:
RHS Planned Parenthood botched Peal’s abortion not once, but twice, requiring a third abortion and treatment for a dangerous infection. No reasonable explanation for this has ever been given.
Diedrich continues to work as an independent contractor for Planned Parenthood and is licensed in Illinois where he is available to conduct abortions at the Fairview Heights facility. RHS Planned Parenthood continues to assert that they are not responsible for botched abortions done in their facilities by independent contractors.
RHS Planned Parenthood never took responsibility for injuring Peal or any of the dozens of other women who were hospitalized due to abortion injuries or other complications at its facility. Instead, staff members made excuses, or blamed the women for their problems, as they did by claiming Peal’s obesity was the cause of her incomplete abortions.
“We can be sure that if RHS Planned Parenthood resumes abortions in St. Louis, it will continue to put the lives and health of women at risk,” said Newman. “Licensing this Planned Parenthood was a big mistake that will be paid for by women who will continue to be abused as they have been in the past.”
In fact, the same people that run the RHS Planned Parenthood are now across the river in Illinois and have continued to injure women there.
“I hope that Gov. Parson and the DHSS can find the will to somehow continue their fight to close the RHS Planned Parenthood,” said Newman. “If they don’t, we can only expect more avoidable human tragedy there.”
Published with permission from Operation Rescue.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-07-01--Missouri Supreme Court overturns law blocking taxpayer dollars to abortionists

PETITION : Demand Planned Parenthood return $ 80M improperly taken from coronavirus emergency fund !
Sign the petition here .
MISSOURI July 1 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The Supreme Court of Missouri has overturned a state law which blocked taxpayer funding of abortion facilities , with a 6-1 vote in favor of a challenge brought against the law by Planned Parenthood .
Ruling yesterday in Planned Parenthood v. Department of Social Services the majority of the judges sided with Planned Parenthood ’ s claim that a provision of Missouri ’ s FY2019 appropriation bill which said that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expended to any abortion facility… or any affiliate or associate thereof ” was in conflict with Missouri ’ s state constitution .
The one dissenting judge , Zel Fischer , said that his fellow judges had failed to apply “ the plain and unambiguous language ” of the constitution to the case and had instead cited previous cases in order to form its conclusion .
Missouri has just one operating abortion center , a scandal-plagued Planned Parenthood facility in St. Louis , but a number of other Planned Parenthood facilities offer contraceptives and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Associated Press Missouri instead used state money to pay for these , rather than fund the abortion-committing facility .
Pro-lifers have long noted that money is fungible , meaning that public funding Planned Parenthood uses for approved purposes frees funds from other sources to be spent on abortions .
Gerard Nieters , Legislative Director of Missouri Right to Life , said in a press release that the decision is “ yet another case of liberal activist judges substituting their opinion for that of the legislature.
” “ The Missouri legislature clearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its Medicaid Family Planning funds not be paid to abortion providers or its affiliates .
But the court claimed that the prohibition of the payment of funds to Planned Parenthood and its affiliates was unconstitutional .
Thus , Missourian ’ s tax dollars will continue to indirectly fund abortions via Family Planning payments , ” Nieters said .
“ Coming on the heels of the U.S. Supreme Court ’ s decision striking down Louisiana ’ s law requiring abortionists to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital in order to protect the health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pro-life community is reeling from a one-two punch , ” he continued .
“ Missouri Right to Life will continue to work with the Missouri legislature to insure that future Missouri moneys not be paid to abortion providers .
Be assured that we will continue the fight to protect the lives of unborn babies and the health of their mothers .
”

This is 'yet another case of liberal activist judges substituting their opinion for that of the legislature,' said Gerard Nieters, Legislative Director of Missouri Right to Life.
PETITION: Demand Planned Parenthood return $80M improperly taken from coronavirus emergency fund! Sign the petition here.
MISSOURI July 1, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The Supreme Court of Missouri has overturned a state law which blocked taxpayer funding of abortion facilities, with a 6-1 vote in favor of a challenge brought against the law by Planned Parenthood.
Ruling yesterday in Planned Parenthood v. Department of Social Services the majority of the judges sided with Planned Parenthood’s claim that a provision of Missouri’s FY2019 appropriation bill which said that “[n]o funds shall be expended to any abortion facility… or any affiliate or associate thereof” was in conflict with Missouri’s state constitution.
The one dissenting judge, Zel Fischer, said that his fellow judges had failed to apply “the plain and unambiguous language” of the constitution to the case and had instead cited previous cases in order to form its conclusion.
Missouri has just one operating abortion center, a scandal-plagued Planned Parenthood facility in St. Louis, but a number of other Planned Parenthood facilities offer contraceptives and cancer screenings. According to a report in the Associated Press Missouri instead used state money to pay for these, rather than fund the abortion-committing facility. Pro-lifers have long noted that money is fungible, meaning that public funding Planned Parenthood uses for approved purposes frees funds from other sources to be spent on abortions.
Gerard Nieters, Legislative Director of Missouri Right to Life, said in a press release that the decision is “yet another case of liberal activist judges substituting their opinion for that of the legislature.”
“The Missouri legislature clearly stated in its 2019 appropriations bill that its Medicaid Family Planning funds not be paid to abortion providers or its affiliates. But the court claimed that the prohibition of the payment of funds to Planned Parenthood and its affiliates was unconstitutional. Thus, Missourian’s tax dollars will continue to indirectly fund abortions via Family Planning payments,” Nieters said.
“Coming on the heels of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision striking down Louisiana’s law requiring abortionists to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital in order to protect the health of women who have an abortion, the pro-life community is reeling from a one-two punch,” he continued.
“Missouri Right to Life will continue to work with the Missouri legislature to insure that future Missouri moneys not be paid to abortion providers. Be assured that we will continue the fight to protect the lives of unborn babies and the health of their mothers.”
Share


lifesitenews--2020-07-01--Massive LGBT protest sweeps Chicago amid coronavirus fears

PETITION : Investigate George Soros ' role in funding domestic terrorism !
Sign the petition here .
CHICAGO , July 1 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – With Chicago ’ s annual LGBT “ pride ” parade canceled in the name of protecting public health against COVID-19 , LGBT activists organized a substitute protest this weekend in the neighborhood of Boystown , producing massive throngs of people who were at least as tightly packed together as the parade would have been anyway .
Thousands of people gathered for the “ Reclaim Pride ” event , ABC 7 Chicago reports , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more of a protest in contrast to the party-like atmosphere of previous parades .
“ This march is basically us going back to the roots of the original reason why Pride existed in the first place and basically highlighting that Black and Brown people in Boystown — and in general in society — aren ’ t taken care of the same way that White people are taken care of , ” organizer Ashabi Owagboriaye told WTTW .
“ White queers are prioritized , even though Black and Brown music is what people use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that being used , Black and Brown bodies are usually dismissed and excluded.
” As has been the case across the United States , the LGBT cause once again converged with the Black Lives Matter ( BLM ) movement , with Owagboriaye adding that defunding the Chicago Police Department was “ obviously ” among the group ’ s aims .
While organizers say attendees were required to wear facemasks , crowd sizes at the Reclaim Pride event still contrasted sharply with the warnings Americans have been inundated with for months to stay home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to catch or spread the novel coronavirus .
The mainstream media , and even left-wing “ health experts , ” have been much more tolerant of mass public gatherings for causes they support , such as BLM and LGBT “ pride , ” than they have for President Donald Trump ’ s trademark campaign rallies or even small in-person gatherings such as religious worship .
Despite Owagboriaye ’ s claim that “ Black and Brown trans women ” are being “ killed and brutalized ” to such a degree that they require “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exist , ” federal crime statistics do not support the LGBT lobby ’ s talking point that America is currently experiencing an “ epidemic ” of anti-transgender violence .

'This march is basically us going back to the roots of the original reason why Pride existed in the first place,' said the organizer, who also complained that 'white queers are prioritized.'
PETITION: Investigate George Soros' role in funding domestic terrorism! Sign the petition here.
CHICAGO, July 1, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – With Chicago’s annual LGBT “pride” parade canceled in the name of protecting public health against COVID-19, LGBT activists organized a substitute protest this weekend in the neighborhood of Boystown, producing massive throngs of people who were at least as tightly packed together as the parade would have been anyway.
Thousands of people gathered for the “Reclaim Pride” event, ABC 7 Chicago reports, which organizers say was meant to be more of a protest in contrast to the party-like atmosphere of previous parades.
LIVE: Aerial footage shows massive crowds rallying to celebrate #Pride in Chicago pic.twitter.com/06GbKtqP8l — Bloomberg QuickTake (@QuickTake) June 28, 2020
“This march is basically us going back to the roots of the original reason why Pride existed in the first place and basically highlighting that Black and Brown people in Boystown — and in general in society — aren’t taken care of the same way that White people are taken care of,” organizer Ashabi Owagboriaye told WTTW. “White queers are prioritized, even though Black and Brown music is what people use to pull in crowds, and with that being used, Black and Brown bodies are usually dismissed and excluded.”
As has been the case across the United States, the LGBT cause once again converged with the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, with Owagboriaye adding that defunding the Chicago Police Department was “obviously” among the group’s aims.
While organizers say attendees were required to wear facemasks, crowd sizes at the Reclaim Pride event still contrasted sharply with the warnings Americans have been inundated with for months to stay home unless absolutely necessary, so as not to catch or spread the novel coronavirus.
The mainstream media, and even left-wing “health experts,” have been much more tolerant of mass public gatherings for causes they support, such as BLM and LGBT “pride,” than they have for President Donald Trump’s trademark campaign rallies or even small in-person gatherings such as religious worship.
Despite Owagboriaye’s claim that “Black and Brown trans women” are being “killed and brutalized” to such a degree that they require “safe spaces for queers [to] exist,” federal crime statistics do not support the LGBT lobby’s talking point that America is currently experiencing an “epidemic” of anti-transgender violence.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-07-01--Man uses pickup truck to tear down Montana Ten Commandments statue

KALISPELL , Montana , July 1 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Police have arrested 30-year-old Anthony Weimer for pulling down a statue of the Ten Commandments outside Flathead County Courthouse in northeastern Montana .
“ The Kalispell Police Department said calls came in on Saturday that a male was on the Flathead County Courthouse grounds , and appeared to be wrapping a chain around the Ten Commandments monument , ” reported the local NBC station .
“ Officials say those callers saw the man attach the chain to a pickup truck , and then pull the monument into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removed the chain , then got into the truck and left the scene.
” The officers were later able to find the truck used to tear down the statue , and then arrested the subject , who now faces a felony charge of criminal mischief .
It is not yet known why Weimer tore down the statue .
According to local newspaper Flathead Beacon , “ Kalispell Chief of Police Doug Overman said his office has ‘ no evidence ’ that Weimer ’ s action is connected to any protest movement.
” Even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 20 inhabitants per square mile , “ a number of heavily armed people surrounded the Veterans Memorial in Kalispell ’ s Deport Park to protect it from vandals who never arrived , and a small group of Black Lives Matters protesters had previously gathered outside the old Flathead County Courthouse , where the statue pulled down on Saturday was located.
” A local chapter of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles , the Flathead Beacon reported , gave the statue of the Ten Commandments to Flathead County in 1950 .
The religious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a group of local Eagles , led by Fred Bryant , raised money to purchase six other monuments that would include historical texts like the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights alongside the 10 Commandments .
This made the monuments a ‘ cornerstone of law ’ display , which could be considered admissible following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2005.
” In recent weeks , several statues with religious connotations have been torn down , usually in connection with the Black Lives Matter riots .
Rioters have pulled down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in San Francisco and Los Angeles , after local authorities in Los Angeles approved the removal of another of his statues outside Ventura City Hall .
In June , the Los Angeles Times reported that Ventura Mayor Matt LaVere , along with representatives from the Barbareño/Venureño Band of Mission Indians and Father Tom Elewaut , a Catholic priest based at the San Buenaventura Mission in Ventura , had issued a joint statement agreeing to take down the statue of Serra outside Ventura City Hall and have it “ moved to a more appropriate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles , 100 people reportedly helped to topple a statue of the missionary saint with ropes .
In a video of the incident , one participant can be heard saying “ this is for our ancestors ” as the statue came crashing down .
In Golden Gate Park , San Francisco , activists pulled down another statue of St. Junipero Serra .
A video of the incident shows those in attendance cheering as the statue is toppled .
One person can be seen hitting the statue with their fists and another person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has fallen to the ground .
San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone asked , “ What is happening to our society ?
” “ A renewed national movement to heal memories and correct the injustices of racism and police brutality in our country has been hijacked by some into a movement of violence , looting and vandalism , ” Cordileone continued , spelling out what happened during many of the protests .
Tearing down the statue of Junipero Serra “ was mob rule , ” the archbishop said , “ a troubling phenomenon that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country.
” “ Our dear city bears the name of one of history ’ s most iconic figures of peace and goodwill : St. Francis of Assisi , ” Cordileone explained .
“ For the past 800 years , the various Franciscan orders of brothers , sisters and priests that trace their inspiration back to him have been exemplary of not only serving , but identifying with , the poor and downtrodden and giving them their rightful dignity as children of God .
St. Junipero Serra is no exception.
” In St. Louis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hundreds of angry protestors while defending a statue of St. Louis in the city named after the sainted king on a day when Catholic laity praying at the statue were physically attacked by rioters .
The Archdiocese of St. Louis published a statement which insisted that St. Louis represented peace and respect for one ’ s neighbor .
“ The history of the statue of St. Louis , the King is one founded in piety and reverence before God , and for non-believers , respect for one ’ s neighbor .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government focused on impartial justice , protecting the rights of his subjects , steep penalties for royal officials abusing power , and a series of initiatives to help the poor , ” the archdiocese said .
“ King Louis IX ’ s renowned work in charity helped elevate him to Sainthood .
His daily suppers were shared with numerous beggars , whom he invited to the royal table .
On many evenings , he would not let them leave before he washed their feet .
He personally paid to feed more than 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the sick was equally moving ; St. Louis frequently ministered to lepers .
He also created a number of hospitals , including one for the blind and another for ex-prostitutes , ” the statement continued .
Shaun King , a leading voice in the Black Lives Matter ( BLM ) movement , best known for claiming to be half-black despite both parents on his birth certificate being listed as white , had even declared that statues , murals , and stained-glass windows depicting Jesus as white should be taken down for being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supremacy , ” meant to be “ tools of oppression ” and “ racist propaganda ” .
Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison , Wisconsin , said that “ as a shepherd of the Church , ” he “ can not remain silent ” in the face of a call by a Black Lives Matter activist to destroy representations of Jesus Christ .
“ I need to denounce such a call to violence and destruction , ” Bishop Hying wrote in a letter dated June 23 .
“ Our statues , pictures , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and devotions are holy to us , ” Bishop Hying explained .
“ They are sacramentals , blessed and sacred , visible expressions of the love of God , poured out in the life , death , and resurrection of Jesus and made manifest in the saints .
They remind us of God , His love for us in Christ , and the nearness of the divine .
”

It is not yet known why Anthony Weimer tore down the statue. He now faces a felony charge of criminal mischief.
KALISPELL, Montana, July 1, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Police have arrested 30-year-old Anthony Weimer for pulling down a statue of the Ten Commandments outside Flathead County Courthouse in northeastern Montana.
“The Kalispell Police Department said calls came in on Saturday that a male was on the Flathead County Courthouse grounds, and appeared to be wrapping a chain around the Ten Commandments monument,” reported the local NBC station. “Officials say those callers saw the man attach the chain to a pickup truck, and then pull the monument into the street. Police say the man reportedly removed the chain, then got into the truck and left the scene.”
The officers were later able to find the truck used to tear down the statue, and then arrested the subject, who now faces a felony charge of criminal mischief.
It is not yet known why Weimer tore down the statue. According to local newspaper Flathead Beacon, “Kalispell Chief of Police Doug Overman said his office has ‘no evidence’ that Weimer’s action is connected to any protest movement.”
Even in remote Flathead Count, with less than 20 inhabitants per square mile, “a number of heavily armed people surrounded the Veterans Memorial in Kalispell’s Deport Park to protect it from vandals who never arrived, and a small group of Black Lives Matters protesters had previously gathered outside the old Flathead County Courthouse, where the statue pulled down on Saturday was located.”
A local chapter of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, the Flathead Beacon reported, gave the statue of the Ten Commandments to Flathead County in 1950.
The religious display was challenged decades later, “and a group of local Eagles, led by Fred Bryant, raised money to purchase six other monuments that would include historical texts like the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights alongside the 10 Commandments. This made the monuments a ‘cornerstone of law’ display, which could be considered admissible following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2005.”
In recent weeks, several statues with religious connotations have been torn down, usually in connection with the Black Lives Matter riots.
Rioters have pulled down and desecrated statues of St. Junipero Serra in San Francisco and Los Angeles, after local authorities in Los Angeles approved the removal of another of his statues outside Ventura City Hall.
In June, the Los Angeles Times reported that Ventura Mayor Matt LaVere, along with representatives from the Barbareño/Venureño Band of Mission Indians and Father Tom Elewaut, a Catholic priest based at the San Buenaventura Mission in Ventura, had issued a joint statement agreeing to take down the statue of Serra outside Ventura City Hall and have it “moved to a more appropriate non-public location.”
On Olvera Street in Los Angeles, 100 people reportedly helped to topple a statue of the missionary saint with ropes. In a video of the incident, one participant can be heard saying “this is for our ancestors” as the statue came crashing down.
Natives just tore down the statue of Junipero Serra at Placita Olvera in solidarity with #BLMprotest #antiracism #antislavery pic.twitter.com/8ZDdv7vej7 — L.A. TACO ���� (@LATACO) June 20, 2020
In Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, activists pulled down another statue of St. Junipero Serra. A video of the incident shows those in attendance cheering as the statue is toppled. One person can be seen hitting the statue with their fists and another person hitting it with a skateboard once it has fallen to the ground.
Activists just toppled the Junipero Serra statue in Golden Gate Park here in San Francisco Now they’re onto Francis Scott Key, slave owner and writer of the Star Spangled Banner pic.twitter.com/Ykv0hFMZvK — Joe Rivano Barros (@jrivanob) June 20, 2020
San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone asked, “What is happening to our society?”
“A renewed national movement to heal memories and correct the injustices of racism and police brutality in our country has been hijacked by some into a movement of violence, looting and vandalism,” Cordileone continued, spelling out what happened during many of the protests.
Tearing down the statue of Junipero Serra “was mob rule,” the archbishop said, “a troubling phenomenon that seems to be repeating itself throughout the country.”
“Our dear city bears the name of one of history’s most iconic figures of peace and goodwill: St. Francis of Assisi,” Cordileone explained. “For the past 800 years, the various Franciscan orders of brothers, sisters and priests that trace their inspiration back to him have been exemplary of not only serving, but identifying with, the poor and downtrodden and giving them their rightful dignity as children of God. St. Junipero Serra is no exception.”
In St. Louis, Catholic priest Father Stephen Schumacher preached to hundreds of angry protestors while defending a statue of St. Louis in the city named after the sainted king on a day when Catholic laity praying at the statue were physically attacked by rioters.
The Archdiocese of St. Louis published a statement which insisted that St. Louis represented peace and respect for one’s neighbor.
“The history of the statue of St. Louis, the King is one founded in piety and reverence before God, and for non-believers, respect for one’s neighbor. The reforms that St. Louis implemented in French government focused on impartial justice, protecting the rights of his subjects, steep penalties for royal officials abusing power, and a series of initiatives to help the poor,” the archdiocese said.
“King Louis IX’s renowned work in charity helped elevate him to Sainthood. His daily suppers were shared with numerous beggars, whom he invited to the royal table. On many evenings, he would not let them leave before he washed their feet. He personally paid to feed more than 100 poor Parisians every day. His care for the sick was equally moving; St. Louis frequently ministered to lepers. He also created a number of hospitals, including one for the blind and another for ex-prostitutes,” the statement continued.
Shaun King, a leading voice in the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, best known for claiming to be half-black despite both parents on his birth certificate being listed as white, had even declared that statues, murals, and stained-glass windows depicting Jesus as white should be taken down for being “form[s] of white supremacy,” meant to be “tools of oppression” and “racist propaganda”.
Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison, Wisconsin, said that “as a shepherd of the Church,” he “cannot remain silent” in the face of a call by a Black Lives Matter activist to destroy representations of Jesus Christ.
“I need to denounce such a call to violence and destruction,” Bishop Hying wrote in a letter dated June 23.
“Our statues, pictures, stained-glass windows, churches, icons, and devotions are holy to us,” Bishop Hying explained. “They are sacramentals, blessed and sacred, visible expressions of the love of God, poured out in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and made manifest in the saints. They remind us of God, His love for us in Christ, and the nearness of the divine.”
Share


lifesitenews--2020-07-01--Florida Gov. DeSantis signs pro-life law requiring parental consent for abortion

TALLAHASSEE , Florida , July 1 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Florida strengthened its parental involvement law this week with Republican Gov .
Ron DeSantis signing a bill that now requires minors seeking abortions in Florida to first obtain approval from a parent .
Florida already required parents to be notified , but Senate Bill 404 forbids abortionists from going through with a minor ’ s abortion unless they receive a “ notarized written statement signed by a minor and either her mother , her father , or her legal guardian ” agreeing that “ the abortion is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Consent will not be required in cases of “ medical emergency ” or if a judge grants a waiver .
Judicial waivers must be based on finding “ clear and convincing evidence ” of the minor ’ s maturity to make the decision or else that a “ preponderance of the evidence ” indicates that her parents are sexually abusing her .
“ What we are talking about is a child , and here we ’ re are talking about a child who is carrying a child , ” bill sponsor and Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ By including parents in this decision we empower the family .
It is the critical backbone of our civilized society.
” DeSantis signed the bill into law Tuesday , the Daily Caller reported .
“ Today is a win for Florida families , ” Grall said .
“ Parents in the Sunshine State will be able to protect their daughters from the abortion industry , which prioritizes its own profits over the health and safety of vulnerable girls , ” said Susan B. Anthony List president Marjorie Dannenfelser .
“ We thank Senator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , both members of our National Pro-Life Women ’ s Caucus , as well as the Florida Family Policy Council and the Florida Catholic Conference for their tireless work advancing this important legislation.
” The law is likely to face a lawsuit from the abortion lobby , which at the very least would delay its enforcement .
But while current U.S. Supreme Court precedent forces states to allow most abortions , the Court has also consistently upheld numerous lesser abortion regulations in the name of both respect for fetal life and concern for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involvement laws .
The law is slated to take effect today , July 1 .

A 'notarized written statement signed by a minor and either her mother, her father, or her legal guardian' will be required to perform an abortion.
TALLAHASSEE, Florida, July 1, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Florida strengthened its parental involvement law this week with Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signing a bill that now requires minors seeking abortions in Florida to first obtain approval from a parent.
Florida already required parents to be notified, but Senate Bill 404 forbids abortionists from going through with a minor’s abortion unless they receive a “notarized written statement signed by a minor and either her mother, her father, or her legal guardian” agreeing that “the abortion is in the best interest of the minor.”
Consent will not be required in cases of “medical emergency” or if a judge grants a waiver. Judicial waivers must be based on finding “clear and convincing evidence” of the minor’s maturity to make the decision or else that a “preponderance of the evidence” indicates that her parents are sexually abusing her.
“What we are talking about is a child, and here we’re are talking about a child who is carrying a child,” bill sponsor and Republican state Rep. Erin Grall said. “By including parents in this decision we empower the family. It is the critical backbone of our civilized society.”
DeSantis signed the bill into law Tuesday, the Daily Caller reported. “Today is a win for Florida families,” Grall said.
“Parents in the Sunshine State will be able to protect their daughters from the abortion industry, which prioritizes its own profits over the health and safety of vulnerable girls,” said Susan B. Anthony List president Marjorie Dannenfelser. “We thank Senator (Kelli) Stargel and Representative Grall, both members of our National Pro-Life Women’s Caucus, as well as the Florida Family Policy Council and the Florida Catholic Conference for their tireless work advancing this important legislation.”
The law is likely to face a lawsuit from the abortion lobby, which at the very least would delay its enforcement. But while current U.S. Supreme Court precedent forces states to allow most abortions, the Court has also consistently upheld numerous lesser abortion regulations in the name of both respect for fetal life and concern for women’s safety, including parental involvement laws.
The law is slated to take effect today, July 1.
Share