westernjournal--2020-06-18--UCF Professor Is Under University Investigation For Disputing The Systemic Racism Narrative

The University of Central Florida is currently investigating one of its professors for disputing the Black Lives Matter narrative on Twitter .
Charles Negy , a psychology professor at the school , received harsh criticism for sharing critical critiques of the systemic racism narrative that the university described as “ completely counter to UCF ’ s values.
” Without directly calling the professor ’ s comments racist , UCF ’ s official Twitter page acknowledged the controversy surrounding his tweets on June 4 by saying “ [ b ] eing actively anti-racist means calling out and confronting racist comments.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s recent personal Twitter posts , which are completely counter to UCF ’ s values .
We are reviewing this matter further while being mindful of the First Amendment.
” The tweets in question , put out by Negy on June 3 , pointed to the disparities in crime rates and educational achievement among African-Americans , suggesting that addressing those problems directly may be a solution to many of the community ’ s problems .
“ Sincere question : If Afr .
Americans as a group , had the same behavioral profile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ performing the best academically , having the highest income , committing the lowest crime , etc . )
, would we still be proclaiming ‘ systematic racism ’ exists ?
” Negy said in a since-deleted tweet , according to the Tampa Bay Times .
“ This article is spot on ( will infuriate folks ) .
Black privilege is real : Besides affirm .
action , special scholarships and other set asides , being shielded from legitimate criticism is a privilege .
But as a group , they ’ re missing out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professor said in an additional tweet the Tampa Bay Times reported , referencing an article suggesting that America needs to “ treat blacks as human beings with free will.
” On Sunday , a group about 60 UCF students and alumni gathered on campus to protest Negy ’ s comments and demand his firing , the Orlando Sentinel reported .
The protesters were joined by a group of UCF officials , including President Alexander Cartwright , who told the crowd that the university had received “ a significant number of reports ” about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoke with The Western Journal via email about his tweets and the calls for his firing .
He began by pointing out that as a psychology professor at UCF , one of his main focuses is the behavioral differences between different racial , ethnic and cultural groups .
Pointing out those differences is not racist , but rather a means of finding solutions to the various problems that each one of these communities faces .
“ May I first start off by saying I teach a course in which I pose difficult and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In that course , we critically examine Whites , Hispanics , African Americans , Native Americans and Arabs/Muslims .
Most of what I cover is ‘ neutral , ’ but I do reserve a section at the end of each group where I address challenges or problems that disproportionately affect the group being discussed , ” Negy said .
RELATED : University Votes To Enact Affirmative Action Even Though It 's Outlawed “ No matter how dispassionate I try to address some of those challenges , people from all groups , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a university .
It ’ s not a social gathering , ” he went on .
“ The purpose of a university is to explore and debate ideas — even ideas that make some people uncomfortable ; even ideas that some people find offensive .
Twitter is a different ball game .
You only have a few lines to raise questions , reply to someone else ’ s tweet , or ‘ debate ’ someone .
And then you move on .
There ’ s minimal ability to say things in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s comments with context .
“ I could have worded , perhaps , my controversial tweets differently , but there remains legitimate points embedded in those tweets .
Not to mention , my personal twitter account is my business , not UCF ’ s. ” When asked if school administrators have offered any thoughtful discussion or debate over the claims he had made , Negy said school officials do not promote an exchange of ideas on this topic , but rather prefer to shut down all counterpoints they deem to be inconsistent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ UCF ( Administrators , our Department Chair , and various other minority organizations ) have publicly criticized me and those tweets , calling the tweets ‘ racist ’ and ‘ vile.
’ Administrators continue meeting with mostly , though not exclusively , African American students , reassuring them that the University ‘ hears their voices ’ and strongly condemn my tweets , and will not tolerate any racial mistreatment on campus , ” Negy told The Western Journal .
“ Administrators have never used the opportunity to educate those students on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of free speech and free exchange of ideas , and how if students are offended by my tweets , they should not believe they are entitled to never be offended and they have a right to express their views about my tweets .
But the students simply keep proclaiming they do not feel ‘ safe ’ on campus knowing I ’ m on campus , which is absurd .
I ’ ve been there 22 years .
I ’ ve never racially mistreated anyone , much less threatened anyone.
” The source of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fact that “ U.S .
universities have become cesspools of ideologically progressive group-think.
” “ Everyone must worship with religious-like zealotry the ‘ diversity , equity , and inclusion ’ mantra or else be smeared as a ‘ racist.
’ Diversity may have merit , but the way it is enforced on everyone is divisive .
We fight over everything both on and off campus in the broader society .
Various groups are convinced they are perpetual victims of ‘ white supremacy , ’ and if their group , on average , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups , the only explanation must be ‘ white racism.
’ As if members of these social groups have no agency of their own to make good life decisions ( such as staying in school , trying to be the best student possible , avoiding crime , drugs , etc . )
, ” the professor said .
“ The university where I teach is typical to almost all U.S. universities .
They perpetually nurture this narrative about how oppressed minority groups are at the hands of Whites , thereby fostering the notion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out to harm everyone else .
And white students and faculty either buy into that narrative and promote it themselves or are too afraid to challenge it.
” Negy pointed out that he has more experience studying other cultures than the majority of his colleagues at UCF .
In his opinion , their rush to judgment of his alleged bigotry is misplaced and ill-informed .
“ No one , and I mean no one , has reached out to me to express any concern over how I ’ ve been publicly vilified .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ publicly condemned my tweets and called me ‘ ignorant ’ and have questioned why I teach the course ‘ Cross-Cultural Psychology.
’ Could it be because I ’ m biethnic and a sexual minority ?
Or because I ’ ve lived in two other countries besides the U.S. , and have traveled to over 40 countries including Africa , Asia , Europe , and all over Latin America ?
” “ Most ( not all , but most ) of my colleagues don ’ t realize how provincial they are in that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ except perhaps when they were on a cruise .
By contrast , amid many hate messages from students — many of whom have never even had me as their professor , I ’ ve also received many supportive messages from past students , including offering to communicate with UCF Administrators on my behalf.
” Negy shared one final message to all of the students and faculty members at UCF accusing him of being racist .
“ If by ‘ racist ’ they mean having hatred or disdain for entire class of people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a shame they are so mistaken in their view that if one says anything critical — as in legitimate criticism — about any social group , that means prima facie that the person is ‘ racist.
’ I hold the view that all groups are equals .
As such , they are subject to criticism just like , say , Whites are .
No group should be a sacred cow .
“ For my progressive/liberal colleagues who think African Americans , as a group , ought never to be scrutinized , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The University of Central Florida is currently investigating one of its professors for disputing the Black Lives Matter narrative on Twitter.
Charles Negy, a psychology professor at the school, received harsh criticism for sharing critical critiques of the systemic racism narrative that the university described as “completely counter to UCF’s values.”
Without directly calling the professor’s comments racist, UCF’s official Twitter page acknowledged the controversy surrounding his tweets on June 4 by saying “[b]eing actively anti-racist means calling out and confronting racist comments.”
“We are aware of Charles Negy’s recent personal Twitter posts, which are completely counter to UCF’s values. We are reviewing this matter further while being mindful of the First Amendment.”
Being actively anti-racist means calling out and confronting racist comments. We are aware of Charles Negy’s recent personal Twitter posts, which are completely counter to UCF’s values. We are reviewing this matter further while being mindful of the First Amendment. — UCF (@UCF) June 4, 2020
The tweets in question, put out by Negy on June 3, pointed to the disparities in crime rates and educational achievement among African-Americans, suggesting that addressing those problems directly may be a solution to many of the community’s problems.
Here’s a suggestion to those who think they are being “screwed” and oppressed in the U.S.: Stay in school. Be the best student possible. Avoid crime. Avoid gangs. Avoid unwanted pregnancy. Avoid drugs and alcohol. Amazing what a little common sense can do you for your destiny — Charles Negy (@CharlesNegy) June 3, 2020
“Sincere question: If Afr. Americans as a group, had the same behavioral profile as Asian Americans (on average, performing the best academically, having the highest income, committing the lowest crime, etc.), would we still be proclaiming ‘systematic racism’ exists?” Negy said in a since-deleted tweet, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
“This article is spot on (will infuriate folks). Black privilege is real: Besides affirm. action, special scholarships and other set asides, being shielded from legitimate criticism is a privilege. But as a group, they’re missing out on much needed feedback,” the professor said in an additional tweet the Tampa Bay Times reported, referencing an article suggesting that America needs to “treat blacks as human beings with free will.”
On Sunday, a group about 60 UCF students and alumni gathered on campus to protest Negy’s comments and demand his firing, the Orlando Sentinel reported. The protesters were joined by a group of UCF officials, including President Alexander Cartwright, who told the crowd that the university had received “a significant number of reports” about Negy and his alleged misconduct.
Negy spoke with The Western Journal via email about his tweets and the calls for his firing.
He began by pointing out that as a psychology professor at UCF, one of his main focuses is the behavioral differences between different racial, ethnic and cultural groups. Pointing out those differences is not racist, but rather a means of finding solutions to the various problems that each one of these communities faces.
“May I first start off by saying I teach a course in which I pose difficult and polemic questions about cultural and racial matters. In that course, we critically examine Whites, Hispanics, African Americans, Native Americans and Arabs/Muslims. Most of what I cover is ‘neutral,’ but I do reserve a section at the end of each group where I address challenges or problems that disproportionately affect the group being discussed,” Negy said.
“No matter how dispassionate I try to address some of those challenges, people from all groups, including Whites, occasionally are offended. UCF is a university. It’s not a social gathering,” he went on.
“The purpose of a university is to explore and debate ideas — even ideas that make some people uncomfortable; even ideas that some people find offensive. Twitter is a different ball game. You only have a few lines to raise questions, reply to someone else’s tweet, or ‘debate’ someone. And then you move on. There’s minimal ability to say things in a thoughtful way, or elaborate on one’s comments with context.
“I could have worded, perhaps, my controversial tweets differently, but there remains legitimate points embedded in those tweets. Not to mention, my personal twitter account is my business, not UCF’s.”
When asked if school administrators have offered any thoughtful discussion or debate over the claims he had made, Negy said school officials do not promote an exchange of ideas on this topic, but rather prefer to shut down all counterpoints they deem to be inconsistent with the school’s values.
“UCF (Administrators, our Department Chair, and various other minority organizations) have publicly criticized me and those tweets, calling the tweets ‘racist’ and ‘vile.’ Administrators continue meeting with mostly, though not exclusively, African American students, reassuring them that the University ‘hears their voices’ and strongly condemn my tweets, and will not tolerate any racial mistreatment on campus,” Negy told The Western Journal.
Should Negy be allowed to voice his difference of opinion? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 100% (293 Votes) No: 0% (1 Votes)
“Administrators have never used the opportunity to educate those students on the purpose of a university, the importance of free speech and free exchange of ideas, and how if students are offended by my tweets, they should not believe they are entitled to never be offended and they have a right to express their views about my tweets. But the students simply keep proclaiming they do not feel ‘safe’ on campus knowing I’m on campus, which is absurd. I’ve been there 22 years. I’ve never racially mistreated anyone, much less threatened anyone.”
The source of the problem, Negy said, is the fact that “U.S. universities have become cesspools of ideologically progressive group-think.”
“Everyone must worship with religious-like zealotry the ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ mantra or else be smeared as a ‘racist.’ Diversity may have merit, but the way it is enforced on everyone is divisive. We fight over everything both on and off campus in the broader society. Various groups are convinced they are perpetual victims of ‘white supremacy,’ and if their group, on average, does not achieve as much as other groups, the only explanation must be ‘white racism.’ As if members of these social groups have no agency of their own to make good life decisions (such as staying in school, trying to be the best student possible, avoiding crime, drugs, etc.),” the professor said.
“The university where I teach is typical to almost all U.S. universities. They perpetually nurture this narrative about how oppressed minority groups are at the hands of Whites, thereby fostering the notion that white people are enemies and are out to harm everyone else. And white students and faculty either buy into that narrative and promote it themselves or are too afraid to challenge it.”
Negy pointed out that he has more experience studying other cultures than the majority of his colleagues at UCF. In his opinion, their rush to judgment of his alleged bigotry is misplaced and ill-informed.
“No one, and I mean no one, has reached out to me to express any concern over how I’ve been publicly vilified. To the contrary, several faculty have publicly condemned my tweets and called me ‘ignorant’ and have questioned why I teach the course ‘Cross-Cultural Psychology.’ Could it be because I’m biethnic and a sexual minority? Or because I’ve lived in two other countries besides the U.S., and have traveled to over 40 countries including Africa, Asia, Europe, and all over Latin America?”
“Most (not all, but most) of my colleagues don’t realize how provincial they are in that they have never been to any non-White country except perhaps when they were on a cruise. By contrast, amid many hate messages from students — many of whom have never even had me as their professor, I’ve also received many supportive messages from past students, including offering to communicate with UCF Administrators on my behalf.”
Negy shared one final message to all of the students and faculty members at UCF accusing him of being racist.
“If by ‘racist’ they mean having hatred or disdain for entire class of people, they are grossly mistaken. It’s a shame they are so mistaken in their view that if one says anything critical — as in legitimate criticism — about any social group, that means prima facie that the person is ‘racist.’ I hold the view that all groups are equals. As such, they are subject to criticism just like, say, Whites are. No group should be a sacred cow.
“For my progressive/liberal colleagues who think African Americans, as a group, ought never to be scrutinized, I think that says more about them than me.”
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westernjournal--2020-06-18--Democrats Turn Against Their Own Candidate After Disturbing Text Messages Come Out

Americans who don ’ t live in Nebraska have probably never heard of Democratic Senate candidate Chris Janicek .
And judging by the mainstream media ’ s coverage in the hotly contested election year of 2020 , it ’ s a good chance they never will .
But the reason for that says more about the mainstream media than it does about the Janicek campaign or the vile text message the candidate allegedly sent about a now-former female staffer .
According to multiple news accounts that likely won ’ t be getting in-depth treatment on prime time television any time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for U.S. Senate — a candidate so flawed his own party wants him to withdraw from the ticket .
That ’ s because , according to The New York Times , Janicek used a June 4 group text conversation with campaign staffers to describe a disagreement he ’ d had with the then-staffer , then posed a question that every American would have heard by now , if Janicek was a Republican , of course .
In extraordinarily vulgar terms , Janicek asked if the campaign should spend money on providing the woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will probably take three guys , ” The Times reported ( on page 20-A of the print edition , according to the online article ) .
According to The Times , Janicek “ then described in explicit terms what he wanted the men to do to her ” and asked “ Thoughts ?
” The development was first reported publicly by The Tulsa World on Tuesday — 12 days after the text messages — after the Democratic state executive committee voted Monday to deprive Janicek ’ s campaign of any party funding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP incumbent Sen. Ben Sasse .
Apparently , no one is buying the odd Janicek argument – which he gave to CNN — that he couldn ’ t be guilty of sexually harassing a woman because , you see , he ’ s homosexual .
“ I ’ m an openly gay man running for Senate against Ben Sasse , so it was not sexual harassment , it was something that had been discussed between her and a girlfriend , ” Janicek told CNN Tuesday in one of the more bizarre defenses in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a May interview explaining why he thinks he should be in the Senate .
That sounds like it all came right out of the Democratic handbook — but now Democratic officialdom in Nebraska wants Janicek gone .
“ Our Democratic Party has no tolerance for sexual harassment , ” state party chairwoman Jane Kleeb said in a statement , according to the Associated Press .
“ Our party will not extend resources or any type of support to any candidate that violates our code of conduct and doesn ’ t treat men and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deserve.
” That ’ s a marvelous thing to hear from a Democratic apparatchik , considering the Democrats ’ sordid legacy of ignoring women who ’ ve accused bigger named Democrats than Janicek of much , much worse .
( The stories of Juanita Broaddrick , Kathleen Willey and Paula Jones come to mind , with their accusations the former President Bill Clinton raped or sexually assaulted them . )
RELATED : The 1st VP of Color Was Elected Over 90 Years Ago ; He Was a Republican But the Janicek comments are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s worth pointing out , Democrats had little chance of winning a Senate seat in solidly red Nebraska anyway , no matter how much they dislike a pro-life conservative like Sasse .
But what ’ s really missing is the mainstream media broadcast and cable coverage that would have accompanied this story if it had been a Republican candidate , even one seeking to unseat a safe Democratic senator like , say , Chuck Schumer in New York .
Sure , The Associated Press covered it .
And CNN and The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ topic more coverage than they initially gave the accusations of Tara Reade , who claimed that then-Sen. Joe Biden had sexually assaulted her in the Capitol in 1993 .
But a search of the mainstream media networks finds coverage of the story sorely lacking .
NBC News covered the story as part of a roundup of political news relying on the Tulsa World ’ s report .
ABC News used the AP report .
As of Wednesday afternoon , CBS News hadn ’ t appeared to cover the story at all .
Even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that any Republican who said what Janicek said , the way Janicek said it , would have been plastered all over the nation ’ s living rooms by now .
As of Wednesday , Janicek was still in the race , which means Americans aren ’ t likely to hear much more about him , or the Nebraska Senate race , between now and Election Day .
However , the deadline for him to withdraw and the party to name a replacement candidate is Sept. 1 , the AP reported .
If that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its regularly scheduled broadcasting of boosting Democratic candidates even when they ’ re running in hostile territory like Nebraska .
And Americans who get their news from broadcast media will likely hear all about it .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Americans who don’t live in Nebraska have probably never heard of Democratic Senate candidate Chris Janicek.
And judging by the mainstream media’s coverage in the hotly contested election year of 2020, it’s a good chance they never will.
But the reason for that says more about the mainstream media than it does about the Janicek campaign or the vile text message the candidate allegedly sent about a now-former female staffer.
According to multiple news accounts that likely won’t be getting in-depth treatment on prime time television any time soon, Janicek is the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate — a candidate so flawed his own party wants him to withdraw from the ticket.
That’s because, according to The New York Times, Janicek used a June 4 group text conversation with campaign staffers to describe a disagreement he’d had with the then-staffer, then posed a question that every American would have heard by now, if Janicek was a Republican, of course.
In extraordinarily vulgar terms, Janicek asked if the campaign should spend money on providing the woman with a sexual encounter, noting “it will probably take three guys,” The Times reported (on page 20-A of the print edition, according to the online article).
According to The Times, Janicek “then described in explicit terms what he wanted the men to do to her” and asked “Thoughts?”
The development was first reported publicly by The Tulsa World on Tuesday — 12 days after the text messages — after the Democratic state executive committee voted Monday to deprive Janicek’s campaign of any party funding for his already longshot effort to unseat GOP incumbent Sen. Ben Sasse.
Apparently, no one is buying the odd Janicek argument – which he gave to CNN — that he couldn’t be guilty of sexually harassing a woman because, you see, he’s homosexual.
“I’m an openly gay man running for Senate against Ben Sasse, so it was not sexual harassment, it was something that had been discussed between her and a girlfriend,” Janicek told CNN Tuesday in one of the more bizarre defenses in American politics.
Here is Janicek in a May interview explaining why he thinks he should be in the Senate.
That sounds like it all came right out of the Democratic handbook — but now Democratic officialdom in Nebraska wants Janicek gone.
“Our Democratic Party has no tolerance for sexual harassment,” state party chairwoman Jane Kleeb said in a statement, according to the Associated Press. “Our party will not extend resources or any type of support to any candidate that violates our code of conduct and doesn’t treat men and women with the dignity and respect they deserve.”
That’s a marvelous thing to hear from a Democratic apparatchik, considering the Democrats’ sordid legacy of ignoring women who’ve accused bigger named Democrats than Janicek of much, much worse. (The stories of Juanita Broaddrick, Kathleen Willey and Paula Jones come to mind, with their accusations the former President Bill Clinton raped or sexually assaulted them.)
Would a Republican who sent a text message like this be a household name by now? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 94% (2707 Votes) No: 6% (174 Votes)
But the Janicek comments are recorded on text messages, and, it’s worth pointing out, Democrats had little chance of winning a Senate seat in solidly red Nebraska anyway, no matter how much they dislike a pro-life conservative like Sasse.
But what’s really missing is the mainstream media broadcast and cable coverage that would have accompanied this story if it had been a Republican candidate, even one seeking to unseat a safe Democratic senator like, say, Chuck Schumer in New York.
Sure, The Associated Press covered it. And CNN and The New York Times have already given the topic more coverage than they initially gave the accusations of Tara Reade, who claimed that then-Sen. Joe Biden had sexually assaulted her in the Capitol in 1993.
(When it comes to truly big-name Democrats like Biden, who sewed up the number of delegates needed to win the party’s nomination with his June 6 primary victory in Guam, of all places, the media is shamelessly protective when it comes to sexual allegations.)
But a search of the mainstream media networks finds coverage of the story sorely lacking.
NBC News covered the story as part of a roundup of political news relying on the Tulsa World’s report. ABC News used the AP report. As of Wednesday afternoon, CBS News hadn’t appeared to cover the story at all.
Even a casual watcher of American media knows that any Republican who said what Janicek said, the way Janicek said it, would have been plastered all over the nation’s living rooms by now.
As of Wednesday, Janicek was still in the race, which means Americans aren’t likely to hear much more about him, or the Nebraska Senate race, between now and Election Day.
However, the deadline for him to withdraw and the party to name a replacement candidate is Sept. 1, the AP reported.
If that happens, the mainstream media can resume its regularly scheduled broadcasting of boosting Democratic candidates even when they’re running in hostile territory like Nebraska.
And Americans who get their news from broadcast media will likely hear all about it.
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westernjournal--2020-06-17--Swalwell Calls on GOP To Say ‘Black Lives Matter’, Gaetz Agrees, Adding ‘All Lives Matter’

Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida took up Democratic California Rep. Eric Swalwell ’ s challenge to say “ black lives matter ” on Wednesday , but added that “ all lives matter.
” The exchange came during a House Judiciary Committee hearing regarding proposed police reform legislation in response to the death of George Floyd .
At the hearing , Swalwell quoted Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza , saying , “ Black Lives Matter doesn ’ t mean your life isn ’ t important .
It means that black lives , which are seen as without value within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liberation.
” “ When black people get free everybody gets free.
” “ So I would yield to any of my colleagues on the Republican side who can unequivocally say as we calibrate where we are right now that black lives matter , ” the congressman continued .
“ Does the gentleman believe that all lives matter , as well ?
” Gaetz asked in response .
“ I think black lives matter .
I think all lives matter.
” “ Can anyone on the Republican side say , unequivocally , black lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Unequivocally , all lives matter .
Why is that a problem to acknowledge ?
” Gaetz retorted .
Swalwell did not answer , but commented , “ I think it ’ s clear that my colleagues on the other side would like to put up a strawman to not have the uncomfortable conversation that we need to have about race.
” The Californian then argued the problem is systemic racism in the United States , which is manifest through police actions .
“ Typically in police shootings , most of the focus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and we never get to the harder part about the systemic issues we have in our country , ” Swalwell said .
“ Nobody is disputing that what the officer did here with Mr. Floyd should be defended , so we have the have the harder conversation about systemic issues and policing , ” he added .
RELATED : UCF Professor Is Under University Investigation For Disputing The Systemic Racism Narrative Conservative commentator Brandon Tatum , who served as a police officer in Tucson , Arizona , disputes the notion that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think that a lot of what people are accusing the country of , whether systemic racism and oppression , I believe personally it ’ s more in the mind than it is in real-life application , ” Tatum told The Western Journal .
“ There are so many institutions and situations where it proves that this country isn ’ t racist that it ’ s almost impossible to point to a certain area where you could say , ‘ OK , this is blatant racism that goes on in America that can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he added .
Tatum argued that the U.S. is actually “ anti-racist ” based on the current state of the law .
“ I think that the word ‘ systemic racism ’ is something that has been created because people need to perpetuate division and when they can not find enough actual evidentiary situations , they come up with a term like ‘ systemic ’ because there is no way to verify it and no way to fix it , ” he said .
Tatum added that fewer African-Americans have been shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under former President Barack Obama .
A Washington Post database tracking fatal police shootings since 2015 shows that year-by-year numbers of African-Americans have not increased since Trump took office .
Swalwell began to close out his remarks on Wednesday , reiterating , “ Black lives matter .
I ’ m sad to say no one on the other side will say it.
” “ Every life is precious , God-given and black lives matter , unequivocally .
Every life is important , ” he said .
Gaetz later tweeted a video clip of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ All life is precious .
All lives matter.
” Gaetz also responded to a tweet by actor/director Terry Kinney , who had called the congressman a racist tool .
“ The Hollywood Woke Left wants you to think it is *racist* to claim that All Lives Matter , ” Gaetz wrote .
“ What is happening to America ?
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida took up Democratic California Rep. Eric Swalwell’s challenge to say “black lives matter” on Wednesday, but added that “all lives matter.”
The exchange came during a House Judiciary Committee hearing regarding proposed police reform legislation in response to the death of George Floyd.
At the hearing, Swalwell quoted Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza, saying, “Black Lives Matter doesn’t mean your life isn’t important. It means that black lives, which are seen as without value within white supremacy, are important to your liberation.”
“When black people get free everybody gets free.”
“Black lives matter, period,” Swalwell said after quoting Garza.
“So I would yield to any of my colleagues on the Republican side who can unequivocally say as we calibrate where we are right now that black lives matter,” the congressman continued.
“Does the gentleman believe that all lives matter, as well?” Gaetz asked in response. “I think black lives matter. I think all lives matter.”
“Can anyone on the Republican side say, unequivocally, black lives matter?” Swalwell shot back.
Do you think Gaetz made a good point that all lives matter? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 99% (755 Votes) No: 1% (6 Votes)
“Unequivocally, all lives matter. Why is that a problem to acknowledge?” Gaetz retorted.
Swalwell did not answer, but commented, “I think it’s clear that my colleagues on the other side would like to put up a strawman to not have the uncomfortable conversation that we need to have about race.”
The Californian then argued the problem is systemic racism in the United States, which is manifest through police actions.
“Typically in police shootings, most of the focus is on the conduct of the officer, and we never get to the harder part about the systemic issues we have in our country,” Swalwell said.
“Nobody is disputing that what the officer did here with Mr. Floyd should be defended, so we have the have the harder conversation about systemic issues and policing,” he added.
Conservative commentator Brandon Tatum, who served as a police officer in Tucson, Arizona, disputes the notion that the United States is systemically racist.
“I think that a lot of what people are accusing the country of, whether systemic racism and oppression, I believe personally it’s more in the mind than it is in real-life application,” Tatum told The Western Journal.
“There are so many institutions and situations where it proves that this country isn’t racist that it’s almost impossible to point to a certain area where you could say, ‘OK, this is blatant racism that goes on in America that can be perceived as being systemic,’” he added.
Tatum argued that the U.S. is actually “anti-racist” based on the current state of the law.
“I think that the word ‘systemic racism’ is something that has been created because people need to perpetuate division and when they cannot find enough actual evidentiary situations, they come up with a term like ‘systemic’ because there is no way to verify it and no way to fix it,” he said.
Tatum added that fewer African-Americans have been shot since President Donald Trump took office than under former President Barack Obama.
A Washington Post database tracking fatal police shootings since 2015 shows that year-by-year numbers of African-Americans have not increased since Trump took office.
Swalwell began to close out his remarks on Wednesday, reiterating, “Black lives matter. I’m sad to say no one on the other side will say it.”
Texas Republican Rep. Louis Gohmert then interjected, “Black lives do matter, unequivocally.”
“Every life is precious, God-given and black lives matter, unequivocally. Every life is important,” he said.
Swalwell thanked him.
Gaetz later tweeted a video clip of his back-and-forth with Swalwell, writing, “All life is precious. All lives matter.”
All life is precious. All lives matter. https://t.co/b1CfKK5Tfd — Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) June 17, 2020
Gaetz also responded to a tweet by actor/director Terry Kinney, who had called the congressman a racist tool.
The Hollywood Woke Left wants you to think it is *racist* to claim that All Lives Matter. What is happening to America? https://t.co/eDBiSpEH6f — Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) June 17, 2020
“The Hollywood Woke Left wants you to think it is *racist* to claim that All Lives Matter,” Gaetz wrote. “What is happening to America?”
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westernjournal--2020-06-17--Tucker Carlson: Google and Big Tech Are Now the Chief Threat to Our Liberties

Anyone who works in digital publishing will tell you how important Google ad revenue is .
The tech giant controls roughly one-third of all the money spent on digital advertising in the world .
If they blacklist you , you ’ re essentially finished .
That ’ s what happened to one controversial conservative website this week .
Another major conservative website was warned they were going to be blacklisted .
In both cases , according to NBC News , the issue was over comments made about Black Lives Matter that were deemed to be policy violations .
Google had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ websites , Zero Hedge and The Federalist .
“ We have strict publisher policies that govern the content ads can run on and explicitly prohibit derogatory content that promotes hatred , intolerance , violence or discrimination based on race from monetizing , ” a spokesperson for Google wrote .
“ When a page or site violates our policies , we take action .
In this case , we ’ ve removed both sites ’ ability to monetize with Google.
” Google would later clarify that The Federalist had been given time to address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however .
This won ’ t be a defense of the relative merits of the websites in question ; Zero Hedge has been singled out in the past for its willingness to embrace conspiracy theories .
This will , however , be an examination of how big tech uses its very visible hand to act as a censor .
Fox News ’ Tucker Carlson has been one of big tech ’ s biggest critics .
In his Tuesday monologue , he pushed back on Google ’ s power — and Congress ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The host began by pointing to the fact that his previous night ’ s show — which contained a controversial criticism of the Black Lives Matter movement — was the most watched hour of prime-time television that night .
“ We never talk about ratings , and we ’ re definitely not telling you this to brag about it .
There ’ s already more than enough bragging in television , that ’ s for sure , ” Carlson said .
“ The point of telling you this is to remind you that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel like you are .
Suddenly your opinions qualify as crimes .
Dare to say what you think at work and you will be fired in the middle of a recession .
Write what you think online and you will be silenced by the big tech companies .
“ So , you keep your views to yourself .
You have no choice .
A lot of Americans are doing that right now .
They ’ re staying quiet .
And of course , that ’ s the point of censorship — to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a consensus from forming that challenges those in charge .
If you ’ re forced to shut up , they can do what they want to you and your country .
That ’ s why they do it.
” And the biggest censorship entity , according to Carlson , isn ’ t a government bureau somewhere .
Instead , it ’ s big tech .
RELATED : Joe Biden Announces Campaign To Censor Trump , Other Conservatives on Facebook “ In all of human history , no single entity has ever had more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now .
So , if you ’ re worried about the concentration of power in the hands of a few unaccountable actors , and you very much should be , nobody has more unchecked power than Google does , ” Carlson said .
“ This afternoon , NBC News decided to use some of Google ’ s power to shut down a couple of its competitors .
Power is useful for that .
An NBC employee called Adele-Momoko Fraser forwarded Google executives a screen [ shot ] from a left-wing activist group in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and The Federalist as ‘ racist . '
” That ’ s when the situation involving the demonetization and the backtracking played out .
“ Adele-Momoko Fraser was thrilled by this .
She immediately fired off a victory tweet boasting about the censorship she had inspired .
She called the two sites ‘ far-right.
’ That ’ s a term that has no meaning but does suggest some kind of immoral behavior that Adele-Momoko Fraser disapproves of , ” Carlson said .
“ At the end of her tweet , she thanked the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ views ‘ for their hard work and collaboration !
’ — # BlackLivesMatter with three raised fists at the end .
Adele-Momoko Fraser seemed very satisfied with herself .
She had done her part for the revolution today.
” Google told Fox News that the two sites had unmoderated comments sections , which was the reason for the demonetization threats .
The Federalist deleted theirs , while Zero Hedge kept its comments section .
Hence , it was blacklisted .
This seems like a strange coincidence given the fact that it coincided nicely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the left-wing activist group , but OK .
There was a great irony here about big tech , and it ’ s an irony that conservatives have been pointing out for quite some time now .
“ All of this raises an interesting question , though .
Google says it now holds conservative websites responsible for the comments of their readers .
And yet , irony of ironies , thanks to a special carve-out Google has received from the United States Congress — something called Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsible for content on its platform because the Congress says it doesn ’ t have to be , ” Carlson said .
“ So , if you ’ re slandered by someone , for example , and that slander passes through Google servers , you can not sue Google over it .
Google is immune from the consequences .
Immunity is a very nice thing to have if you ’ re a big company .
Fox News doesn ’ t have it .
“ But again , thanks to Congress , Google does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the main reasons that Google ’ s founders are some of the richest and most powerful people in the world .
Because Congress allowed them to be.
” The logic Google uses is that under Section 230 , it is a platform and not a publisher that curates its content .
And yet , Google has shown the propensity to curate its content … like a publisher does .
Even ignoring that , however , these two websites were basically threatened with being demonetized out of existence because of their comments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ platform they ’ re not responsible for .
While Google enjoys Section 230 protections , it seems , they ’ re not willing to pass those same protections on to others .
There have been voices who ’ ve called for re-examining Section 230 of the CDA , particularly GOP Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri .
As Carlson pointed out , however , Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee , who chairs the Senate Antitrust Subcommittee , has been loath to examine it .
“ Google should have faced these consequences a long time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress should have done this years ago .
It ’ s been clear for a very long time that the big tech monopolies have now surpassed the federal government as the chief threat to our liberties.
” It ’ s not just Google , mind you , although they ’ ll be in the crosshairs for the next few days over this decision .
When Facebook employees stage a “ virtual walkout ” because their company didn ’ t censor posts by President Donald Trump earlier this month , it ’ s clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside when it doesn ’ t come from the top .
This , again , isn ’ t a defense of everything on Zero Hedge or The Federalist , although calling The Federalist “ far-right ” and demonetizing them seems far out of line with what they really are .
However , it shows the massive power that Google has — and who gets silenced by it .
This , mind you , is just the beginning .
Small victories for activists working through big tech become bigger ones .
If Congress doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the opportunity might not come again .
In this case , Carlson gets it right : “ Time is up .
Seriously , it is too much .
The stakes are too high .
We need better leadership .
We need someone to protect us .
Nobody is.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Anyone who works in digital publishing will tell you how important Google ad revenue is.
The tech giant controls roughly one-third of all the money spent on digital advertising in the world. If they blacklist you, you’re essentially finished.
That’s what happened to one controversial conservative website this week. Another major conservative website was warned they were going to be blacklisted. In both cases, according to NBC News, the issue was over comments made about Black Lives Matter that were deemed to be policy violations.
Google had initially said they’d demonetized both websites, Zero Hedge and The Federalist.
“We have strict publisher policies that govern the content ads can run on and explicitly prohibit derogatory content that promotes hatred, intolerance, violence or discrimination based on race from monetizing,” a spokesperson for Google wrote. “When a page or site violates our policies, we take action. In this case, we’ve removed both sites’ ability to monetize with Google.”
Google would later clarify that The Federalist had been given time to address issues. Zero Hedge was still verboten, however.
This won’t be a defense of the relative merits of the websites in question; Zero Hedge has been singled out in the past for its willingness to embrace conspiracy theories. This will, however, be an examination of how big tech uses its very visible hand to act as a censor.
Fox News’ Tucker Carlson has been one of big tech’s biggest critics. In his Tuesday monologue, he pushed back on Google’s power — and Congress’ unwillingness to do anything about it.
The host began by pointing to the fact that his previous night’s show — which contained a controversial criticism of the Black Lives Matter movement — was the most watched hour of prime-time television that night.
Is big tech censoring conservatives? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 100% (285 Votes) No: 0% (1 Votes)
“We never talk about ratings, and we’re definitely not telling you this to brag about it. There’s already more than enough bragging in television, that’s for sure,” Carlson said.
“The point of telling you this is to remind you that you are not alone. You may feel like you are. Suddenly your opinions qualify as crimes. Dare to say what you think at work and you will be fired in the middle of a recession. Write what you think online and you will be silenced by the big tech companies.
“So, you keep your views to yourself. You have no choice. A lot of Americans are doing that right now. They’re staying quiet. And of course, that’s the point of censorship — to keep people isolated and alone, to prevent a consensus from forming that challenges those in charge. If you’re forced to shut up, they can do what they want to you and your country. That’s why they do it.”
And the biggest censorship entity, according to Carlson, isn’t a government bureau somewhere. Instead, it’s big tech.
“In all of human history, no single entity has ever had more control over information than Google does right now. So, if you’re worried about the concentration of power in the hands of a few unaccountable actors, and you very much should be, nobody has more unchecked power than Google does,” Carlson said.
“This afternoon, NBC News decided to use some of Google’s power to shut down a couple of its competitors. Power is useful for that. An NBC employee called Adele-Momoko Fraser forwarded Google executives a screen [shot] from a left-wing activist group in England denouncing two sites, Zero Hedge and The Federalist as ‘racist.'”
That’s when the situation involving the demonetization and the backtracking played out.
“Adele-Momoko Fraser was thrilled by this. She immediately fired off a victory tweet boasting about the censorship she had inspired. She called the two sites ‘far-right.’ That’s a term that has no meaning but does suggest some kind of immoral behavior that Adele-Momoko Fraser disapproves of,” Carlson said.
“At the end of her tweet, she thanked the activists who helped her to silence competing views ‘for their hard work and collaboration!’ — #BlackLivesMatter with three raised fists at the end. Adele-Momoko Fraser seemed very satisfied with herself. She had done her part for the revolution today.”
Google told Fox News that the two sites had unmoderated comments sections, which was the reason for the demonetization threats. The Federalist deleted theirs, while Zero Hedge kept its comments section. Hence, it was blacklisted.
This seems like a strange coincidence given the fact that it coincided nicely with NBC News echoing the report from the left-wing activist group, but OK.
Our policies do not allow ads to run against dangerous or derogatory content, which includes comments on sites, and we offer guidance and best practices to publishers on how to comply. https://t.co/zPO669Yd0p — Google Communications (@Google_Comms) June 16, 2020
There was a great irony here about big tech, and it’s an irony that conservatives have been pointing out for quite some time now.
“All of this raises an interesting question, though. Google says it now holds conservative websites responsible for the comments of their readers. And yet, irony of ironies, thanks to a special carve-out Google has received from the United States Congress — something called Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, remember that — Google itself is not responsible for content on its platform because the Congress says it doesn’t have to be,” Carlson said.
“So, if you’re slandered by someone, for example, and that slander passes through Google servers, you cannot sue Google over it. Google is immune from the consequences. Immunity is a very nice thing to have if you’re a big company. Fox News doesn’t have it.
“But again, thanks to Congress, Google does have immunity, and that’s one of the main reasons that Google’s founders are some of the richest and most powerful people in the world. Because Congress allowed them to be.”
The logic Google uses is that under Section 230, it is a platform and not a publisher that curates its content. And yet, Google has shown the propensity to curate its content … like a publisher does.
Even ignoring that, however, these two websites were basically threatened with being demonetized out of existence because of their comments section — which is content on their platform they’re not responsible for. While Google enjoys Section 230 protections, it seems, they’re not willing to pass those same protections on to others.
There have been voices who’ve called for re-examining Section 230 of the CDA, particularly GOP Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri. As Carlson pointed out, however, Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee, who chairs the Senate Antitrust Subcommittee, has been loath to examine it.
“Google should have faced these consequences a long time ago,” Carlson said. “Congress should have done this years ago. It’s been clear for a very long time that the big tech monopolies have now surpassed the federal government as the chief threat to our liberties.”
It’s not just Google, mind you, although they’ll be in the crosshairs for the next few days over this decision. When Facebook employees stage a “virtual walkout” because their company didn’t censor posts by President Donald Trump earlier this month, it’s clear the pressure is on big tech from inside when it doesn’t come from the top.
This, again, isn’t a defense of everything on Zero Hedge or The Federalist, although calling The Federalist “far-right” and demonetizing them seems far out of line with what they really are. However, it shows the massive power that Google has — and who gets silenced by it. This, mind you, is just the beginning. Small victories for activists working through big tech become bigger ones.
If Congress doesn’t examine Section 230 now, the opportunity might not come again. In this case, Carlson gets it right: “Time is up. Seriously, it is too much. The stakes are too high. We need better leadership. We need someone to protect us. Nobody is.”
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
* Message
* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-06-17--Woman in Tears After Home Depot Employees Build Her Casket for Dog for Free

People choose to honor the lives of their pets in different ways .
Some put together memorials , some have their pets cremated and display a photo or drawing of their beloved pet , and some bury their four-legged family members .
While there are some restrictions in suburban areas , the way a family chooses to commemorate the life of their furry friend is a personal choice and one that people often have to make during an already emotionally turbulent time .
Scott J. Poznanski , who works at the Home Depot in Racine , Wisconsin , recently had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d had to make that decision and was looking for some sort of help .
When the woman wandered into the store early on June 8 , it was unclear what the matter was , but she was clearly distraught .
He posted about the encounter on Facebook shortly following the incident .
“ About 7:30 this morning a woman came into Home Depot absolutely bawling her eyes out , ” his post began .
“ One of my co-workers brought her back to where a few of us were having a small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was looking for some form of crate or box .
Confused , we asked what for .
She went on to explain that her thirteen year old golden lab had been suffering all weekend and her and her husband finally made the decision to take the pup in to be put down.
” As with many families , this dog was not simply a dog — Poznanski wrote that she said the dog had been “ a son ” to her and her husband , and he had even been the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Depot doesn ’ t sell anything that could easily be used as a casket for man ’ s best friend , they did have the supplies .
The lumber supervisor proposed a plan .
“ The Lumber supervisor spoke up and said that while we didn ’ t necessarily have anything worthy enough to bury a dog in , she would be willing to donate the materials and labor to build a casket for her dog , ” Poznanski ’ s post continued .
“ Almost immediately the woman broke down even more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately started working on designing an appropriate box for the dog ’ s final resting place , getting the go-ahead from the store managers .
Between them and a few other employees , it took around two hours to craft a wooden casket .
This isn ’ t the first time Home Depot has gone the extra mile for people in need .
They ’ ve also built lemonade stands , therapy boards and walkers in the past , thanks to the kindness and concern of employees who see ways they can help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RELATED : Video : Shepherd Mix Learns How To Climb Ladder So He Can Swim in Pool “ There is absolutely no way that I could ’ ve expected this when I woke up this morning , ” Poznanski wrote .
“ However , my parents also taught me that people often need uplifting the most when they are down.
” “ All of us realized this wasn ’ t about the price of the materials or the lost on-the-clock productivity .
This is simply about doing the right thing and helping somebody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m so happy with how this project turned out .
Seeing the tears of closure on the face of the woman after showing her this puppy casket made the whole thing worth it and then some.
” Many have commented to commend the employees and Home Depot for their willingness to foot the bill and provide the means for this grieving family to bury their beloved dog .
What initially brightened one woman ’ s day has now given many hope that there are still kind-hearted people out there .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

People choose to honor the lives of their pets in different ways. Some put together memorials, some have their pets cremated and display a photo or drawing of their beloved pet, and some bury their four-legged family members.
While there are some restrictions in suburban areas, the way a family chooses to commemorate the life of their furry friend is a personal choice and one that people often have to make during an already emotionally turbulent time.
Scott J. Poznanski, who works at the Home Depot in Racine, Wisconsin, recently had a run-in with a woman who’d had to make that decision and was looking for some sort of help.
When the woman wandered into the store early on June 8, it was unclear what the matter was, but she was clearly distraught. He posted about the encounter on Facebook shortly following the incident.
“About 7:30 this morning a woman came into Home Depot absolutely bawling her eyes out,” his post began. “One of my co-workers brought her back to where a few of us were having a small conversation.”
“The woman explained that she was looking for some form of crate or box. Confused, we asked what for. She went on to explain that her thirteen year old golden lab had been suffering all weekend and her and her husband finally made the decision to take the pup in to be put down.”
As with many families, this dog was not simply a dog — Poznanski wrote that she said the dog had been “a son” to her and her husband, and he had even been the best man at the wedding.
While Home Depot doesn’t sell anything that could easily be used as a casket for man’s best friend, they did have the supplies. The lumber supervisor proposed a plan.
“The Lumber supervisor spoke up and said that while we didn’t necessarily have anything worthy enough to bury a dog in, she would be willing to donate the materials and labor to build a casket for her dog,” Poznanski’s post continued. “Almost immediately the woman broke down even more in gratitude.”
Poznanski and three others immediately started working on designing an appropriate box for the dog’s final resting place, getting the go-ahead from the store managers. Between them and a few other employees, it took around two hours to craft a wooden casket.
This isn’t the first time Home Depot has gone the extra mile for people in need. They’ve also built lemonade stands, therapy boards and walkers in the past, thanks to the kindness and concern of employees who see ways they can help solve other people’s problems.
“There is absolutely no way that I could’ve expected this when I woke up this morning,” Poznanski wrote. “However, my parents also taught me that people often need uplifting the most when they are down.”
“All of us realized this wasn’t about the price of the materials or the lost on-the-clock productivity. This is simply about doing the right thing and helping somebody get through an extremely difficult time. I’m so happy with how this project turned out. Seeing the tears of closure on the face of the woman after showing her this puppy casket made the whole thing worth it and then some.”
Many have commented to commend the employees and Home Depot for their willingness to foot the bill and provide the means for this grieving family to bury their beloved dog. What initially brightened one woman’s day has now given many hope that there are still kind-hearted people out there.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
* Message
* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-06-17--K-Pop Boy Band Star Dead at Age 28

K-Pop Boy Band Star Dead at Age 28

K-pop has taken a hit over the past nine months , losing four young stars from different causes .
In October , singer and actress Sulli , just 25 , was found dead in her own home .
In November , singer and actress Goo Hara , 28 , passed away .
In December , actor and singer Cha In-ha , 27 , died .
And now , as of Wednesday , another star has passed away at a young age .
South Korean artist Yohan , whose real name is Kim Jeong-hwan , died Tuesday .
He was born @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a member of the K-pop group “ No Other Man ” ( NOM ) , according to the Los Angeles Times .
In 2017 , he joined “ Top Secret , ” which eventually became known as TST .
While the group originally had seven members , after a scandal involving one of the singers , the boy band became a group of six .
At the beginning of the year , the group released the song “ Countdown.
” Yohan ’ s death has surprised many , as he had been active @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He celebrated his 28th birthday on April 16 , sharing a picture of himself holding a birthday cake .
His last post on Instagram featured a series of photos of himself and a caption that stated his desire to travel .
Many have extended their condolences and expressed how much they will miss the young star .
The young man ’ s wake is being held in Sinchon , at Severance Hospital .
On Friday he will be taken to a cemetery in Yongin , according to reports referenced by the U.K. Daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After Home Depot Employees Build Her Casket for Dog for Free His cause of death has not been revealed , and his family has asked for privacy and respect for Yohan ’ s life .
“ Hello .
This is TST ’ s label , KJ Music Entertainment , ” the entertainment group said in an official statement , according to AllKPop .
“ We are sad to relay the most unfortunate , sorrowful news .
Back on June 16 , TST member Yohan left this world .
“ The late Yohan ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The family has pleaded that media articles about Yohan ’ s passing , such as those making speculations about the cause of his death , be refrained out of respect .
“ We express our deepest condolences in light of Yohan ’ s final parting.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

K-pop has taken a hit over the past nine months, losing four young stars from different causes.
In October, singer and actress Sulli, just 25, was found dead in her own home. In November, singer and actress Goo Hara, 28, passed away.
In December, actor and singer Cha In-ha, 27, died. And now, as of Wednesday, another star has passed away at a young age.
South Korean artist Yohan, whose real name is Kim Jeong-hwan, died Tuesday.
He was born in 1992, and in 2013 became a member of the K-pop group “No Other Man” (NOM), according to the Los Angeles Times.
In 2017, he joined “Top Secret,” which eventually became known as TST. While the group originally had seven members, after a scandal involving one of the singers, the boy band became a group of six.
At the beginning of the year, the group released the song “Countdown.”
Yohan’s death has surprised many, as he had been active on social media until relatively recently. He celebrated his 28th birthday on April 16, sharing a picture of himself holding a birthday cake.
His last post on Instagram featured a series of photos of himself and a caption that stated his desire to travel. Many have extended their condolences and expressed how much they will miss the young star.
The young man’s wake is being held in Sinchon, at Severance Hospital. On Friday he will be taken to a cemetery in Yongin, according to reports referenced by the U.K. Daily Mail.
His cause of death has not been revealed, and his family has asked for privacy and respect for Yohan’s life.
“Hello. This is TST’s label, KJ Music Entertainment,” the entertainment group said in an official statement, according to AllKPop.
“We are sad to relay the most unfortunate, sorrowful news. Back on June 16, TST member Yohan left this world.
“The late Yohan’s family is currently in deep mourning. The family has pleaded that media articles about Yohan’s passing, such as those making speculations about the cause of his death, be refrained out of respect.
“We express our deepest condolences in light of Yohan’s final parting.”
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
* Message
* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-06-17--Thousands of Mexican, Brazilian Christians Defy COVID Orders, Attend Secret Masses

Thousands of Christians in Mexico and Brazil are attending clandestine masses in defiance of social distancing orders .
“ The bells don ’ t ring , there are no calls to mass , ” Antonio Hernández , who has seen churchgoers quietly enter services at the Mexican Sagrado Corazón de Jesús church , told The Guardian .
“ You just see the people arrive a few minutes before 6:30pm , enter the temple through the back door and then after that you start to hear their prayers.
” More than 80 percent of Mexicans identify as Catholic , the publication @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world ’ s second-largest Catholic population , behind only Brazil .
Latin America itself is home to more than 40 percent of the world ’ s Catholics .
Many of these Catholics have continued to go to mass despite social distancing orders .
Mexico ’ s federal government in March suspended all religious activities that involve crowds after the Mexican Episcopal Conference suspended masses following the first coronavirus outbreaks , The Guardian reported .
The secret church services are “ invitation only , ” Diego Martinez , whose mother attends the services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call you and tell you the place and the date.
” Some churches , such as Nuestra Señora de Fátima in Zacatecas , allow attendance if the participants sit behind the camera while the mass is live-streamed on Facebook .
Vicente Martinez , a Catholic in the city of Gómez Palacios , says all churches have been closed in his area but that his congregation has secret activities every Thursday for about 30 to 40 people .
“ They do a callout where they describe it as an exclusive and private mass with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guardian .
Mexican authorities raided Nuestra Señora de la Luz in the middle of mass in late May , finding around 20 people — mostly elderly women — praying .
The authorities kicked the women out of the church and sealed the church ’ s back door , through which the women had entered .
“ [ But ] they didn ’ t take any measures against the people inside — not even their temperature , ” Martinez told The Guardian .
Evangelicals in Brazil have also been sneaking into church services , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ religious gatherings in mid-March , according to the Guardian .
RELATED : Federal Judge Cracks Down on City Trying To Ban Open-Carry Firearms Brazil ’ s president Jair Bolsonaro has been calling for churches to reopen , the publication reported .
“ I won ’ t accept having to cower in a cave , I won ’ t accept hiding in a hole because I have a calling from God , ” Pastor Gilvrando Rodrigues said , according to The Guardian .
“ You could have stayed at home .
But you needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salvation.
” A version of this article appeared on The Daily Caller News Foundation website .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Thousands of Christians in Mexico and Brazil are attending clandestine masses in defiance of social distancing orders.
“The bells don’t ring, there are no calls to mass,” Antonio Hernández, who has seen churchgoers quietly enter services at the Mexican Sagrado Corazón de Jesús church, told The Guardian.
“You just see the people arrive a few minutes before 6:30pm, enter the temple through the back door and then after that you start to hear their prayers.”
More than 80 percent of Mexicans identify as Catholic, the publication reported, making Mexico the country with the world’s second-largest Catholic population, behind only Brazil. Latin America itself is home to more than 40 percent of the world’s Catholics.
Many of these Catholics have continued to go to mass despite social distancing orders.
Mexico’s federal government in March suspended all religious activities that involve crowds after the Mexican Episcopal Conference suspended masses following the first coronavirus outbreaks, The Guardian reported.
The secret church services are “invitation only,” Diego Martinez, whose mother attends the services, told the publication. “They call you and tell you the place and the date.”
Some churches, such as Nuestra Señora de Fátima in Zacatecas, allow attendance if the participants sit behind the camera while the mass is live-streamed on Facebook.
Vicente Martinez, a Catholic in the city of Gómez Palacios, says all churches have been closed in his area but that his congregation has secret activities every Thursday for about 30 to 40 people.
Should churchgoers be allowed back at religious services? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 98% (50 Votes) No: 2% (1 Votes)
“They do a callout where they describe it as an exclusive and private mass with refreshments after,” Martinez told The Guardian.
Mexican authorities raided Nuestra Señora de la Luz in the middle of mass in late May, finding around 20 people — mostly elderly women — praying.
The authorities kicked the women out of the church and sealed the church’s back door, through which the women had entered.
“[But] they didn’t take any measures against the people inside — not even their temperature,” Martinez told The Guardian.
Evangelicals in Brazil have also been sneaking into church services, though the state governor of Rio banned religious gatherings in mid-March, according to the Guardian.
Brazil’s president Jair Bolsonaro has been calling for churches to reopen, the publication reported.
“I won’t accept having to cower in a cave, I won’t accept hiding in a hole because I have a calling from God,” Pastor Gilvrando Rodrigues said, according to The Guardian. “You could have stayed at home. But you needed to be here taking care of your salvation.”
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westernjournal--2020-06-17--Officer Caught on Camera Stopping To Fix Fallen Flag Outside Nebraska Car Repair Shop

Some among us do good deeds quietly , while others engage in loud and visible acts of virtue signaling .
Many people want to do the right thing — or more accurately , they want to be seen doing the right thing .
Others humbly do what is right , not only to honor themselves and those around them but also to honor God or their country .
Good stewards of civility don ’ t need to be thanked or praised , and they act to protect principles such as honor , duty and respect .
Humble public servants , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Nebraska , go on about their businesses — doing the right things — even as they are vilified by a national movement that is increasingly spreading anti-police sentiment .
A security camera at an auto shop in the town caught the officer pausing to preserve the honor of an American flag that had fallen to the ground after its holder had broken , WOFL-TV reported .
The Kearney Tire & Auto Service security camera caught the moment on video and shared it on Facebook Monday .
“ I couldn ’ t be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ KPD .
We were out of town on Sunday and this kind officer stopped to rescue ol glory and show the respect it deserves when our holder broke .
We were called right away with the issue and we were so thankful , ” the business wrote .
“ We are blessed by each officer and hold them in the highest regard for all they do to keep us safe .
From the bottom of our hearts , Thank You !
!
” The cop on video , who has since been identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , picked the flag up from the sidewalk , folded it up and rested it against the building .
Video of the moment has gone viral online , and it highlights the importance of small acts of good behavior , which are often unseen or ignored , especially from law enforcement officers .
In Matthew 6:1 , the Bible tells us : “ Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them .
If you do , you will have no reward from your Father in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now more than ever , as we live in a society that sometimes values the appearance of righteous behavior over the actual attributes of reverence and honor .
RELATED : Black Man Defies Hateful Protesters to Their Faces , Carries American Flag Right Through 'CHAZ' Virtue signaling has become more prevalent than virtue .
While many are hard at work vilifying good cops , seeking to defund , disarm , disband and discredit them , some officers show us what moral fortitude looks like .
And they do it when they think nobody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looks like .
In today ’ s political climate , which specifically targets law enforcement officers as being responsible for the ills of society , cops are blanketed as being cruel representatives of tyranny and injustice .
But those blanket statements and sentiments suppress the good deeds of our brave men and women in uniform .
This is merely one of those deeds , which , thanks to the fine folks at Kearney Tire & Auto Service , we have had the privilege to witness .
There are plenty of examples of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certain people would simply take a moment to look for them .
Officer Schwarz knelt for a flag .
But instead of kneeling to protest the flag , or what it represents , he knelt to pick it up , and to preserve its honor and integrity .
And he probably didn ’ t expect to find that his actions would be displayed for the entire world to see .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Some among us do good deeds quietly, while others engage in loud and visible acts of virtue signaling.
Many people want to do the right thing — or more accurately, they want to be seen doing the right thing.
Others humbly do what is right, not only to honor themselves and those around them but also to honor God or their country.
Good stewards of civility don’t need to be thanked or praised, and they act to protect principles such as honor, duty and respect.
Humble public servants, such as a police officer in Kearney, Nebraska, go on about their businesses — doing the right things — even as they are vilified by a national movement that is increasingly spreading anti-police sentiment.
A security camera at an auto shop in the town caught the officer pausing to preserve the honor of an American flag that had fallen to the ground after its holder had broken, WOFL-TV reported.
The Kearney Tire & Auto Service security camera caught the moment on video and shared it on Facebook Monday.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our officers on the KPD. We were out of town on Sunday and this kind officer stopped to rescue ol glory and show the respect it deserves when our holder broke. We were called right away with the issue and we were so thankful,” the business wrote.
Do you support law enforcement during this dark chapter of American history? Yes No
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“We are blessed by each officer and hold them in the highest regard for all they do to keep us safe. From the bottom of our hearts, Thank You!!”
The cop on video, who has since been identified by the department as officer Jeff Schwarz, picked the flag up from the sidewalk, folded it up and rested it against the building.
Video of the moment has gone viral online, and it highlights the importance of small acts of good behavior, which are often unseen or ignored, especially from law enforcement officers.
In Matthew 6:1, the Bible tells us: “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”
That verse is important, now more than ever, as we live in a society that sometimes values the appearance of righteous behavior over the actual attributes of reverence and honor.
Virtue signaling has become more prevalent than virtue.
While many are hard at work vilifying good cops, seeking to defund, disarm, disband and discredit them, some officers show us what moral fortitude looks like.
And they do it when they think nobody is watching.
That is what character looks like.
In today’s political climate, which specifically targets law enforcement officers as being responsible for the ills of society, cops are blanketed as being cruel representatives of tyranny and injustice.
But those blanket statements and sentiments suppress the good deeds of our brave men and women in uniform.
This is merely one of those deeds, which, thanks to the fine folks at Kearney Tire & Auto Service, we have had the privilege to witness.
There are plenty of examples of those good deeds from law enforcement officers if certain people would simply take a moment to look for them.
Officer Schwarz knelt for a flag. But instead of kneeling to protest the flag, or what it represents, he knelt to pick it up, and to preserve its honor and integrity.
And he probably didn’t expect to find that his actions would be displayed for the entire world to see.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
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westernjournal--2020-06-17--The 1st VP of Color Was Elected Over 90 Years Ago; He Was a Republican

It ’ s impossible not to notice that the left has made a cottage industry out of trashing Republicans and conservatives as racists and “ angry white guys ” while elevating Democrats as the party of racial diversity .
As the Washington Examiner pointed out , “ Joe Biden ’ s pledge to choose a woman as his running mate , and his consideration of several black female officeholders for the role , has spurred considerable chatter about diversity in the nation ’ s second-highest office.
” The article went on to take note of an inconvenient fact for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nominee picks an African-American running mate and the two go on to win in November , she ( Biden has committed to choosing a woman ) will not be the first person of color to serve as vice president .
Charles Curtis , a Republican , was the first individual “ with acknowledged non-European ancestry ” to become vice president , the outlet reported .
Serving under Herbert Hoover from 1929 through 1933 , Curtis was either one-eighth or three-eighths Native American .
( Either way , he boasted a significantly higher amount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elizabeth Warren , who is 1/1,024th Cherokee . )
“ He ’ d like to say , ‘ I ’ m three-eighths Caw Indian and 100 percent American , ' ” University of Kansas historian David Hamilton told the Examiner .
“ And that Indian heritage was important to him as a Kansas politician.
” It makes sense that a racial minority would want to belong to the Republican Party , since it was the GOP that freed the slaves .
Moreover , the first three African-American U.S. senators were all Republicans .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact mentioned so far is true before reciting the tired talking point about how , beginning in the 1960s , the parties switched their positions on civil rights .
This narrative rests on the assumption that due to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 , the Democratic Party — many of whose members were segregationists — became the party in favor of equality for African-Americans , and the previously abolitionist Republican Party absorbed the segregationists .
Therefore , according to the left , Republicans began winning the southern United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overwhelmingly supported Democratic candidates in the years prior to the 1960s .
In 2017 , then-Vanderbilt University political science professor Dr. Carol Swain put together a video for PragerU busting the myths associated with the “ Southern Strategy ” and explaining the real reason that the South began voting Republican : In addition to pointing out how much of the South continued to vote Democratic through the 1990s , 30 years after the passage of the Civil Rights Act , and that only one of the 21 Democratic senators who voted against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the South began voting Republican because “ the South itself has changed.
” “ The racism that once defined it doesn ’ t anymore .
Its values today are conservative ones : pro-life , pro-gun and pro-small government , ” she said .
RELATED : Activists Move on from Targeting Confederate Statues , Now Have Abe Lincoln in Their Sights Since the Republican Party has become the home of conservatism , it only makes sense that Southerners would flock to the pro-life , pro-gun , pro-small government party while rejecting the increasingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats .
In other words , as Swain proclaimed , “ like other regions of the country , the South votes values , not skin color.
” The Democrats resent the fact that the South does not subscribe to their values .
Therefore , as Swain so aptly pointed out , “ the myth of the Southern strategy is just the Democrats ’ excuse for losing the South and yet another way to smear Republicans with the label ‘ racist . '
” Democrats , aided by the media , will most definitely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 election doing just that .
Depending on who Biden chooses as his running mate , they will also try to portray her as a historic pick with the opportunity to become the first “ person of color ” to serve as VP .
While the Democrats may have the media on their side , Republicans have the facts on their side .
No matter how many times the left says otherwise , the Republicans are not racist , and the first minority vice president was Charles Curtis , a Republican .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

It’s impossible not to notice that the left has made a cottage industry out of trashing Republicans and conservatives as racists and “angry white guys” while elevating Democrats as the party of racial diversity.
As the Washington Examiner pointed out, “Joe Biden’s pledge to choose a woman as his running mate, and his consideration of several black female officeholders for the role, has spurred considerable chatter about diversity in the nation’s second-highest office.”
The article went on to take note of an inconvenient fact for the left: Even if the presumptive Democratic nominee picks an African-American running mate and the two go on to win in November, she (Biden has committed to choosing a woman) will not be the first person of color to serve as vice president.
Charles Curtis, a Republican, was the first individual “with acknowledged non-European ancestry” to become vice president, the outlet reported.
Serving under Herbert Hoover from 1929 through 1933, Curtis was either one-eighth or three-eighths Native American. (Either way, he boasted a significantly higher amount of Native American DNA than Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who is 1/1,024th Cherokee.)
“He’d like to say, ‘I’m three-eighths Caw Indian and 100 percent American,'” University of Kansas historian David Hamilton told the Examiner. “And that Indian heritage was important to him as a Kansas politician.”
It makes sense that a racial minority would want to belong to the Republican Party, since it was the GOP that freed the slaves. Moreover, the first three African-American U.S. senators were all Republicans.
The left will probably acknowledge that every fact mentioned so far is true before reciting the tired talking point about how, beginning in the 1960s, the parties switched their positions on civil rights.
This narrative rests on the assumption that due to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Democratic Party — many of whose members were segregationists — became the party in favor of equality for African-Americans, and the previously abolitionist Republican Party absorbed the segregationists.
Will Joe Biden pick an African-American woman as his running mate? Yes No
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Therefore, according to the left, Republicans began winning the southern United States in presidential elections, a region that overwhelmingly supported Democratic candidates in the years prior to the 1960s.
In 2017, then-Vanderbilt University political science professor Dr. Carol Swain put together a video for PragerU busting the myths associated with the “Southern Strategy” and explaining the real reason that the South began voting Republican:
In addition to pointing out how much of the South continued to vote Democratic through the 1990s, 30 years after the passage of the Civil Rights Act, and that only one of the 21 Democratic senators who voted against the legislation became a Republican, Swain explained that the South began voting Republican because “the South itself has changed.”
“The racism that once defined it doesn’t anymore. Its values today are conservative ones: pro-life, pro-gun and pro-small government,” she said.
Since the Republican Party has become the home of conservatism, it only makes sense that Southerners would flock to the pro-life, pro-gun, pro-small government party while rejecting the increasingly pro-abortion, anti-gun, and pro-big government Democrats.
In other words, as Swain proclaimed, “like other regions of the country, the South votes values, not skin color.”
The Democrats resent the fact that the South does not subscribe to their values.
Therefore, as Swain so aptly pointed out, “the myth of the Southern strategy is just the Democrats’ excuse for losing the South and yet another way to smear Republicans with the label ‘racist.'”
Democrats, aided by the media, will most definitely spend every day between now and the 2020 election doing just that. Depending on who Biden chooses as his running mate, they will also try to portray her as a historic pick with the opportunity to become the first “person of color” to serve as VP.
While the Democrats may have the media on their side, Republicans have the facts on their side.
No matter how many times the left says otherwise, the Republicans are not racist, and the first minority vice president was Charles Curtis, a Republican.
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westernjournal--2020-06-17--Atlanta Officer Faces Felony Murder Charge in Rayshard Brooks Shooting

The Atlanta officer who shot Rayshard Brooks has been charged with felony murder .
Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard announced Wednesday that former officer Garrett Rolfe has been charged with murder , according to CBS News .
Rolfe was fired after he fatally shot 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks in the back as Brooks ran away with Rolfe ’ s taser last week , the publication reported .
Rolfe faces 11 criminal charges , including felony murder , according to CBS .
He had spent seven years with the police department before he was fired .
If convicted , he could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death penalty .
Brooks failed a sobriety test after he fell asleep in his car and then physically struggled against responding officers before grabbing a taser and running away .
Brooks was then shot and killed by Rolfe .
A Sunday autopsy found that he died from blood loss as well as damage to internal organs .
News of the charges against Rolfe comes as protests and riots continue throughout the nation over the death of George Floyd , a black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Derek Chauvin , has been fired and arrested on second-degree murder and manslaughter charges .
A version of this article appeared on The Daily Caller News Foundation website .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The Atlanta officer who shot Rayshard Brooks has been charged with felony murder.
Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard announced Wednesday that former officer Garrett Rolfe has been charged with murder, according to CBS News.
Rolfe was fired after he fatally shot 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks in the back as Brooks ran away with Rolfe’s taser last week, the publication reported.
Rolfe faces 11 criminal charges, including felony murder, according to CBS. He had spent seven years with the police department before he was fired. If convicted, he could face life in prison — or the death penalty.
Should this officer have been charged with murder? Yes No
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Brooks failed a sobriety test after he fell asleep in his car and then physically struggled against responding officers before grabbing a taser and running away. Brooks was then shot and killed by Rolfe.
A Sunday autopsy found that he died from blood loss as well as damage to internal organs.
News of the charges against Rolfe comes as protests and riots continue throughout the nation over the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for roughly nine minutes.
The officer, Derek Chauvin, has been fired and arrested on second-degree murder and manslaughter charges.
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of their original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
A version of this article appeared on The Daily Caller News Foundation website.
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westernjournal--2020-06-17--Federal Judge Cracks Down on City Trying To Ban Open-Carry Firearms

A controversial gun ban in Mississippi has been overturned by a judge , ending a two-month legal battle between gun rights advocates and the city ’ s Democratic mayor .
The city of Jackson can not ban citizens from openly carrying firearms , which they are entitled to do under state law , even during times of emergencies .
Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba announced a ban on open-carry rights in the city on April 26 amid the coronavirus outbreak , the Clarion Ledger reported .
The mayor had also asked to have the ban of firearms made permanent , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But Lumumba ’ s decision immediately drew a legal challenge from the citizens ’ rights advocacy group the Mississippi Justice Institute on behalf of Republican state Rep. Dana Criswell , WAPT-TV reported .
“ As a citizen of the great state of Mississippi who has regular business in our capital city of Jackson , I was shocked by the recent announcement by Mayor Lumumba , ” Criswell said of the gun ban .
“ I take the protection of myself and my family very seriously and believe deeply in the constitutional right to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s attempt to disarm me and deny me the ability of self-defense puts me and my family in danger anytime we are in Jackson , ” the state representative added .
The Clarion Ledger reported Wednesday that U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III has sided with the MJI and Criswell by ruling that Lumumba did not have the authority to make the determination to supersede state law with the order limiting gun rights .
As part of Jordan ’ s decision , attorneys for Lumumba and the Jackson City Council must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That decree will require the parties to refrain from attempting to restrict gun rights in the city , going forward .
“ I am very glad to know that this will never happen again in the future .
Mississippians should be able to protect themselves no matter what city they are in , ” Criswell said in a media release .
Mississippi is a “ constitutional carry state , ” which gives citizens the right to carry open or concealed firearms without a permit as long as they refrain from carrying weapons in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or any place where government business is conducted .
The Mississippi Center for Public Policy , of which the MJI is a part , states on its website that its mission is to “ advance the constitutional ideals of liberty and justice for all Mississippians by employing an evidenced-based approach to public policy whereby we advocate for and advance real conservative ideas with policy makers , members of the media , business leaders , the academic community , and private citizens.
” “ We are very happy with the outcome of this case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the group ’ s website .
“ No mayor or other elected official in Jackson will ever again be able to act on their own to take away the right to openly carry a firearm in the city of Jackson , for any reason , ” Rice added .
“ We hope city officials can find a way to effectively address violent crime in Jackson , but they must do so in a way that respects the right of individuals to protect themselves.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ editorial standards .

A controversial gun ban in Mississippi has been overturned by a judge, ending a two-month legal battle between gun rights advocates and the city’s Democratic mayor.
The city of Jackson cannot ban citizens from openly carrying firearms, which they are entitled to do under state law, even during times of emergencies.
Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba announced a ban on open-carry rights in the city on April 26 amid the coronavirus outbreak, the Clarion Ledger reported.
The mayor had also asked to have the ban of firearms made permanent, citing an increase in gun violence.
But Lumumba’s decision immediately drew a legal challenge from the citizens’ rights advocacy group the Mississippi Justice Institute on behalf of Republican state Rep. Dana Criswell, WAPT-TV reported.
“As a citizen of the great state of Mississippi who has regular business in our capital city of Jackson, I was shocked by the recent announcement by Mayor Lumumba,” Criswell said of the gun ban.
“I take the protection of myself and my family very seriously and believe deeply in the constitutional right to keep and bear arms. The mayor’s attempt to disarm me and deny me the ability of self-defense puts me and my family in danger anytime we are in Jackson,” the state representative added.
The Clarion Ledger reported Wednesday that U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III has sided with the MJI and Criswell by ruling that Lumumba did not have the authority to make the determination to supersede state law with the order limiting gun rights.
Do you support the idea of nationwide constitutional carry legislation? Yes No
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As part of Jordan’s decision, attorneys for Lumumba and the Jackson City Council must agree to sign a consent decree.
That decree will require the parties to refrain from attempting to restrict gun rights in the city, going forward.
“I am very glad to know that this will never happen again in the future. Mississippians should be able to protect themselves no matter what city they are in,” Criswell said in a media release.
Mississippi is a “constitutional carry state,” which gives citizens the right to carry open or concealed firearms without a permit as long as they refrain from carrying weapons in designated gun-free zones, such as schools or any place where government business is conducted.
The Mississippi Center for Public Policy, of which the MJI is a part, states on its website that its mission is to “advance the constitutional ideals of liberty and justice for all Mississippians by employing an evidenced-based approach to public policy whereby we advocate for and advance real conservative ideas with policy makers, members of the media, business leaders, the academic community, and private citizens.”
The group celebrated the win Wednesday.
“We are very happy with the outcome of this case,” MJI director Aaron Rice said on the group’s website.
“No mayor or other elected official in Jackson will ever again be able to act on their own to take away the right to openly carry a firearm in the city of Jackson, for any reason,” Rice added.
“We hope city officials can find a way to effectively address violent crime in Jackson, but they must do so in a way that respects the right of individuals to protect themselves.”
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