westernjournal--2020-06-17--Popular Magazine Publishes Guide on How To Tear Down Statues ‘Without Anyone Getting Hurt’

Popular Mechanics magazine published an instructional article on Monday informing its readers about the scientific ways they can tear down a statue “ without anyone getting hurt.
” “ Should you happen to find yourself near a statue that you decide you no longer like , we asked scientists for the best , safest ways to bring it to the ground without anyone getting hurt — except , of course , for the inanimate racist who ’ s been dead for a century anyway , ” author James Stout wrote .
There are two scientific ways one can do this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Physical Approach or “ The Chemical Approach.
” “ The force required to pull down a statue isn ’ t as great as you think , says mechanical engineer Scott Holland , ” Stout wrote .
According to Holland , about 70 people can successfully topple a statue by force .
“ To break the statue from its base , split into two teams on either side and work in a back-and-forth motion , ” according to the article .
“ Most statues are attached to the base by 2 to 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll actually be breaking it at the bronze above the rebar — not the rebar itself , says Holland.
” The chemical approach to toppling a statue is melting it using a thermite reaction or a sparkler .
Many people criticized the article on social media .
“ I look forward to Popular Mechanics putting together a primer on how to make a Molotov cocktail , ” Daily Wire Editor in Chief Ben Shapiro tweeted .
Photographer and writer Atane Ofiaja tweeted , “ Definitely not the Popular Mechanics of yesteryear that had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lame.
” HotAir.com editor Jazz Shaw questioned if the magazine was showing “ woke signals ?
” RELATED : Aunt Jemima Brand To Be Erased Over 'Racial Stereotype' “ Popular Mechanics goes full Taliban , ” author Christina Sommers tweeted .
“ Several engineers chime in on how to destroy statues .
I always thought @ PopMech was about building things.
” Protesters have torn down several statues in cities across the country following the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis after a police officer knelt on his neck for roughly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of several Confederate figures , as well as former President Thomas Jefferson and Christopher Columbus , have all been torn down .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Popular Mechanics magazine published an instructional article on Monday informing its readers about the scientific ways they can tear down a statue “without anyone getting hurt.”
“Should you happen to find yourself near a statue that you decide you no longer like, we asked scientists for the best, safest ways to bring it to the ground without anyone getting hurt — except, of course, for the inanimate racist who’s been dead for a century anyway,” author James Stout wrote.
There are two scientific ways one can do this, according to the magazine: “The Physical Approach or “The Chemical Approach.”
“The force required to pull down a statue isn’t as great as you think, says mechanical engineer Scott Holland,” Stout wrote.
According to Holland, about 70 people can successfully topple a statue by force.
“To break the statue from its base, split into two teams on either side and work in a back-and-forth motion,” according to the article.
“Most statues are attached to the base by 2 to 3 feet of rebar, so you’ll actually be breaking it at the bronze above the rebar — not the rebar itself, says Holland.”
The chemical approach to toppling a statue is melting it using a thermite reaction or a sparkler.
Many people criticized the article on social media.
“I look forward to Popular Mechanics putting together a primer on how to make a Molotov cocktail,” Daily Wire Editor in Chief Ben Shapiro tweeted.
I look forward to Popular Mechanics putting together a primer on how to make a Molotov cocktail https://t.co/Re2VkHeJSN — Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) June 17, 2020
Photographer and writer Atane Ofiaja tweeted, “Definitely not the Popular Mechanics of yesteryear that had guest writers like Buzz Aldrin. How lame.”
Do you think it was appropriate for a magazine to publish this article? 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: 4% (1 Votes) No: 96% (25 Votes)
HotAir.com editor Jazz Shaw questioned if the magazine was showing “woke signals?”
“Popular Mechanics goes full Taliban,” author Christina Sommers tweeted. “Several engineers chime in on how to destroy statues. I always thought @PopMech was about building things.”
???Popular Mechanics goes full Taliban. Several engineers chime in on how to destroy statues. I always thought @PopMech was about building things. https://t.co/hiXFORXRDW — Christina Sommers (@CHSommers) June 17, 2020
Protesters have torn down several statues in cities across the country following the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis after a police officer knelt on his neck for roughly nine minutes during an arrest.
Statues of several Confederate figures, as well as former President Thomas Jefferson and Christopher Columbus, have all been torn down.
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westernjournal--2020-06-17--British Group Leads Attack on American Conservative Voices

The obscure British group that nearly forced Google to drop ads from The Federalist is continuing its efforts to demonetize American conservative media outlets .
The Center for Countering Digital Hate , founded in 2019 by Labour Party organizers , put out a call for donations on Tuesday after NBC News reported that Google was poised to ban The Federalist and Zero Hedge , a libertarian-leaning website , from its advertising platform Google Ads .
Google ultimately backed down from its decision to kick The Federalist off of Google Ads , but CCDH appears emboldened nonetheless .
Imran Ahmed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s initial decision the “ biggest ever win ” for his organization .
CCDH and its affiliate , Stop Funding Fake News , have also set their sights on conservative outlets like American Greatness , WorldNetDaily , and the American Thinker The targets of the campaigns have largely been conservative media outlets .
Groups similar to CCDH have gone after Fox News , Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity .
Fox News host Tucker Carlson has also landed in the activist groups ’ crosshairs .
On Tuesday , NBC News reported that Google @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from its Google Ads platform after receiving information from CCDH .
According to NBC , Google took issue with content on both sites regarding the protests following the death of George Floyd .
The NBC News article was vague regarding the offensive material , but Stop Funding Fake News pointed to a June 3 article from The Federalist entitled “ The Media Are Lying To You About Everything , Including The Riots.
” The article , by Federalist political editor John Daniel Davidson , disputed a claim that white supremacist groups were behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Floyd protests .
Google initially told NBC News that it had blocked both sites from earning revenue from Google Ads .
But the tech giant later backtracked , issuing a statement that The Federalist had been given three days to remove its comments section , which the company claimed was the source of the inflammatory content .
Google has not responded to multiple follow-up inquires from The Daily Caller News Foundation .
NBC News also did not respond to a request for comment .
RELATED : Sen. Hawley Introduces Bill To Keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote the NBC piece , Adele-Momoko Fraser , thanked CCDH for their “ hard work and collaboration ” on the project targeting The Federalist .
That prompted criticism from conservatives and some journalists who questioned why a reporter would work with an organization with the goal of targeting a rival media outlet .
Fraser deleted her tweet and then reposted it .
She responded to criticism on Twitter by saying that she obtained the research from CCDH but did not collaborate with the group on the research itself .
While Fraser denied collaborating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Google took action against The Federalist “ after the NBC News Verification Unit brought the project to its attention.
” An updated version of the story does not include that detail .
Sean Davis , co-founder of The Federalist , blasted NBC News in an interview on “ Tucker Carlson Tonight ” on Tuesday , accusing the network of partnering with “ a foreign left-wing group in Europe.
” “ It ’ s being done by people who claim to be journalists , who claim to believe in free speech and freedom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not just that somebody came after us and try to de-platform us , the whiny cry-bullies of the left to do this all the time to their enemies , they can ’ t win arguments so they try and shut them down , ” Davis said .
Stop Funding Fake News renewed its call for Google to take further action against eight other websites it has deemed unfit to run Google Ads .
CCDH claimed success in pressuring Google and sought donations through PayPal .
On Wednesday , the group claimed that its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maker , to review whether it will continue running ads at Breitbart News .
CCDH was virtually unknown in the U.S. until the NBC News story .
In the UK , the group has mounted pressure campaigns targeting David Icke , a British conspiracy theorist .
CCDH has also sought to force social media companies to remove content it claims spread misinformation regarding the coronavirus pandemic .
CCDH ’ s board of directors includes several Labour Party organizers and staffers .
A version of this article appeared on The Daily Caller News Foundation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The obscure British group that nearly forced Google to drop ads from The Federalist is continuing its efforts to demonetize American conservative media outlets.
The Center for Countering Digital Hate, founded in 2019 by Labour Party organizers, put out a call for donations on Tuesday after NBC News reported that Google was poised to ban The Federalist and Zero Hedge, a libertarian-leaning website, from its advertising platform Google Ads.
Google ultimately backed down from its decision to kick The Federalist off of Google Ads, but CCDH appears emboldened nonetheless.
Imran Ahmed, the CEO of CCDH, called Google’s initial decision the “biggest ever win” for his organization.
Delighted that @SFFakeNews, working with @NBC_VC and @AMFraserNBC, has successfully persuaded @Google to stop ads appearing on Zero Hedge and The Federalist. @CCDHate’s biggest ever win. https://t.co/ur0E50DwWF — Imran Ahmed (@Imi_Ahmed) June 16, 2020
CCDH and its affiliate, Stop Funding Fake News, have also set their sights on conservative outlets like American Greatness, WorldNetDaily, and the American Thinker
CCDH’s efforts follow a trend of activist groups attacking media companies.
The targets of the campaigns have largely been conservative media outlets. Groups similar to CCDH have gone after Fox News, Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity. Fox News host Tucker Carlson has also landed in the activist groups’ crosshairs.
Is CCDH infringing on conservatives' free speech? Yes No
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On Tuesday, NBC News reported that Google had banned Zero Hedge and The Federalist from its Google Ads platform after receiving information from CCDH. According to NBC, Google took issue with content on both sites regarding the protests following the death of George Floyd.
The NBC News article was vague regarding the offensive material, but Stop Funding Fake News pointed to a June 3 article from The Federalist entitled “The Media Are Lying To You About Everything, Including The Riots.”
The article, by Federalist political editor John Daniel Davidson, disputed a claim that white supremacist groups were behind much of the violence that occurred during the Floyd protests.
Google initially told NBC News that it had blocked both sites from earning revenue from Google Ads. But the tech giant later backtracked, issuing a statement that The Federalist had been given three days to remove its comments section, which the company claimed was the source of the inflammatory content.
Google has not responded to multiple follow-up inquires from The Daily Caller News Foundation. NBC News also did not respond to a request for comment.
The reporter who wrote the NBC piece, Adele-Momoko Fraser, thanked CCDH for their “hard work and collaboration” on the project targeting The Federalist. That prompted criticism from conservatives and some journalists who questioned why a reporter would work with an organization with the goal of targeting a rival media outlet.
Fraser deleted her tweet and then reposted it. She responded to criticism on Twitter by saying that she obtained the research from CCDH but did not collaborate with the group on the research itself.
While Fraser denied collaborating with CCDH, her article initially said that Google took action against The Federalist “after the NBC News Verification Unit brought the project to its attention.” An updated version of the story does not include that detail.
Sean Davis, co-founder of The Federalist, blasted NBC News in an interview on “Tucker Carlson Tonight” on Tuesday, accusing the network of partnering with “a foreign left-wing group in Europe.”
“It’s being done by people who claim to be journalists, who claim to believe in free speech and freedom of expression, and it’s not just that somebody came after us and try to de-platform us, the whiny cry-bullies of the left to do this all the time to their enemies, they can’t win arguments so they try and shut them down,” Davis said.
Stop Funding Fake News renewed its call for Google to take further action against eight other websites it has deemed unfit to run Google Ads.
CCDH claimed success in pressuring Google and sought donations through PayPal.
With your help we held Google to account on their promise to support #BlackLivesMatter. Now Google Ads will no longer fund racist content on Zero Hedge or The Federalist. We need help to continue this work. Please support us with a donation if you can: https://t.co/n7fUMhKuzC — Center for Countering Digital Hate (@CCDHate) June 16, 2020
On Wednesday, the group claimed that its work has led Ford, the auto maker, to review whether it will continue running ads at Breitbart News.
CCDH was virtually unknown in the U.S. until the NBC News story.
In the UK, the group has mounted pressure campaigns targeting David Icke, a British conspiracy theorist. CCDH has also sought to force social media companies to remove content it claims spread misinformation regarding the coronavirus pandemic.
CCDH’s board of directors includes several Labour Party organizers and staffers.
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--Obama Judge Rules Against Trump’s Push for Drug Price Transparency

A federal appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump ’ s administration lacks the legal authority to require drug companies to disclose prices in their TV ads .
The ruling denies Trump a victory on a major priority for the White House : bringing down the cost of prescription medicines .
While most plans to overhaul the cost of drugs are complex , mandating that companies disclose prices is something any consumer can relate to .
Legislation that would lower drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries with high bills is stuck in Congress .
There is also a separate bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their prices in consumer advertising .
Trump , however , is not empty-handed .
His administration recently brokered an agreement with drug companies and insurers that would give Medicare recipients taking insulin the ability to limit their copays to $ 35 a month , starting next year .
On TV ads , the unanimous decision by a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit did not address the pharmaceutical industry ’ s argument that forcing companies to disclose their prices in advertising violates their free speech rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Department of Health and Human Services overstepped its legal authority by requiring disclosure under the umbrella of its stewardship of Medicare and Medicaid .
The panel issued its decision on Tuesday .
Obama-appointee Judge Patricia Millett wrote for the court that HHS “ acted unreasonably ” in asserting it had authority to impose “ a sweeping disclosure requirement that is largely untethered to the actual administration of the Medicare or Medicaid programs.
” “ Because there is no reasoned statutory basis for its far-flung reach and misaligned obligations , the disclosure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aside , ” the judge added .
Less than a year ago , another Obama-appointed judge ruled in favor of pharmaceutical companies on the same issue .
Responding to the ruling , HHS spokesman Michael Caputo tweeted , “ If the drug companies are embarrassed by their prices or afraid that the prices will scare patients away , they should lower them.
” When the disclosure rule was announced last year , Trump tweeted that “ Historic transparency for American patients is here.
” RELATED : Presidential Nominee Says Libertarian Party the 'True @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pricing details were expected to appear in text toward the end of commercials , when potential side effects are disclosed .
The government hoped that patients armed with prices would start discussing affordability with their doctors , which would gradually pressure drugmakers to keep costs of brand-name drugs in check .
AARP was among the organizations supporting disclosure .
The idea was part of a multilevel blueprint Trump announced in 2018 to lower prescription drug costs .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ editorial standards .

A federal appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump’s administration lacks the legal authority to require drug companies to disclose prices in their TV ads.
The ruling denies Trump a victory on a major priority for the White House: bringing down the cost of prescription medicines.
While most plans to overhaul the cost of drugs are complex, mandating that companies disclose prices is something any consumer can relate to.
Legislation that would lower drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries with high bills is stuck in Congress. There is also a separate bill that would require drug companies to disclose their prices in consumer advertising.
Trump, however, is not empty-handed. His administration recently brokered an agreement with drug companies and insurers that would give Medicare recipients taking insulin the ability to limit their copays to $35 a month, starting next year.
On TV ads, the unanimous decision by a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit did not address the pharmaceutical industry’s argument that forcing companies to disclose their prices in advertising violates their free speech rights.
Instead, the three-judge panel ruled that the Department of Health and Human Services overstepped its legal authority by requiring disclosure under the umbrella of its stewardship of Medicare and Medicaid. The panel issued its decision on Tuesday.
Obama-appointee Judge Patricia Millett wrote for the court that HHS “acted unreasonably” in asserting it had authority to impose “a sweeping disclosure requirement that is largely untethered to the actual administration of the Medicare or Medicaid programs.”
Should pharmaceutical companies be forced to disclose prices in TV ads? Yes No
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“Because there is no reasoned statutory basis for its far-flung reach and misaligned obligations, the disclosure rule is invalid and is hereby set aside,” the judge added.
Less than a year ago, another Obama-appointed judge ruled in favor of pharmaceutical companies on the same issue.
Responding to the ruling, HHS spokesman Michael Caputo tweeted, “If the drug companies are embarrassed by their prices or afraid that the prices will scare patients away, they should lower them.”
It’s pretty simple: If the drug companies are embarrassed by their prices or afraid that the prices will scare patients away, they should lower them. https://t.co/B8iPk96wPQ — Michael R. Caputo (@SpoxHHS) June 17, 2020
When the disclosure rule was announced last year, Trump tweeted that “Historic transparency for American patients is here.”
Drug pricing details were expected to appear in text toward the end of commercials, when potential side effects are disclosed.
The government hoped that patients armed with prices would start discussing affordability with their doctors, which would gradually pressure drugmakers to keep costs of brand-name drugs in check. AARP was among the organizations supporting disclosure.
The idea was part of a multilevel blueprint Trump announced in 2018 to lower prescription drug costs.
[jwplayer I0H3LrIW]
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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westernjournal--2020-06-17--Approved Senate Bill Pumps $2.8 Billion a Year into National Parks

The Senate has approved a bipartisan bill that would double spending on a conservation program and devote nearly $ 3 billion a year to improve and maintain national parks .
The 73-25 vote on Wednesday sends the Great American Outdoors Act to the House , where approval is expected .
It would be the most significant conservation legislation enacted in nearly half a century .
The bill would spend about $ 2.8 billion per year on conservation , outdoor recreation and park maintenance .
“ America ’ s hundreds of millions of acres of public lands are the result of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnnell said .
The Senate vote will “ ensure this inheritance will stand the test of time for generations of Americans yet to come , ” McConnell said , urging the House to pass it quickly .
Republican Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado , one of the bill ’ s chief sponsors , said the bill will create at least 100,000 jobs while restoring national parks and repairing trails and forest systems .
Those measures are especially needed now , when communities surrounded by public lands have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gardner said .
“ This is an economic and jobs package as much as it is a conservation package , ” he said , adding that Americans who have been shut in for months ” are ready to get into the great outdoors.
’ ’ Republican Sen. Steven Daines of Montana , who has pushed for the bill with Gardner , said it “ will help protect public access to our public lands and supports our national parks .
It preserves and protects our Montana outdoor way of life.
” Gardner and Daines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as Rocky Mountain and Yellowstone national parks play an important economic role .
Trump has tweeted in favor of the bill , saying it “ will be HISTORIC for our beautiful public lands.
” Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico said permanently and fully funding that fund “ will be a monumental victory for conservation and the places where we all get outside.
” He cited studies showing that each dollar spent by the fund creates an additional four dollars in economic value .
Heinrich said visitors can not enjoy national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the bathrooms don ’ t work , if the trails and campgrounds aren ’ t open , or if the roads are in disrepair .
These places that we all cherish deserve better.
” Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington credited a “ new coalition ” of lawmakers from both parties who support conservation and public lands .
“ We ’ ve made people aware of the juggernaut that the outdoors economy has been , ″ Cantwell said , noting statistics showing that outdoor recreation and tourism account for $ 887 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million jobs , much of it in the West .
“ America deserves a break right now , and the outdoors is restorative , ″ Cantwell said .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The Senate has approved a bipartisan bill that would double spending on a conservation program and devote nearly $3 billion a year to improve and maintain national parks.
The 73-25 vote on Wednesday sends the Great American Outdoors Act to the House, where approval is expected.
It would be the most significant conservation legislation enacted in nearly half a century. The bill would spend about $2.8 billion per year on conservation, outdoor recreation and park maintenance.
“America’s hundreds of millions of acres of public lands are the result of hundreds of years of exploration and conservation,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnnell said.
The Senate vote will “ensure this inheritance will stand the test of time for generations of Americans yet to come,” McConnell said, urging the House to pass it quickly.
Republican Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado, one of the bill’s chief sponsors, said the bill will create at least 100,000 jobs while restoring national parks and repairing trails and forest systems.
Those measures are especially needed now, when communities surrounded by public lands have high unemployment rates because of shutdowns, Gardner said.
“This is an economic and jobs package as much as it is a conservation package,” he said, adding that Americans who have been shut in for months ”are ready to get into the great outdoors.’’
Do you support this bill? Yes No
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Republican Sen. Steven Daines of Montana, who has pushed for the bill with Gardner, said it “will help protect public access to our public lands and supports our national parks. It preserves and protects our Montana outdoor way of life.”
Gardner and Daines each represent states where tourism at sites such as Rocky Mountain and Yellowstone national parks play an important economic role.
Trump has tweeted in favor of the bill, saying it “will be HISTORIC for our beautiful public lands.”
I am calling on Congress to send me a Bill that fully and permanently funds the LWCF and restores our National Parks. When I sign it into law, it will be HISTORIC for our beautiful public lands. ALL thanks to @SenCoryGardner and @SteveDaines, two GREAT Conservative Leaders! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 3, 2020
Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico said permanently and fully funding that fund “will be a monumental victory for conservation and the places where we all get outside.”
He cited studies showing that each dollar spent by the fund creates an additional four dollars in economic value.
Heinrich said visitors cannot enjoy national parks such as Yellowstone and Yosemite “if the bathrooms don’t work, if the trails and campgrounds aren’t open, or if the roads are in disrepair. These places that we all cherish deserve better.”
Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington credited a “new coalition” of lawmakers from both parties who support conservation and public lands.
“We’ve made people aware of the juggernaut that the outdoors economy has been,″ Cantwell said, noting statistics showing that outdoor recreation and tourism account for $887 billion a year in consumer spending and 7.6 million jobs, much of it in the West.
“America deserves a break right now, and the outdoors is restorative,″ Cantwell said.
[jwplayer Er9cix7V]
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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westernjournal--2020-06-17--Resurfaced Video Shows Hickenlooper Compare Himself to a Slave as Crowd Erupts in Laughter

It ’ s probably a good thing that former Colorado Gov .
John Hickenlooper never made much of an impression during his cup of coffee in the Democratic presidential race .
It ’ s not just because the governor ’ s style — described by The New York Times , presumably with a bit of a sneer , as a “ low-key brand of moderate politics ” — probably isn ’ t what ’ s going to ensconce one in 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue this election cycle .
It ’ s because he ’ s now generating headlines like this one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much trouble is John Hickenlooper in for an ethics violation and his ‘ ancient slave ship ’ comment ?
” That ’ s never a good thing .
Hickenlooper is currently trying to win the Democratic nomination for Senate in Colorado .
This should normally be an easy task , given that he ’ s a popular former governor of the state .
However , as The Hill notes , Hickenlooper ’ s performances in back-to-back debates against Andrew Romanoff , a left-wing former state representative , didn ’ t go so well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to explain why he ’ d twice violated state law on accepting gifts while in office .
At least those debates took place before Hickenlooper ’ s latest problem , which is doubtless a bigger one in the current political climate : On Monday , video resurfaced from 2014 in which Hickenlooper , who was governor at the time , compared the work of elected officials at the mercy of demanding schedules to — sigh — slavery .
“ If I was to describe a scheduler , a political scheduler , imagine an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the whip , and you ’ re rowing , ” Hickenlooper told an audience , who laughed at the remarks .
“ We elected officials are the ones that are rowing , and they have nothing but hard , often thankless things to do.
” According to The Hill , Tay Anderson , a liberal Denver school board member , was the first to unearth the remarks , calling them “ utterly disgusting ” in a Twitter post .
In the wake of the protests and the political climate sparked by the May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police custody , this is arguably one of the most inopportune comments that could have resurfaced — and it quickly drew what ’ s likely the first of many apologies from the Hickenlooper campaign .
“ Taking a look at this video from six years ago , I recognize that my comments were painful .
I did not intend them to be .
I offer my deepest apologies , ” Hickenlooper said in a statement , according to The Hill .
The controversy isn ’ t likely to dent his chances at winning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t perceived as a completely serious challenger .
However , it complicates a race Democrats likely need to win in order to have any chance of flipping the Senate .
Current Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner is seen as the most vulnerable of the incumbent GOP candidates this fall , particularly since the Centennial State is trending left .
RELATED : After Getting Caught Breaking Ethics Rules , Colo. Dem Hickenloooper Finds a Way To Blame GOP Now , how much this complicates matters remains to be seen .
In May , polling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and former Hickenlooper campaign manager Mike Melanson found Hickenlooper with a 54 percent to 36 percent lead over Gardner with 9 percent undecided , according to The Denver Post .
However , considering the usual media framing of the GOP as the party of racism — at least by Democrats and the mainstream media — it ’ s interesting to see yet another racial solecism by a Democrat who should have known better .
The worst instance in recent memory probably came from Ralph Northam , the Virginia governor who found himself embroiled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Just in case you forgot the sequence of events — after Northam , a doctor , made some particularly disgusting comments regarding abortion , a picture from his medical school yearbook with an individual in blackface and an individual in a KKK get-up standing side-by-side at what one assumes was a costume party .
Northam initially apologized for the photo , but then insisted he wasn ’ t one of the people in it .
Why did he remember , you might ask ?
Well , he had appeared in blackface on another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michael Jackson at a dance contest .
( This was made worse when , at a news conference , a reporter asked him to moonwalk ; Northam seemed to consider it before his wife firmly told him no . )
In terms of more recent gaffes of a racial matter , there was former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s May appearance on “ The Breakfast Club , ” where he described what he thought about the African-American vote .
“ If you have a problem figuring out whether you ’ re for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t black , ” Biden said .
Biden quickly backpedaled from the remarks , telling a black business group that he “ shouldn ’ t have been so cavalier , ” according to The New York Times .
So , yes , representatives of the party of virtue-signaling are perfectly capable of saying completely unacceptable things .
There ’ s no job that compares to slavery and public officials ought to know this , particularly when they ’ re making public comments .
Hickenlooper will no doubt spend the race making a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be enough is another question entirely .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

It’s probably a good thing that former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper never made much of an impression during his cup of coffee in the Democratic presidential race.
It’s not just because the governor’s style — described by The New York Times, presumably with a bit of a sneer, as a “low-key brand of moderate politics” — probably isn’t what’s going to ensconce one in 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue this election cycle.
It’s because he’s now generating headlines like this one from The Washington Post: “How much trouble is John Hickenlooper in for an ethics violation and his ‘ancient slave ship’ comment?”
That’s never a good thing. Hickenlooper is currently trying to win the Democratic nomination for Senate in Colorado. This should normally be an easy task, given that he’s a popular former governor of the state.
However, as The Hill notes, Hickenlooper’s performances in back-to-back debates against Andrew Romanoff, a left-wing former state representative, didn’t go so well; the former governor found himself trying to explain why he’d twice violated state law on accepting gifts while in office.
At least those debates took place before Hickenlooper’s latest problem, which is doubtless a bigger one in the current political climate: On Monday, video resurfaced from 2014 in which Hickenlooper, who was governor at the time, compared the work of elected officials at the mercy of demanding schedules to — sigh — slavery.
“If I was to describe a scheduler, a political scheduler, imagine an ancient slave ship with the guy with the whip, and you’re rowing,” Hickenlooper told an audience, who laughed at the remarks. “We elected officials are the ones that are rowing, and they have nothing but hard, often thankless things to do.”
.@Hickenlooper you have some explaining to do. — referencing my ancestors pain of being brought over here in chains to a political scheduler is utterly disgusting. #copolitics #cosen pic.twitter.com/MKKT68LMeu — Tay Anderson (@TayAndersonCO) June 15, 2020
Do you think John Hickenlooper will win the Colorado Senate race? Yes No
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According to The Hill, Tay Anderson, a liberal Denver school board member, was the first to unearth the remarks, calling them “utterly disgusting” in a Twitter post.
In the wake of the protests and the political climate sparked by the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody, this is arguably one of the most inopportune comments that could have resurfaced — and it quickly drew what’s likely the first of many apologies from the Hickenlooper campaign.
“Taking a look at this video from six years ago, I recognize that my comments were painful. I did not intend them to be. I offer my deepest apologies,” Hickenlooper said in a statement, according to The Hill.
The controversy isn’t likely to dent his chances at winning the nomination, given that Romanoff isn’t perceived as a completely serious challenger.
However, it complicates a race Democrats likely need to win in order to have any chance of flipping the Senate. Current Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner is seen as the most vulnerable of the incumbent GOP candidates this fall, particularly since the Centennial State is trending left.
Now, how much this complicates matters remains to be seen. In May, polling from Keating Research, OnSight Public Affairs and former Hickenlooper campaign manager Mike Melanson found Hickenlooper with a 54 percent to 36 percent lead over Gardner with 9 percent undecided, according to The Denver Post.
However, considering the usual media framing of the GOP as the party of racism — at least by Democrats and the mainstream media — it’s interesting to see yet another racial solecism by a Democrat who should have known better.
The worst instance in recent memory probably came from Ralph Northam, the Virginia governor who found himself embroiled in a blackface controversy last year.
Just in case you forgot the sequence of events — after Northam, a doctor, made some particularly disgusting comments regarding abortion, a picture from his medical school yearbook with an individual in blackface and an individual in a KKK get-up standing side-by-side at what one assumes was a costume party.
Northam initially apologized for the photo, but then insisted he wasn’t one of the people in it. Why did he remember, you might ask? Well, he had appeared in blackface on another occasion, where he was dressed as Michael Jackson at a dance contest. (This was made worse when, at a news conference, a reporter asked him to moonwalk; Northam seemed to consider it before his wife firmly told him no.)
In terms of more recent gaffes of a racial matter, there was former Vice President Joe Biden’s May appearance on “The Breakfast Club,” where he described what he thought about the African-American vote.
“If you have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t black,” Biden said.
Biden quickly backpedaled from the remarks, telling a black business group that he “shouldn’t have been so cavalier,” according to The New York Times.
So, yes, representatives of the party of virtue-signaling are perfectly capable of saying completely unacceptable things. There’s no job that compares to slavery and public officials ought to know this, particularly when they’re making public comments. Hickenlooper will no doubt spend the race making a flurry of apologies.
Whether apologies will be enough is another question entirely.
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westernjournal--2020-06-17--Sen. Hawley Introduces Bill To Keep Big Tech in Check

Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri announced Wednesday that he is introducing a bill aimed at fighting bad-acting tech companies hours after Google threatened a conservative publication with demonetization .
The Limiting Section 230 Immunity to Good Samaritans Act , co-sponsored by Republican Reps. Marco Rubio of Florida , Mike Braun of Indiana and Tom Cotton of Arkansas , would prevent big tech companies from receiving Section 230 immunities unless the companies update their terms of service , promise to operate in good faith and pay a $ 5,000 fine if they violate that promise .
“ For too long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Google and Facebook have used their power to silence political speech from conservatives without any recourse for users , ” Hawley said in a statement .
“ Section 230 has been stretched and rewritten by courts to give these companies outlandish power over speech without accountability .
Congress should act to ensure bad actors are not given a free pass to censor and silence their opponents.
” Hawley ’ s announcement comes only a day after Google threatened to ban The Federalist and Zero Hedge from its ad platform following an NBC News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conservative outlets .
According to NBC ’ s report , Google alerted The Federalist that it was planning to block the news site from using Google Ads over comments on an article on protests over the death of George Floyd .
Floyd was 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 .
NBC ’ s story initially triggered backlash from conservatives , and questions were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Federalist had been removed from the Google Ads platform — though the NBC story had quoted a Google spokesperson who said that both Zero Hedge and The Federalist had been demonetized .
“ To be clear , The Federalist is not currently demonetized , ” a Google spokesperson confirmed to the Daily Caller News Foundation on Tuesday .
“ We do have strict publisher policies that govern the content ads can run on , which includes comments on the site .
This is a longstanding policy.
” NBC has since revised the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest version of the article includes two statements , the first saying that Google removed “ removed both sites ’ ability to monetize with Google ” and the second saying that “ Google backtracked ” and that The Federalist “ has three days to remove the violations before the ban goes into effect.
” 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 .

Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri announced Wednesday that he is introducing a bill aimed at fighting bad-acting tech companies hours after Google threatened a conservative publication with demonetization.
The Limiting Section 230 Immunity to Good Samaritans Act, co-sponsored by Republican Reps. Marco Rubio of Florida, Mike Braun of Indiana and Tom Cotton of Arkansas, would prevent big tech companies from receiving Section 230 immunities unless the companies update their terms of service, promise to operate in good faith and pay a $5,000 fine if they violate that promise.
“For too long, Big Tech companies like Twitter, Google and Facebook have used their power to silence political speech from conservatives without any recourse for users,” Hawley said in a statement.
“Section 230 has been stretched and rewritten by courts to give these companies outlandish power over speech without accountability. Congress should act to ensure bad actors are not given a free pass to censor and silence their opponents.”
Hawley’s announcement comes only a day after Google threatened to ban The Federalist and Zero Hedge from its ad platform following an NBC News story claiming that Google had demonetized both conservative outlets.
According to NBC’s report, Google alerted The Federalist that it was planning to block the news site from using Google Ads over comments on an article on protests over the death of George Floyd.
The Federalist was never demonetized. — Google Communications (@Google_Comms) June 16, 2020
Floyd was 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.
Do big tech companies purposely silence conservative voices? Yes No
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NBC’s story initially triggered backlash from conservatives, and questions were raised after Google disputed the claim that The Federalist had been removed from the Google Ads platform — though the NBC story had quoted a Google spokesperson who said that both Zero Hedge and The Federalist had been demonetized.
“To be clear, The Federalist is not currently demonetized,” a Google spokesperson confirmed to the Daily Caller News Foundation on Tuesday.
“We do have strict publisher policies that govern the content ads can run on, which includes comments on the site. This is a longstanding policy.”
NBC has since revised the first half of its story. The latest version of the article includes two statements, the first saying that Google removed “removed both sites’ ability to monetize with Google” and the second saying that “Google backtracked” and that The Federalist “has three days to remove the violations before the ban goes into effect.”
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--Man Accused of Brutal Attack on 92-Year-Old Woman Has Been Arrested Over 100 Times: Report

The man arrested after a 92-year-old woman was attacked on a Manhattan street last week had at least 100 previous arrests , according to news reports .
On Tuesday , police announced the arrest of Rashid Brimmage , 31 , who was charged with assault in connection with the case , according to the New York Post .
The attack , which was captured on video , took place on Third Avenue near East 16th Street in the Gramercy Park neighborhood of Manhattan at about 3:30 p.m. Friday .
A woman walking down the street with a pushcart was suddenly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man and knocked to the sidewalk .
The man kept walking , sneaking one look back at the victim .
Unnamed New York City Police Department sources told the Post that police recognized Brimmage from previous encounters .
Sources said Brimmage has been arrested 103 times since 2005 for what the Post called “ petty crimes and sex offenses.
” Brimmage was convicted of sexual misconduct in 2012 and was arrested twice in 2014 on sex-related charges , sources told the newspaper .
He is listed on the New York state sex offender @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and for the “ forcible touching ” of “ other person ’ s sexual/intimate parts.
” Brimmage , who is listed as a level two sex offender , is also described on the registry as homeless .
Brimmage had been released without bail after facing several chargers earlier this year .
On Feb. 17 , he faced a misdemeanor assault and harassment charge , and was released without bail , according to the Post .
Brimmage was also released without bail after a March 5 charge of trespassing and March 9 charges of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assault and attempted assault , the paper reported .
RELATED : Trump Takes Stand Against 'Radical and Dangerous Efforts ' To Defund Nation 's Police Departments An anonymous senior law enforcement official told WNBC-TV that Brimmage was what ’ s known as “ an NYPD co-response client , which means police have responded with social workers when dealing with him.
” “ Brimmage has an extensive history of being emotionally disturbed in police encounters as well , ” the source said .
WNBC reported a slightly different version of Brimmage ’ s recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying Brimmage had three assault-related charges against him and is also a suspect in a Feb. 19 grand larceny .
Some noted that New York state ’ s so-called bail reform that permits certain offenders to be released after being charged allows individuals with multiple charges facing them to be walking the streets instead of sitting in a jail cell : We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The man arrested after a 92-year-old woman was attacked on a Manhattan street last week had at least 100 previous arrests, according to news reports.
On Tuesday, police announced the arrest of Rashid Brimmage, 31, who was charged with assault in connection with the case, according to the New York Post.
Thanks to the outstanding work of @NYPDDetectives, @NYPD25Pct officers, & the help of the community, this suspect has been apprehended. https://t.co/bJlgTL3Tja — Commissioner Shea (@NYPDShea) June 16, 2020
The attack, which was captured on video, took place on Third Avenue near East 16th Street in the Gramercy Park neighborhood of Manhattan at about 3:30 p.m. Friday.
A woman walking down the street with a pushcart was suddenly hit in the head by a passing man and knocked to the sidewalk.
[jwplayer upjvZAhg]
The man kept walking, sneaking one look back at the victim.
Unnamed New York City Police Department sources told the Post that police recognized Brimmage from previous encounters.
Sources said Brimmage has been arrested 103 times since 2005 for what the Post called “petty crimes and sex offenses.”
Brimmage was convicted of sexual misconduct in 2012 and was arrested twice in 2014 on sex-related charges, sources told the newspaper.
He is listed on the New York state sex offender registry for “persistent sexual abuse” and for the “forcible touching” of “other person’s sexual/intimate parts.” Brimmage, who is listed as a level two sex offender, is also described on the registry as homeless.
Brimmage had been released without bail after facing several chargers earlier this year.
On Feb. 17, he faced a misdemeanor assault and harassment charge, and was released without bail, according to the Post.
Brimmage was also released without bail after a March 5 charge of trespassing and March 9 charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance, assault and attempted assault, the paper reported.
Do you think New York's so-called bail reform is partly responsible for this most recent attack? Yes No
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An anonymous senior law enforcement official told WNBC-TV that Brimmage was what’s known as “an NYPD co-response client, which means police have responded with social workers when dealing with him.”
“Brimmage has an extensive history of being emotionally disturbed in police encounters as well,” the source said.
WNBC reported a slightly different version of Brimmage’s recent alleged criminal activity than did the Post, saying Brimmage had three assault-related charges against him and is also a suspect in a Feb. 19 grand larceny.
Some noted that New York state’s so-called bail reform that permits certain offenders to be released after being charged allows individuals with multiple charges facing them to be walking the streets instead of sitting in a jail cell:
Rashid Brimmage has been arrested over 100 times, is a level 2 sex offender, and this is his 4th assault since February. He gets to freely walk the streets and push over 92 year old women thanks to NYs bail reform. https://t.co/l21mR47i1z — Marc Procopio (@Brocopio26) June 16, 2020
Rashid Brimmage pushed a 92-year-old woman down on the streets of Manhattan Brimmage has ONE HUNDRED prior arrests—why was he out on the streets in the first place? While Bill De Blasio is busy locking down Jewish parks, he’s letting thugs like this run free Disgraceful. RT! — Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) June 16, 2020
Brimmage is also a transit sex crime recidivist, WNBC-TV reported.
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westernjournal--2020-06-17--De Blasio Employees Weld Brooklyn Playground Shut 1 Day After ‘Black Trans Lives Matter’ Protest

For one day on Sunday , it was like the coronavirus pandemic didn ’ t exist .
In Brooklyn , an estimated 15,000 people gathered for a Black Trans Lives Matter protest .
It was the largest of several protests in major cities throughout the nation — and they seemed to exist in a universe divorced from COVID-19 .
A New York Times article on the event barely mentioned the coronavirus .
An article from CNN skipped it entirely .
It was almost if the virus was yesterday ’ s news .
And officialdom in Mayor Bill de Blasio ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t doing anything about it .
Take a look at the crowd : I ’ m not here to pass judgment on the march , mind you .
In fact , I would argue reasonable people should have no issue with it .
The right to peaceable assembly is guaranteed in our Constitution and the right to seek cultural redress for grievances isn ’ t overridden by a virus .
Now , other liberals should try extending this kind of cultural license to hairdressers or presidents , but I digress .
The tolerance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ march contrasted with another scene from the borough of Brooklyn on Monday : City employees apparently thought it was a great use of time and resources to weld the gates to a children ’ s playground .
According to the New York Post , the lock at the Middleton Playground in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Williamsburg — shut by the city due to the virus — had been repeatedly cut by activists in the neighborhood .
The city then welded it shut to prove a point .
A few hours later , what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cutter-wielding mob ” forced its way in anyway .
“ How long can we keep our kids in prison ?
” a mother of six said , according to the Post .
“ I don ’ t feel like I live in a free country.
” The Parks Department told the Post that Middleton Playground locks had been cut an estimated 25 times in the last few weeks and the welding was “ a temporary measure … used to shut the playground after it was breached.
” “ It will be unwelded today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokeswoman Anessa Hodgson said in a statement , according to the Post .
The welding was complicated by the fact the park is located in an overwhelmingly Orthodox Jewish part of the city ; de Blasio ’ s strange fixation on events and gatherings hosted in Brooklyn ’ s Jewish communities has been a problem for his image , with many accusing the mayor ’ s administration of latent ( or , in some cases , not-so-latent ) anti-Semitism .
The crowd that cut its way into the park , according to WABC-TV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Orthodox community — still not a good look on de Blasio .
It wasn ’ t just frustrated parents weighing in on the matter , either .
At least one local state assemblyman is saying the city needs to open the playgrounds to kids .
“ This is the mayor ’ s job and he should come here and offer these people some relief , ” Democrat Joseph Lentol told the station .
On Twitter , he called the welding “ UNACCEPTABLE ” and said he would “ be calling upon Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Middleton Playground to allow children to play.
” The mayor , you may not be surprised to know , isn ’ t going to go anywhere to offer anyone some relief , at least right now .
“ I understand people ’ s frustrations , ” de Blasio said , according to ABC .
“ But if folks act prematurely , and that causes the disease to start spreading again , then that ’ s the kind of thing that will undermine our ability to get to Phase Two and stay in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” bureau-speak refers to New York state ’ s reopening plan .
The state ’ s been divided into 10 regions , nine of which are in Phase Two of reopening .
As explained by New York Magazine , “ Phase One will allow construction , manufacturing , and wholesale supply-chain businesses to reopen , as well as many retailers for curbside pickup , in-store pickup , or drop-off .
Phase-one retail categories include clothing and shoes , electronics and appliances , web and mail-order , florists , jewelry , luggage , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Phase Two will allow a wider range of businesses to reopen , including : offices , outdoor dining , places of worship ( at 25 percent capacity ) , and storefront retailers and businesses in the professional-services , finance and insurance , administrative support , and real-estate and rental-leasing industries .
“ Salons and barbershops will be also able to reopen with limited capacity , as will car dealerships.
” And then there are other regions that have been cleared for Phase Three , which means you can have gatherings of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrew Cuomo announced Monday .
Got all that ?
New York City is in Phase One because it remains the locus of the coronavirus ’ impact in the United States .
It just saw a gathering of 15,000 people for a Black Trans Lives Matter protest and the media barely mentioned coronavirus in coverage of the event , much less anything about those phases .
And from his previous statements , you can guess de Blasio isn ’ t too caught up in the phases when it comes to mass protest events that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the earlier spate of protests over the death of George Floyd killing in Minneapolis police custody on May 25 , the mayor told an Orthodox Jewish publication that these protests were different from people going about their daily lives .
“ When you see a nation , an entire nation , simultaneously grappling with an extraordinary crisis seeded in 400 years of American racism , I ’ m sorry , that is not the same question as the understandably aggrieved store owner or the devout religious person who wants to go back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporter for the Jewish publication Hamodia at a June 2 news conference .
“ This is something that ’ s not about which side of the spectrum you ’ re on .
It ’ s about a deep , deep American crisis .
We have never seen anything quite like what we ’ ve seen in the last few days .
This is a powerful , painful historical moment.
” It may indeed be , but viruses don ’ t discriminate between “ powerful , painful ” historical moments and people resuming their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is either a dangerous opportunity for a contagion to spread or it isn ’ t .
It ’ s that simple .
It doesn ’ t make locking kids out of a city playground by welding the gates shut acceptable in any way , shape or form .
And then there ’ s the matter of enforcing all of this , which New York City has proven it can ’ t necessarily do .
Instead , the de Blasio administration has chosen it ’ s going to plant its flag , quite inefficiently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Brooklyn , which the mayor is prone to target with missives like this : The contrast of the city allowing a protest with tens of thousands of demonstrators while city employees are welding shut the gates on a playground a day later should leave a bad taste in everyone ’ s mouth , particularly when it ’ s another instance of the de Blasio administration targeting the Orthodox Jewish community .
This deserves to be called out as the absurdity that it is .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ editorial standards .

For one day on Sunday, it was like the coronavirus pandemic didn’t exist.
In Brooklyn, an estimated 15,000 people gathered for a Black Trans Lives Matter protest. It was the largest of several protests in major cities throughout the nation — and they seemed to exist in a universe divorced from COVID-19.
A New York Times article on the event barely mentioned the coronavirus. An article from CNN skipped it entirely. It was almost if the virus was yesterday’s news.
And officialdom in Mayor Bill de Blasio’s New York City certainly wasn’t doing anything about it. Take a look at the crowd:
Happening now in Brooklyn.. Silent march for Black Trans lives.. shot by my friend who has this amazing view from her living room… pic.twitter.com/Caa8hj62DX — natiba (@natiba) June 14, 2020
I’m not here to pass judgment on the march, mind you. In fact, I would argue reasonable people should have no issue with it. The right to peaceable assembly is guaranteed in our Constitution and the right to seek cultural redress for grievances isn’t overridden by a virus. Now, other liberals should try extending this kind of cultural license to hairdressers or presidents, but I digress.
The tolerance for the Black Trans Lives Matter protest march contrasted with another scene from the borough of Brooklyn on Monday:
NYC Park Dept are now Welding shut the doors at Middleton Playground (Lynch Park) so the kids shouldn’t be able to play in the park. pic.twitter.com/KPOxwpksLF — WILLIAMSBURG NEWS (@WMSBG) June 15, 2020
City employees apparently thought it was a great use of time and resources to weld the gates to a children’s playground.
According to the New York Post, the lock at the Middleton Playground in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Williamsburg — shut by the city due to the virus — had been repeatedly cut by activists in the neighborhood. The city then welded it shut to prove a point.
A few hours later, what the Post described as a “bolt cutter-wielding mob” forced its way in anyway.
“How long can we keep our kids in prison?” a mother of six said, according to the Post. “I don’t feel like I live in a free country.”
The Parks Department told the Post that Middleton Playground locks had been cut an estimated 25 times in the last few weeks and the welding was “a temporary measure … used to shut the playground after it was breached.”
“It will be unwelded today and replaced with a lock,” spokeswoman Anessa Hodgson said in a statement, according to the Post.
Should New York City open its playgrounds? Yes No
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The welding was complicated by the fact the park is located in an overwhelmingly Orthodox Jewish part of the city; de Blasio’s strange fixation on events and gatherings hosted in Brooklyn’s Jewish communities has been a problem for his image, with many accusing the mayor’s administration of latent (or, in some cases, not-so-latent) anti-Semitism.
The crowd that cut its way into the park, according to WABC-TV, was made up of members of the Orthodox community — still not a good look on de Blasio. It wasn’t just frustrated parents weighing in on the matter, either. At least one local state assemblyman is saying the city needs to open the playgrounds to kids.
“This is the mayor’s job and he should come here and offer these people some relief,” Democrat Joseph Lentol told the station. On Twitter, he called the welding “UNACCEPTABLE” and said he would “be calling upon Mayor de Blasio to open the gates at the Middleton Playground to allow children to play.”
Welding the doors shut at Middleton Playground during a time when our children need the open space to run and play is UNACCEPTABLE. @NYCMayor: open our playgrounds. @UnitedJewish @DerYidNewspaper @DerBlattHQ @SatmarHQ https://t.co/D0BnrMOPbo — Joe Lentol (@assemblymanjoe) June 15, 2020
Today 5pm: I will be calling upon Mayor de Blasio to open the gates at the Middleton Playground to allow children to play. pic.twitter.com/89U3XSfMHg — Joe Lentol (@assemblymanjoe) June 15, 2020
The mayor, you may not be surprised to know, isn’t going to go anywhere to offer anyone some relief, at least right now.
“I understand people’s frustrations,” de Blasio said, according to ABC. “But if folks act prematurely, and that causes the disease to start spreading again, then that’s the kind of thing that will undermine our ability to get to Phase Two and stay in Phase Two.”
That “Phase Two” bureau-speak refers to New York state’s reopening plan. The state’s been divided into 10 regions, nine of which are in Phase Two of reopening.
As explained by New York Magazine, “Phase One will allow construction, manufacturing, and wholesale supply-chain businesses to reopen, as well as many retailers for curbside pickup, in-store pickup, or drop-off. Phase-one retail categories include clothing and shoes, electronics and appliances, web and mail-order, florists, jewelry, luggage, and sporting goods, among others.”
Meanwhile, “Phase Two will allow a wider range of businesses to reopen, including: offices, outdoor dining, places of worship (at 25 percent capacity), and storefront retailers and businesses in the professional-services, finance and insurance, administrative support, and real-estate and rental-leasing industries.
“Salons and barbershops will be also able to reopen with limited capacity, as will car dealerships.”
And then there are other regions that have been cleared for Phase Three, which means you can have gatherings of up to 25 people, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Monday. Got all that?
New York City is in Phase One because it remains the locus of the coronavirus’ impact in the United States. It just saw a gathering of 15,000 people for a Black Trans Lives Matter protest and the media barely mentioned coronavirus in coverage of the event, much less anything about those phases.
And from his previous statements, you can guess de Blasio isn’t too caught up in the phases when it comes to mass protest events that align with his political values.
During the earlier spate of protests over the death of George Floyd killing in Minneapolis police custody on May 25, the mayor told an Orthodox Jewish publication that these protests were different from people going about their daily lives.
“When you see a nation, an entire nation, simultaneously grappling with an extraordinary crisis seeded in 400 years of American racism, I’m sorry, that is not the same question as the understandably aggrieved store owner or the devout religious person who wants to go back to services,” de Blasio told a reporter for the Jewish publication Hamodia at a June 2 news conference.
“This is something that’s not about which side of the spectrum you’re on. It’s about a deep, deep American crisis. We have never seen anything quite like what we’ve seen in the last few days. This is a powerful, painful historical moment.”
It may indeed be, but viruses don’t discriminate between “powerful, painful” historical moments and people resuming their everyday lives.
A grouping of people is either a dangerous opportunity for a contagion to spread or it isn’t. It’s that simple. It doesn’t make locking kids out of a city playground by welding the gates shut acceptable in any way, shape or form.
And then there’s the matter of enforcing all of this, which New York City has proven it can’t necessarily do. Instead, the de Blasio administration has chosen it’s going to plant its flag, quite inefficiently, in the tight-knit Orthodox Jewish community in Brooklyn, which the mayor is prone to target with missives like this:
My message to the Jewish community, and all communities, is this simple: the time for warnings has passed. I have instructed the NYPD to proceed immediately to summons or even arrest those who gather in large groups. This is about stopping this disease and saving lives. Period. — Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) April 29, 2020
The contrast of the city allowing a protest with tens of thousands of demonstrators while city employees are welding shut the gates on a playground a day later should leave a bad taste in everyone’s mouth, particularly when it’s another instance of the de Blasio administration targeting the Orthodox Jewish community.
This deserves to be called out as the absurdity that it is.
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westernjournal--2020-06-18--Bob Ehrlich: The Left Has Completely Abandoned Free Speech

What theory of governance encourages the banning and burning of books , coerces agreement with its central tenets , practices revisionist history , perfects virtue-signaling , disparages dissenting opinion , invents social constructs to minimize speech , indoctrinates gullible students , revels in civil disobedience , holds idealistic appeal for young people , specializes in utopian platitudes and never , to be charitable , quite works ?
If you guessed socialism –or its cousin , fascism — go to the head of the class .
If you guessed anything else , you are likely a victim of progressive instruction at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spot the missing element in these descriptions ?
The answer , of course , is freedom — a response that is unfortunately not so automatic for so many of our educated elites .
Indeed , there is a reason that so many of the really smart people are so often the ground troops for the latest iteration of authoritarianism .
These folks tend to dismiss the uniquely American principles of limited government and individual liberty , values that have been far out of fashion with a tremendously high percentage of those who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campuses for decades now .
But the dangers associated with taking our way of life for granted is nothing new .
TRENDING : Lib Mayor Who Supported BLM Has Home Vandalized by Protesters , Calls It 'Domestic Terrorism' A number of our more important leaders have cautioned about this attitude for years .
Why , ol ’ Ben Franklin famously admonished us that we indeed had a republic “ if you can keep it.
” Two centuries later , President Ronald Reagan reminded us that the loss of liberty is “ never more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Perhaps the most prescient lesson came from the revered Australian economist Friedrich Hayek , who opined in “ The Intellectuals and Socialism ” ( 1949 ) : “ It may be that a free society as we have known it carries in itself the forces of its own destruction , that once freedom has been achieved it is taken for granted and ceases to be valued , and that the free growth of ideas which is the essence of a free society will bring about the destruction of the foundations on which it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right and left wholeheartedly agreed with these thoughts .
Free speech was sacrosanct , especially after it provided the intellectual fuel for the transformative movements of the 1960s : civil rights , women ’ s rights , the anti-war movement .
You can bet that few of today ’ s “ safe zone ” -friendly college students know that Berkeley , California , was the epicenter for free speech circa 1968 .
But a dangerous turn occurred approximately twenty years later , about the time most Americans naively hoped that the fall of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would end Western intellectuals ’ fascination with socialism .
On the contrary : A renewed appreciation for authoritarianism and its offspring , speech control , began to take root .
Even as new autocratic regimes popped up in Central and South America and a reconstituted Russia once again returned to its despotic ways , it became increasingly acceptable to degrade diverse opinions in America — especially within the academy .
Free speech advocates of different political philosophies began to worry and write about the problem ( think Bill Buckley on the right , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But then another important corner was turned : Liberals began to disengage from the fight .
Their silence created a vacuum and further energized progressives who were as willing to indict Democratic liberals as they were conservative Republicans .
Here , dogmatism recognized no party labels .
As time wore on , more of these progressives challenged traditional Democrats in their “ safe ” seats .
A few won .
More importantly , liberals got the message .
Most stayed quiet as the campaign to denigrate and even eviscerate free speech gained momentum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our present conundrum , and a personal note .
Being born and raised in Maryland meant early and relentless exposure to left-leaning blue-state politics .
Nevertheless , I repeatedly challenged the status quo during my public life , winning and losing campaigns in the process .
But rare was the circumstance in which an opponent would attempt to silence me , to make it politically and socially unacceptable to espouse my positions .
Most would never have thought to degrade an opponent in such a manner .
That would have been the demagogue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather have won the argument on its merits .
Today , times are a-changin ’ — and not for the better .
The views expressed in this opinion article are those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by the owners of this website .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

What theory of governance encourages the banning and burning of books, coerces agreement with its central tenets, practices revisionist history, perfects virtue-signaling, disparages dissenting opinion, invents social constructs to minimize speech, indoctrinates gullible students, revels in civil disobedience, holds idealistic appeal for young people, specializes in utopian platitudes and never, to be charitable, quite works?
If you guessed socialism –or its cousin, fascism — go to the head of the class. If you guessed anything else, you are likely a victim of progressive instruction at a tender age. But can you spot the missing element in these descriptions?
The answer, of course, is freedom — a response that is unfortunately not so automatic for so many of our educated elites.
Indeed, there is a reason that so many of the really smart people are so often the ground troops for the latest iteration of authoritarianism. These folks tend to dismiss the uniquely American principles of limited government and individual liberty, values that have been far out of fashion with a tremendously high percentage of those who have been administering and instructing on our college campuses for decades now.
But the dangers associated with taking our way of life for granted is nothing new.
A number of our more important leaders have cautioned about this attitude for years. Why, ol’ Ben Franklin famously admonished us that we indeed had a republic “if you can keep it.”
Two centuries later, President Ronald Reagan reminded us that the loss of liberty is “never more than one generation away from extinction.”
Perhaps the most prescient lesson came from the revered Australian economist Friedrich Hayek, who opined in “The Intellectuals and Socialism” (1949):
“It may be that a free society as we have known it carries in itself the forces of its own destruction, that once freedom has been achieved it is taken for granted and ceases to be valued, and that the free growth of ideas which is the essence of a free society will bring about the destruction of the foundations on which it depends.”
Do you think the left has lost all appreciation for free speech? 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% (123 Votes) No: 0% (0 Votes)
Not so long ago, right and left wholeheartedly agreed with these thoughts. Free speech was sacrosanct, especially after it provided the intellectual fuel for the transformative movements of the 1960s: civil rights, women’s rights, the anti-war movement. You can bet that few of today’s “safe zone”-friendly college students know that Berkeley, California, was the epicenter for free speech circa 1968.
But a dangerous turn occurred approximately twenty years later, about the time most Americans naively hoped that the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Soviet Union would end Western intellectuals’ fascination with socialism.
On the contrary: A renewed appreciation for authoritarianism and its offspring, speech control, began to take root. Even as new autocratic regimes popped up in Central and South America and a reconstituted Russia once again returned to its despotic ways, it became increasingly acceptable to degrade diverse opinions in America — especially within the academy.
Free speech advocates of different political philosophies began to worry and write about the problem (think Bill Buckley on the right, Christopher Hitchens on the left).
But then another important corner was turned: Liberals began to disengage from the fight. Their silence created a vacuum and further energized progressives who were as willing to indict Democratic liberals as they were conservative Republicans. Here, dogmatism recognized no party labels.
As time wore on, more of these progressives challenged traditional Democrats in their “safe” seats. A few won. More importantly, liberals got the message. Most stayed quiet as the campaign to denigrate and even eviscerate free speech gained momentum.
All of which brings us to our present conundrum, and a personal note.
Being born and raised in Maryland meant early and relentless exposure to left-leaning blue-state politics. Nevertheless, I repeatedly challenged the status quo during my public life, winning and losing campaigns in the process.
But rare was the circumstance in which an opponent would attempt to silence me, to make it politically and socially unacceptable to espouse my positions. Most would never have thought to degrade an opponent in such a manner. That would have been the demagogue’s way out. They would rather have won the argument on its merits.
Today, times are a-changin’ — and not for the better.
The views expressed in this opinion article are those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by the owners of this website. If you are interested in contributing an Op-Ed to The Western Journal, you can learn about our submission guidelines and process here.
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westernjournal--2020-06-18--Oscars Reveal Plans To ‘Implement New Representation and Inclusion Standards’

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the latest organization to launch a racial equity initiative in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death .
On Friday , the Academy , home of the Oscar awards , announced its new initiative that will “ implement new representation and inclusion standards.
” “ We are excited to announce the next phase of our equity and inclusion initiative .
In our efforts to increase representation , we are working to create new industry standards , add new voices to our Board of Governors and expand the Best Picture category @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweet .
This new initiative includes different ways that the organization will try to promote racial and gender equity in the Oscar awards and throughout the rest of the organization .
“ The Academy will encourage equitable hiring practices and representation on and off screen in order to better reflect the diversity of the film community , ” the statement read .
First and foremost , the Academy will “ implement a quarterly viewing process ” that will allow voting board members more viewing time per film , starting with the 94th annual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible for members to view films released year-round , the Academy will broaden each film ’ s exposure , level the playing field , and ensure all eligible films can be seen by voting members , ” the statement read .
The amendments don ’ t just apply to the Oscars themselves .
The Academy sent its board of governors through “ unconscious bias training ” in January .
Now that racial tensions in the country are rising after the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery , George Floyd and most recently Rayshard Brooks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requirement for all board , committee and staff members .
In addition to employee training , the Academy plans to host a series of panels called “ Academy Dialogue : It Starts With Us , ” which will be offered to the public .
According to the statement , these conversations will propose “ systemic changes that need to occur in areas such as casting , screenwriting , producing , directing , financing and greenlighting of movies in order to afford opportunities to women and people of color and to help create a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also listed different areas of opportunity for students , women , underrepresented artists and others .
RELATED : Comedian Kevin Hart Relents to LGBTQ Outrage Mob over His Jokes : ' I Did F*** Up' Programs such as the Academy Grants Program , the Academy Women ’ s Initiative and the Student Academy Awards offer future filmmakers a platform to present their work and get their foot in the door .
Though the organization has taken the initiative to promote equality in the workplace and on-screen , it doesn ’ t appear to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ users .
After the statement was released , Twitter blew up with the 2015 hashtag # OscarsSoWhite that came to be after that year ’ s 20 acting nominations were all awarded to white actors .
This sparked immediate outrage and the hashtag was created .
Now that hashtag is back .
For those who thought that the # OscarsSoWhite hashtag had run its course five years ago , it doesn ’ t appear to be going anywhere anytime soon .
The 93rd annual Oscars will be on April 25 , 2021 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Feb. 27 , 2022 .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the latest organization to launch a racial equity initiative in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
On Friday, the Academy, home of the Oscar awards, announced its new initiative that will “implement new representation and inclusion standards.”
“We are excited to announce the next phase of our equity and inclusion initiative. In our efforts to increase representation, we are working to create new industry standards, add new voices to our Board of Governors and expand the Best Picture category,” The Academy explained in a tweet.
We are excited to announce the next phase of our equity and inclusion initiative. In our efforts to increase representation, we are working to create new industry standards, add new voices to our Board of Governors and expand the Best Picture category. https://t.co/HSIfHtXPVh — The Academy (@TheAcademy) June 12, 2020
This new initiative includes different ways that the organization will try to promote racial and gender equity in the Oscar awards and throughout the rest of the organization.
“The Academy will encourage equitable hiring practices and representation on and off screen in order to better reflect the diversity of the film community,” the statement read.
First and foremost, the Academy will “implement a quarterly viewing process” that will allow voting board members more viewing time per film, starting with the 94th annual Oscar awards.
“By making it possible for members to view films released year-round, the Academy will broaden each film’s exposure, level the playing field, and ensure all eligible films can be seen by voting members,” the statement read.
Are you surprised to see the Oscars announce a program like this? 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: 8% (7 Votes) No: 92% (83 Votes)
The amendments don’t just apply to the Oscars themselves. The Academy sent its board of governors through “unconscious bias training” in January.
Now that racial tensions in the country are rising after the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and most recently Rayshard Brooks, this training session will be an annual requirement for all board, committee and staff members.
In addition to employee training, the Academy plans to host a series of panels called “Academy Dialogue: It Starts With Us,” which will be offered to the public.
According to the statement, these conversations will propose “systemic changes that need to occur in areas such as casting, screenwriting, producing, directing, financing and greenlighting of movies in order to afford opportunities to women and people of color and to help create a new narrative for recovery.”
The Academy also listed different areas of opportunity for students, women, underrepresented artists and others.
Programs such as the Academy Grants Program, the Academy Women’s Initiative and the Student Academy Awards offer future filmmakers a platform to present their work and get their foot in the door.
Though the organization has taken the initiative to promote equality in the workplace and on-screen, it doesn’t appear to be quite enough for some social media users.
After the statement was released, Twitter blew up with the 2015 hashtag #OscarsSoWhite that came to be after that year’s 20 acting nominations were all awarded to white actors. This sparked immediate outrage and the hashtag was created.
Now that hashtag is back.
#oscarssowhite should be because we don’t show up not because they failed to nominate us yet again. — This Black Life (@LaurenEnchanted) June 17, 2020
So when all these years #OscarsSoWhite was trending they thought people were talking about what? The red carpet gowns? https://t.co/7MrvkfWce1 — Gravitas (@Afika_Lulo) June 13, 2020
For those who thought that the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag had run its course five years ago, it doesn’t appear to be going anywhere anytime soon.
The 93rd annual Oscars will be on April 25, 2021, and the 94th event will be on Feb. 27, 2022.
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westernjournal--2020-06-17--Removal of Lee Statue Halted by Lawsuit

Removal of Lee Statue Halted by Lawsuit

A group of property owners along Richmond ’ s famed Monument Avenue dropped one lawsuit and immediately replaced it with another on Wednesday seeking to block the removal of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee , an attorney for the group said .
The six plaintiffs had initially filed a state lawsuit in Richmond Circuit Court on Monday , but Attorney General Mark Herring moved it to federal court .
The plaintiffs then dropped the lawsuit altogether on Wednesday and filed a new , similar suit again in the state court , according to attorney Patrick McSweeney .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northam ’ s authority to order the statue ’ s removal from its prominent place in the ex-capital of the Confederacy .
It argues that doing so would violate the terms of the deed conveying the statue , an 1889 legislative provision and state laws .
It also says removing the statue would strip a stretch of Monument Avenue of its current National Historic Landmark designation .
TRENDING : Lib Mayor Who Supported BLM Has Home Vandalized by Protesters , Calls It 'Domestic Terrorism' Northam announced earlier this month that the statue would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while his administration seeks public input on its future .
He cited the unrest gripping the country over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Floyd ’ s death has sparked global protests and riots .
It has also led to the removal and vandalism of statues and monuments of historical figures around the world .
The governor has repeatedly said he ’ s confident in his authority to remove the statue .
Herring , a Democrat , has pledged to defend Northam ’ s plans , calling the Lee statue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is one of five memorials to the Confederacy along Monument Avenue and the only one on state property .
The Richmond City Council has expressed unanimous support for removing the rest , which have been covered with graffiti in recent weeks .
A hearing is scheduled Thursday in Richmond Circuit Court in a separate state lawsuit over the Lee statue removal plans .
A judge in that case has issued a temporary injunction preventing its removal .
McSweeney said he filed a motion to consolidate that case and his clients ’ .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A group of property owners along Richmond’s famed Monument Avenue dropped one lawsuit and immediately replaced it with another on Wednesday seeking to block the removal of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, an attorney for the group said.
The six plaintiffs had initially filed a state lawsuit in Richmond Circuit Court on Monday, but Attorney General Mark Herring moved it to federal court. The plaintiffs then dropped the lawsuit altogether on Wednesday and filed a new, similar suit again in the state court, according to attorney Patrick McSweeney.
The complaint challenges Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam’s authority to order the statue’s removal from its prominent place in the ex-capital of the Confederacy.
It argues that doing so would violate the terms of the deed conveying the statue, an 1889 legislative provision and state laws.
It also says removing the statue would strip a stretch of Monument Avenue of its current National Historic Landmark designation.
Northam announced earlier this month that the statue would be taken down and moved to storage while his administration seeks public input on its future.
He cited the unrest gripping the country over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Floyd’s death has sparked global protests and riots. It has also led to the removal and vandalism of statues and monuments of historical figures around the world.
The governor has repeatedly said he’s confident in his authority to remove the statue. Herring, a Democrat, has pledged to defend Northam’s plans, calling the Lee statue a “divisive relic.”
Do you believe Gov. Northam has the power to remove the statue? Yes No
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The statue is one of five memorials to the Confederacy along Monument Avenue and the only one on state property.
The Richmond City Council has expressed unanimous support for removing the rest, which have been covered with graffiti in recent weeks.
A hearing is scheduled Thursday in Richmond Circuit Court in a separate state lawsuit over the Lee statue removal plans. A judge in that case has issued a temporary injunction preventing its removal.
McSweeney said he filed a motion to consolidate that case and his clients’.
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The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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