theblaze--2020-06-13--Entire Florida city's SWAT team resigns after police chief kneels with protesters

They will remain on the police force , but have left the SWAT team

Officers of the Hallandale Beach Police Department were so angered by their chief kneeling to show solidarity with protesters that every member of the SWAT team resigned from those duties.
The officers did not resign completely from the police force, and will stay on duty.
Those who resigned specifically cited City of Hallandale Beach Police Chief Sonia Quinones kneeling with protesters against racism, hatred, and intolerance as the reason for their startling act.
"The risk of carrying out our duties in this capacity is no longer acceptable to us and our families. The anguish and stress of knowing that what we may be lawfully called upon to do in today's political climate combined with the team's current situation and several recent local events, leave us in a position that is untenable," the officers said in their resignation letter.
Chief Quinones will meet with the officers who resigned on Monday in order to hear out their grievances.
The city said that they will continue to have SWAT services through mutual aid agreements with other cities.
Police agencies have responded to the outbreak of protests and rioting in different ways. While some have tried to maintain their distance from the goals of the protests, others have openly joined demonstrators.
Here's more about the resignations:


theblaze--2020-06-13--Nashville autonomous zone 'will not be tolerated,' Tennessee governor warns amid threat

Nashville autonomous zone 'will not be tolerated , ' Tennessee governor warns amid threat

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) made it clear Friday that a planned "Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone" in Nashville would "not be tolerated," after a threat went viral promoting a takeover mimicking the CHAZ in Seattle.
What are the details?
The Tennessean reported that "a graphic circulating online Thursday and Friday announced plans for a 'Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone' at Legislative Plaza, a public area located directly across the street from the Capitol, though it's unclear who is behind plans for the sit-in."
The outlet noted, "the apparent effort comes as activists in Seattle established their own autonomous zone, taking over multiple city blocks in recent days and refusing to leave."
Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R) shared the flyer on Twitter with the message, "Nashville — radical anarchists are coming to town. Please watch out. These misfits want to turn our city into Seattle."
The Nashville CHAZ was supposed to launch at 5:00 p.m. on Friday evening. Shorty after noon, Gov. Lee issued a statement saying:
We encourage Tennesseans to exercise their First Amendment rights and have seen many examples of peaceful protests across our state in recent weeks. As demonstrations continue, we will continue to protect Tennesseans' right to peaceful assembly, while also reassuring citizens that lawlessness, autonomous zones, and violence will not be tolerated. Further, Tennessee law expressly prohibits camping on state property not expressly designated as a campground area, and that law will be enforced.
Anything else?
The CHAZ in Seattle has become a point of contention for politicians, residents, and law enforcement since it took over several city blocks in a neighborhood, declaring it a "cop-free zone."
President Donald Trump threatened federal action over Seattle's mayor and Washington's governor failure to shut down the anarchists' occupation.
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan (D) has praised the CHAZ as a place for "peaceful expression," but the city's police chief says the activists are delaying and sometimes even prohibiting law enforcement from responding to violent crimes in the area.


theblaze--2020-06-13--Walmart replaces all cashiers with self-checkout in one store — and they may roll it out all over th

Walmart replaces all cashiers with self-checkout in one store — and they may roll it out all over the country @ @ @ @ @ minimum wage debate ?

Superstore giant Walmart is testing out a new policy replacing all cashiers at one of their stores with self-checkout kiosks, and they're considering doing it all over the country.
The pilot program is being implemented at their store in Fayetteville, Arkansas, but if it is successful it could be heading to stores all across the country.
Customers that need assistance will still be able to get help from employees, said a spokesperson for Walmart.
The goal of the program is to increase safety in the wake of the coronavirus epidemic by limiting human interaction. An added benefit is an increase in speed of checking out purchases.
Feedback from customers and employees will be used to gauge the successfulness of the program.
The increase in self-checkout kiosks may have important ramifications for the nationwide minimum wage debate. Walmart is the largest private employer in the world with 2.2 million employees, and also the largest in the United States, with 1.3 million workers.
It will also have implications for the question of how many of the jobs that have been lost during the course of the coronavirus pandemic will be lost permanently.
In April 2019 Walmart announced that they would be expanding their fleet of robots to replace human workers in specific jobs.
Here's a local news video about the new policy:


theblaze--2020-06-14--There was a dumpster fire in the autonomous zone so citizens of the CHAZ called the Seattle fire dep

There was a dumpster fire in the autonomous zone so citizens of the CHAZ called the Seattle fire department

It's been an interesting week for the newly-created Capital Hill Autonomous Zone. There have been reports that a Seattle rapper named Raz Simone has usurped power in CHAZ by becoming an alleged "terrorist warlord." A community leader demanded that white CHAZ citizens give money to their black counterparts.
Then there was a literal dumpster fire on the border of the autonomous zone, automatically making for the most fantastic metaphor in the history of metaphors.
But it gets better. The independent citizens of the autonomous zone were concerned about the blaze, so they put out the fire themselves because after all they are "autonomous." Just kidding. The CHAZ natives called the taxpayer-funded Seattle fire department to put out the dumpster fire because, of course, they did.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary's definition of "autonomous" is "having the right or power of self-government." So much for all that self-sufficiency.


theblaze--2020-06-13--George Floyd's family to launch civil case against Derek Chauvin to 'hold him fully accountable'

George Floyd 's family to launch civil case against Derek Chauvin to 'hold him fully accountable' The family intends to @ @ @ @ @ involved in George Floyd 's death

The family of George Floyd will file a lawsuit against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. The attorney for the family also said they would sue the three other cops charged in the death of Floyd.
"The family intends on holding Derek Chauvin fully accountable in every aspect, criminal and civil, for the wrongful death of George Floyd," Crump told CNN's Victor Blackwell. "When you consider that he still may be eligible for this pension. Well, that suggests, Victor, that the system is all wrong."
Despite being fired from the Minneapolis Police Department and being charged with second-degree murder for the death of Floyd on May 25, Chauvin is still eligible for a $1 million taxpayer-funded pension — even if he is convicted. Chauvin is the ex-cop who had his knee on Floyd's neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds.
The Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association told CBS News that members can start early retirement benefits at the age of 50. "If Chauvin started collecting a $50,000 annual benefit when he's 55, he stands to receive more than $1 million in payouts if he lives to at least 75," the association said.
"It wasn't just the knee of Derek Chauvin that killed George Floyd in Minneapolis, it was the knee of the entire police department. Because when you have that kind of culture and behavior of a police department, it is foreseeable that something like this is going to happen," Crump said.
Crump said the family intends to file a civil lawsuit against "everybody" involved in Floyd's death.
Thomas Lane, J. Kueng, and Tou Thao, the three other officers at the scene of Floyd's death, were charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
Chauvin is being held on $1 million bail. If convicted, Chauvin faces a prison sentence of up to 40 years.


theblaze--2020-06-13--Leader in Seattle's CHAZ demands white occupiers fork over money to black counterparts

Leader in Seattle 's CHAZ demands white occupiers fork over money to black counterparts 'White people , I see you @ @ @ @ @ of you , and I remember your faces '

A protest leader in Seattle's so-called "Capital Hill Autonomous Zone" demanded on Friday that white occupiers give their non-white counterparts money — or face retribution.
"I want you to find, by the time you leave this autonomous zone, I want you to give $10 to one African American person from this autonomous zone," the man told a crowd.
"And if you find that's difficult, if you find that it's hard for you to give $10 to people of color, to black people especially, you have to think really critical about in the future are you actually going to give up power and land and capital when you have it," he continued.
"If you have a hard time giving up $10, you're gonna have to think about, 'Are you really down with this struggle? Are you really down with the movement?' Because if that's a challenge for you, I'm not sure you're in the right place," he said.
The protest leader went on to subtly threaten the white occupiers by saying that he would remember them.
"White people, I see you. I see every one of you, and I remember your faces. You find that African American person and you give them $10," he said. "Do it!"
The CHAZ, established on June 8 in the aftermath of violent protests stemming from the tragic death of George Floyd, covers six blocks in downtown Seattle.
As TheBlaze reported, Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best said violent crimes, such as rape and robbery, have occurred within the CHAZ, but police officers have been unable to adequately respond.
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan (D) has defended the CHAZ.


theblaze--2020-06-13--Asheville attempt at autonomous zone fails miserably, video shows police quickly dismantle barricade

After all of the attention that the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone in Seattle has received nationwide , groups in other U.S. cities are contemplating creating their own self-governing areas .
Tennessee Gov .
Bill Lee ( R ) made it clear that autonomous zones would `` not be tolerated '' after rumors started swirling that people were creating their own autonomous zone in Nashville .
In neighboring North Carolina , activists began to create their own autonomous zone in Asheville , but it did n't last long .
On Friday night , a group attempted to create an autonomous zone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after activists starting establishing their autonomous zone , police were tearing it down .
`` Every cop in Asheville showed up , proving they have nothing better to do on a Friday night , '' one person wrote on Twitter .
`` Tore down barricade . ''
The individual noted that many of the activists will be back on Saturday and that `` this is only the beginning . ''
By Saturday morning , there was n't much left of the failed autonomous zone .
Protesters are attempting to occupy Niagara Square in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they would occupy the square until Deyanna Davis is released from jail .
Davis was arrested after she allegedly hit and injured three police officers with her SUV earlier this month during George Floyd protests .
Davis is facing multiple felony charges , including aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and criminal possession of a weapon .
`` Davis is being held in Erie County Holding Center when she should be at home healing .
Residents will occupy Niagara Square until Davis is released , '' a press release from Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buffalo police officers reportedly instructed protesters to take down their tents in Niagara Square .

After all of the attention that the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone in Seattle has received nationwide, groups in other U.S. cities are contemplating creating their own self-governing areas. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) made it clear that autonomous zones would "not be tolerated" after rumors started swirling that people were creating their own autonomous zone in Nashville. In neighboring North Carolina, activists began to create their own autonomous zone in Asheville, but it didn't last long.
On Friday night, a group attempted to create an autonomous zone in Asheville.
Less than two hours after activists starting establishing their autonomous zone, police were tearing it down.
"Every cop in Asheville showed up, proving they have nothing better to do on a Friday night," one person wrote on Twitter. "Tore down barricade."
The individual noted that many of the activists will be back on Saturday and that "this is only the beginning."
By Saturday morning, there wasn't much left of the failed autonomous zone.
Protesters are attempting to occupy Niagara Square in Buffalo, New York. The activists said they would occupy the square until Deyanna Davis is released from jail. Davis was arrested after she allegedly hit and injured three police officers with her SUV earlier this month during George Floyd protests.
Davis is facing multiple felony charges, including aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and criminal possession of a weapon.
"Davis is being held in Erie County Holding Center when she should be at home healing. Residents will occupy Niagara Square until Davis is released," a press release from Black Love Resists in the Rust said.
Buffalo police officers reportedly instructed protesters to take down their tents in Niagara Square.


theblaze--2020-06-13--Police major warns of dire consequences from anti-police narrative, 'defund the police' movement

Police major warns of dire consequences from anti-police narrative , 'defund the police ' movement

Tulsa Police Maj. Travis Yates is warning of the dire consequences that will result from the "defund the police" movement and the prominent anti-police narrative in the mainstream media.
On Friday, Yates published a viral essay about the current climate surrounding law enforcement. The essay was titled, "America, We Are Leaving."
"I wouldn't wish this job on my worst enemy. I would never send anyone I cared about into the hell that this profession has become," Yates wrote. "I used to talk cops out of leaving the job. Now I'm encouraging them. It's over, America. You finally did it You aren't going to have to abolish the police, we won't be around for it."
Speaking with Fox News host Tucker Carlson later on Friday, Yates shockingly revealed that police officers nationwide are looking to walk away from their profession.
Yates explained that morale among law enforcement is at its lowest point since the Ferguson riots in 2014 triggered by the shooting death of Michael Brown.
"We were making a resurgence in recent years and [George Floyd's death and the aftermath] has been devastating," Yates said.
"This is Ferguson times 1,000. Every department, every officer you talk to is looking to leave," he explained.
Yates went on to say that the current situation may be "too much" for the law enforcement community to recover from.


theblaze--2020-06-13--Bill Maher says defund the police will make people vote for Trump: Dems are 'f***ing stupid about po

Bill Maher says defund the police will make people vote for Trump: Dems are 'f***ing stupid about politics'

Bill Maher says defund the police will make people vote for Trump : Dems are ' f***ing stupid about politics' @ @ @ @ @ into something that makes people have to vote for Trump ? '

Bill Maher weighed in on the defund the police movement that many progressives have been pushing since the death of George Floyd. Maher blasted the defund the police policy as a "terrible idea," and castigated Democrats who supported the idea.
"Liberals want to take police money, police funds and divert it to community services, which sounds like a very good thing, good idea," he said during the opening monologue of "Real Time with Bill Maher."
"But they're calling it 'defund the police,' which sounds bad!" he added.
"That is so Democrats for you," Maher said. "They must have meetings to be this f****ing stupid about politics. 'Hey, guys. We're making some headway here. Um, how can we turn this into something that makes people have to vote for Trump?'"
Maher explained that the defund the police movement threatens real and legitimate police reforms that many across both political parties have been demanding since the death of George Floyd.
Maher cited Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (D) being booted out of a Black Lives Matter protest because he said he wouldn't abolish the city's police force.
"I worry that Democrats are wandering into another purity test that's not going to serve them well," Maher said. "And it's going to be about how much you want to get rid of police altogether."
Later in the show, Maher pointed out that only a third of black Americans support defunding the police.
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden came out this week as opposing defunding the police.
"As his criminal justice proposal made clear months ago, Vice President Biden does not believe that police should be defunded," Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates said in a statement on Monday.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) called the efforts to defund police departments "outlandish" and "nonsense."
"I'm all for social work and mental health," McConnell said on Monday. "Call me old-fashioned, but I think you may actually want a police officer to stop a criminal and arrest him before we try to work through his feelings."


theblaze--2020-06-13--Chinese capital district in 'wartime emergency mode' after COVID spike originating at major food mar

Chinese capital district in 'wartime emergency mode' after COVID spike originating at major food market

Chinese capital district in 'wartime emergency mode ' after COVID spike originating at major food market

Beijing, China's capital city, has entered "wartime emergency mode" after a spike in coronavirus cases that reportedly originated at a major food market in the city of more than 20 million people.
According to Reuters, 45 people out of 517 who were tested for COVID-19 at the Xinfadi market in the city's southwestern Fengtai district have tested positive for the virus, district official Chu Junwei said. However, none showed symptoms of the virus, he said.
In response, authorities locked down 11 neighborhoods that surround the market, which is one of the largest in the world, by deploying around-the-clock armed guards.
Chu reportedly said the capital district is officially under "wartime emergency mode."
"In accordance with the principle of putting the safety of the masses and health first, we have adopted lockdown measures for the Xinfadi market and surrounding neighborhoods," Chu said.
More from Reuters:
The entire Xinfadi market was shut down at 3 a.m. on Saturday (1900 GMT on Friday), after two men working at a meat research centre who had recently visited the market were reported to have the virus. It was not immediately clear how they had been infected.
On Saturday, market entrances were blocked and police stood guard. Beijing authorities had earlier halted beef and mutton trading at the market and had closed other wholesale markets around the city. They plan for more than 10,000 people at the Xinfadi market to take nucleic acid tests to detect coronavirus infections.
Additionally, tourism and sporting events have been banned in the capital region. Another Chinese city in a neighboring province has also temporarily banned the sale of raw seafood and other animal products following reports that COVID-19 was detected on chopping boards at the Xinfadi market.
The development comes as global leaders fear a possible "second wave" of COVID-19 as countries continue to ease lockdown restrictions.
In the U.S., Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNN on Friday that a second wave is "not inevitable," despite some states seeing an increase of infections.
"It is not inevitable that you will have a so-called 'second wave' in the fall or even a massive increase if you approach it in the proper way," Fauci explained.


theblaze--2020-06-13--Howard Stern under fire for old videos of him wearing blackface and using the N-word profusely

Howard Stern under fire for old videos of him wearing blackface and using the N-word profusely One video shows Howard @ @ @ @ @ Clarence Thomas , the second African American U.S. Supreme Court Justice

Over the past week, people have attempted to cancel the cartoon "PAW Patrol" and Disney's Splash Mountain amusement park ride. Police officer docuseries "Live PD" and "Cops" have officially been canceled. Now, Howard Stern finds himself embroiled in controversy after old videos have resurfaced of the shock jock wearing blackface and saying the N-word.
A past video has been dug up of Howard Stern wearing minstrel-style makeup. Stern is mocking actor Ted Danson, who wore blackface as a "joke" at a New York City Friar's Club event in 1993. Danson was roasting his then-girlfriend Whoopi Goldberg.
Page Six reported that the video featuring Stern was from his "New Year's Rotten Eve Pageant" special that aired on pay-per-view on Dec. 31, 1993.
The clip starts with a Stern appearance on "The View" from May 2019, where he denied that he used the N-word. "I didn't use the N-word, let's be very clear," Howard said on the show. "That's not my thing."
The video clip then shows the radio talk show using the N-word and racist language in front of his longtime sidekick Robin Quivers, who is black.
(Content warning: Strong language)
Longtime Stern employee Steve Grillo told Page Six that he doesn't believe Howard is racist, and he never used racist language off the air. Grillo said that the "New Year's Rotten Eve Pageant" was a pay-per-view broadcast and not subjected to FCC regulations.
"We've got the whole world watching — let's push the limits," Grillo said of the 1993 show. "The leash was off and they were going to be rabid dogs."
In the 1990s, Stern wore blackface and a wig for an impression of Clarence Thomas, the second African American U.S. Supreme Court Justice.
(Content warning: Strong language)
Howard Stern Channel 9 Show Episode 37 (part 1) youtu.be
In another old clip from "The Howard Stern Show," Stern is rapping a song titled "My N*****." The song is a parody of rapper DMX's song of the same name, and Stern uses the N-word profusely.
(Content warning: Strong language)
My Niggas - Parody of DMX youtu.be
During an interview with the late N.W.A. rapper Eazy-E, Stern welcomes his guest as "one bad n****." Howard then tells Eazy-E, "Let me speak some African to you," and follows it up with what sounds to be made-up gibberish. Throughout the interview, Stern talks about Eazy-E's rap group N.W.A., but instead of saying "N.W.A.," Stern uses the name "N***** Wit Attitudes," seemingly on purpose instead of using the acronym of the rap group that is generally used.
(Content warning: Strong language)
Eazy E The Howard Stern Interview OFFICIAL FULL UNCUT www.youtube.com
While discussing the death of Marshall Tucker singer Toy Caldwell in 1993, Stern uses the N-word heavily.
(Content warning: Strong language)
Stern made headlines last month when he said that President Donald Trump "despises" his MAGA supporters.
"One thing Donald loves is celebrities, he loves the famous. He loves it. He loves to be in the mix," Stern explained on his SiriusXM show. "The oddity in all of this is the people Trump despises most, love him the most."
"The people who are voting for Trump for the most part... he wouldn't even let them in a [expletive] hotel," Stern said. "He'd be disgusted by them. Go to Mar-a-Lago, see if there's any people who look like you. I'm talking to you in the audience."
"I don't hate Donald," Stern continued. "I hate you for voting for him, for not having intelligence."
Despite Stern inviting Trump on his radio show regularly over the years, Howard supported Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election and said he's "all in" for Joe Biden in 2020.
In April, Stern told Trump supporters to drink bleach and die.
Last August, "Howard Stern Show" regular guest Sarah Silverman said she was upset that she lost a role in a movie because she wore blackface in a 2007 episode of "The Sarah Silverman Program."
Last month, Jimmy Fallon was called out for wearing blackface in an old comedy routine. Fallon impersonated comedian Chris Rock in a "Saturday Night Live" comedy skit from 20 years ago.
Fallon apologized by saying, "In 2000, while on SNL, I made a terrible decision to do an impersonation of Chris Rock while in blackface. There is no excuse for this. I am very sorry for making this unquestionably offensive decision and thank all of you for holding me accountable."
Last week, Justin Trudeau made an appearance at a George Floyd protest, but numerous people reminded the Canadian prime minister that he wore blackface on multiple occasions.


theblaze--2020-06-13--Lawyers who targeted NYPD with Molotov cocktails hit with new federal charges, face life in prison

Lawyers who targeted NYPD with Molotov cocktails hit with new federal charges , face life in prison 'Such criminal acts @ @ @ @ @ legitimate protest '

Two Brooklyn lawyers, and a third upstate New York woman, accused of targeting the NYPD with Molotov cocktails during protests last month were indicted in federal court on Friday. They face life in prison if convicted on every charge.
Lawyers Urooj Rahman, 31, and Colinford Mattis, 32, are accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail at a parked NYPD vehicle during violent protests in late May.
NYPD surveillance recorded Rahman allegedly tossing the incendiary device before fleeing the area. Police later pursued the individuals and arrested them upon discovering the necessary components for assembling Molotov cocktails inside their vehicle.
Colinford Mattis (left), Urooj Rahman (right). Image source: U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York
Meanwhile, Samantha Shader, 27, is accused of targeting an NYPD vehicle occupied by four police officers with her own Molotov cocktail. She, too, was apprehended after attempting to flee.
No officers were injured in the attacks. Shader's incendiary device did not ignite, while the one allegedly thrown by Rahman and Mattis set an empty NYPD vehicle ablaze.
The seven-count indictment charges each defendant with "the use of explosives, arson, use of explosives to commit a felony, arson conspiracy, use of a destructive device, civil disorder, and making or possessing a destructive device," according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York.
"Such criminal acts should never be confused with legitimate protest. Those who carry out attacks on NYPD Officers or vehicles are not protesters, they are criminals, and they will be treated as such," U.S. Attorney for the EDNY Richard Donoghue said in a press release.
"A little more than a week after their arrests, Shader, Mattis, and Rahman have been charged with seven-count indictments in response to their potentially deadly attacks," FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Sweeney said. "Their criminal behavior risked lives, destroyed equipment that exists to serve the community, siphoned response resources, and created a threat to those who had every right to safely assemble and express their opinion."
As TheBlaze reported, Rahman's bail was secured by Salmah Rizvi, a former high-level intelligence official who worked in the Obama administration.


theblaze--2020-06-13--CDC says new lockdowns could be needed if coronavirus spikes, releases new guidelines for going out

CDC says new lockdowns could be needed if coronavirus spikes , releases new guidelines for going out Will you go @ @ @ @

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned that fresh new lockdowns could be needed if there is a second wave of coronavirus cases that hits the country.
On a Friday conference call, a CDC official said if there is a "dramatic" spike of COVID-19 cases in the U.S., then there may be a need to return to restrictive conditions that shut down the nation in March.
"Right now, communities are experiencing different levels of transmission occurring, as they gradually ease up onto the community mitigation efforts and gradually reopen. If cases begin to go up again, and particularly if they go up dramatically, it's important to recognize that more extensive mitigation efforts such as what were implemented back in March may be needed again," Dr. Jay Butler, the CDC's COVID-19 incident manager, said. "And that is a decision that really needs to be made locally based on what is happening within the community regarding disease transmission."
"We know the pandemic is not over, and even looking at some of the serology data, it's clear that the vast majority of Americans still have not been exposed to this virus," Butler added.
In the past week, COVID-19 cases have increased in 23 states, while declining in eight states, including the worst-hit states of New York and New Jersey. However, confirmed coronavirus deaths have been declining since May 6. Hospitalizations for COVID-19 have been declining steadily since the week of April 18.
States are slowly reopening after being shut down for months after governors implemented stay-at-home orders. The CDC released new guidelines for events and gatherings as states open up and shelter-in-place orders expire.
"The more people an individual interacts with at a gathering and the longer that interaction lasts, the higher the potential risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 and COVID-19 spreading," the CDC said.
The CDC also released guidelines for people finally venturing out after being in quarantine for months. The health organization gives advice on how to be safe when going to banks, restaurants, libraries, nail salons, gyms, and cookouts. The guidelines suggest social distancing of six feet, wearing face masks, not interacting with new people, and limiting exposure to other people.


theblaze--2020-06-13--President Trump triggers liberal meltdown by rolling back Obama-era LGBT protection

'Donald Trump 's cruelty truly knows no bounds '

The Trump administration announced Friday that it was finalizing the elimination of an Obama-era regulation prohibiting health care discrimination against certain LGBT individuals.
In 2016, the Obama administration extended protections under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, which "prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in certain health programs and activities." The updated rule redefined sex discrimination to include gender identity — defining that as "one's internal sense of gender, which may be male, female, neither, or a combination of male and female" — and pregnancy termination, or abortion.
In a statement on Friday, the Department of Health and Human Services said the Obama administration's change "exceeded the scope of the authority delegated by Congress in Section 1557."
"HHS will enforce Section 1557 by returning to the government's interpretation of sex discrimination according to the plain meaning of the word 'sex' as male or female and as determined by biology," the HHS said.
The move will also save consumers billions of dollars.
From the HHS:
The final rule will also relieve the American people of approximately $2.9 billion in unnecessary regulatory burdens over five years from eliminating the mandate for regulated entities to send patients and customers excessive "notice and taglines" inserts in 15 or more foreign languages in almost every health care mailing, costs that get passed down to patients and consumers.
These expensive notices have not generally proven effective at accomplishing their purpose of providing meaningful language access to healthcare.
In response, top Democratic leaders attacked President Donald Trump, noting the finalization of the regulation change came during Pride Month, the month-long celebration of LGBT people.
Joe Biden
"On the fourth anniversary of Pulse. In the middle of Pride month. During a global pandemic. Donald Trump's cruelty truly knows no bounds. We have to defeat him this November," Biden said.
Sen. Bernie Sanders
"It is outrageous that Trump, in the middle of a pandemic, is working to prevent LGBTQ+ Americans from getting health care they need. Discrimination of any kind has no place in our society. We must defeat Trump, guarantee health care as a right and protect all LGBTQ+ Americans," Sanders said.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren
"In the middle of a pandemic, the President wants to strip away health care & risk LGBTQ+ Americans' lives to pander to right-wing ideologues. This is hateful & wrong. Trump must protect LGBTQ+ rights, and if he won't, the Senate must act," Warren said.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi
"Our nation is in the midst of a health and economic crisis of staggering proportions. The Administration's shameful rule is an attack on the health care of women, communities of color, seniors, the disabled and the LGBTQ community," Pelosi said.
Sen. Kamala Harris
"The callousness of Trump to announce this during LGBTQ+ Pride month as the country mourns the four year anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting. The cruelty is the point and it knows no bounds. We will fight this," Harris said.


theblaze--2020-06-14--Street preacher attacked in Seattle's autonomous zone: 'Stop choking me!'

This does n't look like the happy euphoria that people have been saying the CHAZ is

A street preacher entered the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone in Seattle, where his free speech was stifled, physically assaulted, and choked. Elijah Schaffer of BlazeTV, who is the host of the "Slightly Offens*ve" podcast, was reporting from the CHAZ on Saturday and captured some unnerving video.
The New York Times wrote an article about the CHAZ titled "Free Food, Free Speech and Free of Police: Inside Seattle's 'Autonomous Zone.'" However, speech may not be as free as advertised. Several people in the CHAZ demanded that the preacher be removed from the autonomous zone for speech about Christianity that offended them.
One activist in the CHAZ threatened the protester. In the video, a man wearing a red bandanna on his face can be heard telling the preacher, "You'll die out here bro. Do you wanna die out here?" The preacher responded, "Sin is worse than death."
The same people who protested police brutality in the past few weeks, especially chokeholds, were the same ones choking the preacher because he didn't obey their orders. The preacher screamed, "You're choking me!"
One person in the CHAZ didn't believe the street preacher should be expelled from the autonomous zone, and he was immediately called a "f***king Nazi sympathizer."
The man in the red bandanna screams at white people for "not being allies" in the Black Lives Matter movement.
The preacher attempted to go on a stage, but was not allowed. A woman with a microphone asked for "white people who have experience in security, and can maybe talk to this gentleman, it really isn't the job of the black people to handle this situation."
The woman asked the crowd to "will him out of here." She told the crowd, "So please think about him leaving."
A protester yelled, "TAKE HIS PANTS OFF!"
Several people wrestled the preacher to the ground when he went on a stage in the CHAZ and declared, "This is a Christian zone."
A man stole the preacher's speaker.
According to Andy Ngo, editor-at-large at The Post Millennial, "prominent Antifa militant in the Portland area," Luis Marquez, was at the autonomous zone.
"The only time we are heard is when we burn s*** down," the man in the video said. "And if white America doesn't want to get it right they're gonna see more burning, more looting."
At the border of the autonomous zone, a man was armed with a .50-caliber Desert Eagle.


theblaze--2020-06-15--Gov. Cuomo threatens to shut down Manhattan; tells NYers to rat out social distancing violators

Gov .
Cuomo threatens to shut down Manhattan ; tells NYers to rat out social distancing violators Has he not @ @ @ @ @ ?

New York City has experienced weeks of George Floyd protests and riots. Thousands of people crammed in close proximity, violating social distancing guidelines. A great deal of the protesters did not wear masks, and chanted protest battle cries, releasing potentially dangerous coronavirus respiratory droplets into the air. But New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo doesn't seem to be too concerned with the protests. He is very perturbed about too many patrons at restaurants, and he wants New Yorkers to rat out any businesses not following COVID-19 restrictions.
Hundreds of partiers descended upon St. Marks Place in the East Village on Friday night.
After seeing the viral video of the crowds, Cuomo unleashed fresh threats against New Yorkers. The Democratic governor vowed to shut down Manhattan and the Hamptons if throngs of people frequented bars and restaurants. Cuomo said the state received 25,000 complaints against businesses not complying with coronavirus restrictions.
"We're getting reports from all across the state that there are large gatherings. Social distancing is being violated. People are not wearing masks," Cuomo said. "Manhattan and the Hamptons are the leading areas in this state with violations. They are rampant, and there's not enough enforcement."
Cuomo threatened to put parts of the state back on complete lockdown if the behavior continued.
"If local governments are not monitoring policing, doing the compliance, yes, there is a very real possibility that we would roll back the reopening of those areas," he said.
Cuomo also threatened to pull a restaurant or bar's liquor license for not adhering to social distancing and capacity regulations.
"Local government, do your job. If we have to close, then people are going to hold you accountable," Cuomo said. "Bars and restaurants, do your job. Or you can have an SLA violation and possibly loss of your license."
Cuomo then asked citizens to rat out businesses that didn't comply with restrictions.
"These are not hard-to-spot violations," he said. "People send videos of these violations."
"It's disrespectful to the health care workers and the essential workers who sacrificed themselves for 100 days. Some of whom died and gave their life to crush this COVID virus," Cuomo added. "Show a modicum of respect and wear a mask.
"We're not going to go back to that dark place because local governments didn't do their job," Cuomo promised. "If you do not [do your job], and this continues, we would have no choice but to take state action, ceasing the behavior."
New York City is in phase one of its four-stage reopening plan, and the earliest they can move to phase two would be July.
Meanwhile in Brooklyn on Sunday afternoon, thousands gathered a rally for black trans lives that was packed to the gills.


theblaze--2020-06-14--Man arrested for vandalizing Christopher Columbus statue — He is a social studies teacher

Man arrested for vandalizing Christopher Columbus statue — He is a social studies teacher The teacher is getting an education @ @ @ @ @ charges

One of the more unlikely targets of the George Floyd protests has been Christopher Columbus statues. The Christopher Columbus statue in Boston was beheaded. The statue in Richmond, Virginia, dedicated to the 15th-century explorer was ripped down and dragged into the lake. In Rhode Island, a Columbus statue was vandalized, and the culprit was a social studies teacher.
Three people were arrested for vandalizing a Christopher Columbus statue in Providence early Saturday morning. One of the perpetrators was Derrick Garforth, a 34-year-old social studies teacher at the Jenks Middle School in Pawtucket, according to WPRI-TV.
"Around 1:25 a.m., they saw a gray Honda Accord with Massachusetts plates driving in the area with its lights off and three people inside," a Providence Police Department news release stated. "After making a couple of passes, the car drove away, but a few minutes later, a man and a woman ran across Elmwood Avenue and, when they reached a fence protecting the statue, hurled unknown objects toward it."
A fence was recently added to the perimeter of the statue after there were threats of vandalism. White and purple paint was found splattered on the makeshift fence as well as the Columbus statue.
Police spotted a man and woman running in Columbus Square. The suspects got into a car, but police tracked them down. Inside the car was Garforth, along with Charlotte Whittingham, 28, and the driver Mackenzie Innis, 26. Cops also found rubber gloves and open containers of white and purple paint inside the vehicle.
All three suspects were charged with desecration of a grave or monument and conspiracy.
Pawtucket Superintendent Cheryl McWilliams said that Garforth is out on leave pending an investigation.
"I have just learned about this and the Pawtucket School Department is investigating it," McWilliams said in an email.
Last October, a 5th-grade teacher wore a sweatshirt that read: "Columbus was a murderer." She said she wore the shirt to "spark discussion."


theblaze--2020-06-14--Civil rights attorney Leo Terrell explains why he stopped drinking the 'Democratic kool-aid'

Civil rights attorney Leo Terrell explains why he stopped drinking the 'Democratic kool-aid' Do n't let the Democratic Party trick @ @ @ @ @

Civil Rights attorney Leo Terrell says he has stopped drinking the "Democratic kool-aid."
During an appearance on Fox News on Friday, network host Sean Hannity noted that Republicans were responsible for the Emancipation Proclamation, the party supported desegregation through the landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education — which overturned the legal doctrine of "separate but equal" — and that Republicans helped then-President Lyndon Johnson pass the Civil Rights Act in the 1960s.
"What you see is a lot of Democrats they were all against that," Hannity proclaimed.
The history that Hannity outlined, along with the fact that Democrats often label the Republican Party as the party of racism, is why Terrell stopped supporting the Democratic Party's agenda, the civil rights attorney said.
"This is why I stopped drinking the Democrat Kool-Aid. I can't take this hypocrisy anymore. It's ridiculous," Terrell explained.
"[Former U.S. senator from Georgia] Richard Russell from the south was against integration. He was opposed to anti-lynching bills. That's what bothers me about this whole thing, that Democrats, just because of the D in their name, they could be a racist," Terrell added.
Terrell then tore into Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, who infamously said last month that black voters who do not vote for him are not actually black.
"That statement by Joe Biden is so offensive and then you get Spike Lee out there and say, 'It's okay.' That's offensive. If any Republican said the same thing they would be in trouble, big trouble," Terrell said.
"Joe Biden gave us the crime bill in 1994. President Trump gave us the First Step," he continued. "The bottom line is this: I don't need the Democrats to insult me or try to placate me with African garb, Nancy Pelosi. Pass some laws. Pass some reforms. Show me something other than some kind of condescending act just because you're a Democrat. That doesn't follow anymore."
Later, Terrell said, "I'm asking every Democrat, do your research ... you have to leave the Democratic Party — get out of there!"
"Don't let the Democratic Party trick you — please!" Terrell pleaded.


theblaze--2020-06-14--Top House Democrat throws cold water on far-left 'defund the police' movement

'Nobody is going to defund the police '

House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) says police will not be defunded.
In the wake of George Floyd's tragic death, progressive Democrats, including Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), are supporting a movement to defund and abolish police departments. They claim systematic oppression is central to the DNA of modern policing, thwarting attempts at reform.
However, the third-in-command House Democrat told CNN host Jake Tapper on "State of the Union" Sunday that the wildly unpopular movement will not succeed.
"Nobody is going to defund the police," Clyburn said.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Instead, Clyburn said criminal justice reform must "restructure" and "re-imagine" policing.
"We can restructure the police forces, restructure, re-imagine policing. That is what we are going to do. The fact of the matter is, the police have a role to play," Clyburn explained. "What we have got to do is make sure that their role is one that meets the times, one that responds to these communities that they operate in."
"I didn't grow up in fear of police, even in a segregated environment. We never feared the police. But, all of a sudden now, I do fear the police," he continued.
"The fact of the matter is, this is a structure that has been developed that we have got to deconstruct," Clyburn said. "So, I wouldn't say defund. Deconstruct our policing."
Despite Clyburn's sensibility, Minneapolis leaders, almost all of whom are Democrats, are moving to defund the city's police department.
On Friday, the Minneapolis City Council unanimously voted to replace its police department with a new system for public safety.
As TheBlaze reported, Minneapolis police officers, who feel that city leaders have failed to defend them, are leaving the job en masse.


theblaze--2020-06-14--At least 7 Minneapolis police officers quit, citing lack of support from city leaders after protests

At least 7 Minneapolis police officers quit , citing lack of support from city leaders after protests Will this become @ @ @ @ @ ?

Several Minneapolis Police Department employees are quitting their law enforcement jobs because of the lack of support following the George Floyd protests. At least seven police officers have quit the MPD in the aftermath of protests, that does not include the four former cops who were involved in Floyd's death and were fired.
Current and former MPD officers told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that cops were frustrated with the way the police department and city leaders failed to support them. One particular event that bothered cops was Mayor Jacob Frey's (D) decision to abandon the Third Precinct police station. Rioters were able to ransack the police station and set the building on fire. Cops were forced to retreat.
Minneapolis Deputy Chief Henry Halvorson wrote an email earlier this month that stated some police officers have "simply walked off the job without filing the proper paperwork, creating confusion about who is still working and who isn't."
Minneapolis Police spokesman John Elder downplayed the cops who resigned. "There's nothing that leads us to believe that at this point the numbers are so great that it's going to be problematic," Elder said.
Minneapolis Police Department officials provided a statement to WCCO-TV that read: "People seek to leave employment for a myriad of reasons. The MPD is no exception. Due to these employment separations, we have not noted any indicators that would impact public safety."
"(Officers) don't feel appreciated," Mylan Masson, a retired Minneapolis officer and use-of-force expert, said. "Everybody hates the police right now. I mean everybody."
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was fired and charged with second-degree murder. Three other MPD officers involved in the arrest of George Floyd have been fired and charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder.
The Minneapolis City Council passed a resolution to replace the police department with a "community safety" model last week.
Two weeks ago, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) joined the movement to defund the police.
"The Minneapolis Police Department has proven themselves beyond reform," Omar said. "It's time to disband them and reimagine public safety in Minneapolis."
"Police violence is a threat to public safety," the Democratic congresswoman said. "We must allocate resources to ensure that all instances of death or injury in police custody are adequately and independently reviewed."
"You can't really reform a department that is rotten to the root," Omar said during an appearance on CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday.
"What you can do is rebuild. And so this is our opportunity, you know, as a city, to come together, have the conversation of what public safety looks like, who enforces the most dangerous crimes that place in our community," she added. "What we are saying is, the current infrastructure that exists as policing in our city should not exist anymore."
Last week, officers of the Hallandale Beach Police Department were so angered by their chief kneeling with protesters that every member of the SWAT team resigned.
Tulsa Police Maj. Travis Yates warned that the defund the police movement and anti-police sentiment would cause a mass exodus in law enforcement.


theblaze--2020-06-14--Nickelodeon suggests SpongeBob SquarePants is gay

The anthropomorphic sea sponge star of the children 's cartoon might have a sexual preference

It was announced last week that the "Looney Tunes" cartoons were receiving a progressive makeover, and Elmer Fudd, who is a hunter, would no longer use guns. Not to be outdone, Nickelodeon wants you to know that SpongeBob SquarePants might be gay.
Apparently, the anthropomorphic sea sponge of the massively popular children's cartoon might have a sexual preference. In a tweet posted in honor of Pride Month, Nickelodeon announced that SpongeBob SquarePants is "celebrating #Pridewith the LGBTQ+ community and their allies this month and every month."
The Nickelodeon tweet also features other characters and actors from the kids' TV network that are members of the LGBTQ+ community. Korra from "The Legend of Korra" is gay or bisexual, and actor Michael D. Cohen from "Henry Danger" is a transgender man in real life.
This isn't the first controversy over SpongeBob's sexuality. In 2002 episode titled "Rock-a-Bye Bivalve," SpongeBob and his best friend Patrick Star, a pink starfish who also lives in Bikini Bottom, co-parent an abandoned scallop.
Before he passed away from ALS in 2018, "SpongeBob SquarePants" creator Stephen Hillenburg said the talking sponge is "asexual" in a 2005 interview with People Magazine.
"We never intended them to be gay," Hillenburg said of SpongeBob and Patrick. "I consider them to be almost asexual. We're just trying to be funny and this has got nothing to do with the show."
Science backs up Hillenburg, who was a marine science teacher before creating the hit kids cartoon. Most sea sponges are hermaphroditic, and can produce both eggs and sperm. Sponges can also reproduce asexually through "budding," where a "small piece of sponge is broken off but is still able to survive and grow into another sponge."


theblaze--2020-06-14--Nancy Pelosi wants to remove 11 Confederate statues from Capitol. Almost all are Democrats.

Nancy Pelosi wants to remove 11 Confederate statues from Capitol .
Almost all are Democrats .
'Their statues pay homage @ @ @ @ @ '

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced last week that she wants to remove 11 Confederate monuments at the United States Capitol.
Pelosi wrote to the Joint Committee on the Library, which manages Capitol displays, and requested that statues of officials with Confederate affiliation are removed.
"The statues in the Capitol should embody our highest ideals as Americans, expressing who we are and who we aspire to be as a nation," Pelosi wrote. "Monuments to men who advocated cruelty and barbarism to achieve such a plainly racist end are a grotesque affront to these ideals. Their statues pay homage to hate, not heritage. They must be removed."
As it turns out, nine of the 11 statues that Pelosi wants removed are of Democrats.
Jefferson Davis (D): President of the Confederate States of America and former Democratic U.S. senator from Mississippi
Wade Hampton (D): Former Democratic governor of South Carolina and lieutenant general for the Confederacy
John E. Kenna (D): Former Democratic congressman and U.S. senator from West Virginia and member of the Confederate States Army
Uriah Milton Rose (D): Chairman of the Resolutions Committee of the Arkansas Democratic Party
Alexander Hamilton Stephens (D): Vice President of the Confederate States who served as governor of Georgia and a Democratic congressman from Georgia
James Zachariah George (D): Former Democratic U.S. senator from Mississippi and member of the Confederacy as well as the Mississippi Secession Convention
Zebulon Baird Vance (D): Former Democratic governor of North Carolina, U.S. senator and congressman, and member of the Confederate Army
Joseph Wheeler (D): Commander in the Confederate Army and former Democratic congressman from Alabama
Edward Douglass White (D): Former Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and a Democratic U.S. Senator from Louisiana who served in the Confederate Army
Pelosi also wants statues of Robert E. Lee, a commander in the Confederate Army, and Edmund Kirby Smith, another Confederate general, removed from the Capitol. Neither men had stated political party affiliations.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) responded to Pelosi's request by explaining that individual states are responsible for the statues, therefore the states have the power to remove them.
"When it comes to statues, states have the power to select who to come forward," McCarthy explained, The Hill reported.
(H/T: Just The News)


theblaze--2020-06-14--CHAZ citizens torment black man holding American flag in autonomous zone, call him a 'race traitor'

The autonomous zone is not welcoming of opinions that differ from that of the citizens of the CHAZ

The Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone in Seattle hasn't been the welcoming euphoria that many promised when it was established. A street preacher was physically assaulted, and a protest leader demanded white people in the CHAZ give money to black people or face retribution. On Saturday, a black man holding an American flag was berated by CHAZ citizens.
Video taken by Elijah Schaffer of BlazeTV, host of the "Slightly Offens*ve" podcast, shows a black man being tormented by a mob in the autonomous zone. The crowd of mostly white people in the CHAZ hurl insults at the black man with the flag, who is not engaging the protesters.
"Keep on walking you race traitor a** b*tch," one person screamed on a megaphone. "Is that your boyfriend, race traitor?"
"When you fly that flag it's offensive," a man wearing a Soviet Union-era ushanka hat told a woman holding an American flag as "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" from the "Lion King" soundtrack blared in the background.
A masked man dressed in all black stole an American flag from a young woman walking with the black man. The group with the American flags told the crowd that they have peacefully come to the autonomous zone. "We're not here looking for a fight," the woman said.
Someone in the crowd called the group carrying the American flags "white supremacists."
"If they're going to come in here with the flag being disrespectful, they can get the f*** out," a woman in the crowd told a man, who appeared to have some authority in keeping things somewhat secure in the CHAZ.
Some residents of the CHAZ attempted to forcefully take the black man's American flag. A man screamed, "Bring it down!"
There is a movement from some in the autonomous zone to change the name from "CHAZ" to "CHOP," which stands for "Capitol Hill Occupy Protest" or "Capitol Hill Organized Protest." The people of independent area of Seattle may be compelled to drop the "autonomous" part of their domain since they had to call the city's fire department to put out a literal dumpster fire.


theblaze--2020-06-14--Bodycam, surveillance video from Atlanta Wendy's show whole story in Rayshard Brooks police shooting

Bodycam , surveillance video from Atlanta Wendy 's show whole story in Rayshard Brooks police shooting One of the officers @ @ @ @

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation released bodycam and surveillance video that show the scenes that led up to the death of Rayshard Brooks, who was shot and killed by a police officer following a struggle at a Wendy's in Atlanta on Friday night.
Two police officers were responding to a call at a Wendy's in Atlanta about a man sleeping in a parked vehicle in the restaurant's drive-thru lane, forcing other customers to drive around the car.
At approximately 10:30 p.m. on Friday, an officer repeatedly knocks on the window of the driver's side door, but the man inside the vehicle is unresponsive. One of the police officers opens the car door and says, "What's up, my man? Hey man, you're parked in the middle of a drive-thru line here." Brooks does not respond.
The cop then taps Brooks on the arm to awaken him. "Hey, are you all right?" Brooks wakes up.
The two Atlanta police officers, Garrett Rolfe and Devin Brosnan, question Brooks about his night and whether he consumed alcohol. Brooks says he isn't "feeling right." He tells officers that it is "absolutely" safe for him to operate a vehicle.
Brooks, 27, originally told police that he had one and a half margaritas. Minutes later, he tells officers that he isn'nt sure what he drank that night.
Brooks agrees to take a breathalyzer. While one cop is getting the breathalyzer from the police SUV, the other officer tells Brooks, "We're just trying make sure, man, you're safe to drive, that's all." Brooks replies, "I know, man."
The officer tells Brooks, "You scared me a little bit because you were sleeping in there, so that's why I was making sure you were okay." Brooks responds, "I know, I know you're just doing your job."
After seeing the results of the breathalyzer test, the police officer tells Brooks, "I think you've had too much to drink to be driving. Put your hands behind your back."
The two cops attempt to handcuff Brooks, and he resists. A physical confrontation ensues as the police attempt to restrain Brooks. One police officer warns Brooks that he will be tasered if he continues to resist.
At one point during the altercation, a cop can be heard yelling, "Hands off the taser!"
Brooks runs away from police, and one cop tells the other one: "He's got my f****ing taser."
The bodycam fell off the officer during the struggle. In the video, you hear a taser being fired, and then several gunshots.
(CAUTION: Graphic audio and video)
Rayshard Brooks shooting: Police bodycam footage from Wendy's shooting released www.youtube.com
A video taken by a witness in the parking lot shows Brooks taking the officer's taser and punching the officer in the head.
(CAUTION: Graphic audio and video)
The GBI released surveillance video from the Wendy's where the incident took place. The footage shows Brooks running from police in the parking lot. While running, Brooks points the taser towards officers. There are shots fired, and Brooks falls to the ground.
Brooks was shot by police and taken to the hospital, where he died. One of the officers was treated for an injury and released.
Rolfe, who shot and killed Brooks, has been terminated. The 27-year-old was hired by the Atlanta Police Department in October 2013. Brosnan has been placed on administrative leave.
"During the arrest, the male subject resisted and a struggle ensued," the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said. "The officer deployed a Taser. Witnesses report that during the struggle the male subject grabbed and was in possession of the Taser. It has also been reported that the male subject was shot by an officer in the struggle over the Taser."
The GBI launched an investigation into the police shooting at the request of the Atlanta Police Department. Once that investigation is completed, the case will be turned over to prosecutors. Atlanta's Police Chief Ericka Shields voluntarily stepped down on Saturday.
Chris Stewart, an attorney for Brooks' family, said he left behind four children, three daughters and a stepson.
"(The officer) had other options instead of shooting him in the back," Stewart said. "Are you not tired of seeing cases like this happen?"
"To the family of Mr. Brooks, there are no words strong enough to express how sincerely sorry I am for your loss," Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said. "I do hope that you will find some comfort in the swift actions that have been taken today."
Protests erupted in Atlanta on Saturday night following the release of the police shooting, and a CNN crew was attacked during a live broadcast.
The Wendy's where Brooks was shot and killed was vandalized and then set on fire.


theblaze--2020-06-14--State of Texas delivers powerful warning to protesters wishing to destroy The Alamo

State of Texas delivers powerful warning to protesters wishing to destroy The Alamo 'The Alamo is the Shrine of Texas @ @ @ @ @ be defended '

The state of Texas delivered a stern warning to violent protesters who wish to destroy The Alamo, one of the Lone Star State's most treasured historical sites.
Over the last two weeks, a renewed effort to remove Confederate monuments and status of other perceived oppressors, like Christopher Columbus, has gained momentum nationwide. Now, protesters have reportedly set their sights on The Alamo.
In response, Texas land commissioner George P. Bush, son of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, sent those wishing to destroy The Alamo a powerful message.
"The Alamo is the Shrine of Texas Liberty. And it will be defended," Bush said in a statement on Saturday.
In fact, Bush said that law enforcement has been preemptively deployed to The Alamo to defend it from potentially violent protesters.
"My office is closely watching the social media posts and rumors from protesters who are threatening to come to The Alamo. Rest assured, we have already deployed, for several weeks and continue to do so, the Alamo Rangers in partnership with [San Antonio Police Department, The Department of Public Safety and The National Guard to protect this sacred site," Bush said.
"My message to the protesters is simple: Don't mess with The Alamo," Bush added.
Along with his message, Bush included a photo of dozens of law enforcement personnel guarding The Alamo.


theblaze--2020-06-14--Video shows rioting protesters attack CNN camera crew for recording them destroying a Wendy's

'At that point , they got aggressive ... '

A CNN reporter and her camera crew were attacked late Saturday as they covered escalating protests in Atlanta after police shot and killed Rayshard Brooks in a Wendy's parking lot.
CNN correspondent Natasha Chen and her camera crew were videoing protesters as they broke windows and set fire to the Wendy's where Brooks was gunned down by police on Friday night. But the rioters apparently did not want their criminal actions to be caught on video.
Video shows protesters attack the camera crew. According to Chen, the rioters eventually broke CNN's camera.
"Our photojournalist, our producer, and I were trying to get video of what was happening, and there were protesters very angry that we were recording this and tried to block our cameras," Chen explained.
"At that point, they got aggressive and our CNN camera was broken," she added.
CNN host Wolf Blitzer, to whom Chen was speaking, describes the actions of the protesters as "very disturbing."
Chen said her crew was able to evaluate the area without injury.
Tensions boiled over Saturday after video of Brooks death circulated on social media. The police officer who shot and killed Brooks has already been fired. Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields has also resigned.
The Georgia State Bureau of Investigation is handling the probe into Brooks's death.


theblaze--2020-06-16--Olympia mayor who supported Black Lives Matter calls protest vandalism at her home 'domestic terrori

Olympia mayor who supported Black Lives Matter calls protest vandalism at her home 'domestic terrorism' Businesses were also vandalized by @ @ @ @

The mayor of Olympia, Washington, expressed support for the Black Lives Matter cause, but when her own home was vandalized, she called it similar to "domestic terrorism."
Mayor Cheryl Selby made the comments after her home was vandalized on Friday with Black Lives Matter graffiti though she already displayed support for the movement.
"I'm really trying to process this," the mayor said Saturday to the Olympian. "It's like domestic terrorism. It's unfair."
The vandalism was a part of a protest that turned to rioting in downtown Olympia. Businesses were vandalized with spray paint, flags were burned, and windows were smashed. Then they marched into Selby's neighborhood.
Surveillance video shows one black-clad rioter, who appears to be white, spray-painting "BLM," "racist," and "abolish" on her home.
"It hurts when you're giving so much to your community," she said.
Selby and her family were not home, but her neighbors began texting her when the protesters arrived at her house.
Selby, who is white, had previously issued a statement in support of peaceful protests that criticized police for the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
"Every day since his murder, our country has shaken. Convulsing between fear, rage, and nausea. We should feel sick. Those of us who hold the most microphones in our communities should feel nauseous," she said.
"Let me be clear," she concluded, "the city of Olympia supports the peaceful protests that highlight the racial injustices black people continue to endure at the hands of police in the United States."
Here's a local news report about the vandalism:


theblaze--2020-06-16--Glenn Beck: Why DAs across the country are dropping charges against violent rioters

Glenn Beck : Why DAs across the country are dropping charges against violent rioters Hint : George Soros just might @ @

Have you noticed how many district attorneys across the country have been dropping charges against rioters even though they destroyed property, endangered lives, and injured police officers? It's almost like there's something deeper going on — or like someone with a nefarious goal is pulling strings.
On the latest Glenn TV special, Glenn Beck exposed how organized Marxist revolutionaries have hijacked the George Floyd protests for a darker agenda and how Antifa has learned everything it needs to know about destroying state power from them. He revealed their connections, who is funding them, and the strategies they're using to do everything they can to dismantle our country.
Watch the short video clip below to hear Glenn break down the details:
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To enjoy more of Glenn's masterful storytelling, thought-provoking analysis and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multiplatform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution and live the American dream.


theblaze--2020-06-16--ANTIFA PARODY: Chad Prather declares a new autonomous zone he is calling CHAG

ANTIFA PARODY : Chad Prather declares a new autonomous zone he is calling CHAG

Monday, Chad Prather declared the newest autonomous zone, which he is calling Capitol Hill Autonomous Glenn or CHAG. In this hilarious parody. Chad shared a Facebook Live takeover of Glenn Beck's office. In a most impassioned speech, Chad announced some of the freedoms his comrades and CHAG currently enjoy include gun ownership and burning books. He explained that citizens of CHAG had no clue how to shoot the guns they seized from Glenn Beck's office and how no one would miss the books because no one in CHAG can read.
Use code CHAD to save $10 on one year of BlazeTV.
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To enjoy more of Chad's comedy, craziness and common sense, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution and live the American dream.


theblaze--2020-06-15--Oklahoma State's Chuba Hubbard says he 'won't be doing anything' with team after Mike Gundy wore an

Oklahoma State's Chuba Hubbard says he 'won't be doing anything' with team after Mike Gundy wore an OAN shirt

Oklahoma State 's Chuba Hubbard says he 'wo n't be doing anything ' with team after Mike Gundy wore an @ @ @ @ @ now joined the star running back 's revolt over ... a news network T-shirt ?

Oklahoma State University running back Chuba Hubbard declared Monday that he "will not be doing anything with" the team after head coach Mike Gundy was spotted wearing a One America News network T-shirt on a fishing trip.
What are the details?
A CBS Sports reporter posted an image on Twitter showing Gundy wearing an OAN shirt while apparently at Lake Texoma last week along with comments Gundy made back in April praising the news outlet.
Hubbard responded by tweeting, "I will not stand for this.. This is completely insensitive to everything going on in society, and it's unacceptable. I will not be doing anything with Oklahoma State until things CHANGE."
Hubbard did not elaborate further, but other Oklahoma State players chimed in saying they "stand with" Hubbard in his apparent boycott and disdain for OAN.
Hubbard, the nation's leading rusher last season from Alberta, Canada, rushed for 2,094 yards last year and was a first-team All-American and the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year.
ESPN reported that OAN is "a far-right news network that has been known to promote conspiracy theories and is often cited by President Donald Trump."
Hubbard's revolt sparked controversy on social media, with some praising his alleged stance for social justice and others lambasting him for overreacting to a man's selection of attire while on vacation.
Oklahoma State President Burns Hargis issued a statement over the ordeal, saying, "I hear and respect the concerns expressed by our Black student-athletes. This is a time for unity of purpose to confront racial inequities and injustice. We will not tolerate insensitive behavior by anyone at Oklahoma State."
The Daily Caller's David Hookstead weighed in with his take on Hubbard's reaction, writing that "the idea of boycotting a program over a shirt is so stupid."
The columnist added, "OAN is a news network. It's not a terrorist organization. What the hell is Hubbard talking about, and where does he get off thinking he has the right to criticize Gundy's shirt choice?"
By evening, Gundy and Hubbard appeared together in a video wherein the coach promised change while acknowledging the "very sensitive issue with what's going on in today's society," and Hubbard took responsibility, saying he "was wrong" to tweet his frustrations rather than addressing Gundy directly.
This story has been updated.


theblaze--2020-06-15--North Korea threatens to invade Demilitarized Zone

Hostilities have been increasing between the two Koreas

The North Korean army released a statement threatening to invade the Demilitarized Zone between the dictatorship state and its South Korean neighbor.
The alarming statement was released Monday to the Korean Central News Agency.
"Our army is keeping a close watch on the current situation in which the north-south relations are turning worse and worse, and getting itself fully ready for providing a sure military guarantee to any external measures to be taken by the Party and government," read the statement from the general staff of the Korean People's Army.
The Demilitarized Zone was established in 1953 after the Korean War in an agreement between the communist forces in North Korea, China, and the United Nations.
"We accepted from the United Front Department of the Party Central Committee and arms of the department in charge of the affairs with enemy an opinion on studying an action plan for taking measures to make the army advance again into the zones that had been demilitarized under the north-south agreement, turn the front line into a fortress and further heighten the military vigilance against the south," the statement continued.
The army indicated that it would be awaiting approval from the Party Central Committee about what action to take.
The DMZ is about 160 miles long and 4 miles wide.
Hopes were high for a growing peace between the two nations when North Korean President Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in met in the DMZ in April 2018, but hostilities have increased in recent weeks.
Here's more about recent relations on the Korean peninsula:


theblaze--2020-06-15--Thomas Jefferson statue toppled by protesters in Portland

The vandalism occurred at a high school named after the Founding Father

Protesters in Portland, Oregon, toppled a statue of Thomas Jefferson that had stood in front of a high school named after the author of the Declaration of Independence as riots continue nationwide over the death of George Floyd.
The incident occurred Sunday night after a Black Lives Matter rally was held at Jefferson High School, and now there are calls for the school to be renamed after someone other than the third president of United States.
What are the details?
The Oregonian reported that a crowd of more than 1,000 congregated on the steps of the high school to demonstrate before marching to a park to continue their demonstration. When the protesters left at around 7:15 p.m., the statue was still standing but its pedestal had been spray-painted with the words "slave owner," "George Floyd," and "BLM" for Black Lives Matter.
An organizer of the rally was quoted as telling the crowd, "There's an interesting piece of history up here...Mr. Thomas is all beside himself. We're taking this city back one school at a time. One racist statue at a time."
Video circulating online and shared by news outlets shows activists pulling down the statue of the Founding Father while cheering. It is unclear whether the people who toppled the statue were affiliated with Black Lives Matter.
KPTV-TV reported Monday that there are also calls for Jefferson High School to be renamed, over the fact that Jefferson was a slave owner despite his penning of the words "all men are created equal."
Demonstrators pull down Thomas Jefferson statue in front of Portland high school www.youtube.com
Anything else?
Numerous statues of Confederate officials have been pulled down during the ongoing demonstrations against police brutality and racial injustices sparked by the death of Floyd, a black man who died while in Minneapolis police custody on May 25. But as the toppling of the Thomas Jefferson statue shows, tributes to America's Founding Fathers are now being targeted.
According to CBS News, "The Jefferson statue was the third to be taken down this weekend in Oregon alone: Two at the University of Oregon — the Pioneer Man and the Pioneer Mother — were taken down Saturday evening."


theblaze--2020-06-15--'Peaceful' CHAZ/CHOP protesters pull guns on Uber driver waiting near zone: 'Stuck them to my f***in

'Peaceful' CHAZ/CHOP protesters pull guns on Uber driver waiting near zone: 'Stuck them to my f***ing head'

'Peaceful ' CHAZ/CHOP protesters pull guns on Uber driver waiting near zone : 'Stuck them to my f***ing head '

Reporting from the area formerly known as the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone in Seattle, BlazeTV's Elijah Schaffer, host of "Slightly Offens*ve", spoke with a local Uber driver whose story paints a very different picture about the so called "peaceful protest" than we're hearing from the mainstream media and leftist politicians.
"I pulled up, I had a request up in the war-zone [CHAZ/CHOP]," the driver said. "There's two kids smoking a joint ... and they said you can't wait here. And I said, 'I'm Uber, I'm going to wait here.' And I said, 'This is America, I'll go where I want.' And they both pulled out guns and stuck them to my f***ing head."
The Uber driver described the confrontation taking a "personal" turn when protesters mocked him for being an "old white guy" and demanded he "get the f*** out of here."
"I'm all about protests, but not about rioting and all this stuff," he added.
Watch the video below for more details: (Content warning: Strong language)
Elijah joined Glenn Beck on the radio program Monday to elaborate on this and many other stories that reveal what's really going on inside Seattle's CHAZ or now called CHOP (Capitol Hill Occupied (or Organized) Protest). Watch more in the video below:
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To enjoy more of Glenn's masterful storytelling, thought-provoking analysis and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multiplatform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution and live the American dream.


theblaze--2020-06-15--Outspoken activist who backs removal of controversial statues embarrasses herself by admitting she d

Outspoken activist who backs removal of controversial statues embarrasses herself by admitting she doesn't know who Winston Churchill is

Outspoken activist who backs removal of controversial statues embarrasses herself by admitting she does n't know who Winston Churchill is

Activist Lorraine Jones, who is chair of the Lambeth Independent Police Advisory Group out of the United Kingdom, said that she's never "personally" met former Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and she's not sure his London statue should remain standing.
What are the details?
During an embarrassing Saturday exchange, Jones, speaking with Channel 4 News host Cathy Newman, addressed the recent defacing of a Churchill statue in London, blaming it on "far-right" activists.
"They were not guarding the Churchill statue," Jones said. "The thuggery which we all witness was horrifying and totally unacceptable, so that was just an excuse."
Jones added that certain people should be seriously examined to determine whether they are placed on a "high pedestal in this society."
"I think what needs to happen — which I know has already started — we need to look at the people that are being placed on a high pedestal in this society, the reasons why they are, and honestly and rightfully [decide] if they are supposed to be removed," she said.
"The sooner the government can make the decisions to take down the statues, which shouldn't be there, place them in a museum, like there are some people have requested, the better," she said.
But what about the Churchill statue?
Newman pressed Jones as to whether she believed the government should remove the Churchill statue.
"I've heard many arguments on both sides," Jones responded. "Some say that he's a racist, some say that he's a hero. I haven't personally met him, but what I would say is that that question of whether he should remain should be put to the community."
Churchill, the former British Prime Minister who led the U.K. to victory in World War II, died in 1965.
A perplexed Newman then went on to ask Jones whether she personally believed the Churchill statue should be removed.
“Well, I'm going to be honest, I haven't done a lot of history work with Churchill, but if I was to do that, it will be based on my findings," Jones said.


theblaze--2020-06-15--NFL player who told Drew Brees to 'shut the f*** up' about anthem kneeling hired as CNN contributor

NFL player who told Drew Brees to 'shut the f*** up ' about anthem kneeling hired as CNN contributor After @ @ @ @ @ , the quarterback bowed , issued several apologies

New Orleans Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins — a social justice leader in the NFL — has been hired by CNN as a contributor, PhillyVoice reported.
What else is Jenkins' known for?
Jenkins made some different headlines early this month after publicly blasting teammate and exceedingly philanthropic quarterback Drew Brees, who made the mistake of saying that while he stands with players "fighting for racial equality and justice," he will "never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America" by kneeling during the national anthem.
Brees' comments came amid the George Floyd protests and rioting, which likely rubbed some the wrong way.
Count Jenkins among them, who responded by telling Brees "sometimes you should shut the f*** up."
"Our communities are under siege, and we need help," Jenkins noted on social media. "And what you're telling us is don't ask for help that way. Ask for it a different way. I can't listen to it when you ask that way. We're done talking, Drew. And people who share your sentiments, who express those and push them throughout the world, the airwaves, are the problem."
Jenkins also said, "[I]t's unfortunate because I considered you a friend. I looked up to you. You're somebody who I had a great deal of respect for."
The past tense of Jenkins' latter comments indicates his sentiments are no more — which should make it interesting in the Superdome locker room this fall.
What are the details of Jenkins' CNN gig?
"Now more than ever, the public needs to be educated on the roles of elected positions of power, such as the District Attorney, Police Chief or City Council and how to hold those individuals accountable, especially through their voice and their vote," Jenkins said in a statement to Variety, according to PhillyVoice. "In an important election year, I'm eager to join the CNN family and share my perspective as a regular contributor. I also want to thank CNN for their thoughtful leadership in viewing professional athletes beyond their sport as another educated voice who brings a varied perspective and value to the network's programming and shows."
More from PhillyVoice:
Jenkins, 32, has led a variety of community initiatives in recent years through his Malcolm Jenkins Foundation and the Players Coalition, which he spearheaded with retired wide receiver Anquan Boldin. The independent advocacy group secured a $100 million commitment from the NFL to support charities and organizations in the areas of criminal justice, education and law enforcement reform.
The two-time Super Bowl winner has previously written for CNN, The New York Times and The Washington Post and also had a weekly feature with PhillyVoice during the 2018 football season. He is the co-founder of Listen Up Media, the production company behind "Black Boys," a documentary on black life in the United States that will be released later this year.
What happened after Jenkins ripped Brees?
After Jenkins publicly blasted him, Brees quickly issued a lengthy apology for his words about anthem kneeling, saying "it breaks my heart to know the pain I have caused."
Brees then issued a second apology, noting in an Instagram video, "I know there's not much that I can say that would make things any better right now, but I just want you to see my eyes, how sorry I am for the comments I made yesterday," Brees said. "I am sorry, and I will do better, and I will be part of the solution, and I am your ally."
And after President Donald Trump said Brees shouldn't have apologized, the quarterback took to Instagram again and penned a message to Trump, saying "we must stop talking about the flag and shift our attention to the real issues of systemic racial injustice, economic oppression, police brutality, and judicial & prison reform. We are at a critical juncture in our nation's history! If not now, then when?"
Brees' wife Brittany also issued a "WE ARE THE PROBLEM" apology on the Instagram page of the Brees Dream Foundation, an organization "serving terminally-ill adults and their families by providing end-of-life dreams that offer inspiration, comfort and closure."
Jenkins wasn't the only athlete to lay into Brees. NBA star LeBron James took to Twitter and wrote, "WOW MAN!! Is it still surprising at this point. Sure isn't! You literally still don't understand why Kap was kneeling on one knee?? Has absolute nothing to do with the disrespect of and our soldiers (men and women) who keep our land free. My father-in-law was one of those ... men who fought as well for this country."
Even New Orleans residents reportedly broke out in anti-Brees shouts following his remarks, screaming "F*** Drew Brees!"
But after Brees' comments to Trump, Jenkins told the quarterback in an Instagram story that "as much as your comments hurt me and many other people, I appreciate you for listening because being heard is a big part of it." Others accepted Brees' apology as well.


theblaze--2020-06-15--Mayor de Blasio calls in sick day after marching in mass protests but refuses COVID-19 test — despit

Mayor de Blasio calls in sick day after marching in mass protests but refuses COVID-19 test — despite symptoms and telling NYers to get tested

Mayor de Blasio calls in sick day after marching in mass protests but refuses COVID-19 test — despite symptoms and @ @ @ @ @

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio loves to tell New Yorkers what to do while refusing to follow his own directives.
Remember when he announced the closure of gyms in New York and hit the gym on his way to City Hall on the same day?
Or when he and his wife were out for a stroll in Prospect Park — more than 10 miles from their home — when Gothamites were being told to stay near their homes?
What about his orders forbidding New Yorkers from holding large gatherings that he somehow forgot about when it was time for the George Floyd protests?
When it comes to hypocrisy, the Big Apple has learned that there's no one better at it than de Blasio.
His newest — and perhaps biggest — offense came Monday.
Hizzoner — who has repeatedly told New York residents to get tested for the coronavirus (even if they don't have symptoms) and in fact made free testing available to anyone — took a sick day Monday after marching with thousands of protesters on Sunday. And he is still refusing to get tested for the coronavirus, the New York Daily News said.
"The mayor woke up under the weather. He's taking the day to recuperate and we should be back to normal programming tomorrow," spokeswoman Freddi Goldstein told the paper. "We don't believe it's COVID-related."
Gothamist reported that the office said de Blasio was suffering "gastrointestinal symptoms."
According to the Daily News, the mayor had no intention of getting a coronavirus test — and that he hasn't had one since the beginning of the pandemic.
Why no tests for the mayor Monday?
Goldstein said, "Based on what he is experiencing, the mayor does not believe there's a need to be tested," Gothamist reported.
But as the outlet noted, the city's Department of Health includes "gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting or diarrhea" as reported symptoms of COVID-19. And an April study out of Stanford University said loss of appetite, nausea, and diarrhea were reported among a third of COVID-19 patents.
Goldstein also told the outlet, "Up until very recently, the guidance was to only get tested if symptomatic, which he has not been." But as Gothamist pointed out, that guidance was changed nearly two weeks ago — by the mayor's office itself when it started pushing all New Yorkers to get tested.
And just last week, as the city began its reopening phase, de Blasio tweeted a reminder for everybody in the city to get tested.
"I'm reminding New Yorkers as we restart: GET TESTED!," he wrote. "Testing is more available than ever before. It's free, quick and easy. Anyone who wants a free test, go to http://nyc.gov/covidtest or call 311."
He even hyped how easy it was, saying, "We're bringing testing right to YOU."
The New York Post noted that de Blasio vowed back in May to get tested but never did.


theblaze--2020-06-15--UN is going to investigate ‘systemic racism' and police brutality in the US

UN is going to investigate ‘ systemic racism ' and police brutality in the US

The United Nations Human Rights Council has decided to hold an urgent debate on allegations of "systemic racism, police brutality, and violence against peaceful protests" in the United States.
The U.N.'s top human rights body's decision to hold the debate followed a request by West African country, Burkina Faso, on behalf of 54 African countries, to address the matter in the wake of George Floyd's death on May 25.
Floyd's death under the knee of former police Officer Derek Chauvin has sparked protests and riots around the country and around the world.
The African coalition argued in a letter to the U.N. that Floyd's death is "not an isolated incident, with many previous cases of unarmed persons of African descent suffering the same fate due to unchecked police brutality."
"The protests the world is witnessing are a rejection of the fundamental racial inequality and discrimination that characterize life in the United States for black people, and other people of color," the letter stated.
The council's current president, Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger of Austria, responded by accepting the request and saying that the African countries may prepare a resolution for consideration at the debate, Reuters reported.
"We think it is a moment to really discuss this issue, as you have seen with the demonstrations all over Europe, including here in Geneva," Tichy-Fisslberger told reporters at a news conference.
"This is a topic which is not just about one country, it goes well beyond that," Tichy-Fisslberger insisted. Though there are doubts over this notion, since the African coalition specifically cited the U.S. in their request for debate.
Also, last week, Floyd's family called on the U.N. to investigate George Floyd's death and address systemic racism in the U.S.
The family's lawyer, Benjamin Crump, said in a statement that the country "has a long pattern and practice of depriving Black citizens of the fundamental human right to life."
According to the U.N., the debate on "current racially inspired human rights violations, systematic racism, police brutality and the violence against peaceful protests" has been scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. ET Wednesday, June 17.


theblaze--2020-06-15--Armed South Philly residents guard Columbus statue from vandalism — and leftist mayor, district atto

Armed South Philly residents guard Columbus statue from vandalism — and leftist mayor, district attorney call them vigilantes, 'criminal bullies'

Armed South Philly residents guard Columbus statue from vandalism — and leftist mayor , district attorney call them vigilantes , @ @ @ @ @ watching over the South Broad Street statue reportedly were wielding guns , baseball bats , @ @ @ @ @

Philly folk don't play. But you probably already knew that.
You might recall about 100 residents of the city's Fishtown neighborhood patrolled their streets with baseball bats, hammers, and shovels as nationwide George Floyd rioting hit a fever pitch earlier this month.
Well, another 100 or so in south Philadelphia — a legendary Italian-American stronghold that's home to "Rocky" lore and arguably the best cheesesteaks around — took it upon themselves to guard the Christopher Columbus statue in Marconi Plaza from potential vandalism over the weekend.
And some of them used bats, golf clubs, sticks — and guns — to convince those who might hold opposite opinions to stay away, PhillyVoice reported.
Still, it got heated at times.
Image source: WTXF-TV video screenshot
As TheBlaze has been reporting, protesters last week beheaded, toppled, and vandalized statues and monuments across America in their fury over racism and Floyd's death — but Philly leftists didn't exactly get high marks after they ignorantly vandalized the statue of abolitionist Matthias Baldwin outside City Hall, spray-painting "murderer" and "colonizer" on its pedestal.
Still, the south Philly faithful wanted to be ready.
"We refuse to let our statue be taken by looters," one resident told WTXF-TV. "If they wanna take the statue, which we are against, do it the right way."
Another man added to the station that protesters "break stuff" and "loot" and "destroy, and then people give you what you want — that's terrorism. This is not what America's supposed to be about. We're not supposed to give in to terror."
Image source: WTXF-TV video screenshot
What happened?
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney indirectly referred to the behavior of those guarding the statue as "vigilantism," and District Attorney Larry Krasner called them "criminal bullies."
Kenney also said officials know about "an apparent assault caught on video tape, as well as possible restrictions placed on journalists filming the event. These incidents are under investigation at this time."
More from PhillyVoice:
Some of those who gathered allegedly assaulted a reporter named Chris Schiano from the media company Unicorn Riot after they were seen being filmed, as footage shows the reporter being hit in the head and having the tires of his bike slashed.
Some of those who gathered allegedly fought with police officers over the reporter covering the event and argued with the cops to get Schiano to stop filming the gathering.
A Philadelphia police officer named Louis Campione also allegedly attempted to stop the reporter from filming and covering the event, as well as accused the reporter of instigating the crowd.
Here are some related clips. ( Content warning: Language):
Sunday was far more intense
Presumably because they caught wind of south Philly folk guarding the statue, leftists descended upon the area Sunday, and the two groups squared off, WTXF reported.
Police reportedly arrested at least two people for disorderly conduct, the station said, adding that one counterprotester was detained for ripping down a flag and second for moving a police barricade.
Jeering the mayor — at his fiancee's house
Some of the people guarding the statue on Sunday evening walked about a half mile to the home of the mayor's fiancee where they jeered Kenney for not backing police and what they believed was his weak response to the riots — and they also cheered for President Donald Trump, WTXF said.
Residents guarded the Columbus statue through Monday morning, the station added.


theblaze--2020-06-15--Hollywood tough guy Ron Perlman challenges Ted Cruz to a wrestling match

Photo by Peter Sabok/COOLMEDIA/NurPhoto via Getty Images ; Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images

"Hellboy" star Ron Perlman spent the weekend in a Twitter back-and-forth with Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz. After the two went at it for a couple days, Perlman tweeted a photo of Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) Sunday evening, telling Gaetz, "PS: You're lucky for this guy Matt. If it weren't for him you'd be the ugliest politician walking."
With that, Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz jumped into the fray, ripping Perlman's manliness and defending Jordan, who is a onetime NCAA wrestling champion and a former Ohio State University wrestling coach.
The senator said he'd wager $10,000 that Jordan would whup Perlman in less than five minutes.
"Listen, Hellboy," Cruz tweeted. "You talk good game when you've got Hollywood makeup & stuntmen. But I'll bet $10k — to the nonpolitical charity of your choice — that you couldn't last 5 min in the wrestling ring w/ @Jim_Jordan w/o getting pinned."
"You up for it?" Cruz taunted. "Or does your publicist say too risky?"
Perlman appeared excited to have Cruz join the fracas.
"Wait, is this THEE Ted Cruz?" the actor wrote. "Holy s**t man!"
"Is this the same guy let little Donnie call his wife A dog and his father an assassin and now kisses his ass?" Perlman continued, referring to President Donald Trump's heavily criticized crude remarks about Cruz's wife, Heidi, and wild rumormongering linking Rafael Cruz, the senator's dad, to the assassination of John F. Kennedy.
Image source: Twitter screenshot
"Yo, can I get your autograph man?" Perlman asked.
Then he threw down.
"I tell you what teddy boy, since mentioning jim jordan and wrestling is... problematic, why don't we say f*** him and just make it you & me," Perlman challenged. "I'll give 50k to Black Lives Matter and you can keep all the tax payer money you were thinking of spending."
Image source: Twitter screenshot
Cruz, naturally, had no plans to get into the ring with Perlman. Instead, he reiterated his challenge to get Perlman to wrestle Jordan — the man Perlman had attacked. (So far, no one appears to know whether Jordan OK'd Cruz's challenge or if the senator was simply volunteering Jordan.)
"I get it, you're rich," Cruz said. "But, apparently, soft. You sure seem scared to wrestle Jordan (whom you keep insulting)."
Image source: Twitter screenshot
"Can't take the heat?" the senator added. "Need to get a manicure?"
Perlman wasn't having it from the Texan and went off on a brief, expletive-laden Twitter thread response Monday morning.
"Teddy, Teddy, what kind of a muthaf***a offers to have another guy, probably asleep at the time, kick another guy's ass?" Perlman asked.
Image source: Twitter screenshot
"Let's get back to bidness ted," he continued. "jim jordan's too easy, just a little bitch. But you teddy, you talk s**t about New York every chance you get. My hometown. It's personal. Let's go mofo!"
Image source: Twitter screenshot
As of this writing, no dates have been scheduled for a match between Perlman and Jordan or Perlman and Cruz.
Also, no word yet of a possible Jordan-Cruz tag-team grudge match with Perlman and fellow New York silver-screen tough guy Robert De Niro and an undercard featuring President Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden, who have a history of trading fighting words.