theblaze--2020-07-18--Portland's Dem mayor attempts to blame Trump for ongoing violence — then immediately gets fact check

Portland's Dem mayor attempts to blame Trump for ongoing violence — then immediately gets fact checked

Portland 's Dem mayor attempts to blame Trump for ongoing violence — then immediately gets fact checked ‘ ... we @ @ @ @ @ a plan to stop the vandalism or the riots ’

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, a Democrat, attempted to blame the federal government for enflaming tensions in Portland — but immediately got fact checked.
During a press conference with local media on Friday, Wheeler claimed that rhetoric from President Donald Trump and other top government officials, along with intervention from federal law enforcement officers, has enflamed violence in the City of Roses after, as the mayor claimed, local officials had quelled protesters.
"The feds came in, on the heels of some really inflammatory public messaging coming out of Washington, D.C., from the president directly, as well as the Department of Homeland Security, they blew the whole thing back up again," Wheeler claimed.
"So, in one day, we saw the numbers escalate, we saw new people coming to Portland from out of state," he added. "This whole situation is now blowing up as a result of the tactics being used by the federal government."
But a reporter on the call pointed out that local officials have failed to stop the ongoing violence that has plagued Portland for nearly two months.
"The federal government says that they wouldn't have had to into the city if city leaders had gotten a handle on the riots," the reporter said. "You say that we can handle it better than the feds can, but we haven't heard or seen a plan to stop the vandalism or the riots, even prior to the federal government, or federal officers, getting into town."
According to Oregon Public Broadcasting, clandestine officers belonging to the U.S. Marshals Special Operations Group and Customs and Border Protection's BORTAC were deployed in Portland to protect federal property.
In a statement, Customs and Border Protection said:
While the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) respects every American's right to protest peacefully, violence and civil unrest will not be tolerated. Violent anarchists have organized events in Portland over the last several weeks with willful intent to damage and destroy federal property, as well as injure federal officers and agents. These criminal actions will not be tolerated.
CBP agents had information indicating the person in the video was suspected of assaults against federal agents or destruction of federal property. Once CBP agents approached the suspect, a large and violent mob moved towards their location. For everyone's safety, CBP agents quickly moved the suspect to a safer location for further questioning. The CBP agents identified themselves and were wearing CBP insignia during the encounter. The names of the agents were not displayed due to recent doxing incidents against law enforcement personnel who serve and protect our country.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its components will continue to work tirelessly to reestablish law and order. The Federal Protective Service (FPS) is the lead government agency that CBP personnel are supporting. CBP personnel have been deployed to Portland in direct support of the Presidential Executive Order and the newly established DHS Protecting American Communities Task Force (PACT). CBP law enforcement personnel have been trained and cross designated under FPS legal authority 40 U.S.C. § 1315.
The Oregon Department of Justice has since filed a lawsuit against several federal agencies over what they claim are civil rights abuses.


theblaze--2020-07-18--Anti-extremist activist goes on hunger strike to protest China's human rights violations against Uig

Anti-extremist activist goes on hunger strike to protest China's human rights violations against Uighur Muslims

Anti-extremist activist goes on hunger strike to protest China 's human rights violations against Uighur Muslims Maajid Nawaz said the @ @ @ @ @ a blind eye ' the the abuse by the Chinese government

Maajid Nawaz, an anti-extremist activist and London Broadcasting Company host, is currently on a hunger strike. He will continue to do so until he has gathered enough support for the United Kingdom Parliament to have a debate about human rights violations against Uighur Muslims by the Chinese Communist Party.
"I declare a hunger strike in meditative silence for #STOPUigurMuslimGenocide," Nawaz wrote on Twitter on Wednesday. "In protest against CCP enslavement, rape & harvesting of my Uigur Muslim, Falun Gong, Buddhist or Christian brethren's organs, I'm on hunger strike until the UK Parliament agrees to formally debate acknowledgment of the Uigur genocide."
The LBC host is encouraging his 274,000 Twitter followers to sign a petition titled "Impose sanctions on China over its treatment of Uyghur Muslims." If the petition gets 100,000 signatures, the U.K. Parliament will debate the issue. At the time of publication, the petition had over 78,000 signatures.
"The UK Government plans to introduce 'Magnitsky law,' a law which targets people who commit gross human rights violations," the petition reads. "Through this law or alternative means, this petition urges the UK Government to impose sanctions on China for their human rights violations on the Uyghur people."
"Since 2017, there have been many reports of the 'cultural genocide' of Uyghur Muslims, a minority Turkic ethnic group native to Xinjiang, China," the petition states. "They are subject to mass detention, mass surveillance, restriction of religious and cultural identities, as well as other gross human rights abuses. Over a million Uyghurs have been forced into 're-education' camps."
Nawaz tweeted that "1-2 million Uigur Muslims are held in CCP concentration camps" and that there is evidence that the Chinese government has an "organ-harvesting human slave trafficking network."
"Genocide against Uigur Muslims in East Turkestan is currently taking place," Nawaz said. "Up to two million people are being held in concentration camps. Uighurs are suffering repression, torture and the plundering of their bodies for spare parts for the organ transplant market."
"The world seems to have turned a blind eye to this abuse," he added. "We appear to care more about globalized supply chains, cheap labor and greed than fairness and respect for fundamental human rights. As a result, civil society and our political establishment is at risk of being politically, morally and economically compromised by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)."
Nawaz also included a link to a Change.org petition titled "End the Uigar genocide and concentration camps in China," which has nearly 15,000 signatures.
Nawaz is the founder of the Quilliam Foundation, a London-based think tank that focuses on counter-extremism.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized a huge shipment of human hair products from China that hint at "potential human right abuses of forced child labor and imprisonment." CBP officers at the Port of New York/Newark intercepted a shipment of 13 tons of hair products worth over $800,000 that originated from Xinjiang, China, and linked to the Chinese government's Uighur concentration camps.


theblaze--2020-07-18--Two US cities declare racism a public health emergency

'Systemic racism is a principal social determinant of individual and public health '

Two U.S. cities have declared that racism is a public health emergency, including Minneapolis, which is where George Floyd died while being arrested. On Friday, the Minneapolis City Council approved a resolution that declares racism a public emergency, nearly two months after it was first introduced.
The resolution states that "racism in all its forms causes persistent discrimination and disparate outcomes in many areas of life, including housing, education, health, employment, public safety and criminal justice; exacerbated further by the COVID-19 pandemic crisis."
"The City of Minneapolis will recognize the severe impact of racism on the well-being of residents and city overall and allocate funding, staff, and additional resources to actively engage in racial equity in order to name, reverse, and repair the harm done to BIPOC in this City," the resolution states.
The Minneapolis resolution promises to:
"Center the voices, work, and leadership of the communities most directly affected by said racism."
"Provide support to the Racial Equity Community Advisory Committee to conduct and implement an internal evaluation of the City Charter as well as all City policies and procedures to prioritize racial equity with specification on how policies translate into anti-racist action towards City employees, constituents, and community members."
"Address our criminal justice system to stop the profiling and harm done to BIPOC."
"Decentralize BIPOC over-policing and criminalization."
"Allocate dollars in the Mayor's budget to be directed towards small business development, housing, community-based infrastructure, and other amenities to reverse and repair the harm experienced by BIPOC."
"Increase the availability of high-quality youth development programming for BIPOC youth and young adults with inclusion of a strategic plan to improve program quality and evaluate the impact and reach."
"Develop and implement an annual report with racially disaggregated data on the health of Minneapolis BIPOC."
"Build a workplace culture that promotes racialized repair, cross-cultural relationships, upholds the sacredness of caucus spaces for building community, and shifts the burden of addressing racism off BIPOC."
The resolution also aims to decrease incarcerations by reserving arrests only for violent and major crimes, as well as dismiss cash bail.
The resolution adds: "A multitude of studies connect racism to inequitable health outcomes for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), including cancer, coronary heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, high infant and maternal mortality rates demonstrating that racism is the root cause of social determinants of health."
The resolution also states that "the City of Minneapolis recognizes that Africans were forcibly brought to this country, enslaved, and after the Emancipation of Slavery, citizens of this country perpetuated Anti-Black racism through violence, mass incarceration and Anti-Black policies, including redlining, and that the social construction of race was used to justify their enslavement as well as the removal of Indigenous peoples off their land pushing them onto land deemed less desirable."
The resolution notes that "the City of Minneapolis recognizes the City is built upon Dakota homelands, and that Indigenous nations have lived upon this land since time immemorial, and the land itself carries historical trauma, and that genocidal policies have aimed to strip tribal nations not only of land, but of culture, language and family systems."
"Systemic racism is among the greatest long-term threats our city and nation are facing, and the last two months have made that reality painfully clear," Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (D) said in a press release. "For Minneapolis to be a place where everyone can live and thrive, we must recognize this crisis for what it is and approach policymaking with the urgency it deserves."
The Vermont city of Burlington also declared that racism is a public health emergency this week. On Thursday morning, Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger unveiled the "Community Declaration of Racism as a Public Health Emergency."
"Racism is a public health crisis," Weinberger said. "As a result of deeply embedded structural racism, Black and brown Americans experience far worse outcomes then their white contemporaries."
"Though Black residents comprise just 1% of Vermont's population, during the current pandemic – as of July 8th – they account for 10% of the total confirmed COVID-19 cases in Vermont," Weinberger said.
The declaration stated that "systemic racism is a principal social determinant of individual and public health, impacting economic, employment, education, housing, justice, and health opportunities and outcomes, all of which further adversely impact the health of people of color."
The city of Burlington proclaimed that it would "commit to coordinate our work and participate in ongoing joint action, grounded in science and data, to eliminate race-based health disparities and eradicate systemic racism."


theblaze--2020-07-18--Groundbreaking study shows students rarely spread COVID, makes case for students returning to school

'Children act more as a brake on infection '

With August quickly approaching, many school districts across the country have already mandated online learning for students over fears that congregating students would further spread coronavirus.
But according to a recent study in Germany — completed by the Medical Faculty of the TU Dresden and University Hospital Carl Gustav Caru — transmission of COVID-19 among younger people is rare.
From CNBC:
The results showed that out of 2,045 blood samples collected from students and teachers from across 13 secondary schools in [Saxony] only 12 samples were found to contain antibodies against Covid-19.
Tests were carried out in several schools where there had been known outbreaks of the virus, and 24 of the participants had at least one confirmed coronavirus case in their household. Nonetheless, only one of those 24 participants was found to have antibodies, the study noted.
In fact, the study found that schools do not become virus hotspots once they reopen. According to the study, "the dynamics of virus spreading have been overestimated," CNBC reported.
Prof. Reinhard Berner, the head of pediatric medicine at Dresden University Hospital and a leader of the study, said the study proves "the opposite" of the claim that schools could be super-spreaders of the virus.
"Children act more as a brake on infection," Berner said. "Not every infection that reaches them is passed on."
Researchers in Iceland and Europe have similarly concluded that children do not easily transmit COVID-19.
From Wired:
There is also a wealth of evidence that children do not transmit the virus at the same rate as adults. While experts note that the precise transmission dynamics between children, or between children and adults, are "not well understood"—and indeed, some argue that the best evidence on this question is that "we do not have enough evidence"—many tend to think that the risk of contagion is diminished.
Jonas F. Ludvigsson, a pediatrician and a professor of clinical epidemiology at Sweden's Karolinska Institute, reviewed the relevant research literature as of May 11 and concluded that, while it's "highly likely" children can transmit the virus causing Covid-19, they "seldom cause outbreaks." The World Health Organization's chief scientist, Soumya Swaminathan, suggested last month that "it does seem from what we know now that children are less capable of spreading" the disease, and Kristine Macartney, director of Australia's National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, noted a lack of evidence that school-aged children are superspreaders in her country. A study in Ireland found "no evidence of secondary transmission of Covid-19 from children attending school."
And Kári Stefánsson, a leading researcher in Iceland, told The New Yorker that out of some 56,000 residents who have been tested, "there are only two examples where a child infected a parent. But there are lots of examples where parents infected children." Similar conclusions were drawn in a study of families in the Netherlands.
Still, only a small number of Americans — just 19% according to one recent survey — believe that schools should reopen fully this fall.


theblaze--2020-07-18--Charles Barkley calls out Nick Cannon's anti-Semitism: 'I don’t understand how you beat hatred with

Charles Barkley calls out Nick Cannon's anti-Semitism: 'I don’t understand how you beat hatred with more hatred'

Charles Barkley calls out Nick Cannon 's anti-Semitism : ' I don ’ t understand how you beat hatred with @ @ @

Hall of Fame NBA player Charles Barkley criticized recent anti-Semitic incidents involving entertainer Nick Cannon, former NBA player and ESPN analyst Stephen Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson, and rapper Ice Cube.
"I'm so disappointed in these men, but I don't understand how you beat hatred with more hatred," Barkley said. "That stuff should never come up in your vocabulary, and that stuff should never come up in your heart. I don't understand it and I'm never going to accept it."
Barkley made the comments on Friday's episode of his podcast "The Steam Room," which he co-hosts with fellow NBA analyst Ernie Johnson.
"What the hell are y'all doing?" Barkley asked. "Y'all want racial equality. We all do. I don't understand how insulting another group helps our cause. I don't understand in any shape or form."
"We can't allow Black people to be prejudiced also, especially if we're asking for white folks to respect us, give us economic opportunity and things like that," the legendary basketball player said. "If you want respect, you got to give respect."
"Especially at a time when you're asking people to respect Black people, that black lives matter, this whole George Floyd thing has opened up a great dialogue to some of the problems in the black community," Barkley pointed out. "I don't want to alienate anybody, and to take shots at the Jewish, the white race, I just don't like it, cause it's not right."
Barkley said that he could never say the hateful things that Cannon, Stephen Jackson, DeSean Jackson, or Ice Cube are accused of saying.
"I ain't never gonna say something bad about another ethnic group," Barkley said. "Never, ever. That's not in my heart. That's not in my soul. That's not in my DNA."
Barkley praised fellow NBA Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for condemning the anti-Semitism, but was shocked that there wasn't more outrage over the anti-Semitic instances. Abdul-Jabbar wrote an article for The Hollywood Reporter titled "Where Is the Outrage Over Anti-Semitism in Sports and Hollywood?"
"Recent incidents of anti-Semitic tweets and posts from sports and entertainment celebrities are a very troubling omen for the future of the Black Lives Matter movement, but so too is the shocking lack of massive indignation," Abdul-Jabbar wrote. "Given the New Woke-fulness in Hollywood and the sports world, we expected more passionate public outrage. What we got was a shrug of meh-rage."
"These famous, outspoken people share the same scapegoat logic as all oppressive groups from Nazis to the KKK [Ku Klux Klan]: all our troubles are because of bad-apple groups that worship wrong, have the wrong complexion, come from the wrong country, are the wrong gender or love the wrong gender," Abdul-Jabbar added. "It's so disheartening to see people from groups that have been violently marginalized do the same thing to others without realizing that perpetuating this kind of bad logic is what perpetuates racism."
Ice Cube reacted to Abdul-Jabbar's column by likening him to Judas betraying Jesus Christ.
Last month, The Daily Beast wrote an article about the rapper, whose given name is O'Shea Jackson, titled "Ice Cube's Long, Disturbing History of Anti-Semitism."
ViacomCBS terminated Cannon after his anti-Semitic remarks resurfaced in a YouTube video where he presented conspiracy theories and defended Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan. Cannon blamed "systemic racism" for his firing.
Cannon eventually issued an apology after having a meeting with his employer Fox Broadcasting Company. Following the controversy, Cannon's new talk show has been delayed at least a year.
DeSean Jackson shared several since-deleted posts on Instagram that promoted Louis Farrakhan as well as falsely quoting Adolf Hitler. The Philadelphia Eagles condemned the anti-Semitic posts.
Stephen Jackson, who has been a prominent figure in the Black Lives Matter movement, was lambasted for defending DeSean Jackson and promoting Jewish stereotypes.
Last week, Barkley warned that sports leagues trying to be woke are "turning into a circus, instead of trying to do some good stuff."


theblaze--2020-07-18--Chris Wallace interrupts Trump to fact check him — then Trump stops interview to look for proof

Chris Wallace interrupts Trump to fact check him — then Trump stops interview to look for proof 'Let 's go @ @ @ @ @ , please '

An interview between Fox News anchor Chris Wallace and President Donald Trump became so heated on Friday that the president stopped the interview and made staffers search for documents after Wallace fact checked him.
During the interview, Trump claimed Joe Biden's charter with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) advocates defunding the police. But Wallace fact checked the president, pointing out that it does not.
"Biden wants to defund the police," Trump claimed.
"Sir, he does not," Wallace shot back.
"Look he signed a charter with Bernie Sanders—" Trump replied.
"It says nothing about defunding the police," Wallace interrupted.
That's when, according to Wallace, Trump abruptly paused the interview and asked staffers to bring him a copy of the Biden-Sanders charter. Trump reportedly then looked through the document, but was unable to prove what he had claimed.
After taping the interview, Wallace explained on Fox News, "That led to a very interesting exchange where he had his staff go out and get the highlights from that 100-page compact that the Biden team and the Sanders team had signed and he went through it and he found a lot of things that he objected to that Biden has agreed to, but he couldn't find any indication — because there isn't any — that Joe Biden has sought to defund and abolish the police."
Indeed, although Biden has called for de-militarizing the police and has echoed some Democratic rhetoric about law enforcement, he has not advocated for abolishing police departments.
The complete interview with Trump will air on "Fox News Sunday."


theblaze--2020-07-18--Rioters shoot fireworks at Chicago police officers guarding Christopher Columbus statue, cops hospit

Rioters shoot fireworks at Chicago police officers guarding Christopher Columbus statue, cops hospitalized

At least 1,000 protesters gathered at Grant Park in an attempt to topple the Christopher Columbus statue

At least 1,000 protesters gathered at Chicago's Grant Park on Friday night. Rioters went to the park with the intentions to topple a Christopher Columbus statue. However, tensions flared between rioters and Chicago police who were guarding the monument. Rioters surrounded the Chicago police officers and attacked the cops with fireworks and by throwing projectiles.
Vandals used rope in an attempt to tear down the Columbus statue that was created by Italian sculptor Carlo Brioschi, and installed in 1933. The crowd screamed, "Columbus was a murderer! Columbus was a thief!" Graffiti was spray-painted on the base of the statue with anti-police messages.
Chicago police established a perimeter around the base of the monument. Rioters responded by throwing projectiles such as cans at law enforcement members. Cops used pepper spray in an attempt to subdue the mob.
Rioters launched fireworks at the police officers.
CBS reporter Marissa Parra was covering the protests when a Chicago police officer swatted her phone out of her hand while recording. Another cop told him, "Don't touch her, she's media."
Protesters attempted to prevent Parra from filming the demonstration, even taking her camera from her hands.
During the tense confrontation, at least 18 officers were injured, and some needed to be taken to the hospital for their injuries, according to Chicago police spokesman Thomas Ahern.
"Officers were there to not only protect the property, but they were to ensure the safety of the protestors and their First Amendment right to protest peacefully when the crowd turned on the police, literally ambushed the police with all their projectiles," Ahern said.
Approximately 12 people were arrested and are facing charges such as battery to a police officer and mob action, according to the Chicago Tribune. About five civilians were hospitalized, Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford stated.
A group of elected officials condemned Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot's decision to use law enforcement to protect the Christopher Columbus statue.
"We unequivocally condemn Mayor Lori Lightfoot's decision to send the Chicago police to beat, arrest, and terrorize the demonstrators and journalists gathered in Grant Park tonight," the statement read.
The officials also wrote that they would "work to defund the Chicago Police Department immediately."
The letter was signed by Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor, Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez, Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez, Ramirez-Rosa, State Rep. Representative Delia Ramirez, Democratic nominee LaKesia Collins, and State Sen. Robert Peters.


theblaze--2020-07-18--'Violent blaze' at 15th-century Nantes Cathedral; French officials launch criminal investigation int

'Violent blaze' at 15th-century Nantes Cathedral; French officials launch criminal investigation into suspected arson

The 400-year-old grand organ in the Cathedral of St. Peter and St Paul of Nantes was completely destroyed

Three separate fires erupted in the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul of Nantes, located in northwestern France. French authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the blaze at the 15th-century cathedral in Nantes, the sixth-largest city in France.
The fire began early Saturday morning, and flames were visible from outside the cathedral. It took more than 100 firefighters several hours to control the blaze at the Gothic structure.
Local Fire Chief Laurent Ferlay said the "violent blaze" started "by the organ located behind the rose window."
"The damage is concentrated on the organ, which appears to be completely destroyed," Ferlay said. "The platform it is situated on is very unstable and risks collapsing."
The grand organ was installed in the Nantes Cathedral in 1621. The organ originally had 27 keys, but over the centuries it was upgraded to 74 keys.
"When we arrive at a place where a fire has taken place, when you see three separate fire outbreaks, it's a question of common sense, you open an investigation," Nantes prosecutor Pierre Sennes said.
Ferlay pointed out that "the scenario is not comparable to Notre Dame" because the roof has not been affected. The Notre Dame cathedral in Paris also suffered a devastating fire 15 months ago.
French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted, "After Notre-Dame, the St. Peter and St. Paul Cathedral is in flames. Support to the firemen who are taking all the risks to save the Gothic jewel."
Construction of the Nantes Cathedral began in 1434 and was officially completed in 1891. The Roman Catholic church survived the French Revolution and World War II, but was damaged by Allied bombing in 1944.
There was another fire at the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul of Nantes in 1972, where the roof was mostly destroyed. The roof was rebuilt 13 years later with a concrete structure replacing the wooden roof.
"The fire of 1972 is in our minds, but at this stage the situation is not comparable," Nantes Mayor Johanna Rolland said.
Fire breaks out at Nantes cathedral in western France www.youtube.com
In 2015, a massive fire broke out at the 19th century basilica of Saint-Donatien in Nantes. The fire was said to have started by roofers who were renovating the church.
Earlier this week, a Florida man crashed his van into a church and then set the building on fire with parishioners inside. Steven Shields, 24, was arrested by Marion County Sheriff's Office deputies for the church attack on the Queen of Peace Catholic Sanctuary in Ocala.
The 249-year-old San Gabriel church outside of Los Angeles caught on fire at around 4 a.m. last Saturday. The cause of the blaze is under investigation. In late June, vandals toppled a statue of Junipero Serra, the founder of the missions of California. San Gabriel Fire Capt. Paul Negrete said the toppling of the Serra statue will be a factor in the investigation.


theblaze--2020-07-18--Civil rights icon John Lewis passes away after battle with cancer: 'He loved this country so much'

Civil rights icon John Lewis passes away after battle with cancer : 'He loved this country so much' Lewis endured @ @ @ @ @ the civil rights movement

John Lewis, the civil rights icon and longtime congressman from Georgia, died Friday night. He was 80.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Lewis' death, and details about his passing were not immediately available. Lewis had been battling Stage 4 pancreatic cancer since last December.
John Lewis after being arrested for peacefully protesting in Jackson, Miss., in May 1961. (Kypros/Getty Images)
Lewis will be remembered for courageously preaching nonviolence during the height of the civil rights movement in the 1960s, all the while enduring beatings and being jailed. Lewis, at age 23, even spoke in Washington, D.C., at the Lincoln Monument the same day that Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.
Lewis would go on to serve in the halls of Congress for more than three decades, where he carried forward the spirit of the civil rights era and became known as the "Conscience of the Congress."
In a statement, the Lewis family said:
It is with inconsolable grief and enduring sadness that we announce the passing of U.S. Rep. John Lewis. He was honored and respected as the conscience of the US Congress and an icon of American history, but we knew him as a loving father and brother. He was a stalwart champion in the on-going struggle to demand respect for the dignity and worth of every human being. He dedicated his entire life to non-violent activism and was an outspoken advocate in the struggle for equal justice in America. He will be deeply missed.
In an essay reflecting on Lewis' legacy, former President Barack Obama said that Lewis had an "enormous impact on the history of this country."
"He loved this country so much that he risked his life and his blood so that it might live up to its promise. And through the decades, he not only gave all of himself to the cause of freedom and justice, but inspired generations that followed to try to live up to his example," Obama wrote.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) also released a lengthy statement praising Lewis and his accomplishments.
"The Senate and the nation mourn the loss of Congressman John Lewis, a pioneering civil rights leader who put his life on the line to fight racism, promote equal rights, and bring our nation into greater alignment with its founding principles," he said, The Hill reported. "Our great nation's history has only bent towards justice because great men like John Lewis took it upon themselves to help bend it. Our nation will never forget this American hero."


theblaze--2020-07-18--Teen Vogue article explains a new way to 'fight systemic racism during sleep'

Teen Vogue article explains a new way to 'fight systemic racism during sleep '

On Thursday's episode of The News & Why it Matters, Sara Gonzales, Grant Stinchfield, and Jaco Booyens discussed a Teen Vogue article arguing that Black employees should be given time off for "power naps" as reparations for the sleep deprivation of slaves.
In this clip, the panel discussed " Black Power Naps," created by Fannie Sosa and Navild Acosta, tackles "systemic racism during sleep." Sosa and Acosta claimed the idea, "Came from understanding that the American dream is a sleepless one."
"We inherited this exhaustion," Sosa said.
"We're dealing with an inheritance of sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation was a…deliberate tactic of slave owners to basically make the mind feeble," he said. "That same tactic has only evolved."


theblaze--2020-07-18--Mysterious clandestine officers snatch protesters off streets in Portland: 'Kidnapping protesters'

The arrests have lit up social media

Mysterious law enforcement officers triggered outrage in Portland this week after social media videos showed what appeared to be military soldiers snatching protesters off streets and taking them away in unmarked vehicles without explanation.
According to Oregon Public Broadcasting, the clandestine officers belong to the U.S. Marshals Special Operations Group and Customs and Border Protection's BORTAC. They were deployed to protect federal property as violent protests continue in Portland every day.
The officers have been operating in the city since at least July 14, according to OPB.
One protester who was arrested, Mark Pettibone, recounted his experience with the Washington Post.
From the Post:
He was detained and searched. One man asked him if he had any weapons; he did not. They drove him to the federal courthouse and placed him in a holding cell. Two officers eventually returned to read his Miranda rights and ask if he would waive those rights to answer a few questions; he did not.
Pettibone said he still does not know who arrested him or whether what happened to him legally qualifies as an arrest. The federal officers who snatched him off the street as he was walking home from a peaceful protest did not tell him why he had been detained or provide him any record of an arrest, he told The Post. As far as he knows, he has not been charged with any crimes.
In response, Democrats are lashing out at President Donald Trump.
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, a Democrat, called the officer deployment an "absolute abuse of federal law enforcement officials."
"This is part of a coordinated strategy of Trump's White House to use federal troops to bolster his sagging polling data," Wheeler claimed, the Post reported.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi likened the clandestine officers to "stormtroopers" who are "kidnapping protesters."


theblaze--2020-07-20--President Trump calls Dr. Fauci a 'bit of an alarmist' who 'made mistakes,' but says they have 'good

President Trump calls Dr. Fauci a 'bit of an alarmist' who 'made mistakes,' but says they have 'good relationship'

President Trump calls Dr. Fauci a 'bit of an alarmist ' who 'made mistakes , ' but says they have @ @ @ @ @ said that Dr. Anthony Fauci has `` made some mistakes . ''

President Donald Trump said Anthony Fauci is a "little bit of an alarmist" in an interview on "Fox News Sunday." President Trump added that he also has a "very good relationship" with Fauci, one of the lead members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force.
In a lengthy interview with Fox News' Chris Wallace recorded on Friday and released on Sunday, Trump gave his opinions on Fauci and the job he has done responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Dr. Fauci's made some mistakes," Trump said of the nation's top infectious-disease expert. "But I have a very good — I spoke to him yesterday at length. I have a very good relationship with Dr. Fauci."
Previously, Trump hadn't spoken to Fauci since early June.
"Dr. Fauci at the beginning said, 'This will pass. Don't worry about it. This will pass.' He was wrong," Trump told Wallace. "Dr. Fauci said, 'Don't ban China. Don't ban China.' I did. He then admitted that I was right."
Trump added that one of Fauci's mistakes was his original stance that wearing of masks wasn't necessary. In the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S., Fauci informed the public that they shouldn't purchase face masks.
In mid-June, Fauci explained why he told Americans they didn't need face masks in an interview with TheStreet.
"Well, the reason for that is that we were concerned the public health community, and many people were saying this, were concerned that it was at a time when personal protective equipment, including the N95 masks and the surgical masks, were in very short supply," Fauci said last month. "And we wanted to make sure that the people namely, the health care workers, who were brave enough to put themselves in a harm way, to take care of people who you know were infected with the coronavirus and the danger of them getting infected."
Last week, Fauci urged governors and mayors "to be as forceful as possible in getting your citizenry to wear masks."
Trump said the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is "a little bit of an alarmist — that's OK."
Wallace asked President Trump if he takes responsibility for his role in the government's response to the coronavirus pandemic.
"Look I take responsibility always for everything because it's ultimately my job too, I have to get everybody in line," Trump responded. "Some governors have done well, some governors have done poorly. They're supposed to have supplies they didn't have, I supplied everybody."
Last week, a White House memo leaked that attempted to discredit Fauci, and the coronavirus task force member was referred to as "Dr. Gloom and Doom."
Fauci gave an interview to The Atlantic, where he said that attacks by members of Trump's administration to discredit him are "bizarre."
"I think if you sit down and talk to the people who are involved in that list that came out, they are really, I think, taken aback by what a big mistake that was," Fauci said. "I think if you talk to reasonable people in the White House, they realize that was a major mistake on their part, because it doesn't do anything but reflect poorly on them. And I don't think that that was their intention. I cannot figure out in my wildest dreams why they would want to do that. I think they realize now that that was not a prudent thing to do, because it's only reflecting negatively on them."


theblaze--2020-07-19--Twitter removes Trump campaign ad after Linkin Park files copyright complaint over the use of song

Twitter removes Trump campaign ad after Linkin Park files copyright complaint over the use of song This is the latest @ @ @ @ @ Twitter .

Twitter removed a Trump campaign ad on Saturday because the political advertisement used a Linkin Park song, and the alternative rock band objected to having their music used by President Donald Trump. Linkin Park filed a copyright complaint because Trump's ad had their 2002 song "In the End" as the soundtrack of the video.
"Per our copyright policy, we respond to valid copyright complaints sent to us by copyright owner or their authorized representative," a Twitter spokesperson told The Verge on Sunday.
"Linkin Park did not and does not endorse Trump, nor authorize his organization to use any of our music," the official Twitter account for Linkin Park wrote on Saturday night. "A cease and desist has been issued."
The political ad features images of President Trump and excerpts from his inauguration speech set to a cover song version of Linkin Park's "In the End" performed by Tommee Profitt and featuring Fleurie and Jung Youth that was released this year.
On Friday night, White House deputy chief of staff for communications Dan Scavino shared the video on Twitter. President Trump retweeted the video on Saturday. The video has been replaced with a message that says: "This media has been disabled in response to a report by the copyright owner."
Twitter received a Digital Millennium Copyright Act notice from Machine Shop Entertainment, the management company owned by Linkin Park. The July 18 filing was posted on the Lumen Database, a nonprofit transparency initiative that collects requests for the removal of online materials.
Linkin Park's late lead singer, Chester Bennington, was staunchly against President Trump before his death on July 20, 2017. Months before Bennington's death, he tweeted: "I repeat….. Trump is a greater threat to the USA than terrorism!! We have to take back our voices and stand for what we believe in."
Several music artists have instructed the Trump campaign to stop using their songs during campaign events and rallies, including the Rolling Stones, Neil Young, Panic! at the Disco, Pharrell Williams, R.E.M., Aerosmith, Adele, the Village People, and Tom Petty's family.
Last October, Twitter removed a video posted by Trump attacking Joe Biden's son Hunter's relationship with a Ukrainian gas executive. That video was deleted because it used the music and video for Nickelback's song "Photograph."
On June 30, Twitter deleted a meme that Trump posted because the New York Times filed a copyright complaint. The photo in the meme was taken by Pulitzer-Prize winning photographer Damon Winter for a 2015 feature on Trump.
On June 23, Twitter suppressed a Trump tweet that stated: "There will never be an 'Autonomous Zone' in Washington, D.C., as long as I'm your President. If they try they will be met with serious force!"
Twitter put a warning label on the tweet that read: "We've placed a public policy interest notice on this Tweet for violating our policy against abusive behavior, specifically, the presence of a threat of harm against an identifiable group."
A Trump tweet from May 29 was flagged by Twitter for "glorifying violence," a violation of the social media platform's terms of service.
Trump's tweet said: "...These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won't let this happen. Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you."
Last week, several big-name Twitter accounts were hacked. The official Twitter accounts for Apple, Uber, Elon Musk, Kanye West, and Joe Biden were compromised.


theblaze--2020-07-19--North Carolina teachers' union demands welfare for illegal immigrants and suspended rent before scho

North Carolina teachers' union demands welfare for illegal immigrants and suspended rent before schools reopen

North Carolina teachers ' union demands welfare for illegal immigrants and suspended rent before schools reopen The teachers ' union @ @ @ @ @ care , a moratorium on mortgage , and for the state to completely shut down @

A teachers' union in North Carolina has introduced a long list of demands that need to be met before schools can reopen. The Durham Association of Educators is calling for sweeping social programs such as universal health care, welfare benefits for illegal immigrants, and a suspension of rents and mortgages.
Last week, the DAE released a "Statement on School Re-Open Plans." The teachers' union says, "COVID-19 is a game of Russian Roulette, in which BIPOC communities are disproportionately killed."
The union claims that politicians "are under enormous pressure to re-open schools, no matter the risk," and "they are prepared to let us get sick and die." The announcement states: "Trump, DeVos, and Berger want schools to open because they care about protecting wealth and big business."
The DAE says schools can not reopen "until COVID-19 transmission rates are much lower than they are now," and the union instructs Gov. Roy Cooper (D) to completely shut down North Carolina.
The union calls for sweeping social programs in its reopening demands statement.
"There are concrete policies that have permitted other countries to flatten the curve and return to public life: moratoriums on rent and mortgage, universal health care, direct income support regardless of immigration status," the statement reads.
Last week, Cooper unveiled his plan to reopen North Carolina schools in August. The plan is to have children attend in-person classes every other day or every other week that will feature "moderate social distancing."
"We know that school will look a lot different this year," Cooper said last Tuesday. "They have to in order to be safe and effective. The public health experts and the school leaders developed these safety rules to protect our students and teachers and their families."
Teachers have balked at Cooper's school reopening plan.
The DAE isn't the only teachers' union to use the coronavirus shutdown to push overtly progressive policies. The 35,000-member United Teachers Los Angeles union demanded the defunding of police, the end of charter schools, and financial support of undocumented students and their families.
The New Jersey Education Association has proposed a strict reopening plan that involves weekly COVID-19 tests for all students, social distancing of six feet at all times, and door-to-door mandatory masks.
Dawn Hiltner, a spokeswoman for the NJEA, said teachers fear that sending children back to school in September could endanger both children and teachers.


theblaze--2020-07-19--Missouri governor says he'll likely pardon armed St. Louis couple if they are charged

Missouri governor says he 'll likely pardon armed St. Louis couple if they are charged '' I do n't think @ @ @ @ @ any time in jail , '' said Missouri Gov .
Mike Parson .

The governor of Missouri does not expect the armed St. Louis couple who defended their home to go to jail, and he would be willing to pardon them if it came down to it.
Mark and Patricia McCloskey garnered internet fame, condemnation, and praise after photos and videos of them defending their home went viral. Approximately 500 protesters marched into a gated community in the wealthy Central West End neighborhood on June 28. The two St. Louis attorneys were prepared to protect their mansion and were caught on camera wielding guns.
St. Louis police served a search warrant on the McCloskeys earlier this month. Police confiscated the couple's firearms that they were armed with during the tense encounter with demonstrators in June – an AR-15 rifle and a handgun.
St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, the prosecutor who is handling the case, said, "We must protect the right to peacefully protest, and any attempt to chill it through intimidation or threat of deadly force will not be tolerated."
While there have yet to be charges filed against the couple, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (R) said he would pardon the McCloskeys if they are charged for brandishing firearms at a group of protesters outside their home.
Parson made the revelation on Friday during an appearance on "The Marc Cox Morning Show" on 97.1 FM in St. Louis. Parson said the McCloskeys "did what they legally should do" in protecting their property.
"A mob does not have the right to charge your property," Parson stated. "They had every right to protect themselves."
When asked if he would pardon the St. Louis couple if charges were filled, Parsons replied, "I think that's exactly what would happen," according to The Hill.
"Right now, that's what I feel," he added. "You don't know until you hear all the facts. But right now, if this is all about going after them for doing a lawful act, then yeah, if that scenario ever happened, I don't think they're going to spend any time in jail."
Parson wrote on Twitter: "We will not allow law-abiding citizens to be targeted for exercising their constitutional rights."
Parson, along with President Donald Trump and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), have all criticized Gardner's investigation into the couple. President Trump called the investigation of the McCloskeys a "disgrace."
Hawley called for an investigation into the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office.
"This is an unacceptable abuse of power and threat to the Second Amendment," read a letter from Hawley to U.S. Attorney General William Barr. "I urge you to consider a federal civil rights investigation into the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office to determine whether this investigation and impending prosecution violates this family's constitutional right."
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt said the McCloskeys have been politically targeted.
"Under Missouri law, under the Castle Doctrine, an individual has really expansive authority to protect their own lives, their home, and their property. I think the story here to watch here is the local prosecutor, Kim Gardner," Schmitt said in a Fox News interview.
"Kim Gardner has an abysmal record in prosecuting violent crime, has recently released and been complicit in the release of dozens and dozens of inmates who have been charged with violent crimes, and has a record of making politically motivated decisions not based on the law," Schmitt added. "So, this is certainly something to watch."


theblaze--2020-07-19--The fight to reopen schools shows that liberals will stop at nothing to defeat Trump

I've seen what's going on with the whole "it's too dangerous to open up the schools" thing before.
His name was Brett Kavanaugh. The president that was going to drain the swamp ended up nominating the perfect legal swamp squish, much to the early chagrin of the conservative base that held their nose to vote for Donald Trump.
You'd think that the schadenfreude might have been enough for the progressive left. They had to know how Pyrrhic the Republicans' victory truly was and that yet another Roberts or Kennedy had been secured to undermine the future of conservative legal fortunes for decades to come.
But it wasn't enough. Not even close. Order 66 was issued, and all hell broke lose.
Kavanaugh was a marauding rapist, don't ya know. So not only his nomination, but his entire personal reputation had to be destroyed. And that's how a bunch of conservatives like me who wouldn't hire Kavanaugh as a law clerk, let alone to be judge on the highest court in the land, were forced as a matter of human decency to defend his honor in the face of existential deceit.
The left was clearly signaling that the long march through the institutions was a thing of the past. It had no patience left. We're in the endgame now, and in matters great and small compromise or pragmatism were completely off the table. Kavanaugh may as well have been a statue. He simply needed to be torn down because he was there.
Now back to not going back to school. Since those buildings full of good little progressive minions are one of the primary reasons our nation has gotten to its current desperate and pathetic point, you'd think the left would be happy to recommence with the regularly scheduled target practice on the American child's fragile soul.
Furthermore, the entirety of Europe, which has long been idolized by progressive educrats as the socialist future they've been waiting for, have sent their kids back to school as quickly as possible in the wake of Coronavirus lockdowns.
But here in America, the panic about sending kids back to school is growing by the day even though there is still a month and a half of summer to go between then and now. Doesn't matter what the demographic data says about kids and the disease. Doesn't matter what the science says about the lack of asymptomatic spread. Doesn't matter that the American Pediatric Association says kids should go back to school.
The only thing that matters is that a large portion of the public in general and far too many Trump supporters specifically are starving for some normalcy. That means back to school. That means routine. Schedules. Being able to go back to work without childcare hurdles to navigate. And yes, schools that often frustrate and even demean them, but that fight will still be there another day. Right now, it's just about getting a sinking ship back afloat instead of becoming an existential Titanic that ruins far more than schools.
Nope, say progressives. It's not November yet. And until that election happens and Trump is gone, sinking is all they have in mind. Order 66 it is.
Because you don't really think these schools are yours to return to whenever you want, do you, you filthy plebes? You were made to be ruled. So you come when we say come, and until then you can rot. Because the schools aren't really about education, they are about power and who has it — and you don't.
Thus, expect every effort from the teachers' unions to keep children as far away from schools as possible in order to gin up the level of anxiety necessary to vote for anything but Trump. And thus, as with Kavanaugh, that means if you want something different to happen — in politics, in the sports world, whatever — many of you need to swallow your distaste for the direction public education has taken and pick a side on this one.
It isn't good enough to wish for a failed school system to burn. And frankly, it never was. Because they are our schools. We pay for them. Our society is seeded by them, whether our own kids have been provided better options or not. To forsake them is to commit suicide. Doesn't that feel incredibly obvious by now?
The schools are high ground we need to take back, in the near term and beyond. How about we start right now? Actually, we don't really have a choice. It's time to pick a fight and send the panic porn packing. Hearing the school bell ring this fall could very well signal the difference between freedom and serfdom.


theblaze--2020-07-19--Riot declared in Portland, vandals torch police building: 'Every precinct, every town, burn the prec

Riot declared in Portland, vandals torch police building: 'Every precinct, every town, burn the precincts to the ground'

Riot declared in Portland , vandals torch police building : 'Every precinct , every town , burn the precincts to @ @ @ @ @ clashes between rioters and federal officers who attempted to defend the federal courthouse in Portland @ @ @ @ @

Saturday marked the 52nd consecutive night of protests in Portland following George Floyd's death. Demonstrations elevated to violent levels as the night progressed, and by 11 p.m., the Portland Police Department declared a riot.
Rioters broke into the Portland Police Association building on Saturday night and set it on fire. Agitators also started dumpster fires in Oregon's largest city.
Protesters chanted: "Every city, every town, burn the precincts to the ground!"
Rioters vandalized the federal courthouse in downtown Portland after removing the protective fencing that was once on the perimeter. One person was seen shooting airsoft paintball bullets at cameras on the exterior of the Multnomah County Justice Center. A man yelled into the courthouse to inform authorities: "We want the fight!"
Federal and local law enforcement deployed tear gas and flash bangs near the federal courthouse to attempt to disperse the crowd. One video shows a federal officer pepper-spraying and striking a protester with a baton several times, but the man seems unfazed.
On Sunday morning, President Donald Trump commented on the contentious situation in Portland.
"We are trying to help Portland, not hurt it. Their leadership has, for months, lost control of the anarchists and agitators," President Trump tweeted. "They are missing in action. We must protect Federal property, AND OUR PEOPLE. These were not merely protesters, these are the real deal!"
President Trump and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler have been at odds on the use of federal law enforcement in the city to quell the ongoing riots.
"Keep your troops in your own buildings, or have them leave our city," Wheeler said on Friday. Wheeler was referencing officers from the U.S. Marshals Special Operations Group and Customs and Border Protection's BORTAC that have been operating in the city since at least July 14.
Wheeler also blamed Trump for recent riots in the city, but was fact-checked by a reporter.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) described the federal agents in Portland as "Unidentified stormtroopers" in "unmarked cars kidnapping protesters and causing severe injuries in response to graffiti."
On Friday, a self-described "afro-indigenous non-binary local organizer" gave a speech that called for the "abolition of the United States as we know it." The crowd gathered at the Mark O. Hatfield Courthouse applauded the idea.


theblaze--2020-07-19--Here are some science lessons I have learned from New York's handling of the coronavirus

Here are some science lessons I have learned from New York 's handling of the coronavirus

This being the internet, I suppose I should say right up front that the title of this post is sarcastic. It is facially obvious that no one who wants to learn anything about actual science should look to the way New York has responded to this pandemic.
However, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo — whose state has had by far the worst coronavirus response by any objective measure has taken to lecturing other public leaders (including Republican governors and President Trump) about the need to let science be the sole guide of public policy when handling the coronavirus. The implication of this ridiculous horn tooting is that Cuomo himself has done nothing but follow science since the pandemic started.
Well, if we take Cuomo at his word, let's look (sarcastically) at some of the very science-based things we can learn from New York's handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
1. Apparently, if you have sick individuals in a vulnerable population, it's a good idea to force healthy individuals from that same vulnerable population to live with them.
By all accounts, nursing home patients are at by far the greatest risk of any group in the world from the coronavirus. They represent a hugely disproportionate number of deaths and hospitalizations from the virus. Nursing home patients represent only 11 per cent of all positive cases, but nearly half of all deaths in the United States.
In light of this information, you might think that science would suggest that the most important thing to do would be to protect nursing home residents from infection, and to isolate infected residents from the rest of the population.
Instead, Cuomo literally ordered nursing homes to take in coronavirus patients, ensuring that they stayed indoors in closed quarters with non-infected nursing home patients, thus effectively signing the death warrants for thousands of New Yorkers.
Science!
2. Apparently, it is not important to clean the subways during the middle of an infectious disease pandemic.
We know now that the coronavirus does not easily live on surfaces and that contact with infected surfaces is not considered by the CDC to be a "primary" driver of the pandemic. However, it still remains possible to contract the disease from a contaminated surface if someone touches their face or mouth after touching that surface, which is why the CDC still retains the painfully obvious advice to "routinely clean and disinfect" frequently touched surfaces.
If you have ever been to New York City, you know that pretty much everything in the New York City subway constitutes a "frequently touched surface." And yet, while the city's "essential workers" continued to use the subways during the initial stages of the pandemic, it was not until the final days of April — over a month after the pandemic started — that Cuomo finally ordered that the subways be cleaned nightly.
Of course, apart from the issue of cleaning the surfaces of the subway, Cuomo and de Blasio did nothing to address the problem of the city's homeless, who descended upon the suddenly-spacious subways when the pandemic started and effectively moved in, ensuring that they themselves became a driver for pandemic.
An MIT study released in Mid-April condemned New York's handling of the subway system and faulted its leadership for allowing the subways to become a "major disseminator" of the virus; however, New York's science-minded governor did not act on this information for another two weeks.
Science!
3. Apparently, diseases will spread like crazy in churches, schools, sporting events and concerts. Protests are also immune but only if they are for a worthy cause.
This one hardly needs explanation. I had always understood from my biology class that viruses and bacteria do not have brains, or consciences, or a sense of social justice. I learned from Cuomo and de Blasio, however, that this just isn't true! Viruses are apparently big on infecting churchgoers (and, based on de Blasio's actions and rhetoric, they are especially fond of Jewish gatherings for some reason), but they would not dare to infect people who protested for a worthy cause like Black Lives Matter.
How else would you explain the rigorous measures taken by Cuomo and de Blasio to punish people for gathering for literally any reason other than to protest?
4. Apparently, schools are dangerous and cannot fully reopen. However, "community centers," at which children will come together in buildings and be supervised by adults, are fine.
In spite of significant evidence that children — particularly younger children — are not driving the spread of the coronavirus, New York's School system will not reopen fully this fall, due probably in large part to pressure from teachers' unions. What is going to happen, however, is that New York will provide taxpayer funded "community centers" which will provide places for parents to bring their children, drop them off, and have them supervised by city employees.
Which, you may notice, sounds exactly like a school, at least as far as an infectious disease is concerned.
It is not, however, exactly like a school as far as the development of children is concerned. The American Academy of Pediatrics (who are scientists) says, "We recognize that children learn best when physically present in the classroom. But children get much more than academics at school. They also learn social and emotional skills at school, get healthy meals and exercise, mental health support and other services that cannot be easily replicated online. Schools also play a critical role in addressing racial and social inequity. Our nation's response to COVID-19 has laid bare inequities and consequences for children that must be addressed. This pandemic is especially hard on families who rely on school lunches, have children with disabilities, or lack access to Internet or health care."
What I learned from New York, however, is that it's apparently more important to keep teachers' unions happy, even if it comes at the price of the health of children, who will be placed in a situation that is virtually identical to school.
Science!


theblaze--2020-07-19--Anti-BLM protesters dump paint on Black Lives Matter mural near Trump Tower: 'Refund the police!'

Anti-BLM protesters dump paint on Black Lives Matter mural near Trump Tower : 'Refund the police ! '
An NYPD @ @ @ @ @ hospital after suffering an injury during the arrest of the demonstrator .

Two protesters poured paint on the Black Lives Matter mural in front of Trump Tower in New York City on Saturday afternoon. During the demonstration, an NYPD officer was injured.
Christian activist Bevelyn Beatty from the At The Well Ministries dumped paint over the Black Lives Matter mural on New York's Fifth Avenue. While spilling black paint over the yellow letters, Beatty shouted: "Refund the police," which is a counter argument to the suddenly trendy "defund the police" movement.
"Black lives matter, but you want to defund the police for black people. You're lying," Beatty said. "We're not standing for Black Lives Matter! We want our police."
On her Instagram, Beatty called Black Lives Matter a "domestic terrorist organization." "They don't care about black lives," she wrote. "They support the killing of more than 600K Black Babies every year!"
While on her hands and knees spreading the paint around, a police officer attempted to apprehend Beatty, who was wearing a shirt that said: "Jesus Matters." She flailed her arms, and the cop fell face-first into the pavement. The officer was injured from the hard fall and taken away in an ambulance to Bellevue Hospital with non-serious injuries.
The mayor's office said the vandalism was unacceptable, and that the New York City Department of Transportation will be repainting the mural that stretches from 56th to 57th street.
Beatty, 29, and Edmee Chavannes, 39, both from Staten Island, were charged with criminal mischief.
Beatty also vandalized the Black Lives mural in Brooklyn this weekend by pouring paint all over the letters.
The Black Lives Matter mural near Trump Tower has been vandalized four times since it was painted on July 9 with the help of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D).
On Friday, two people were arrested for spreading blue paint on the Black Lives Matter mural as they chanted: "All lives matter" and "Blue lives matter."
Earlier this month, a Black Lives Matter mural on a suburban Chicago street was altered with paint to read: "All Lives Matter."
A Black Lives Matter mural in Martinez, Calif., was vandalized on the Fourth of July. The couple who painted over the letters with black paint were charged with a hate crime.
"Today, the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office charged Nichole Anderson (42-years old Martinez resident) and David Nelson (53-years-old Martinez resident) with three misdemeanor counts, including a hate crime, for their alleged actions on Saturday, July 4, when defendant Anderson covered up a Black Lives Matter mural with black paint," read the statement from Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton.
"Slightly Offens*ve" host Elijah Schaffer gave his commentary regarding the couple being charged with a hate crime for painting over a mural.


theblaze--2020-07-19--British government ejects Chinese company Huawei from 5G construction citing security concerns; some

British government ejects Chinese company Huawei from 5G construction citing security concerns; some Brits blame Trump

I 'm sure he 'll happily take the credit for this one

Citing concerns about the security of products produced by Chinese company Huawei, the British government announced last week that they were banning all Huawei products from the construction of Britain's 5G network. While some within Britain have complained that the British government was pressured into the move by United States President Donald Trump, the British government is apparently moving forward with plans for alternative sourcing for the material from Japan.
5G technology promises to revolutionize wireless data transmission and potentially open the doorway for new and as-yet-unimagined technological breakthroughs. As countries around the world ramp up infrastructure development in preparation for widespread 5G usage, companies that manufacture telecommunications equipment stand to realize billions in revenue.
The Chinese government has been exerting enormous pressure on countries around the world to use Huawei products, even reportedly attempting to leverage its stockpiles of medical equipment during the coronavirus crisis (which it caused) to coerce countries into using Huawei.
Many are concerned, however, that Huawei acts as a de facto arm of the Chinese Communist government, and that Huawei equipment will allow the Chinese government to spy on or potentially sabotage communications of anyone who uses 5G technology. These concerns caused the United States government to issue sanctions on Huawei in May of this year, which prevented United States companies from providing equipment and components to Huawei.
These actions caused Britain's National Cyber Security Centre to "significantly change" their security assessment of Huawei's presence in Britain's 5G network. The British government announced last Tuesday that all Huawei equipment would have to be purged from its wireless network by 2027.
Reports from Reuters now indicate that Britain is considering NEC Corp. and Fujitsu Ltd. as possible alternatives to Huawei.
Meanwhile, unnamed sources in Britain's government blamed the recent shift on President Donald Trump, and have reportedly indicated through "back channels" that the decision to remove Huawei might be reversed if Trump loses the presidential election in November.


theblaze--2020-07-19--Illinois' Democratic Speaker of the House implicated in massive bribery scandal

U.S. Attorney John Lausch , right , announce a major fine against ComEd for bribery involving Illinois politicians , during @ @ @ @ @ courtyard of the Dirksen U.S .
Courthouse in Chicago , Ill. on Friday , July @ @ @ @ @ Uribe/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan (D) has been implicated in a massive bribery scandal involving utility company ComEd, and Illinois' Democratic governor J.B. Pritzker has stated that Madigan "must resign" if the allegations against him are true. Madigan strongly denies any wrongdoing.
Federal prosecutors revealed last week that ComEd had agreed to pay $200 million to resolve the criminal case against them, in which they are accused of having arranged for jobs and vendor contracts for a person identified in charging documents as "public official A" in order to help get rate increases more quickly approved by the Illinois legislature. In the plea documents, ComEd admitted to having effectively bribed this official in exchange for more favorable treatment from the Illinois legislature.
Although Madigan is not mentioned by name in the charging documents, the evidence is overwhelming that Madigan is the target of the investigation, which prosecutors described as "vibrant" and ongoing.
Madigan seemingly confirmed this through a spokesperson on Friday. The spokesperson admitted that Madigan's office had received subpoenas for documents from federal investigators, and vowed, "He will cooperate and respond to those requests for documents, which he believes will clearly demonstrate that he has done nothing criminal or improper."
WBEZ-TV also reported that feds have subpoenaed records from AT&T, Walgreens, Rush University Medical Center and "a host of political operatives and lobbyists," indicating that their investigation into possible corruption in the Illinois legislature is likely much wider than has already been indicated. According to WBEZ, investigators have also subpoenaed record pertaining to Madigan's law firm, "four former state lawmakers, four former or current Chicago alderman and a Chinatown land deal that was a cornerstone of a federal corruption probe that brought down former Ald. Danny Solis."
Commenting on the investigation, Pritzker said, "The speaker has a lot that he needs to answer for to authorities, to investigators, and most importantly, to the people of Illinois."


theblaze--2020-07-19--'Jeopardy' host Alex Trebek may be nearing the end of his battle with pancreatic cancer

'Jeopardy ' host Alex Trebek may be nearing the end of his battle with pancreatic cancer

In a poignant interview with the New York Times, "Jeopardy" host Alex Trebek revealed that he may be close to giving up his fight against pancreatic cancer, saying, "There comes a time where you have to make a decision as to whether you want to continue with such a low quality of life, or whether you want to just ease yourself into the next level. It doesn't bother me in the least."
The wildly popular 79-year-old game show host initially announced that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer — one of the most aggressive and deadly forms of cancer — in March of 2019. Earlier this year, he gave a faith-filled and hopeful update to his condition, but it seems that things may have taken a turn for the worse. According to the Times, if his current course of chemotherapy is not successful, he plans to stop all treatment.
"Jeopardy" stopped filming new episodes in March of 2020 at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic; however, the show had been filming five episodes a day, two days a week, per the normal schedule, so the show's producers had plenty of old episodes to air for a time. Those have apparently run out, so the show's producers moved a studio into Trebek's Los Angeles home so that he could tape new introductions to old favorite episodes of the long running show.
And although Trebek described his current condition as one of regular pain — he told his wife after a recent bout that "I feel like I want to die" — he said that filming episodes of the show helps him to feel better. Trebek said, "Oddly enough, when we started taping I suddenly started to regain my strength. It's the strangest thing. It is some kind of an elixir."
Trebek says that he will continue to engage in production work on the show as long as he feels that he can do it at a high level. He is concerned that since his illness hit, he has been slurring the pronunciation of some of the clues. "It's a quality program, and I think I do a good job hosting it, and when I start slipping, I'll stop hosting."
Due to his age and his condition, Trebek has been tightly quarantined in his house with his wife, Jean, since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak.


theblaze--2020-07-20--Kentucky family under house arrest after testing positive for COVID-19

A Kentucky family is under house arrest after one of them tested positive for COVID-19. The couple must wear ankle monitors and can't leave the house after Elizabeth Linscott tested positive for coronavirus and refused to sign papers promising to self-quarantine.
Linscott planned to visit her parents in Michigan, so she got a COVID-19 test as a precaution. Despite not exhibiting any coronavirus symptoms, she tested positive for COVID-19.
"My grandparents wanted to see me, too," Linscott told WILX-TV. "So, just to make sure if I tested negative, that they would be OK, that everything would be fine."
After she tested positive, the Hardin County Health Department contacted her. The health department requested that she sign documents agreeing that she would self-quarantine and limit her travel. Linscott did not sign the document.
A few days after she declined to sign the "Self-isolation and Controlled Movement Agreed Order," the Hardin County Sheriff's Department arrived at her home.
"I open up the door, and there's like eight different people, five different cars," Elizabeth's husband Isaiah Linscott said. "I'm like, 'What the heck's going on?' This guy's in a suit with a mask. It's the health department guy, and he has three papers for us - for me, her and my daughter."
The authorities demanded that Elizabeth and Isaiah wear ankle monitors, and law enforcement said that they would be notified if the couple travel more than 200 feet away from their home.
"We didn't rob a store. We didn't steal something. We didn't hit and run. We didn't do anything wrong," Elizabeth Linscott said.
The Linscotts said they weren't against self-quarantine, but they didn't agree with the wording of the agreement.
"That's exactly what the director of the Public Health Department told the judge, that I was refusing to self-quarantine because of this, and that's not the case at all," Elizabeth said. "I never said that."
"I agreed to comply to call the Health Department if I was to go. I was to call the Health Department if I was to leave my house for any reason," she said. "I had gotten a message from them, a text message that stated, because of your refusal to sign, this is going to be escalated, and law enforcement will be involved."
The document required her to check in daily with her symptoms, self-isolate, and inform officials if she had to seek hospital treatment.
"My part was if I have to go to the ER, if I have to go to the hospital, I'm not going to wait to get the approval to go," Linscott told WAVE.
The Linscotts plan to hire an attorney to handle their legal issues stemming from the forced quarantine.


theblaze--2020-07-21--Two women accuse Fox News hosts Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson, and others in sexual harassment lawsui

Two women accuse Fox News hosts Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson, and others in sexual harassment lawsuit

Two women accuse Fox News hosts Sean Hannity , Tucker Carlson , and others in sexual harassment lawsuit The accusations @ @ @ @ @ rape

Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify the accusations leveled in the complaint. The specific accusations against Hannity and Carlson are spelled out below. As noted, Fox News strongly denies the allegations, and an attorney for Ed Henry denies the allegations of sexual assault and rape that were leveled against him.
Two women who had appeared frequently on Fox News are suing the cable news network over accusations that some of their most popular hosts sexually harassed them.
Cathy Areu and Jennifer Eckhart filed a lawsuit on Monday accusing a number of current and former Fox News personalities of sexual misconduct, including rape. Eckhart worked as a producer on Fox Business, while Areu was a frequent guest and technically met the definition of a part-time employee.
Ed Henry had already been fired from the network on July 1 over sexual misconduct claims.
Eckhart's accusations
Eckhart accused Henry in the lawsuit of having "preyed upon, manipulated and groomed [her] starting at the young age of 24, by exerting his abuse of power over her and her career."
She also claimed in the lawsuit that Henry violently raped her, left her bloodied and bruised, and took naked photographs of her in order to blackmail her later.
The lawsuit accused Fox News of not taking action against Henry despite knowing about the allegations, until Eckhart retained legal counsel in relation to her claims.
"My decision to speak out was not an easy one, but I refuse to let fear of retaliation, victim shaming and further attacks intimidate me into remaining silent," said Eckhart in a statement.
"I am hopeful that my decision to file this action will result in positive change for women at Fox, and for all victims in the workplace," she added, "and I am honored that other women have come forward since my decision to do so."
Areu's accusations
Areu claimed in the lawsuit that Henry also harassed her by sending her sexually explicit messages.
Areu also claimed that Fox News host Sean Hannity offered any man in the studio $100 to take her out on a date. She accused Fox News host Tucker Carlson of attempting to get her to visit him in his hotel room in 2018, and also claimed that Howard Kurtz made a similar attempt in 2019. She also accused contributor Gianno Caldwell of trying to begin a romantic relationship with her despite numerous denials.
"Like Ms. Eckhart, I too was fearful to come forward," she said. "However, I simply could not stay silent given the tremendous harm that Mr. Henry and others at Fox News have caused for women affiliated with the company. I chose to file this complaint because no woman should have to suffer the conduct to which I was subjected, much less the egregious conduct suffered by Ms. Eckhart."
Fox News responds
In a statement to the Washington Examiner, Fox News said that their third party investigation found Areu's claims to be false.
"Based on the findings of a comprehensive independent investigation conducted by an outside law firm, including interviews with numerous eyewitnesses, we have determined that all of Cathy Areu's claims against FOX News, including its management as well as its hosts Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity & Howard Kurtz and its contributor Gianno Caldwell, are false, patently frivolous and utterly devoid of any merit."
The network went on to address the accusations against Henry.
"We take all claims of harassment, misconduct and retaliation seriously, promptly investigating them and taking immediate action as needed — in this case, the appropriate action based on our investigation is to defend vigorously against these baseless allegations. Ms. Areu and Jennifer Eckhart can pursue their claims against Ed Henry directly with him, as FOX News already took swift action as soon as it learned of Ms. Eckhart's claims on June 25 and Mr. Henry is no longer employed by the network."
Ed Henry responds
Henry's attorney, Catherine Foti, released a statement denying the accusations made by Eckhart and claimed that the evidence would contradict her claims.
"The Me Too movement has helped to bring to light a number of injustices in our society, and everyone that has suffered deserves to be heard," Foti said. "This is not one of those cases. The evidence in this case will demonstrate that Ms. Eckhart initiated and completely encouraged a consensual relationship. Ed Henry looks forward to presenting actual facts and evidence, which will contradict the fictional accounts contained in the complaint. That evidence includes graphic photos and other aggressively suggestive communications that Ms. Eckhart sent to Mr. Henry."
Here's more about the accusations in the lawsuit:


theblaze--2020-07-21--Antifa-led riots clash with 'Trump's feds' in Portland — here's why the media is STILL defending Ant

Antifa-led riots clash with 'Trump's feds' in Portland — here's why the media is STILL defending Antifa

Antifa-led riots clash with 'Trump 's feds ' in Portland — here 's why the media is STILL defending Antifa @ @ @ @ @ lie to you '

In Portland, Oregon, protests — many of which have devolved into violent riots — have raged on for more than 50 consecutive days. The escalating unrest has prompted President Donald Trump to deploy federal officers to the city in an effort to calm the chaos.
Critics in the mainstream media continue to defend Antifa, claiming the protests are peaceful and blaming "Trump's feds" for causing any increase in violence and vandalism.
On this week's episode of "Slightly Offens*ve," BlazeTV's Elijah Schaffer exposed the origin story of Antifa to understand why they exist and why the mainstream media is still defending them.
"Don't let the media lie to you," Elijah said. "Why are the media defending Antifa? Who are they [Antifa], and what benefit do [the media] get for defending them?"
Watch the video below for more details:
Want more from Elijah Schaffer?
Subscribe to Elijah's 'Slightly Offens*ve' channel on YouTube for FREE access to his man-on-the-street interviews, protest coverage and more craziness that happens everyday in the USA.


theblaze--2020-07-20--China orders Christians to replace crosses and images of Jesus Christ with portraits of communist le

China orders Christians to replace crosses and images of Jesus Christ with portraits of communist leaders Another example of religious @ @ @ @

The communist Chinese government is ordering some Christians to take down religious symbols, including crosses, crucifixes, and images of Jesus Christ, and to replace them with communist leaders, according to a new report.
The startling report of religious oppression was reported in Bitter Winter, a religious liberty magazine.
"All impoverished households in the town were told to display Mao Zedong images," said a local pastor to Bitter Winter.
"The government is trying to eliminate our belief and wants to become God instead of Jesus," he added.
The order was made in April when communist party officials visited believers' homes in the city of Linfen, located in the northern province of Shanxi.
The officials said that those who were receiving financial assistance from the government would have to take down their religious symbols and replace them with portraits of Chairman Mao and President Xi Jinping. If they refused to do so, they could face the loss of their welfare benefits.
One villager recounted that officials tore down the Christian images in his home and replaced them with a portrait of Mao Zedong.
The believer quoted the official as saying, "Impoverished religious households can't receive money from the state for nothing — they must obey the Communist Party for the money they receive."
The report went on to document several instances where believers lost their support and benefits from the state merely for expressing religious sentiments or displaying religious symbols.
Muslims targeted also
The Communist Party of China has seen renewed criticism for its efforts at repressing the beliefs of the Uighur community, a Muslim sect, as well.
On Sunday, a Chinese ambassador denied the existence of detention camps despite drone footage that appeared to show hundreds of bound and blindfolded Uighur prisoners being led onto trains by armed soldiers in Xinjiang.
In June, President Donald Trump signed legislation condemning the Chinese government for the detainment of members of ethnic groups including the Uighurs. Some have been subjected to torture, forced labor and other deprivations in the camps. The bill passed overwhelmingly in both houses of Congress.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has made it clear that the U.S. is opposed to Chinese repression of religious liberty.
"In China, state-sponsored repression against all religions continues to intensify," Pompeo said, according to the Associated Press. "The Chinese Communist Party is now ordering religious organizations to obey CCP leadership and infuse communist dogma into their teachings and practice of their faith. The mass detentions of Uighurs in Xinjiang continues."
Here's more about religious persecution in China:
Chinese Government Orders Low-Income Families to Abandon Their Christian Faith or Lose Financial Aid www.youtube.com
[H/T: Christian Post.]


theblaze--2020-07-20--Charges filed against McCloskeys for waving guns at Black Lives Matter protesters

Charges filed against McCloskeys for waving guns at Black Lives Matter protesters The St. Louis couple said they feared for @ @ @

The St. Louis couple who went viral nationally for defending their home against Black Lives Matter protesters while waving their guns have been charged over the June incident.
St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner has filed charges against Mark and Patricia McCloskey of unlawful use of a weapon/flourishing, according to KSDK-TV.
In a statement announcing the charges, Gardner said the McCloskeys waved their weapons in a "threatening manner" at "peaceful, unarmed protesters," KSDK reported.
"It is illegal to wave weapons in a threatening manner at those participating in a nonviolent protest, and while we are fortunate this situation did not escalate into deadly force, this type of conduct is unacceptable in St. Louis," she wrote, according to KSDK.
The McCloskeys have said that they feared for their lives when protesters damaged a gate to a private street on their way to Mayor Lyda Krewson's home to protest. Protesters posted videos of the couple pointing a pistol and an AR-15 rifle at them and yelling for them to go away.
The videos quickly went viral on social media, with many accusing the couple of racism, while others defended them on the basis of their right to defend their property.
On July 11, police served a warrant at the McCloskeys' home and confiscated the firearms that were used in the incident, according to the couple.
A former attorney for the couple explained to reporters that the pistol Patricia McCloskey held was inoperable and was used as a prop in a federal trial.
The charge is a class D felony, and if the McCloskeys are found guilty they could face fines as steep as $5,000 and up to four years in prison.
However, the governor of Missouri has publicly stated that he supports the McCloskeys' right to defend themselves and their property, and he added that he would consider a pardon if they were found guilty of any charges.
Not to be undone, President Donald Trump also said that he would considering interceding on the behalf of the McCloskeys.
Joel Schwartz, the current lawyer for the McCloskeys, released a statement after the charges were filed.
"I, along with my clients, support the First Amendment right of every citizen to have their voice and opinion heard. This right, however, must be balanced with the Second Amendment and Missouri law, which entitle each of us to protect our home and family from potential threats," Schwartz said in part.
In July, a group of 24 neighbors to the McCloskeys released a letter condemning their actions.
"As the undersigned, we condemn the behavior of anyone who uses threats of violence, especially through the brandishing of firearms, to disrupt peaceful protest, whether it be in this neighborhood or anywhere in the United States," the letter read.
Here's an interview with Mark McCloskey about the incident:


theblaze--2020-07-20--AP says it will keep 'white' lowercase after recent decision to capitalize 'Black'

AP says it will keep 'white ' lowercase after recent decision to capitalize 'Black' 'White people generally do not share @ @ @ @ @ , or the experience of being discriminated against because of skin color '

The Associated Press on Monday announced that it will continue to keep the term "white" lowercase "in racial, ethnic and cultural senses."
The move follows the outlet's decision last month to capitalize "Black."
What are the details?
John Daniszewski, the AP's vice president for Standards, noted in a blog post that the news outlet "consulted with a wide group of people internally and externally around the globe and considered a variety of commentary in making these decisions."
"There was clear desire and reason to capitalize Black," Daniszewski continued. "Most notably, people who are Black have strong historical and cultural commonalities, even if they are from different parts of the world, and even if they now live in different parts of the world. That includes the shared experience of discrimination due solely to the color of one's skin."
He added, however, that at the moment there's "less support for capitalizing white."
The reason? "White people generally do not share the same history and culture, or the experience of being discriminated against because of skin color," Daniszewski noted. "In addition, we are a global news organization, and in much of the world there is considerable disagreement, ambiguity, and confusion about whom the term includes."
While the AP acknowledges that "white people's skin color plays into systemic inequalities and injustices, and we want our journalism to robustly explore those problems," Daniszewski said "capitalizing the term white, as is done by white supremacists, risks subtly conveying legitimacy to such beliefs."
More from the outlet:
Some have expressed the belief that if we don't capitalize white, we are being inconsistent and discriminating against white people or, conversely, that we are implying that white is the default. We also recognize the argument that capitalizing the term could pull white people more fully into issues and discussions of race and equality. We will closely watch how usage and thought evolves, and will periodically review our decision.
How did folks react?
Commentary has been coming in fast from the AP's Twitter post about its decision to keep "white" lowercase while capitalizing "Black" — and as you can imagine, not everybody views it as a helpful or fair-minded move:
"They should both be lowercase, as that is the grammatically correct way," one commenter noted. "This doesn't make any sense."
"Wow, that's not racist at all, except for the racist part," another commenter said.
"Capitalizing things to show some sort of respect is gratuitous," yet another individual opined. "Proper nouns are capitalized and adjectives derived thereof are capitalized. Common nouns and adjectives derived thereof are not. Period. Paragraph."
"Total and complete racism, bigotry, and just flat out idiocy," another person said.
"The woke mob cannot be satiated, @AP," one commenter added. "This does nothing other than signal your irrationality, intellectual weakness, and dishonesty. Congrats!"
Oh, and if you want an idea of what support for the AP's decision looks like, one commenter in the thread offered frequent defenses. Here's one of them: "My love, this is not what racism is. Uppercasing 'Black' is a symbol to make up for all of the history, culture, and knowledge that the world robbed from them when we enslaved them. We don't do it for white people because we don't need to. We are celebrated already."


theblaze--2020-07-20--After in-home Bible studies are banned in new order, a California church slaps Gov. Gavin Newsom wit

After in-home Bible studies are banned in new order, a California church slaps Gov. Gavin Newsom with a lawsuit

After in-home Bible studies are banned in new order , a California church slaps Gov .
Gavin Newsom with a @

A network of California churches filed a lawsuit Saturday against Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, alleging that his recent coronavirus lockdown order — which temporarily banned all indoor church operations, including in-home Bible studies — is unconstitutional.
What are the details?
Harvest International Ministry, which has church campuses in Pasadena, Corona, and Irvine, argued in the complaint that churchgoers in California are having their gatherings severely restricted while protesters are being permitted to demonstrate without any restriction, the Washington Times reported.
"While the Governor has unilaterally and significantly restricted the number of individuals permitted to 'gather' in Plaintiffs' churches, he has imposed no similar restrictions on the untold thousands of protesters who have gathered all throughout California cities with no threat of criminal sanction, and no social distancing or restrictions whatsoever," the complaint stated. "And, the Governor explicitly encouraged such large gatherings of protesters while condemning churches for [singing] hymns in their churches."
On July 13, the governor issued a new order restricting indoor activity at a variety of locations in counties on the Monitoring List, including restaurants and bars, shopping malls, and, of course, places of worship.
The order noted that 29 counties accounting for 80% of the state's population were on the list at the time, including Los Angeles County, where Harvest's main campus is located.
"Governor Gavin Newsom cannot disregard the First Amendment and ban all in-person worship in private homes and churches. Nor can the state micromanage the form of worship by banning singing or chanting. The governor is not the High Priest over all religions," Mat Staver, founder of Liberty Counsel, the religious liberty legal group representing Harvest in the lawsuit, said in a statement.
"There [are] not two First Amendments — one for protests and one for houses of worship," Staver added. "Gov. Newsom encourages thousands of protesters to gather in the streets but bans in-person worship and home Bible studies and fellowship. This discriminatory treatment is unconstitutional."
In a news release, Liberty Counsel noted that, in addition to in-person worship services, the churches' home Bible studies and fellowship groups are now prohibited under the order.
What else?
On Sunday, Harvest Rock Church, the ministry's main campus, defied the order by holding an in-house worship service.
"I want us to pray right now that we will win that court case," Pastor Ché Ahn said during the service. "No one is above the Constitution. No one is above the law."
"As a pastor, I believe we've been essential for 2,000 years," Ahn later told KCAL-TV, referring to the fact that operations deemed "essential" have been permitted under Newsom's public health orders.
This is not the first time that the California governor has been sued by churches in the state because of his restrictive orders. In April, a group of churches sued Newsom after he banned gatherings of more than 10 people and didn't exempt religious institutions.
Then Fox News reported that another group of churches sued Newsom after he banned singing in places of worship but refused to ban protests.


theblaze--2020-07-20--WATCH: Confronted with DISTURBING drone footage, Chinese ambassador still denies 'ethnic cleansing'

WATCH: Confronted with DISTURBING drone footage, Chinese ambassador still denies 'ethnic cleansing' in China

WATCH : Confronted with DISTURBING drone footage , Chinese ambassador still denies 'ethnic cleansing ' in China 'Ambassador , that @ @ @ @ @ is it ? '

On the radio program Monday, Glenn Beck and Pat Gray reacted to an recent interview on BBC in which host Andrew Marr pressed Liu Xiaoming, the Chinese ambassador to the United Kingdom, to explain a leaked video that appears to show hundreds of shaven Uighur Muslims who are bound, blindfolded, and being led onto trains by uniformed soldiers.
The drone footage was originally posted on YouTube and has been "authenticated by Western intelligence agencies and Australian experts," according to Marr. It shows hundreds of shaven-headed male prisoners kneeling in rows with hands bound and eyes blindfolded in Xinjiang, home to millions of China's ethnic minority of Uighur Muslims.
The Chinese government has been accused of imprisoning roughly 1 million Uighurs in detention centers that are called "re-education" camps. Brutal human-rights abuses, including forced sterilization and torture, are allegedly part of the Communist Party's program of "ethnic cleansing" against the Uighurs.
"A video has been circulating the internet and China won't answer, what's going on," Glenn said. "It's drone footage ... a drone flying over a train station. And it shows hundreds of men, who have been tied with their hands behind their back. They're kneeling on the ground. Their heads are shaved. And they're all wearing blindfolds. Then each of them is escorted by two police officers ... and loaded onto trains. And nobody knows what happened to them. Nobody knows what's going on."
Glenn played part of the BBC interview, noting Liu's various attempts to deflect or deny Marr's questions about the video.
"Can you tell us what is happening here?" Marr asked Liu of the video.
"You know, Xinjiang is regarded as the most beautiful place in [China]," Liu answered.
"Ambassador, that is not beautiful coverage, is it?" Marr pressed. "According to your own local government statistics, the population growth in Uighur jurisdictions ... has fallen by 84% between 2015 and 2018," he added.
Liu continued to deny any wrongdoing against the Uighur population, pointing out that the general population in Xinjiang has "increased to double" over the past 40 years.
"China is so closed off, it's hard to know the truth about anything that's going on there, from the pandemic to what is happening here. But it sure looks like there's an ethnic cleansing going on," Pat said.
Watch the video below for more details:
Want more from Glenn Beck?
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 multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution and live the American dream.