California officials ordered the removal of a “White Lives Matter” banner declaring it “racist” and a “despicable act of vandalism
Officials in a Northern California city on Saturday ordered the removal of a “White Lives Matter” banner that was posted on city property, declaring it “racist” and a “despicable act of vandalism.”
The incident happened in Union City, a city of about 75,000 residents, about 20 miles south of Oakland.
“The city is disgusted by this despicable act of vandalism that has occurred on the heels of the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol last week,” a city statement read, according to FOX 2 of the Bay Area, “and on the weekend of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday that celebrates the life and achievements of this important civil rights leader.”
The white banner with black lettering was hung between two poles at a busy city intersection but was taken down soon after city officials became aware of it, with a complaint filed to police, KPIX-TV of the Bay Area reported.
Mayor Carol Dutra-Vernaci and Human Resources Commission Chairman Kashmir Singh Shahi also denounced the banner in a video posted online.
“This is despicable and we removed it immediately,” the mayor says in the video, referring to the banner.
“This made me upset and I hope it’s an isolated incident as it does not reflect the community of my city, the city of Union City,” Shahi said.
“This incident unfortunately shows how divisiveness at the national level can permeate even our community,” the city statement added, according to FOX 2.
Advocacy groups including the Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center have described “White Lives Matter” as a white supremacist slogan adopted in response to the Black Lives Matter movement, the East Bay Times reported.
Earlier this month, Proud Boys leader Henry “Enrique” Tarrio pleaded not guilty to charges in connection with the burning of a “Black Lives Matter” banner in Washington, D.C., in December.
Tarrio was released in his own recognizance and ordered to stay out of Washington until his next scheduled court appearance June 8.
In June, President Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reportedly ordered the removal of a “Black Lives Matter” banner from outside the U.S. Embassy in South Korea that was posted soon after the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
The banner had been ordered posted by Harry Harris, the Trump-appointed U.S. ambassador to South Korea.
via: https://nypost.com/2021/01/17/california-city-removes-white-lives-matter-banner-calling-it-vandalism/
Photo Credit: twitter
Drunk Florida man arrested for allegedly stealing floating tiki bar
A drunk Florida man was arrested after he was caught operating a floating tiki bar that was reportedly stolen, the US Coast Guard announced.
Agents from the Coast Guard’s Key West station found the man on the stolen tiki hut near Hawk’s Channel off the coast of the Florida Keys, the agency wrote in a Wednesday tweet.
“Don’t drink and boat!” the tweet quipped.
The man appeared intoxicated and was taken into custody by officers from Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Coast Guard said.
via: https://nypost.com/2021/01/15/florida-man-arrested-for-allegedly-stealing-floating-tiki-bar/
Photoo Credit: nypost.com/US Coast Guard
Florida middle school teacher fired after blaming Antifa for Capitol riots in class
A Florida teacher found herself out of a job after a rant to a classroom full of students in which she blamed Antifa for the Capitol riots.
The unidentified substitute was filmed by a Bok Academy student who later posted the meltdown on the Instagram account @knowyourracists. According to the Lake Wales’ school principal Dr. Damien Moses, she was dismissed from school system, TMZ reported.
The post began: “Teaching kids that Antifa broke into the Capitol. … She was a substitute teacher in the middle school’s language arts class. She has been dismissed from the Lake Wales Charter School System.
“She just RANDOMLY started talking about this in 1st period, it was language arts class and we were about to do work when she started talking about the Capitol raid,” the post continued.
In the video, the woman can be heard placing full blame for the violent siege on a federal building on Antifa, saying, “Supporters arrived and suddenly there was violence. Already, three of those have been identified as Antifa members.”
The teacher piled on, adding “this is just another example of an ongoing problem in which Antifa is paid to go to peaceful protests and stir up violence so that the Trump supporters would look bad.”
A brave student spoke up, suggesting otherwise, and the teacher retorted, “No. In fact, there’s video showing Trump supporters trying to stop the people breaking windows. Anybody can put on a MAGA hat. When they’re paid to be there and cause a riot, they want to make it look like Trump supporters, so they wear Trump hats and carry Trump flags.”
Toward the end of the video, the teacher says “I’m telling you the facts,” to which a student responded, “This is just your opinion.”
“We met with her and she has been dismissed not only from our school, but also from the Lake Wales Charter School System,” Moses, principal at the Bok Academy, told TMZ.
Meanwhile, one parent at the school told the local NBC Channel 8 he believed the school acted swiftly and appropriately.
“My opinion is not to have politics in the school,” Walter Hughes, who lives in Lake Wales, told the station. “As far as firing somebody for discussing what they feel, I think it’s a little harsh. I think maybe a suspension, time off.”
via: https://nypost.com/2021/01/16/florida-teacher-fired-after-blaming-antifa-for-capitol-riots/
Photo Credit: nypost.com
Man with loaded gun, fake inauguration pass arrested at DC checkpoint
A Virginia man packing a Glock handgun and more than 500 rounds of ammo was busted trying to drive through a US Capitol checkpoint using bogus inaugural credentials, officials said Saturday.
Wesley Allen Beeler of Front Royal, Va., was taken into custody at 6:30 p.m. Friday after he tried to drive his white Ford pickup truck through the checkpoint, court papers show.
The non-government-issued pass caught the attention of wary Capitol Police cops, who have been on high alert since Jan. 6, when rioters lay siege to a Capitol now bracing for Joe Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday.
Beeler, 31, was told to pull over away from the checkpoint — and when he did, the cops noticed the pickup had “several firearm-related decals” stuck to the rear windshield, court papers said.
“Assault Life,” read one decal, which sported an image of a rifle.
“If they come for your guns Give ‘Em your bullets first,” read another decal, the court papers said.
Asked by cops if he had anything in the vehicle that could hurt them, Beeler allegedly ‘fessed right up to the Glock under his center armrest.
He was then taken out of the truck and handcuffed.
More police arrived to process the truck — and allegedly found the handgun just where Beeler said it would be.
It held a magazine loaded “with 16 rounds of 9mm ammunition” plus another round in its chamber, police said.
“Additionally, search of [Beeler’s] vehicle led to the recovery of 509 9MM rounds of hollow point & ball ammunition as well as twenty-one 12 guage shotgun shells in a bandolier located in plain sight in the rear cargo area of the vehicle,” court papers released Saturday revealed.
The checkpoint was just a seven minute drive northeast of the Capitol.
Beeler was charged in D.C. Superior Court with carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm, and possession of unregistered ammunition.
In an interview with BuzzFeed News, Beeler insisted he is actually a security contractor for MVP Protective Services, and had wandered into the checkpoint because he was lost.
“I’m a guy trying to do his job and I honestly made a mistake forgetting my firearm in the truck and not turning around,” he told the outlet.
In another arrest announced Saturday, the feds nabbed far-right Internet personality Tom Gionet — who calls himself “Baked Alaska” — for having allegedly live-streaming his half-hour romp through the rioter-packed building.
“Patriots are in control!” he screamed along the way, the feds said. “Unleash the Kraken!”
Later in his livestream, Gionet — a one time commentator for Buzzfeed — picks up a telephone inside a room in the Capitol.
“America First is inevitable,” he screams into the phone — apparently to no one. “F— Globalists, let’s go! We ain’t leaving this bitch.”
Busted in Nashville was Jack Jesse Griffith, 25, who the feds said Instagrammed himself pumping his fist in the air inside the so-called Capitol Crypt, one floor below the Rotunda.
“Trump was our greatest champion and it still wasn’t enough,” Griffith allegedly posted alongside a crying emoji.
Meanwhile, a DC judge ordered Richard Barnett — the 60 -year-old accused rioter photographed resting his boot on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s desk — remain in jail pending trial.
Also, the feds walked back their previous day’s claim — from a filing case against bison-horned, so-called “QAnon Shaman” Jacob Chansley — that they have “strong evidence” some rioters wanted to “capture saying in a filing that investigators have not uncovered direct evidence of a plot to assassinate officials.
There is no direct evidence as yet of such a plot, the feds said in a DC filing Friday.
Additional reporting by Larry Celona
via: https://nypost.com/2021/01/16/man-with-gun-fake-inauguration-pass-arrested-at-dc-checkpoint/
Photo Credit: facebook
A Tennessee law firm is offering a free divorce for Valentine’s Day
(CNN) For happy couples, Valentine’s Day is an excuse for romance, often celebrated with extravagant dinners and thoughtful gifts. But on February 14, unhappy couples remember all the reasons they can’t stand each other.That’s why a Tennessee law firm is giving away free divorce representation to one lucky (unlucky?) client who just can’t wait to say goodbye to a partner.
The Powers Law Firm in Crossville will choose one person seeking a divorce to offer free legal services, including the court filing fees.”There’s a lot of people that stay married just because they can’t afford it. Divorces are really expensive. Usually the cost starts from $1,150, and not everyone has that kind of money to drop off the bat,” Timothy Sexton, a paralegal at the law firm, told CNN.” After we’ve endured the coronavirus pandemic, lockdowns, a nation divided during election season, some people may have reached their breaking point and they need a way out so we are offering them an opportunity to move on with their lives,” he said.close dialog
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Only Tennessee residents are eligible. Interested people should email their stories explaining why they want a divorce by February 15 — the day after Valentine’s Day. The winner will be selected February 19.The Powers Law Firm says the divorce must be agreed to by both parties and involve little or no child custody issues. The only cost not covered is a parent education class required for divorces involving minors.Among those who’ve already applied is a disabled elderly couple separated for 20 years who haven’t been able to afford a divorce due to their limited income, Sexton said.”We are a tight-knit community here and we don’t like seeing people suffer, so if there’s something we can do to help someone, we want to do it,” he said.
via: https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/16/us/valentines-day-free-divorce-attorney-tennessee-trnd/index.html
Photo Credit: cnn.com
Bow Wow slammed over packed club performance during COVID-19 pandemic
Shad “Bow Wow” Moss is being called to the carpet after footage from a Houston club performance went viral Saturday.
The 33-year-old is seen performing his 2005 hit “Like You” in a packed club, where most patrons are not wearing face masks. The move led social media to question both the artist and his fans who chose to risk their health for one night out.
Fans claim there were other celebrities in attendance, but it seems the rapper and “Growing Up Hip Hop” star is receiving the brunt of the backlash.
“Going to see Bow Wow in a pandemic, we are stuck in this for a long time. Selfish idiots,” wrote one follower, while another added, “Woooooowwwwwww….. how are we ever gonna live through this pandemic if people keep doing this?”
Others took digs at the notion of sacrificing themselves to see the part-time actor hit the stage.
“These people went to the club IN A PLAGUE with no masks on TO SEE BOW WOW perform in 2021,” wrote one confused observer. Another agreed, tweeting, “I can think of a million better ways to die… but to be struggling on a vent bc you went to see bow wow in the year of our lord 2021…that ain’t it.”
via: https://pagesix.com/2021/01/16/bow-wow-slammed-for-performing-at-packed-nightclub/?_ga=2.43727213.977372255.1610501056-593493795.1608856676
Photo Credit: pagesix
National Rifle Association files for bankruptcy
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The National Rifle Association (NRA) announced Friday it has filed for bankruptcy and will seek to incorporate the nation’s most politically influential gun-rights group in Texas instead of New York.
The announcement made on the NRA’s website comes months after New York’s attorney general sued the organization over claims that top executives illegally diverted tens of millions of dollars for lavish personal trips, no-show contracts for associates and other questionable expenditures.
The coronavirus pandemic has also upended the NRA, which last year laid off dozens of employees, canceled its national convention and scuttled fundraising. Still, the NRA claimed in announcing the move that the organization was “in its strongest financial condition in years.”
The NRA said it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in a Dallas federal court.
“The move will enable long-term, sustainable growth and ensure the NRA’s continued success as the nation’s leading advocate for constitutional freedom – free from the toxic political environment of New York,” the NRA said in a statement.
The gun-rights group boasts about 5 million members. Though headquartered in Virginia, the NRA was chartered as a nonprofit in New York in 1871 and is incorporated in the state.
via: https://www.kmov.com/news/us_world_news/national-rifle-association-files-for-bankruptcy/article_8e65ca5c-2f2c-5f39-b601-846b9c416239.html
Photo Credit: KAREN BLEIER/AFP
MO woman charged after pictured carrying Speaker Pelosi’s broken sign at Capitol riot
SULLIVAN, Mo. (KMOV.com) — A Sullivan, Missouri woman is facing five federal charges after pictures show her holding House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s sign during the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6.
According to court document, at least two tipsters submitted screenshots of videos of Emily Hernandez at the Capitol during the riot to the FBI. At least one of them identified her as Hernandez from Sullivan and federal investigators made contact with Missouri officials and verified her identity.
In the videos – published on a United Kingdom-based station, ITV News – Hernandez is seen with a broken wooden sign that read “Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.” The FBI said the name plate will cost $870 to replace.
The FBI also received photos of Hernandez holding the wooden sign in front of the crowd, as well as screenshots of her Snapchat’s videos of herself at the riot.
According to a federal documents, Hernandez is facing the following charges:
- Knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds
- Disorderly conduct which impedes the conduct of government business
- Steal, sell, convey or dispose of any thing of value of the United States
- Disruptive conduct in the Capitol buildings
- Parading, demonstrating, or picketing in the Capitol buildings
via: https://www.kmov.com/news/sullivan-woman-charged-after-pictured-carrying-speaker-pelosis-broken-sign-at-capitol-riot/article_597ac1b2-5791-11eb-8b5e-5b4115634b90.html
Photo Credit: FBI
Chicago cops disciplined for ‘lounging’ in congressman’s office amid Floyd civil unrest
Eighteen Chicago cops who were caught on video lounging inside a burglarized congressman’s campaign office as looters tore up the city following George Floyd’s death have been disciplined, department officials said.
Seventeen of the officers were suspended, while one was given a reprimand for their actions on June 1 inside Rep. Bobby Rush’s campaign office, according to a Chicago police department spokeswoman.
“The members have been notified of the results of the investigation,” spokeswoman Sally Brown confirmed to The Post. “Each member may elect to challenge the decisions based on their collective bargaining agreements.”
Video of the officers shows them making popcorn, guzzling coffee and even sleeping on a couch inside Rush’s office on June 1 — just over 24 hours after civil unrest rocked the city following Floyd’s police-custody killing on May 25 in Minneapolis, the Chicago Tribune reported.
The idling cops were there for up to five hours, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot told reporters during a press conference in June.
“That’s a personal embarrassment to me,” Lightfoot reportedly said.
A shopping center on Chicago’s South Side where Rush’s office is located was ransacked on May 31 as widespread vandalism and arson raged in the city.
Staffers for the congressman said they learned his office was burglarized that day, but didn’t find the footage until days later, the Tribune reported.
Rush said at the same June news conference that the video – which was not released by city officials – showed the cops, including three supervisors, “lounging” in his office. One was even sleeping on a couch, the lawmaker said.
“They even had the unmitigated gall to go and make coffee for themselves and to pop popcorn, my popcorn, in my microwave while looters were tearing apart businesses within their sigh and within their reach,” Rush reportedly said.
Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara said the 17 officers have filed grievances challenging their suspensions, which range from one to 20 days, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
“What do you want people to do when there was nothing going on?” Catanzara told the newspaper.
“They had already secured the whole property. They had originally walked through the parking lot around the backside of all of the buildings to make sure all the doors were secure when they arrived there.”
via: https://nypost.com/2021/01/15/chicago-cops-disciplined-for-lounging-in-congressmans-office-amid-floyd-civil-unrest/
Photo Credit: AP
Trump allegedly planning payback for 10 Republicans who impeached him
President Trump plans political punishment for the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach him for last week’s Capitol riot, according to a new report.
Trump summoned aides to brief him on the 10 following the Wednesday afternoon vote, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday.
Trump “wanted to know who the lawmakers were and whether he had ever done anything for them” and “inquired who might run against them when they face re-election in two years,” the Journal reported.
The breakaway Republicans joined all Democrats to impeach Trump on a single count of allegedly inciting an insurrection that disrupted certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s victory.
No. 3 House Republican, Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, was among the 10 and is resisting calls from some members of the House Freedom Caucus to resign. She and Trump long clashed on foreign policy and he called for her ouster during a pre-riot speech near the White House that formed the basis for his impeachment.
The other Republicans that voted to impeach Trump were Reps. Tom Rice of South Carolina, John Katko of New York, Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio, Peter Meijer of Michigan, Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, Dan Newhouse of Washington, Fred Upton of Michigan, Jaime Herrera Beutler of Washington and David Valadao of California.
Trump is expected to remain a powerful figure among Republicans when he leaves office on Jan. 20 and could help topple the handful of incumbents. Many other Republicans, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, publicly faulted Trump’s actions, but called for a less-severe censure.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) urged a censure motion that would ban Trump from holding office again, but she did not support impeachment. Others quibbled with the wording. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) said Trump “deserves universal condemnation for clearly what was in my opinion impeachable conduct,” but that he did not agree with the wording drafted by Democrats.
Much about Trump’s Senate impeachment trial is uncertain — including whether it will start this month. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) declined to say Friday at a press conference whether she will transmit the impeachment resolution to the Senate immediately, or wait potentially for months to avoid distracting from Biden’s early legislative agenda.
Trump has yet to select lawyers to represent him in the Senate trial. It’s also unclear if Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts will preside over the trial because Trump will be the first ex-president to face an impeachment trial. There’s also a legal theory that he can’t face trial because he will no longer hold office and the purpose of impeachment is removal.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who later this month will cede his title to Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, of New York, said Wednesday that he has not decided how he will vote on impeachment. But with 17 Republican votes needed to convict, and Trump’s political retribution looming, it will remain difficult to achieve.
via: https://nypost.com/2021/01/15/trump-planning-payback-for-gopers-who-impeached-him-report/
Photo Credit: REUTERS/Carlos Barria