LEGO Stops Marketing Police-Themed Toys

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Toy company Lego requested Tuesday that marketing affiliates immediately cease advertising several of its law enforcement-related products and to even pull them from websites “in light of recent events,” as protests rage nationwide over the death of George Floyd. . .

In an email obtained by The Toybook trade magazine sent on behalf of the Danish company, affiliated partners were notified that “In light of recent events, LEGO has requested the below products to be removed from sites and any marketing ASAP.” . . .

More than 30 products were on the list, with a large majority containing the word “Police” in the name, including the Police Station, Police Patrol Car, Police Helicopter Transport, and even the Donut Shop Opening — which, according to The Toybook, “includes Police Officer ‘Duke DeTain’ and ‘Crook’ minifigures.”

Lego responded to The Toybook’s request for comment on the email, saying in a statement: “We requested that our affiliate partners refrain from posting promotional LEGO content as part of our decision to respect #BlackOutTuesday and pause posting content on our social media channels in response to the tragic events in the US. We regret any misunderstanding and will ensure that we are clearer about our intentions in the future.” (Read more from “LEGO Stops Marketing Police-Themed Toys” HERE)

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‘Antifa Kid’ Who Incited Riots Is Escorted Into Custody — by His Mom and Dad (VIDEO)

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Brian Bartels, the 20-year-old man who police say turned a protest into a riot on Saturday in Pittsburgh, turned himself in to law enforcement Monday — escorted by his mom and dad.

He faces charges of institutional vandalism, rioting, and reckless endangerment of another person, according to police. . .

After receiving an anonymous tip from a co-worker identifying Bartels as the culprit, police executed a search warrant at his home. During the search they found two guns, six spray paint cans, gloves, and the sweatshirt that the suspect had been wearing during the protest, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.

A video had also surfaced showing a young white male smashing the police SUV’s windows and tagging it with spray paint. In the video, the suspect, believed to be Bartels, can be seen dressed in all-black Antifa-like gear. . .

In the tweet of Bartels turning himself into police custody, Jason Howerton refers to him as an “Antifa kid” because his dress and actions were characteristic of the group’s members. But an official link between Bartels and Antifa has not been established. (Read more from “‘Antifa Kid’ Who Incited Riots Is Escorted Into Custody — by His Mom and Dad (VIDEO)” HERE)

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Mattis Condemns Trump as Threat to Constitution; President Trump Reacts to Criticism

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By Haaretz. . .As the protest wave entered its sixth day, Trump has been facing a new source of strong criticism, this time from former senior military commanders, most prominent among them his own former Secretary of Defense, retired General James Mattis.

In a statement first published by Atlantic Magazine, Mattis accused Trump of actively trying to sow division among Americans. “Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people — does not even pretend to try. Instead, he tries to divide us,” Mattis explained.

“We are witnessing the consequences of three years of this deliberate effort,” Mattis wrote, referring to the current wave of protests, riots and police violence. He added that “We are witnessing the consequences of three years without mature leadership.” . . .

With regards to the demands put up by the protesters in the streets – mostly, an end to violence and discrimination directed by police forces towards African American citizens – Mattis wrote: “It is a wholesome and unifying demand — one that all of us should be able to get behind.”

Mattis also criticized the use of the military on Monday to attack the protesters in front of the White House. “When I joined the military, some 50 years ago, I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution,” he stated. “Never did I dream that troops taking that same oath would be ordered under any circumstance to violate the Constitutional rights of their fellow citizens.” (Read more from “Mattis Denounces Trump’s Military Response to Crisis” HERE)

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President Trump Reacts After Being Criticized by Former Defense Chief Jim Mattis

By The Blaze. President Donald Trump fired back harsh words against his former secretary of defense, Jim Mattis, on Wednesday, after the general publicly criticized the commander in chief for his response to the ongoing protests and rioting across the U.S. . .

A few hours after the article published, President Trump tweeted, “Probably the only thing Barack Obama & I have in common is that we both had the honor of firing Jim Mattis, the world’s most overrated General. I asked for his letter of resignation, & felt great about it. His nickname was ‘Chaos’, which I didn’t like, & changed to ‘Mad Dog’…”

The president added, “His primary strength was not military, but rather personal public relations. I gave him a new life, things to do, and battles to win, but he seldom ‘brought home the bacon”. I didn’t like his ‘leadership’ style or much else about him, and many others agree. Glad he is gone!”

. . .White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnancy reacted to Mattis’ criticisms of President Trump on Twitter, too, writing, “Former Secretary Mattis’ ‘article’ is little more than a self-promotional stunt to appease the DC elite. President @realDonaldTrump is the law and order President that has restored peace to our nation’s streets. Mattis’ small words pale in comparison to @POTUS’ strong action.”

(Read more from “President Trump Reacts After Being Criticized by Former Defense Chief Jim Mattis” HERE)

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James Mattis Condemns Trump as a Threat to the Constitution

By Axios. Former Secretary of Defense James Mattis condemned President Trump for making a “mockery of our Constitution” in a statement to The Atlantic on Wednesday, saying he was “appalled” at the president’s response to mass protests in the wake of George Floyd’s killing[:]

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Instructions given by the military departments to our troops before the Normandy invasion reminded soldiers that “The Nazi slogan for destroying us…was ‘Divide and Conquer.’ Our American answer is ‘In Union there is Strength.’” We must summon that unity to surmount this crisis—confident that we are better than our politics.

Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people—does not even pretend to try. Instead he tries to divide us. We are witnessing the consequences of three years of this deliberate effort. We are witnessing the consequences of three years without mature leadership. We can unite without him, drawing on the strengths inherent in our civil society. This will not be easy, as the past few days have shown, but we owe it to our fellow citizens; to past generations that bled to defend our promise; and to our children.

We can come through this trying time stronger, and with a renewed sense of purpose and respect for one another. The pandemic has shown us that it is not only our troops who are willing to offer the ultimate sacrifice for the safety of the community. Americans in hospitals, grocery stores, post offices, and elsewhere have put their lives on the line in order to serve their fellow citizens and their country. We know that we are better than the abuse of executive authority that we witnessed in Lafayette Square. We must reject and hold accountable those in office who would make a mockery of our Constitution. At the same time, we must remember Lincoln’s “better angels,” and listen to them, as we work to unite.

(Read more from “James Mattis Condemns Trump as a Threat to the Constitution” HERE)

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Trump Signs the Never Again Education Act Into Law

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By The Jerusalem Post. US President Donald Trump signed the Never Again Education Act into law on Thursday, JNS reported, expanding the funding and educational mission of the US Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM).

The bill requires the USHMM to create educational materials with the intention of increasing awareness about the Holocaust and its meaning among teachers across the country. For this purpose, $2 million will be awarded to the USHMM Holocaust Education Assistance Program Fund annually by the US Treasury from 2020 to 2024. (Read more from “Trump Signs the Never Again Education Act Into Law” HERE)

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More on the “Never Again” Education Act

By Morgan Benth. President Trump signed the Never Again Education Act into law Friday. . .

Educators say students begin learning about the Holocaust in late elementary school and continue that learning into high school.

“It allows them to ask authentic questions. To connect the history that occurred that developed our nation and our state to who we are today. Have our students have a strong, firm grasp on what our history is, so they can be the future leaders,” said ND State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler. . .

“They just say that it’s definitely very eye opening for a lot of them because you always hear about the concentration camps, you hear about the thousands of people that lost their lives, but you don’t see to the extent,” said history teacher Erica Quale. (Read more about the Never Again education act HERE)

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Riots Aren’t Just Destroying Businesses, They’re Taking Lives

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While we’ve all been captivated by the images of looting and pillaging taking place in dozens of American cities, off-camera, homicides have been soaring over the past week as police are expending almost all of their energies trying to quell civil unrest. As cops try to get a handle on the riots, criminals are taking full advantage.

In Chicago, there were 22 homicides over the weekend, including 11 homicides just on Sunday alone. In the greater Cook County area the numbers are even worse. . .

Most of these homicides aren’t directly related to the riots and protests, but there have been several murders reported around the country that can be blamed on riots, including the killing of 22-year old Italia Maria Kelley in Davenport, Iowa. Kelly’s younger sister took to social media to pin the murder on protesters.

In Las Vegas on Monday evening, a federal marshal was killed outside of the federal courthouse, while a federal protective services officer was murdered in Oakland, California over the weekend. On Monday night, four St. Louis, Missouri police officers were shot, though thankfully none of their injuries are life threatening. (Read more from “Riots Aren’t Just Destroying Businesses, They’re Taking Lives” HERE)

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Mass Elephant Deaths: Anthrax, Poison Ruled out

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Anthrax and poisoning have been ruled out as the cause of a rising number of unexplained elephant deaths in Botswana, the country with the world’s biggest population of the animals.

Wildlife authorities have now discovered 110 carcasses in north west Botswana, up from the 56 announced earlier in May according to a government statement.

“I would say 90% of the new cases we have found are old carcasses we previously did not locate,” said Dimakatso Ntshebe, a regional wildlife director, in an interview. “However, a few are indeed new deaths. All recovered carcasses do not show signs of poaching.” (Read more from “Mass Elephant Deaths: Anthrax, Poison Ruled out” HERE)

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Retired Police Captain Murdered By Rioters While Protecting Business; Sickos Record Slaughter on Facebook Live

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By St. Louis Post-Dispatch. A retired police captain was shot to death by looters at a St. Louis pawn shop early Tuesday and his killing apparently was broadcast on Facebook Live.

David Dorn, 77, was shot in the torso about 2:30 a.m. He died on the sidewalk in front of the shop, Lee’s Pawn & Jewelry, at 4123 Martin Luther King Drive.

Police have made no arrests and said they have no suspects. Authorities have announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

The Ethical Society of Police, which represents black officers in St. Louis, mourned Dorn as “the type of brother that would’ve given his life to save them if he had to.”

Flowers and a teddy bear sat outside the shop next to a handwritten sign that read, “Y’all killed a black man because ‘they’ killed a black man??? Rest in peace.” (Read more from “Retired Police Captain Killed By Rioters While Protecting Business” HERE)
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By Roberty Gearty. David Dorn, 77, suffered a gunshot wound to his torso about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday and died on a sidewalk in front of the looted shop, Lee’s Pawn & Jewelry, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. The paper reported the shooting was apparently recorded on Facebook Live. . .

“David Dorn was exercising law enforcement training that he learned here,” St Louis Police Chief John Hayden said.

No arrests have been reported.

Dorn’s wife, Ann Marie Dorn, said her husband was a friend of the pawn shop owner and worked for him, according to the Post-Dispatch.

She was too distraught to talk more about her husband, the paper reported. (Read more about the murder of the police captain HERE)

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WATCH: George Floyd’s Son Calls for End to Violence; Trump: ‘Angry Mob’ Must Not Drown out ‘Righteous Cries of Peaceful Protesters’

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By Jarrett Stepman. The death of a black man, George Floyd, at the hands of a white police officer in Minneapolis on May 25 has sparked protests around the country. It was an ugly incident and appeared to be a terrible injustice.

Regrettably, we’re now seeing violence and riots occurring in big cities across the country, in which public and private property is being destroyed and other people have been injured or killed. . .

“Tearing up things, it’s not going to solve anything,” Floyd’s son, Quincy Mason Floyd, said, according to Chicago’s WGN-TV. “My dad is in peace, and we have to be the ones to deal with all this stress. It’s going to be tough to get over this day by day.” . . .

Again, it’s important to note that Floyd’s family—those most affected by his death—have been aggressively urging people to avoid violence.

Floyd’s younger brother, Terrence Floyd, has been pleading with protesters to avoid what’s become violence and mayhem in many of America’s cities. (Read more from “George Floyd’s Son Calls for End to Violence” HERE)

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Trump: ‘Angry Mob’ Must Not Drown out ‘Righteous Cries of Peaceful Protesters’

By Fred Lucas. President Donald Trump announced the deployment of the military to help quell the violent riots in Washington, D.C., and said he would send federal troops to states to restore order if governors didn’t act. . .

The president also spoke about the need for justice after the police killing of George Floyd, 46, during his arrest in Minneapolis on Memorial Day evening.

In response to Floyd’s death, peaceful protests in Minneapolis turned to violent riots, which spread across the United States, even as peaceful protests also continued.

“All Americans were rightly sickened and revolted by the brutal death of George Floyd,” said Trump, who spoke last week with Floyd’s family members. “My administration is committed that for George Floyd and his family, justice will be served. He will not have died in vain.”

. . .“We cannot allow the righteous cries of peaceful protesters to be drowned out by an angry mob,” Trump said. (Read more from “Trump: ‘Angry Mob’ Must Not Drown out ‘Righteous Cries of Peaceful Protesters’” HERE)

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Roberts Sides With Liberal Justices to Rule Against California Church

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Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts sided with the high court’s liberal justices to rule against a California church seeking to overturn Gov. Gavin Newsom’s limits on church attendance.

The significant development received little attention due to ongoing protests and riots in cities across the U.S., sparked by the tragic death of George Floyd.

In a 5-4 decision, which was handed down just before midnight, Roberts and the Supreme Court’s liberal justices ruled against South Bay United Pentecostal Church in Chula Vista.

The ruling upholds Newsom’s restrictions, which limit churches to 25% capacity or 100 maximum total attendees during a church service. South Bay United, which typically sees between 200-300 worshipers during its services, challenged the order by arguing that it violated their First Amendment rights. . .

The chief justice wrote in a brief opinion that Newsom’s restrictions “appear consistent with the free exercise clause of the First Amendment. (Read more from “Roberts Sides With Liberal Justices to Rule Against California Church” HERE)

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Here’s How Many Times the Ex-Police Officer Who Killed George Floyd Was Flagged for Misconduct

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Folks, this case seems pretty explicit. It seems pretty clear that now-ex-Officer Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd; it’s all on video. The footage is disturbing. It’s why he was rightfully fired and slapped with third-degree murder and manslaughter charges. The three other officers with him also were fired. Chauvin knelt on the back of Floyd’s neck after the latter was already apprehended. Floyd was arrested on a nonviolent false document charge and as he lay on the ground handcuffed, he could be heard crying out that he couldn’t breathe. Chauvin kept his knee on his neck for nearly ten minutes. He passed out and later died. The police said that Floyd was intoxicated when first approached by police, but he was subdued. He was handcuffed. Four officers weren’t going to let him go. There was no way the security situation was going to become unstable. Floyd died anyway. It’s outrageous.

Across the political spectrum, there’s rightful condemnation. There should be protests. There should be anger. But all of that support goes right out the window when you loot, burn, and vandalize. How does setting black-owned businesses on fire get justice for Floyd? It’s outrageous. With every passing day, the window to bring about real change to this police department in Mill City closes—and there are issues. Floyd’s death at the hands of the police isn’t the only one in the area either.

And as Minneapolis and other cities burn, we have this interesting piece by The New York Times that placed a microscope over the Minneapolis Police Department, one that appears to have let a bad cop slide through the crack on multiple occasions. Ex-Officer Derek Chauvin was cited 17 times for misconduct ranging from abusive language to being named in a brutality lawsuit[.] (Read more from “Here’s How Many Times the Ex-Police Officer Who Killed George Floyd Was Flagged for Misconduct” HERE)

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