In today’s News:
Newspaper calls pro-life ad ‘racist’
A pro-life organization has been blocked from running a pro-life “All Lives Matter” ad in a local newspaper. The paper claimed the ad was “racist.” The Rockford Family Initiative, an Illinois based pro-life organization, attempted to place the pro-life ad in a local newspaper, The Rockford Register Star. The ad depicts a picture of an unborn baby with the words “All Lives Matter” above the picture. Originally, the newspaper agreed to run the ad. It later refused, however, asking that the wording be changed since it was “racist.” The Register Star sales manager told the Rockford Family Initiative that “all lives matter is seen as racist to the black community.”
Department of Justice scolds New York City’s mayor
The U.S. Department of Justice sent a letter to New York City Democrat Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday calling out the hypocrisy of enforcing covid-19 restrictions against religious gatherings while giving a pass to crowded Black Lives Matter protests. The letter reads, “Mayor de Blasio’s recent public statements and enforcement of covid-19 orders have demonstrated a troubling preference for certain First Amendment rights over others. New York City had vigorously enforced restrictions on religious gatherings, including by sending police officers to disperse numerous gatherings of the Jewish community, including outdoor funerals. At the same time, Mayor de Blasio marched in large in-person political gatherings concerning the recent tragic death of George Floyd and made statements suggesting — in a manner forbidden by the First Amendment — that religious exercise was less valued and protected by New York City than political exercise.”
Pro-abortion groups sue Iowa
Planned Parenthood And the American Civil Liberties Union have filed a lawsuit against a new law in Iowa that requires mothers to wait at least 24 hours after their initial appointment before getting an abortion. As reported by KCCI 8 News, the law, which was passed earlier this month, also requires mothers to view an ultrasound of their baby and receive adoption information. The legislation was made public on the evening of June 13 and pushed through by republicans in the early hours of June 14.
Ohio expands religious rights of students
Ohio Gov. Mike Dewine signed a bill into law expanding the religious freedom for students in public schools that was criticized by the American Civil Liberties Union. The Student Religious Liberties Act, introduced in March 2019, passed with a near-unanimous vote and was signed Friday. The new law clarifies that students can pray, wear religious clothing, meet on school grounds and express their faith in school, as long as they are not disruptive. The law also will abolish restrictions on students from engaging in religious expression in completion of homework, artwork, or other assignments. Critics of the bill say it could allow students to avoid penalties for scientifically wrong answers if those happen to conform with their religious beliefs.
