Blaze Media's own Ashton DeGroot says her husband and brother-in-law are stranded in Israel



As Israel is at war due to Hamas' brutal attacks that have killed many, including children, TheBlaze's own Ashton DeGroot says that her husband and brother-in-law are among the American citizens currently stranded in Israel.

"He's already experienced rockets exploding overhead on multiple occasions," DeGroot said in a video posted on social media, adding that "we still have no answers as to when he can return home to me and our children."

— (@)

DeGroot, who has three children, told TheBlaze that her husband Joshua and his brother Caleb were on the trip abroad to do work related to a Messianic Jewish ministry.

She is desperately working to ensure that her husband can evacuate the country, but so far, she says the U.S. Embassy has not been any help. DeGroot told TheBlaze that when she contacted the U.S. Embassy, she was asked if she had filled out paperwork. When she indicated that she had done the paperwork, the embassy then told her that they would call later.

She is pleading for anyone who has the power to act, "to do something, please," she said.

"My husband, brother in law and their crew is from Fort Worth TX and is currently in Jerusalem," she wrote in a post on X. "Please help me make those in power aware that we need to BRING OUR PEOPLE HOME."

— (@)

Republican Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey has fired off a letter pressing President Joe Biden to take action to ensure that Americans are evacuated from the dangerous war zone.

"I urge you to use all appropriate U.S. resources and tools to arrange for the immediate evacuation of American citizens in Israel who are desperately trying to return home," Smith wrote in his letter that is dated Oct. 9. "In the past thirty-six hours I have received many reports from constituents who are U.S. citizens currently in Israel, or whose relatives and friends are U.S. citizens currently in Israel, and who seek to return to the United States as soon as possible but are unable to do so."

Former GOP Rep. Mayra Flores of Texas, who is currently running in a Republican congressional primary in a bid to return to office, has noted that she has relatives stranded in Israel.

"Right now, I have family members stuck in Israel with no way of getting out. The Biden Administration has no plans to evacuate United States citizens from Israel. I am praying for their safety and evacuation—because apparently that’s all our country can do at this point," Flores tweeted.

Republican Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida has said that dozens of his constituents are stuck in Israel.

"50+ of my constituents remain in Israel at this hour and Americans are being held hostage. Where's the evacuation plan? It’s time to activate the Civil Reserve Air Fleet and get our people home," Donalds tweeted.

GOP Rep. Mike Lawler of New York is calling for the Biden administration to use military aircraft to evacuate Americans out of the Jewish state.

"Given the immediate challenges with getting US commercial airlines into Israel, it’s imperative that the administration use military planes to help get US citizens out of Israel as expeditiously as possible," Lawler tweeted. "In addition, we must take steps to indemnify the commercial airline carriers to get them flying back into Israel as quickly as possible — as it stands we are looking at November as the earliest time they will fly into Israel," he added.

"I am being told by multiple people in Congress right now that while they are inundated w/requests there is currently no known plan from the Biden admin to get Americans out of Israel. Few flights out are available & the American embassy is not operating...efficiently," Blaze Media editor in chief Matthew Peterson wrote in a post on X that has been retweeted by GOP Sen. Mike Lee of Utah.

— (@)

An American Ph.D. student at Tel Aviv University who preferred to remain anonymous told TheBlaze, "We are now living in a country at war. Not a small operation like Israel has had in the past, of which I myself have gone through two. No, this is a full-scale war, complete with the most unimaginable atrocities committed by man. This is not just another conflict with Gaza, this is something completely new that Israel has not faced in many decades."

DeGroot's husband and brother-in-law have been posting updates online, and while they are currently stuck in Israel, both appear to be in good spirits.

Israel at War - Day 4 update #israelwar #hamasattack #gazaunderattack www.youtube.com

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Disney star shares Christian gospel at Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards



Disney star Joshua Bassett shared the message of the Christian gospel with viewers during an acceptance speech at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Saturday.

"There's a very real God who loves you," 22-year-old Bassett said in part as he accepted an award for Favorite Male TV Star.

The Disney standout plays Ricky Bowen in "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series," which airs on the network's streaming platform, Disney+.

Bassett began by thanking his supporters and the cast and crew of HSMTMTS.

"And I'd love to thank my savior, Jesus Christ," the young man then said, the crowd cheering in the background.

"I want to say something. There are a lot of people here who are burdened, brokenhearted, and have been beated down by life," he said, while holding the distinctive, orange, blimp-shaped trophy.

"And I'm here to tell you. For those of you who've lost hope, there's a very real God who loves you more than you will ever possibly know, ok?" Bassett said.

"His promise is peace, and my testimony is my healing," he also said.

Like any good sermon, Bassett delivered three points for his young fans as takeaways.

"Remember: Forgive quickly, love freely, and walk courageously," he concluded gesturing on each point in turn.

"Love always wins in the end," he concluded.

Bassett, who is openly gay, made headlines in February after he was baptized during a filmed worship service at Bethel Church in Redding, California.

He shared a video clip on social media confessing his faith in Jesus Christ February 13.

"Hi, my name is Joshua," Bassett begins, standing on stage at the church. "And long story short, I grew up Christian, and I ran the other way as far as I could go in pursuit of 'truth,' and that only ended in addiction, depression, suicidal ideation, eating disorders, etc."

"No other teacher gave me anywhere near the peace that Jesus Christ did," Bassett also said, to massive audience applause.

"I’m here to publicly declare him as my Lord and Savior," he concluded in the 28-second clip.

\u201chttps://t.co/npQt9z5xqm\u201d
— Joshua Bassett (@Joshua Bassett) 1676310415

Later that day, Bassett again took to social media to say he did not endorse all of Bethel's policies and beliefs, adding, "[M]y heart is for Christ and Christ alone."

\u201ci visited this church and happened to get baptized here- i was unaware of some of their policies and beliefs, and do not endorse all of them. \nmy heart is for Christ and Christ alone!\u201d
— Joshua Bassett (@Joshua Bassett) 1676315117

Bassett may have been referencing the megachurch's alleged "glamorizing" of "conversion therapy," as described in Out in 2019.

Billboard magazine noted some fans had expressed "concern" about Bassett's recent conversion to Christianity as well as his choice of venues at which to be baptized.

Watch Bassett's acceptance speech below.

\u201cDisney star Joshua Bassett declared his faith in Jesus during his acceptance speech at the #KidsChoiceAward2023.\n\n"...there\u2019s a very real God who loves you..."\u201d
— Caleb Parke (@Caleb Parke) 1678207979

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CBS anchors slam WH press sec for pushing narrative about classified docs: 'Has not answered a single question'



Two CBS News anchors called out White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Thursday for refusing to answer basic questions about the discovery of classified documents at President Joe Biden's private office and residence.

Over the past two days, Jean-Pierre has faced a barrage of intense questions about the documents. She has frustrated reporters, however, by repeatedly dodging the questions.

CBS anchors Errol Barnett and Lana Zak slammed Jean-Pierre for having "not answered a single question" about the discovery of the documents.

"For a second straight day now, the White House struggling to answer any questions related to classified documents discovered at locations associated with President Biden, citing Karine Jean-Pierre, the press secretary, simply reading a statement, where she says the president was surprised by the discovery, takes this matter very seriously, the documents were inadvertently misplaced, and he doesn't know what's in them," Barnett began.

"She has not answered a single question outside of a prewritten statement by the president's lawyers," he said.

"Exactly," Zak agreed. "And continuing then to say the same thing again and again. Even in response to very simple questions about the timeline, about the specific location, clarifying questions, and continuing to use the word 'transparent' and saying that they did things in a transparent manner."

"You heard our own CBS' Ed O'Keefe really trying to pin her down on what she means by transparency when she's saying that she has been transparent. Does that mean legal transparency? Governmental transparency as required by law? Or public transparency?" Zak asked.

\u201c.@errolbarnett & @LanaZak on @CBSNews Streaming earlier recapping today's press briefing after the AG's announcement of an special counsel, the White House struggled to answer any of reporters' questions on classified documents found at locations associated with President Biden.\u201d
— Joshua Albarran (@Joshua Albarran) 1673572009

Reporters are now directly questioning the Biden administration's narrative that officials have been "transparent" and forthcoming about the classified documents.

At one point in Thursday's White House briefing, Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy asked what the Biden administration is trying to "hide."

"Nothing," Jean-Pierre claimed.

But that is almost implausible. Not only did the White House not tell the American public about the first discovery of classified documents until two months after the midterm elections, but when officials admitted to the first batch, they neglected to say anything about the second batch that had already been discovered.

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War zone in Mexico: 30 die during arrest of El Chapo's son; video shows Sinaloa Cartel retaliate by burning city, shooting commercial airplanes, trying to kidnap doctors



Mexican authorities arrested the son of notorious Mexican drug cartel leader Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman on Thursday. The Sinaloa drug cartel has retaliated by turning a city in Mexico into a fiery war zone.

Mission to arrest El Chapo's son

A significant Mexican military force swooped into the city of Culiacan to take Ovidio Guzman into custody. The Mexican army ordered Blackhawk helicopter gunships to attack a convoy of 25 cartel vehicles – some sporting machine guns.

Mexican law enforcement was able to arrest Guzman. However, 10 Mexican military personnel and one Culiacan policeman were killed during the operation, according to Defense Secretary Luis Cresencio Sandoval. There were 17 police officers and 35 military personnel injured during the firefight. Authorities believe 19 members of the Sinaloa drug cartel died during the mission.

A Mexican military aircraft conducted a strafing run against Sinaloa Cartel members, according to The Drive.

\u201cWar has broken out between Mexican Defense Forces and the Sinaloa Cartel in Culiacan in response to the arrest of El Chapo\u2019s son.\n\nMore footage will be added in the thread below as it emerges.\u201d
— Libertarian Party Mises Caucus (@Libertarian Party Mises Caucus) 1672954902
\u201cThe son of imprisoned drug kingpin \u201cEl Chapo\u201d has been arrested by authorities in Mexico. The pre-dawn military operation sparked gunfights and roadblocks across the city where the Sinaloa drug cartel is headquartered. @mattriversabc reports. https://t.co/47JbkrfG9v\u201d
— World News Tonight (@World News Tonight) 1672977631
\u201cAeronaves de la Fuerza A\u00e9rea sobrevuelan la Ciudad de Culiacan en Sinaloa\u201d
— M\u00e9xico Aeroespacial y Defensa (@M\u00e9xico Aeroespacial y Defensa) 1672945924

Sinaloa cartel launches violent campaign to free Ovidio Guzman

The Sinaloa Cartel set the city of Culiacan on fire in an attempt to force Mexican authorities to free Guzman.

According to Fox News, "The violence became so heavy that Sinaloa Gov. Ruben Rocha said cartel members showed up at local hospitals attempting to kidnap doctors to take them back to the front lines and treat wounded fighters."

Rocha said, "It got to the point that at one moment, the doctors were saying, ‘We’re getting out of here.'"

El Pais reported, "Witnesses who spoke to El Pais paint a picture of terror, where packs of armed criminals, on motorcycles or on foot, played cat and mouse with the authorities. Roberto, a painter who left home shortly before 10 a.m. on Thursday, said the criminals seized his car at gunpoint: 'I don’t know what a war zone is like, but I think it’s the same thing,' he said."

The cartel set cars, buses, and tractor-trailers on fire as roadblocks across the city. The drug cartel blocked 19 roads and highways in Culiacan. The cartel wanted to prevent the Mexican military from transporting Guzman to the Culiacan airport.

Two military planes landed at the airport and deployed more troops to secure the airport.

Law enforcement was able to transport Guzman to the airport, but the cartel launched a last-ditch offensive. The Sinaloa Cartel shot at a military plane and a commercial airliner in an effort to stop Guzman from being flown out of the city.

The Aeromexico airliner attempted to take off from the runway, but was hit by gunfire. Passengers threw themselves to the floor of the plane to dodge the gunfire. The commercial airliner was forced to retreat to the terminal.

The New York Post reported that the plane's engine had been hit during the shooting, which caused a leak. None of the passengers were injured.

The Sinaloa Cartel grounded two military aircraft after the planes were hit with "a significant number of impacts," Sandoval said. The cartel soldiers were reportedly firing Barrett .50 caliber anti-materiel rifles at the planes.

\u201cSinaloa Cartel firing a .50 Cal Barrett anti-materiel rifle at a plane of the Mexican Air Force near the Culiac\u00e1n Airport following the arrest of El Chapo\u2019s son Ovidio\u201d
— Sara A. Carter (@Sara A. Carter) 1673019931
\u201cIn an act of terrorism, a war has broken out between Mexican Defense Forces and the Sinaloa Cartel in Culiacan in response to the arrest of El Chapo\u2019s son. Where the cartel has now been shooting at commercial airliners with 50-caliber weapons; some arguing provided by the ATF.\u201d
— Joshua Rodriguez (@Joshua Rodriguez) 1672959875

The U.S. wants Guzman

Mexican authorities snuck Guzman into a military helicopter and flew the 32-year-old drug kingpin to Mexico City. Guzman is reportedly in a maximum-security prison near Toluca.

"Guzman was indicted by the United States on drug trafficking charges in 2018. According to both governments, he had assumed a growing role among his brothers in carrying on their father’s business, along with long- time cartel boss Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada," according to CNBC.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Marcelo Ebrard confirmed the Mexican government received a 2019 request from the United States for Guzman's arrest, and that the U.S. wants to extradite the suspected drug lord.

Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman is serving a life sentence at a Colorado supermax federal prison after being convicted of criminal enterprise and cocaine distribution in 2019.

President Joe Biden is scheduled to travel to the southern border on Sunday – his first such visit since taking office. Biden is set to visit Mexico next week for the North American Leaders' Summit – which will include meetings with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Lopez Obrador.

Woke protesters storm and disrupt debate, chant against San Francisco's new district attorney who's up for reelection — and she walks out of room



Woke protesters stormed and disrupted a debate between three San Francisco district attorney candidates Thursday — but aimed their vitriol at Brook Jenkins, who currently sits in the DA's chair.

Holding signs and chanting "No Justice! No peace!" in a venue at San Francisco State University, KTVU-TV reported that the demonstrators even walked on the stage where Jenkins sat with the other candidates, Joe Alioto Veronese and John Hamasaki.

Protesters held signs with the names of two men shot and killed by San Francisco police, the station said.

KTVU said Jenkins departed the stage a few minutes after the protesters arrived.

\u201cIt\u2019s infuriating to see @BrookeJenkinsSF walk out of a debate when youth activists demanded her to respond to her anti-youth / anti-BIPOC policies & actions. \ud83d\ude21\ud83d\ude24\n\nWe need a DA who isn\u2019t afraid to listen to young people & uphold true justice for all. \u270a\ud83c\udffc @HamasakiLaw @joeavero\u201d
— Joshua Rudy Ochoa \ud83c\udf39\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 (@Joshua Rudy Ochoa \ud83c\udf39\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08) 1666317031

The station said Hamasaki and Veronese stayed.

What has Jenkins been up to?

Jenkins — who quit her job in former DA Chesa Boudin's office in 2021 to join the recall effort against him — was appointed DA by San Francisco Mayor London Breed in July. The special election she's running in will determine who will complete Boudin’s term through 2023.

After taking office Jenkins fired 15 staffers who worked for Boudin, the city's controversial progressive DA who was ousted in an historic recall election last month.

"Today, I made difficult, but important changes to my management team and staff that will help advance my vision to restore a sense of safety in San Francisco by holding serious and repeat offenders accountable and implementing smart criminal justice reforms," Jenkins said in a statement at the time, according to SFGate.

Boudin — a socialist who's the son of violent radicals — was elected in 2019 amid a national wave of progressive prosecutors running for office and promising to stop tough-on-crime policies they said disproportionately affected minorities.

Several key progressives such as Vice President Kamala Harris and socialist U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) supported Boudin's candidacy. Radical anti-Israel activist Linda Sarsour claimed she cried tears of joy after Boudin won.

Within his first two days in office, Boudin fired seven tough-on-crime prosecutors. He also vowed to not prosecute cases involving quality-of-life crimes, such as public camping, prostitution, public urination, and blocking a sidewalk.

But Boudin's soft-on-crime approach left the city's overwhelmingly liberal voting base with bad tastes in their mouths: They overwhelmingly supported Boudin's recall by a vote of 60% to 40%.

Video shows BRAINWASHED mask crusader threaten, assault Costco worker for not wearing mask



As local health departments and the CDC revise COVID safety guidelines, several of the nation’s largest retailers have relaxed mask policies for customers and employees. But the decision to release the masses from COVID mask captivity isn't sitting well with everyone.

A video circulating on social media shows a man wearing a vented mask wielding a canister of pepper spray inside a Costco. In the video, the masked man stands pointing pepper spray just inches away from an employee's face. Then without warning, he lunges forward to shove the employee, then jumps back and shouts, "Stay away! You're threatening my life!"

At this point, a second employee, presumably a manager, intervenes. The unhinged masker now points the pepper spray at the second employee and also tells him to "stay away."

When the second employee complies and takes a step back, the masker says, "Thank you. Now tell that to this a**hole" and gestures to the first employee.

"You can't be threatening people in here with pepper spray, okay? Do you understand that? You cannot threaten people in here with pepper spray," the employee says calmly.

"I can! You're not a cop. You're not a lawyer," insists the masker, before stalking away.


Demented \u201cmasker\u201d fanatic threatens, then assaults, working staff in a public retail space. In some places he would be lucky to be still standing on his feet.pic.twitter.com/r9TrTcfjMA
— James Woods (@James Woods) 1651013848

Several viewers on Twitter were quick to point out that the exhale valve in the man's mask makes him just as big a threat to those around him as not wearing a mask because valved masks only protect the wearer.

Yep. He's "protecting" himself (for minuscule amounts of protection) while exhaling unfiltered breath. A fine upstanding citizen.
— Elon Geldner *\ufe0f\u20e3 (@Elon Geldner *\ufe0f\u20e3) 1651016967
Yes I guess he thinks it is ok for him to spread germs but no one else can
— Dave Stracka (@Dave Stracka) 1651060003
Yup. Doesn\u2019t care about his unfiltered exhaust. smh
— Bryan Knight (@Bryan Knight) 1651007329
Yep they don't think it through
— \ud83d\udc51\ud83d\udc8eEllie Quartz\ud83d\udc60\ud83d\udc57OF 50% off (@\ud83d\udc51\ud83d\udc8eEllie Quartz\ud83d\udc60\ud83d\udc57OF 50% off) 1651034191


Someone should tell him that mask with the exhaust port is worse than wearing a gaiter mask.
— Jags Board Game & Movie Guy (@Jags Board Game & Movie Guy) 1651014075


Masks with a vent don't protect anybody at all. Hasn't he heard Costco delivers. He is lucky. Some of us hit back when assaulted.
— Laura Watson (@Laura Watson) 1651018947
These are cultists: A mask with extra features puts them that much farther up in the mask-hole hierarchy.pic.twitter.com/IOtuyN2kif
— The Berean Times (@The Berean Times) 1651021534


He is such an dumb slave, his stupid mask doesn\u2019t it work
— Miguel Ibarra \u2022 Born & Raised in\ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\uddfd\u2022\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8by choice (@Miguel Ibarra \u2022 Born & Raised in\ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\uddfd\u2022\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8by choice) 1651012548

Some had sympathy for the evidently brainwashed man.

Poor guy has gone mad by government decree, he won't be able to live now people aren't wearing masks, what is going to happen to people like him?
— WeCanSaveTheWorld (@WeCanSaveTheWorld) 1651065882
Almost, and I do mean almost, feel bad for the guy. The government and media broke him.
— Brett (@Brett) 1650994902
Give the guy a break. He just lost his job as a fact checker at Twitter.
— Emilio Gallo (@Emilio Gallo) 1651015859
Blame the people who lied to this confused person, manipulating him to make him think this way.
— David Bell (@David Bell) 1651007228


The employee showed great restraint. The attacker probably has a disorder of some sort, and sometimes you have to show a little kindness. Hopefully the gentleman will get some help. I'm not being ironic.
— Captain Jellico (@Captain Jellico) 1651017018
https://twitter.com/customconcern1/status/1519012628751958016\u00a0\u2026
— Blue State Refugee (@Blue State Refugee) 1651025765

Others managed to keep their sympathy in check.

If someone aims pepper spray at me, there is a double-leg take-down incoming.
— Joshua Evans (@Joshua Evans) 1651015421
If he believes in the mask, then he should believe that he is safe regardless of whether others wear masks or not. He just wanted to cause a disturbance.
— Sophia (@Sophia) 1651003857
Try that in my Costco.....please.
— Runawa777 (@Runawa777) 1651013999


This is a pious member of the Branch Covidians, he could not contain his zealotry when he notices a former Covidian not Adhering to the the first Tennent of the Covidian faith ;\n\nOne must wear the most holy artifact of the covidians at all times , The righteous mask of St Fauci
— Glocknessm0nster (@Glocknessm0nster) 1651018978


Coward! Pushing and employee who he knows won\u2019t fight back and threading him with pepper spray! The mask cult should just stay home!
— C (@C) 1651060535
Scared of the virus but then physically assaults other people lol\n\nBeyond parody
— Kangmin Lee \u271e (@Kangmin Lee \u271e) 1651017333

Video shows BRAINWASHED mask crusader threaten, assault Costco worker for not wearing mask



As local health departments and the CDC revise COVID safety guidelines, several of the nation’s largest retailers have relaxed mask policies for customers and employees. But the decision to release the masses from COVID mask captivity isn't sitting well with everyone.

A video circulating on social media shows a man wearing a vented mask wielding a canister of pepper spray inside a Costco. In the video, the masked man stands pointing pepper spray just inches away from an employee's face. Then without warning, he lunges forward to shove the employee, then jumps back and shouts, "Stay away! You're threatening my life!"

At this point, a second employee, presumably a manager, intervenes. The unhinged masker now points the pepper spray at the second employee and also tells him to "stay away."

When the second employee complies and takes a step back, the masker says, "Thank you. Now tell that to this a**hole" and gestures to the first employee.

"You can't be threatening people in here with pepper spray, okay? Do you understand that? You cannot threaten people in here with pepper spray," the employee says calmly.

"I can! You're not a cop. You're not a lawyer," insists the masker, before stalking away.


Demented \u201cmasker\u201d fanatic threatens, then assaults, working staff in a public retail space. In some places he would be lucky to be still standing on his feet.pic.twitter.com/r9TrTcfjMA
— James Woods (@James Woods) 1651013848

Several viewers on Twitter were quick to point out that the exhale valve in the man's mask makes him just as big a threat to those around him as not wearing a mask because valved masks only protect the wearer.

Yep. He's "protecting" himself (for minuscule amounts of protection) while exhaling unfiltered breath. A fine upstanding citizen.
— Elon Geldner *\ufe0f\u20e3 (@Elon Geldner *\ufe0f\u20e3) 1651016967
Yes I guess he thinks it is ok for him to spread germs but no one else can
— Dave Stracka (@Dave Stracka) 1651060003
Yup. Doesn\u2019t care about his unfiltered exhaust. smh
— Bryan Knight (@Bryan Knight) 1651007329
Yep they don't think it through
— \ud83d\udc51\ud83d\udc8eEllie Quartz\ud83d\udc60\ud83d\udc57OF 50% off (@\ud83d\udc51\ud83d\udc8eEllie Quartz\ud83d\udc60\ud83d\udc57OF 50% off) 1651034191


Someone should tell him that mask with the exhaust port is worse than wearing a gaiter mask.
— Jags Board Game & Movie Guy (@Jags Board Game & Movie Guy) 1651014075


Masks with a vent don't protect anybody at all. Hasn't he heard Costco delivers. He is lucky. Some of us hit back when assaulted.
— Laura Watson (@Laura Watson) 1651018947
These are cultists: A mask with extra features puts them that much farther up in the mask-hole hierarchy.pic.twitter.com/IOtuyN2kif
— The Berean Times (@The Berean Times) 1651021534


He is such an dumb slave, his stupid mask doesn\u2019t it work
— Miguel Ibarra \u2022 Born & Raised in\ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\uddfd\u2022\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8by choice (@Miguel Ibarra \u2022 Born & Raised in\ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\uddfd\u2022\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8by choice) 1651012548

Some had sympathy for the evidently brainwashed man.

Poor guy has gone mad by government decree, he won't be able to live now people aren't wearing masks, what is going to happen to people like him?
— WeCanSaveTheWorld (@WeCanSaveTheWorld) 1651065882
Almost, and I do mean almost, feel bad for the guy. The government and media broke him.
— Brett (@Brett) 1650994902
Give the guy a break. He just lost his job as a fact checker at Twitter.
— Emilio Gallo (@Emilio Gallo) 1651015859
Blame the people who lied to this confused person, manipulating him to make him think this way.
— David Bell (@David Bell) 1651007228


The employee showed great restraint. The attacker probably has a disorder of some sort, and sometimes you have to show a little kindness. Hopefully the gentleman will get some help. I'm not being ironic.
— Captain Jellico (@Captain Jellico) 1651017018
https://twitter.com/customconcern1/status/1519012628751958016\u00a0\u2026
— Blue State Refugee (@Blue State Refugee) 1651025765

Others managed to keep their sympathy in check.

If someone aims pepper spray at me, there is a double-leg take-down incoming.
— Joshua Evans (@Joshua Evans) 1651015421
If he believes in the mask, then he should believe that he is safe regardless of whether others wear masks or not. He just wanted to cause a disturbance.
— Sophia (@Sophia) 1651003857
Try that in my Costco.....please.
— Runawa777 (@Runawa777) 1651013999


This is a pious member of the Branch Covidians, he could not contain his zealotry when he notices a former Covidian not Adhering to the the first Tennent of the Covidian faith ;\n\nOne must wear the most holy artifact of the covidians at all times , The righteous mask of St Fauci
— Glocknessm0nster (@Glocknessm0nster) 1651018978


Coward! Pushing and employee who he knows won\u2019t fight back and threading him with pepper spray! The mask cult should just stay home!
— C (@C) 1651060535
Scared of the virus but then physically assaults other people lol\n\nBeyond parody
— Kangmin Lee \u271e (@Kangmin Lee \u271e) 1651017333

Hong Kong pro-democracy activists jailed for organizing protests last year. They vow the fight will continue.



Three pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong have been sentenced to serve jail time for their involvement in demonstrations against the Chinese Communist Party's increasing attempts to assume total control over the once-autonomous territory last year.

What happened?

Joshua Wong, Agnes Chow, and Ivan Lam were found guilty of organizing and taking part in the mass protests near police headquarters last June, the BBC reported Wednesday. The protests kicked off a movement for freedom in Hong Kong that garnered international attention and has continued for more than a year.

Wong received a sentence of 13.5 months in jail, while Chow and Lam were sentenced to 10 and 7 months, respectively. The activists had been held in police custody prior to the sentencing, with Wong under solitary confinement, the British outlet noted.

Magistrate Wong Sze-lai argued that "immediate imprisonment [was] the only appropriate option" for the defendants after they "called on protesters to besiege the headquarters and chanted slogans that undermine the police force."

According to reports, Chow burst into tears after the verdict was read, while Wong shouted "the days ahead will be tough but we will hang in there" as he was led away by authorities.

In further remarks posted on Twitter by his lawyers, Wong said, "It's not the end of the fight ... we're now joining the battle in prison along with many brave protestors, less visible yet essential in the fight for democracy and freedom for HK."

#JoshuaWong 13.5m in jail - via lawyers, “it’s not the end of the fight. Ahead of us is another challenging battleg… https://t.co/iW320jxeeE
— Joshua Wong 黃之鋒 😷 (@Joshua Wong 黃之鋒 😷)1606897435.0

What else?

The pro-democracy movement in the former British colony suffered a major blow in May when Beijing announced it would bypass the Hong Kong legislature and impose a sweeping new national security law that effectively made protesting against authorities illegal.

Under the new law, the activists could have been sentenced to life in prison for their actions. However, since their offenses took place before the law's enactment, they were spared such a fate.

At the time, prominent pro-democracy legislator Dennis Kwok warned the enactment of the new law marked the end of the "one country, two systems" principle that had governed Hong Kong's relationship with China since Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region of the communist country in 1997.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo agreed with the assessment, officially declaring that Hong Kong was no longer autonomous.

"Beijing's disastrous decision [to impose the law] is only the latest in a series of actions that fundamentally undermine Hong Kong's autonomy and freedoms and China's own promises to the Hong Kong people under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, a U.N.-filed international treaty," Pompeo said in a statement.

[This] decision gives me no pleasure," he added before noting that it is the State Department's responsibility under the Hong Kong Policy Act to assess the territory's autonomy.