Exclusive video: Leftists swarm ICE headquarters whining about deportation of pro-Hamas radicals



A motley crew of leftists descended on the nation's capital on Saturday. Blaze Media national correspondent Julio Rosas was on the scene, capturing some of the less inhibited among the activists resort to their apparent default: dehumanizing rhetoric.

As part of a nationwide "Hands Off!" protest, some radicals ambled to the National Mall to express their displeasure with President Donald Trump and his popular agenda.

While uniformly anti-Trump, there was a variety of grievances expressed by the cacophonic mob even though the organizers made clear that they had three reasons for mobilization. The reasons were: to stop Trump and Elon Musk's imagined "illegal power grab"; to condemn the administration and congressional Republicans for supposedly "gutting services, raising prices, and racing towards slashing Medicaid, Social Security, and more"; and to clutch pearls about the administration's supposed pursuit of "destruction for the benefit of their billionaire allies."

Of course, numerous protesters veered off message, dusted off the slogans of yesteryear, and championed the causes of Black Lives Matter, gender ideology, and an unaccountable federal bureaucracy.

Other radicals farther afield donned keffiyehs and swarmed the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Potomac Center Plaza as part of the separate "April 5 March on Washington."

Those in this second camp, which Rosas tracked over the course of the day, protested the Trump administration's foreign policy as well as its enforcement of federal immigration law; demonized ICE agents; condemned the deportation of pro-Hamas radicals, including Turkish national Rumeysa Ozturk; criticized Israel; and reaffirmed their "commitment to the liberation of Palestine."

The groups that ultimately swarmed the ICE headquarters included the Palestinian Feminist Collective, the climate alarmist group Planet Over Profit, and the local chapters of the George Soros-funded Students for Justice in Palestine — a group endorsed last year by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a Gaza-based terrorist group that combines Marxist-Leninist ideology with Arab nationalism.

Outside the ICE offices, protesters demanded the release of Mahmoud Khalil and other pro-Hamas international students facing deportation.

Khalil, a Syrian-born activist leader who previously attended Columbia University, allegedly hid his former employment with a Hamas-tied UN agency when filing his green card application.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in reference to Khalil's arrest last month, "We will be revoking the visas and/or green cards of Hamas supporters in America so they can be deported."

— (@)

Activists also called for a moratorium on ICE removal operations.

Prior to raging impotently outside the ICE offices, various activists made speeches.

'There is only one solution: antifada, revolution.'

Linda Sarsour — the Palestinian-American activist whose radicalism proved too much even for the Biden administration which disavowed her — told the mob standing near an "abolish Israel" sign that "we are all adversaries to U.S. foreign policy" and that the radical mob was "the moral consistency of America."

One speaker honored Palestinian "martyrs" killed during the Hamas-Israeli war without distinguishing between civilians and terrorists.

Another tethered Palestinian activism to the broader socialist cause, indicating that capitalism is at fault.

Muna Qadan of the Palestinian Feminist Collective threatened a "new world order" and the "vengeance of the oppressed" and stated that "there is only one solution: antifada, revolution."

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60 universities face anti-Semitism investigations: Trump's Education Department



President Donald Trump's Department of Education announced on Monday that it has launched investigations into 60 universities across the nation over anti-Semitism concerns.

Last week, the Education Department, the Department of Justice, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. General Services Administration canceled $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University due to its "inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students," according to a DOE press release.

'Deeply disappointed that Jewish students studying on elite US campuses continue to fear for their safety.'

The university was notified earlier this month that the joint task force would complete a review of its more than $5 billion federal grant commitments as part of an investigation into potential violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

The action was linked to Trump's executive order combatting anti-Semitism, which also led to Immigration and Customs Enforcement's recent detainment of the leader of a pro-Hamas group associated with violent protests at Columbia University.

Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social, "This is the first arrest of many to come. We know there are more students at Columbia and other Universities across the Country who have engaged in pro-terrorist, anti-Semitic, anti-American activity, and the Trump Administration will not tolerate it."

"Many are not students, they are paid agitators," he continued. "We will find, apprehend, and deport these terrorist sympathizers from our country — never to return again. If you support terrorism, including the slaughtering of innocent men, women, and children, your presence is contrary to our national and foreign policy interests, and you are not welcome here. We expect every one of America's Colleges and Universities to comply."

A spokesperson for Columbia University told the New York Post that the school will "work with the federal government to restore Columbia's federal funding."

"We take Columbia's legal obligations seriously and understand how serious this announcement is and are committed to combatting anti-Semitism and ensuring the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff," the spokesperson stated.

On Monday, the Education Department took further action against the nation's universities that have allowed disruptive and sometimes violent pro-Hamas and anti-Israel protests to take over their campuses.

The department announced that its Office for Civil Rights sent letters to 60 universities "warning them of potential enforcement actions if they do not fulfill their obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act to protect Jewish students on campus, including uninterrupted access to campus facilities and educational opportunities."

It noted that those 60 higher learning institutions — including Arizona State University, Harvard University, Rutgers University, the State University of New York, the University of California, and Yale University — are currently under investigation.

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stated, "The Department is deeply disappointed that Jewish students studying on elite U.S. campuses continue to fear for their safety amid the relentless anti-Semitic eruptions that have severely disrupted campus life for more than a year. University leaders must do better."

"U.S. colleges and universities benefit from enormous public investments funded by U.S. taxpayers. That support is a privilege, and it is contingent on scrupulous adherence to federal antidiscrimination laws," she added.

Universities respond

A spokesperson for ASU told KPNX, "Arizona State University has a long history of opposing anti-Semitic rhetoric and acts of intimidation whether they occur on our campuses or in the community. The university has been very clear about this position."

In response to potential funding threats, Harvard announced a temporary hiring freeze on Monday.

"Effective immediately, Harvard will implement a temporary pause on staff and faculty hiring across the University. In the coming days, we will work closely with the leadership of Harvard's Schools and administrative units to help determine how to implement this guidance in extraordinary cases, such as positions essential to fulfilling the terms of gift- or grant-funded projects," it stated.

A Rutgers spokesperson told the Philadelphia Inquirer that the school "condemns anti-Semitism in the strongest terms possible, and we always will do so. Our strong Jewish community is a point of pride for the university. The university adheres to state and federal law and will always strive to strengthen and enforce the policies and practices that protect our students, faculty, and staff."

A SUNY spokesperson told the Legislative Gazette, "SUNY has no tolerance for anti-Semitism and will continue to ensure that our campuses are safe and inclusive for Jewish students and free from all forms of discrimination and harassment."

"SUNY has frequently and consistently publicly condemned anti-Semitism, opposed [boycott, divestment, and sanctions movements], and taken major steps to ensure compliance with all federal civil rights laws. The safety and security of our students is and always will be paramount," the spokesperson added.

The UC Office of the President said in a statement to KXTV that it is aware that several of its campuses received a letter from the Education Department.

"We want to be clear: The University of California is unwavering in its commitment to combatting anti-Semitism and protecting the civil rights of all our students, faculty, staff, and visitors. We continue to take specific steps to foster an environment free of anti-Semitism and other forms of discrimination and harassment for everyone in the university community," the statement read.

A Yale University spokesperson told the Yale Daily News, "Yale has long been committed to combatting anti-Semitism and strives to ensure that its Jewish community, along with all communities at Yale, are treated with dignity, respect, and compassion. Anti-Semitism is inconsistent with Yale's values and principles and has no place in our community."

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ICE nabs leader of pro-Hamas group tied to violent Columbia protests



The Department of Homeland Security confirmed over the weekend that Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Mahmoud Khalil, a Syrian-born activist leader of a pro-Hamas group tied to disruptive and violent protests at Columbia University last year.

Fox News’ Alexis McAdams referred to Khalil as “a prominent Palestinian activist” who was apprehended at “his university-owned apartment on the city’s Upper West Side” on Saturday evening. She noted that, according to students, Khalil was “a leader of protests and encampments on the Columbia University campus for months.”

'The first arrest of many to come.'

Columbia University’s Office of Public Affairs issued a statement on Sunday acknowledging ICE’s presence on campus.

“There have been reports of ICE around campus. Columbia has and will continue to follow the law. Consistent with our long-standing practice and the practice of cities and institutions throughout the country, law enforcement must have a judicial warrant to enter non-public University areas, including University buildings. Columbia is committed to complying with all legal obligations and supporting our student body and campus community,” the statement read.

— (@)

A group is now demanding Khalil’s release, circulating a post claiming that he was “abducted by DHS” and encouraging people to sign a petition. They contended that Khalil was targeted “for his Palestinian identity and outspoken activism.” As of Monday afternoon, the petition had more than 1.4 million signatures.

The New York Post reported that he is the head of the Columbia United Apartheid Divest, a group responsible for several disruptive and sometimes violent protests at the university and other campuses.

The Columbia Spectator identified Khalil as “a lead negotiator for the ‘Gaza Solidarity Encampment’ in April 2024.”

Amy Greer, Khalil’s lawyer, told the news outlet that he was informed by ICE special agents that he was being detained because the State Department revoked his student visa. However, Greer alleged that Khalil is a green card holder and lawful permanent resident.

Court filings reviewed by the Post claimed that Khalil provided agents with documentation “demonstrating that he is a lawful permanent resident — not a student visa holder.” The court filings state that he was an “outspoken activist” and that there was “no basis” for his arrest.

The move to detain Khalil is a part of the Trump administration’s vow to revoke visas and deport foreign students participating in pro-Hamas protests.

Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the DHS, told the Associated Press that the arrest was “in support of President Trump’s executive orders prohibiting anti-Semitism.” She claimed that Khalil “led activities aligned to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization.”

The White House responded to news of Khalil’s detainment, calling it "the first arrest of many to come.”

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Blaze News original: 12 times leftists have sought to twist, hijack, and stomp on Christmas



The Freedom from Religion Foundation recently set up its annual "Winter Solstice" exhibit at the Wisconsin Capitol in opposition to religious displays, which is accompanied by a sign that reads, "At this season of the Winter Solstice, may reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but a myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds."

The Catholic League responded to the display with a billboard in the vicinity of the FFRF's headquarters in Madison that reads, "ATHEISTS STRIKE OUT AT CHRISTMAS. Celebrating Winter Solstice is a Child's Game. This Is Our Season — Not Theirs. Celebrate the Birth of Christ. Merry Christmas."

'I couldn't help but notice your Christmas lights display. ... The idea of twinkling, colorful lights are a reminder of divisions that continue to run through our society, a reminder of systemic biases against our neighbors who don't celebrate Christmas or who can't afford to put up lights of their own.'

Left-wing writer John Pavlovitz published a December 16 Substack piece titled, "The War on Christmas Is Here (and the Christian Right Has Declared it)." In it he says that "the very white conservatives who’ve been loudly sounding the alarm are the incessantly-advancing [sic] hordes" and have "disregarded their own faith tradition’s birth story." Pavlovitz adds that:

Christmas is a child of Palestinian Jewish parents desperately fleeing politically-ordered [sic] genocide.
Christmas is a dark-skinned child, born where animals feed because no human-worthy welcome could be found.
Christmas is a poor, itinerant, street preaching rabbi living off the generosity of those around him.
Christmas is a compassionate caregiver, feeding and clothing and healing whoever crossed his path.
Christmas is a liberal activist fighting for the poor, condemning violence, shunning material wealth, and calling the world to live sacrificially for the common good.

"The white Evangelical Church in America has no use for this Christmas," he also declares. "In fact, worse than that: it has open contempt for it."

Once again, it appears that leftists are seeking to twist, hijack, and stomp on Christmas in one form or another. It's happening this year just as it has taken place prior to 2024. The following are a dozen examples.

Nativity scene at Vatican showed infant Jesus lying on keffiyeh scarf — a 'potent symbol of the Palestinian cause'


A Nativity scene at the Vatican earlier this month displayed the infant Jesus lying on a keffiyeh scarf. Pope Francis on Dec. 7 attended the inauguration of the Nativity scene, and the Associated Press said special representatives of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas were on hand. The AP said the Nativity raised eyebrows because the keffiyeh has become a "potent symbol of the Palestinian cause."

"Just like the Nazis tried to rewrite Jesus as Aryan to justify their genocide of Jews, Palestinians are now rewriting Jesus as Palestinian to erase Jewish indigeneity to Israel," the watchdog group StopAntisemitism posted in regard to the Nativity scene. "The lies may shape-shift, but the centuries-old hatred towards the Jewish people continues."

But just days after the Nativity scene was unveiled, the depiction of the infant Jesus along with the keffiyeh scarf vanished. A Palestinian official told the AP that the Vatican gave no explanation about the removal, and it wasn't clear if the Nativity scene would be restored on Dec. 24.

Atheists complain about 'Keep Christ in Christmas' sign near Nativity scene in Canadian city. The next day, the sign is gone.


Every year the Knights of Columbus put up an outdoor Nativity scene in Kelowna, British Columbia — and this year after a "Keep Christ in Christmas" sign was displayed next to the Nativity scene, the Kelowna Atheists, Skeptics, and Humanists Association complained.

A Dec. 9 letter from the group called the sign "political" and "advocating for a specific religious interpretation of the holiday." The next day the sign came down, with the city confirming that the sign isn't part of the Knights of Columbus' permit for the Nativity scene.

Australian elementary school bans students from exchanging 'food or Christmas-themed items' — and gets an earful from parents livid over 'woke ideology'


An elementary school in Melbourne, Australia, earlier this month banned students in grades 5 and 6 from exchanging "food or Christmas-themed items," the Daily Mail reported.

One mother said the ban was enacted so "non-Christian students" wouldn't be offended.

"I've heard that this is also happening at other local schools, and it's a woke ideology trying to interfere in what originally is a religious holiday that people who aren't even religious follow and observe," she told Herald Sun, according to the Daily Mail.

As you might imagine, the mother wasn't the only parent who was outraged, and the parents let Eltham East Primary School know about it, the outlet said.

Would you believe that soon afterward, Principal Warren Lloyd reversed the ban and apologized for the "oversight"? The Daily Mail Australia said it contacted the Victoria Department of Education for further comment.

Bella d'Abrera from the Institute of Public Affairs told the outlet that the school's initial ban represented political correctness on overdrive: "Every year like clockwork, left-wing activists in our schools and institutions find an excuse to cancel Christmas. What have we become as a society if activists’ cancel culture now extends to canceling Christmas for [elementary] students?"

Catholic priest politicizes Christmas by telling CNN panel that it's 'about a Palestinian Jew' — then gets history lessons


On Christmas morning 2023, Catholic Fr. Edward Beck — a CNN religion commentator — told a panel on the cable network that "the story of Christmas is about a Palestinian Jew."

He continued: "Now, how often do you find those words put together? A Palestinian Jew born into a time when his country was occupied, right? They can't find a place for her to even give birth. They're homeless. They eventually have to flee as refugees, into Egypt no less. I mean, you can't make up the parallels to our current world situation right now. And so in some way, that is who we believe God becomes, born into that situation."

Conservative commentator Jason Rantz caught the exchange and posted a retort on X, saying Beck is "trying to push Christians into Palestinian nationalism & erase Jewish history." It appeared that Beck soon blocked Rantz on Christmas Day, and Rantz observed that "the activist Father doesn’t like getting called out by Jews."

Radio host Christopher Calvin Reid added, "This 'Father' doesn't represent orthodox Christians or practicing catholics in [any way]. Christ was born in Israel and salvation is for the Jews first and then for the gentiles. God's promises to Israel will never be broken, and those who lie about history in order to promote Hamas have nothing to do with my faith. But you can always find some minister[s] who [call] themselves 'Christian' who are wolves amongst the sheep."

Chris Enloe, who wrote Blaze News' story on the controversy, added that Beck "is the same Catholic priest who two years ago said that Christians who did not receive the COVID-19 shot should not attend Christmas church services."

Florida hotel that hosted 'A Drag Queen Christmas' show gets in trouble after state says minors were at sexually explicit show


The office of Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in December 2022 said it was investigating venues hosting "A Drag Queen Christmas" for possible violations of state laws against exposing children to sexually explicit themes.

In March 2023, DeSantis' office sought to revoke the liquor license of the Hyatt Regency Miami for hosting “A Drag Queen Christmas” the previous Dec. 27, NBC News reported. The DeSantis administration argued that the hotel violated Florida statutes on lewdness by hosting the show and exposing children to “simulated sexual activity, and lewd, vulgar, and indecent displays," the news network said, adding that the venue allowed minors to attend the show if accompanied by an adult.

By last December, the state settled with the Hyatt Regency Miami, NBC News said, adding that as part of the settlement, the hotel was to pay a $5,000 fine and agreed to prohibit anyone under the age of 18 from attending any performance at the hotel that “contains, depicts or simulates any activities” described in Florida’s statutes on lewdness.

Amid local library's Christmas tree ban, town human rights commissioner says Christians believe in 'happy horses**t,' 'magic sky daddy' in unhinged rant. She later resigns.


A member of the Human Rights Commission in Dedham, Massachusetts, resigned in December 2022 after writing that Christians believe in "happy horses**t" and a "magic sky daddy" as part of an unhinged rant on social media amid a Christmas tree ban in the town's public library.

In 2021, some people allegedly were "uncomfortable" with the sight of a Christmas tree in the library, which reportedly led to a ban on Christmas trees there in 2022.

Lisa Desmond, supervisor of the Endicott branch of Dedham's libraries, said in a now-unavailable Facebook post in December 2022, "I found out today that my beautiful library will not have [its] Christmas tree this year. Zero explanation. When I asked I was told 'people' were made uncomfortable last year looking at it. I’m sorry WHAT?" Desmond said in the comments section of her post that the Dedham public library director made the decision. Hundreds of comments under her post and several other related posts on Desmond's Facebook page were squarely against banning Christmas trees in the town's public libraries.

Desmond also added a Dec. 6 post with screenshots of a profanity-laced rant on a local Facebook page against Desmond and her issues with the Christmas tree cancellation. The rant's author, Diane Loud — whom Desmond said works for a local human rights commission — called Desmond a "selfish, f***ing bitch who does not care about anyone else but herself. For a tree? A motherf***ing TREE? You have put people's lives in a lot of danger. A lot of danger. For a motherf***ing Christmas tree."

The rant also read, "I hope that you — who claim to believe in Christ or whatever happy horses**t you're trying to hide behind — are the least gracious, most hateful, most disgusting trash in the world. Is this what you think your magic sky daddy wants? Where in the Bible was this again?"

And there was even more: "In closing I would like to add a final round of F*** YOU, YOU PIECES OF TRASH. I hate each and every one of you, and I do wish great suffering on you. You are terrible, terrible people."

Interestingly, the rant's author prefaced it all by saying, "I know there's no way to survive whatever sanctions you'll ask the select board to put my participation in commissions that actually try to make people's lives better, so I might as well go for it."

Desmond said in her Facebook post that "police have been notified" about the rant, and she also called for the rant's author to resign from the town's human rights commission.

Two days after Desmond shared Loud's rant, it was announced that Loud "has stepped down from her position on the Dedham Human Rights Commission. We sincerely appreciate Diane's service and look forward to working with the Commission on Disabilities to find a representative to take her place."

What's more, after a massive pushback against the Christmas tree ban, the library director soon said the trees were allowed to go up after all. Library Director Amber Moroney said in a Dec. 12 statement that "Christmas trees will be put up" at both of Dedham's public libraries, WBTS reported. Moroney said in a statement to Fox News that "the initial decision to not display a Christmas tree was the result of an ongoing review of all our holiday decorations and displays that started back in the spring."

A statement from Dedham officials said "town staff" were "targeted by recent online threats and bullying" over the controversy and that "what could have been something of legitimate discourse turned neighbor against neighbor, and has threatened the safety and well-being of community members and staff."

You can view a video report here about the controversy when it was first brewing.

Nativity scene threatened with removal in Arkansas town that has been referred to as 'the Bible Belt's LGBTQ oasis.' But folks fight back.


In December 2022, Robert Berry — mayor of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, which CNN called "the Bible Belt's LGBTQ oasis" — wanted a Nativity scene gone from its usual spot in Basin Spring Park after nearly 70 years.

Randall Christy, executive director of the Great Passion Play, told KNWA-TV that after the mayor called him about removing the Nativity scene, "We decided we're not taking it down. We refused to take it down." Christy also told conservative radio host Todd Starnes, "This is Christmas. ... Why is the Nativity such a threat to the mayor of Eureka Springs?"

As you might guess, there was substantial backlash over the threat of the Nativity scene's removal. Christy said, "People have just been pouring out — posting pictures, saying, ‘don’t take it down, don’t take it down,’ and the mayor has heard the cry of the people."

According to Berry, a town resident had threatened to sue Eureka Springs over the Nativity scene, claiming the religious imagery violated his constitutional right to freedom of religion, reported the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. City Attorney Forrest Jacob and the city's parks director, Scott Miskiel, reportedly told the mayor that "as long as you allow other secular displays to be displayed, then you're OK," according to Berry.

Christy posted the following to Facebook: "I want to sincerely, personally thank Eureka Springs Mayor Butch Berry who just notified me in writing that he has changed his mind and WILL NOT require us to remove our Nativity Scene out of the city's Basin Park. He and I will STAND TOGETHER to fight this potential lawsuit. We stand together to keep Christ and the Nativity in Christmas in Eureka Springs!!!"

Wishing others 'Merry Christmas' is 'white supremacy culture at work'? Really?


In 2020, a Chicago woman made an astonishing claim on Christmas Day that wishing someone a "Merry Christmas" is "white supremacy culture at work."

"This is your annual reminder that not everyone celebrates Christmas! The default to 'Merry Christmas' as a normal greeting is also white supremacy culture at work. If someone celebrates, then by all means. But so many people don't," Jen Bokoff posted on X.

The post caught the attention of conservative pundit Joe Concha, who mocked it. Widespread backlash soon erupted, and Bokoff apparently locked her X account. But that didn't stop others from responding.

One detractor said, "Who wants to tell her that hundreds of millions of Christians who celebrate Christmas worldwide are something other than white?"

Another pointed out, "This isn't a racist white thing. Jesus was Middle Eastern. This is a, 'I follow Christ thing.' Bless her heart."

Yet another replied, "I was walking on the sidewalk today a Muslim lady was going the other direction, she said Merry Christmas to me. I was thrilled. I wished her Merry Christmas, we both smiled and kept walking. It was a great moment for me. The real person should give it a try and get real."

Home's Christmas lights pummeled as 'harmful' and a 'reminder of divisions ... systemic biases.' Then anonymous critic receives holiday haranguing.


In early December 2020, a Minnesota couple received an anonymous letter criticizing the Christmas light display on their St. Anthony home as "harmful," Fox News noted.

The letter to Kim Hunt and her husband begins: "I couldn't help but notice your Christmas lights display. During these unprecedented times, we have all experienced challenges which casual words just don't describe what we're feeling. The idea of twinkling, colorful lights are a reminder of divisions that continue to run through our society, a reminder of systemic biases against our neighbors who don't celebrate Christmas or who can't afford to put up lights of their own."

It adds that "we must do the work of educating ourselves about the harmful impact an outward facing display like yours can have."

You can check out the letter and the "harmful" Christmas lights here.

The letter writer then says, "I challenge you to respect the dignity of all people, while striving to learn from differences, ideas, and opinions of our neighbors. We must come together collectively and challenge these institutional inequities. St. Anthony is a community welcoming of all people, and we must demand better for ourselves."

Hunt told Fox News that she and her husband were "very surprised, shocked, and saddened by the letter" — particularly since the lights give her a sense of "joy" when she returns from her job as a nurse working with COVID-19 patients. She added to the cable network that "these times we live in are so divisive" and that it's "a sad statement that Christmas lights have to be a target."

"We need to be inclusive of everyone, and let's face it, a lot of people put up holiday lights or decorate their homes for other occasions to bring beauty and happiness to what can be a very ugly world," Hunt told Fox News, adding that three other homes in the area have received the same letter.

As you might expect, the letter writer got an earful from Twitter users who saw the Crime Watch post containing the photo of the letter. Fox News said former Baltimore Ravens quarterback Derek Anderson observed: "Saw this coming a long time ago. 'If I can't have it nobody can' or 'if they have it we all deserve it' that's not life."

Others had similar reactions:

  • "Ironic that the letter writer is doing exactly what they accuse the homeowner of doing — not being accepting of others," another commenter said. "I would redouble my lights."
  • "People just need to stop already!!" another user declared. "If I lived in that neighborhood I'd help the owner put up even more lights."
  • "If I were the recipient of that letter, I would put up THREE TIMES the amount of lights that I originally had put up," another commenter noted.

'God rest you, queer and questioning ...' Altered lyrics for iconic Christmas carol sung at English church; ideology behind it blasted as 'woke, unbiblical'


A church in England — All Saints with Holy Trinity in Loughborough — reportedly raised eyebrows in December 2022 for performing iconic Christmas carol "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" with altered lyrics that reflect a "woke, unbiblical" ideology. The updated carol removes references to Satan and Christ as Savior while mentioning those who are “queer and questioning” and “women, who by men have been erased."

Rev. Matthew Firth said the new lyrics fit the Church of England's "woke, unbiblical agenda," the Daily Mail reported. "'All ideas about Christ as savior have been erased. Triumph over Satan's power has been erased. And the whole nativity story has been erased."

Christmas ad 'bringing people to tears' shows grandfather applying makeup to grandson's face — and grandson soon presenting as female to family around dinner table


A J&B Blended Scotch Whisky commercial from Spain is "bringing people to tears with its message of love and acceptance," Today reported in December 2022.

The description of the ad on YouTube via Google Translate reads, "At J&B we want everyone to be able to celebrate at Christmas, without anyone being left out. But, sadly, on these dates, many people from the LGTBIQ+ collective feel uncomfortable or rejected in their own families and cannot celebrate with them. For this reason, we have made this Christmas story starring a grandfather and his family."

Interestingly, those wishing to view the ad on YouTube must sign in to confirm their age as the video "may be inappropriate for some users."

The ad begins with a grandfather trying to learn how to apply makeup to his face without his wife finding out as a version of the song “She" plays in the background, Today noted. After multiple attempts, Today said the grandfather finally "studies himself in the mirror, sporting a full face of expertly applied makeup."

"At first, it seems like the commercial is about the grandfather exploring his own identity — but then comes the emotional twist," Today continued.

Family members soon arrive at the grandparents' house for Christmas dinner — including 26-year-old "Alvaro." The grandfather motions for Alvaro to come with him — and the pair enter a bathroom, after which the grandfather locks the door. With that, the grandfather "uses his newfound makeup skills to lovingly transform his grandchild’s look, applying a beautiful, bold red lip, blush and winged eyeliner," Today said.

Finally, Alvaro and the grandfather emerge from the bathroom — and "Alvaro" has become "Ana" and is "appearing to come out to the family as transgender," Today added.

"The family is surprised at first, but a second later, Ana's mother stands and embraces her, moved to tears, and the rest of the family looks on with love and approval," Today said in its description of the commercial.

The ad's only clear connection to J&B is a shot at the end showing a bottle on the dinner table along with family members drinking it.

Canada's human rights commission suggests holidays like Christmas amount to 'systemic religious discrimination'


The Canadian Human Rights Commission in the fall of 2023 published a paper suggesting that statutory holidays linked to Christianity — particularly Christmas and Easter — are evidence of "religious intolerance."

"Discrimination against religious minorities in Canada is grounded in Canada's history of colonialism," the paper read. "This history manifests itself in present-day systemic religious discrimination. An obvious example is statutory holidays in Canada. Statutory holidays related to Christianity, including Christmas and Easter, are the only Canadian statutory holidays linked to religious holy days."

The paper continued, "As a result, non-Christians may need to request special accommodations to observe their holy days and other times of the year where their religion requires them to abstain from work."

Conservative lawmaker Jeremy Patzer wrote in response to the report, "This is ridiculous. Christmas is celebrated all around the world by people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds. This is another example of woke ideology fomenting within the federal government. I for one will be celebrating Christmas whole heartedly. Merry Christmas!"

John Rustad, leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia, added on X, "The Trudeau Liberals have lost their minds to woke culture. There is nothing discriminatory about Christmas."

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Columbia defends letting professor who celebrated Hamas terrorist attacks teach course on Zionism



Columbia University, a hotbed of anti-Semitism and leftist extremism, will have a professor who celebrated the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks teach a course on Zionism in the new year.

Joseph Massad is a professor of modern Arab politics at Columbia University who has a special interest in "theories of nationalism, sexuality, race, and religion" and regularly contributes to the Middle East Eye, a radical blog apparently owned by a former official for both Al Jazeera in Qatar and the Hamas-affiliated al-Quds TV, Jamal Bessasso. Massad has also long contributed to the Electronic Intifada, a pro-Palestinian propaganda website.

On Oct. 8, 2023 — one day after Hamas terrorists massacred over 1,100 Israelis — Massad penned an article titled "Just another battle or the Palestinian war of liberation?" wherein he expressed amazement and apparent delight at the so-called "victories of the resistance."

"What can motorized paragliders do in the face of one of the most formidable militaries in the world? Apparently much in the hands of an innovative Palestinian resistance, which early on Saturday morning launched a surprise attack on Israel by air, land, and sea," wrote Massad. "Indeed, as stunning videos show, these paragliders have become the air force of the Palestinian resistance."

In addition to suggesting the terrorist attacks were provoked, Massad spoke highly of the terrorists' "success."

"Perhaps the major achievement of the resistance in the temporary takeover of these settler-colonies is the death blow to any confidence that Israeli colonists had in their military and its ability to protect them," continued the Columbia professor. "In the interest of safeguarding their lives and their children's future, the colonists' flight from these settlements may prove to be a permanent exodus. They may have finally realized that living on land stolen from another people will never make them safe."

At one stage in the article, Massad insinuated that the victims were "cruel colonizers" and stated, "The sight of the Palestinian resistance fighters storming Israeli checkpoints separating Gaza from Israel was astounding."

Whereas Massad described the terrorist attacks as "remarkable," "stunning," "striking," and "astounding," he referred to the Israeli response as "barbaric."

According to the university's directory of classes, Massad will teach a course on "the history of the Jewish Enlightenment (Haskala) in 19th century Europe and the development of Zionism through the current peace process between the state of Israel and the Arab states and the Palestinian national movement."

The listing further notes that the Hamas apologist will also provide "a historical overview of the Zionist-Palestinian conflict to familiarize undergraduates with the background of the current situation."

Nearly 50 students are already enrolled in the class, which is unsurprising granted the anti-Israel sentiment that abounds on campus.

Just last week, anti-Israel radicals marched around campus calling for a "free and liberated Palestine" and carrying banners that reportedly read, "Globalize the Intifada," and "Within Our Lifetime."

Blaze News previously reported that on the first anniversary of the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks, pro-Hamas protesters chanted, "Resistance is justified." One video of the demonstration showed protesters chanting, "One solution! Revolution!"

The university has apparently been reluctant to do anything meaningful to curb pro-terrorist sentiment on campus.

The House Committee on Education and the Workforce complained in August that the university had failed to expel any of the students responsible for the volatile demonstrations and encampment takeover in April, where Hamas-endorsed radicals illegally camped outside Columbia University for more than a week, destroying property, repeating genocidal rhetoric and demanding the institution divest from Israel.

'This would be akin to having a White Nationalist teach about the US Civil Rights movement.'

In the face of such unchecked extremism, one Jewish student tried to force Columbia's hand, filing a lawsuit accusing the university of allowing "a small group of fringe demonstrators to target Jewish students and faculty with harassment, hate speech, and violence for the sole reason that they are (or appear to be) Jewish." Columbia agreed to increase safety measures in June as part of a settlement.

The Israeli Embassy to the U.S. responded to the news of Massad's course, asking on X, "How many people has he already managed to indoctrinate?"

Amid backlash over the course, the university issued a statement Tuesday, denouncing his controversial comments but indicating he would teach the course anyway.

"Professor Massad's statements following the terrorist attack on October 7 created pain for many in our community and contributed to the deep controversy on our campus. We have consistently condemned any celebration or promotion of violence or terror," said the statement. "We remain committed to principles of free expression and the open exchange of viewpoints and perspectives through opportunities for constructive dialogue and understanding throughout our campus community, and we seek to provide a learning environment and classrooms that promote intellectual inquiry and analytical thinking along with civility, tolerance, and respect."

Columbia noted further that Massad's course is one of three that students can take next semester on the subject of Zionism and the history of Israel.

This did not sit well with Lawrence Rosenblatt, an adjunct professor of international and public affairs at Columbia, who submitted his resignation, reported the Jerusalem Post.

"I hereby resign my position as a member of the Columbia University faculty, effective immediately. I do so in response to learning (and seeing listed on the Columbia class registry) that a course on Zionism and the State of Israel will be taught this coming semester by Joseph A. Massad, who has advocated for the destruction of the State of Israel and celebrated the October 7 attacks," wrote Rosenblatt. "This would be akin to having a White Nationalist teach about the U.S. Civil Rights movement and the struggle for Black equality, or having a climate denier teach about the impact of global warming, or a misogynist teach about Feminism."

Rosenblatt, who was reportedly not scheduled to teach in the spring semester, noted that Massad is entitled to his opinions and has a right to express his opinion, but "Columbia has a responsibility to teach objectively and fairly."

"At best perhaps one could tolerate a class on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict co-taught from the many diverse Israeli and Palestinian perspectives, though not by someone who advocates for the eradication of a group of people. But that is not what is happening here," continued Rosenblatt. "Columbia has lost not only its moral compass, but its intellectual one."

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Journalist thrown in jail after reporting on pro-Hamas rally in Canada: 'Because I'm a Jew'



Canadian police arrested a Jewish journalist Sunday after pro-Hamas radicals made clear that his presence would not be tolerated in a public space.

Ezra Levant, the conservative publisher of Rebel News — one of the few media outfits in Canada that does not receive funding from the Trudeau government — was reporting on a pro-Hamas demonstration near Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue, a historically Jewish neighborhood in Toronto. Levant was keen to capture some of the radicals' comments and costumes on film, including one demonstrator who dressed up as Yahya Al-Sinwar, the terrorist leader of Hamas whom Israeli forces killed in October.

Pro-Hamas radicals at the rally also held signs featuring the inverted red triangle, a symbol used by Hamas' Al-Qassam Brigades to identify Israeli military targets.

In footage from the pro-Hamas rally, which took place opposite a pro-Israel counter-demonstration, radicals can be heard condemning Israel as well as celebrating Hezbollah, even though, like Hamas, the group is currently listed by the Canadian government as a terrorist entity.

Although Levant was lawfully exercising his rights in a public space, police swooped in to remove him when it became clear he had prickled the mob with his efforts to peacefully chronicle the event.

"Police arrested me for 'causing a disturbance' when I was silently filming a pro-Hamas protest in a Jewish neighborhood in Toronto," Levant told Blaze News. "The cops said that my mere presence was causing a disturbance because the pro-Hamas people didn't want me there."

'I am the law.'

Officers swarmed Levant then forcefully carted him away while pro-Hamas radicals yelled, "Get him out! Get him out!" and "Go home!"

"Since when do foreign provocateurs, promoting a banned terrorist organization, get to veto who can and can't walk on a sidewalk?" Levant told Blaze News. "Outrageous."

Blaze News reached out to the Toronto Police Services for comment but did not receive a response by deadline. When asked for comment, the City of Toronto referred Blaze News to the TPS.

In the lead-up to his arrest, Levant can be seen in one video discussing the absurdity of his removal with an officer who told him, "Look around you. They're not happy that you're here."

"You know you're a disgrace," Levant told the officer. "You're a coward also. You'll do what they say because it's the path of least resistance."

When instructed to leave the area, Levant, a former lawyer, told the officer, "You're violating my Charter rights."

The officer responded by insinuating Levant was inciting the mob, then informed the journalist, "I am the law."

Another officer chimed in, asking Levant, "So you're refusing to leave? ... Why?"

"Because I'm a Jew, I'm a citizen, and I'm your boss," said the journalist.

"You know what?" responded the officer. "In the interest of keeping peace here, public safety, you're under arrest for breach of the peace."

Pro-Hamas demonstrators cheered while police handcuffed Levant and carted him away.

Levant, appearing somewhat shaken by the turn of events, told his cameraman, "I'm being arrested because I'm standing on a sidewalk in my city. I'm a Jew who lives in this neighborhood, and I'm being arrested because the police say that that's the path of least resistance."

Levant told Blaze News, "Police handcuffed, searched and jailed me for a few hours, but in the end they declined to press charges. It was obviously 'the path of least resistance.' They knew I’d be compliant, whereas the pro-Hamas thugs have been on a rioting rampage in Canada recently (e.g. in Montreal)."

Pro-Hamas and anti-NATO radicals backed by over 25 leftist groups took to the streets of Montreal Friday, launching incendiary devices, torching vehicles, attacking first responders, and vandalizing storefronts while Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau — whose electoral district, or riding, is in the city — was busy dancing at the Taylor Swift concert in Toronto.

David Menzies, a reporter at Levant's Rebel News, was similarly arrested earlier this year on multiple occasions for daring to cover pro-Hamas rallies, including one at Toronto City Hall.

'It's a public place!'

Thousands of people, including Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, gathered for an event on April 7 focused on demands for the release of the remaining Israeli captives taken hostage by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7, 2023. Anti-Israel demonstrators tried to crash the event.

"Incredibly, there was a protest of a few dozen people — the pro-Hamas types — which was particularly gross because to me this was like crashing a funeral," Menzies told Blaze News following his release. "They're spouting their rhetoric, which by the way includes calls for genocide like, 'from the river to the sea,' and 'intifada.'"

Menzies attempted to interview elements of the mob outside of city hall but was allegedly assaulted. Police intervened — not to help but to arrest the reporter.

"It's a public place!" Menzies told one of the arresting officers in an apparent state of disbelief. "This is literally the public square."

Menzies later told Blaze News he was charged for alleged breach of the peace and trespassing.

Menzies, like Levant, is accustomed to abuse by the state. After all, he was allegedly assaulted by Trudeau's bodyguards in 2021; roughed up by an RCMP officer, then carted away by York Regional Police after asking Trudeau's deputy minister questions in January; and arrested both on Nov. 11 and in March for asking pro-Hamas protesters questions.

Canada is hardly the only Western nation where the sensitivities of pro-Hamas activists and other radicals are given priority over other citizens' rights.

Blaze News reported earlier this year that London's Metropolitan Police threatened to arrest Gideon Falter, the head of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, if he remained in an area of the city where pro-Hamas demonstrators were marching.

'Sir, you are quite openly Jewish.'

Footage of the confrontation showed Falter, wearing a kippah, ask a police sergeant, "So basically, because I'm Jewish, I can't cross the road today?"

"Because of the march," said the sergeant.

Falter pressed the issue, saying, "Yes, because I am Jewish?"

"That is part of — unfortunately part of the fact," said the sergeant.

The sergeant, who ultimately threatened to arrest Falter for breach of the peace, made a point of noting, "At the moment, sir, you are quite openly Jewish."

Last week, Barbara Slowik, Berlin's chief of police, admitted to the German newspaper Berline Zeitung that "there are areas — and we have to be honest here — where I would advise people who wear a kippah or are openly gay or lesbian to be more alert."

Slowik said she wouldn't "defame any groups of people here" but acknowledged that "there are certain neighborhoods where the majority of people liv[ing there] are of Arab descent, who also have sympathies for terrorist groups."

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Pro-Hamas students protest 'war criminal' Hillary Clinton outside her Columbia University class



Pro-Hamas and anti-Israel students organized a sit-in demonstration outside of former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's Columbia University course on Wednesday.

Videos of the protest, obtained by the Washington Free Beacon, showed dozens of students waving Palestinian flags and chanting, "From the sea to the river, Palestine will live forever." Protesters also held up signs reading, "Resist until victory," "Resistance is justified when people are occupied," "The Palestinian resistance is alive, not dead," and "Fa[s]cist bootlicker we know [yo]u," the Free Beacon reported.

'Clinton is touting her legacy of war crimes.'

The former secretary of state teaches a fall semester class called "Inside the Situation Room" at the university's Institute of Global Politics in the School of International and Public Affairs.

The sit-in was organized by the Columbia School of International and Public Affairs Palestine Working Group, which posted a notice about the scheduled protest on social media. The post featured an image of Clinton with crossed-out eyes and covered in red, blood-like splatters.

"Welcome to IGP: Israel Global Propagandists," it read, using the acronym to rename the school.

The advertisement also read, "Invade Iraq," "Arm Israel," and "Bomb Syria."

"We will not stand for genocide propaganda and the militarization of our campus. We call on all students to walk out of Hillary's sham class!" the organizers wrote.

The sit-in was also promoted by Columbia University Apartheid Divest and the school's Students for Justice in Palestine chapter.

On Tuesday, the two groups were accused of preventing students from entering campus, the Free Beacon reported. A statue at the university was reportedly vandalized. They called the disruptive protests "just the beginning."

In a post on X, Columbia's Students for Justice in Palestine chapter wrote, "We're making it clear: War criminals are not welcome on campus. Hillary Clinton has actively engaged in war crimes against the peoples of Iraq, Libya, Syria, Yemen and Palestine."

"Hillary Clinton has used her power & influence to cause devastation across the globe. As secretary of state, Clinton backed arm deals to bomb Yemen, interfered in Haitian elections, & lied about 'mass rape in Libya' to support a regime change," the group continued. "In a class at Columbia University, 'In the Situation Room', Hillary Clinton is touting her legacy of war crimes as 'valuable learning experiences'. We're not buying it. The more they try to silence us, the louder we will be."

The group also issued a statement on Telegram praising Hamas' founder and current chairman, the Free Beacon reported.

"Sheikh Yassin was assassinated by the Zionists in 2004, but even in death, his legacy of unrelenting resistance in the face of oppression lives on," the group stated. "He lives on in his students, which includes the current head of Hamas, Yahya Sinwar—the man who fooled the Zionist entity—and all the Palestinian fighters who embody the steadfastness that Yassin taught."

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