POPULARITY
4 episodes with safeguard defenders
2 episodes with safeguard defenders
2 episodes with safeguard defenders
3 episodes with safeguard defenders
2 episodes with safeguard defenders
2 episodes with safeguard defenders
2 episodes with safeguard defenders
Laura Harth with Safeguard Defenders joins the podcast to talk about the more than 50 illegal Chinese police stations operating around the world, including in the United States and Canada. These violate both the sovereignty of the inadvertent ‘host' countries and the rights of the Chinese citizens abroad who are stalked and coerced to comply with government demands to return to China or risk the persecution of their families. Laura discusses her organization's excellent report 110 Overseas: Chinese Transnational Policing Gone Wild. (The title is based on the emergency number for the police in China - 110.) Podcast originally aired: February 8, 2023
Last fall, investigations by the nongovernmental human rights organization Safeguard Defenders revealed there were over 100 secret overseas Chinese police stations in at least 53 countries around the world. Last April, the DOJ announced two arrests in connection with one such station in New York City.In this episode, Safeguard Defenders campaign director Laura Harth breaks down how these Chinese overseas outposts control the Chinese diaspora and illegally repatriate people by force.“You have a regime that is openly writing down that it is legitimate to engage in kidnapping to bring people back,” Harth says.
This week on Sinica, Kaiser welcomes back Jeremy Daum, senior research scholar in law and senior fellow at the Paul Tsai China Law Center. Jeremy has a well-deserved reputation as a debunker of myths and misperceptions about China. This time, he takes on the much-discussed “overseas police stations,” and examines how they are — and aren't — related to China's transnational repression.01:03 – The overview of the investigation on Chinese overseas police stations06:19 – The disparity between the press release and the actual charges against the investigated Chinese individuals08:48 – The functions of so-called Chinese secret police stations in the U.S.11:10 – What was wrong with the report written by Safeguard Defenders?16:57 – What is being national in the aforementioned policies?19:22 – Evidence of a link between physical presence with transnational repression or repatriation of criminals26:29 – Is the media narrative regarding popular myths about China slowly changing?30:22 – Other governments' views on and actions towards Chinese police stations31:38 – Tactics used on the return of alleged criminals to China34:11 – An update on the topic of draft regulations on Generative AIA complete transcript of this podcast is available at TheChinaProject.com.Recommendations:Jeremy: I'm a Virgo, a television show on Amazon Prime.Kaiser: A perfect family dinner for the summer: An easy recipe for spicy salmon/tunaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Liu Jianchao, a senior figure in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) who stands accused of heading up the illegal repatriation of pro-democracy activists who oppose the regime, visited Ireland last month to meet a government minister, politicians and a think tank. What was the purpose of his visit? John Mooney talks to Laura Harth of Safeguard Defenders.
In this episode of Kash's Corner, we take a look at the two Chinese men recently arrested by the FBI in connection with a secret Chinese police station in New York City. This is just one among multiple Chinese Communist Party (CCP) police outposts in the United States, according to the watchdog group Safeguard Defenders. In two separate cases, the DOJ is charging 40 Chinese officials and police with conducting a coordinated harassment campaign against Chinese dissidents residing in the United States. And we continue looking at the Pentagon leaks. How did the suspected leaker, a 21-year-old Air National Guardsmen, get access to so many pages of classified documents? ⭕️ Watch in-depth videos based on Truth & Tradition at Epoch TV
In this episode of Kash's Corner, we take a look at the two Chinese men recently arrested by the FBI in connection with a secret Chinese police station in New York City. This is just one among multiple Chinese Communist Party (CCP) police outposts in the United States, according to the watchdog group Safeguard Defenders.In two separate cases, the DOJ is charging 40 Chinese officials and police with conducting a coordinated harassment campaign against Chinese dissidents residing in the United States.And we continue looking at the Pentagon leaks. How did the suspected leaker, a 21-year-old Air National Guardsmen, get access to so many pages of classified documents?
This is Garrison Hardie with your CrossPolitic Daily News Brief for Thursday, April 20th, 2023. Fight Laugh Feast Conference - Ark Encounter This year, our Fight Laugh Feast Conference is at the Ark Encounter in Kentucky on The Politics of Six Day Creation. The politics of six day creation is the difference between a fixed standard of justice and a careening standard of justice, the difference between the corrosive relativism that creates mobs and anarchy and the freedom of objectivity, truth, and due process. The politics of six day creation establishes the authority and sufficiency of God’s Word for all of life: from what is a man or a woman, when does human life begin, and how is human society best organized? Come hear Ken Ham, Pastor Doug Wilson, Dr. Ben Merkle, Dr. Gordon Wilson, me and more, and of course a live CrossPolitic show! Mark your calendars for October 11th-14th, as we fight, laugh, and feast, with beer & psalms, our amazing lineup of speakers, our Rowdy Christian Merch, and a Sabbath Feast to wrap up the occasion. Maybe an infant baptism while we’re at it! Visit fightlaughfeast.com for more information! We start this off with some somber news coming out of Alabama. https://www.foxnews.com/us/two-teens-charged-dadeville-alabama-mass-shooting-sweet-16-birthday-party Two teens charged in Dadeville, Alabama, mass shooting at Sweet 16 birthday party Alabama authorities announced Wednesday that two teenagers have been arrested and charged in the Dadeville mass shooting at a Sweet 16 birthday party last weekend. Four people were killed, and another 32 people were injured when gunfire erupted at approximately 10:34 p.m. Saturday at the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio, located in the 200 Block of Broadnax Street in Dadeville, a sleepy town of just 3,200 people in Tallapoosa County, about 62 miles northeast of the state capital of Montgomery. Days later, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency announced Ty Reik McCullough, 17, and Travis McCullough, 16, were both formally charged with four counts of reckless murder. The teens from Tuskegee were arrested by Special Agents with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). "These individuals have been charged after a complex and thorough investigation was conducted with assistance from a multitude of law enforcement agencies," the ALEA said in a statement. At a press conference Wednesday, District Attorney Mike Segrest said the pair would be charged as adults and that prosecutors would ask a judge to hold them without bail. A bond hearing must be held by Friday under Alabama law. He said four people remain in the hospital in critical condition and that more charges would be coming. The gunfire broke out Saturday at a 16th birthday party for Alexis Dowdell, which was being held at the dance studio just off the town’s courthouse square. Witnesses have said multiple people began shooting some time after Dowdell’s mother paused the celebration to ask people with guns to leave. The birthday girl’s brother, Philstavious "Phil" Dowdell, reportedly died in his sister’s arms. Besides Phil Dowdell, a star wide receiver with plans to play college football at Jacksonville State this fall, those killed were fellow Dadeville High senior Shaunkivia Nicole "KeKe" Smith, 17, an athlete-turned-team manager; 2022 Opelika High School graduate Marsiah Emmanuel "Siah" Collins, 19, an aspiring singer who planned to start college this fall; and 2018 Dadeville High graduate Corbin Dahmontrey Holston, 23, another former athlete at the school. Holston had gone to the party to check on a younger family member who feared trouble, Holston’s mother Janett Heard told AL.com. Relatives told the news outlet that the shooting began shortly after Holston arrived, and that he pulled his younger relative to safety. https://nypost.com/2023/04/18/chinese-police-stations-allegedly-spying-on-nyc-la-more/ After FBI busts Chinese ‘police station’ in NYC, six more exposed in US The FBI helped shut down a clandestine Chinese “police station” in Manhattan after the arrest of two alleged operatives earlier this week — but The Post is told that there are several more of these illegal organizations scattered across the US. In addition to the Chinese police station above a noodle restaurant in Manhattan’s Chinatown, there is another station at an undisclosed address in New York City, as well as an outpost in Los Angeles, according to a new report by Safeguard Defenders. The Madrid-based human rights group initially published a report last year detailing 100 clandestine Chinese police stations around the world. In addition to Los Angeles and New York, the nonprofit has found so-called “overseas service stations” in San Francisco and Houston as well as in cities in Nebraska and Minnesota. These law enforcement organizations, operated by the Chinese Communist Party, are tasked with spying on Chinese nationals around the world. UFWD is an acronym for United Front Work Department, a Chinese government agency that controls overseas ethnic and religious affairs. Often, the police stations — whose operatives allegedly spy on dissidents and others — hide behind nonprofits and community associations, according to Safeguard Defenders’ reports. In Chinatown, the police station was run by the America ChangLe Association NY Inc., which owns the building at 107 East Broadway where the operation was located, The Post revealed in October. The nonprofit, which listed its charitable mission as a “social gathering place for Fujianese people,” paid $1.3 million in 2016 for the suite of offices that houses the Fuzhou Police Overseas Chinese Affairs bureau at the East Broadway location, filings show. Last year, the group held its annual gala dinner, featuring New York City Mayor Eric Adams as the guest of honor — an event that was not disclosed on the mayor’s official agenda. On Monday, federal agents arrested “Harry” Lu Jianwang, 61, of the Bronx, and Chen Jinping, 59, of Manhattan for allegedly establishing the East Broadway station, known as the Fuzhou branch of the Ministry of Public Security in China. The men allegedly shut down the station last year when they became aware of a federal investigation, according to a statement from the Department of Justice. According to the criminal complaint, Lu also helped track down dissidents who were living in the city. Chinese officials also requested that he participate in demonstrations against Falun Gong, a religious movement subject to crackdown across the globe by the Chinese Communist Party, the complaint said. Lu and Chen also tried to obstruct the DOJ’s investigation by deleting their communications with an official of MPS after finding out about the FBI investigation, federal prosecutors said. The criminal complaint against Lu and Chen was unsealed Monday at the same time that 44 other defendants were charged, in two separate complaints in Brooklyn federal court, for various crimes related to illegally acting on behalf of China in the US. Speaking of China, "PrayforChina.us is a nationwide initiative helping Christians pray more strategically for China by matching up every state (and eventually every county) with their own Chinese province (and county) to adopt for prayer! Learn more at Pray for China dot us." https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/19/meta-started-latest-round-of-layoffs-focusing-on-technical-employees.html Meta has started its latest round of layoffs, focusing on technical employees As part of Meta’s latest round of job cuts announced in March, the company on Wednesday started laying off employees in technical roles. Employees with technical backgrounds like user experience, software engineering, graphics programming and other roles announced on LinkedIn that they had been let go by the company on Wednesday morning. A Meta spokesperson confirmed to CNBC the cuts had started. One employee impacted by the moves told CNBC that Wednesday’s layoffs also hit product-facing teams and that Meta plans to cut business-facing roles, such as finance, legal and HR, beginning in May. The employee, who discussed the layoffs under condition of a-nuh-ni-muh-tee to speak freely, said Meta suggested tech teams who weren’t impacted by Wednesday’s cuts may also be included in layoffs next month. LinkedIn posts indicated that multiple people who worked as gameplay programmers were also affected by the layoffs. Gameplay engineers work on virtual and augmented reality products, according to a Meta job listing. With ad revenue slumping last year and its stock price in free-fall, Facebook’s parent announced its first round of layoffs in November, affecting some 11,000 workers. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg then declared 2023 the “year of efficiency,” and proceeded with a plan of an additional 10,000 job cuts in March, resulting in restructuring costs of between $3 billion and $5 billion. As Zuckerberg said at the time, the new round of April layoffs targets technical workers. He said cuts in the business groups would take place in late May. Wall Street has applauded the downsizing. Meta shares have soared 81% this year after losing about two-thirds of their value last year. Revenue has declined for three straight quarters, and analysts are projecting another quarterly sales drop when Meta reports its first-quarter earnings next week. The company’s previous guidance called for sales of between $26 billion and $28.5 billion, which means the streak of revenue declines could end if Meta reaches the top end of the range. https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2023/04/18/bidens-border-roughly-180000-more-migrants-in-march/ Biden’s Border Flood: 180,000 More Migrants in March President Joe Biden’s deputies accepted roughly 180,000 more illegal migrants in March to take jobs and homes that would otherwise go to better-paid Americans. The March inflow brings Biden’s total southern inflow to roughly 4.3 million — or more than one migrant for every American born in 2022. That massive inflow spikes Wall Street by cutting Americans’ wages, inflating housing prices, and shifting new jobs and wealth to the coastal states. The two leading GOP candidates for 2024 — Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — are promising to end the illegal migrant inflow. Federal data released on April 17 shows that 162,317 illegal migrants were arrested at the border in March by the border agents. Biden’s deputies rejected 90,000 of the migrants under the Title 42 border barrier, which is due to expire on May 11. They allowed 104,238 migrants into the United States to take jobs while they plead for asylum. The 104,238 accepted migrants include roughly 80,000 people admitted after they were arrested along the borders, plus 26,583 people who used the agency’s “CBP One” to get an appointment inside the United States for the catch-and-release process. But federal officials also allowed in another 30,000 migrants via quasi-legal loopholes cut by Biden’s pro-migration, Cuban-born border chief, Alejandro Mayorkas. These Cuban, Haitian, Venezuelan, and Nicaraguan migrants fly into the United States by aircraft and are not recorded in the border arrest data. This legal trick allows Mayorkas to claim that he is managing the border chaos created by Biden’s welcome for migrants, despite a judge’s order barring the process. But the monthly data also excludes the so-called “gotaways” who sneak past the half-built wall, decommissioned sensor networks, and diminished border patrol. This “gotaway” population added roughly 50,000 more job-seeking illegal migrants in March. These gotaways are quasi-legal because Mayorkas has announced he will not deport them unless they commit a violent crime. So the total inflow in March was about 180,000 — 104,238 let through the border, 30,000 lets in via Mayorkas’ pathway, plus 50,000 gotaways. Biden’s policies have allowed entry by roughly 4.3 million illegal migrants since January 2021 — or roughly one migrant for every two births in the United States during his tenure. In their press release on the monthly numbers, GOP leaders touted the bigger number of migrants who arrived at the border, not the smaller number of migrants who were actually admitted by Mayorkas. Donor-backed GOP officials rarely mention the huge economic impact of Biden’s migration on voters — or even on swing voters. Roughly 75 percent of the welcomed migrants in March are working-age job-seekers who need to pay their high-interest smuggling debts by working even tough jobs at low wages. That makes them attractive hires for U.S. employers who do not want to hire the roughly six million Americans who have been sidelined by age, criminal records, drugs, laziness, obesity, disability, or reluctance to take jobs for wages below what they have been paid before. The federal government annually admits about 1 million temporary workers — many of whom never go home — plus about 1 million legal immigrants. Those numbers were largely set by Congress in 1990. All told the combination of legal and illegal immigrants delivers roughly one migrant for every American birth each year. And now this! Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis released a parody of the old Bud Light "Real Men of Genius" commercials taking aim at transgender female athletes, including Lia Thomas and CeCé Telfer among others. Instead of Bud Light, which has been involved in a massive controversy over the brand’s partnership with Dylan Mulvaney, the ad introduces Freedom Heavy and "real men of women’s sports." https://twitter.com/i/status/16481268 78207680513 - Play Video 0:00-0:30
This is Garrison Hardie with your CrossPolitic Daily News Brief for Thursday, April 20th, 2023. Fight Laugh Feast Conference - Ark Encounter This year, our Fight Laugh Feast Conference is at the Ark Encounter in Kentucky on The Politics of Six Day Creation. The politics of six day creation is the difference between a fixed standard of justice and a careening standard of justice, the difference between the corrosive relativism that creates mobs and anarchy and the freedom of objectivity, truth, and due process. The politics of six day creation establishes the authority and sufficiency of God’s Word for all of life: from what is a man or a woman, when does human life begin, and how is human society best organized? Come hear Ken Ham, Pastor Doug Wilson, Dr. Ben Merkle, Dr. Gordon Wilson, me and more, and of course a live CrossPolitic show! Mark your calendars for October 11th-14th, as we fight, laugh, and feast, with beer & psalms, our amazing lineup of speakers, our Rowdy Christian Merch, and a Sabbath Feast to wrap up the occasion. Maybe an infant baptism while we’re at it! Visit fightlaughfeast.com for more information! We start this off with some somber news coming out of Alabama. https://www.foxnews.com/us/two-teens-charged-dadeville-alabama-mass-shooting-sweet-16-birthday-party Two teens charged in Dadeville, Alabama, mass shooting at Sweet 16 birthday party Alabama authorities announced Wednesday that two teenagers have been arrested and charged in the Dadeville mass shooting at a Sweet 16 birthday party last weekend. Four people were killed, and another 32 people were injured when gunfire erupted at approximately 10:34 p.m. Saturday at the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio, located in the 200 Block of Broadnax Street in Dadeville, a sleepy town of just 3,200 people in Tallapoosa County, about 62 miles northeast of the state capital of Montgomery. Days later, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency announced Ty Reik McCullough, 17, and Travis McCullough, 16, were both formally charged with four counts of reckless murder. The teens from Tuskegee were arrested by Special Agents with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). "These individuals have been charged after a complex and thorough investigation was conducted with assistance from a multitude of law enforcement agencies," the ALEA said in a statement. At a press conference Wednesday, District Attorney Mike Segrest said the pair would be charged as adults and that prosecutors would ask a judge to hold them without bail. A bond hearing must be held by Friday under Alabama law. He said four people remain in the hospital in critical condition and that more charges would be coming. The gunfire broke out Saturday at a 16th birthday party for Alexis Dowdell, which was being held at the dance studio just off the town’s courthouse square. Witnesses have said multiple people began shooting some time after Dowdell’s mother paused the celebration to ask people with guns to leave. The birthday girl’s brother, Philstavious "Phil" Dowdell, reportedly died in his sister’s arms. Besides Phil Dowdell, a star wide receiver with plans to play college football at Jacksonville State this fall, those killed were fellow Dadeville High senior Shaunkivia Nicole "KeKe" Smith, 17, an athlete-turned-team manager; 2022 Opelika High School graduate Marsiah Emmanuel "Siah" Collins, 19, an aspiring singer who planned to start college this fall; and 2018 Dadeville High graduate Corbin Dahmontrey Holston, 23, another former athlete at the school. Holston had gone to the party to check on a younger family member who feared trouble, Holston’s mother Janett Heard told AL.com. Relatives told the news outlet that the shooting began shortly after Holston arrived, and that he pulled his younger relative to safety. https://nypost.com/2023/04/18/chinese-police-stations-allegedly-spying-on-nyc-la-more/ After FBI busts Chinese ‘police station’ in NYC, six more exposed in US The FBI helped shut down a clandestine Chinese “police station” in Manhattan after the arrest of two alleged operatives earlier this week — but The Post is told that there are several more of these illegal organizations scattered across the US. In addition to the Chinese police station above a noodle restaurant in Manhattan’s Chinatown, there is another station at an undisclosed address in New York City, as well as an outpost in Los Angeles, according to a new report by Safeguard Defenders. The Madrid-based human rights group initially published a report last year detailing 100 clandestine Chinese police stations around the world. In addition to Los Angeles and New York, the nonprofit has found so-called “overseas service stations” in San Francisco and Houston as well as in cities in Nebraska and Minnesota. These law enforcement organizations, operated by the Chinese Communist Party, are tasked with spying on Chinese nationals around the world. UFWD is an acronym for United Front Work Department, a Chinese government agency that controls overseas ethnic and religious affairs. Often, the police stations — whose operatives allegedly spy on dissidents and others — hide behind nonprofits and community associations, according to Safeguard Defenders’ reports. In Chinatown, the police station was run by the America ChangLe Association NY Inc., which owns the building at 107 East Broadway where the operation was located, The Post revealed in October. The nonprofit, which listed its charitable mission as a “social gathering place for Fujianese people,” paid $1.3 million in 2016 for the suite of offices that houses the Fuzhou Police Overseas Chinese Affairs bureau at the East Broadway location, filings show. Last year, the group held its annual gala dinner, featuring New York City Mayor Eric Adams as the guest of honor — an event that was not disclosed on the mayor’s official agenda. On Monday, federal agents arrested “Harry” Lu Jianwang, 61, of the Bronx, and Chen Jinping, 59, of Manhattan for allegedly establishing the East Broadway station, known as the Fuzhou branch of the Ministry of Public Security in China. The men allegedly shut down the station last year when they became aware of a federal investigation, according to a statement from the Department of Justice. According to the criminal complaint, Lu also helped track down dissidents who were living in the city. Chinese officials also requested that he participate in demonstrations against Falun Gong, a religious movement subject to crackdown across the globe by the Chinese Communist Party, the complaint said. Lu and Chen also tried to obstruct the DOJ’s investigation by deleting their communications with an official of MPS after finding out about the FBI investigation, federal prosecutors said. The criminal complaint against Lu and Chen was unsealed Monday at the same time that 44 other defendants were charged, in two separate complaints in Brooklyn federal court, for various crimes related to illegally acting on behalf of China in the US. Speaking of China, "PrayforChina.us is a nationwide initiative helping Christians pray more strategically for China by matching up every state (and eventually every county) with their own Chinese province (and county) to adopt for prayer! Learn more at Pray for China dot us." https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/19/meta-started-latest-round-of-layoffs-focusing-on-technical-employees.html Meta has started its latest round of layoffs, focusing on technical employees As part of Meta’s latest round of job cuts announced in March, the company on Wednesday started laying off employees in technical roles. Employees with technical backgrounds like user experience, software engineering, graphics programming and other roles announced on LinkedIn that they had been let go by the company on Wednesday morning. A Meta spokesperson confirmed to CNBC the cuts had started. One employee impacted by the moves told CNBC that Wednesday’s layoffs also hit product-facing teams and that Meta plans to cut business-facing roles, such as finance, legal and HR, beginning in May. The employee, who discussed the layoffs under condition of a-nuh-ni-muh-tee to speak freely, said Meta suggested tech teams who weren’t impacted by Wednesday’s cuts may also be included in layoffs next month. LinkedIn posts indicated that multiple people who worked as gameplay programmers were also affected by the layoffs. Gameplay engineers work on virtual and augmented reality products, according to a Meta job listing. With ad revenue slumping last year and its stock price in free-fall, Facebook’s parent announced its first round of layoffs in November, affecting some 11,000 workers. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg then declared 2023 the “year of efficiency,” and proceeded with a plan of an additional 10,000 job cuts in March, resulting in restructuring costs of between $3 billion and $5 billion. As Zuckerberg said at the time, the new round of April layoffs targets technical workers. He said cuts in the business groups would take place in late May. Wall Street has applauded the downsizing. Meta shares have soared 81% this year after losing about two-thirds of their value last year. Revenue has declined for three straight quarters, and analysts are projecting another quarterly sales drop when Meta reports its first-quarter earnings next week. The company’s previous guidance called for sales of between $26 billion and $28.5 billion, which means the streak of revenue declines could end if Meta reaches the top end of the range. https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2023/04/18/bidens-border-roughly-180000-more-migrants-in-march/ Biden’s Border Flood: 180,000 More Migrants in March President Joe Biden’s deputies accepted roughly 180,000 more illegal migrants in March to take jobs and homes that would otherwise go to better-paid Americans. The March inflow brings Biden’s total southern inflow to roughly 4.3 million — or more than one migrant for every American born in 2022. That massive inflow spikes Wall Street by cutting Americans’ wages, inflating housing prices, and shifting new jobs and wealth to the coastal states. The two leading GOP candidates for 2024 — Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — are promising to end the illegal migrant inflow. Federal data released on April 17 shows that 162,317 illegal migrants were arrested at the border in March by the border agents. Biden’s deputies rejected 90,000 of the migrants under the Title 42 border barrier, which is due to expire on May 11. They allowed 104,238 migrants into the United States to take jobs while they plead for asylum. The 104,238 accepted migrants include roughly 80,000 people admitted after they were arrested along the borders, plus 26,583 people who used the agency’s “CBP One” to get an appointment inside the United States for the catch-and-release process. But federal officials also allowed in another 30,000 migrants via quasi-legal loopholes cut by Biden’s pro-migration, Cuban-born border chief, Alejandro Mayorkas. These Cuban, Haitian, Venezuelan, and Nicaraguan migrants fly into the United States by aircraft and are not recorded in the border arrest data. This legal trick allows Mayorkas to claim that he is managing the border chaos created by Biden’s welcome for migrants, despite a judge’s order barring the process. But the monthly data also excludes the so-called “gotaways” who sneak past the half-built wall, decommissioned sensor networks, and diminished border patrol. This “gotaway” population added roughly 50,000 more job-seeking illegal migrants in March. These gotaways are quasi-legal because Mayorkas has announced he will not deport them unless they commit a violent crime. So the total inflow in March was about 180,000 — 104,238 let through the border, 30,000 lets in via Mayorkas’ pathway, plus 50,000 gotaways. Biden’s policies have allowed entry by roughly 4.3 million illegal migrants since January 2021 — or roughly one migrant for every two births in the United States during his tenure. In their press release on the monthly numbers, GOP leaders touted the bigger number of migrants who arrived at the border, not the smaller number of migrants who were actually admitted by Mayorkas. Donor-backed GOP officials rarely mention the huge economic impact of Biden’s migration on voters — or even on swing voters. Roughly 75 percent of the welcomed migrants in March are working-age job-seekers who need to pay their high-interest smuggling debts by working even tough jobs at low wages. That makes them attractive hires for U.S. employers who do not want to hire the roughly six million Americans who have been sidelined by age, criminal records, drugs, laziness, obesity, disability, or reluctance to take jobs for wages below what they have been paid before. The federal government annually admits about 1 million temporary workers — many of whom never go home — plus about 1 million legal immigrants. Those numbers were largely set by Congress in 1990. All told the combination of legal and illegal immigrants delivers roughly one migrant for every American birth each year. And now this! Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis released a parody of the old Bud Light "Real Men of Genius" commercials taking aim at transgender female athletes, including Lia Thomas and CeCé Telfer among others. Instead of Bud Light, which has been involved in a massive controversy over the brand’s partnership with Dylan Mulvaney, the ad introduces Freedom Heavy and "real men of women’s sports." https://twitter.com/i/status/16481268 78207680513 - Play Video 0:00-0:30
This is Garrison Hardie with your CrossPolitic Daily News Brief for Thursday, April 20th, 2023. Fight Laugh Feast Conference - Ark Encounter This year, our Fight Laugh Feast Conference is at the Ark Encounter in Kentucky on The Politics of Six Day Creation. The politics of six day creation is the difference between a fixed standard of justice and a careening standard of justice, the difference between the corrosive relativism that creates mobs and anarchy and the freedom of objectivity, truth, and due process. The politics of six day creation establishes the authority and sufficiency of God’s Word for all of life: from what is a man or a woman, when does human life begin, and how is human society best organized? Come hear Ken Ham, Pastor Doug Wilson, Dr. Ben Merkle, Dr. Gordon Wilson, me and more, and of course a live CrossPolitic show! Mark your calendars for October 11th-14th, as we fight, laugh, and feast, with beer & psalms, our amazing lineup of speakers, our Rowdy Christian Merch, and a Sabbath Feast to wrap up the occasion. Maybe an infant baptism while we’re at it! Visit fightlaughfeast.com for more information! We start this off with some somber news coming out of Alabama. https://www.foxnews.com/us/two-teens-charged-dadeville-alabama-mass-shooting-sweet-16-birthday-party Two teens charged in Dadeville, Alabama, mass shooting at Sweet 16 birthday party Alabama authorities announced Wednesday that two teenagers have been arrested and charged in the Dadeville mass shooting at a Sweet 16 birthday party last weekend. Four people were killed, and another 32 people were injured when gunfire erupted at approximately 10:34 p.m. Saturday at the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio, located in the 200 Block of Broadnax Street in Dadeville, a sleepy town of just 3,200 people in Tallapoosa County, about 62 miles northeast of the state capital of Montgomery. Days later, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency announced Ty Reik McCullough, 17, and Travis McCullough, 16, were both formally charged with four counts of reckless murder. The teens from Tuskegee were arrested by Special Agents with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). "These individuals have been charged after a complex and thorough investigation was conducted with assistance from a multitude of law enforcement agencies," the ALEA said in a statement. At a press conference Wednesday, District Attorney Mike Segrest said the pair would be charged as adults and that prosecutors would ask a judge to hold them without bail. A bond hearing must be held by Friday under Alabama law. He said four people remain in the hospital in critical condition and that more charges would be coming. The gunfire broke out Saturday at a 16th birthday party for Alexis Dowdell, which was being held at the dance studio just off the town’s courthouse square. Witnesses have said multiple people began shooting some time after Dowdell’s mother paused the celebration to ask people with guns to leave. The birthday girl’s brother, Philstavious "Phil" Dowdell, reportedly died in his sister’s arms. Besides Phil Dowdell, a star wide receiver with plans to play college football at Jacksonville State this fall, those killed were fellow Dadeville High senior Shaunkivia Nicole "KeKe" Smith, 17, an athlete-turned-team manager; 2022 Opelika High School graduate Marsiah Emmanuel "Siah" Collins, 19, an aspiring singer who planned to start college this fall; and 2018 Dadeville High graduate Corbin Dahmontrey Holston, 23, another former athlete at the school. Holston had gone to the party to check on a younger family member who feared trouble, Holston’s mother Janett Heard told AL.com. Relatives told the news outlet that the shooting began shortly after Holston arrived, and that he pulled his younger relative to safety. https://nypost.com/2023/04/18/chinese-police-stations-allegedly-spying-on-nyc-la-more/ After FBI busts Chinese ‘police station’ in NYC, six more exposed in US The FBI helped shut down a clandestine Chinese “police station” in Manhattan after the arrest of two alleged operatives earlier this week — but The Post is told that there are several more of these illegal organizations scattered across the US. In addition to the Chinese police station above a noodle restaurant in Manhattan’s Chinatown, there is another station at an undisclosed address in New York City, as well as an outpost in Los Angeles, according to a new report by Safeguard Defenders. The Madrid-based human rights group initially published a report last year detailing 100 clandestine Chinese police stations around the world. In addition to Los Angeles and New York, the nonprofit has found so-called “overseas service stations” in San Francisco and Houston as well as in cities in Nebraska and Minnesota. These law enforcement organizations, operated by the Chinese Communist Party, are tasked with spying on Chinese nationals around the world. UFWD is an acronym for United Front Work Department, a Chinese government agency that controls overseas ethnic and religious affairs. Often, the police stations — whose operatives allegedly spy on dissidents and others — hide behind nonprofits and community associations, according to Safeguard Defenders’ reports. In Chinatown, the police station was run by the America ChangLe Association NY Inc., which owns the building at 107 East Broadway where the operation was located, The Post revealed in October. The nonprofit, which listed its charitable mission as a “social gathering place for Fujianese people,” paid $1.3 million in 2016 for the suite of offices that houses the Fuzhou Police Overseas Chinese Affairs bureau at the East Broadway location, filings show. Last year, the group held its annual gala dinner, featuring New York City Mayor Eric Adams as the guest of honor — an event that was not disclosed on the mayor’s official agenda. On Monday, federal agents arrested “Harry” Lu Jianwang, 61, of the Bronx, and Chen Jinping, 59, of Manhattan for allegedly establishing the East Broadway station, known as the Fuzhou branch of the Ministry of Public Security in China. The men allegedly shut down the station last year when they became aware of a federal investigation, according to a statement from the Department of Justice. According to the criminal complaint, Lu also helped track down dissidents who were living in the city. Chinese officials also requested that he participate in demonstrations against Falun Gong, a religious movement subject to crackdown across the globe by the Chinese Communist Party, the complaint said. Lu and Chen also tried to obstruct the DOJ’s investigation by deleting their communications with an official of MPS after finding out about the FBI investigation, federal prosecutors said. The criminal complaint against Lu and Chen was unsealed Monday at the same time that 44 other defendants were charged, in two separate complaints in Brooklyn federal court, for various crimes related to illegally acting on behalf of China in the US. Speaking of China, "PrayforChina.us is a nationwide initiative helping Christians pray more strategically for China by matching up every state (and eventually every county) with their own Chinese province (and county) to adopt for prayer! Learn more at Pray for China dot us." https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/19/meta-started-latest-round-of-layoffs-focusing-on-technical-employees.html Meta has started its latest round of layoffs, focusing on technical employees As part of Meta’s latest round of job cuts announced in March, the company on Wednesday started laying off employees in technical roles. Employees with technical backgrounds like user experience, software engineering, graphics programming and other roles announced on LinkedIn that they had been let go by the company on Wednesday morning. A Meta spokesperson confirmed to CNBC the cuts had started. One employee impacted by the moves told CNBC that Wednesday’s layoffs also hit product-facing teams and that Meta plans to cut business-facing roles, such as finance, legal and HR, beginning in May. The employee, who discussed the layoffs under condition of a-nuh-ni-muh-tee to speak freely, said Meta suggested tech teams who weren’t impacted by Wednesday’s cuts may also be included in layoffs next month. LinkedIn posts indicated that multiple people who worked as gameplay programmers were also affected by the layoffs. Gameplay engineers work on virtual and augmented reality products, according to a Meta job listing. With ad revenue slumping last year and its stock price in free-fall, Facebook’s parent announced its first round of layoffs in November, affecting some 11,000 workers. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg then declared 2023 the “year of efficiency,” and proceeded with a plan of an additional 10,000 job cuts in March, resulting in restructuring costs of between $3 billion and $5 billion. As Zuckerberg said at the time, the new round of April layoffs targets technical workers. He said cuts in the business groups would take place in late May. Wall Street has applauded the downsizing. Meta shares have soared 81% this year after losing about two-thirds of their value last year. Revenue has declined for three straight quarters, and analysts are projecting another quarterly sales drop when Meta reports its first-quarter earnings next week. The company’s previous guidance called for sales of between $26 billion and $28.5 billion, which means the streak of revenue declines could end if Meta reaches the top end of the range. https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2023/04/18/bidens-border-roughly-180000-more-migrants-in-march/ Biden’s Border Flood: 180,000 More Migrants in March President Joe Biden’s deputies accepted roughly 180,000 more illegal migrants in March to take jobs and homes that would otherwise go to better-paid Americans. The March inflow brings Biden’s total southern inflow to roughly 4.3 million — or more than one migrant for every American born in 2022. That massive inflow spikes Wall Street by cutting Americans’ wages, inflating housing prices, and shifting new jobs and wealth to the coastal states. The two leading GOP candidates for 2024 — Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — are promising to end the illegal migrant inflow. Federal data released on April 17 shows that 162,317 illegal migrants were arrested at the border in March by the border agents. Biden’s deputies rejected 90,000 of the migrants under the Title 42 border barrier, which is due to expire on May 11. They allowed 104,238 migrants into the United States to take jobs while they plead for asylum. The 104,238 accepted migrants include roughly 80,000 people admitted after they were arrested along the borders, plus 26,583 people who used the agency’s “CBP One” to get an appointment inside the United States for the catch-and-release process. But federal officials also allowed in another 30,000 migrants via quasi-legal loopholes cut by Biden’s pro-migration, Cuban-born border chief, Alejandro Mayorkas. These Cuban, Haitian, Venezuelan, and Nicaraguan migrants fly into the United States by aircraft and are not recorded in the border arrest data. This legal trick allows Mayorkas to claim that he is managing the border chaos created by Biden’s welcome for migrants, despite a judge’s order barring the process. But the monthly data also excludes the so-called “gotaways” who sneak past the half-built wall, decommissioned sensor networks, and diminished border patrol. This “gotaway” population added roughly 50,000 more job-seeking illegal migrants in March. These gotaways are quasi-legal because Mayorkas has announced he will not deport them unless they commit a violent crime. So the total inflow in March was about 180,000 — 104,238 let through the border, 30,000 lets in via Mayorkas’ pathway, plus 50,000 gotaways. Biden’s policies have allowed entry by roughly 4.3 million illegal migrants since January 2021 — or roughly one migrant for every two births in the United States during his tenure. In their press release on the monthly numbers, GOP leaders touted the bigger number of migrants who arrived at the border, not the smaller number of migrants who were actually admitted by Mayorkas. Donor-backed GOP officials rarely mention the huge economic impact of Biden’s migration on voters — or even on swing voters. Roughly 75 percent of the welcomed migrants in March are working-age job-seekers who need to pay their high-interest smuggling debts by working even tough jobs at low wages. That makes them attractive hires for U.S. employers who do not want to hire the roughly six million Americans who have been sidelined by age, criminal records, drugs, laziness, obesity, disability, or reluctance to take jobs for wages below what they have been paid before. The federal government annually admits about 1 million temporary workers — many of whom never go home — plus about 1 million legal immigrants. Those numbers were largely set by Congress in 1990. All told the combination of legal and illegal immigrants delivers roughly one migrant for every American birth each year. And now this! Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis released a parody of the old Bud Light "Real Men of Genius" commercials taking aim at transgender female athletes, including Lia Thomas and CeCé Telfer among others. Instead of Bud Light, which has been involved in a massive controversy over the brand’s partnership with Dylan Mulvaney, the ad introduces Freedom Heavy and "real men of women’s sports." https://twitter.com/i/status/16481268 78207680513 - Play Video 0:00-0:30
This is Garrison Hardie with your CrossPolitic Daily News Brief for Tuesday, April 18th, 2023. It’s been awhile since I’ve done this… but how about some “On this day in History!” On this day in history, April 18th… 1506 The cornerstone of the current St. Peter's Basilica is laid in the Vatican by Pope Julius II 1775 Paul Revere and William Dawes ride from Charlestown to Lexington warning the "regulars are coming!” 1783 American Revolution: George Washington issues General Order announcing the end of hostilities with Britain, giving thanks to the Almighty, and offering congratulations and authorizing an extra ration of alcohol to the troops to celebrate 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire kills nearly 4,000 while destroying 75% of the city 2018 “Black Panther” is the first film shown at a commercial cinema in 35 years in Saudi Arabia as cinemas are reopened Famous Birthdays… James Woods - 75, Conan O’Brien - 59 https://nypost.com/2023/04/17/kevin-mccarthy-vows-house-will-vote-on-one-year-debt-hike/ As Biden hides, House will vote on one-year debt limit hike House Speaker Kevin McCarthy vowed Monday that while President Biden “continues to hide, House Republicans will take action” on a plan meant to limit federal borrowing to one year and reduce government spending. “Let me be clear: A no-strings-attached debt limit increase will not pass,” McCarthy (R-Calif.), 58, said in a speech at the New York Stock Exchange meant to evoke former President Ronald Reagan’s visit to the trading floor nearly 40 years ago. Monday’s remarks sought to highlight what McCarthy called Biden’s “irresponsible” economic policy after the speaker last month accused the commander-in-chief of being “missing in action” from debt ceiling talks. The speaker in March suggested cutting non-defense spending back to pre-inflationary levels and introducing more work requirements for some welfare programs. Biden rolled out a $6.9 trillion budget proposal the same month, which would have increased the national debt to $51 trillion over the next decade. In January, the federal government exceeded its roughly $31 trillion debt limit, halting its ability to borrow funds for programs like Social Security and Medicare. Congress last approved a debt ceiling increase in December 2021. Also in January, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the federal borrowing limit will need to be increased by June of this year to prevent a default on America’s national debt. McCarthy said Biden’s unwillingness to negotiate as commander-in-chief differs greatly from his past openness to fiscal reform as a US senator and even as Barack Obama’s vice president. Both the White House and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) compared McCarthy’s push for spending cuts to “hostage-taking.” https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/2-arrested-for-allegedly-operating-illegal-chinese-police-station-in-nyc-sources-say/4247736/ 2 Arrested for Allegedly Operating Illegal Chinese ‘Police Station' in NYC Two people have been arrested by the FBI on allegations they helped operate an illegal police station for the government of China in lower Manhattan. The two are charged with conspiring to act as agents for the Chinese government. The FBI said “Harry” Lu Jianwang, 61, of the Bronx, and Chen Jinping, 59, of Manhattan, were arrested Monday morning at their homes in New York City. "The defendants worked together to establish the first overseas police station in the United States on behalf of the Fuzhou branch of the (Ministry of Public Security)," the FBI said in a statement. In addition to the New York complaint, two other complaints were filed - one against 34 members of Beijing's Municipal Public Security Bureau, and another against a group of 10 people that includes eight Chinese government officials. The common thread in the three complaints - that the suspects allegedly worked to intimidate, harass and threaten "wanted" Chinese nationals inside the United States. Last November, the FBI said it was aware that China was operating a de facto police station in Manhattan, outside of proper procedure or authority, as part of global network of such outposts. It followed a Sept. 2022 investigation by a nongovernmental organization, Safeguard Defenders, which reported there were dozens of such centers worldwide conducting police operations. Chinese officials decried that characterization, saying the "service centers" were volunteer-run and had nothing to do with policing. But the New York Times reported in January that Chinese state media had explicitly described the centers as policing facilities, acting in other countries without collaborating with local authorities. The Times also reported that the FBI had searched the East Broadway facility in the fall of 2022. https://www.businessinsider.com/nancy-pelosi-campaign-pays-man-fundraising-text-lawsuit-2023-4 Pelosi campaign pays Illinois man $7,500 after he sued over 'invasive and harassing' fundraising texts An Illinois man is now $7,500 richer after accusing Nancy Pelosi of violating federal robocalling laws. In October 2022, a Bolingbrook, Illinois resident named Jorge Rojas filed a 13-page lawsuit in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois that accused the former speaker of the House and her campaign of violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991. That law, which has been found to apply to text messages in addition to calls, applies restrictions to robocalling and requires telemarketers not to contact individuals who've placed themselves on the Do Not Call Registry. "As the Supreme Court has explained, Americans passionately disagree about many things," reads the introduction of Rojas's complaint. "But they are largely united in their disdain for robocalls." According to the suit, Rojas received 21 texts from Pelosi's campaign from November 2021 to July 2022 despite previously placing himself on the registry in 2008 to "obtain solitude from invasive and harassing telemarketing calls." He went on to argue that he "experienced frustration, annoyance, irritation, and a sense that his privacy has been invaded" by the texts. Arguing that the texts constituted "malicious, intentional, willful, reckless, wanton and negligent disregard" for his rights, Rojas sought at least $31,500 in damages from Pelosi's campaign, including $1,500 for each text received. But months later, on February 22, Rojas moved to dismiss the suit against Pelosi. And according to federal campaign finance disclosures made public on Friday, the dismissal came after Rojas received a $7,500 payment marked "Settlement" from Pelosi's congressional campaign. Rojas and Pelosi's campaign did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. https://www.foxnews.com/us/teen-takeover-terrorizes-chicago-hundreds-children-destroy-property-attack-tourists ‘Teen Takeover’ terrorizes Chicago as hundreds of teenagers destroy property, attack tourists Hundreds of teenagers stormed the streets of downtown Chicago, smashing car windows, attacking bystanders and sending panicked tourists running from the sound of gunfire. Fox 32 cameras captured video of teenagers crowding the streets and police seeking to restore order to the area. Large groups of teens were seen blasting music from Bluetooth speakers and roaming in front of traffic, with some attempting to gain access to the city's Millennium Park, which is off-limits to those under 21 after certain hours, and the downtown Art Institute. Some teens in the group began jumping up and down on cars, smashing windows and attacking people inside. One woman told Fox 32 her husband was attacked from the driver side of his vehicle and beaten after a group of teens jumped up and down on the couple's windshield. The man was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Hundreds of police officers assisted by SWAT teams descended on downtown in an attempt to restore order as gunfire was reported multiple times amid the unfolding scene. Police were seen escorting frightened tourists back to their cars or hotels to escape the chaos, and traffic on Chicago's Michigan Avenue ground to a halt as police attempted to restore order. Police say a 6-year-old boy was shot in the arm near the Chicago Loop and a 17-year-old boy was shot in the leg. Both were taken to Northwestern Hospital and listed in fair condition, according to a report from WLS. Fox 32 reported that the chaos appeared to be another "Teen Takeover" of the city that was planned on social media, noting that a similar scene played out in Chicago last year. Some local reporters were on the scene to interview some by-standers, including a woman who’s husband was beaten in their car. 'Where are their parents?' Teens swarm downtown Chicago during violent, chaotic weekend-Play 0:53-1:23
This is Garrison Hardie with your CrossPolitic Daily News Brief for Tuesday, April 18th, 2023. It’s been awhile since I’ve done this… but how about some “On this day in History!” On this day in history, April 18th… 1506 The cornerstone of the current St. Peter's Basilica is laid in the Vatican by Pope Julius II 1775 Paul Revere and William Dawes ride from Charlestown to Lexington warning the "regulars are coming!” 1783 American Revolution: George Washington issues General Order announcing the end of hostilities with Britain, giving thanks to the Almighty, and offering congratulations and authorizing an extra ration of alcohol to the troops to celebrate 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire kills nearly 4,000 while destroying 75% of the city 2018 “Black Panther” is the first film shown at a commercial cinema in 35 years in Saudi Arabia as cinemas are reopened Famous Birthdays… James Woods - 75, Conan O’Brien - 59 https://nypost.com/2023/04/17/kevin-mccarthy-vows-house-will-vote-on-one-year-debt-hike/ As Biden hides, House will vote on one-year debt limit hike House Speaker Kevin McCarthy vowed Monday that while President Biden “continues to hide, House Republicans will take action” on a plan meant to limit federal borrowing to one year and reduce government spending. “Let me be clear: A no-strings-attached debt limit increase will not pass,” McCarthy (R-Calif.), 58, said in a speech at the New York Stock Exchange meant to evoke former President Ronald Reagan’s visit to the trading floor nearly 40 years ago. Monday’s remarks sought to highlight what McCarthy called Biden’s “irresponsible” economic policy after the speaker last month accused the commander-in-chief of being “missing in action” from debt ceiling talks. The speaker in March suggested cutting non-defense spending back to pre-inflationary levels and introducing more work requirements for some welfare programs. Biden rolled out a $6.9 trillion budget proposal the same month, which would have increased the national debt to $51 trillion over the next decade. In January, the federal government exceeded its roughly $31 trillion debt limit, halting its ability to borrow funds for programs like Social Security and Medicare. Congress last approved a debt ceiling increase in December 2021. Also in January, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the federal borrowing limit will need to be increased by June of this year to prevent a default on America’s national debt. McCarthy said Biden’s unwillingness to negotiate as commander-in-chief differs greatly from his past openness to fiscal reform as a US senator and even as Barack Obama’s vice president. Both the White House and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) compared McCarthy’s push for spending cuts to “hostage-taking.” https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/2-arrested-for-allegedly-operating-illegal-chinese-police-station-in-nyc-sources-say/4247736/ 2 Arrested for Allegedly Operating Illegal Chinese ‘Police Station' in NYC Two people have been arrested by the FBI on allegations they helped operate an illegal police station for the government of China in lower Manhattan. The two are charged with conspiring to act as agents for the Chinese government. The FBI said “Harry” Lu Jianwang, 61, of the Bronx, and Chen Jinping, 59, of Manhattan, were arrested Monday morning at their homes in New York City. "The defendants worked together to establish the first overseas police station in the United States on behalf of the Fuzhou branch of the (Ministry of Public Security)," the FBI said in a statement. In addition to the New York complaint, two other complaints were filed - one against 34 members of Beijing's Municipal Public Security Bureau, and another against a group of 10 people that includes eight Chinese government officials. The common thread in the three complaints - that the suspects allegedly worked to intimidate, harass and threaten "wanted" Chinese nationals inside the United States. Last November, the FBI said it was aware that China was operating a de facto police station in Manhattan, outside of proper procedure or authority, as part of global network of such outposts. It followed a Sept. 2022 investigation by a nongovernmental organization, Safeguard Defenders, which reported there were dozens of such centers worldwide conducting police operations. Chinese officials decried that characterization, saying the "service centers" were volunteer-run and had nothing to do with policing. But the New York Times reported in January that Chinese state media had explicitly described the centers as policing facilities, acting in other countries without collaborating with local authorities. The Times also reported that the FBI had searched the East Broadway facility in the fall of 2022. https://www.businessinsider.com/nancy-pelosi-campaign-pays-man-fundraising-text-lawsuit-2023-4 Pelosi campaign pays Illinois man $7,500 after he sued over 'invasive and harassing' fundraising texts An Illinois man is now $7,500 richer after accusing Nancy Pelosi of violating federal robocalling laws. In October 2022, a Bolingbrook, Illinois resident named Jorge Rojas filed a 13-page lawsuit in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois that accused the former speaker of the House and her campaign of violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991. That law, which has been found to apply to text messages in addition to calls, applies restrictions to robocalling and requires telemarketers not to contact individuals who've placed themselves on the Do Not Call Registry. "As the Supreme Court has explained, Americans passionately disagree about many things," reads the introduction of Rojas's complaint. "But they are largely united in their disdain for robocalls." According to the suit, Rojas received 21 texts from Pelosi's campaign from November 2021 to July 2022 despite previously placing himself on the registry in 2008 to "obtain solitude from invasive and harassing telemarketing calls." He went on to argue that he "experienced frustration, annoyance, irritation, and a sense that his privacy has been invaded" by the texts. Arguing that the texts constituted "malicious, intentional, willful, reckless, wanton and negligent disregard" for his rights, Rojas sought at least $31,500 in damages from Pelosi's campaign, including $1,500 for each text received. But months later, on February 22, Rojas moved to dismiss the suit against Pelosi. And according to federal campaign finance disclosures made public on Friday, the dismissal came after Rojas received a $7,500 payment marked "Settlement" from Pelosi's congressional campaign. Rojas and Pelosi's campaign did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. https://www.foxnews.com/us/teen-takeover-terrorizes-chicago-hundreds-children-destroy-property-attack-tourists ‘Teen Takeover’ terrorizes Chicago as hundreds of teenagers destroy property, attack tourists Hundreds of teenagers stormed the streets of downtown Chicago, smashing car windows, attacking bystanders and sending panicked tourists running from the sound of gunfire. Fox 32 cameras captured video of teenagers crowding the streets and police seeking to restore order to the area. Large groups of teens were seen blasting music from Bluetooth speakers and roaming in front of traffic, with some attempting to gain access to the city's Millennium Park, which is off-limits to those under 21 after certain hours, and the downtown Art Institute. Some teens in the group began jumping up and down on cars, smashing windows and attacking people inside. One woman told Fox 32 her husband was attacked from the driver side of his vehicle and beaten after a group of teens jumped up and down on the couple's windshield. The man was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Hundreds of police officers assisted by SWAT teams descended on downtown in an attempt to restore order as gunfire was reported multiple times amid the unfolding scene. Police were seen escorting frightened tourists back to their cars or hotels to escape the chaos, and traffic on Chicago's Michigan Avenue ground to a halt as police attempted to restore order. Police say a 6-year-old boy was shot in the arm near the Chicago Loop and a 17-year-old boy was shot in the leg. Both were taken to Northwestern Hospital and listed in fair condition, according to a report from WLS. Fox 32 reported that the chaos appeared to be another "Teen Takeover" of the city that was planned on social media, noting that a similar scene played out in Chicago last year. Some local reporters were on the scene to interview some by-standers, including a woman who’s husband was beaten in their car. 'Where are their parents?' Teens swarm downtown Chicago during violent, chaotic weekend-Play 0:53-1:23
This is Garrison Hardie with your CrossPolitic Daily News Brief for Tuesday, April 18th, 2023. It’s been awhile since I’ve done this… but how about some “On this day in History!” On this day in history, April 18th… 1506 The cornerstone of the current St. Peter's Basilica is laid in the Vatican by Pope Julius II 1775 Paul Revere and William Dawes ride from Charlestown to Lexington warning the "regulars are coming!” 1783 American Revolution: George Washington issues General Order announcing the end of hostilities with Britain, giving thanks to the Almighty, and offering congratulations and authorizing an extra ration of alcohol to the troops to celebrate 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire kills nearly 4,000 while destroying 75% of the city 2018 “Black Panther” is the first film shown at a commercial cinema in 35 years in Saudi Arabia as cinemas are reopened Famous Birthdays… James Woods - 75, Conan O’Brien - 59 https://nypost.com/2023/04/17/kevin-mccarthy-vows-house-will-vote-on-one-year-debt-hike/ As Biden hides, House will vote on one-year debt limit hike House Speaker Kevin McCarthy vowed Monday that while President Biden “continues to hide, House Republicans will take action” on a plan meant to limit federal borrowing to one year and reduce government spending. “Let me be clear: A no-strings-attached debt limit increase will not pass,” McCarthy (R-Calif.), 58, said in a speech at the New York Stock Exchange meant to evoke former President Ronald Reagan’s visit to the trading floor nearly 40 years ago. Monday’s remarks sought to highlight what McCarthy called Biden’s “irresponsible” economic policy after the speaker last month accused the commander-in-chief of being “missing in action” from debt ceiling talks. The speaker in March suggested cutting non-defense spending back to pre-inflationary levels and introducing more work requirements for some welfare programs. Biden rolled out a $6.9 trillion budget proposal the same month, which would have increased the national debt to $51 trillion over the next decade. In January, the federal government exceeded its roughly $31 trillion debt limit, halting its ability to borrow funds for programs like Social Security and Medicare. Congress last approved a debt ceiling increase in December 2021. Also in January, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the federal borrowing limit will need to be increased by June of this year to prevent a default on America’s national debt. McCarthy said Biden’s unwillingness to negotiate as commander-in-chief differs greatly from his past openness to fiscal reform as a US senator and even as Barack Obama’s vice president. Both the White House and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) compared McCarthy’s push for spending cuts to “hostage-taking.” https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/2-arrested-for-allegedly-operating-illegal-chinese-police-station-in-nyc-sources-say/4247736/ 2 Arrested for Allegedly Operating Illegal Chinese ‘Police Station' in NYC Two people have been arrested by the FBI on allegations they helped operate an illegal police station for the government of China in lower Manhattan. The two are charged with conspiring to act as agents for the Chinese government. The FBI said “Harry” Lu Jianwang, 61, of the Bronx, and Chen Jinping, 59, of Manhattan, were arrested Monday morning at their homes in New York City. "The defendants worked together to establish the first overseas police station in the United States on behalf of the Fuzhou branch of the (Ministry of Public Security)," the FBI said in a statement. In addition to the New York complaint, two other complaints were filed - one against 34 members of Beijing's Municipal Public Security Bureau, and another against a group of 10 people that includes eight Chinese government officials. The common thread in the three complaints - that the suspects allegedly worked to intimidate, harass and threaten "wanted" Chinese nationals inside the United States. Last November, the FBI said it was aware that China was operating a de facto police station in Manhattan, outside of proper procedure or authority, as part of global network of such outposts. It followed a Sept. 2022 investigation by a nongovernmental organization, Safeguard Defenders, which reported there were dozens of such centers worldwide conducting police operations. Chinese officials decried that characterization, saying the "service centers" were volunteer-run and had nothing to do with policing. But the New York Times reported in January that Chinese state media had explicitly described the centers as policing facilities, acting in other countries without collaborating with local authorities. The Times also reported that the FBI had searched the East Broadway facility in the fall of 2022. https://www.businessinsider.com/nancy-pelosi-campaign-pays-man-fundraising-text-lawsuit-2023-4 Pelosi campaign pays Illinois man $7,500 after he sued over 'invasive and harassing' fundraising texts An Illinois man is now $7,500 richer after accusing Nancy Pelosi of violating federal robocalling laws. In October 2022, a Bolingbrook, Illinois resident named Jorge Rojas filed a 13-page lawsuit in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois that accused the former speaker of the House and her campaign of violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991. That law, which has been found to apply to text messages in addition to calls, applies restrictions to robocalling and requires telemarketers not to contact individuals who've placed themselves on the Do Not Call Registry. "As the Supreme Court has explained, Americans passionately disagree about many things," reads the introduction of Rojas's complaint. "But they are largely united in their disdain for robocalls." According to the suit, Rojas received 21 texts from Pelosi's campaign from November 2021 to July 2022 despite previously placing himself on the registry in 2008 to "obtain solitude from invasive and harassing telemarketing calls." He went on to argue that he "experienced frustration, annoyance, irritation, and a sense that his privacy has been invaded" by the texts. Arguing that the texts constituted "malicious, intentional, willful, reckless, wanton and negligent disregard" for his rights, Rojas sought at least $31,500 in damages from Pelosi's campaign, including $1,500 for each text received. But months later, on February 22, Rojas moved to dismiss the suit against Pelosi. And according to federal campaign finance disclosures made public on Friday, the dismissal came after Rojas received a $7,500 payment marked "Settlement" from Pelosi's congressional campaign. Rojas and Pelosi's campaign did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. https://www.foxnews.com/us/teen-takeover-terrorizes-chicago-hundreds-children-destroy-property-attack-tourists ‘Teen Takeover’ terrorizes Chicago as hundreds of teenagers destroy property, attack tourists Hundreds of teenagers stormed the streets of downtown Chicago, smashing car windows, attacking bystanders and sending panicked tourists running from the sound of gunfire. Fox 32 cameras captured video of teenagers crowding the streets and police seeking to restore order to the area. Large groups of teens were seen blasting music from Bluetooth speakers and roaming in front of traffic, with some attempting to gain access to the city's Millennium Park, which is off-limits to those under 21 after certain hours, and the downtown Art Institute. Some teens in the group began jumping up and down on cars, smashing windows and attacking people inside. One woman told Fox 32 her husband was attacked from the driver side of his vehicle and beaten after a group of teens jumped up and down on the couple's windshield. The man was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Hundreds of police officers assisted by SWAT teams descended on downtown in an attempt to restore order as gunfire was reported multiple times amid the unfolding scene. Police were seen escorting frightened tourists back to their cars or hotels to escape the chaos, and traffic on Chicago's Michigan Avenue ground to a halt as police attempted to restore order. Police say a 6-year-old boy was shot in the arm near the Chicago Loop and a 17-year-old boy was shot in the leg. Both were taken to Northwestern Hospital and listed in fair condition, according to a report from WLS. Fox 32 reported that the chaos appeared to be another "Teen Takeover" of the city that was planned on social media, noting that a similar scene played out in Chicago last year. Some local reporters were on the scene to interview some by-standers, including a woman who’s husband was beaten in their car. 'Where are their parents?' Teens swarm downtown Chicago during violent, chaotic weekend-Play 0:53-1:23
Laura Harth with Safeguard Defenders joins the podcast to talk about the more than 50 illegal Chinese police stations operating around the world, including in the United States and Canada. These violate both the sovereignty of the inadvertent ‘host' countries and the rights of the Chinese citizens abroad who are stalked and coerced to comply with government demands to return to China or risk the persecution of their families. Laura discusses her organization's excellent report 110 Overseas: Chinese Transnational Policing Gone Wild. (The title is based on the emergency number for the police in China - 110.)
Hour 1 * Guest: Nan Su, Investigative Reporter and Senior Asia Correspondent – TheEpochTimes.com * Nan explains the latest moves by the CCP! * The authorities in China are using the country's all-seeing surveillance apparatus to find those bold enough to defy them. * How China Is Using Big Data to Create a Social Credit Score! * Human rights org Safeguard Defenders reveals 48 more secret Chinese ‘police stations' worldwide, making a total of 102, Four are currently running in the US. * China is Establishing Economic Beachheads All Over America – It has facilities in 26 US states, and it employs tens of thousands of Americans. * Chinese spying in the US has become so widespread that the FBI is launching an average of two counterintelligence investigations a day to counter the onslaught, FBI Director Christopher Wray. Hour 2 * Guest: Nan Su, Investigative Reporter and Senior Asia Correspondent – TheEpochTimes.com * Nan explains the latest moves by the CCP! * The authorities in China are using the country's all-seeing surveillance apparatus to find those bold enough to defy them. * How China Is Using Big Data to Create a Social Credit Score! * Human rights org Safeguard Defenders reveals 48 more secret Chinese ‘police stations' worldwide, making a total of 102, Four are currently running in the US. * China is Establishing Economic Beachheads All Over America – It has facilities in 26 US states, and it employs tens of thousands of Americans. * Chinese spying in the US has become so widespread that the FBI is launching an average of two counterintelligence investigations a day to counter the onslaught, FBI Director Christopher Wray. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/loving-liberty/support
Một báo cáo mới được đưa ra của Safeguard Defenders cho thấy Trung Quốc đã thiết lập một mạng lưới với hơn 100 ‘đồn công an' không chính thức trên khắp thế giới, trong đó có Việt Nam. Xem thêm: https://bit.ly/3wSHe49 Tin tức đáng chú ý khác: CIVICUS Monitor: Không gian dân sự ở Việt Nam ‘bị đóng kín'. Mỹ, Nga tranh nhau bán vũ khí cho Việt Nam tại triển lãm đầu tiên ở Hà Nội. Mỹ-Nga trao đổi tù nhân, ngôi sao bóng rổ Griner được phóng thích. Putin xác nhận Nga oanh tạc cơ sở hạ tầng của Ukraine. Putin: Những người đang chiến đấu cho Nga là ‘anh hùng'. Phi đạn Triều Tiên, xung đột thế giới làm tăng doanh số bán phòng trú bom tại Nhật. Thông điệp Giáng sinh 2022 tại Tòa Bạch Ốc: ‘Chúng ta, Người dân'. Nếu không vào được VOA, xin hãy dùng đường link https://bit.ly/VOATiengViet3 để vượt tường lửa.
Một báo cáo mới được đưa ra của Safeguard Defenders cho thấy Trung Quốc đã thiết lập một mạng lưới với hơn 100 ‘đồn công an' không chính thức trên khắp thế giới, trong đó có Việt Nam. Xem thêm: https://bit.ly/3wSHe49 Tin tức đáng chú ý khác: CIVICUS Monitor: Không gian dân sự ở Việt Nam ‘bị đóng kín'. Mỹ, Nga tranh nhau bán vũ khí cho Việt Nam tại triển lãm đầu tiên ở Hà Nội. Mỹ-Nga trao đổi tù nhân, ngôi sao bóng rổ Griner được phóng thích. Putin xác nhận Nga oanh tạc cơ sở hạ tầng của Ukraine. Putin: Những người đang chiến đấu cho Nga là ‘anh hùng'. Phi đạn Triều Tiên, xung đột thế giới làm tăng doanh số bán phòng trú bom tại Nhật. Thông điệp Giáng sinh 2022 tại Tòa Bạch Ốc: ‘Chúng ta, Người dân'. Nếu không vào được VOA, xin hãy dùng đường link https://bit.ly/VOATiengViet3 để vượt tường lửa.
* Guest: Nan Su, Investigative Reporter and Senior Asia Correspondent - TheEpochTimes.com * Nan explains the latest moves by the CCP! * The authorities in China are using the country's all-seeing surveillance apparatus to find those bold enough to defy them. * How China Is Using Big Data to Create a Social Credit Score! * Human rights org Safeguard Defenders reveals 48 more secret Chinese ‘police stations' worldwide, making a total of 102, Four are currently running in the US. * China is Establishing Economic Beachheads All Over America - It has facilities in 26 US states, and it employs tens of thousands of Americans. * Chinese spying in the US has become so widespread that the FBI is launching an average of two counterintelligence investigations a day to counter the onslaught, FBI Director Christopher Wray.
* Guest: Nan Su, Investigative Reporter and Senior Asia Correspondent - TheEpochTimes.com * Nan explains the latest moves by the CCP! * The authorities in China are using the country's all-seeing surveillance apparatus to find those bold enough to defy them. * How China Is Using Big Data to Create a Social Credit Score! * Human rights org Safeguard Defenders reveals 48 more secret Chinese ‘police stations' worldwide, making a total of 102, Four are currently running in the US. * China is Establishing Economic Beachheads All Over America - It has facilities in 26 US states, and it employs tens of thousands of Americans. * Chinese spying in the US has become so widespread that the FBI is launching an average of two counterintelligence investigations a day to counter the onslaught, FBI Director Christopher Wray.
Hour 1 * Nancy Pelosi moved the vote on HR 8404 from Tuesday to today or Thursday. We know that some members who originally voted for this bill have now pledged to vote against it. It is critical to act now and tell every member of the House to stop HR 8404! * Ron DeSantis vows to hold vaccine makers accountable for false claims. * At first, DeSantis implements COVID lockdowns. Three weeks later, he changes his mind. * Trump Organization convicted in executive tax dodge scheme, Convicted of fraud. * Walmart stores are facing a surge in shoplifting that could lead to higher prices and closures if the problem persists, CEO Doug McMillon. * Stealing is now so rampant, Walmart looking at closing stores. * Other retailers are facing tough decisions due to rising crime, Chicago is seeing a mass exodus of corporations from the city amid worsening theft and violent crime, and CA Gov. Gavin Newsom said Los Angeles looked like “a third world country” due to “organized gangs” conducting large-scale theft. * ‘We are tired of this nonsense': Gas station owner tired of violent crime plaguing Philadelphia hires armored, heavily-armed guards. * Joe Biden's top focus is the economy and anyone who thinks it shouldn't be, should “say that out loud,” the White House told the Daily Caller. * Joe has “more important things going on” than visiting the border. Joe was clear that his top priority is investing in the American economy and in American communities, out-competing China, and bringing back American jobs from overseas. * Elon Musk Releases Internal Twitter Files that Shows Censorship Directed by the DNC. * Meta's Oversight Board criticized the social media giant for unfairly favoring certain elite users of Facebook and Instagram, granting them amnesty from certain rules – The Board found that, in practice, cross-check protected these accounts, allowing their content to remain up even when it was in violation of the sites' rules and helping favored accounts receive reduced punishments for infractions, all the while repeatedly failing to detail to the public and the Board which accounts and posts were subject to this policy. * The Chinese state media used TikTok accounts to launch a propaganda campaign against Republican candidates running in the 2022 midterm elections, according to a report released by Forbes last week. Hour 2 * Supreme Court hears free speech case involving Christian web designer seeking to refuse to design same-sex wedding sites. * Virginia Restaurant Refuses Service to Conservative Christian Group Over Their Beliefs. * For businesses like restaurants, federal and state laws do not allow discrimination based on protected classes such as race, religion, sex and more, as defined by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It's not yet clear if this incident falls under one of those protected classes. * An estimated 32.2 million adult Americans (or about 13% of all adult Americans) reported they either “have trouble” seeing, even when wearing glasses or contact lenses, or that they are blind or unable to see at all. * Pro-Life Flight Attendant Gets Huge Win In Court, Judge Orders Her Be Re-Hired. * Human rights org Safeguard Defenders reveals 48 more secret Chinese ‘police stations' worldwide, including in LA & NYC. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/loving-liberty/support
Guest host: Rob Breakenridge Laura Harth - Campaign Director: Safeguard Defenders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Một báo cáo mới được đưa ra của Safeguard Defenders cho thấy Trung Quốc đã thiết lập một mạng lưới với hơn 100 “đồn công an” không chính thức trên khắp thế giới, trong đó có Việt Nam.
* Supreme Court hears free speech case involving Christian web designer seeking to refuse to design same-sex wedding sites. * Virginia Restaurant Refuses Service to Conservative Christian Group Over Their Beliefs. * For businesses like restaurants, federal and state laws do not allow discrimination based on protected classes such as race, religion, sex and more, as defined by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It's not yet clear if this incident falls under one of those protected classes. * An estimated 32.2 million adult Americans (or about 13% of all adult Americans) reported they either "have trouble" seeing, even when wearing glasses or contact lenses, or that they are blind or unable to see at all. * Pro-Life Flight Attendant Gets Huge Win In Court, Judge Orders Her Be Re-Hired. * Human rights org Safeguard Defenders reveals 48 more secret Chinese 'police stations' worldwide, including in LA & NYC. * The additional 48 locations adds to the original report from September 2022 that revealed 54 Chinese outlets, totaling at least 102 known instances where Chinese police are conducting operations inside other countries. The original report identified one location in New York City under the police jurisdiction of Fuzhou, China, while the new list adds three more entities in the United States. New locations have been identified in New York and Los Angeles operated from the Wenzhou, China, police jurisdiction, while a third operation's exact location is unknown, but is run under the Nantong, China, jurisdiction. * At least two locations have been located in Canada. * Disney will close Splash Mountain permanently on January 23 because, the company says, it promotes "racial stereotypes." - The ride, which opened in 1989, is based on the 1946 Disney film "Song of the South." False Claims it offers a racially insensitive depiction of Reconstruction in the American South just after the end of the Civil War. * 'An act of love': Planned Parenthood says more men getting vasectomies since Roe v. Wade overturn. * Deseret News poll: Do Utah voters approve of Gov. Spencer Cox? - the governor is heading into 2023 with a 63% approval rating, according to the latest Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll. * Epidemiologist Andrew Huff, who worked for a New York-based non-profit that studied viruses, said Covid was leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China, The New York Post reports. * An explosive new book, whistleblower Dr. Andrew Huff, formerly the vice president of EcoHealth Alliance, claims that not only was COVID a man-made virus that escaped from the lab at the Wuhan Institute of Virology more than two years ago, it was intentionally created as a result of funding from the U.S. government.
Today's podcast: The Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act. Guest: Danielle Smith. Premier. Alberta. Trudeau government gun ban includes shotguns and hunting rifles. Meanwhile federal Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendicino claims no hunting firearms involved. Untrue argue national firearms groups.- Montreal Canadiens star goaltender Carey Price posts his challenge to the Trudeau government on the gun legislation on Instagram. Guest: Rod Giltaca. CEO/executive director: Coalition for Firearm Rights, Canada. Report released today: Undeclared Chinese police stations around the world. More than 100, including Canada, according to a just released (today) report by Safeguard Defenders, based in Spain. Safeguard Defenders monitors Chinese open-source documentation and has identified four different police jurisdictions of China's Ministry of Public Security active in at least 53 countries. Guest: Laura Harth. Campaign Director: Safeguard Defenders (from Spain). Nanos polling reveals health care has surpassed inflation and jobs as Canadians greatest issue of concern. The poll did not offer respondents choices. - Meanwhile approximately 5 million Canadians have no primary care physician, hundreds of thousands of surgeries have been postponed or canceled, even cancer patients are forced to forgo chemo and radiation therapy because of the numbers of patients waiting for care. A broken health care system. Guest: Dr. Katherine Smart. Past president, Canadian Medical Assocation. --------------------------------------------- Host/Content Producer – Roy Green Technical/Podcast Producer – Tom McKay Podcast Co-Producer – Matt Taylor If you enjoyed the podcast, tell a friend! For more of the Roy Green Show, subscribe to the podcast! https://globalnews.ca/roygreen/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Report released today: Undeclared Chinese police stations around the world. More than 100, including Canada, according to a just released (today) report by Safeguard Defenders, based in Spain. Safeguard Defenders monitors Chinese open-source documentation and has identified four different police jurisdictions of China's Ministry of Public Security active in at least 53 countries. Guest: Laura Harth. Campaign Director: Safeguard Defenders (from Spain). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Španělská nezisková organizace Safeguard Defenders v září zveřejnila informaci, podle které Čína provozuje 54 zámořských policejních stanic, mimo jiné i v Praze a dalších městech Západu. Buňky zřejmě slouží k nátlaku na čínské občany v zahraničí, včetně disidentů. Některé Evropské státy existenci podobných stanic na svém území ale odmítají, píše na svém webovém serveru Rádio svobodná Evropa.Všechny díly podcastu Svět ve 20 minutách můžete pohodlně poslouchat v mobilní aplikaci mujRozhlas pro Android a iOS nebo na webu mujRozhlas.cz.
The RCMP are now investigating after a report from human rights organization Safeguard Defenders identified 54 so-called Chinese police “service stations” set up in 30 countries around the world – including three right here in Canada.China says the stations are set up to assist Chinese nationals with things like renewing drivers' licences. But Laura Harth, the campaign director for Safeguard Defenders, says the stations are part of an effort by the Chinese government to make Chinese people return that includes surveillance, intimidation tactics and harassing family back home.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com
更多內容請至我們的新頻道：https://ept.ms/3CIvGDJ 監督中國失蹤事件的非營利機構「保護衛士」（Safeguard Defenders）11月3日發布新聞說，波蘭先前批准將一名台灣公民引渡到中國，但歐洲人權法院（ECHR）10月6日拒絕引渡，並一致認定，這可能會使他面臨遭受虐待和酷刑的重大風險。 https://www.epochtimes.com/b5/22/11/4/n13859684.htm
China is operating dozens of secret police stations in plain view by disguising them as British restaurants, estate agents and other ordinary businesses, a civil liberties watchdog has claimed. A report from human rights organisation Safeguard Defenders warned China was operating more than 50 undeclared police hubs as part of a global network to force dissidents to return to Beijing. Change is at last taking place in the controversial arena of caring for Britain's transgender children.The turn of events is so dramatic it is being hailed by family campaigners as a huge step towards ending what they call a 'massive medical and social experiment' on youngsters who believe they have been born in the wrong body. The Foreign Office has issued a travel warning for Spain following political unrest - as protests are breaking out over the country's spiralling cost of living crisis. Thousands of Spanish residents have been taking part in protests across the country calling for an increase in wages and pensions in line with inflation.A large demonstration took place in Madrid last week, while pro-independence marches have been taking place in Barcelona in which protesters blocked the city's airport and major roads. Valencia council said on Monday, October 31 that some 7,000 panels will be installed across the roofs of all the cemeteries in the city. The Councillor for Cemeteries, Alejandro Ramon, told ElDiario that the installation was part of the city's roadmap towards a greener and more self-sustaining environment. The implications are horrifying. We now know a foreign power hacked the personal mobile phone of the talkative Liz Truss. The severity of this security breach can hardly be overstated. As a former prime minister, ex-foreign secretary and ex-international trade secretary, Miss Truss was the chief custodian of our national security secrets and the recipient of invaluable MI6 intelligence.Millions of drivers were potentially put at risk during a terrifying near-national outage of life-saving technology on smart motorways.The system controlling hundreds of miles of the controversial carriageways had to be rebooted following a 'glitch' that meant it was out of action for seven hours, including the evening rush hour. 'Old people' who call work meetings on a Friday afternoon, expect staff to make calls as part of their job and make random noises over Zoom have been put on notice by Gen Z. A hotel in East Yorkshire has been told it can no longer house asylum seekers after a council was successful in securing an interim High Court injunction.East Riding of Yorkshire Council today confirmed that it had gone to the High Court to prevent the Hull Humber View Hotel in North Ferriby from being used for asylum seekers temporarily. The King enjoys his brief commute by car up the Mall – waving to crowds – to Buckingham Palace from Clarence House. But he expects his staff to walk or cycle there........
Hour 1 * Guest: Dr. Scott Bradley, * To Preserve the Nation: In the Tradition of the Founding Fathers – FreedomsRisingSun.com * Biden pardons without athority thousands convicted on federal marijuana possession charges – Mr. Biden stopped short of calling for the complete decriminalization of marijuana, falsely claiming that is something that Congress would have to do. * CCP Runs Police Outpost in New York City, Part of Global Network of Transnational Repression – Dorothy Li, TheEpochTimes.com * The Chinese police authorities' division in New York was opened on Feb. 15, according to Dongnan News, a media outlet backed by Fujian provincial government. The center, called Fuzhou Police Oversea Service Station, is located at 107 East Broadway, inside the headquarters of the American ChangLe Association (ACA), a non profit with close ties to the Chinese regime. * Safeguard Defenders identified 54 overseas police service stations across five continents, including in cities from Toronto to Dublin. * Safeguard Defenders noted such “persuasion to return” involves harassment and intimidation of the target's relatives in China. If the target refused to comply, their families could face punishment, such as their children being denied education. * “These methods allow the CCP and their security organs to circumvent normal bilateral mechanisms of police and judicial cooperation, thereby severely undermining the international rule of law and territorial integrity of the third countries involved,” the report stated. * The Epoch Times has reached out to the ACA, the FBI, the DOJ, the State Department, and the New York attorney general's office for comment. Hour 2 * Historically aggressive free speech groups have been silent since a recent appeal to the DOJ to track and potentially prosecute reporters who expose questionable medical treatments performed on minors. * The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, and the Children's Hospital Association sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland demanding he “investigate and prosecute” journalists and activists for exposing and often simply re-posting publicly available information about controversial and irreversible treatments provided to minors. * My fellow American's the DOJ is not allowed to operate as a political police force for Joe! * The attempt by medical organizations to weaponize the DOJ against journalists and activists that report on sex change surgery for minors at children's hospitals has got to stop. * Female genital mutilation – FGM, and MGM, comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. * Hundreds of FBI employees avoided discipline for sexual misconduct by retiring or resigning amid investigations from 2004 to 2020, according to the DOJ. – Higher ranking officials were subjected to less severe penalties than other staff. * Sen. Ben Sasse To Resign – Sasse posted an article from the Tampa Bay Times, announcing that he was the sole finalist for the role of president of the University of Florida. * “The University of Florida is uniquely positioned to lead this country through an era of disruption,” Sasse wrote. “The single biggest challenge our nation faces is the radical disruption of work. Technology is changing everything about where, when, why, what, and how Americans work — and so it's changing our homes, neighborhoods, and communities too. * Dawn of the cyborgs: how humans will turn themselves into gods – Human Cyborgs are Just the Beginning. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/loving-liberty/support
* Guest: Dr. Scott Bradley, * To Preserve the Nation: In the Tradition of the Founding Fathers - FreedomsRisingSun.com * Biden pardons without athority thousands convicted on federal marijuana possession charges - Mr. Biden stopped short of calling for the complete decriminalization of marijuana, falsely claiming that is something that Congress would have to do. * CCP Runs Police Outpost in New York City, Part of Global Network of Transnational Repression - Dorothy Li, TheEpochTimes.com * The Chinese police authorities' division in New York was opened on Feb. 15, according to Dongnan News, a media outlet backed by Fujian provincial government. The center, called Fuzhou Police Oversea Service Station, is located at 107 East Broadway, inside the headquarters of the American ChangLe Association (ACA), a non profit with close ties to the Chinese regime. * Safeguard Defenders identified 54 overseas police service stations across five continents, including in cities from Toronto to Dublin. * Safeguard Defenders noted such “persuasion to return” involves harassment and intimidation of the target's relatives in China. If the target refused to comply, their families could face punishment, such as their children being denied education. * “These methods allow the CCP and their security organs to circumvent normal bilateral mechanisms of police and judicial cooperation, thereby severely undermining the international rule of law and territorial integrity of the third countries involved,” the report stated. * The Epoch Times has reached out to the ACA, the FBI, the DOJ, the State Department, and the New York attorney general's office for comment.
Podcasty Radia Wnet / Warszawa 87,8 FM | Kraków 95,2 FM | Wrocław 96,8 FM / Białystok 103,9 FM
Ryszard Zalski opowiada o ustaleniach raportu Safeguard Defenders, który bada realizowany przez Chiny proces ściągania do Państwa Środka, tych którzy z niego uciekli. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/radiownet/message
The Bill Kelly Show Podcast: According to a new Angus Reid poll, the ascension of Pierre Poilievre has given the Conservative Party an uptick in vote popularity. But, is it too soon to make conclusions? GUEST: Clifton van der Linden, Director of the Digital Society Lab at McMaster University - In China, the high-profile TV drama In The Name Of The People has become a smash hit. In that show, Chinese agents enter the U.S. posing as businessmen so they can repatriate a factory manager who had fled abroad with huge ill-gotten wealth. But a new study by the European non-governmental agency Safeguard Defenders suggests that there might be some truth to the fiction. According to the NGO, the Fuzhou Public Security Bureau has established more than 50 “overseas police service centres” in cities around the world – including three publicly documented ones in Toronto, home to Canada's largest Chinese diaspora. GUEST: Charles Burton, Senior Fellow with the Centre for Advancing Canada's Interests Abroad at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute - The trophy awarded to Canada's athlete of the year is getting a new name. The award was named after Lou Marsh, a former football player and NHL referee who spent more than 40 years working in the Toronto Star's sports department in a variety of different roles. Questions have been raised in recent years over whether the honour should be renamed because of some of the racist language used in Marsh's writing. The Toronto Star is taking public submissions on a new name for the trophy, and a committee is set to choose a replacement before the 2022 award is handed out in December. GUEST: Mark Hebscher, Longtime Sports Broadcaster, Author & Host of the ‘Hebsy on Sports' podcast
星期二(9月6日)，总部位于西班牙马德里的非政府人权组织“保护卫士”(Safeguard Defenders)发布最新报告《囹圄家中》，称中国在习近平领导下，对公民扩大使用所谓的“监视居住”处罚，并经常以此对付维权者；而且，这个行为没有减缓的迹象。分析称，这是国际社会首次系统总结中国警方长期软禁公民的做法。
本集來賓：靖捷，非政府組織保護衛士（Safeguard Defenders）倡議與研究專員 【重要精彩重點】 ✓ 法國的候選人你認識嗎？ ✓ 誰當選有差嗎？台灣、烏俄戰爭也會受到牽連？ ✓ 法國的政黨都是極左或是極右？是誰造成的？ ✓ 在台灣的總統其實是沒有行政權的？ 小額贊助支持本節目： https://pay.firstory.me/user/ckudnw7fn4tqg0870axzgirva 留言告訴我你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/ckudnw7fn4tqg0870axzgirva/comments 【法白官網&商城】 法白官網
The Chinese Communist Party operates an advanced surveillance network, which maintains strict control over all forms of information. Agents keep a particularly close watch over what is discussed on websites and social media. Those who step out of line with their comments on politics face being detained. There are frequent reports of politically motivated arrests and state-sanctioned “disappearances.” These include disturbing testimonies from people who say they have been held in a so-called system of "black jails" - secret prisons in which inmates are cut off from all contact with the outside world. On this podcast Michael Caster, the co-founder of Safeguard Defenders, a human rights group which has made a detailed study of the way political dissidents are treated by the authorities in China, offers his perspective on the issue to host, Duncan Bartlett. China In Context: Episode 60 Broadcast date: 12 April, 2022
“Where is Peng Shuai?” This question has been plaguing the media outside of the Great Firewall of China ever since the Olympian went missing after speaking up on her case of sexual assault. Today, we sit down with Laura Harth, Campaign Director at Safeguard Defenders and human rights advocate, to discuss Peng's recent interview with L'Equipe. We talk about the merits of Peng's statements and how they might fall into a paradigm of forced confessions - an abusive tactic used by the CCP on sensitive political matters. We also talk about Safeguard's research with CCP's reach overseas and how people outside of China may be targeted by the CCP's co-opt operation, even if they're foreign citizens.
On this week's show: A Ukrainian MP discusses the threat of a Russian invasion, a Canadian in Kyiv talks about preparing for war and the CBC's Murray Brewster outlines the state of play. Plus — experts Jeff Nankivell and Sarah Kutulakos discuss Canada-China relations. Laura Harth of the group Safeguard Defenders talks about China's tactics in forcing some of its citizens to return home to face charges. And a discussion about human trafficking in Canada, after the tragedy in Manitoba.
As you may have heard, officials in China are claiming that the case of Omicron in Beijing sprung from an envelope that was mailed from Canada… pretty much everyone agrees, that has a high degree of improbability. The likelihood is not the point, though: what matters is the claim and the blame. So where is this going? Meanwhile, a new report by Spanish-based rights group Safeguard Defenders says that the Government of China has been expanding its use of coercion to force the return of Chinese citizens who have settled abroad, many of them in Australia, Canada and the United States, in a campaign targeting fugitives and dissidents. Guest: Dr. Elliot Tepper, Emeritus Professor of Political Science with Carleton University See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Peter Dahlin discusses his Open Letter to the International Olympic Committee “IOC” about the disappearance of Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai. The IOC has helped the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) kill the story rather than helping ensure Peng's safety and freedom. Dahlin explains why the IOC's actions are so problematic. In this episode, we talk about… The use of disappearance in China as a tool of the State Why Peng's media appearances fit a pattern of staged public appearances for disappeared people Peng's sexual assault allegations that led to her disappearance and the lack of a #MeToo movement in China How the IOC is doing the bidding of the CCP Why Peng is better off with consistent international attention The contrast between the IOC's response to Peng's disappearance and that of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) The IOC's failure to be politically neutral What the IOC could have done instead What athletes and others concerned about Peng's safety can do going forward Memorable Quotes: “We know for sure that she is not free and that leaves only two options. One is that she is placed under house arrest where she has minders from the police controlling her at home and guiding every aspect of her life. Or if that is not enough or is not suitable for them, instead placing her into the RSDL system.” “The #MeToo movement has largely ignored China. In China they have successfully – through censorship – managed to keep this movement and these discussions at bay. It's very important for them to do that because every society is plagued with these issues, but China is particularly prone to sexual misconduct and the use of power relations from older men against younger women. It's almost built into the governance system. So, the fact that she could spark a greater movement related to Me Too – that's what really is the big concern within the party.” “The reason I was angry enough to write this letter is that we know with certainty that attention helps – when they're inside, the treatment gets better. Whether it's media attention, diplomatic pressure – it doesn't really matter. It helps every single time. So, the fact that [the IOC] is assisting the Chinese Communist Party in killing the story is troublesome because they are intentionally hurting an athlete rather than helping said athlete.” “We don't know whether or not this man is guilty for sure but it does fit a very common behavior in China, and what we need to push for here is a proper investigation. The IOC has an important role to play here because this person is the director of the committee handling preparations for the Games. It's incredibly important the IOC at the very least act impartially.” “I don't think anyone is looking at expanding a boycott of the Games because I don't think anyone really wants that, especially at this late stage. And I don't think anyone is expecting athletes to speak out at the Games because that could bring them in jeopardy as well. Right now, it's more important on pushing the IOC to actually adhere to their neutrality and continue to raise her case in media, in social media, etc.” Guest Bio: Peter Dahlin is a human rights activist and the director of Safeguard Defenders, a human rights NGO that undertakes and supports local field activities that contribute to the protection of basic rights, promote the rule of law, and enhance the ability of local civil society and human rights defenders in some of the most hostile environments in Asia. In 2016, Dahlin was secretly detained (disappeared) in China for 23 days for running a Beijing-based rights organization called China Action – the predecessor to Safeguard Defenders. While detained Dahlin was blindfolded, denied access to his embassy, exhaustively interrogated, and kept from sleeping. After his detention, he was deported from China under the espionage act Links to Resources: Dahlin's Open Letter to IOC on Peng Shuai Safeguard Defenders Article from The Guardian about Dahlin's Disappearance: A human rights activist, a secret prison and a tale from Xi Jinping's new China New York Times Article about the China, the IOC, and Peng Shuai: Its Human Rights Record in Question, China Turns to an Old Friend Follow Dahlin on Twitter @Peterinexile and follow Global Athlete @GlobalAthleteHQ . Get in touch a t hello@globalathlete.org and join the movement at globalathlete.org .
Peter Dahlin, Director of Safeguard Defenders and was a co-founder and the Director of ‘China Action', based out of Beijing, from 2009 to 2016. Prior to moving to China in 2007, Peter worked for the Swedish government. Peter holds an M.A. in Political Science from Umeå University. Peter is the editor of 'Trial By Media' and a contributor to 'The People's Republic of the Disappeared' and is a contributor to various international media. @Peterinexilehttps://safeguarddefenders.com/en/about-us#who-we-are
On Nov. 2, Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai published a letter on her verified social media account that accused a former top Chinese government official of sexual assault. Then suddenly, she disappeared. But it's not just people with name recognition who are disappearing in the country. Human rights group Safeguard Defenders estimates that more than 45,000 people were subjected to a form of secret detention since President Xi Jinping assumed power in 2013.Today, we speak with L.A. Times Beijing Bureau Chief Alice Su, who has been investigating this phenomenon. And we'll also hear from a writer who studies feminism in China.More reading:They helped Chinese women, workers, the forgotten and dying. Then they disappeared Women's tennis tour suspends events in China over Peng Shuai concerns EU wants ‘verifiable proof' that Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai is safe
*) Vaccine likely to protect against severe Covid from Omicron: BioNTech CEO BioNTech's Chief Executive Ugur Sahin says his company's Covid-19 vaccine will "likely offer strong protection" against any severe disease from the new Omicron virus variant. BioNTech's guarded confidence contrasts with a sense of alarm conveyed by the chief executive of rival vaccine maker Moderna, Stephane Bancel. Bancel had raised the prospect of a material drop in protection against the new coronavirus lineage from current vaccines. Sahin would not be drawn on whether Omicron will become as dominant as the Delta variant. "But even if, that in itself is no reason to panic," he said. *) China 'hunting' Taiwan citizens abroad through deportation Beijing has pressured foreign governments to deport hundreds of Taiwan nationals to China in what human rights activists describe as a "hunt for Taiwanese". Over 600 Taiwanese people were extradited from various countries to China between 2016 and 2019 to "undermine Taiwanese sovereignty,” a report found. Beijing has been pressuring governments to extradite hundreds of Taiwanese people, mostly accused of telecoms fraud to China, according to the rights group Safeguard Defenders. Those extradited to China faced "arbitrary detention, torture, enforced disappearances, and forced televised confessions", the group said. *) At least three people dead in Michigan high school shooting In the US state of Michigan, a student has gone on a shooting rampage at a high school north of Detroit. The 15-year-old suspect killed three students and injured eight other people, including a teacher. Police say he was in possession of a semi-automatic handgun when taken into custody. *) Castro set to become Honduras' president as rival concedes defeat Honduras' ruling party has conceded defeat in presidential elections, giving victory to leftist opposition candidate Xiomara Castro. Nasry Asfura of the National Party said in a statement that he had personally congratulated Castro, despite only about half of the voting tallies having been counted. Castro had 53 percent support to Asfura's 34 percent, according to the National Electoral Council. And finally… *) World Aids Day: Covid-19 diverted resources from AIDS fight The Covid-19 pandemic has diverted scientific and financial resources from the fight against AIDS, according to top US infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci. Marking World Aid Day, Fauci told the United Nations General Assembly global efforts to achieve the UN goal of ending AIDS by 2030 have been impeded by the pandemic. Fauci said that tackling Covid-19 has also disrupted supply chains and increased the risk for people with HIV of being infected with another deadly virus. And that's your daily news brief from TRT World. For more, head to trtworld.com
Việc Bành Suý mất tích rồi lại xuất hiện trở lại đã làm tốn biết bao giấy mực của truyền thông quốc tế. Trong bối cảnh Trung Quốc chấn chỉnh lại xã hội, theo đường lối của riêng mình : kiểm duyệt từ thông tin đến tư tưởng. Bành Súy đã phải chịu chung số phận với tất cả những người phạm phải "điều cấm kỵ" ở Trung Quốc, và biến mất trong cỗ máy đàn áp kiểm duyệt, đằng sau đó là việc chính quyền hợp pháp hoá việc làm bay hơi những “kẻ gây rối.” Cách nay 3 năm, ông, phó thủ tướng Trương Cao Lệ đã nghỉ hưu. Ông đã liên lạc với ông Liu của trung tâm Tennis Thiên Tân để yêu cầu tôi chơi tennis với ông ở tòa nhà Kangming tại Bắc Kinh. Sau khi chơi xong vào buổi sáng, ông và vợ ông đã đưa tôi về nhà ông. Sau đó, ông đưa tôi vào phòng, giống như lần ở Thiên Tân cách đây 10 năm, ông đã muốn có quan hệ tình dục với tôi. Buổi chiều hôm đó, tôi đã rất sợ hãi, tôi không thể ngờ rằng việc đó đã xảy ra. Việc mà vợ ông canh giữ ở phía sau cửa. Tôi không thể ngờ rằng bà ấy đã đồng ý việc này. Ông và tôi đã có quan hệ tình dục cách đây 7 năm, sau đó ông được thăng chức vào Ban Thường Vụ Bộ Chính Trị. Ông đã đến Bắc Kinh và không còn liên lạc với tôi nữa. Tôi đã cất giấu mọi thứ ở sâu trong lòng. Bởi vì ông không sẵn sàng để bảo đảm một mối quan hệ với tôi, vậy tại sao ông lại quay trở lại ? Tại sao ông lại mang tôi về nhà ông và ép tôi quan hệ tình dục với ông ? Tôi không có bằng chứng gì, và không có cách nào để lưu lại bằng chứng cả". Trên đây là trích đoạn bức tâm thư, được đăng tải trên mạng xã hội Vi Bác (Weibo) tố cáo cựu phó thủ tướng Trương Cao Lệ về tội hiếp dâm, nhưng đúng hơn là tố cáo ủy viên Ban Thường Vụ Bộ Chính Trị đảng Cộng Sản Trung Quốc trong nhiệm kỳ đầu tiên của Tập Cận Bình, giai đoạn 2013 - 2018. Bài viết đã bị xóa đi chỉ khoảng 30 phút sau đó. Báo Pháp Libération đã dựa vào các ảnh chụp màn hình để tìm lại bài đăng. Bành Suý đã xuất hiện trở lại sau hai tuần biệt vô âm tín, nhưng sự im lặng của cô về lời cáo buộc đã khiến công luận thế giới chú ý. Theo tổ chức Human Rights Watch, tất cả 7 ủy viên Thường Vụ Bộ Chính Trị đều là nam giới, là những người tuyệt đối không thể đụng tới. Trả lời RFI Tiếng Việt, bà Maya Wang, chuyên gia nghiên cứu về nhân quyền ở Trung Quốc giải thích thêm : “Bành Suý đã cáo buộc một trong những người lãnh đạo đứng đầu chính phủ, và điều này chưa từng xảy ra, người ta thường không dám lên tiếng cáo buộc lãnh đạo cấp cao cho dù là bất cứ chuyện gì đi chăng nữa. Đây là một vụ bê bối khá lớn, bởi vì cô ấy vẫn giữ im lặng sau lời cáo buộc. Chỉ có cơ quan truyền thông của Nhà nước được phép đưa tin, hình ảnh về Bành Suý, và không ai khác được phép nói về vụ việc. » Đúng vậy, Bành Suý đã động đến người không nên động đến. Chưa bao giờ Trung Quốc có một vụ bê bối tình ái liên quan đến một quan chức cấp cao. Lời cáo buộc của Bành Suý đã làm băng hoại thanh danh của một trong 7 lãnh đạo cao cấp nhất Trung Quốc, được mệnh danh là “bảy vị thần bất tử” trong Đạo giáo. Cô đã đụng chạm đến thượng tầng quyền lực của đảng Cộng Sản Trung Quốc, được tuyên truyền như hiện thân của sự trong sạch và mẫu mực. Trong khi vụ bê bối của nhân viên tập đoàn Alibaba tố cáo cấp trên lạm dụng tình dục, đã thu hút 900 triệu lượt xem trên mạng xã hội Trung Quốc, thì vụ của Bành Suý đã bị kiểm duyệt ngay lập tức. Tất cả các từ khoá liên quan đến Bành Suý và Trương Cao Lệ, hay từ “quần vợt” đều đã bị xoá khỏi bộ máy tìm kiếm trên Internet ở Trung Quốc. Đại đa số người Trung Quốc không biết đến vụ bê bối này. Loại bỏ những « kẻ gây rối » : Truyền thống của cỗ máy đàn áp Loại bỏ "những kẻ gây rối", nghệ sĩ, người nổi tiếng, chính trị gia, quan chức cấp cao hay bất kỳ ai chống đối lại chính phủ, là một truyền thống trong chính sách đàn áp của đảng Cộng Sản Trung Quốc (ĐCSTQ). Họ mất tích ở ngoài đời thực và cũng không còn dấu vết gì trên mạng Internet. Trả lời báo Pháp La Croix số ra ngày 26/11/2021, ông Benedicte Roger, người sáng lập tổ chức nhân quyền Hong Kong Watch, lên án việc “chế độ Cộng Sản hoạt động giống như một băng đảng côn đồ bắt cóc, khủng bố và uy hiếp.” Báo La croix, cho biết thêm, mặc dù lạm dụng tình dục không có gì xa lạ ở cấp cao nhất của đảng Cộng Sản Trung Quốc, như trường hợp Mao Trạch Đông đã lần lượt đưa các phụ nữ trẻ lên chuyến tàu riêng của ông, trong khi đối với các quan chức đảng viên đảng Cộng Sản, là những người được cho là có đức hạnh thì "hành vi tình dục không phù hợp" bị cấm. Phong trào #MeToo xuất phát từ phương Tây, ủng hộ phụ nữ lên tiếng tố cáo về lạm dụng tình dục, đã nhận được hưởng ứng ở Trung Quốc. Để tránh #MeToo trở thành một đại phong trào, gây nguy hiểm cho quan chức Nhà nước, chế độ đã phải nhanh chóng bịt miệng, bóp ngẹt người phụ nữ đầu tiên dám bày tỏ nỗi oan khuất của mình. Thế nhưng, Trung Quốc không ngờ rằng vụ một nữ vận động viên bị lạm dụng tình dục lại thu hút sự quan tâm của phong trào #MeeToo toàn cầu. Cái tên Bành Suý xuất hiện trên khắp các mặt báo quốc tế. Giới quần vợt quốc tế, Liên Hiệp Quốc, tổng thống Mỹ và một số nhà lãnh đạo châu Âu đều đòi tìm hiểu rõ thực hư vụ việc. Vụ bê bối tình ái của Bành Suý chỉ là vụ mới nhất trong danh sách dài những công dân Trung Hoa, người Tây Tạng, người Duy Ngô Nhĩ, bị biến thành “những bóng ma”, biến mất, không rõ sống hay chết. Hợp lệ hóa các hành động trấn áp, thanh trừng những người chống đối Phản ứng mạnh mẽ từ quốc tế không hề phóng đại vụ việc, nhất là khi chúng ta biết được mức độ của các vụ mất tích ở Trung Quốc và luật “ Quản thúc tại gia ở một nơi được chỉ định”, có tên viết tắt là RSDL. Bộ luật được thông qua vào năm 2013, ngay khi Tập Cận Bình lên làm chủ tịch nước. Luật cho phép cảnh sát giam giữ bất cứ ai trong sáu tháng, hoặc thậm chí vô thời hạn, họ không được liên lạc với luật sư, hay gia đình. Tổ chức nhân quyền Safeguard Defenders đã thu thập lời chứng của 175 nạn nhân và đưa ra một báo cáo toàn diện về vấn đề này, vào tháng 6/2021. Có khoảng 50 000 người đã “biến mất”, từ khi luật được ban hành. Các nạn nhân của RSDL cho biết bị tra tấn cả về thể xác và tinh thần, bao gồm thiếu ngủ, thiếu ăn, bị cùm và còng kết hợp kéo dài (đôi khi hàng tuần), bị đánh đập, lạm dụng tình dục…, thậm chí, gia đình và người thân của họ cũng bị đe dọa. Trong chương trình “C dans l'air”, phát ngày 23/11/2021, kênh France 5 đài truyền hình quốc gia Pháp đã dành một tiếng đồng hồ để nói về vụ Bành Suý và những người mất tích trong bộ máy kiểm duyệt của Trung Quốc. Ông Marc Julienne, chuyên gia nghiên cứu về châu Á nhà nghiên cứu tại Viện Nghiên cứu Quan hệ Quốc tế (IFRI), nhận định như sau : “Vụ Bành Suý chỉ là bề nổi của tảng băng chìm, bởi vì tất cả những người đối lập, blogger, nhà báo, nhà hoạt động, luật sư về quyền con người cũng nằm trong số những người tự dưng “biệt vô âm tín”. Cụ thể là trường hợp của hơn 1 triệu người Duy Ngô Nhĩ đã biến mất trong vài ngày ngắn ngủi. Ở trung quốc có hai hệ thống luật pháp song song. Một bên là luật pháp của Đảng, và một bên là tư pháp, có toà án, có viện công tố v.v. Nhưng những người mất tích, thông thường họ bị đưa vào guồng hệ thống pháp luật của Đảng. Và hệ thống này thì không tuân theo bất kỳ có quy tắc nào cả.”Nhà tù vô hình cho những bóng ma Xin nhắc lại một trong những trường hợp “mất tích”, mà dường như đã bị quên lãng đó là đó là Ban Thiền Lạt Ma thứ 11, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, được Đạt Lai Lạt Ma thứ 14 chỉ định. Chỉ ba ngày sau đó, ông đã bị chế độ Bắc Kih bắt cóc, không có thêm tin tức gì kể từ năm 1995. Dưới áp lực của Hoa Kỳ, năm 2020, nhà chức trách Trung Quốc chỉ nói đơn giản rằng “ông đang sống một cuộc sống bình thường ở Bắc Kinh và không muốn người nước ngoài can dự vào cuộc sống của ông.” Đáng ngạc nhiên là những tuyên bố này được lặp lại trong thông cáo báo chí của chủ tịch Ủy Ban Olympic Quốc tế sau khi có cuộc gọi trực tuyến với nữ vận động viên Bành Súy ngày 21/11 : “Cô ấy bình an vô sự tại nhà riêng ở Bắc Kinh, và muốn cuộc sống riêng tư được tôn trọng”, hay trường hợp của tỷ phú Jack Ma, người bị coi là một “mối đe doạ kinh tế với chế độ”, vào năm 2020, đã bị mất tích vài tháng, vì đã chỉ trích hệ thống ngân hàng của chính quyền Trung Quốc. Diễn viên nổi tiếng Triệu Vy vào năm 2021 hay Phạm Băng Băng vào năm 2018 đã bị buộc tội làm “vấy bẩn tư tưởng của giới trẻ” và tội trốn thuế. Họ cũng biệt tăm một thời gian và bị xoá sạch dấu ấn nghệ thuật trên mạng Internet. Theo bà Maya Wang của tổ chức Human Rights Watch, xã hội Trung Hoa chưa bao giờ phải chịu sự kiểm duyệt mạnh mẽ như dưới thời Tập Cận Bình. Bà lên án hay gắt việc làm một công dân biến mất trong tích tắc rồi đến khi họ xuất hiện trở lại thì như bị "tẩy não", và thể hiện "khuất phục trước chế độ". Đây không chỉ là sự kiểm duyệt thông thường mà là kiểm duyệt về tư tưởng, nhất là khi hành động vi phạm nhân quyền này lại được ghi thành văn bản luật rõ ràng, luật Quản thúc tại gia ở một nơi được chỉ định (RSDL). Bà Wang nói thêm : “Các điều luật này vi phạm quyền con người một cách nghiêm trọng, và việc hợp pháp văn bản này là để tạo điều kiện cho quyền can thiệp vào các vụ mất tích. Việc sử dụng các điều luật này, hợp pháp hoá sự lạm dụng quyền lực, là bản chất của đảng, hay còn gọi là pháp quyền, tôi nghĩ rằng luật này là một ví dụ điển hình cho chủ nghĩa pháp lý độc tài mà Trung Quốc sử dụng để duy trì sự thống trị quyền lực của mình” Dưới thời Tập Cận Bình, cuộc trấn áp nhân quyền đã tiến thêm một bước kể từ khi phong trào ủng hộ dân chủ bị đàn áp vào năm 1989. Những vụ mất tích trở nên phổ biến ở Trung Quốc, và thậm chí được hợp pháp hoá. Luật RSDL, không phải là văn bản luật duy nhất được đưa ra để đàn áp những người chống đối. Gần đây nhất, vào năm 2018, bộ luật « Giam cầm » hay còn gọi là « luật kép - Shuanggui », do Ủy ban Giám sát Quốc gia - cơ quan chống tham nhũng cao cấp nhất ở Trung Quốc, ban hành trong chiến dịch thanh trừng, chống tham nhũng của đảng Cộng Sản Trung Quốc. Các điều khoản căn bản của luật Giam cầm tương tự như luật RSDL, nhưng mở rộng hơn, nhắm vào các quan chức Nhà nước, đảng viên, lãnh đạo các trường học, bệnh viện, các tổ chức đoàn thể, doanh nghiệp. Họ bị đưa đi điều tra, và biến mất mà không cần qua bất kỳ thủ tục xét xử nào. Các nghi phạm bị giam giữ tại các cơ sở bí mật bên ngoài hệ thống tư pháp. Ủy ban giám sát quốc gia, gọi tắt là NSC, được xếp vào diện cơ quan phi hành chính, cũng được giao nhiệm vụ điều tra cảnh sát, công tố viên, toà án. Không cơ quan nào dám chống lại NSC. Theo báo cáo của tổ chức Safeguards Defenders, có ước tính có khoảng 29.000 cá nhân có thể đã phải chịu hình thức giam giữ này kể từ tháng 10 năm 2019 và 52.000 kể từ khi NSC thông qua luật « Giam cầm - Liuzhi ».
Derek E. Silva joins Michael Caster, the co-founder of Safeguard Defenders, a group helping human rights advocates protect civil liberties in Asia. They take a deep dive into how authoritarian governments are weaponizing Interpol, the right to Internet access, and how Article 19 protects freedom of expression.
Last year China's international state-run broadcaster, CGTN, spent millions opening a state-of-the-art London headquarters. Just one year on, it may already be scrambling for an exit strategy. CGTN may even lose its licence in the United Kingdom after the British regulator found it breached the broadcasting code. This episode we interview two people who have brought complaints against CGTN after it broadcast their forced confessions: Peter Dahlin from Safeguard Defenders and private investigator Peter Humphrey. Along with Sarah Cook of Freedom House, they join Louisa and Graeme to discuss whether China's global media ambitions are being stopped in their tracks. Image: Peter Humphrey's TV appearance, c/- Alexey Garmash, Safeguard DefendersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
© 2020-2025 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
