Wisconsin House Democrats slow to condemn apparent arson attack on pro-life group
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Several House Democrats in Wisconsin have been slow to condemn the apparent arson attack on a pro-life group’s building in the Cheese State.Sunday saw flames erupt from the office of Wisconsin Family Action, a pro-life nonprofit, after a Molotov cocktail was reportedly thrown into the window.Graffiti in cursive also marked the side of the building, reading “if abortions aren’t safe then you aren’t either.”WISCONSIN ANTI-ABORTION GROUP TARGETED IN MOLOTOV COCKTAIL ARSON ATTACK: POLICE
Rep. Ron Kind
(Getty Images)Fox News Digital reached out to the offices of several Wisconsin Democratic lawmakers – Reps. Ron Kind, Gwen Moore and Mark Pocan – asking if they had any thoughts on the attack and if they believed the alleged arson to be an acceptable form of protest to a likely court ruling.None of the offices responded to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment, and none of the three representatives had put out a statement condemning the apparent arson by press time. The office of Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat, pointed Fox News Digital toward a tweet from the senator condemning the attack.
Sen. Tammy Baldwin speaks during the virtual Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Aug. 20, 2020. (Tannen Maury/Pool via Reuters)
Wisconsin abortionists mull plan to open clinics on Illinois border if Roe v. Wade falls
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Abortion doctors in Wisconsin are mulling plans to open at least one just across the border in Illinois if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade and the state imposes restrictions on abortion.The group of doctors, led by Douglas Laube, anticipates that Wisconsin would pass severe restrictions on abortion access if Roe v. Wade falls. A draft Supreme Court majority opinion from Justice Samuel Alito leaked to the press last week and indicated the court would be overturning both Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, potentially as early as June.PRESIDENT BIDEN ‘STRONGLY CONDEMNS’ MOLOTOV COCKTAIL ATTACK ON WISCONSIN PRO-LIFE GROUPLaube previously served as the chairman of the obstetrics and gynecology department at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He and his fellow doctors are considering a clinic location in Rockford, Illinois, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.”There’s obviously going to be a need for services quickly,” Laube told MJS. “There’s enough physician support for this, both in Wisconsin and in Illinois … I don’t think there’s any reason to think that there’s a lack of physician support.”Reports of Laube’s plan come one day after pro-choice protesters threw a Molotov cocktail through the window of a pro-life activist group’s office building. The group, Wisconsin Family Action, said the incident occurred early Sunday morning.President Joe Biden released a statement condemning the attack on Monday. “President Biden strongly condemns this attack and political violence of any stripe. The President has made clear throughout his time in public life that Americans have the fundamental right to express themselves under the Constitution, whatever their point of view. But that expression must be peaceful and free of violence, vandalism, or attempts to intimidate,” the White House said in a statement.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPMore than a dozen U.S. states have passed “trigger laws” that would impose restrictions on abortion immediately following a Supreme Court decision overruling Roe.Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed the draft that leaked last week was authentic but said it was not a final version of the ruling.
Pelosi lauds protesters using 'righteous anger' to 'march and mobilize,' as Supreme Court set to overturn Roe
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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Monday lauded protesters expressing “righteous anger” in the wake of a leaked Supreme Court draft opinion that shows the court may be poised to overturn Roe v. Wade. “While we have seen and heard extraordinary anguish in our communities,” Pelosi, D-Calif., said, “we have been moved by how so many have channeled their righteous anger into meaningful action: planning to march and mobilize to make their voices heard.”In the statement, Pelosi also attacked Republicans and the Supreme Court over the expected ruling, and says that Democrats will “fight relentlessly to enshrine Roe v. Wade as the law of the land.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the Capitol in Washington, March 30, 2022.
(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)REPORTER CALLS FOR VIOLENCE AGAINST PRO-LIFERS, SAYS THEY SHOULDN’T HAVE ‘PEACE OR SAFETY’ UNTIL THEY’RE DEAD”Republicans have made clear that their goal will be to seek to criminalize abortion nationwide,” Pelosi said. “Republican state legislators across the country are already advancing extreme new laws, seeking to arrest doctors for offering reproductive care, ban abortion entirely with no exceptions, and even charge women with murder who exercise their right to choose.”Pelosi’s statement comes just two days before the Senate is set to take a procedural vote on a bill that would codify abortion protections at a federal level, superseding any state laws on the matter. But the bill is almost certain not to pass, as Republicans oppose it and in the 50-50 Senate, Democrats don’t have the votes to break a filibuster. The statement also follows a week in which protests broke out in front of the Supreme Court, leading police to erect a fence around the building. And over the weekend some protesters also showed up outside the houses of the conservative justices who are expected to vote to overturn Roe v. Wade. WHITE HOUSE CONDEMNS ‘ATTEMPTS TO INTIMIDATE’ DURING PRO-ABORTION PROTESTS AT CATHOLIC CHURCHESProtestors organized by “Shut Down DC” are expected at the home of Justice Samuel Alito, author of the leaked draft opinion, Monday evening.Some Republicans, meanwhile, are alleging that those protests are against the law. They cite a federal law that makes it illegal to “picket or parade” outside a courthouse or a judge’s residence “with the intent of influencing any judge, juror, witness, or court officer, in the discharge of his duty.”CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPPolitico first broke the news that the justice were planning to overturn Roe v. Wade in the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, publishing a draft opinion from Alito from February that called for overturning Roe. It’s not clear exactly when the justices will formally release their ruling in the case. It’s expected that they will do so by late June or early July, when the Supreme Court’s current term ends.
Wisconsin pro-life group wants 'stronger leadership' from White House to hunt 'thugs' behind attack
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The leader of the Wisconsin pro-life group allegedly targeted in an arson attack on Mother’s Day says stronger leadership from the White House is needed as protests outside Supreme Court justices’ homes risk the threat of violence since the leak of the draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade. “We need stronger leadership that makes it very clear that we don’t just disagree with it. We are calling for it to stop right now,” Wisconsin Family Action President Julaine Appling told Fox News Digital by phone Monday. “I understand the president used the word condemn. And, you know, is saying this is not what we think is appropriate, but there needs to be an overt call to stop it. And for him to say we’re going to do what we need to do at the federal level to find these people and bring them to justice.” “I did not hear that in that statement,” she added. WISCONSIN ANTI-ABORTION GROUP TARGETED IN MOLOTOV COCKTAIL ARSON ATTACK This comes as Madison, Wisconsin, police are investigating an arson attack that happened around 6 a.m. Sunday at the office for the pro-life non-profit organization. Appling explained that two windows were smashed and Molotov cocktails were tossed inside, one of which exploded, igniting a fire inside the office that burned furniture and books and sent shards of glass around the room. No one was working at the time, so thankfully no one was inside or hurt in the incident, Appling said, adding: “it was obvious that their intent was for it to be worse.” On one outside wall, a message left in spray paint read: “if abortions aren’t safe then you aren’t either.” Appling said what was not seen in initial photos and videos from the scene was another wall tagged with the anarchy symbol and the number 1312, which is meant to stand for the phrase, “All Cops are B——-.””I think it was another statement that not only do we hate you because you think it’s inappropriate to kill babies before they’re born, but we also hate cops,” Appling told Fox News Digital. “These are thugs. They are attempting to bully us, to intimidate us. We will not be silent. Our message is truth. It is right. It is good. And you know, if we’re silent, they win. We’re not doing that.” Appling had reacted to a statement obtained by Fox News Digital on Monday from a White House official, saying, “President Biden strongly condemns this attack and political violence of any stripe.” “The President has made clear throughout his time in public life that Americans have the fundamental right to express themselves under the Constitution, whatever their point of view,” the official added. “But that expression must be peaceful and free of violence, vandalism, or attempts to intimidate.” PRESIDENT BIDEN ‘STRONGLY CONDEMNS’ MOLOTOV COCKTAIL ATTACK ON WISCONSIN ANTI-ABORTION GROUP “We condemn violence and hatred in all forms, including the actions at Wisconsin Family Action in Madison,” Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, said in a tweet after the incident. “We reject violence against any person for disagreeing with another’s view. Violence is not the way forward. Hurting others is never the answer.”Regarding the governor’s remarks, Appling said he appeared to just be “winking” at the attack. She also took issue with his stance on abortion. “It was regrettable that this organization was attacked. But we’re going to continue to do what we want to do and what we believe our base wants,” she said, interpreting his comments. In light of Sunday’s incident, Wisconsin Family Action began internal discussions regarding measures staff can take to ensure they feel safe coming into work given what happened.
President Joe Biden arrives at the White House from a weekend trip to his Delaware home, Monday, May 9, 2022, in Washington.
((AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta))”If this happened to us in Madison, Wisconsin, we know that every other group that has spoken out positively about pro-lifers and our pro-life positions is vulnerable,” Appling said. Still, she says such “sheer intimidation” tactic will not deter her pro-life message. “Organizations like ours have an unusual opportunity to speak up at critical times, to remind people that every human life has inherent value and worth, and that we should be protecting that from the moment of conception through natural death,” Appling told Fox News Digital. “That is part of the mission of our organization, and we will continue to speak that message to encourage people to make wise or lifesaving decisions and to not be silenced by those who are seeking by sheer intimidation and unfortunately, by these kinds of very dangerous actions, to shut down our message. We dare not, we dare not be silenced because of that. We must continue to speak.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPLocal law enforcement is expected to provide an update on the Madison attack Monday afternoon. Appling said FBI and ATF agents were among those at the scene Sunday, and investigators who gathered evidence from her office have not disclosed who they believe might be responsible for the incident. Fox News’ Adam Sabes contributed to this report.
Hawley slams Psaki for 'late' condemnation of violence from 'leftists': 'Firebombing prolifers'
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Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., took aim at White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, saying her warning about threatening the personal safety of justices came a “little late.””A little late, don’t you think – now that leftists are firebombing prolifers and threatening the safety of Supreme Court Justices and their families,” Hawley said on Twitter Monday. “Joe Biden could have condemned this violence & harassment and instead encouraged it. He should be held responsible.”
Sen. Josh Hawley. (Photo By Tom Williams-Pool/Getty Images)
Cruz, Steel lead brief in Harvard race admissions Supreme Court case: 'Heavy toll on Asian-American students'
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EXCLUSIVE: Senate and House Republicans joined together to file a brief in a closely watched case before the Supreme Court dealing with Harvard and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s (UNC) use of race in admissions decisions, which they argue is illegal.Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Rep. Michelle Steel, R-Calif., are leading a joint amicus brief signed by 82 Republican lawmakers in the case brought by Students for Fair Admissions. The Republicans write in the brief that Harvard and UNC’s admissions policies “intentionally divide applicants by race.””Race-conscious admissions decisions inflict a heavy toll on Asian-American students. Treating them differently because of their race is a stark departure from equal protection decisions issued early on by this Court, which guarded Chinese immigrants from racial prejudice. And the burdens imposed on petitioner illustrate a wider trend. Asian-Americans are increasingly victimized by discriminatory practices,” the lawmakers say in their brief.REP. MICHELLE STEEL INTRODUCES BILL TO HOLD COLLEGES ACCOUNTABLE FOR USING ‘PERSONALITY TRAITS’ IN ADMISSIONS
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Rep. Michelle Steel, R-Calif., are leading a joint amicus brief signed by 82 Republican lawmakers in the case brought by Students for Fair Admissions.
((Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/Bloomberg via Getty Images)/(Photo by Paul Bersebach/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images))”In my office, on the mantle above the fireplace, sits a bust of the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It’s a daily reminder of the fight for Justice and that our country’s aspiration should be to judge people not on the color of their skin but the content of their character,” Cruz told Fox News Digital.”Harvard University and the University of North Carolina have both lost sight of that. Their blatant discrimination against Asian Americans is wrong, and I hope the Supreme Court will recognize what my colleagues in the House and Senate see: These universities are flagrantly violating our Civil Rights laws. It must end.”
Steel introduced legislation last month aimed at ensuring more transparency in higher education by requiring colleges and universities to be transparent about the usage of “personality traits” in admissions decisions.
White House warns protesters: Justices 'must be able' to do jobs without 'concern' for 'personal safety'
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The White House condemned violent protests and vandalism Monday, and demanded that judges be able to “do their jobs without concern for their personal safety,” as demonstrations over the weekend extended from churches to the homes of Supreme Court justices amid fallout following the release of a draft opinion signaling the high court’s intent to overturn Roe v. Wade.White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Monday said President Biden “strongly believes in the Constitutional right to protest.”PRESIDENT BIDEN ‘STRONGLY CONDEMNS’ MOLOTOV COCKTAIL ATTACK ON WISCONSIN ANTI-ABORTION GROUP”But that should never include violence, threats, or vandalism,” Psaki tweeted. “Judges perform an incredibly important function in our society, and they must be able to do their jobs without concern for their personal safety.”According to federal U.S. code 1507, any individual who “pickets or parades” with the “intent of interfering with, obstructing, or impeding the administration of justice, or with the intent of influencing any judge, juror, witness, or court officer” near a U.S. court or “near a building or residence occupied or used by such judge, juror, witness, or court officer” will be fined, or “imprisoned not more than one year, or both.” Pro-choice groups protested outside the homes of Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh over the weekend.The group “Ruth Sent Us,” which is named after late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, had called on abortion supporters to gather outside the homes of the “six extremist Catholics set out to overturn Roe” and “stand at or in a local Catholic Church” on Mother’s Day. Meanwhile, the group “Shutdown D.C.” is expected to stage a protest outside the home of Justice Samuel Alito on Monday evening. Alito authored the majority draft opinion, which was leaked to the public last week.
Protestors gather outside the Supreme Court to protect abortion rights. (Fox News Digital)