In late June, Texas A&amp;M University student Isaih Martin made headlines after he said he found racist notes on the windshield of his car.
Martin posted a picture of the notes to his Twitter page, which <a href="https://www.kbtx.com/2020/06/26/texas-am-student-says-he-found-racist-notes-on-his-car/">according to KBTX</a> was shared more than 10,000 times. The notes said “All lives matter,” “You don’t belong here,” and one containing the n-word, Martin claimed.
“All three signs were different signs, and one said ‘All lives matter’ and the other said ‘You don’t belong here’, and the other was very explicit, it said the n-word with a hard ‘r&#8217;,” Martin told KBTX. “For them to tell me I don’t belong here, when I have earned my spot like everybody else here, and am working to get a degree like everyone else is, that was just kind of hurtful because if anything I deserve to be here just as much as anybody else.”
Texas A&amp;M responded on Twitter by saying, “Isaih, we are very sorry that this happened to you. Please report any incidents of hate you witness online or in person at <a href="https://t.co/KsF3Rfzgjv?amp=1">http://stophate.tamu.edu</a> so it can be reviewed.”
Martin told KBTX that he has seen things like this happen across the country but never thought it would happen to him.
“Racism is here in college station and that problem needs to be addressed and brought up and needs to be fixed,” he said.
A&amp;M President Michael K. Young offered $1,200 to anyone providing information leading to an arrest.
“Acts of racism are irreconcilable with the values we uphold here at Texas A&amp;M University. Those who promote hate, discrimination and disrespect are not welcomed at this institution. We are tired of bigoted members of our community marring the experiences of students of color,” Young said in <a href="https://president.tamu.edu/messages/those-who-promote-hate-not-welcome-at-texas-am.html?utm_source=TAMUSocial&amp;utm_campaign=TAMU_Social&amp;utm_content=those-who-promote-hate-not-welcome-at-texas-am">a statement</a>. “Let me be clear: Incidents like the one yesterday have no place at Texas A&amp;M. Anyone who believes that hate is acceptable is not wanted at Texas A&amp;M.”
Martin also commented that he never would have gone to A&amp;M if he thought he might be the victim of such an experience.
“To be an Aggie is to be a person of welcoming and accepting nature, and when I first came here on my first college tour here, everyone was so nice everyone was so welcoming,” Martin said. “I never would have thought that I would have experienced this here, going into my senior year. I have almost spent four years in college station and when I first got here, if I knew that, I would have never come to A&amp;M.”
Late last week, Texas A&amp;M police closed the investigation. Just as in nearly every other instance of an alleged hate crime like this, police determined that the accuser was responsible for the notes.
“Nobody has been arrested and we determined there was no offense committed,” Lt. Bobby Richardson, told KBTX, though he wouldn’t elaborate. “Our investigation is closed.”
Two days later, KBTX obtained the police report regarding the incident and discovered police believe Martin left the notes himself. Police wrote that Martin parked his car at his apartment complex shortly after 11:00 a.m. and walked away. Martin said he returned to his car 90 minutes later to discover the notes.
Police said there were no cameras to clearly capture what happened, but nearby surveillance footage showed only a few people walking near Martin’s car during that time frame, none of whom were near the car long enough to post the notes.
Martin, however, returned to his car during that timeframe, police explained in their report:
<blockquote>Martin immediately walks to the passenger side of his vehicle, but does not open any doors. Martin is seen toward the front of his vehicle. A brief white speck is seen from about mid-torso of Martin moving toward his vehicle. Another white speck is seen near his chest area. Martin is then seen stepping back and onto the sidewalk in front of his vehicle, most likely taking photos and videos. He then approaches his vehicle again on the passenger side and remains there for a few moments. He is then seen walking around the front of his vehicle. Martin then enters the driver`s door and drives away a few moments later. The total time spent at his vehicle is 1 minute, 15 seconds.</blockquote>
Police said that “based on video evidence, no other person had enough time to place the messages on Martin`s car other than himself.”
The other people who passed Martin’s vehicle, police say, “were not hidden for more than 5 seconds, and would have had to reach over the hood to place the notes.”
Martin told KBTX he would no longer cooperate with police and claimed there were “several things they did not include in this report,” adding he believed a man walking his dog in the video may have left the notes.
Martin will not face charges for filing a false police report because the notes contained no threat, therefore no crime was committed.
The officer who filed the report wrote that he “was told that this fell under the 1st Amendment free speech protections and that no crime had occurred.”
The university released a statement following the police report:
<blockquote>Racism of any kind has no place at Texas A&amp;M. I appreciate the efforts of university police who investigated with professionalism in pursuit of facts. We will continue to take an active stance to review claims of harassment, stalking and/or related retaliation that violates a person’s civil rights, wherever it may lead. We will continue to develop a safe and welcoming environment.</blockquote>
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Blank Note on Windscreen.

HATE CRIME HOAX: Student Claims He Found Racist Notes On His Car. Police Say He Wrote Them.

Hate Crime

Hoax

Police

Texas

Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a new executive order on Thursday mandating that Texans must wear a face covering when they are out in public in counties that have 20 or more confirmed cases of the coronavirus.
The order <a href="https://open.texas.gov/uploads/files/organization/opentexas/EO-GA-29-use-of-face-coverings-during-COVID-19-IMAGE-07-02-2020.pdf">stated</a> that everyone in the state must wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth &#8220;when inside a commercial entity or other building or space open to the public, or when in an outdoor public space, wherever it is not feasible to maintain six feet of social distancing from another person not in the same household.&#8221;
Abbott&#8217;s decision comes as the state has started to see a spike in recent days, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/07/02/coronavirus-live-updates-us/">including</a> nearly 8,000 new cases on Thursday alone.
Abbott used graphs while speaking at a press conference, saying, &#8220;As you can tell in the last half of May, Texas averaged about 1500 positive cases a day. This past week, that number quadrupled to more than 6,000 positive cases a day.&#8221;
&#8220;Next is a graph showing the rise in the positivity rate, the positivity rate surged from 4.5% in late May to more than 14% today,&#8221; Abbott continued. &#8220;Last is a graph showing the rise in hospitalizations. Hospitalizations for COVID-19 averaged less than 1700 a day in the last part of May. This past week that number tripled to more than 5,700 hospitalizations a day.
Abbott conclude, &#8220;Importantly, these spikes are not limited to just the big cities. More than 91 counties have hit record high numbers in just the past three days all together. These numbers reveal a very stark reality. COVID-19 is not going away, in fact, it’s getting worse. Now more than ever action by everyone is needed until treatments are available for COVID-19.&#8221;
&#8220;Wearing a face covering in public is proven to be one of the most effective ways we have to slow the spread of COVID-19,&#8221; Abbott later said in a press statement. &#8220;We have the ability to keep businesses open and move our economy forward so that Texans can continue to earn a paycheck, but it requires each of us to do our part to protect one another—and that means wearing a face covering in public spaces. Likewise, large gatherings are a clear contributor to the rise in COVID-19 cases.&#8221;
&#8220;Restricting the size of groups gatherings will strengthen Texas’ ability to corral this virus and keep Texans safe,&#8221; Abbott continued. &#8220;We all have a responsibility to slow the spread of COVID-19 and keep our communities safe. If Texans commit to wearing face coverings in public spaces and follow the best health and safety practices, we can both slow the spread of COVID-19 and keep Texas open for business. I urge all Texans to wear a face covering in public, not just for their own health, but for the health of their families, friends, and for all our fellow Texans.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Wearing a face covering in public is proven to be one of the most effective ways to slow the spread of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a> while continuing to keep Texas businesses open. 
Texans should wear a face covering for the health of their families, friends, and for all fellow Texans. <a href="https://t.co/5oWVfZMsph">pic.twitter.com/5oWVfZMsph</a>
&mdash; Gov. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovAbbott/status/1278791653017432065?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers with the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe"> member</a>.

Abbott announces the reopening of more Texas businesses

Texas Governor Greg Abbott Issues Statewide Face Mask Requirement Following Coronavirus Spike

Coronavirus

COVID-19

Face Mask

Greg Abbott

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is pushing government officials and school administrators to allow students to return to class in the fall despite the coronavirus.
The AAP said in a Monday <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/notable-quotable-american-academy-of-pediatrics-11593469707">statement</a> that the cost to children of keeping them separated from school and their classmates may be worse than the disease and lead to abuse, drug use, and even suicide.
<blockquote>The AAP strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students physically present in school. The importance of inperson learning is well-documented, and there is already evidence of the negative impacts on children because of school closures in the spring of 2020. Lengthy time away from school and associated interruption of supportive services often results in social isolation, making it difficult for schools to identify and address important learning deficits as well as child and adolescent physical or sexual abuse, substance use, depression, and suicidal ideation. This, in turn, places children and adolescents at considerable risk of morbidity and, in some cases, mortality.</blockquote>
The child health professionals noted that keeping children from in-class instruction has already had a “substantial impact” on students’ physical health and nutrition, as miss consistent exercise and school meals. As for the threat of the pandemic, the AAP said that the coronavirus is much less dangerous to younger people, and students with healthy immune systems are less likely to spread the disease further, especially if precautions are taken such as wearing face masks in class.
<blockquote>SARS-CoV-2 appears to behave differently in children and adolescents than other common respiratory viruses, such as influenza, on which much of the current guidance regarding school closures is based. Although children and adolescents play a major role in amplifying influenza outbreaks, to date, this does not appear to be the case with SARS-CoV-2. Although many questions remain, the preponderance of evidence indicates that children and adolescents are less likely to be symptomatic and less likely to have severe disease resulting from SARS-CoV-2 infection. In addition, children may be less likely to become infected and to spread infection.</blockquote>
The number of coronavirus cases across states such as California, Florida, and Texas are beginning to rise as states have begun to exit lockdowns, orders that have generally coincided with mass protests that began after Memorial Day across the country. Some states have begun to backtrack on reopening and close down businesses, such as bars, that were recently allowed to restart operations.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/29/us/coronavirus-florida-texas-bars-second-shutdown/index.html">ordered</a> bars again after allowing the businesses to reopen. The governor <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/politics/100000007212734/florida-governor-coronavirus.html">said</a> last week that while cases are spiking across the state, fatality rates are not seeing a similar upswing because the new cases are largely in younger people who are less vulnerable to the virus and more likely to socialize as restrictions are relaxed.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/fauci-coronavirus-vaccine-unlikely-to-achieve-herd-immunity-because-of-anti-vaxxers">Fauci: Coronavirus Vaccine ‘Unlikely’ To Achieve Herd Immunity Because Of Anti-Vaxxers</a>
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

Kindergarten Zoom Class

American Academy of Pediatrics: Get Students Back To School In The Fall

California

Economy

Florida

Texas land commissioner George P. Bush, the eldest son of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, delivered a simple message for rioters who might be thinking about trashing The Alamo: &#8220;Don&#8217;t mess with The Alamo.&#8221;
Bush released a statement on Saturday evening after social media posts claimed that so-called &#8220;protesters&#8221; were wanting to take down The Alamo, which comes as violent rioters have trashed inner cities across the country and have destroyed historical monuments and statues in recent days.
One social media post that went viral online came from lawyer Robert Barnes, who wrote: &#8220;Protesters in San Antonio now demanding tearing down The Alamo.&#8221; The tweet had nearly 9,000 retweets several hours after it was posted.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Protesters in San Antonio now demanding tearing down The Alamo.
&mdash; Robert Barnes (@Barnes_Law) <a href="https://twitter.com/Barnes_Law/status/1271866000351227905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Bush released a statement late on Saturday, saying, &#8220;The Alamo is the Shrine of Texas Liberty. And it will be defended. My office is closely watching the social media posts and rumors from protestors who are threatening to come to The Alamo.&#8221;
&#8220;Rest assured we have already deployed, for several weeks and will continue to do so, the Alamo Rangers in partnership with SAPD, The Department of Public Safety and The National Guard to protect this sacred site,&#8221; Bush continued. &#8220;My message to the protestors is simple: Don&#8217;t mess with The Alamo.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<a href="https://twitter.com/SATXPolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SATXPolice</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TxDPS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TxDPS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialAlamo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OfficialAlamo</a> <a href="https://t.co/XIOl0IpVA6">pic.twitter.com/XIOl0IpVA6</a>
&mdash; George P. Bush (@georgepbush) <a href="https://twitter.com/georgepbush/status/1271943298811334656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The riots and destruction of property came in response to the death of George Floyd a couple of weeks ago in Minneapolis.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott spent time with Floyd&#8217;s family this week.
&#8220;Today I spent time with the #GeorgeFloyd family,&#8221; Abbott wrote on social media alongside two pictures. &#8220;They are wonderful, God loving people. They will be the centerpiece of helping America bridge our racial divide &amp; ensure equality, justice &amp; fairness for everyone in America—&amp; ensure what happened in Minn. never happens in TX.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Today I spent time with the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GeorgeFloyd?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GeorgeFloyd</a> family.
They are wonderful, God loving people.
They will be the centerpiece of helping America bridge our racial divide &amp; ensure equality, justice &amp; fairness for everyone in America—&amp; ensure what happened in Minn. never happens in TX. <a href="https://t.co/DKdbjZOCWh">pic.twitter.com/DKdbjZOCWh</a>
&mdash; Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) <a href="https://twitter.com/GregAbbott_TX/status/1270093131988512781?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
After Floyd&#8217;s death riots broke out in Minneapolis that caused damage to hundreds of businesses.
The Star Tribune <a href="https://www.startribune.com/manufacturer-that-burned-during-mpls-riots-plans-to-move-out-of-the-city/571104922/">reported</a>, &#8220;The city’s first survey of property damage shows that nearly 1,000 commercial properties in Minneapolis were damaged during the riots, including 52 businesses that were completely destroyed and 30 other locations that sustained severe damage.&#8221;
At least one of the businesses that was destroyed during the violent riots announced that it will leave the city after what happened.
The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/it-begins-rioters-burned-down-minneapolis-manufacturer-now-theyre-relocating-taking-jobs-with-them">reported</a>:
<blockquote>The owner of a manufacturing company in Minneapolis that was burned to the ground during last week’s violent riots has announced that he is relocating his company, taking dozens of jobs out of the city, due to the failure of the city’s Democrat leaders to protect businesses.</blockquote>
“They don’t care about my business,” Kris Wyrobek, president and owner of 7-Sigma Inc., told the Star Tribune. “They didn’t protect our people. We were all on our own.”
Wyrobek told the newspaper that it was too late to change his mind about moving his businesses out of the city and that he never in his &#8220;wildest nightmare&#8221; would have thought about moving prior to the riots.
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

Night Time Photo Of The Famous Historic Alamo In San Antonio Texas. Don Despain Of Rekindle.

The State Of Texas Delivers A ‘Simple’ Message To Rioters Thinking About Trashing The Alamo

Alamo

Riots

Three feminist groups are <a href="https://www.lifenews.com/2020/06/12/pro-abortion-feminists-sue-pro-life-group-for-calling-abortion-murder/">suing</a> a Texas pro-life group and its director for describing pro-abortion groups as “criminal” for aiding women to get abortions while calling abortions “murder.”
On Thursday, the Lilith Fund, The Afiya Center and the Texas Equal Access Fund filed suit against Right to Life East Texas and its director, Mark Lee Dickson, accusing them of defamation, as <a href="https://www.news-journal.com/news/local/defamation-lawsuit-filed-against-right-to-life-east-texas-its-director/article_8e100ec6-3a8b-5653-81d5-e92bfbfbccac.html">The Longview News-Journal reports</a>. Lilith Fund executive director Amanda Beatriz Williams stated on Thursday, “Just now, we joined The Afiya Center and (Texas Equal Access) Fund in suing anti-abortion extremist Mark Lee Dickson and Right to Life East Texas for defamation.”
The ACLU of Texas, on behalf of the Texas Equal Access Fund and the Lilith Fund for Reproductive Equity, had sued seven cities in February that said they were sanctuaries for unborn babies but in late May, <a href="https://thetexan.news/aclu-withdraws-lawsuit-against-texas-sanctuary-cities-for-the-unborn/">withdrew the lawsuit</a> after the cities got rid of language describing pro-abortion groups that help women get abortions as “criminal organizations.” The cities’ ordinances barred abortion facilities in city limits.
The ACLU celebrated by <a href="https://twitter.com/ACLUTx/status/1265382860413906944?s=20">tweeting</a>, “Our clients [the Lilith Fund and the TEA Fund], alongside countless other groups, are no longer named ‘criminal organizations’ in these cities. But local community members are the real winners; they won’t have to fear criminal prosecution for advocating for the right to abortion.”
The Lilith Fund echoed, “Y’all remember those towns that tried to ‘band abortion’ and say our work made was ‘criminal organizations?’ Yeah we sued and they backed down real quick. Take note. Abortion funds, providers, and advocates have the constitutional right to perform their work in these communities and everywhere!”as <a href="https://thetexan.news/aclu-withdraws-lawsuit-against-texas-sanctuary-cities-for-the-unborn/">The Texan</a> reported.
Dickson, who had drafted the ordinances, countered that the ACLU’s decision to drop the lawsuit was a “total and complete victory for the cities. We said from the outset that there is no legal basis to challenge these ordinances, and they have been vetted by expert legal counsel. We’re pleased that the ACLU realized this and decided to withdraw its lawsuit.” He added, “This lawsuit was nothing but a publicity stunt to deter other cities from creating sanctuaries for the unborn. But it will end up having the opposite effect. Now even the ACLU acknowledges that there is no basis for challenging these ordinances, and this will embolden other cities and towns to join the sanctuary city for the unborn movement.”
The new lawsuit <a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/465270035/Lilith-Fund-Defamation-Petition-FINAL">states</a>, “In Texas, calling a person or business who has committed no crimes ‘criminal’ is per se defamation,” adding that Dickson and Right To Life East Texas &#8216;have repeatedly stated that Lilith Fund and the other organizations are literal criminals when Defendants know that is not true … Abortion is not a crime in Texas. Abortion is not murder under Texas law. Providing information about abortion is not illegal under Texas law and is, in fact, protected activity and speech … As described in detail below, Defendants’ statements were made before and during efforts to get various city councils to pass an ordinance to enshrine the lies into the municipal books …&#8217;”
Dickson fired back, “The comments they asked me to retract were comments which treated abortion as murder and the abortion-aiding organizations as involved in the criminal act of abortion. I have no reason to retract anything that I said. Abortion is the murder of innocent unborn human beings. The Lilith Fund and other abortion-aiding organizations all take part in the murder of innocent unborn human beings. The statements which I have made are rooted not in my own imagination, but in the law written on all of our hearts, in the Constitution of the United States of America, in the Texas Constitution, and in the laws of the great State of Texas.”
Dickson pointed out that Texas still has pre-Roe v. Wade statutes that criminalize abortion which are still existent, noting, “Until these statutes are repealed by the Legislature that enacted them, they are still the law of the State of Texas. When a court declares a statute to be unconstitutional that does not automatically erase that law. All that means is that those particular laws cannot be enforced in such a way that contradicts that court’s interpretation of the Constitution. The Supreme Court is not the supreme law of the land. According to the Constitution, the Constitution is the supreme law of the land.”
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

Daddys Hands

Feminist Groups Sue Pro-Life Group For Calling Them ‘Criminal’

Abortion

A police chief in central Texas was arrested after he failed to report allegations of sexual misconduct while he worked as a campus officer at Texas A&amp;M University-Central Texas.
The Daily Wire will not name the arrested police chief, who was charged after Killeen police learned he had received an allegation from a student and failed to report the allegations, in violation of the Texas Education Code, KXXV <a href="https://www.kxxv.com/hometown/bell-county/kempner-police-chief-arrested-for-failing-to-report-title-ix-violations">reported</a>.
It is unclear exactly what the student reported to the police chief, but the allegations were alleged against a former employee of the university. Title IX violations can include sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. It is also unclear whether those allegations are going to be investigated now or if they even warranted an investigation in the first place.
The Bell County Attorney’s office reviewed the case, KXXV reported, and charged the police chief with Failure to Report Certain Incidents. A warrant was issued for chief’s arrest on June 2, 2020. The chief turned himself in and his bond was set at $2,000 by Justice of the peace Cliff Coleman.
“Now more than ever, the integrity of the police profession requires thorough impartial investigations, regardless of the status of the accused. The Killeen Police Department stands with survivors of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence or stalking,&#8221; Killeen Chief Charles Kimble told KXXV.
Texas A&amp;M University-Central Texas also released a statement:
<blockquote>We stand in alliance with survivors of Title IX issues and remind them and our public that we are committed to providing a safe learning environment for all of our students. The University&#8217;s Title IX office offers support and services for those affected.</blockquote>
The university made no mention of investigating the student’s claims.
The arrest shows how seriously police and universities are taking allegations of sexual misconduct. Those desires to show their seriousness, however, have led to necessary changes from the U.S. Department of Education, which has issued new guidelines requiring schools to provide accused students and faculty with due process. As The Daily Wire previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/college-students-just-received-free-speech-protections-due-process-rights-thanks-to-the-trump-administration">reported</a>, the new guidelines require schools to provide basic elements of due process – like informing accused students of the specific allegations against them – something that had been disappointingly missing from school policies across the country. More from The Daily Wire:
<blockquote>The new regulations also include the presumption of innocence for accused students, which does not, contrary to what activists say, mean the school begins by disbelieving accusers. It means, just as it does in the American legal system, that both sides are believed until evidence suggests otherwise.
The new rules also abolish the single-investigator model praised by the Obama administration, which allowed one individual to act as investigator, judge, jury, and executioner in Title IX cases. Almost exclusively, these individuals were trained to believe accusers and were given sole discretion on what evidence to consider – with predictably <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/no-such-thing-as-evidence-of-innocence-in-campus-sexual-assault-hearings">disastrous results</a>. Given, even schools that provided hearings to students and allowed others to judge ignored exculpatory evidence.
The new rules require the person who makes the final decision in whether an accused student is responsible to be different from the person who served as the investigator. Further, a finding of responsibility can only come after a hearing is held and a representative for the accused is allowed to ask questions of the accuser. In the justice system, this is known as cross-examination, but on college campuses, it is either strongly hampered or completely disallowed. In many cases, an accused student submits questions to the hearing panel to ask the accuser, but the hearing panel ignores the most important questions that would show discrepancies in an accuser’s story.</blockquote>
Schools must also provide students with the evidence that will be used in the hearing 10 days prior to the hearing. Transcripts of hearings must also be kept.
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

Man with handcuffs

A Police Chief Didn’t Report A Student’s Title IX Allegations, So He Was Arrested

Crime

Title IX

Retired Army lieutenant colonel and former Florida congressman Allen West was airlifted to the hospital on Saturday evening after a serious motorcycle crash in Waco, Texas.
According to an update from Team West, posted Sunday morning, the former congressman is recovering from a concussion, lacerations, and fractured bones &#8212; alive &#8220;by the Grace of God,&#8221; West said.
&#8220;Team West here,&#8221; a tweet posted to West&#8217;s official Twitter account said Saturday. &#8220;We are getting more information about this, but right now, we just ask for your prayers and positivity.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Team West here. We are getting more information about this, but right now, we just ask for your prayers and positivity.
As we get more information, we will provide updates. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PrayersForAllen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PrayersForAllen</a><a href="https://t.co/uw7tMogjEm">https://t.co/uw7tMogjEm</a>
&mdash; Allen West (@AllenWest) <a href="https://twitter.com/AllenWest/status/1264334379473440770?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Around 7 p.m. local time, Team West said, the former congressman was &#8220;at the hospital and undergoing assessment.&#8221;
&#8220;According to law enforcement on the scene, a car cut LTC West off, resulting in two motorcycles colliding, one of which was his. He was transported by helicopter to the hospital, where he is currently in stable condition and undergoing assessment,&#8221; a follow-up post read.
&#8220;Family and members of Team West are at the hospital, and we will continue to provide updates. We appreciate the support and kind notes and solicit your continued prayers,&#8221; the post added. &#8220;#PrayersForAllen.&#8221;
On Sunday morning, Team West issue a longer Facebook post, updating the public on the former lieutenant colonel&#8217;s health.
&#8220;On his drive back from the &#8216;Free Texas Rally&#8217; in Austin, TX, Lt. Col. Allen West was involved in an accident when a car cut in front of him. He is recovering, in stable condition, and has his family with him,&#8221; the post said.
&#8220;Local law enforcement reported that &#8216;an unidentified vehicle changed lanes when unsafe in front of two motorcyclists. The motorcyclist attempted to brake, and the rear motorcyclist crashed into the front motorcyclist. Both motorcyclists were transported to Baylor Scott and White in Waco to be treated for non-life threatening injuries,'&#8221; the statement continued.
&#8220;Allen West is currently dealing with a concussion, several fractured bones, and multiple lacerations. Though these injuries are serious, Lt. Col. West stated, &#8216;I am alive by the grace of God.'&#8221;
West &#8220;plans to continue to be a proponent for freedom and the state of Texas, and will resume his normal calendar of activities as given clearance by his medical team,&#8221; the statement added. &#8220;LTC West thanks the public for their well-wishes and outpouring of support, and continued prayers on his behalf are appreciated.&#8221;
The news of the serious crash sparked well wishes and prayers from conservatives online.
&#8220;Praying for Allen West, a friend and patriot,&#8221; posted radio host Dana Loesch.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Praying for Allen West, a friend and patriot. <a href="https://t.co/7P43PcnSe7">https://t.co/7P43PcnSe7</a>
&mdash; Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) <a href="https://twitter.com/DLoesch/status/1264342041334595584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;Just heard news that [Allen West] was involved in a motorcycle accident near Waco this afternoon. Please join me in sending prayers for a quick recovery. <a class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-901oao css-16my406 r-1n1174f r-1loqt21 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" role="link" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PrayersForAllen?src=hashtag_click" data-focusable="true">#PrayersForAllen</a>,&#8221; wrote George P. Bush, commissioner of the Texas General Land Office. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Just heard news that <a href="https://twitter.com/AllenWest?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AllenWest</a> was involved in a motorcycle accident near Waco this afternoon. Please join me in sending prayers for a quick recovery. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PrayersForAllen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PrayersForAllen</a>
&mdash; George P. Bush (@georgepbush) <a href="https://twitter.com/georgepbush/status/1264333136617451521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The Blaze&#8217;s Sara Gonzales posted, &#8220;Prayer warriors: please pray for Lt Colonel [Allen West], who I just learned was in a motorcycle accident. He is a good friend and true patriot. <a class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-901oao css-16my406 r-1n1174f r-1loqt21 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" role="link" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PrayersForAllen?src=hashtag_click" data-focusable="true">#PrayersForAllen</a>.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Prayer warriors: please pray for Lt Colonel <a href="https://twitter.com/AllenWest?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AllenWest</a>, who I just learned was in a motorcycle accident. He is a good friend and true patriot. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PrayersForAllen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PrayersForAllen</a>
&mdash; Sara Gonzales (@SaraGonzalesTX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SaraGonzalesTX/status/1264349662892429317?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
West is currently a candidate for the chair of the Texas GOP.
According to <a href="https://www.kwtx.com/content/news/Allen-West--570726981.html">KWTX</a>, the other motorcyclist suffered non-life threatening injuries from the collision.
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<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AllenBWest/posts/10159672768906729" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore">
Team West here with the latest update as reported in the official press release posted this morning:On his drive back&#8230;
Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AllenBWest/">Allen West</a> on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AllenBWest/posts/10159672768906729">Sunday, May 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
</div>
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

Allen West

Team Allen West Issues Health Update After Serious Motorcycle Collision

On his popular podcast show Wednesday, host and comedian Joe Rogan said he is seriously considering relocating from California to Texas in response to the deep-blue state&#8217;s overly &#8220;restrictive&#8221; response to the coronavirus and its &#8220;ridiculous&#8221; taxes.
&#8220;I might move to Texas,&#8221; Rogan said, citing serious previous discussions he&#8217;s had about it (video below).
&#8220;Here&#8217;s the thing, if California continues to be restrictive, I don’t know if this is a good place to live,&#8221; said the popular podcast host. &#8220;First of all, it&#8217;s extremely expensive — the taxes here are ridiculous.&#8221;
&#8220;And if they really say that we can&#8217;t do standup until 2022, or some sh** like that, I might jet,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;I&#8217;m not kidding. I&#8217;m not kidding. This is silly. I don&#8217;t need to be here.&#8221;
&#8220;The only reason why I&#8217;m here is because I&#8217;m close to people like you,&#8221; he added. &#8220;A lot of my friends live here, the [Comedy] Store is here. But if they won&#8217;t let us do the Store, but we can do stand up in other places, why would we stay here?&#8221;
Asked where in Texas he would consider moving, Rogan cited Austin and Dallas as potential landing spots. &#8220;I like Austin a lot, I like Dallas a lot. I like Houston, but I don&#8217;t know if I&#8217;d live in Houston,&#8221; he said, noting the humidity in the area.
Rogan&#8217;s threat to leave the state comes after Los Angeles County&#8217;s Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said earlier this week that &#8220;based on all of the data that we’re looking at ,&#8221; county officials &#8220;know with all certainty that we’ll be extending health officer orders for the next three months.&#8221;
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has since attempted to &#8220;clarify&#8221; that the city will not continue to enforce a full lockdown on &#8220;non-essential&#8221; businesses for three months and will continue to take &#8220;brave&#8221; steps toward reopening. But Garcetti also announced this week that all residents must now wear face coverings outside their homes. “We’re requiring all Angelenos to wear face coverings when they leave the house,” Garcetti said in a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/los-angeles-mayor-eric-garcetti-orders-all-residents-must-wear-face-coverings-when-they-leave-home">statement</a> Wednesday. “There are exceptions in place for small children or those with disabilities.”
&#8220;Our Safer at Home order will remain in place beyond May 15. Depending on public health conditions, we will continue to adjust the order to safely allow more businesses to operate and more people to get back to work,&#8221; said the mayor. &#8220;All retail locations — from electronics to beauty stores — will now be allowed to open for curbside and doorside pickup and delivery. We are also allowing manufacturing that supports retail that is opening at reduced capacity as long as they can adhere to safety protocols.&#8221;
Video below via &#8220;The Joe Rogan Experience&#8221;:
<iframe title="Joe Rogan Ponders Move to Texas, Calls Bryan Callen" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9OUz6I5UORg?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

Joe Rogan

WATCH: Joe Rogan Makes The Case For Moving To Texas Over California’s Shutdown Orders

A <a href="https://www.axios.com/coronavirus-cases-map-high-risk-states-8ceeaa05-cc07-4e8b-b9f4-df3a3315f143.html">new report from Axios</a> shows that some of the states embracing early release from coronavirus-related lockdowns are not experiencing the immediate spike in COVID-19 cases as experts feared &#8212; and some, like Florida, Georgia, and Texas, are actual seeing continued declines in the number of diagnosed COVID-19 cases.
It is still far too early to tell whether releasing lockdowns was the right decision, but Axios notes that experts expected a rise in cases to take place immediately, particularly where governors have issued blanket lockdown releases, and those spikes simply haven&#8217;t materialized.
Axios&#8217; <a href="https://www.axios.com/coronavirus-cases-map-high-risk-states-8ceeaa05-cc07-4e8b-b9f4-df3a3315f143.html">COVID-19 diagnosis map</a> shows that most states are now over the &#8220;curve&#8221; and past the &#8220;peak&#8221; of coronavirus cases, with many states seeing decreases of more than 30% in just the last two weeks. The notable exception is South Dakota, which is suffering through a handful of isolated coronavirus outbreaks, largely in meat processing and packing plants.
The outlet compared two straight weeks of coronavirus reports in order to &#8220;eliminate&#8221; what they consider to be differing variables between states. Some states are still working on expanding testing for the virus, others limit who can be tested, and some states are having difficulty reporting granular data about outbreaks.
Because of the way coronavirus lies dormant in a victim before it produces symptoms &#8212; in some cases for up to a week &#8212; experts expected Wednesday&#8217;s news to bring big spikes in states under the spotlight, like Georgia, Florida, and Texas, which &#8220;opened up&#8221; almost completely last Friday. In Florida, most beaches and public areas are now open and in Georgia and Texas, many person-to-person services are allowed to reopen and restaurants can allow seated dining, rather than just delivery or takeout.
&#8220;Florida’s new cases have actually declined by 14% compared to the previous week, and Georgia’s fell by 12%,&#8221; Axios reported.
Georgia, of course, defied even President Donald Trump in deciding to release lockdowns completely. Its results may change, but the initial look appears hopeful. Axios notes that &#8220;[n]one of this means any state is in the clear — as more businesses open and more people venture back out into the world, the risk of a second wave grows. But it’s an encouraging early sign.&#8221;
Per <a href="https://www.statesman.com/news/20200512/texas-counts-1000-new-coronavirus-cases-for-5th-straight-day">local outlets</a>, Texas diagnoses are steady. There have been 1,000 new cases in Texas per day for the last five days, showing little change from lockdown to opening. On Wednesday, though, the state appeared to see a &#8220;slight decrease&#8221; in new cases, according to reporter Nicole Russell.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Texas opened up about 10 days ago. Slight decrease in new cases. Hopeful news. <a href="https://t.co/TNkIdbu3zT">pic.twitter.com/TNkIdbu3zT</a>
&mdash; Nicole Russell (@russell_nm) <a href="https://twitter.com/russell_nm/status/1260602555412905989?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2020</a></blockquote>
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In Florida, experts excitedly pointed to a sudden spike in coronavirus cases earlier this week as evidence Florida&#8217;s decision to lift the lockdown was a failure, but, the <a href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/coronavirus/article242670551.html">Miami Herald now reports</a>, that spike was part of an outbreak affecting Miami nuring homes &#8212; a now-familiar scenario across the country.
Instead of rescinding the lockdown lift, Florida now says it will mandate testing in nursing and other adult care facilities and provide sick pay for low wage nursing home caregivers.
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

Georgia sign

Florida, Georgia, Texas See Slight DECLINES In Coronavirus Cases Despite Opening

Georgia

lockdown

The office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton told three of the state’s largest cities to ease up on strict coronavirus regulations or risk defending their rules in court.
Paxton’s office sent letters to Austin Mayor Steve Adler, Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff and Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins on Tuesday, according to <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2020/05/12/texas-attorney-general-warn-cities-coronavirus/">The Texas Tribune</a>. The AG’s office warned the officials about “unconstitutional and unlawful restrictions” that may be challenged in court if not rectified soon.
In <a href="https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/admin/2020/Press/Travis%20County%20and%20the%20City%20of%20Austin%20Letter_05122020.pdf">three</a> <a href="https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/admin/2020/Press/Bexar%20County%20and%20the%20City%20of%20San%20Antonio%20Letter_05122020.pdf">similar</a> <a href="https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/admin/2020/Press/Dallas%20County%20Letter_05122020.pdf">letters</a>, Deputy Attorney General for Legal Counsel Ryan Vassar directed the cities to bring their coronavirus restrictions in line with Gov. Greg Abbott’s Executive Order GA-21 controlling the gradual reopening of the Texas economy.
“Unlike the governor’s order, which protects the robust constitutional and statutory rights protecting Texans’ free exercise of religion, your local orders unlawfully trample religious freedom and expose the county and the city to legal liability,” Vassar said in the San Antonio letter.
“Insofar as your local orders conflict with Executive Order GA-21 by restricting essential or reopened [businesses], they are invalid and unenforceable,” Vassar continued.
The deputy attorney general also pointed out where each city conflicted with the governor’s directive on the use of masks, shelter-in-place orders, criminal penalties for emergency order violations, and other more onerous regulations.
Jenkins pushed back against Vassar’s letter, claiming that Dallas County coronavirus regulations were crafted to adhere to the governor’s order, suggesting he is being hypocritical in &#8220;not want[ing] his own guidelines followed.&#8221;
“We intentionally modeled the public health guidelines based on the Governor’s recommendations, never imagining he did not want his own guidelines followed. I ask the public to make decisions based on the recommendations of public health professionals: our lives depend on it,” Jenkins said in a statement.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
STATEMENT from Dallas County <a href="https://twitter.com/JudgeClayJ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JudgeClayJ</a> after the Texas Attorney General sent him a letter this afternoon saying the county pandemic order was too restrictive and in conflict with the state. <a href="https://t.co/58wp0Loa8g">pic.twitter.com/58wp0Loa8g</a>
&mdash; Jason Whitely (@JasonWhitely) <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonWhitely/status/1260336657565396994?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Nirenberg and Wolff responded to the state AG’s letter during a Tuesday press briefing, according to <a href="https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/05/13/coronavirus-update-san-antonio-may-12-mayor-county-judge-dismiss-political-letter-from-attorney-generals-office/">KSAT</a>.
“It’s frustrating that a letter from the (attorney general), which is a political letter from a politician, is reported as fact,” Nirenberg said. Wolff followed up expressing confusion at the letter saying it sends “a lot of mixed signals.”
Abbott has taken a tiered approach to reopening the state. The state has already lifted restrictions for two of the three waves of reopening, the last come as early as May 18. Almost all businesses will remain limited in operation or capacity, however.
In the first wave, restaurants, movie theaters, museums, and churches were <a href="https://www.littler.com/publication-press/publication/open-texas-plan-phase-2-governors-covid-19-reopening-plan">allowed</a> to open with limited capacity, followed by businesses such as barber shops and tanning salons in the second wave. Office buildings and manufacturers that were deemed non-essential and gyms will be allowed to open as early as May 18, barring a flare-up in cases of the coronavirus that could extend the partial shutdown or cause some rules to be put back in place.
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

Greg Abbott, Ken Paxton

Texas AG Orders Cities To Roll Back ‘Unlawful Restrictions’ On Churches, Businesses

Ken paxton

A Texas county is openly courting Elon Musk after the Tesla CEO said he was moving company headquarters out of California over “unelected &amp; ignorant” health officials.
Hidalgo County judge Richard Cortez wrote an open letter to Musk on Monday arguing that Hidalgo is the ideal regulatory environment for Musk’s electric car manufacturing company. On Saturday, Musk <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/the-final-straw-elon-musk-says-hell-move-tesla-headquarters-out-of-california-file-lawsuit-over-restrictions">announced</a> that he was suing California’s Alameda County over strict coronavirus regulations and that he is moving Tesla’s HQ out of state.
“I have recently read of your displeasure with authorities in California and your desire to relocate to Texas ‘immediately.’ I wanted to reach out to you to let you know that Hidalgo County, Texas is available to immediately accommodate you and Tesla Motors,” Cortez wrote, according to a copy of his letter posted to Twitter.
“We have a community of manufacturing facilities called maquiladoras that operate on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, based in Hidalgo County, which caters to automobile manufacturing operations in Monterrey, Mexico – a short two hours away and contributes to Mexico now being the fourth largest automotive exporter in the world,” the letter continued.
Cortez also touted Texas Gov. Greg Abbott as “pro-business” and the county’s “hard-working and comparatively young” workforce. He also offered to help Musk pick out a location to begin building Tesla’s new headquarters and factories.
Musk gave no hint as to whether he would accept Cortez’s offer, responding simply that the “note is much appreciated.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Note is much appreciated
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1259899289381175303?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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On Saturday, Tesla filed a lawsuit against Alameda County over its lockdown order that has kept the manufacturer’s Fremont factory shuttered since March 23. On Monday, Musk <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/elon-musk-reopens-tesla-plant-against-california-countys-orders">announced</a> that he would violate the county’s emergency regulations and open the factory.
“Tesla is restarting production today against Alameda County rules. I will be on the line with everyone else. If anyone is arrested, I ask that it only be me,” Musk said.
Musk reached his breaking point with Alameda County officials after fighting with the county’s Interim Public Health Officer Dr. Erica Pan on opening the Fremont factory. Musk has threatened to close down the Fremont plant contingent on how Tesla is treated moving forward.
“Tesla is filing a lawsuit against Alameda County immediately. The unelected &amp; ignorant ‘Interim Health Officer’ of Alameda is acting contrary to the Governor, the President, our Constitutional freedoms &amp; just plain common sense!” Musk said on Saturday.
“Frankly, this is the final straw. Tesla will now move its HQ and future programs to Texas/Nevada immediately. If we even retain Fremont manufacturing activity at all, it will be dependent on how Tesla is treated in the future. Tesla is the last carmaker left in CA,” Musk added.
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

Elon Musk

‘Pro-Business’ Texas County Is Courting Elon Musk After He Said Tesla Was Leaving California

Shelley Luther is a small-business owner of a hair salon in Dallas. Struggling to make ends meet, Luther defied her local government and reopened her hair salon. She was fined, and she persisted. A court then found her in contempt for defying local orders and sent her to jail. On Thursday, the Texas Supreme Court ordered her released. It should have never gotten that far. Luther should not have gone to jail for opening her hair salon. It is a remarkable overreach against a woman struggling to get by and take care of her family.
Also, Luther should not have reopened her business.
For the past two months, I have been paying for haircuts that I did not get. I have sent extra money to my barbershop to help some of the younger barbers who do not have a lot of clients. Not everyone is in a position to do that. Many people cannot. But some could and chose not to until after Luther made her stand.
I am afraid we have lost the ability to see the nuance in so much of this. Overbearing local officials need to show a level of restraint so people do not willfully ignore the law. But people need to respect the rule of law.
The argument used by Luther is the same argument used by many illegal aliens who cross into this country. They just want to work to feed their families. Many of Luther&#8217;s defenders are undoubtedly opposed to illegal immigrants doing so. They can see the benefits of citizenship, but that only goes so far. Both are disrespecting the rule of law.
One can argue about the justice of the laws, but everyone can question any law they do not like. Also, the very same people who are happy the government rounded up Luther will defend illegal aliens. The sides are still divided, but the roles are reversed.
Scripture tells us to honor the law and that breaking any law is a sin, unless the law itself violates God&#8217;s law. It was not sinful for Martin Luther King Jr. and civil rights activists to defy laws that treated people differently based on the color of their skin. God is colorblind. Justice must be.
But during a pandemic, it is within the rights of the government to order some businesses closed. Christians should honor those laws, including Luther, whose business, like all other hair salons in the area, had to close. The government had the legitimate, lawful and just ability to do that to stop a virus from spreading, and people of faith must honor the law.
Be outraged at the government for wanting to jail a woman during a pandemic whose only crime is trying to survive. There is a level of hypocrisy in the enforcement. Fine her, and close her shop, but putting her in jail is nuts. Couple justice with mercy. Let&#8217;s also be outraged at the government for not helping her while she was closed. The Payroll Protection Program has been botched all around. Congress and the state and local governments have spent much time focused on the Fortune 500&#8217;s lobbyists that they ignored the men and women who had no lobbyist.
There have been failures all around. The situation on all sides is complicated and requires far more sympathy than many people want to give. What we should give is grace — grace to a government trying to navigate a pandemic and grace to the small-business owner trying to survive.
What we have in Dallas is a failure, but it is a failure on all sides and one that is increasingly politicized. The rule of law needs to be respected, even the ones you don&#8217;t like. But that does not mean the enforcers of the law need to be aggressive about enforcement. It also does not mean we need to cheer one side or the other when both have merit to their argument and both should have acted differently.
Luther should never have opened. Her customers should have supported her through tough times. The local government should never have carted her off to jail.
To find out more about Erick Erickson and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

Salon

ERICKSON: The Jailed Businesswoman

Shelley Luther

Shelley Luther, the Dallas salon owner who was jailed this week for defying the county&#8217;s stay-at-home order when she opened up her business, joined Fox News host Sean Hannity on Thursday night, where she got an unexpected surprise.
After describing the situation with the <a href="https://heavy.com/news/2020/05/eric-moye-judge/">Democrat activist</a> judge who ordered her to serve a week in jail and pay a $7,000 fine, Luther said that she opened her business because she was behind on her mortgage and her stylists were also struggling to make ends meet.
&#8220;I’m two months behind on my mortgage and my stylists were telling me that they wanted to, you know, what do you think if I do underground and go to people’s houses?&#8221; Luther said. &#8220;And I just said, you know, that’s not a good idea because we can’t control the environment there. We don’t know if it’s been disinfected or anything like that. And I just decided I would open to create a safe place for the stylists, and to make sure I wasn’t the reason they weren’t making money.&#8221;
&#8220;We tried to use the gloves at first and that’s kind of hard for the hair stylists,&#8221; Luther continued. &#8220;The nail techs of course did, but we made sure that I had no clients waiting inside the salon at all. So I had chairs six feet apart outside of the salon so we had no one waiting, and when a stylist was ready, wearing a mask of course, didn’t let any clients come in without a mask. They instantly sanitized their hands. The hair stylists sanitized their hands and they came in, they did the cut and that person left. And so there were no magazines and there were no drinks. And of course everybody had to wear a mask to come in.&#8221;
A few moments later, Hannity told Luther that he was going to be making a donation to her shop because he wanted her and her employees to be able to make it through the economic crisis.
Video and transcript below:
<iframe title="Recently freed salon owner speaks out in exclusive ‘Hannity’ interview" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nR5Z2kRPmAc?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
TRANSCRIPT:
<blockquote>SEAN HANNITY, FOX NEWS HOST: Shelley Luther, thank God you’re free. How are you doing?
SHELLEY LUTHER, SALON A LA MODE OWNER: I’m doing a lot better now. Thank you so much.
HANNITY: When the judge said to apologize, we had your boyfriend on last night. So it reminded me of William Wallace in “Braveheart”. The prisoner would like to speak a word. You need to apologize &#8212; what where you thinking when he said you need to apologize to the politicians. I was like, what?
LUTHER: I don’t &#8212; I think he was referring to Clay Jenkins, the, you know, county commissioner. That was the last thing I was going to do honestly because the way that he has acted during this entire thing is just ridiculous. So I &#8212; I just couldn’t &#8212; I couldn’t bring myself to apologize.
HANNITY: A good &#8212; I admire your courage. How was jail? I’m sure it wasn’t pleasant. And I heard there’s corona virus in that jail.
LUTHER: It’s definitely not pleasant but fortunately I had a cell by myself. It had a rec area that had other individuals in there. The worst thing was that I didn’t get to call anybody when I got there the whole first night and that’s kind of scary because I have, you know, a daughter that just turned 17 at home. And if my boyfriend wasn’t there to tell, you know, talk to her or anything she &#8212; I wouldn’t have come home and she wouldn’t have known where I was.
HANNITY: That’s pretty scary. Tell us why you decided to open? And what measures for safety did you take?
LUTHER: Well, it wasn’t, I mean, we were shutdown March 22nd so it had been several weeks that, you know, the government was kind of telling us the money was coming and the &#8212; actually the Dallas County Judge &#8212; Clay Jenkins kept pushing back the date of when we would open. Weeks out in advance before even hearing any new comings of what was going on with masks or whatever and when he finally pushed it back a final time I just said &#8212; I just woke up one day and I said, I have to open. My stylists are calling me. They’re not making their mortgage. I was &#8212; at &#8212; right now I still am not caught up.
I’m two months behind on my mortgage and my stylists were telling me that they wanted to, you know, what do you think if I do underground and go to people’s houses? And I just said, you know, that’s not a good idea because we can’t control the environment there. We don’t know if it’s been disinfected or anything like that and I just decided I would open to create a safe place for the stylists. And to make sure I wasn’t the reason they weren’t making money.
HANNITY: Which I had heard you did. This thing is real. I’m in New York. I see this from a different perspective. What we &#8212; when you opened were you all wearing masks? Are you planning to wear masks? How do you plan on doing it? But as I saw, like, I was actually impressed with Georgia they have this nail salons. They have this plexiglass, everyone’s in masks and gloves. You were using all that I heard.
LUTHER: Yes. Yes &#8212; we weren’t using &#8212; we tried to use the gloves at first and that’s kind of hard for the hair stylists. The nail techs of course did but we made sure that I had no clients waiting inside the salon at all. So I had chairs six feet apart outside of the salon so we had no one waiting and when a stylist was ready, wearing a mask of course, didn’t let any clients come in without a mask. They instantly sanitized their hands. The hair stylists sanitized their hands and they came in, they did the cut and that person left. And so &#8212;
HANNITY: With a mask on I understand &#8212;
LUTHER: &#8212; there were no magazines and there were no drinks. And of course everybody had to wear a mask to come in.
HANNITY: How many people work for you?
LUTHER: They don’t work for me but I usually have about 19 stylists in there at a time.
HANNITY: I’m going to make a donation to your shop. I want you and your workers to at least get over the hump. You can pass that on to our producers. I’m sorry you had to go through that. I’m glad you’re free and we’re praying that every business can open safely soon. And you showed a lot of courage, you’re an inspiration. Thank you.
LUTHER: Thank you so much.
HANNITY: More Hannity after this.
LUTHER: I really appreciate it.</blockquote>
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

Dallas Salon Owner Arrested For Opening Business Gets Big Surprise From Hannity During Interview

Dallas

A GoFundMe account for Shelley Luther, who made national headlines after she was sentenced to 7 days in jail after refusing to tell a court she was &#8220;selfish&#8221; for reopening her salon despite an ongoing stay-at-home order, has now been officially closed to new donations after racking up a stunning $500,110 in just a few days.
&#8220;Shelley Luther is an American Hero that has decided to resist tyranny by opening her business against an unlawful State Executive Order,&#8221; reads the <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/shelley-luther-fund">GoFundMe page</a> set up on behalf of Luther by Rick Hire of Richmond, Texas. &#8220;Her business, SALON A LA MODE offers services for hair and nails, microblading, permanent makeup, professional event makeup, braiding and more! Shelley and her team will likely face legal action, fines, and more during her journey back to freedom. She is doing what everyone else is only talking about, in a patriotic move to take back her liberty! Please support Shelley, and her employees by contributing to this worthy cause. You will not just be supporting Shelley, but you will be supporting the idea that our founders put in writing in the Constitution. 100% of all donations will go directly to Shelley Luther.&#8221;
Shelley was slapped with a $7,000 fine and sentenced to a week behind bars on Tuesday by Dallas Judge Eric Moye after she refused to say that she was wrong to open her salon.
&#8220;Judge, I would like to say that I have much respect for this court and laws and that I have never been in this position before, and it’s not someplace that I want to be,&#8221; she told Moye. &#8220;But I have to disagree with you, sir, when you say that I’m selfish because feeding my kids is not selfish. I have hair stylists that are going hungry because they’d rather feed their kids. So, sir, if you think the law is more important than kids getting fed, then please go ahead with your decision, but I am not going to shut the salon.&#8221;
Luther&#8217;s lawyer Warren Norred maintains that her client was “unlawfully arrested and jailed.”
“I’m concerned that the judicial system in Dallas is more concerned for one perspective on the rule of law than it is the plight of working people trying to make a living,” <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/tx-lt-gov-dan-patrick-to-pay-7k-fine-of-arrested-salon-owner-offers-to-serve-her-jail-sentence-so-she-can-work">said</a> Norred. “Though the rule of law is cited by the court, there exists no exception for cities to the general rule that an injunction must be supported by a bond. Without an enforceable injunction, no contempt can be found. Our position is that Ms. Luther has been unlawfully arrested and jailed. I hope to obtain a writ of habeas corpus very soon.”
Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, who demanded Wednesday that Luther be immediately released, also announced that he would personally pay the fine and serve the jail sentence on her behalf. Meanwhile, as <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-texas-salon-owner-shelley-luther-released-from-prison">The Daily Wire</a> reported, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) &#8220;has since amended his executive orders so Texans who attempt to work against state orders will not be subject to confinement.&#8221;
Amid massive public pressure and with both the Texas governor and lt. governor condemning Moye&#8217;s ruling, the Texas Supreme Court <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-texas-salon-owner-shelley-luther-released-from-prison">ordered</a> Thursday that Luther be released while the court considers her petition.
Upon her release Thursday, an emotional Luther was met with cheering supporters. &#8220;I&#8217;m a little overwhelmed, and I don&#8217;t wanna scare the kids, I&#8217;m okay,&#8221; she said. &#8220;But I just want to thank all of you I just barely met. And now you&#8217;re all my friends. You mean so much to me and this would have been nothing without you. Thank you so, so much.&#8221;
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

High Angle View Of Paper Currency On American Flag

GoFundMe For Dallas Salon Owner Raises Massive Money

An emotional Shelley Luther thanked those gathered in support when she was freed from jail on Thursday, after opening her salon in defiance of a stay-at-home order.
&#8220;I&#8217;m a little overwhelmed, and I don&#8217;t wanna scare the kids, I&#8217;m okay,&#8221; started a tearful Luther. &#8220;But I just want to thank all of you I just barely met. And now you&#8217;re all my friends. You mean so much to me and this would have been nothing without you. Thank you so, so much.&#8221;
&#8220;I&#8217;ll have more to say when I can gather myself, but I&#8217;m a little overwhelmed,&#8221; added the salon owner.
Luther was sentenced Tuesday to a week in jail and a $7,000 fine for opening her salon in defiance of state orders, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-texas-governor-abbott-calls-for-immediate-release-from-jail-of-salon-owner-who-opened-shop">The Daily Wire</a> reported.
The businesswoman gained national attention when she gave Dallas Judge Eric Moye a sharp response to his claim that she was “selfish” for opening her salon.
“Judge, I would like to say that I have much respect for this court and laws and that I have never been in this position before and it’s not someplace that I want to be,” the Texas salon owner told the judge. “But I have to disagree with you, sir, when you say that I’m selfish because feeding my kids is not selfish.”
“I have hair stylists that are going hungry because they’d rather feed their kids,” she continued. “So, sir, if you think the law is more important than kids getting fed, then please go ahead with your decision, but I am not going to shut the salon.”
Luther&#8217;s lawyer <a href="https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/coronavirus/ag-paxton-gov-abbott-call-for-release-of-dallas-salon-owner/2364608/">Warren Norred</a> said her client was “unlawfully arrested and jailed.”
“I’m concerned that the judicial system in Dallas is more concerned for one perspective on the rule of law than it is the plight of working people trying to make a living,” Norred said, as noted by <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/tx-lt-gov-dan-patrick-to-pay-7k-fine-of-arrested-salon-owner-offers-to-serve-her-jail-sentence-so-she-can-work">The Daily Wire</a>. “Though the rule of law is cited by the court, there exists no exception for cities to the general rule that an injunction must be supported by a bond. Without an enforceable injunction, no contempt can be found. Our position is that Ms. Luther has been unlawfully arrested and jailed. I hope to obtain a writ of habeas corpus very soon. ”
Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick announced Wednesday he’d pay the $7,000 fine and would volunteer to serve her 7-day jail sentence. “7 days in jail, no bail and a $7K fine is outrageous,” he posted via Twitter. “No surprise Texans are responding. I’m covering the $7K fine she had to pay and I volunteer to be placed under House Arrest so she can go to work and feed her kids.”
Republican Governor Greg Abbott of Texas has since amended his executive orders so Texans who attempt to work against state orders will not be subject to confinement.
As seen below, Luther was met with cheers and chants upon her release from jail:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Watch the moment salon owner Shelley Luther walks out of the Dallas County Jail after the Texas Supreme Court called for her release: <a href="https://t.co/BlgFkJv1LL">pic.twitter.com/BlgFkJv1LL</a>
&mdash; Young Americans for Liberty (@YALiberty) <a href="https://twitter.com/YALiberty/status/1258471418418864135?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Here&#8217;s Luther addressing the crowd:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Salon owner Shelley Luther walks out of jail and breaks down in tears: 
&quot;I just want to thank all of you I just barely met. And now you&#39;re all my friends. You mean so much to me and this would have been nothing without you. Thank you so, so much.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/cNzLnzPot3">pic.twitter.com/cNzLnzPot3</a>
&mdash; Young Americans for Liberty (@YALiberty) <a href="https://twitter.com/YALiberty/status/1258473573976547329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/sting-operation-texas-women-face-180-days-in-jail-after-neighbors-alert-police-theyre-giving-manicures-at-home">Texas Women Face 180 Days In Jail After Neighbors Alert Police They’re Giving Manicures At Home</a>
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

WATCH: Emotional Salon Owner Speaks After Jail Release For Opening Business In Defiance Of Stay-At-Home Order

A Dallas salon owner who broke a lockdown order to open her business was ordered released from jail on Thursday.
&#8220;Texas Supreme Court orders Shelley Luther, imprisoned for contempt for violating order to close her Dallas salon, RELEASED from prison,&#8221; posted Austin American-Statesman reporter Chuck Lindell.
&#8220;Release from JAIL ordered under request for emergency relief while Supreme Court considers Luther&#8217;s petition,&#8221; he reported. &#8220;Response due by 4 p.m. Monday.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Release from JAIL ordered under request for emergency relief while Supreme Court considers Luther&#39;s petition. Response due by 4 p.m. Monday.
&mdash; Chuck Lindell (@chucklindell) <a href="https://twitter.com/chucklindell/status/1258421407140270080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Luther was sentenced Tuesday to a week in jail and a $7,000 fine for opening her salon in defiance of state orders, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-texas-governor-abbott-calls-for-immediate-release-from-jail-of-salon-owner-who-opened-shop">The Daily Wire</a> reported.
The salon owner gained national attention when she gave Dallas Judge Eric Moye a poignant message after he accused her of being &#8220;selfish&#8221; for opening her salon in defiance of the stay-at-home order.
“Judge, I would like to say that I have much respect for this court and laws and that I have never been in this position before and it’s not someplace that I want to be,&#8221; Luther said. &#8220;But I have to disagree with you, sir, when you say that I’m selfish because feeding my kids — is not selfish.&#8221;
&#8220;I have hair stylists that are going hungry because they’d rather feed their kids,&#8221; she continued. &#8220;So, sir, if you think the law is more important than kids getting fed, then please go ahead with your decision, but I am not going to shut the salon.”
<a href="https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/coronavirus/ag-paxton-gov-abbott-call-for-release-of-dallas-salon-owner/2364608/">Warren Norred</a>, a lawyer representing Luther, said her client was &#8220;unlawfully arrested and jailed.&#8221;
“I’m concerned that the judicial system in Dallas is more concerned for one perspective on the rule of law than it is the plight of working people trying to make a living,” Norred said, as noted by <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/tx-lt-gov-dan-patrick-to-pay-7k-fine-of-arrested-salon-owner-offers-to-serve-her-jail-sentence-so-she-can-work">The Daily Wire</a>. “Though the rule of law is cited by the court, there exists no exception for cities to the general rule that an injunction must be supported by a bond. Without an enforceable injunction, no contempt can be found. Our position is that Ms. Luther has been unlawfully arrested and jailed. I hope to obtain a writ of habeas corpus very soon. ”
Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick reacted to Luther&#8217;s situation on Wednesday, announcing he&#8217;d pay the $7,000 fine and would volunteer to serve her 7-day jail sentence.
&#8220;7 days in jail, no bail and a $7K fine is outrageous,&#8221; he posted via Twitter. &#8220;No surprise Texans are responding. I’m covering the $7K fine she had to pay and I volunteer to be placed under House Arrest so she can go to work and feed her kids.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
7 days in jail, no bail and a $7K fine is outrageous. No surprise Texans are responding. I’m covering the $7K fine she had to pay and I volunteer to be placed under House Arrest so she can go to work and feed her kids. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/txlege?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#txlege</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TexansHelpingTexans?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TexansHelpingTexans</a> <a href="https://t.co/gdtMLAHFV5">https://t.co/gdtMLAHFV5</a>
&mdash; Dan Patrick (@DanPatrick) <a href="https://twitter.com/DanPatrick/status/1258140452253061123?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX) on Wednesday also ripped the actions taken against Luther. &#8220;I join the Attorney General in disagreeing with the excessive action by the Dallas Judge, putting Shelley Luther in jail for seven days,&#8221; he said in a statement. &#8220;As I have made clear through prior pronouncements, jailing Texans for non-compliance with executive orders should always be the last available option. Compliance with executive orders during this pandemic is important to ensure public safety; however, surely there are less restrictive means to achieving that goal than jailing a Texas mother.&#8221;
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

Young beautiful woman having her hair dried at hair salon

Texas Salon Owner Shelley Luther Ordered Released From Jail

Two young Texas women, ages 20 and 31, face up to 180 days behind bars and a $2,000 fine after police, tipped off by neighbors, orchestrated a sting operation to catch the women providing beauty services in their homes, an apparent violation of a stay-at-home order.
Neighbors of Ana Isabel Castro-Garcia, 31, and Brenda Stephanie Mata, 20, sent anonymous tips to the Laredo Police Department via an app, according to the <a href="https://www.lmtonline.com/local/article/Laredo-pair-allegedly-violated-coronavirus-15212653.php#photo-19316798">Midland Reporter-Telegram</a>.
&#8220;Both of the violators independently solicited customers via social media,&#8221; the department said in a statement. &#8220;On both cases, an undercover officer working on the COVID-19 task force enforcement detail made contact with each solicitor to set up an appointment for a cosmetic, beauty service that is prohibited under the emergency ordinance.&#8221;
Castro-Garcia was arrested &#8220;after she agreed to and met with an undercover officer who posed as a customer needing a nail service,&#8221; the report outlined.
&#8220;Castro-Garcia admitted to running a nail salon inside her residence and promoting the business on social media, going against the mayoral decree currently in place,&#8221; said police.
Mata was arrested after she &#8220;allegedly agreed to perform an eyelash service inside her residence for an undercover officer posing as a customer,&#8221; according to the news report.
“We remind the community that there is an emergency management plan in place in order to control the spread of the novel COVID-19 virus. Laredo police officers continue to address violations of the order with enforcement,&#8221; the department added.
Both women were charged with a Class B misdemeanor for violating an emergency management plan, which carries up to 180 days behind bars, a $2,000 fine, or both.
As noted by <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2020/05/07/texas-dallas-salon-owner-coronavirus/">Texas Tribune</a>, Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX) noted of the two young women by name in a statement released May 7 regarding amendments to his executive orders, saying Castro-Garcia and Mata &#8220;should not be subject to confinement.&#8221;
“Throwing Texans in jail who have had their businesses shut down through no fault of their own is nonsensical, and I will not allow it to happen,” the governor said. &#8220;This is why I am modifying my executive orders to ensure confinement is not a punishment for violating an order.&#8221;
&#8220;It may also ensure that other Texans like Ana Isabel Castro-Garcia and Brenda Stephanie Mata who were arrested in Laredo, should not be subject to confinement,&#8221; Abbott said.
&#8220;As some county judges advocate for releasing hardened criminals from jail to prevent the spread of COVID-19, it is absurd to have these business owners take their place,&#8221; the Republican concluded.
Texas salon owner Shelley Luther was sentenced Tuesday to a week in jail and a $7,000 fine for opening her salon in defiance of state orders, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-texas-governor-abbott-calls-for-immediate-release-from-jail-of-salon-owner-who-opened-shop">The Daily Wire</a> reported.
When Dallas Judge Eric Moye told Luther she had the option of acknowledging she was wrong and selfish for opening her salon and apologize to elected officials, Luther responded, &#8220;Judge, I would like to say that I have much respect for this court and laws and that I have never been in this position before and it’s not someplace that I want to be. But I have to disagree with you, sir, when you say that I’m selfish because feeding my kids — is not selfish. I have hair stylists that are going hungry because they’d rather feed their kids. So, sir, if you think the law is more important than kids getting fed, then please go ahead with your decision, but I am not going to shut the salon.&#8221;
The following day, Gov. Abbott joined Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in ripping the actions taken against Luther:
<blockquote>I join the Attorney General in disagreeing with the excessive action by the Dallas Judge, putting Shelley Luther in jail for seven days. As I have made clear through prior pronouncements, jailing Texans for non-compliance with executive orders should always be the last available option. Compliance with executive orders during this pandemic is important to ensure public safety; however, surely there are less restrictive means to achieving that goal than jailing a Texas mother.</blockquote>
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Additional information has been added to this post 
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-texas-governor-abbott-calls-for-immediate-release-from-jail-of-salon-owner-who-opened-shop">Texas Governor Abbott Joins Attorney General In Slamming Jail Sentence Of Salon Owner Who Opened Shop</a>
</div>
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

Brenda Stephanie Mata

Texas Women Face 180 Days In Jail After Neighbors Alert Police They’re Giving Manicures At Home

On his radio program Wednesday, &#8220;The Big Voice on the Right&#8221; Rush Limbaugh weighed in on the controversy surrounding the Dallas salon owner who was slapped with seven days in jail for defying the state&#8217;s &#8220;stay-at-home&#8221; order because, as she put during her hearing Tuesday, “Feeding my kids is not selfish.&#8221; The case is much more significant than one isolated ruling, Limbaugh suggested, and the increasingly authoritative actions from officials all over the country points to an eroding of respect for the Constitution.
Limbaugh led into his discussion of the case by presenting salon owner Shelley Luther&#8217;s now famous statement to the judge during her hearing Tuesday.
&#8220;Judge, I would like to say that I have much respect for this court and laws, and that I’ve never been in this position before. And it’s not someplace that I want to be,&#8221; Luther told Dallas County Judge Eric V. Moyé, the &#8220;<a href="https://heavy.com/news/2020/05/eric-moye-judge/">lifelong Democrat</a>,&#8221; during a hearing Tuesday over her defiance of the shutdown order. &#8220;But I have to disagree with you, sir, when you say that I’m &#8216;selfish,&#8217; because feeding my kids is not selfish. I have hairstylists that are going hungry because they’d rather feed their kids. So, sir, if you think the law is more important than kids getting fed, then please go ahead with your decision. But I am not gonna shut the salon.&#8221;
&#8220;The defiance of the court’s order was open, flagrant and intentional,&#8221; Judge Moyé declared. &#8220;The defendants, although having been given an opportunity to do so, have expressed no contrition, remorse or regret for their contemptuous action.&#8221;
The situation, said Limbaugh, is evidence of how quickly people in power will abuse that power given the opportunity. Luther&#8217;s decision to &#8220;fly in [officials&#8217;] faces&#8221; and the overzealous response of the judge, Rush suggested, has highlighted this fact in a way that all of America can understand in plain terms.
&#8220;She literally was arrested for opening her salon because she and her stylists are having a hard time buying food,&#8221; <a href="https://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2020/05/06/salon-owner-sentenced-to-jail-for-opening-her-business/">said</a> Rush. &#8220;They don’t have any money. They need to get back to work. They didn’t demand that some government fix the problem. They didn’t demand a handout. They didn’t demand some paycheck protection plan or some other form of assistance. They went out and solved the problem as they have been taught, as they lived, as they were raised. They went back to work — and, for that, she’s sentenced to a week in jail.&#8221;
The jailing of Luther, the host said, is likely being &#8220;replicated&#8221; all over the country in all kinds of forms, and it demonstrates the truly precarious nature of maintaining a free society as established in the Constitution. How quickly officials have felt empowered to abuse their authority during this crisis, said Limbaugh, suggests that the Constitution&#8217;s check on power is losing its grip on our political leadership.
&#8220;Folks, this is a tinderbox situation that is, I fear, being replicated in many parts of this country where these authoritarians are,&#8221; said Limbaugh. &#8220;You know, all politicians have a craving for power. It is a miracle the United States Constitution still rules the roost. It is an abject miracle. It’s a just a piece of paper. It’s just a series of pieces of paper with words on it. It is amazing that after 200-plus years, everybody we’ve elected has decided to subordinate themselves and their power, their desires to it.&#8221;
&#8220;I fear that’s coming to a change,&#8221; Rush stressed. &#8220;I think some of these blue state governors and so forth are so infatuated with this new power that have had found that the natural authoritative tendencies that people in politics have…&#8221;
As <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/tx-lt-gov-dan-patrick-to-pay-7k-fine-of-arrested-salon-owner-offers-to-serve-her-jail-sentence-so-she-can-work">The Daily Wire</a> reported, Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick announced on Wednesday that he will pay the $7,000 fine Dallas authorities gave to  Luther and volunteered to serve her 7-day jail sentence in her stead so she could go back to work.
Patrick&#8217;s announcement followed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton slamming Judge Moyé for a &#8220;shameful abuse of judicial discretion.&#8221;
“I find it outrageous and out of touch that during this national pandemic, a judge, in a county that actually released hardened criminals for fear of contracting COVID-19, would jail a mother for operating her hair salon in an attempt to put food on her family’s table,” said Paxton in a statement Wednesday. “The trial judge did not need to lock up Shelley Luther. His order is a shameful abuse of judicial discretion, which seems like another political stunt in Dallas. He should release Ms. Luther immediately.&#8221;
Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-texas-governor-abbott-calls-for-immediate-release-from-jail-of-salon-owner-who-opened-shop">agreed</a> with Paxton. &#8220;I join the Attorney General in disagreeing with the excessive action by the Dallas Judge, putting Shelley Luther in jail for seven days,&#8221; the governor said in a statement Wednesday. &#8220;As I have made clear through prior pronouncements, jailing Texans for non-compliance with executive orders should always be the last available option. Compliance with executive orders during this pandemic is important to ensure public safety; however, surely there are less restrictive means to achieving that goal than jailing a Texas mother.&#8221;
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

Rush Limbaugh

Limbaugh Explains What He Really ‘Fears’ About The Jailing Of Texas Salon Owner

Constitution

Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick said on Wednesday that he will be paying the $7,000 fine that Dallas authorities gave to salon owner Shelley Luther for violating a stay-at-home order, and also volunteered to serve her 7-day jail sentence so that she could go back to work.
Patrick made the remarks after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton blasted Dallas County Judge Eric V. Moyé, who is a <a href="https://heavy.com/news/2020/05/eric-moye-judge/">Democrat political activist</a>, in a statement for abusing his power by jailing Luther for opening her business so she could feed her family.
&#8220;I find it outrageous and out of touch that during this national pandemic, a judge, in a county that actually released hardened criminals for fear of contracting COVID-19, would jail a mother for operating her hair salon in an attempt to put food on her family&#8217;s table,&#8221; Paxton said in a statement. &#8220;The trial judge did not need to lock up Shelley Luther. His order is a shameful abuse of judicial discretion, which seems like another political stunt in Dallas. He should release Ms. Luther immediately.&#8221;
During her hearing, Luther <a href="https://www.wfsb.com/salon-owner-gets-7-days-in-jail-for-reopening-during-coronavirus-lockdown-in-texas/article_f5ca9e5d-d67f-5fdb-a5dc-e28e81c686b2.html">told</a> Moyé, &#8220;I couldn’t feed my family, and my stylists couldn’t feed their families.&#8221;
&#8220;Feeding my kids is not selfish,&#8221; Luther continued. &#8220;If you think the law is more important than kids getting fed, then please go ahead with your decision, but I am not going to shut the salon.&#8221;
Patrick later responded by writing on Twitter, “7 days in jail, no bail and a $7K fine is outrageous. No surprise Texans are responding. I’m covering the $7K fine she had to pay and I volunteer to be placed under House Arrest so she can go to work and feed her kids. #txlege #TexansHelpingTexans&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
7 days in jail, no bail and a $7K fine is outrageous. No surprise Texans are responding. I’m covering the $7K fine she had to pay and I volunteer to be placed under House Arrest so she can go to work and feed her kids. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/txlege?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#txlege</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TexansHelpingTexans?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TexansHelpingTexans</a> <a href="https://t.co/gdtMLAHFV5">https://t.co/gdtMLAHFV5</a>
&mdash; Dan Patrick (@DanPatrick) <a href="https://twitter.com/DanPatrick/status/1258140452253061123?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Texas Governor Greg Abbott <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-texas-governor-abbott-calls-for-immediate-release-from-jail-of-salon-owner-who-opened-shop">released</a> a statement on Wednesday slamming the judge&#8217;s ruling:
<blockquote>I join the Attorney General in disagreeing with the excessive action by the Dallas Judge, putting Shelley Luther in jail for seven days. As I have made clear through prior pronouncements, jailing Texans for non-compliance with executive orders should always be the last available option. Compliance with executive orders during this pandemic is important to ensure public safety; however, surely there are less restrictive means to achieving that goal than jailing a Texas mother.</blockquote>
Luther&#8217;s lawyer, Warren Norred, <a href="https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/coronavirus/ag-paxton-gov-abbott-call-for-release-of-dallas-salon-owner/2364608/">told</a> a local news station that Luther was jailed because she &#8220;refused to bend the knee in court.&#8221;
&#8220;I&#8217;m concerned that the judicial system in Dallas is more concerned for one perspective on the rule of law than it is the plight of working people trying to make a living,&#8221; Norred said. &#8220;Though the rule of law is cited by the court, there exists no exception for cities to the general rule that an injunction must be supported by a bond. Without an enforceable injunction, no contempt can be found. Our position is that Ms. Luther has been unlawfully arrested and jailed. I hope to obtain a writ of habeas corpus very soon. &#8221;
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

Texas prepares Rick Perry to Greg Abbott transition

TX Lt Gov Dan Patrick To Pay $7K Fine Of Arrested Salon Owner, Offers To Serve Her Jail Sentence So She Can Work

Dan Patrick

Rep. Dan Crenshaw slammed Dallas officials who had a local salon owner arrested for breaking lockdown orders and opening her business.
Dallas Judge Eric Moye sentenced Salon À la Mode owner Shelley Luther to a week in jail and fined her at least $3,500 after she opened her business last month, violating state emergency orders. Crenshaw shared a video of Luther’s court hearing on Twitter, bashing the public officials who cracked down on her.
&#8220;These punishments are NOT just. They are not reasonable. Small-minded ‘leaders’ across the country have become drunk with power. This must end,&#8221; Crenshaw (R-TX) said Tuesday.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
These punishments are NOT just. They are not reasonable. Small-minded “leaders” across the country have become drunk with power. This must end. <a href="https://t.co/d31aEZg8b4">https://t.co/d31aEZg8b4</a>
&mdash; Dan Crenshaw (@DanCrenshawTX) <a href="https://twitter.com/DanCrenshawTX/status/1257846362055548928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
During the hearing, Moye gave Luther the chance to walk free as long as she admitted she was wrong to open her salon and apologized to elected officials for violating their orders. Luther <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/watch-salon-owner-sentenced-to-week-in-jail-for-opening-delivers-poignant-response-to-judge">refused</a>.
&#8220;Judge, I would like to say that I have much respect for this court and laws and that I have never been in this position before and it’s not someplace that I want to be. But I have to disagree with you, sir, when you say that I’m selfish because feeding my kids — is not selfish,&#8221; Luther said.
&#8220;I have hair stylists that are going hungry because they’d rather feed their kids,&#8221; Luther continued. &#8220;So, sir, if you think the law is more important than kids getting fed, then please go ahead with your decision, but I am not going to shut the salon.&#8221;
Luther shut down her business on March 22 but reopened on April 24 in defiance of a state-wide stay-at-home order. Police officers issued her a citation the first day. On April 25, Luther appeared at a lockdown protest in Frisco, near Dallas, and tore apart a cease-and-desist letter ordering her to close her salon. Luther kept her salon open for a week before officials forced it to close.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has begun gradually reopening parts of the state. He announced on Tuesday that another wave of businesses, including hair salons, would be allowed to reopen at the end of the week on Friday, according to <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/news/public-health/2020/05/05/watch-live-abbott-updates-texas-on-covid-19-as-gop-lawmakers-defy-his-social-distancing-order/">The Dallas Morning News</a>.
&#8220;It’s up to Texans whether or not we remain open and in fact open up even more, or alternatively, if actions need to be taken that will lead to greater containment in certain areas,&#8221; Abbott said.
The governor’s order opening up barber shops and hair and nail salons came after two Republican state lawmakers protested Abbott’s shutdown order by getting illegal haircuts. State Reps. Steve Toth and Briscoe Cain visited a salon in Houston Tuesday morning and told reporters that &#8220;there&#8217;s absolutely no reason&#8221; why hair and nail stylists could not operate while following proper health guidelines, according to the <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2020/05/05/texas-salons-not-open-illegal-haricuts/">Texas Tribune</a>.
&#8220;I think these businesses need to be open,&#8221; Cain said.
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

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Limbaugh Explains What He Really ‘Fears’ About The Jailing Of Texas Salon Owner

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Dan Crenshaw: ‘Small-Minded’ Officials Who Arrested Texas Salon Owner Are ‘Drunk With Power’

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