RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia Capitol Police officer, Sgt. Robert A. Stamm, 36, was placed on paid administrative leave last week for unknown reasons after the blog site, Antifa Seven Hills posted an article that links him to the Asatru Folk Assembly (AFA), which the Southern Poverty Law Center has listed as a “hate group.”
Sgt. Stamm reportedly attracted the attention of the bloggers while on patrol during the controversy and protests over Virginia governor, Ralph Northam’s yearbook page that features one person in blackface standing next to another person dressed in a white, hooded-robe reminiscent of the a Ku Klux Klan.
The blog post included pictures pulled from Sgt. Stamm’s social media accounts showing some of his tattoos and him lifting weights with various imagery in the background such as the German nationalist flag, a Raven banner, and a Marvel “Punisher” version of “thin blue line flag”, symbols that been co-opted by white supremacists.
So far, no statement has been issued by Stamm, and the only statement issued by Va. Capitol Police was part of the media release concerning Stamm’s leave from active duty, “There is a review policy in place, and we will follow that policy,” said Col. Anthony S. Pike, the department’s chief, as reported by the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
This is a developing story TWH will continue to follow and report on any new information as it becomes available.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – In related news, Tyler Watkins Davis was found guilty of violently beating DeAndre Harris during the “Unite The Right” rally in 2017. Davis is the fourth person to be convicted in relation to this crime. The three others charged and convicted are already serving anywhere from four to eight years in three separate states. Davis is free on bond as he awaits sentencing in late August.
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Dwindling Flame [Pixabay
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – NPR reported yesterday on the construction of a temporary temple to both honour the victims of the Parkland Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting and help members of the surrounding communities to channel their grief.
The temple will be constructed of carved plywood panels and reach a height of 40 feet. Community members are encouraged to participate in the construction, as well include mementos of loved ones lost on the shooting. Once the Temple is completed, it will be set on fire in a ceremony sometime in May.
David Best, an internationally acclaimed artist who has constructed similar Temple memorials at Burning Man Festival, and around the world was brought in by The Coral Springs Museum of Art with the help of Bloomberg Philanthropies and a $1 million grant.
TWH will have full coverage on this story later this month.
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In other news:
- LGBT Nation reports that a Canadian resident, Brady Grumpelt purchased the domain name for the WolvesofOdin.ca and has turned it into a site featuring “furries.” “Furries” in general, are enthusiasts in anthropomorphized animals. In particular, a person who dresses up in costume as such a character, or uses one as an avatar online. While the Wolves of Odin are not currently listed as a hate group, some of the groups they are affiliated with them are, like the AFA. Grumpelt has a link on the site for both a GoFundMe for Hate Free YEG, a group that removes hate speech graffiti, and included an offer to sell the domain to anyone who will make a $10K donation to the same organization.
- Hartford Manor Primary School in Cheshire in the Britain has cancelled a musical about Charles Darwin titled “Darwin Rocks!” after six parents of students complained about the production’s portrayal of Christian views within the show. Simon Kidwell, the head teacher of the school told the BBC that he received complaints about the song lyrics “bump and grind”, which refer to sexually suggestive dance moves. The musical is aimed for an audience of 7-to-11-year-olds.
- The Moscow Times published a video showing Russian Witches conducting a ritual to pass on the magical energy raised to Russian president, Vladimir Putin. Russian Witch Alyona Polyn said the main intention of the gathering is to enhance quality of life in Russia, the whole world in general, and to support the president. TWH has been unable to verify the authenticity of the video.
- Last Friday a Muslim prisoner on death row in Alabama was executed without his request for imam to be present with him during execution. Only Christian clergy are allowed in the execution chambers. All other clergy of other faiths are prohibited. In a 5-4 vote, the US Supreme Court rejected an appeal filed on the prisoner’s behalf leaving some question as to whether this violates a prisoner’s constitutional rights of religious freedom and whether other prisoners of non-Christian faiths would be treated similarly.
- The Covenant of Christian Witches Mystery School, which was formed last fall has announced it is holding its first annual Christian Witches Conference in Salem, Mass. in April this year. CCW is spearheaded by Rev, Valerie Love, an ex-Jehovah’s Witness and author of Confessions of a Christian Witch.
- One of two turtles that were found chained together and connected to a pouch containing two “voodoo dolls” in November on Miami Beach, was been released back into the wild last week. The other turtle is still being treated. TWH will have full coverage on this later this week.
Tarot of the week by Star Bustamonte
Deck: Fantastical Creatures Tarot, by D.J. Conway, illustrated by Lisa Hunt published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
Card: Five (5) Wands
Prepare for the unexpected this week. The potential for opposition or obstacles coming from out of the blue is high. This can also indicate that an opponent or competitor might not be above resorting to the use of unsavory or harmful gossip to get ahead.
Decks generously provided by Asheville Raven & Crone.
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