West
State lifts 'political' clothing ban after radio host kicked out of Capitol gallery out over pro-life shirt
![State lifts 'political' clothing ban after radio host kicked out of Capitol gallery out over pro-life shirt State lifts 'political' clothing ban after radio host kicked out of Capitol gallery out over pro-life shirt](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/JEFF_HUNT_PROLIFEU_56.jpg)
The Colorado State Capitol has revoked a ban on political apparel in its legislative galleries nearly a year and a half after a Denver radio host got kicked out of the Senate gallery for wearing a pro-life sweatshirt.
“It was a total win for free speech,” Jeff Hunt told Fox News Digital. “You’re free, and it’s a better state because of it.”
Officials removed language about the ban from its website and signs inside the Capitol, according to the nonprofit Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), which sent a letter to the state last month warning that its ban violated the First Amendment and appeared to only be enforced against some political ideas.
The shirt strife started on March 21, 2023, when Hunt went to the Capitol to support pregnancy resource centers during a hearing on a package of abortion-rights bills that would regulate such centers. He wore a pullover with the words “Pro-Life U” over “Colorado Christian University,” where he previously worked. The school claimed to be the most pro-life university in the country, inspiring Hunt to make the shirt.
Jeff Hunt was booted from the Colorado Senate gallery in March 2023 over this sweatshirt. The words “Pro-Life U” reference Colorado Christian University’s self-proclaimed status as the most pro-life college in the country, Hunt said. (Courtesy of JeffreyGrounds Photography)
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Hunt sat down in the Senate gallery, but after a matter of “seconds,” he said a sergeant at arms approached and led him out to the hallway where a sign was posted informing visitors that pins or apparel “expressing political statements” were prohibited in the gallery.
“Pro-life. That’s a political statement,” the sergeant at arms can be heard saying in a short video clip Hunt recorded outside the gallery.
Hunt tried to explain that his shirt was a reference to a college, not an overt political statement, but was told he could either turn the sweatshirt inside out or remain outside the gallery, he said. Hunt waited outside.
“The purpose of the policy is to avoid conflict between opposing sides on any particular issue,” Secretary of the Senate Cindi Markwell told the local outlet Westword in March 2023.
But FIRE, which takes on free speech battles across the country, heard about the clothing controversy and, in a July 16 letter, demanded Capitol officials stop playing fashion police.
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FIRE argued that the ban was overly broad and didn’t clearly define what constitutes a “political” statement. Hunt wondered whether a rainbow shirt or a shirt saying “Stand with the troops” would also be banned.
The ban also appeared to be selectively enforced, according to FIRE’s letter. Just two weeks before Hunt was led out of the Senate gallery, at least a thousand students calling for stronger gun control laws marched to the state capitol, local media reported. Many wore red shirts reading “Angels against gun violence” as they stood in the House and Senate galleries watching lawmakers work.
“Enforcing a rule differently because of a speaker’s message is repugnant to the Constitution,” FIRE attorneys wrote.
Markwell defended the disparity by pointing out that the students were protesting for increased gun control on a day when no gun bills were on the docket.
“We believe that to protect its process and the senators that the Senate is authorized to limit expression of support or opposition on matters it is debating,” she told Westword in 2023.
![Students sit on floor of Colorado State Capitol](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1724118864_836_State-lifts-x27politicalx27-clothing-ban-after-radio-host-kicked-out.jpg)
Students and teachers filled the Colorado State Capitol at least three times during March 2023 to protest gun violence in schools. This photo is from March 24, 2023, three days after Hunt was asked to leave the Senate gallery for wearing a “Pro-Life U” sweatshirt. (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
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But that distinction didn’t appear anywhere in the written rules or on signage outside the galleries, according to FIRE.
“‘You only have free speech on days we allow you to have free speech,’” Hunt said of Markwell’s explanation. “It doesn’t make any sense.”
The Colorado House and Senate “have rescinded the rule banning ‘pins and apparel expressing political statements’” in the galleries, Markwell confirmed to Fox News Digital, though she did not elaborate on why the rule was changed. A photo published Wednesday in Westword showed the ban scratched off of a sign posted outside the gallery.
“At this point now in Colorado, you don’t have to check the calendar,” Hunt said. “You don’t have to see what day it is. Your free speech rights to wear the clothing you want to are protected at all times at the Colorado State Capitol.”
Hunt emphasized that, even though he’s a “Bible-believing Evangelical,” his win applies to those whose political opinions he disagrees with, too.
“I’ve defended the rights of people that support abortion to wear their shirts reflecting their political values down at the state Capitol as well,” he said. “I strongly believe in Second Amendment rights. And if you believe that we need to restrict those rights to prevent gun violence, you can now wear your shirt down to the Colorado State Capitol. This is a win for all Coloradans.”
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Washington
These are the celebrities hosting the Democratic National Convention this week in Chicago
![These are the celebrities hosting the Democratic National Convention this week in Chicago These are the celebrities hosting the Democratic National Convention this week in Chicago](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/08/19/USAT/74858912007-usatsi-9552152.jpg?auto=webp&crop=5567,3132,x0,y0&format=pjpg&width=1200)
Celerity hosts for each night of DNC announced
Four celebrities, including Kerry Washington and Mindy Kaling, are coming to Chicago to host a night of the DNC.
Fox – 32 Chicago
Celebrity hosts are kicking off each night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this week. “Scandal” stars Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn will be navigating real-world politics as hosts during the DNC. Here’s a look at the celebrities viewers can expect to see as hosts during the convention.
What is the role of the hosts at the DNC?
Each night on the DNC, a celebrity will host one night of the convention and will kick off the broadcast with an opening statement, and then will come back onstage during the evening to guide the programming, according to CNN.
Who are the hosts of the DNC?
The DNC will have celebrity hosts every night during the convention in Chicago. Tony Goldwyn will take the stage on Monday night, and “The View” co-host Ana Navarro hosts Tuesday. Mindy Kaling hosts Wednesday, and finally Kerry Washington will take the stage on Thursday. Here’s a look at each of the stars hosting the DNC this week.
Actor Tony Goldwyn to host DNC on Monday
“Scandal” star Tony Goldwyn will take the lead on Monday hosting the DNC in Chicago. He currently stars as Manhattan district attorney Nicholas Baxter on “Law & Order” and is an ambassador for The Innocence Project.
In 2016, he directed a commercial lending support to the Clinton campaign featuring stars from the ShondaLand extended universe, including Ellen Pompeo, Viola Davis and Shonda Rhimes.
“The View” co-host Ana Navarro to host DNC on Tuesday
On Tuesday, “The View” co-host Ana Navarro will take the stage to host the DNC. Navarro is a political strategist and commentator, and a noted Republican, though she has been a vocal critic of Trump, calling him a racist for his comments about immigrants. The “Never Trumper” has also criticized politicians with ties to Trump, such as Ron DeSantis, and said she voted for Hilary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020.
“For me to stand on that stage and help my girl Kamala make history and become the Democratic nominee, it’s just such a mind-blowing moment.,” said Navarro on X. “I hope you will be part of this celebration of democracy,” she added.
‘The Office’ star Mindy Kaling to host DNC on Wednesday
“The Office” and “The Mindy Project” star Mindy Kaling will host the DNC on Wednesday. Kaling co-chaired a fundraiser event with Reese Witherspoon, hosted by Harris for Biden’s campaign in 2020. In 2019, she appeared on Harris’ YouTube channel where the pair cooked masala dosa together.
‘Scandal’ star Kerry Washington to host DNC on Thursday
“Scandal” star Kerry Washington will host the DNC on Thursday. Washington is no stranger to political engagement. When Democratic nominee Kamala Harris announced her campaign, Washington said on X that Harris “can and will win this,” adding, “I believe in her and I believe in us. Let’s gooooooooooooo!”
Washington was a vocal supporter of Barack Obama’s campaign in 2012, speaking at that year’s convention, and Hillary Clinton’s campaign in 2016. Washington has also played host before at the virtual DNC in 2020, after campaigning for Joe Biden with her husband Nnamdi Asomugha that year.
The actress has also used her “Scandal” fame to push for voter registration. In 2020, Washington posted a three-second clip to X, formerly Twitter, of her character Olivia Pope sharing a passionate kiss with President Fitz (Goldwyn) and captioned it “SCANDAL THE MOVIE. Click the link for more info.” The link did not have any more info but rather led to a voter registration website
What time is President Joe Biden speaking at the DNC in Chicago Monday night?
Wyoming
Reports show out-of-state PACs spent big money in Wyoming primary races
![Reports show out-of-state PACs spent big money in Wyoming primary races Reports show out-of-state PACs spent big money in Wyoming primary races](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0ecb3a5/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2016x1058+0+232/resize/1200x630!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F38%2F95%2F19a42dd94e9a8516be673ba56171%2Fimg-8680.jpg)
Campaign finance reports released recently show out-of-state political action committees are spending tens of thousands of dollars in Wyoming races.
That’s in addition to spending by two in-state PACs representing both factions of the Wyoming Republican Party, the Freedom Caucus and Wyoming Caucus, which also raised thousands.
The Make Liberty Win PAC based in Virginia spent just over $370,000 to support some candidates and attack others. The PAC has said it’s “dedicated to electing 250 liberty-defending state legislators.”
The money was used for texts, phone calls and mailers to Wyoming voters.
Many of those mailers contained misinformation, like listing the wrong dates for early voting and an incorrect photo of a state legislator. That was discovered through a WyoFile investigation.
Make Liberty Win spent almost $7,500 supporting Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams (R-Cody) with texts and phone calls to voters. She’s been endorsed by the far-right Wyoming House Freedom Caucus.
At the same time, they spent nearly $9,200 opposing current House Speaker Albert Sommers (R-Pinedale) using the same methods.
Sommers has been a frequent critic of the Freedom Caucus.
The Virginia-based Make Liberty Win is primarily funded by a libertarian student activist organization in Texas called Young Americans for Liberty.
Another financial report published this week shows the Western Way Action PAC out of Denver has spent $47,800 in the Cowboy State. Its website says it “supports conservative leaders and commonsense policies that create economic development opportunities, promote free-market principles and drive real solutions.”
That money was used for mailers to support some incumbent candidates in races for the Board of Carbon County Commissioners.
However, at least one candidate posted on social media last week that the mailers were sent without their knowledge or permission.
That candidate, Sue Ellis Jones, said on Facebook, “it is sad that the tactics of national politics has [sic] come to the local grassroots level. A last minute campaign push is not fair to the other candidates in the race.”
Wyoming’s primary elections are Aug. 20.
This reporting was made possible by a grant from the Corporation For Public Broadcasting, supporting state government coverage in the state. Wyoming Public Media and Jackson Hole Community Radio are partnering to cover state issues both on air and online.
San Francisco, CA
San Franciscans take center stage at Democratic National Convention
![San Franciscans take center stage at Democratic National Convention San Franciscans take center stage at Democratic National Convention](https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/20240819-dncsanfrancisco.jpeg?crop=0px%2C72px%2C1080px%2C567px&w=1200)
And that’s just the start of a long list of San Franciscans who will be involved at this week’s convention.
It comes as no surprise: The city’s liberal bastion has long been a springboard for politicians to launch their careers from local and state politics to the national stage. That includes Harris, who first cut her teeth as San Francisco’s district attorney before eventually becoming a senator.
Other speakers this week with San Francisco roots include Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, who is said to have played a role in President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race, and Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is suspected to be plotting a bid for the White House during the next election cycle. Pelosi is set to speak during prime time on Wednesday, while Newsom will deliver California’s delegates to Harris, officially ending the nomination process at the convention.
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