Big Tech Cuts Ties With SPLC After President Trump‑Backed Leader’s Assassination

October 26, 2025

meta — Meta Facebook on computer screen (American Faith Media)

Major technology firms are distancing themselves from the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and subsequent scrutiny over the SPLC’s “hate map” practices. These corporate shifts highlight mounting concerns among investors and conservative groups about the accuracy, bias and influence of nonprofit watchdog designations.

According to reporting, the SPLC placed Kirk’s organization, Turning Point USA, on its “hate map” just months before his death, labeling it alongside extremist groups. The alleged killer reportedly said he targeted Kirk because he “spreads too much hate.” In the aftermath, shareholder proposals were filed at major firms (including Alphabet Inc., Meta Platforms, Mastercard Incorporated, Salesforce, Inc. and Amazon.com, Inc.) urging an examination of corporate reliance on SPLC‑provided data.

Corporate responses include direct denials of ongoing relationships with the SPLC. YouTube stated it has not used the SPLC “hate map” for at least three years. Meta said it “does not work with the SPLC and has never relied on its ‘hate map’ when creating our policies.” Benevity, a platform linking nonprofits and major corporations, said it “has never relied on the SPLC hate map to determine whether nonprofits are eligible for the platform.”

The incident has intensified scrutiny over how organizations like the SPLC influence corporate decisions, particularly in areas involving nonprofit funding, content moderation, and reputational risk. As companies reassess their partnerships, questions remain about the standards used to define and classify so-called hate groups in the public square.

Lincoln University Homecoming Shooting Leaves One Dead

October 26, 2025

A night of celebration turned into tragedy at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania on Saturday, as seven people were shot during the school’s homecoming festivities — one fatally. The shooting occurred around 9:30 p.m. outside the university’s International Cultural Center, where students and alumni had gathered following the football game.

Authorities say the victims were caught in a sudden and chaotic eruption of gunfire. One of the victims died, while six others sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Emergency responders quickly arrived on the scene, and one individual found in possession of a firearm was detained. However, officials believe there may have been additional shooters involved.

Chester County District Attorney Chris de Barrena-Sarobe addressed the media, emphasizing that while the investigation is still unfolding, officials do not believe the shooting was a planned attack meant to inflict mass casualties. The incident is currently being treated as isolated violence that escalated during the large gathering.

The university was briefly placed on lockdown as police secured the scene and searched for evidence. Students were later allowed to return to their dorms, though increased police presence remains around campus. University officials have announced that counseling and mental health resources are being made available to all affected students and staff.

Witnesses described the scene as terrifying, with people running for safety as shots rang out. Social media posts from attendees showed crowds scattering, unsure of where the gunfire was coming from. Many expressed shock and heartbreak that what should have been a proud and joyful homecoming ended in violence.

Police are urging anyone with information, videos, or firsthand accounts to come forward as they work to determine exactly what happened and who is responsible.

Pomona College Vows Action After Masked Disruption of Oct. 7 Memorial

October 26, 2025

Pomona College in Claremont, California has announced it will investigate and discipline individuals who stormed a memorial event for victims of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks and shouted pro‑Hamas slogans while masked. The intrusion targeted a gathering hosted by the campus’s Jewish community and left students shaken and demanding stronger protections.

The event, held by Claremont Hillel and the Jewish chaplain at the college, featured a survivor’s lecture and candle‑lighting ceremony. Four masked individuals reportedly forced entry through a fire door, shouted phrases like “Zionists not welcome” and accused attendees of genocide. College officials said the disruption was “outrageous and cruel” and “antisemitic hate cannot be tolerated.”

Students and faculty criticized the college’s security response, noting that only one guard was present and did not promptly stop the disruption, leaving attendees to block the masked intruders themselves. Pomona’s president, G. Gabrielle Starr, said the college is reviewing event‑access protocols, collecting video evidence and promised “every appropriate disciplinary action” for members of the community involved.

Chicago Bloodbath, 11 Shot 1 Killed in Weekend of Chaos

October 26, 2025

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (1) — Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

At least 11 people were shot, one fatally, in another bloody weekend across Democrat-run Chicago, highlighting the city’s ongoing struggle with violent crime.

The fatal shooting took place early Saturday morning at 5:22 a.m. in the 4400 block of West Augusta Boulevard. Two men were sitting inside a red Dodge Charger when gunfire erupted. The 29-year-old passenger and the 37-year-old driver were both struck. The driver was rushed to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries. The passenger survived and is recovering.

Just hours before, on Friday night, a 43-year-old woman was critically wounded after being shot multiple times while standing outside in the 5500 block of South Lafayette Avenue. Authorities say the shooter remains at large.

These shootings add to a staggering trend of violence plaguing the Windy City. Just last weekend, 18 people were shot between Friday and Sunday, four of whom died.

So far in 2025, more than 340 people have been killed in Chicago, based on data from the Chicago Sun-Times. Despite these grim statistics, city leadership continues to face criticism for its handling of public safety, especially as violent crime surges in neighborhoods already battered by decades of mismanagement.

As crime continues to spiral, residents are demanding answers—and action—from their leaders.

Loyola Student Paper Launches ICE Tracker, Declares Immigration Enforcement ‘Unconstitutional’

October 26, 2025

ICE — (Photo by Andrew Leyden/Getty Images)

The student newspaper at Loyola University Chicago has sparked controversy after launching an interactive online map to track alleged activity by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The editorial board of The Loyola Phoenix declared that immigration enforcement in the surrounding area is “unconstitutional” and claimed it has no place in their community. The map was created in the name of “solidarity” with immigrant residents in the Rogers Park and Edgewater neighborhoods of Chicago.

In an editorial, the student journalists stated, “The Phoenix is vehemently against the unconstitutional use of ICE in our neighborhood, city and country.” The publication encouraged students to report sightings of ICE agents, which the paper said it would verify before publicly posting. At the time of publication, the tracker included only two reported ICE sightings.

Critics noted that unverified reports could result in misidentification and unnecessary fear, especially since one initial submission mistook a U.S. Census worker for an ICE agent. Conservative commentators warned that such a system may stigmatize law enforcement and spread misinformation under the guise of activism.

Loyola, a Catholic university, has not officially endorsed the ICE tracker. However, the decision by its student publication to publicly oppose federal law enforcement raises questions about the balance between social justice messaging and institutional responsibility.

London, Masked Muslim Protesters Take Over After UKIP Ban

October 26, 2025

Untitled design - 2023-11-17T220755.275 — Screenshot via Twitter/@OliLondonTV

Masked Muslim demonstrators flooded the streets of East London’s Tower Hamlets on Saturday in a heated response to a police decision to ban a planned anti-Islamist march organized by the UK Independence Party (UKIP).

The protest, which took place in the predominantly Muslim Whitechapel area, saw hundreds of participants wearing black clothing, balaclavas, and waving Palestinian and Bangladeshi flags. Many in the crowd performed Islamic prayers in the middle of the street, chanting “Allahu Akbar” as a public display of resistance.

The demonstration followed the Metropolitan Police’s decision to prohibit UKIP’s rally, which was intended as a protest against Islamist and Communist influence in the UK. UKIP leader Nick Marcel Tenconi had described the event as the beginning of a “crusade” to reclaim British streets, prompting backlash from local communities and left-wing activists.

One protester addressed the crowd, saying: “They came targeting Islam. We stand firm to defend our elders, our women, and our community.” The demonstrators accused UKIP of inciting division and hate under the guise of nationalism.

The police justified the ban, citing a high risk of serious disorder if the protest were to take place in Tower Hamlets, which has the highest Muslim population in the country. Despite this, the UKIP march was rerouted to Central London, where participants carried anti-Islamist signs and British flags.

Observers online noted what they described as a double standard in policing, claiming that while a nationalist rally was banned, the counter-protest was allowed to go ahead uninterrupted. Some have compared the day’s events to the historic 1936 Battle of Cable Street, where London’s East End communities stood against fascist demonstrations.

Cornell’s Student Paper Sparks Outrage After Publishing Artwork With Nazi Imagery

October 26, 2025

The student newspaper at The Cornell Daily Sun at Cornell University published an opinion piece by faculty member Karim‑Aly Kassam accompanied by artwork that featured the Nazi “SS” lightning‑bolt symbol inside a blood‑stained Star of David, leading to immediate backlash as antisemitic imagery.

The piece, titled “Thousand & One Eyes for An Eye,” was published days after the second anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, October 7 2023 Hamas Attack on Israel and the war in Gaza. In it, Kassam argued that Israel and its allies portrayed Palestinians as “animals” and compared that portrayal to Nazi Germany’s dehumanization of Jews.

Criticism arrived swiftly. William A. Jacobson — a law professor affiliated with Cornell and founder of the conservative site Legal Insurrection — said the artwork “reflects the normalization of Holocaust inversion” on campus. He pointed specifically to the SS symbol inside a Jewish star and concluded the message equated Jews with Nazis.

In response to the backlash, the Cornell Daily Sun removed the image and republished the article without it. An editor stated the imagery “may plausibly cause visceral harm to some of our readers based on the historical context of the ‘SS’ symbol.”

Professor Kassam expressed regret for how the artwork was received, saying he was “deeply saddened” that some interpreted the piece as antisemitic. He insisted that was not his intention.

This episode raises concerns for campus culture, especially within higher education.

Shockwaves on Campus: AAUP Battles UPenn’s Antisemitism Safeguards

October 26, 2025

The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) is opposing the University of Pennsylvania’s current efforts to address antisemitism, raising concerns that the school’s investigative procedures may infringe on academic freedom and faculty rights. The dispute centers on Penn’s Office of Religious and Ethnic Integrity (OREI), which oversees complaints of ethnic and religious discrimination under federal Title VI rules.

AAUP claims the university’s approach to handling antisemitism complaints may violate principles of free expression. In an October 20 letter, the AAUP criticized the OREI’s broad interpretation of antisemitism and alleged that Penn has pressured faculty to alter teaching and research in response to unsubstantiated complaints. According to the AAUP, these investigations often originate from external pressure campaigns or vague accusations based on classroom statements or social media posts.

Faculty affiliated with Arab, Muslim, or Palestinian causes appear to be disproportionately targeted, according to the AAUP’s statement. The letter warns that such investigations can have a chilling effect on faculty speech, especially when they involve politically charged topics like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The organization also called for greater transparency from Penn, demanding data on the number and origin of OREI investigations, including how many complaints were filed by individuals outside the university.

Meanwhile, Jewish student groups and pro-Israel organizations argue that Penn’s response to antisemitism has been insufficient. Past incidents have included vandalism of Jewish centers, antisemitic language at campus events, and harassment tied to protests. These groups insist that the university’s Title VI investigations play a necessary role in protecting Jewish students from hostility.

Penn officials have defended the role of OREI, stating that it exists to mediate and investigate religious or ethnic harassment complaints in line with federal law. The university maintains that the process does not infringe on academic freedom and is consistent with commitments to both diversity and free inquiry.

The dispute reflects broader tensions in American higher education. Universities are under pressure to protect students from identity-based harassment while also preserving the constitutional rights of faculty.

Ed Gallrein Torches Thomas Massie as MAGA ‘Roadblock’

October 25, 2025

American Flags — American flag (David Everett Strickler/Unsplash)

Congressional hopeful Ed Gallrein, a Trump-endorsed Navy SEAL and Army Ranger, is challenging Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) in Kentucky’s 4th District, calling the incumbent a “roadblock” to the MAGA agenda Kentuckians overwhelmingly support.

Appearing on Breitbart News Saturday, Gallrein said Massie has failed to represent conservative values and instead mirrors the far-left. “He reflects the voice of AOC more than he does Kentucky,” Gallrein stated. “He has illuminated himself as a roadblock to the agenda that we voted for in Kentucky.”

Gallrein criticized Massie for seeking an eighth term despite previously advocating for term limits, calling him a “typical hypocritical politician.” He argued that Massie has become isolated in Congress, burning bridges rather than building coalitions.

“Nobody’s going to return his call but AOC,” Gallrein said, warning that Massie’s isolation is damaging Kentucky’s influence in Washington.

He further accused Massie of being supported by Democrat-aligned organizations. “He’s now being funded — and he’s pursuing it actively — by the Democratic Socialists of America… through the Integrity PAC,” Gallrein alleged.

Gallrein also emphasized the need for strong leadership in a volatile time, referencing the challenges facing the nation following Joe Biden’s presidency. He positioned himself as a solution-oriented leader committed to advancing President Donald Trump’s agenda.

The challenger also slammed Massie’s record on agriculture, noting his consistent votes against farm bills. “He never has a better idea to make it better,” Gallrein said. “He just votes against it.”

Gallrein is asking voters to choose between a career politician or a conservative outsider with deep Kentucky roots and a record of military service. “Do you want a native Kentuckian, a generational farmer, a Navy SEAL, Army Ranger officer… or do you want to keep sending somebody that finds a problem for every solution?”

Philadelphia Drug Bust, FBI Destroys Weymouth Street Empire

October 25, 2025

FBI-AP-PhotoCharlie-Neibergall-File — AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File

Federal and local law enforcement dismantled a major Philadelphia drug operation this week, taking down the notorious Weymouth Street Drug Trafficking Organization, which had controlled an open-air drug market in the city’s Kensington district for nearly a decade.

In a Friday press conference, FBI Director Kash Patel announced the indictment of 33 individuals tied to the organization, describing it as one of the largest gang takedowns in recent memory. Twenty-four suspects were arrested in the coordinated sweep, with eight already in custody and one suspect still at large.

“Everyone in America should be looking at this takedown,” Patel said. “This is how you safeguard cities from coast to coast.” He emphasized the operation as a model for federal-local coordination in battling organized crime.

U.S. Attorney David Metcalf detailed the scope of the investigation, noting the indictment covers operations from January 2016 to October 2025. The criminal network trafficked fentanyl, heroin, crack cocaine, and powder cocaine, using violence—including shootings, murder, and assaults—to maintain control of their territory and intimidate witnesses.

“This is a massive drug-trafficking conspiracy… the largest federal indictment this century brought by our district,” Metcalf said.

Most arrests occurred in Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhood, with additional arrests made in Puerto Rico, New Jersey, and Delaware. Agents served 11 federal search warrants and recovered dozens of firearms and significant quantities of narcotics. The FBI’s Wayne Jacobs said nine tactical teams executed the raids.

Fox News reports that the organization was allegedly led by Jose Antonio Morales Nieves, aka “Flaco,” based in Puerto Rico. He, along with Ramon Roman-Montanez (“Viejo”) and Nancy Rios-Valentin, ran the drug ring like a business, complete with rental fees, shift managers, and financial oversight.

Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino highlighted the raid on social media: “When President Trump told us to ‘go get em,’ he wasn’t kidding. And neither were we.”