Semilore is drawn to the efficiency of digital assets in terms of storing, and transferring value. He is a staunch advocate for the adoption of cryptocurrency as he believes it can improve the digitalization and transparency of the existing financial systems. In two years of active crypto writing, Semilore has covered multiple aspects of the digital asset space including blockchains, decentralized finance (DeFi), staking, non-fungible tokens (NFT), regulations and network upgrades among others. In his early years, Semilore honed his skills as a content writer, curating educational articles that catered to a wide audience. His pieces were particularly valuable for individuals new to the crypto space, offering insightful explanations that demystified the world of digital currencies. Semilore also curated pieces for veteran crypto users ensuring they were up to date with the latest blockchains, decentralized applications and network updates. This foundation in educational writing has continued to inform his work, ensuring that his current work remains accessible, accurate and informative. Currently at NewsBTC, Semilore is dedicated to reporting the latest news on cryptocurrency price action, on-chain developments and whale activity. He also covers the latest token analysis and price predictions by top market experts thus providing readers with potentially insightful and actionable information. Through his meticulous research and engaging writing style, Semilore strives to establish himself as a trusted source in the crypto journalism field to inform and educate his audience on the latest trends and developments in the rapidly evolving world of digital assets. Outside his work, Semilore possesses other passions like all individuals. He is a big music fan with an interest in almost every genre. He can be described as a “music nomad” always ready to listen to new artists and explore new trends. Semilore Faleti is also a strong advocate for social justice, preaching fairness, inclusivity, and equity. He actively promotes the engagement of issues centred around systemic inequalities and all forms of discrimination. He also promotes political participation by all persons at all levels. He believes active contribution to governmental systems and policies is the fastest and most effective way to bring about permanent positive change in any society. In conclusion, Semilore Faleti exemplifies the convergence of expertise, passion, and advocacy in the world of crypto journalism. He is a rare individual whose work in documenting the evolution of cryptocurrency will remain relevant for years to come. His dedication to demystifying digital assets and advocating for their adoption, combined with his commitment to social justice and political engagement, positions him as a dynamic and influential voice in the industry. Whether through his meticulous reporting at NewsBTC or his fervent promotion of fairness and equity, Semilore continues to inform, educate, and inspire his audience, striving for a more transparent and inclusive financial future.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/bitcoin/bitcoin-block-channel-reveals-400000-price-target/
Tag: discrimination
15 Must-Watch Sandra Bullock Movies: The Definitive Ranked List
Just as *The Big Bang Theory*’s Rajesh Koothrapali says, “Sandy B always brings it,” and she truly does. The well-known *Miss Congeniality* star Sandra Bullock is celebrated for her incredible acting versatility. She effortlessly jumps from one genre to another, drying your tears in a dramatic scene and making you laugh the next.
Here are Sandra Bullock’s movies that will take you on an emotional ride, ranked by Rotten Tomatoes ratings:
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### 1. Gravity (2013)
**Rotten Tomatoes Rating:** 96%
**Director:** Alfonso Cuarón
*Gravity* is a sci-fi thriller starring Sandra Bullock as Dr. Ryan Stone, a medical engineer stranded alone in space. The immersive 3D cinematography heightens the feeling of fear and total isolation portrayed throughout the film. Bullock’s performance is equally impressive, conveying clear desperation as she floats in the vast darkness of space.
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### 2. Speed (1994)
**Rotten Tomatoes Rating:** 95%
**Director:** Jan de Bont
This action-packed movie has been praised by critics and viewers alike for its thrilling premise centered on a life-threatening situation. Bullock plays Annie Porter, a passenger trapped inside a rigged bus. Her chemistry with co-star Keanu Reeves is electric, adding depth to their characters and elevating the suspense.
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### 3. While You Were Sleeping (1995)
**Rotten Tomatoes Rating:** 81%
**Director:** Jon Turteltaub
Sandra Bullock delves into romance as Lucy Eleanor Moderatz in *While You Were Sleeping*. Her heartwarming portrayal of a woman caught between lies and love is both charming and humorous, making the film a beloved romantic comedy classic.
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### 4. The Prince of Egypt (1998)
**Rotten Tomatoes Rating:** 79%
**Directors:** Simon Wells, Steve Hickner, and Brenda Chapman
*The Prince of Egypt* retells the biblical story of Moses, voiced by Val Kilmer. Sandra Bullock lends her voice to Miriam, Moses’ devoted eldest sister. Her warm and sincere vocal performance perfectly captures Miriam’s caring and protective nature.
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### 5. The Lost City (2022)
**Rotten Tomatoes Rating:** 79%
**Directors:** Adam and Aaron Nee
In *The Lost City*, Bullock plays Loretta Sage, a reclusive romance novelist who unexpectedly embarks on a wild adventure with Dash McMahon (Channing Tatum), the man who inspired the hero of her books. Bullock’s charm shines through with wit and intellect, perfectly suited for this romantic comedy.
—
### 6. Crash (2004)
**Rotten Tomatoes Rating:** 74%
**Director:** Paul Haggis
*Crash* is a controversial film addressing race, bigotry, and discrimination in Los Angeles through interwoven stories. Bullock portrays Jean Cabot, a wealthy white woman involved in a tense carjacking. Her body language and facial expressions deliver raw vulnerability and fear, hallmarks of Bullock’s acting prowess.
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### 7. Infamous (2006)
**Rotten Tomatoes Rating:** 74%
**Director:** Douglas McGrath
*Infamous* tells the story of authors Truman Capote (Toby Jones) and Harper Lee (Sandra Bullock) as they befriend convicted murderer Perry Smith (Daniel Craig). Bullock shines in a supporting role, embodying Lee’s subtlety, grace, and quiet strength.
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### 8. Ocean’s Eight (2018)
**Rotten Tomatoes Rating:** 68%
**Director:** Gary Ross
*Ocean’s Eight* puts the spotlight on an all-female heist crew led by Sandra Bullock as Debbie Ocean, sister to Danny Ocean (George Clooney). Bullock’s confident and charismatic leadership makes her character unforgettable as they plot a high-stakes robbery during the Met Gala.
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### 9. A Time to Kill (1996)
**Rotten Tomatoes Rating:** 67%
**Director:** Joel Schumacher
In *A Time to Kill*, Bullock portrays a determined law student assisting Carl Lee Hailey (Samuel L. Jackson), a father seeking justice for his daughter. Her empathy and strong chemistry with Matthew McConaughey’s defense attorney character deepen the emotional impact of this gripping drama.
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### 10. The Blind Side (2009)
**Rotten Tomatoes Rating:** 66%
**Director:** John Lee Hancock
Bullock’s role as Leigh Anne Tuohy in *The Blind Side* highlights her ability to portray powerful, inspiring characters. She delivers warmth and compassion as a mother who opens her home to Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), a homeless teen, illustrating the transformative power of kindness.
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### 11. The Heat (2013)
**Rotten Tomatoes Rating:** 66%
**Director:** Paul Feig
Showing another facet of her talent, Bullock stars as FBI Special Agent Sarah Ashburn in *The Heat*. Her sharp comedic timing and sarcastic wit paired with Melissa McCarthy’s energy make this action-comedy a memorable and hilarious experience.
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### 12. Bird Box (2018)
**Rotten Tomatoes Rating:** 64%
**Director:** Susanne Bier
The chilling thriller *Bird Box* owes much of its popularity to Bullock’s compelling performance as Malorie Hayes. Balancing intense fear and inner strength, she drives the suspenseful story while navigating a post-apocalyptic world blindfolded for most of the film.
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### 13. Demolition Man (1993)
**Rotten Tomatoes Rating:** 62%
**Director:** Marco Brambilla
In this action sci-fi film, Bullock plays Lenina Huxley, a young police officer eager to prove herself. Her energetic and charming portrayal complements the roles of Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes in this high-concept futuristic thriller.
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### 14. Wrestling Ernest Hemingway (1993)
**Rotten Tomatoes Rating:** 59%
**Director:** Randa Haines
Bullock plays Elaine, a waitress who forms a bond with two retired men, Walter (Robert Duvall) and Frank (Richard Harris). Despite being a supporting character in a story centered on male friendship, Bullock brings authenticity and warmth to her role.
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### 15. The Thing Called Love (1993)
**Rotten Tomatoes Rating:** 57%
**Director:** Peter Bogdanovich
Although not the lead, Bullock’s role as Linda Lue Liden adds to the vibrant depiction of the country music scene. Her bubbly and energetic performance as a supportive friend enriches the film’s dynamic and atmosphere.
—
### Final Thoughts
Sandra Bullock’s diverse filmography showcases her remarkable ability to move effortlessly between genres, bringing depth and authenticity to every character she portrays. Whether you’re in the mood for suspense, romance, comedy, or drama, there’s a Sandra Bullock movie for every emotional journey.
—
*Bonus Insight:*
Recently, I came across an online discussion revealing surprising behind-the-scenes personalities of some beloved celebrities. It was eye-opening to learn how different their off-screen personas are from the ones we admire on the big screen—reminding us that fame often comes with hidden complexities.
https://radicalfire.com/sandra-bullock-movies/
Defense of Kamehameha admissions policy tied to history
With a new lawsuit against Kamehameha Schools, many Native Hawaiians see the challenge to its admissions policies as a matter of history and sovereignty.
Established with a bequest from a Hawaiian princess in 1887, Kamehameha is among the most elite private educational institutions in Hawaii. Its central mission—to serve Native Hawaiians—has remained intact for decades. That vision has long been realized through its admissions policy. While anyone can apply to attend Kamehameha’s elementary, middle, and high schools, preference is given to students who can prove some Hawaiian ancestry. As a result, almost all students attending Kamehameha are Native Hawaiians.
Students for Fair Admissions, the group that successfully sued to end affirmative action in college admissions, last month filed a lawsuit in federal court arguing that the admissions policy violates a federal civil rights law prohibiting discrimination in contracts— in this case, admission contracts at a private school.
Kamehameha said it was prepared for the challenge. “We are resolved to vigorously defend our admissions policy,” the school said in a statement after the suit was filed. “The facts and the law are on our side, and we are confident that we will prevail.”
The lawsuit, they say, is a frontal assault on the bequest of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop and yet another attempt by outsiders to snatch away resources devoted to uplifting the Hawaiian people. They also point out that the school, with a $15 billion endowment larger than some Ivy League universities, takes no federal funding.
“It’s not a question of denial of opportunities; it’s a question of sovereignty over our own resources,” said Jon Osorio, dean of the Hawai‘inui‘kea School of Hawaiian Knowledge at the University of Hawaii and a Kamehameha alumnus.
Kamehameha is so distinct in its history, admissions policy, and funding structure that any court decision invalidating its policy is unlikely to directly affect other schools, some legal experts say. But the challenge reflects a broader shift in much of the country’s view of racial minorities, especially as the Trump administration tries to choke off immigration and dismantle diversity programs across public life.
“We are in the midst of what I would regard as an era of racial revanchism,” said Justin Driver, a law professor at Yale University and the author of “The Fall of Affirmative Action.”
Kamehameha’s founder, Pauahi, was the last direct descendant of Kamehameha I, the 18th-century king who unified the Hawaiian Islands. When she died in 1884, her will bequeathed some 375,000 acres to establish the schools. At the time, Hawaii was an independent kingdom, but diseases from the West were devastating its population.
A few years later, the monarchy was overthrown by Western businesspeople, and for generations onward, Hawaiian culture and language were actively suppressed. Today, Native Hawaiians still face significant health, economic, and educational disparities. Many have moved to the mainland because of soaring living costs.
Census data released in 2024 showed that for the first time, more Native Hawaiians were living outside Hawaii than in the state.
Concerns about a lawsuit had been growing in Hawaii since Students for Fair Admissions started a website before filing the lawsuit, seeking plaintiffs to challenge Kamehameha’s admissions policy. A petition had gathered more than 30,000 signatures. Politicians, including some of the state’s Republican lawmakers, had also criticized the group.
“At the college level, we agree with what they’re going after,” Brenton Awa, a Republican state senator, said in an interview before the lawsuit was filed. “But we’re talking about a princess’s will, and this will was set up to restore something that had been taken away from Native Hawaiians.”
Even among Native Hawaiians, admission to Kamehameha is competitive. The school, with 5,400 students across its campuses on Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island, accepts only 1 in 5 high school applicants. More than 60% of its students receive financial aid or come from “orphaned or indigent circumstances,” according to the school.
Michelle Kamali‘i-Ligsay, the daughter of a retail store manager and a public school aide, attended the Oahu school in the late 1990s. She received opportunities, scholarships, and alumni networks unavailable at her public school. But more importantly, she said, by the time she graduated, she was nearly fluent in Hawaiian — a rare accomplishment at a time when Hawaiian language classes were not widely available.
Now the principal of Kamehameha’s elementary program on Maui, she personally believes these benefits should be preserved for her people.
“Giving other people those opportunities,” she said, “is going to lessen that opportunity” for Native Hawaiians.
Applicants claiming Native Hawaiian status must undergo a rigorous verification process to prove their ancestry. Even so, Kamehameha’s student body — like Hawaii more broadly — is remarkably racially diverse. While the school does not release official demographic figures, an IRS review found that in 1998, 78% of the students were part Caucasian; 74% were part Chinese; 28% were part Japanese; and 23% were of other ancestries, including African American, Arab, Brazilian, Indian, Native Alaskan, and Native American.
What binds students together is their Hawaiian ancestry, however distant.
Eassie Miller, 43, who identifies as Hawaiian but also has Japanese, Filipino, English, German, and Spanish ancestry, still remembers the day he learned he was accepted to Kamehameha as the best moment in his life.
“Knowing that Princess Pauahi Bishop set up this trust and had this vision in mind for her people, you just wanted to be there as a Hawaiian kid,” said Miller, who now works in construction management on Maui.
Kamehameha had tried to inoculate itself from legal challenges. In the early 2000s, it severed all remaining ties to federally supported programs like JROTC. (Concerns remain that Kamehameha could lose its tax-exempt status, which happened to Bob Jones University in the 1970s because of its ban on interracial dating.)
It also enrolled at least a few non-Native Hawaiian students despite protests. It is unclear, though, whether non-Native Hawaiians are regularly accepted. When asked to clarify, Sterling Wong, a spokesperson for Kamehameha, reiterated the school’s preferential policy.
In its complaint, Students for Fair Admissions said it represented two anonymous non-Native Hawaiian families in Hawaii—Family A and Family B—who say they would apply to Kamehameha if the school did not restrict admission.
Before the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision banning affirmative action, lower courts had upheld Kamehameha’s admissions policy.
In 2006, a federal appeals court ruled that Kamehameha could maintain its preferential policy because of what it said were unique factors, including the history of Hawaii, the plight of Native Hawaiians, and the schools’ distinctively remedial mission.
Lawyers for Kamehameha had also argued that Native Hawaiians, as an Indigenous people with a political relationship with the U.S. government similar to Native Americans, constituted a political classification, not just a racial one.
In the complaint, Students for Fair Admissions argues that Kamehameha’s policy is not a valid remedial plan because it does not try to remedy a specific instance of past illegal discrimination. The group also argues that the policy is unconstitutional because Kamehameha has not suggested a logical end point, nor has it demonstrated a direct link between its racial preference and improved educational outcomes for Native Hawaiians as a whole.
The lawsuit could take years to wind its way through the courts and still not reach the Supreme Court.
© 2025 The New York Times Company
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2025/11/01/hawaii-news/defense-of-kamehameha-admissions-policy-tied-to-history/
14 Actors Who Were Allegedly Blacklisted From Hollywood (And Why)
**14 Actors Who Were Allegedly Blacklisted From Hollywood (And Why)**
*Susan Sarandon said, “I was dropped by my agency; my projects were pulled. I’ve been used as an example of what not to do if you want to continue to work.”*
**Warning:** This post contains mentions of sexual assault, rape, anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination, and mental health issues.
—
When an actor is “blacklisted,” it means other people in the industry refuse to work with them for specific reasons. The most famous example is the Hollywood blacklist of the 1940s and 1950s, when Congress created the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) to investigate alleged communist ties among Hollywood professionals. Those subpoenaed could either cooperate and point fingers at peers or refuse and face jail time and a blacklist.
While the original Hollywood blacklist ended in the 1960s, some actors still face alleged blacklisting today for their personal beliefs or for speaking out about negative experiences in the industry.
Here are 14 actors who were allegedly blacklisted by Hollywood:
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### 1. Laura Dern
Laura Dern didn’t get any work for a year after playing Ellen DeGeneres’s love interest on the groundbreaking coming-out episode of her sitcom *Ellen*. In 2019, Dern told *Vulture* that despite the honor of being part of the episode, she faced warnings and backlash in Hollywood.
She recalled bomb threats on set and a full security detail, and confirmed a significant “dry spell” in her career after the episode aired—even though she was at the height of her career with hits like *Jurassic Park*. Dern reflected that the experience shaped her advocacy and activism in profound ways.
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### 2. Anne Heche (late)
Anne Heche said she was blacklisted following her relationship with Ellen DeGeneres from 1997 to 2000. In 2021, Heche told *Page Six* she felt like “patient zero in cancel culture.”
After bringing Ellen as her date to the *Volcano* premiere, Heche claimed she was fired from a $10 million studio picture deal and didn’t work on studio films for a decade. However, she found support from Harrison Ford, her co-star in *Six Days, Seven Nights*, who stood by her despite the backlash.
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### 3. Susan Sarandon
Susan Sarandon reportedly felt blacklisted after speaking at a pro-Palestine rally in 2023. At the New York rally, she highlighted fears of being Jewish and compared it to the experience of Muslims facing violence in the U.S.
Following this, Sarandon was dropped by United Talent Agency. She later apologized on Instagram for her wording, acknowledging it was a mistake to imply Jewish Americans had not faced persecution. In 2024, Sarandon told *The Times* she lost her agency and projects and has been used as an example of what not to do if you want to keep working.
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### 4. Melissa Barrera
In 2023, Melissa Barrera was fired from *Scream VII* after speaking out on social media about the genocide in Gaza. Following her firing, she reportedly struggled to find work for almost a year.
Barrera condemned all forms of hate and urged peaceful coexistence in her Instagram statements. A year later, she told *The Independent* it was the darkest year of her life but shared that offers began to return after about 10 months.
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### 5. Mo’Nique
Mo’Nique alleged she was blackballed after winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2010. In 2015, she said she was treated as if she had done something wrong and was blackballed because she “didn’t play the game.”
She explained accusations against her being difficult to work with, which she disputed, and emphasized standing up for herself despite the consequences. She and her husband turned to independent filmmaking as a result.
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### 6. JoJo Siwa
JoJo Siwa said she was “basically blackballed” from Nickelodeon after coming out at 17. In the 2024 documentary *Child Star*, she alleged that the network president expressed concern about her coming out and pressured her to reassure retailers that she wasn’t “going crazy.”
Siwa refused, stating she was happy, and described the experience as hurtful but stood firm in her truth.
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### 7. Richard Gere
Richard Gere has reportedly been blocked from certain movies for speaking out against the Chinese occupation of Tibet. At the 1993 Academy Awards, instead of reading a joke as planned, he condemned human rights abuses in China and Tibet live onstage.
This led to alleged bans and blacklisting from the Chinese market—a huge box office territory—and impacted his career opportunities as studios sought Chinese financing. Gere continues his activism with organizations supporting Tibetan independence.
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### 8. Rose McGowan
Rose McGowan alleged she was blacklisted after being raped by Harvey Weinstein. In 2017, *The New York Times* reported a $100,000 settlement Harvey Weinstein reached with McGowan in 1997 to avoid litigation after an incident during a film festival.
McGowan stated she reported the assault to a studio head and was ignored, and later her projects were canceled internally. She said she was blacklisted “because I got raped, because I said something,” though it was only internal.
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### 9. Mira Sorvino
Mira Sorvino said Harvey Weinstein stifled her career after she rejected his advances. At 90s Con in 2024, Sorvino recounted uncomfortable encounters with Weinstein and reported the behavior to a Miramax employee.
Though she continued doing indie films and television, she felt excluded from major studio movies after rejecting Weinstein’s advances. She believes rejecting him had a significant impact on her career trajectory.
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### 10. Ashley Judd
Ashley Judd was reportedly blacklisted after allegations of assault by Harvey Weinstein. Director Peter Jackson recalled Miramax labeling Judd and Sorvino as “nightmares” to work with, which led to their removal from casting lists.
Judd previously told *The New York Times* about Weinstein’s coercive sexual behavior and how she repeatedly refused his advances, feeling panicked and trapped.
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### 11. Julia Ormond
Julia Ormond filed a lawsuit in 2023 accusing Harvey Weinstein, Miramax, Disney, and the Creative Artists Agency (CAA) of career damage after she reported Weinstein’s assault in 1995.
Ormond alleged that CAA lost interest in representing her after she reported the assault and warned her she might not be believed and that her career could suffer. She described the aftermath as catastrophic personally and professionally.
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### 12. Brendan Fraser
Brendan Fraser believes he may have been blacklisted by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) after accusing former HFPA president Philip Berk of sexually assaulting him at an HFPA luncheon in 2003.
Fraser spoke publicly about the assault in 2018, describing emotional turmoil and fear. He suspects his silence and fear may have contributed to a career lull, and has since found solidarity with others who have shared similar experiences.
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### 13. Neal McDonough
Neal McDonough was fired from the TV show *Scoundrels* in 2010 for refusing to shoot love scenes, reportedly because of personal or religious reasons. He claimed to have been blackballed for two years afterward.
During that difficult period, he struggled with loss of identity and alcoholism but found strength in his Catholic faith. He returned to onscreen romance during 2025’s *The Last Rodeo* with his wife playing his love interest.
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### 14. Katherine Heigl
Katherine Heigl’s career suffered after she was branded “difficult to work with” for openly criticizing some of her projects.
In 2008, she called the movie *Knocked Up* “a little sexist” and later withdrew her Emmy nomination citing lack of strong material, which reportedly upset writers and producers.
Heigl has spoken candidly about the anxiety and mental health struggles she experienced due to public and industry backlash. She credits therapy and medication for helping her cope and believes her reputation cost her opportunities.
—
### Resources for Support
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you can call the **National Sexual Assault Hotline** at **1-800-656-HOPE (4673)**, which connects callers to their nearest sexual assault service provider. You can also search for your local center [here](https://www.rainn.org/about-national-sexual-assault-telephone-hotline).
If you or someone you know has experienced anti-LGBTQ violence or harassment, contact the **National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP Hotline)** at **1-212-714-1141**.
The **National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)** helpline at **1-800-950-6264** provides information and referral services for mental health.
GoodTherapy.org is an association of mental health professionals from over 25 countries supporting efforts to reduce harm in therapy.
—
*This article highlights the challenges some actors have faced when speaking out or living openly in Hollywood, illustrating the complex intersection of power, identity, and industry pressures.*
https://www.buzzfeed.com/kristenharris1/actors-blacklisted-from-hollywood
Soros Fingerprints Found All Over the Rise of Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani
In September 2017, a photograph surfaced on social media showing activist Linda Sarsour kneeling on a Brooklyn sidewalk beside campaign volunteers for City Council candidate Khader El-Yateem. Among them was a young organizer named Zohran Mamdani. That image, posted on El-Yateem’s campaign page, marked the beginning of a political collaboration that would soon extend far beyond a local election.
Eight years later, Mamdani, now 34, is positioned to seek the mayoralty of New York City. His ascent, according to a Fox News Digital investigation, is the result of a coordinated network of political and religious organizations that have advanced candidates sharing socialist and Islamist ideologies.
A review of 110 groups supporting Mamdani shows overlapping ties between Muslim advocacy organizations and left-wing coalitions, including 76 Democratic Party affiliates and unions. Central to that effort are two key networks: Sarsour’s MPower organizations and a related group called Emgage.
Tax records reviewed by Fox News Digital reveal that billionaire George Soros’ Open Society Foundations have contributed nearly $2.5 million to MPower and Emgage in recent years. A spokesperson for the Open Society Foundations stated, “We fund a range of civil society organizations that work to deepen civic engagement through peaceful democratic participation, counter discrimination including against Muslim Americans, and advance human rights.” The spokesperson added that the cited grants occurred years before the mayoral race and were unrelated to any campaign activity.
The investigation found that MPower and Emgage are part of a coalition of about 30 ethnic and religious groups, including CAIR Action, the Islamic Circle of North America, the Muslim Action Coalition, and the Bangladeshi American Advocacy Group. Together, these groups have combined annual revenues exceeding $24 million and have mobilized resources, volunteers, and online campaigns to back Mamdani.
Analysts say these networks represent a coordinated political machine that merges progressive socialist movements with Islamist activism. Through campaigns like Emgage’s “Defend and Advance” initiative, the coalition promotes Mamdani alongside other Muslim candidates such as Virginia Lt. Governor candidate Ghazala Hashmi and Dearborn, Michigan, Mayor Abdullah Hammoud.
Emgage’s financial supporters include the Sterling Charitable Gift Fund in Herndon, Virginia — a group previously investigated by federal authorities in connection with suspected funding of Hamas-linked entities in the early 2000s, though no charges were ever filed.
Over the past decade, Sarsour and her allies have built a nationwide infrastructure linking philanthropy, activism, and political organizing. Their financial backing has come from large foundations such as the Ford Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, and the Tides Foundation, alongside Soros’ network. This structure has helped launch Mamdani’s political career by combining nonprofit outreach with campaign operations.
Dalia Al-Aqidi, an Iraqi American Muslim and Republican congressional candidate challenging Ilhan Omar in Minnesota, commented, “The data, the money trail, and the affiliations—from the Democratic Socialists of America to the Islamists—tell a different story.” She added, “Mamdani’s ascent is the product of deliberate design: a sophisticated collaboration between socialist activism and Islamist organizing, lubricated by millions in foundation grants and political donations.”
Mamdani’s activism began at Bowdoin College in Maine, where in 2012 he co-founded a chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine. By 2017, he was working on El-Yateem’s campaign with Sarsour. In 2018, he joined the board of the Muslim Democratic Club of New York, a political organization co-founded by Sarsour to mobilize Muslim voters for progressive candidates. The group endorsed Mamdani during his 2020 campaign for the New York State Assembly.
Public records show that MPower Change, a nonprofit housed at Neo Philanthropy, received at least $2.4 million in funding between 2017 and 2024, including more than $1 million from Soros’ Foundation to Promote Open Society and $450,000 from the MacArthur Foundation. Emgage Action, another key organization in Mamdani’s orbit, has received more than $3 million in grants from the same philanthropic network.
Mamdani’s rise has also been supported by several imams with controversial records. In January, he met with Imam Muhammad Al-Barr, who had previously prayed publicly for the “annihilation” of Israel. In May, Imam Siraj Wahhaj—who once testified as a character witness for Omar Abdel-Rahman, the “Blind Sheikh” convicted in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing—donated to Mamdani’s campaign fund. Mamdani later described Wahhaj as “one of the nation’s foremost Muslim leaders.”
Other clerical backers include Imam Talib Abdur-Rashid of the Mosque of Islamic Brotherhood in Harlem, who previously defended individuals linked to terrorist organizations, and Imam Khalid Latif of New York University, who endorsed Mamdani on social media in June.
Following criticism of his meeting with Wahhaj, Mamdani received public support from Sarsour, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), and Emgage Action. Sarsour shared a photo of herself with Mamdani, writing, “May Allah continue to bless and protect you.” Emgage’s executive director Wa’el Alzayat responded to the controversy by saying, “We are in this for the long haul.”
Al-Aqidi said the controversy only confirms how deeply the network is entrenched. “For over a decade, Linda Sarsour and her network of allies have built the Mamdani machine piece by piece: the institutions, the donors, the narratives, and now, the candidate,” she said. “His rise was not spontaneous. It was engineered, and the machinery behind it is only getting stronger.”
https://www.lifezette.com/2025/10/soros-fingerprints-found-all-over-the-rise-of-democratic-socialist-zohran-mamdani/
Church of Norway apologizes for how it treated LGBTQ+ people
The Church of Norway apologized on Thursday to the country’s LGBTQ+ community for decades of discrimination, Reuters reports.
Presiding Bishop Olav Fykse Tveit acknowledged the church’s regret at the London Pub in Oslo, the site of a shooting during Pride celebrations in June 2022. Two people died in the homophobic attack. Tveit said the Evangelical Lutheran church, the largest denomination in Norway, had caused harm to gay people and thanked those who campaigned for change.
“The church in Norway has imposed shame, great harm, and pain,” the bishop said. “This should not have happened, and that is why I apologize today.”
A similar acknowledgment by the church’s bishops in 2022 addressed past discrimination, including a description of gay people by the Norwegian Bishops’ Conference in the 1950s as a “social danger of global dimensions.” Seventy years later, same-sex couples can marry in the Church of Norway.
A service was scheduled to follow the bishop’s remarks at the Oslo Cathedral on Thursday evening.
The church’s acknowledgement of institutional discrimination follows several similar apologies in recent years by other Christian denominations.
In 2023, the Church of England apologized for its “shameful” treatment of the LGBTQ+ community. Representing 85 million Anglicans worldwide, the Protestant church expressed regret for past rejections and exclusions.
“We want to apologize for the ways in which the Church of England has treated LGBTQI+ people—both those who worship in our churches and those who do not,” the bishops said in a statement. “For the times we have rejected or excluded you, and those you love, we are deeply sorry. The occasions on which you have received a hostile and homophobic response in our churches are shameful, and for this we repent.”
However, at the same time, bishops have refused to allow same-sex marriages in Anglican churches. Just this week, they turned back plans to officiate discreet blessings for same-sex couples, although such blessings can take place within routine church services.
In August, the United Church of Canada, the largest Protestant denomination in the country, acknowledged harms to the Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ communities in Canada.
“We have failed to celebrate and delight in all of your beautiful Creation. We have wounded people instead of seeking wholeness. We are sorry,” said Rev. Michael Blair, the church’s General Secretary, in a message accompanying the official apology.
“We, The United Church of Canada, express our deepest apologies to all those who have experienced homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia within The United Church of Canada,” the statement read in part.
These institutional expressions of regret have been accompanied by recent individual apologies by church leaders, many within the Catholic Church.
In January, Catholic Cardinal Wilton Gregory of Washington, D.C., issued a personal apology from the pulpit.
“I apologize for my own failure to emulate Christ’s compassion,” he said. “The way that we have treated our LGBTQ brothers and sisters has brought them tears, and to many of us, disgrace.”
“I apologize from the heart for the hurt that has resulted in the loss of so many of our family members who belong to God no less than I do,” he added.
Last year, a Catholic bishop in Germany apologized for the church’s mistreatment of LGBTQ+ people, encouraging congregants to be more supportive of equality and inclusion.
“We want to be a diocese that values diversity,” Bishop Stephan Ackermann said during what he called a “public confession.”
The following month, Archbishop Heiner Koch of Berlin also apologized, labeling homophobia an “unholy line of tradition.”
In 2016, Pope Francis stated during a conversation with reporters aboard the papal plane that Christians owe apologies to gay people and others who have been offended or exploited by the church.
“I repeat what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says: that they must not be discriminated against, that they must be respected and accompanied pastorally,” Francis said. “The Church must ask forgiveness for not behaving many times—when I say the Church, I mean Christians! The Church is holy, we are sinners!”
A formal apology from the Catholic Church has not yet been issued.
https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/10/church-of-norway-apologizes-for-how-it-treated-lgbtq-people/