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Thousands Protest Around the Country in the Face of Another Weekend of Gun Violence

It was another weekend of gun violence in America with multiple deadly shootings across the country.

The continued violence only serves to strengthen the plea of protesters, who marched for change in hundreds of cities across the country.

In Chicago at least 21 people were shot, seven of them killed.

In neighboring Indiana, a mass shooting at a nightclub in Gary left two dead and four injured over the weekend.

In Denver, police are searching for someone who shot six people, two fatally, at a house party early Sunday morning.

And in Kentucky, five teenagers were shot Saturday night near a pedestrian bridge in Louisville next to waterfront park.

There have been 266 mass shootings just this year, according to the gun violence archive.

Thousands took to the streets nationwide for the March for Our Lives rallies protesting gun violence.

Catholic News Headlines for Friday, 6/10/22

The Diocese of Brooklyn welcomed three new priests after Bishop Robert Brennan celebrated his first ordination Mass in the diocese.

Pope Francis postpones a trip to Africa — because of health reasons.

The Supreme Court —  edging closer to a decision over whether to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Students are dancing at a Catholic Academy in Queens —  all to help a fellow classmate.

Senate Bill to Expand SCOTUS Security Protection Stalls in House

Currents News Staff

Police are searching the home of a California man charged with attempted murder after he told police he wanted to kill a Supreme Court Justice and then kill himself, he said, to give his life purpose.

He told authorities he was upset over the leak of a draft ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, and the possibility that the court could loosen gun laws.

Authorities say 26-year-old Nicholas Roske went to Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s Maryland home with a gun, zip ties and other tools, but after seeing two Deputy Marshals outside, he called 911 on himself.

Attorney General Merrick Garland says the Justice Department will not tolerate this behavior.

“Threats of violence and actual violence against the justices of course strike at the heart of our democracy,” said AG Garland.

Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin says Congress is now ready to approve a bill extending security to the immediate family members of justices.

“What happened this week with Justice Kavanaugh is a reminder that we live in a dangerous place,” said Durbin, “and these people are vulnerable and we should protect them.”

Republicans are blasting the delay. House Democrats want to expand the Senate bill to cover clerks and staff too. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi promises action soon.

“We had hoped that we could do it today,” said Pelosi, “but we will certainly do it next week.”

This all comes as the Jan.6 hearings began Thursday and Washington gears up for a potentially volatile June. That’s when major Supreme Court decisions, large-scale protests, and more tours at the Capitol will converge in an already heightened threat environment.

Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger is ramping up security, while DC Police are activating their riot cops throughout the month. A major concern: the pending abortion ruling. Intelligence analysts warn of potential threats toward lawmakers, Supreme Court Justices, abortion providers, and religious groups. The threats are coming from both sides of the abortion debate.

“I am worried about the violence,” said Manger. “I’m worried about the lone actor coming in and doing something dangerous.”

Protests related to abortion and gun laws could bring thousands of people to Washington. Sources say capitol police are now adding overtime shifts.

“The focus is really on the protests that are going on the court,” said Manger. “The protests that are going on at the homes of the Justices. I understand that the tension could very quickly turn to, you know, to the Capitol.”

These Two Irish Men Are Rowing a Boat Across the Atlantic Ocean

Currents News Staff

It’s a story that might make you say “Yeah Right” because no one is rowing across the ocean! But it’s true!

Two men from Ireland are planning to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean. They’re starting in NewYork on the Hudson River and heading back home to Galway.

Before they embark on their journey, Damian Browne and Fergus Farrell joined Currents News to talk about their trek and why they’re raising money along the way.

They’re accepting donations that will go to four different charities. You can find out more and make a donation by heading to their website: projectempower.ie – just click on “donate” when you get there.

 

Catholic News Headlines for Thursday, 6/9/22

Gearing up for trouble with abortion on the docket. Capital police say a storm is coming.

While the gun control debate rages — will a reform package finally pass through the Senate?

Could the baby formula crisis have been avoided?

Brewing beer is their blood but its closing time for monks in Massachusetts.

Washington Increases Security Ahead of Potential Threats With Roe Ruling

Currents News Staff

It could be the perfect storm as protests related to abortion and gun laws might bring thousands of people to Washington. U.S. Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger says there’s threats.

“There’s, I think, a lot of vitriol,” said Chief Tom.

The Supreme Court has a month left in its term and 30 cases to rule on including the possible overturning of Roe v Wade. Homeland Security is warning this summer could be violent.

But the chaos has already begun. Just this week, a California man was arrested after he told police he wanted to kill a Supreme Court Justice and then kill himself, he said, to give his life purpose.

The suspect was upset over the leak of that draft ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, and the possibility that the court could loosen gun laws.

Authorities say the man went to Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s home with a gun, zip ties and other tools. But after seeing two deputy U.S. Marshals outside, he called 9-1-1 on himself.

“This kind of behavior is obviously behavior that we will not tolerate,” said AG Merrick Garland. “Threats of violence and actual violence against the justices of course strike at the heart of our democracy.”

According to law enforcement, threats are coming from both sides of the abortion debate.

Lawmakers Negotiate Gun Control And Face Pressure to Act in Wake of Recent Shootings

Currents News Staff

On Capitol Hill, cautious optimism is taking place as bipartisan negotiations on gun safety reform continue in the Senate.

“I think that we can put together a package that will get more than 10 republican votes,” said Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy.

Lawmakers have been facing intense pressure to act in the wake of several recent mass shootings in the U.S.

At least 10 Senate Republicans need to vote with Democrats to clear the 60-vote threshold to break a filibuster – and pass legislation.

“Look, I think that is worth seriously considering providing some extra scrutiny for young purchasers, but prohibitions are, that would be very tough,” said Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey.

While a deal is far from complete, sources say lawmakers are eyeing the 18 to 21 age group in terms of age limits – or looking at juvenile criminal records – to buy semiautomatic weapons.

“I think we need to have background checks to make sure criminals and folks who are court adjudicated mentally ill terrorists,” said Montana Sen. Jon Tester. “I believe they lost their second amendment rights.”

This week, some parents who lost their children in Uvalde – testified before the House and urged Congress to act.

“Somewhere out there is a mom, who is listening to our testimony, thinking I can’t even imagine their pain, not knowing that our reality will one day be hers unless we act now,” said Kimberly Rubio who lost her daughter Lexi in the Uvalde shooting.

Senate democrats are holding out hope that their Republican colleagues will join them in taking action.

Rent Prices Continue to Rise By More Than 30 Percent In New York City

Currents News Staff

If the amount of crime in New York City’s transit system isn’t troubling enough, new reports show rents have risen almost 32 percent from last year.

If you’re looking for a place to rent in Manhattan – the average asking price right now is around $3,900 a month.

That means, if you’re going by the 40 times rent rule that landlords normally require, you’d have to make close to $160,000 a year!

Looking at Brooklyn, prices aren’t as high. The median rent is a little more than $3,000, but that still means you’d have to make more than $100,000.

MANHATTAN RENT- $3,925 A MONTH

INCOME- $157,000 PER YEAR

BROOKLYN RENT- $3,048 A MONTH

INCOME- $106,000 PER YEAR

Our Lady of Cenacle Church Marks 100 Year Anniversary During Pentecost Mass With Bishop Brennan

Currents News Staff

It was a special anniversary for the parish at Our Lady of Cenacle Church in Richmond Hill, Queens. Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan joined parishioners on Pentecost Sunday to celebrate their 100th anniversary. He highlighted the parish’s culturally rich and diverse community – calling it a testament of the Holy Spirit.

The Queens church has been serving the Jamaica-Queens neighborhood since 1922 and was originally carved out of the neighboring church – Holy Child Jesus Catholic Church.

To top off the festivities, the 1972 graduating class from Our Lady of the Cenacle’s former school celebrated their 50th anniversary – many of whom continue to play active roles in the church.