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An organization at @CatholicUniv, Cardinals for Life, has invited Abby Johnson to speak next week at an event: "What It Means to Be Pro-Life."
This is in contradiction to CUA's own speaker policy, and Johnson openly promotes views opposed to CUA's values and a culture of life.
This is in contradiction to CUA's own speaker policy, and Johnson openly promotes views opposed to CUA's values and a culture of life.
CUA's speaker policy states it is committed to avoiding the advocacy of "the violent overthrow of the government of the United States or any political subdivision thereof." https://policies.catholic.edu/students/studentlife/organizations/presentations.html
Yet Johnson was recently a participant in the insurrection on January 6th and promoted the lie behind it.
Johnson has well documented her support and participation in "Stop the Steal" events and has promoted untruths about the outcome of the election.
More examples of Johnson promoting the lie that the election was fraudulent.
CUA's speaker policy says it is dedicated to the pursuit of truth. Here is Johnson's idea of "speaking truth."
Some of Johnson's tweets just prior to the insurrection.
Johnson pictured on national news at the storming of the Capitol.
Johnson openly admits her participation that day, stating that most people there were, like her, supporting the lie that the election was stolen. She states she was on the steps of the Capitol.
Later, her story changed. She didn't take part in it at all. She was just in front, walking away.
After that, her tune changes, casting the blame on others.
But the fact remains that even after participating in the storming of the Capitol, the event that shattered the peaceful transfer of power and attempted to undermine our election and the will of the people, Johnson still promoted the lie behind it all.
Her participation in that shameful moment of our nation's history and unwillingness to apologize and denounce the lie she promoted should be more than enough of a scandal to prevent her from being a speaker at CUA. But, there's more.
CUA's Cardinals Care Pledge states " I will practice responsible citizenship, abide by D.C. pandemic regulations, including those regarding face coverings." Johnson has rejected and mocked masks numerous times throughout the pandemic. https://student-affairs.catholic.edu/opening-2020.html
Is mocking mask usage pro-life?
And although she reacted with anger and claimed that she never said not to wear a mask, she later did so.
Johnson opposes vaccines that would end the pandemic. Is vaccine opposition pro-life? CUA's President Garvey has addressed this: https://president.catholic.edu/communications/letters/lets-end-the-pandemic.html
Will Johnson promote these views as part of her talk about what it means to be pro-life?
What about Johnson's views on racism? Is thinking racial profiling is "smart" pro-life? https://www.simchafisher.com/2020/06/25/abby-johnson-police-will-racially-profile-my-biracial-son-thats-smart/
"She needed to be able to say that she was going to fight for her son’s personhood and fight for justice in his life instead of accepting injustice" https://www.simchafisher.com/2020/06/30/black-catholics-respond-to-abby-johnson/
Are these views of the poor and of refugees pro-life and consistent with CUA's values?
Is there more? Sadly, there is.
Does CUA's speaker policy allow those who support male-only voting?
Does CUA's speaker policy allow those who support male-only voting?
As a CUA alum, I strongly oppose Johnson being permitted as a speaker at CUA, especially not one who will explain "What It Means to Be Pro-Life." I am calling on @CUAactivities to please remove her.
I take no pleasure in making this thread. I only do so out of love for my alma mater, for my Catholic church, and for my country.
You can contact the Office of Campus Activities here: 202-319-6003
[email protected]
If you do, PLEASE:
1. Be nice. Just state your opposition.
2. Focus on the fact that Johnson is not in line with the speaker policy. Avoid other grievances with her https://twitter.com/mamcauliffe94/status/1357732347559436288?s=19
[email protected]
If you do, PLEASE:
1. Be nice. Just state your opposition.
2. Focus on the fact that Johnson is not in line with the speaker policy. Avoid other grievances with her https://twitter.com/mamcauliffe94/status/1357732347559436288?s=19
CUA rightly includes an array of speakers with a variety of perspectives and backgrounds, including different religious beliefs, as a university should.
They also explain that, as a private Catholic institution, they have set up certain boundaries for who can speak on campus.
They also explain that, as a private Catholic institution, they have set up certain boundaries for who can speak on campus.
Some things are beyond the pale, like supporting an insurrection.
CUA made this policy long ago. I just want them to uphold it. https://policies.catholic.edu/students/studentlife/organizations/presentations.html
CUA made this policy long ago. I just want them to uphold it. https://policies.catholic.edu/students/studentlife/organizations/presentations.html
Here is everything in a nutshell: https://twitter.com/mary_pezzulo/status/1357741814355267593?s=19
Also just want to acknowledge that others, like @mary_pezzulo and @SimchaFisher (linked to above), have written about this for a while. There's sadly way more out there than what I've catalogued here. https://www.patheos.com/blogs/steelmagnificat/2020/12/abby-johnson-publicly-rejects-catholic-moral-teaching/
