Multiple stores have closed in Democrat-controlled cities in recent months and in story after story, after story, the companies behind these stores have cited crime as a major reason for closing.

CNN has finally decided to cover this issue, but insists – contrary to the owners of these stores – that it has nothing to do with crime.

They are defying reality and the words of the businesses themselves.

First, CNN released this report:

The real reasons stores such as Walmart and Starbucks are closing in big cities

Nordstrom. Walmart. Whole Foods. Starbucks. CVS.

These big chains and others have closed stores in major US cities recently, raising alarm about the future of retail in some of the country’s most prominent downtowns and business districts.

Several forces are pushing chains out of some city centers: a glut of stores, people working from home, online shopping, exorbitant rents, crime and public safety concerns, and difficulty hiring workers.

To reinvent downtown retail, drastic changes may be required…

Some of those policymakers, including both Republican and Democratic leaders, have pointed to crime as a chief reason for the closures, following videos of brazen shoplifting incidents.

“We’re losing chain stores that are closing down. People who are being employed in those stores are losing their jobs” because of crime, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, said in February.

But the impact of shoplifting may have been overstated in some cases…

One major factor here is the pandemic-fueled shift to remote work: Between 2019 and 2021, the number of people primarily working from home tripled from around 9 million people to 27.6 million people, according to the Census Bureau.

Then came this video. In the first 30 seconds, the host says it has nothing to do with crime:

Why are chain stores like Nordstrom, Whole Foods and CVS closing in big cities? https://t.co/eZnQatdL2L pic.twitter.com/8RQVg9oExj

— CNN (@CNN) May 13, 2023

This is CNN lying in an attempt to protect Democrats from well deserved criticism on crime.

The network is beyond redemption.

The post REALLY? CNN Claims Store Closures in Blue Cities Have Nothing to do With Crime (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

In April, three students at Loyola University Chicago held a protest in opposition to a drag show on the campus of the Catholic university.

Loyola’s Department of Programming shared on Instagram, “Join DOP and Rainbow Connection at Drag Race! Come as a performer or audience! This is a show for all drag performers, not just queens or kings. All skill levels are encouraged and beginners or duet acts are welcomed! Check out our stories and @rainbow_connection_luc bio for sign up link!”

The post appears to have had comments turned off.

Campus Reform shared newly obtained video and audio footage of the protest showing the protesters being harassed and yelled at by their classmates who screamed, “Show your face!” and “Turn around b***h!” and “I hate Catholic people.”

Audio:

Campus Reform reports: 

Another student was caught on an exclusive audio recording saying “I hate Catholic people,” which elicited cheers from fellow protesters. Moments after this interaction, the audio recording picks up what sounds like a counter-protester stealing posters from the group of students.

Similarly, student protestor Matthew McKenna said he decided to protest because other forms of activism, including handwritten signatures from students and professors, were deemed ineffective.

“The level of blasphemy which Loyola allowed for and directly funded with student dollars was intolerable and abominable,” McKenna told Campus Reform. “The protest served primarily as a message against this as well as a message against Loyola’s continual disregard for its own mission clauses and for the authority of the bishops and especially the Vatican.”

Video footage:

The post Pro-Drag Students at Loyola University Chicago Yell “I Hate Catholics” at Protestors appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.