AUGUSTA, Maine (LifeSiteNews) – A remote learning program for the state of Maine features a video which says that terms such as “MAGA” and phrases such as “Speak more English” constitute “covert racism.”
The video, called “Racism is a Virus,” has since been removed from a module called “To What Extent Is My Community Inclusive and Welcoming?” run by the Maine Online Opportunities for Sustained Education (MOOSE) Program and featured a slide that showed a list of terms and phrases that presenters in the video considered to express “covert racism.” The video was created by the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine, the Bangor Daily News reported.
The term “MAGA,” popularized by former President Donald Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign, was featured on the list, along with the terms such as “paternalism” and “Columbus Day,” as well as phrases such as “white privilege denial” and “All Lives Matter,” as examples of “covert racism.”
The list of terms and phrases considered to show “covert racism” is contrasted with examples of “overt racism,” such as lynching, wearing blackface, and using racial slurs.
READ: Planned Parenthood is profiting handsomely from transgender ‘hormone therapy’ programs for children
Marcus Mrowka, a spokesman for the Maine Department of Education, responded to criticism of the slide, stating that neither the Department of Education nor the educator that made the module made the video. When asked if state officials agreed with the video’s content, Mworka stated that the department does not make lesson plans, but rather school boards, community members, teachers, and parents. He further noted that students were not required to watch the video in classrooms.
Mrowka also described the criticism to the module as an “attack,” stating “The Department of Education will continue to empower teachers, parents and elected school boards to make their own decision about public education in Maine, despite attacks like these.”
In addition to having featured the video, the module links to the websites of leftist, pro-LGBT organizations Black Lives Matter and the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).
The MOOSE program was approved by Maine Democrat Governor Janet Mills in September last year and received funding from Joe Biden’s “American Rescue Plan,” Breitbart reported. The program was designed to help mitigate the effects of school closures during the COVID lockdowns. The program has a history of featuring lessons and modules that discuss gender theory and Critical Race Theory (CRT).
Another MOOSE module for high schoolers features a video called “Root Cause,” in which the presenter discusses the concepts of “power, privilege, and oppression,” while also stating that “privileged” identities include white people, “cisgenders,” heterosexuals, and the wealthy.
In May, MOOSE got caught featuring a video for kindergartners that discussed gender theory and homosexual relationships. The Maine Department of Education promptly removed the video, and Mills issued a public apology for its inclusion in the MOOSE program.
UPDATE (01/30/23): Mark Houck has been AQUITTED on both charges!
Thanks be to God LifeSiteNews can report that Mark Houck has been found "Not Guilty" on all counts today.
In a statement to LifeSiteNews, Pro-Life Coalition of Pennsylvania spokeswoman and Houck family friend Ashley Garecht said “We rejoice and celebrate that Mark Houck has been found not guilty on all counts.”
“This case was always about a father’s right to protect his son, and never had anything to do with the FACE act,” she said. “We are grateful to the judge for his integrity, and to the jurors for their thoughtful deliberations. We are grateful to Mark’s attorneys who labored so diligently in his defense. And we are grateful for all of those who surrounded and supported Mark and his family in prayer through this challenging ordeal.”
“Most of all we praise and thank God for his protection and provision,” Garecht added. “To Him be all the glory.”
The Thomas More Society is set to hold a press conference today on the 6th street side of the James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse, 601 Market Street, Philadelphia.
Monday’s verdict came after a tense weekend wait following a deadlocked jury on Friday.
Several hours into Monday’s deliberations after the jury reconvened, an alternate was chosen to replace one of the jurors. Just before 3:00 p.m. EST, the jury delivered its verdict, acquitting Houck on both charges.
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Mark Houck, a pro-life Catholic father of 7, became the latest victim of an FBI raid and arrest on the morning of Friday September 23 — for supposed “FACE (Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances) (Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances) Act” violations — at his rural home as his children looked on “screaming.”
The arrest and raid stems from an altercation with a Planned Parenthood worker.
According to Mark’s wife Ryan-Marie, a “pro-abortion protester” would verbally harrass Mark's 12-year old son — hurling vulgar and derogatory statements.
When the protestor encroached in the boy's space, Mark defended his son. At that point, “Mark shoved him away from his child, and the guy fell back,” Ryan-Marie recounts.
The protestor was not injured, but he tried to sue Mark Houck for the assault but his case was thrown out of court in the early summer.
WE CANNOT ALLOW THE LEFT TO HARRASS PRO-LIFE ADVOCATES THIS WAY!
It's vital to stand in solidarity with a pro-family and pro-life man being unjustly persecuted - please SIGN & SHARE our message of support now.
In case you hadn't caught on already, the satanic Biden administration is waging war on Christians. https://t.co/E6ChpZVDYW
— Michael (X) Knowles ✊ (@michaeljknowles) September 24, 2022
The description of this arrest sounds like it took place in a totalitarian state. A tragic unraveling of Justice in America. https://t.co/e3vEID7E39
— Bishop J. Strickland (@Bishopoftyler) September 25, 2022
If convicted, Houck faces up to a maximum of 11 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and fines of up to $350,000, according to the Justice Department.
Additional conservative pro-life leaders have weighed in — this is why we need your support ASAP.
“Just in the last few days we’ve seen some pretty glaring examples of what appear to be instances of DOJ [Department of Justice] overreach. You’ve got a Catholic father of seven who formed a group designed to encourage young men to be faithful to their commitments, arrested in front of his seven children just recently. You’ve got all these instances of overreach. It’s deeply concerning to us all. These are all things we’re gonna be looking into.” — US Senator Mike Lee
Tell the Houck family that you stand by them!
SIGN: We stand with pro-life Catholic dad of 7 raided by Biden’s FBI
Please share this petition widely. Let's stand in solidarity with Mark Houck and his family.
Thank you.
Mills currently faces a competitive reelection campaign against former Maine Republican Governor Paul LePage. LePage has criticized Mills for her education policies, claiming that they promote leftist causes. LePage also proposed a Parents Bill of Rights as part of his campaign.
Republican-led states have enacted laws designed to curtail the influence of CRT and gender theory in the classroom.
In Florida, Republican Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Parental Rights in Education law in March, which bans discussion of gender theory in K-3 classrooms. He also signed a law that bans discussion of CRT in Florida schools.
In July, Republican Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt launched an investigation into Tulsa Public Schools for allegedly teaching CRT in violation of state law. The district’s accreditation was demoted to the position of “educator” as a result of the investigation for violations of the law.
LifeSiteNews reached out to Mills’ office for comment but has yet to receive a response.