A U.S. district court judge has ruled former Liberty University football player Cameron Jackson can move forward with seven of the 18 claims in his lawsuit filed against the school and other defendants.

Liberty is pleased with the courts decision to dismiss all but one of the claims it asked to be dismissed, LU General Counsel David Corry wrote to The News & Advance via email.

Jackson filed suit April 14, 2017, against Liberty, five employees and a former LU student athlete, alleging his Title IX rights were violated, he was defamed by the school and was denied due process during an investigation into an alleged off-campus sexual assault in August 2015 Jackson said never occurred. No charges were filed against Jackson after a Lynchburg Police Department investigation.

The lawsuit seeks approximately $100 million in compensation for damages to Jacksons academic and athletic career, as well as to his reputation.

Jackson allegedly was dismissed by the university prior to the conclusion of the LPD investigation.

According to the lawsuit, Jackson and his accuser were involved in a non-exclusive sexual relationship both before and after the night in question. Witnesses who observed the sex, which reportedly took place in a living room separated only by a privacy blanket, have stated it appeared to be consensual, and the accuser was not intoxicated at the time. According to a Liberty news release that is part of the case, the incident was reported to LU 11 months after the encounter by the alleged victim.

The lawsuit casts doubts on the accusers charges and alleges she acted maliciously, the response of Liberty and its employees was inept and that staff did not protect Jackson from on-campus harassment aimed at him by other LU students, which caused Jackson to stop attending classes.

Claims allowed to move forward by a U.S. district court judge Aug. 3 are four defamation claims related to a university news release, two defamation claims against the former student athlete that accused Jackson of sexual assault and a Title IX claim that university attorneys have not moved to dismiss from the case.

Title IX claims are very fact-specific inquiries that are more appropriately resolved at the summary judgment stage of the proceedings, Corry explained via email.

He added the university believed the claims were meritless and would not go to a jury trial.

The allegedly defamatory news release, issued Sept. 12, 2016, prior to the conclusion of LUs internal investigation, stated Jackson and a teammate had been suspended due to their involvement in the alleged off-campus sexual assault.

A third teammate accused of sexual assault already had left the university.

According to the suit, the accuser was dismissed by the university for multiple student conduct violations before she went to LU officials and made her accusations Jackson and the other two teammates. The lawsuit claims she conspired with two other female student athletes to damage the reputation of members of the football team.

No charges were filed against any of the three men after the LPD investigation concluded.

The lawsuit states Jackson, a Flames defensive back from Houston, suffered severe damage to his future earnings, lost funds for college and that his reputation has been irreparably destroyed.

Additionally, the suit states a notation on Jacksons transcript that he had been dismissed from LU because of sexual assault made it difficult for him to gain entry into another college or university. According to Jacksons attorney, Joshua Farmer, that notation since has been removed by Liberty, and Jackson has been allowed to petition the university for a status of good standing, which Farmer said has been approved as of this summer.

Corry said the university was legally prohibited from commenting on that matter.

Cam desperately wants to clear his name, continue his college education and, if possible, advance his football career. He's currently weighing all options available to him including transferring to another school, or returning to the Flames, Farmer wrote to The News & Advance via email.

The lawsuit seeks compensation for damages to Jacksons academic and athletic career, as well as to his reputation. Jackson originally was seeking $102.1 million in damages, a number that now has been reduced to $100.2 million due to five of the defendants being dismissed from the case.

Farmer noted it was up to the jury to decide ultimately how much to award to Jackson.

Liberty employees originally named as part of the lawsuit were: Robert Mullin, dean of students; Valerie Dufort, assistant director of Libertys Title IX Office; Len Stevens, LUs spokesman; and Jonathan Ignacio and Elysa Bucci, assistant directors for the LU Office of Community Life. Remaining parties are the university, the former student athlete who accused Jackson of sexual assault and Stevens.

Stevens is named as a defendant for his role in issuing the news release, which the lawsuit claims withheld significant relevant fact, such as Jacksons denial of the claims and his appeal.

According to Corry, the university has retained the Richmond-based law firm of McGuire Woods LLP, which also will represent Stevens since he was acting in his official capacity as an employee.

Corry described the claims against Stevens as meritless and the LU disciplinary process as fair, objective, and thorough.

He added LU could not speak on behalf of Jacksons accuser who is named in the lawsuit.

Another component of the lawsuit is the claim LU sought to make an example out of Jackson in order to protect its reputation as a Christian university and appear tough on Title IX issues while in the process of hiring Ian McCaw as athletic director. McCaw previously was accused of being complicit in a widespread sexual assault scandal and institutional cover-up that rocked Baylor University during his time as its athletic director. McCaw has denied direct knowledge of the issue.

Corry previously told The News & Advance this claim was pure speculation.

Read more:

Lawsuit filed by former student against Liberty University moves forward - Lynchburg News and Advance

Sugar Rodgers scored all 16 of her points in the first half and the New York Liberty beat the Fever 71-50 on Wednesday night for their sixth straight victory.

Rodgers only attempted one shot in the second half and played just 20 minutes.

Tina Charles added 13 points and nine rebounds for New York (18-12). Bria Hartley had 12 points, and Epiphanny Prince 11.

Candice Dupree scored 12 points for Indiana (9-22), which has lost five straight. Erica Wheeler and Jeanette Pohlen-Mavunga each added 10 points. Indiana was 1 of 10 from 3-point range and shot 34.5 percent overall.

The Fever got to 11 points with eight minutes to go, but New York closed on a 15-5 run.

Indiana was granted an emergency hardship exemption to fill the roster after Briann January became the third Fever guard with a season-ending injury. Newly signed rookie Jennie Simms played 13 scoreless minutes.

Dream 89, Storm 83: Sancho Lyttle scored 18 points, Layshia Clarendon had a team-record 14 assists and Atlanta Dream beat Seattle to end a nine-game losing streak.

Brittney Sykes had a key 3-pointer and two free throws as the Dream scored nine straight points in the final 70 seconds. She scored 13 of her 15 points in the second half.

Clarendon, who finished with 17 points, had a basket with 1:07 to play to give Atlanta an 82-80 lead. After a Storm miss, Clarendon found Sykes for the 3 with 34 seconds left. Sykes and Lyttle then made two free throws apiece after grabbing defensive rebounds Lyttle had nine rebounds before Sue Bird hit a 3 for Seattle in the closing seconds.

Tiffany Hayes had 13 points for Atlanta (11-20), and Elizabeth Williams added 12. With Lyttle making 8 of 10 shots, the Dream shot 57 percent (35 of 63).

Breanna Stewart had 18 points, and Crystal Langhorne 17 with 10 rebounds for Seattle (14-16).

Sun 93, Wings 87: Alyssa Thomas scored 23 points, Jonquel Jones had 20 points and 17 rebounds for her 18th double-double, and Connecticut beat short-handed Dallas.

Kayla Thornton's 3-pointer pulled the Wings to 89-85 with 24 seconds left, but Jasmine Thomas made two free throws at the other end. The Sun hit six straight free throws in the final 30 seconds to seal it.

Jasmine Thomas added 17 points, and Shekinna Stricklen 14 to help Connecticut (20-10) reach 20 wins for the first time since 2012. Alyssa Thomas also had seven rebounds and five assists, and Jones made 8 of 11 shots.

Dallas (14-17) was without Glory Johnson, who was serving a one-game suspension for throwing a punch at Atlanta Dream guard Matee Ajavon.

Skylar Diggins-Smith led the Wings with 19 points. Allisha Gray added 18 points, Theresa Plaisance had 17, and Karima Christmas-Kelly 15.

Here is the original post:

Fever falls to Liberty - nwitimes.com

The high school volleyball season is back, and from the looks of it, this could be a very competitive year in the Central Section.

In the preseason BVarsity section top 15, defending Division I champion Liberty holds on to the top spot, but there are a lot of teams coming for the Patriots.

Liberty is led by junior Elise Ferriera, who will play more this season at setter, her natural position and the one she will play in college (she's verbally committed to Oregon).

Her position move leaves opportunity for a big offensive seasons for Lauryn Burt and Lanie Camarillo, a senior transfer from Frontier.

Add in four-year varsity player Liana Caroccio at libero and Kaitlan Tucker at the net, and the Patriots are the early favorite to repeat as D-I champions.

Clovis, which lost to Liberty in the section semifinals last year is No. 2, and Clovis West, last year's runner-up, checks in at No. 3.

The Cougars graduated Taylen Ballard, now at BYU, but return junior Jasmine Heu at setter and enough varsity experience to be Libertys biggest competition early on.

In fact, the Tri-River Athletic Conference, the only all-D-I league in the section other than the Southwest Yosemite League, may be as deep as it has been in some time.

No. 4 Clovis-Buchanan could very well leap over Clovis and Clovis West with a good showing at the Clovis Invitational on Sept. 1-2.

The Bears return three of the teams top four hitters from a team that went 28-9 a year ago, plus one of the best defenses in the section and junior Mikayla Weiss, who averaged 8.9 assists per set last fall.

Locally, Garces returns its entire roster from last seasons D-II championship team except Hannah Merjil, who is playing for Cal State Northridge.

The Rams, who are ranked fifth, moved up to D-I and have one of the section's best outside hitting combinations in junior Perri Starkey and Lailah Green to go with junior Allison Dees in the middle.

In D-II, Tehachapi made an early season statement with a home sweep of Bakersfield Christian on Tuesday. BCHS also is in D-II after winning section titles each of the last four years in D-IV and D-III.

Tulare-Mission Oak lost in the D-III finals a year ago to BCHS and looks to be the favorite in the division ahead of Oakhurst-Yosemite and Tollhouse-Sierra.

Link:

Preseason BVarsity Central Section Volleyball Top 15: Liberty back at top, plenty of competition to begin the season - The Bakersfield Californian

It felt like a shocking yet appropriate response to shocking and inappropriate comments, said Ms. Hamann, 31, who graduated from Liberty in 2006 and is a lawyer in Phoenix.

As alums, we have the power to say something, the Facebook groups description says, urging alumni to mail their diplomas to Mr. Falwells office on Sept. 5, along with explanatory letters. Our voices carry weight for the school, for its donors, for its board, staff and students. Our public demonstration of revoking all ties, all support present and future, and urging the Board of Trustees to remove Falwell from the administration of L.U. will send a message to the school that could jeopardize future enrollment, finances and funding.

Chris Gaumer, 34, another 2006 graduate, called the decision to participate a no-brainer.

The president of the United States was defending Nazis and white supremacists, said Mr. Gaumer, the assistant director of the M.F.A. program at Randolph College in Lynchburg, Va., eight miles from Liberty. It felt like Jerry Falwell Jr. was making the university somewhat complicit in that.

In a statement on Monday, Liberty University said it strongly supports our students right to express their own political opinions, including any opposition they have to their school leaders relationship with this president of the U.S., just as other students may have opposed leadership of liberal institutions supporting previous presidents.

The tactic of returning diplomas has been used by students of many other schools to draw attention to various causes, the statement added, but lets also remember that those same diplomas are quite helpful in helping these graduates secure well-paying jobs.

Mr. Falwell also addressed reports about the protest in a Sunday morning interview on ABC Newss This Week, saying he had praised Mr. Trump for calling the Nazis and white supremacists evil.

He completely misunderstands my support, Mr. Falwell said in response to the idea, which Mr. Gaumer expressed earlier to NPR, that he had made Liberty University complicit in the defense of racism. My support for the president is his bold and truthful willingness to call terrorist groups by their names, and thats something we havent seen in presidents in recent years.

He went on to laud Mr. Trump for not being politically correct or rehearsing and focus grouping every statement he makes.

Mr. Trump expressed his appreciation for Mr. Falwells support on Twitter on Monday morning, saying his comments were fantastic.

The Fake News should listen to what he had to say, Mr. Trump tweeted.

Alumni interviewed Sunday evening said they were not swayed.

I was disheartened by his comments on ABC, Ms. Hamann said of Mr. Falwell. Instead of paying more than lip service to the idea of the severity of this misstep, he kind of said, Yes, yes, of course we condemn racism, but what I like about Trump is that hes not politically correct. Youre still missing the point. It shouldnt be politically correct to extend kindness to the hurting, condemnation to the wrongdoers. That shouldnt be negotiable.

Members of the Facebook group worked together to write an open letter to Mr. Falwell. They encouraged fellow alumni to sign, or to write their own letters if they preferred.

Laura Honnol, a banking officer who graduated in 2013, drafted her own letter, which she shared with The New York Times. In it, she wrote that she had grieved privately at some of Mr. Falwells previous actions, including his endorsement of Mr. Trumps campaign.

But after Charlottesville, Ms. Honnol, 32, wrote, I can no longer grieve privately when you repeatedly and uncritically escalate your commitment to adulation of our sitting president as a hero to the faith and to the cause of Christ a man who refuses to unequivocally call out the blatant, blasphemous sin of racism in the face of clear and incontrovertible evidence of white supremacist, neo-Nazi incitement.

She concluded: I no longer wish to be associated with an institution which uses the name of Jesus Christ to support a political agenda, and knowingly or inadvertently promulgates oppression. My integrity will not allow me to align myself with anything that distorts the Gospel in this manner.

Phillip Wagner, who earned a bachelors degree from Liberty in 2010 and a masters in 2012 and now works at the University of South Florida, said Mr. Falwell had put alumni in the painful position of having to defend or disavow the source of their academic credentials.

Having made his career in academia, Mr. Wagner, 27, said he would not return his diplomas. But he planned to write to Mr. Falwell to voice his opposition to racism, and to what he described as the inappropriate politicization of an educational institution.

Im not ashamed of my L.U. credentials, Mr. Wagner said, but added that he and other alumni didnt sign up for this political affiliation that comes with our degrees now.

In the Facebook group and in interviews, others said bluntly that they were embarrassed to identify themselves as Liberty alumni. Amber Smith, a 2008 graduate, said she often identified her alma mater as Seattle Pacific University, where she earned her masters degree.

Liberty University has long associated itself with the Republican Party, and officials and candidates alike have frequently made appearances there. John McCain was the keynote speaker at Ms. Hamanns and Mr. Gaumers graduation in 2006, Ms. Hamann noted. The difference today, she said, is that Trump really makes no effort to even pay lip service to Christian ideals.

The university was always identified with certain things, said Ms. Smith, 31, a marriage and family therapist in Seattle. But I feel like the negative parts of those things have been really enforced in the past few years, and I dont want to be associated with that.

The diploma protest, she said, is an opportunity to encourage Mr. Falwell to act in a way that will allow her and other alumni to be proud of their alma mater again.

See the original post here:

Liberty University Alumni Return Diplomas in Protest of Trump Remarks - New York Times

Aug 21, 2017

Katie BarnesespnW.com

As the notes of the national anthem floated through Madison Square Garden on Sunday, players from the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx linked arms with members of the New York Police Department. Earlier, a video showcasing the Liberty players' continued investment in conversations about police brutality and racial justice played on the big screen. Image after image of the protests that rolled through the WNBA a season ago, many also featuring the Lynx, were displayed high above the Garden floor.

The message to the 10,000-plus fans in attendance was clear: The Liberty had been out here, and will continue to be moving forward.

Partnering with the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE), founded by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, the Liberty hosted a panel to foster solution-oriented discussion about racial justice. The pregame panel was one part of the Unity Game event, which also featured a pickup game between NYPD officers and youth from Covenant House, a Garden of Dreams Foundation partner that serves homeless youth.

"We started holding town halls with teams about a year ago, and this is our first with the WNBA," RISE CEO Jocelyn Benson said. "What we found last year is that the women in the WNBA are leading on these issues in a way that is extraordinary and courageous and cohesive, so we were really eager to work with the Liberty."

"It's important that we realize that we are stronger together," Liberty guard Shavonte Zellous said. "It's huge to see how many fans came out to support the cause, and [for us] to have a platform for it."

The panel featured Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the national Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law; Ambassador Attallah Shabazz, diplomat, professor, consultant and lecturer; NYPD Assistant Chief Juanita Holmes; William Rhoden, a writer for The Undefeated, and former Liberty players Sue Wicks and Tanisha Wright. It was moderated by scholar Michael Eric Dyson. The conversation ranged from the challenges within the police department to the responsibility of white teammates to support non-white teammates, as well as the aftermath of Charlottesville and the overall political climate.

"It's important that we realize that we are stronger together."

Suggestions for solutions were recorded on a flip chart, keeping attendees and panelists alike on topic because the panel was not intended as an opportunity to vent, but to engage citizens in thinking about how to move forward after identifying problems.

"Athletes have the right to be agnostic and not say a word if they choose to, and at the same time, they have the right to speak if they choose to," NBA Players Association executive director Michele Roberts said. "As an athlete, you don't forfeit your rights to the First Amendment."

Last season, Liberty players wore Black Lives Matter shirts following the deaths of Philando Castile, Alton Sterling and five Dallas police officers, and were among the teams originally fined for their violation of the uniform policy. Those fines were rescinded.

"This is a continuation of where we started last year, to give our players a vehicle to continue to voice their thoughts and try to impact society," team president Isiah Thomas said.

"The entire union standing up, not only last season, but this season makes for a powerful message," said WNBA Players Association executive board member Jayne Appel-Marinelli. "We all do it together regardless of race, orientation, or religion."

The WNBA more broadly has engaged in cohesive engagement in conversations of social justice. The Lynx kicked off last year's protests (though they were not fined), followed by the Liberty, Indiana Fever and Phoenix Mercury. Members of the Seattle Storm posted team photos of their solidarity on social media. While the NFL and NBA have been having conversations driven by the individual actions of Colin Kaepernick, Michael Bennett, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, etc., the actions in the WNBA have been defined by the participation of full teams.

"As much as I appreciate and love the guys in the NBA, when it comes to social conscience being wedded to athletic glory, ain't nobody got nothing on the WNBA," Dyson said to open the panel. "The ladies are out there doing mad, crazy, uplifting and responsible actions."

WNBA players Brittney Griner and Layshia Clarendon published an op-ed criticizing a proposed Texas bill that would affect the LGBTQ community.

With just over three weeks left in the WNBA regular season, the Lynx and Sparks look headed for another epic playoff battle. The Sparks evened the regular-season series with a win in Minnesota on Friday.

2 Related

"We're not looking to have credit, we're looking to have a voice," Wright said. "I don't care if [WNBA players] get their due, as long as they continue to push forward and speak out. As long as the needle is moving, who cares who gets the credit?"

After the game, a 70-61 Liberty win, Tina Charles met with the family of Eric Garner, a man who was killed during an altercation with an NYPD officer in 2014. Charles donated her Black History Month shoes to the Garner family and plans to support more families affected by police brutality.

"We're affected, just as everyone else is, by the news," Charles said. "The fact that the organization has allowed us to speak up and use our platform means the world to us. I am personally very thankful to be a part of this organization."

See the rest here:

Liberty re-up their commitment to racial justice by hosting Unity Game at Garden - ESPN

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Originally posted here:

Liberty Bridge, Tunnel closures to continue this week - Tribune-Review

Liberty coaches Bill Laimbeer, Katie Smith and Herb Williams link arms before the national anthem on Sunday at the Garden.

Katie BarnesespnW.com

As the notes of the national anthem floated through Madison Square Garden on Sunday, players from the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx linked arms with members of the New York Police Department. Earlier, a video showcasing the Liberty players' continued investment in conversations about police brutality and racial justice played on the big screen. Image after image of the protests that rolled through the WNBA a season ago, many also featuring the Lynx, were displayed high above the Garden floor.

The message to the 10,000-plus fans in attendance was clear: The Liberty had been out here, and will continue to be moving forward.

Partnering with the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE), founded by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, the Liberty hosted a panel to foster solution-oriented discussion about racial justice. The pregame panel was one part of the Unity Game event, which also featured a pickup game between NYPD officers and youth from Covenant House, a Garden of Dreams Foundation partner that serves homeless youth.

"We started holding town halls with teams about a year ago, and this is our first with the WNBA," RISE CEO Jocelyn Benson said. "What we found last year is that the women in the WNBA are leading on these issues in a way that is extraordinary and courageous and cohesive, so we were really eager to work with the Liberty."

"It's important that we realize that we are stronger together," Liberty guard Shavonte Zellous said. "It's huge to see how many fans came out to support the cause, and [for us] to have a platform for it."

The panel featured Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the national Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law; Ambassador Attallah Shabazz, diplomat, professor, consultant and lecturer; NYPD Assistant Chief Juanita Holmes; William Rhoden, a writer for The Undefeated, and former Liberty players Sue Wicks and Tanisha Wright. It was moderated by scholar Michael Eric Dyson. The conversation ranged from the challenges within the police department to the responsibility of white teammates to support non-white teammates, as well as the aftermath of Charlottesville and the overall political climate.

"It's important that we realize that we are stronger together."

Suggestions for solutions were recorded on a flip chart, keeping attendees and panelists alike on topic because the panel was not intended as an opportunity to vent, but to engage citizens in thinking about how to move forward after identifying problems.

"Athletes have the right to be agnostic and not say a word if they choose to, and at the same time, they have the right to speak if they choose to," NBA Players Association executive director Michele Roberts said. "As an athlete, you don't forfeit your rights to the First Amendment."

Last season, Liberty players wore Black Lives Matter shirts following the deaths of Philando Castile, Alton Sterling and five Dallas police officers, and were among the teams originally fined for their violation of the uniform policy. Those fines were rescinded.

"This is a continuation of where we started last year, to give our players a vehicle to continue to voice their thoughts and try to impact society," team president Isiah Thomas said.

"The entire union standing up, not only last season, but this season makes for a powerful message," said WNBA Players Association executive board member Jayne Appel-Marinelli. "We all do it together regardless of race, orientation, or religion."

The WNBA more broadly has engaged in cohesive engagement in conversations of social justice. The Lynx kicked off last year's protests (though they were not fined), followed by the Liberty, Indiana Fever and Phoenix Mercury. Members of the Seattle Storm posted team photos of their solidarity on social media. While the NFL and NBA have been having conversations driven by the individual actions of Colin Kaepernick, Michael Bennett, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, etc., the actions in the WNBA have been defined by the participation of full teams.

"As much as I appreciate and love the guys in the NBA, when it comes to social conscience being wedded to athletic glory, ain't nobody got nothing on the WNBA," Dyson said to open the panel. "The ladies are out there doing mad, crazy, uplifting and responsible actions."

WNBA players Brittney Griner and Layshia Clarendon published an op-ed criticizing a proposed Texas bill that would affect the LGBTQ community.

With just over three weeks left in the WNBA regular season, the Lynx and Sparks look headed for another epic playoff battle. The Sparks evened the regular-season series with a win in Minnesota on Friday.

2 Related

"We're not looking to have credit, we're looking to have a voice," Wright said. "I don't care if [WNBA players] get their due, as long as they continue to push forward and speak out. As long as the needle is moving, who cares who gets the credit?"

After the game, a 70-61 Liberty win, Tina Charles met with the family of Eric Garner, a man who was killed during an altercation with an NYPD officer in 2014. Charles donated her Black History Month shoes to the Garner family and plans to support more families affected by police brutality.

"We're affected, just as everyone else is, by the news," Charles said. "The fact that the organization has allowed us to speak up and use our platform means the world to us. I am personally very thankful to be a part of this organization."

More:

Liberty continue commitment to racial justice by hosting Unity Game - ESPN

TORONTO, Aug. 21, 2017 /CNW/ Aphria Inc. (TSX: APH) (Aphria) and Liberty Health Sciences Inc. (CSE: LHS) (Liberty) jointly respond to the TMX Group Statement Regarding Regulatory Engagement.

We are pleased to receive confirmation from the TMX Group that there is no CDS ban on the clearing of securities of issuers with marijuana-related activities in the U.S. and we look forward to continuing our ongoing dialogue with the TSX and CDS in respect of this matter.

We are also pleased to receive further confirmation from the TMX Group that they are working with regulators to arrive at a solution that will clarify this matter for issuers, investors, participants and the public.

Vic Neufeld continued, Aphrias common shares have traded on the TSX and previously the TSX Venture Exchange for almost 3 years during which time we have raised over $216 million from investors by way of five offerings by short form prospectus, all of which have been settled by CDS, and we look forward to this continued support from the TMX Group.

We concur with the TMX Group that working with regulators on a solution that will clarify this matter for all Canadian capital market participants is desired and required and we are prepared to work collaboratively with regulators to achieve this end result on a timely basis.

In addition to the TSX and CDS, Aphrias securities continue to trade on the OTCQB and it is a client of the Depositary Trust Company (DTC) and any trades in its securities are eligible to be settled via DTC. Similarly in the case of Liberty, in addition to the CSE and CDS, its securities currently trade on the OTC grey market and it expects that its securities will be listed on OTCQX and that trades in its securities will be eligible to be settled via DTC over the next several weeks.

Aphria has had marijuana related activities in the US since 2015 which has been reflected in its continuous and timely disclosure record, including its Copperstate transaction, which was approved by the TSX Venture Exchange prior to its closing. Libertys principal asset in the US is the recently acquired Florida license and operations as disclosed in the Information Circular of SecureCom Mobile Inc. (the predecessor corporation of Liberty) dated June 19, 2017. For all US based operations, both Aphria and Liberty are operating in compliance with the official guidance from both the US Treasury Department and the US Department of Justice through banks compliant with the federal government directives. Both Aphria and Liberty will continue to work with their governmental advisors at the federal level to provide assistance to governmental officials with the ongoing US policy making initiatives related to medical cannabis in the Unities States.

Aphria and Liberty will both continue to focus on their existing strategies for the medical cannabis industry in Canada and the United States, respectively. Specifically, the focus is to supply the growing demand in both countries for reliable and affordable medical grade marijuana to improve the quality of peoples lives. Each of Aphria and Liberty will continue to monitor and work with its US and Canadian advisors on strategies to timely and effectively respond on behalf of its stakeholders to any new policy initiatives in both Canada and the United States within the medical cannabis industry.

About Aphria

Aphria Inc., one of Canadas lowest cost producers, produces, supplies and sells medical cannabis. Located in Leamington, Ontario, the greenhouse capital of Canada. Aphria is truly powered by sunlight, allowing for the most natural growing conditions available. Aphria is committed to providing pharma-grade medical cannabis, superior patient care while balancing patient economics and returns to shareholders. Aphria was the first public licenced producer to report positive cash flow from operations and the first to report positive earnings in consecutive quarters.

About Liberty Health Sciences Inc.

Liberty Health Sciences Inc. is an investor and operator in the medical cannabis market, capitalizing on new and existing opportunities in the United States. Libertys stringent investment criteria for expansion maximizes returns to shareholders, while focusing on significant near and mid-term opportunities. Liberty has an extensive background in highly regulated industries, with expertise in becoming a low-cost producer. Liberty leverages commercial greenhouse knowledge to deliver high-quality, clean and safe pharmaceutical grade cannabis to patients.

Original press release:http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/aphria-and-liberty-respond-to-tmx-group-statement-regarding-regulatory-engagement-641261723.html

The most reliable, fact-based information on Liberty Health Sciences found only on its Investor Dashboard.

Before this cannabis stock news is here, it's published to subscribers on 420 Investor.

The NCV Newswire by New Cannabis Ventures aims to curate high quality content and information about leading cannabis companies to help our readers filter out the noise and to stay on top of the most important cannabis business news. The NCV Newswire is hand-curated by an editor and not automated in anyway. For questions contact us.

Excerpt from:

Aphria and Liberty Respond to TMX Group Statement Regarding Regulatory Engagement - New Cannabis Ventures (blog)

President Donald Trump and Jerry Falwell Jr., president of Liberty University, pose for photos with members of gospel choir Lu Praise during a commencement at Liberty University May 13, 2017 in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Getty Images

A small, but apparently growing, group of Liberty University alumni are launching a campaign to return their diplomas to the evangelical Christian school to protest its alignment with President Donald Trump. The group began organizing after Trumps response to the violence in Charlottesville.

In a group letter, the group criticizes the head of the university, Jerry Falwell Jr., for praising Trumps comments that there were very fine people protesting on both sides. Falwell Jr. characterized the comments as bold and truthful. This is incompatible with Liberty University's stated values, and incompatible with a Christian witness, notes the open letter.

"I'm sending my diploma back because the president of the United States is defending Nazis and white supremacists," Chris Gaumer, a 2006 Liberty University graduate, said. "And in defending the president's comments, Jerry Falwell Jr. is making himself and, it seems to me, the university he represents, complicit.

Another 2006 Liberty University graduate said that I think all of the alumni have been troubled by Jerry Falwell Jr.s intense defense of Trump. The closed Facebook group for Liberty alumni to discuss this issue says they will be mailing their diplomas back to the offices of Falwell on September 5 with letters expressing our reasons for revoking all support.

It doesnt seem Falwell is too concerned about the angry alumni though and he went on ABCs This Week to double down on his support for Trump, going as far as to say that the reason why Trump could say there were fine people on both sides in Charlottesville was because as commander in chief he has inside information.

I don't know if there were historical purists [at the protests] who were trying to preserve some statues. I don't know, Falwell said of the president. I think he saw videos of who was there. I think he was talking about what he had seen He had information I didnt have.

Falwell also said that his tweet supporting the president has been misinterpreted. The bold and truthful statements I was referring to were his willingness to call evil and terrorism by its name, to identify the groups, the Nazis, the KKK, the white supremacists, Falwell said. And that's something a leader should do. And I admire him for that.

Read the original here:

Some Liberty University Graduates Returning Diplomas to Protest Trump - Slate Magazine (blog)

This edition of Liberty Boosters and Busters is brought to you by reasonable Kentuckians who reject racism, bigotry and censorship with every fiber of their freedom-loving beings.

Liberty Booster The attorney generals office decided in favor of the Bluegrass Institute the organization I lead in its appeal challenging a Jefferson County school board meeting at a private law firm on the 28th floor of an office building in downtown Louisville on a Sunday afternoon in April.

Assistant Attorney General James Herrick ruled the meeting held to discuss applicants for the districts then-vacant interim superintendents position violated the law requiring public agencies to conduct meetings at specified times and places convenient to the public.

Its also likely the building was locked that day as it was on subsequent Sundays when some of my colleagues at the institute tried to enter an experience Herrick referenced in his ruling.

Liberty Buster U.S. District Court Judge Danny Reeves allowed Eric Conn, the eastern Kentucky lawyer who pleaded guilty to engineering one of historys largest Social Security fraud campaigns, to remain free on home incarceration, despite warnings against doing so by an FBI agent and witnesses claiming Conn had crossed 140 borders in eight years and had vowed to run before going to jail.

Conn ran, and likely is now sipping martinis and hanging out on the beach of some country with whom the U.S. has no extradition treaty with women for whom he previously claimed to have provided English lessons.

Yet Reeves forced Sam Girod, an Amish farmer from rural Bath County, to remain in jail for months without bond while awaiting trial before handing him a harsh six-year prison sentence for the crime of mislabeling homemade herbal skin salves containing such dangerous (sarcasm dripping) ingredients as chickweed and peppermint and not acquiescing to the Food and Drug Administrations ideological thuggery.

Prosecutors, gung-ho though they were to destroy this man and ridicule his way of life, failed to produce a single victim harmed by Girods concoctions.

Reeves permitted Conn, a wealthy white-collar criminal whose fraud resulted in 1,500 people losing their benefits and at least one person committing suicide, to remain out of jail.

He also handed a weak six-month sentence to Charlie Andrus, a former chief regional Social Security judge who pleaded guilty to conspiring with Conn to retaliate against the whistleblower in the campaign defrauding Social Security of $550 million.

Reeves in an unrelated case allowed a former University of Kentucky employee who swindled the school out of $200,000 to avoid prison altogether with a sentence of probation, calling it sufficient punishment.

Yet farmer Girod, whos harmed no one and had no criminal record when his nightmare began, languishes in a Pennsylvania prison more than 400 miles away from his home.

An appeals-court reversal or presidential pardon would go a long way toward highlighting the insufficiency of this judges contemptible inconsistency.

Liberty Boosters Gov. Matt Bevin and Frankforts Republican legislative leaders for planning to tackle pension and tax reform separately.

Claims that tax reform is critical to generating revenue wrongly blame Kentuckys public pension woes on insufficient support from taxpayers or poor returns on investments or, at the very least, place the cart before the horse.

The retirement systems funding levels continue to fall even though the commonwealths current budget poured an additional $1.2 billion into them.

Also, investment returns for the past 30 years have, on average, exceeded more than 9 percent in the Kentucky Retirement Systems and 8 percent in the Teachers Retirement Systems.

At the core of the pension crisis is a structural weakness rather than lack of dollars.

Stop the digging by fixing the systems benefit structures.

Then, looking for more dirt to fill the hole becomes an exercise in productivity rather than futility.

Jim Waters is president and CEO of the Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions, Kentuckys free-market think tank. Read previous columns at http://www.bipps.org. He can be reached at jwaters@freedomkentucky.com.

Read the original post:

Legislators boost, but judge busts, liberty - Bowling Green Daily News

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Project aims to bolster safety on Liberty Avenue in Strip District Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Give it a couple years, and traveling Liberty Avenue in the Strip District shouldn't feel so much like a sardine can. Wider, safer traffic lanes, new pedestrian signals and better lighting are among the changes planned there by 2019 or 2020. The nearly ...

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Project aims to bolster safety on Liberty Avenue in Strip District - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Their actions were called "brave and selfless" and they received the highest honor the New York State Senate can award.

Libby Conners, Nathan Tyler, Amanda Lloyd and Delaney Ward were each given a New York State Senate Liberty Award by State Senator Patty Ritchie Monday morning.

The four were on the South Sandy Creek beach in Ellisburg last month when they saw a group of people in distress in the water.

That's when they sprang into action, saving three children and two adults from downing.

"What else would you do in that situation? You see these people who need help, we're the only people there, we didn't really see another choice," said Lloyd.

"I was, like, so amazed and so proud that they were part of our community that I thought that they were certainly, certainly deserved to be recognized with the Liberty Medal," said Senator Ritchie (R. - 48th District).

Besides getting the Liberty Medals, the four were also recognized for their heroic act by Jefferson County's Sheriff Colleen O'Neill.

Continued here:

4 Receive Liberty Medals For Rescue - WWNY TV 7

Liberty Twp. -

Charges have been filed againsta mother in Liberty after hertwo-year-old was found shot in the thigh.

The two-year-old was initially taken to Northside Hospital and then flown to Akron Children's Hospital in Akron.

Liberty Police Chief Rich Tisone told 21 News that the mother, Kendrasia Johneisha Mayis charged with obstructing justiceand endangering children.

Authorities are saying if May is convicted, she could face up to 6months for obstruction of justice, a first-degree misdemeanor,andanother 36 months for the child endangering charge, which is a felony in the third degree.

Police say they still have not found the weapon. The child was interviewed by an expert who does not believe heshot himself.

It is still not clear who shot the child, someone may have been playing with the gun or handling it and it went off. The investigation is still ongoing, according to Chief Tisone.

May will be issued a summons through Girard court.

See the rest here:

Charges filed against Liberty mother after two-year-old was shot - WFMJ

The Flames conclude the regular season -- and their final at the FCS level -- against Charleston Southern. The finale is scheduled for noon on Nov. 18 in North Charleston.

CHARLESTON SOUTHERN BUCCANEERS

COACH: Mark Tucker, 0-0, fifth season at CSU (first as head coach)

2016 RECORD: 7-4, 4-1, tied for first in the Big South

POSTSEASON: lost at Wofford, 15-14, in FCS first round

Charleston Southern overcame a heartbreaking loss to Gardner-Webb early in Big South Conference play to run the table and deliver convincing victories over Liberty and Kennesaw State to earn a second consecutive trip to the FCS playoffs.

However, the Buccaneers need to replace the production of running backs Mike Holloway, Darius Hammond and Mike Robinson in the option attack, and Mark Tucker has taken over the coaching duties after Jamey Chadwell left to join the staff at Coastal Carolina.

QB Shane Bucenell (59.3 completion percentage, 1,100 yards, 15 TD, 6 INT; 88 carries, 325 yards, 3.7 average, 4 TD)

WR Kameron Brown (27 catches, 540 yards, 20.0 average, 6 TD)

DE Anthony Ellis (45 tackles, 16.0 TFL, 7.0 sacks, 1 PBU, 8 QBH, 2 FF)

LB Solomon Brown (70 tackles, 14.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 7 PBU, 8 QBH, 1 FF, 1 block)

LB Zane Cruz (49 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks, 1 INT, 1 PBU, 5 QBH, 1 FR)

K Tyler Tekac (43-45 PAT, 4-6 FG, 38 long, 0 blocked)

RB Mike Holloway (105 carries, 881 yards, 8.4 average, 9 TD; 13 catches, 169 yards, 13.0 average, 2 TD)

RB Darius Hammond (100 carries, 576 yards, 5.8 average, 4 TD; 15 kick returns, 506 yards, 33.7 average; 21 punt returns, 225 yards, 10.7 average)

WR Colton Korn (15 catches, 235 yards, 15.7 average, 3 TD)

DB Troy McGowens (30 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 1.0 sacks, 4 INT, 4 PBU, 1 FR)

DB Corbin Jackson (57 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 0.5 sacks, 1 INT, 1 PBU)

P Truett Burns (48 punts, 37.7 average, 61 long, 16 I20, 4 50+, 1 TB, 0 blocked)

1. Whos toting the rock?

Gone are Mike Holloway, Darius Hammond and Ben Robinson. Its the second time in three seasons there is uncertainty at running back (remember when Christian Reyes graduated and people wondered the same thing?). The Buccaneers will continue to run the option offense under Tucker and he expects there to be plenty of battles. Chanin Hamilton and Ronnie Harris, both redshirt-sophomores, are currently slated atop the depth chart, with true freshman and midyear enrollee Elijah Henry and senior Noah Shuler, a transfer from Division III Methodist, in the hunt for carries.

We feel like weve recruited well. We have two upperclassmen returning that have played meaningful snaps in meaningful games; they just havent play near of them, Tucker said. We dealt with this two years ago when Christian Reyes graduated, and we had this group that just graduated out and that was their opportunity to shine. It gives our upperclassmen and some young guys opportunities to shine. Were just like everybody else in the room. Were dealing with running back and secondary.

Were going to have plenty of competition. Weve got kids that can flat go. How good a job they do of buying in and how good a job do we do of teaching and well see where it all comes out.

The Buccaneers lost two defensive backs to graduation, which means the front seven will continue to cause problems for opposing offenses. Ellis, Brown and Cruz anchor the 3-4 defense, which will have a new playbook under new defensive coordinator Zane Vance.

With the intensity, theres a lot of players buying into that, buying into what the coaches are saying, what theyre trying to teach us, the plays defensively, we have a whole new playbook, so the plays are different, Ellis said.

3. New mentality under Tucker.

Tucker has made it a focal point for the players to not be satisfied with back-to-back playoff appearances. He has established his style of coaching and the players have bought in.

This spring, coach Tuck made it a point to keep that intensity and increase it, Cirone said. I think change-wise, there is a slight change. Its definitely for the better, I believe. I think coach Tuck has the right mentality on where he wants to bring the program.

Charleston Southern had a Big South-leading three players named to the STATS FCS preseason All-America team Ellis, first team; Brown, second team; Cirone, third team. In the series against Liberty, CSU has scored 31 or more points in three straight victories after reaching that threshold only twice in the first 21 meetings. The Buccaneers ranked sixth in the FCS in rushing offense, averaging 266.5 yards per game. After having two guarantee games last season against North Dakota State and Florida State, CSU opens the season with a guarantee game at Mississippi State. CSU has two players on the roster with Virginia ties -- redshirt-sophomore kicker Kyle Reighard (Salem High School outside of Roanoke) and redshirt-freshman linebacker Malik Wright (Colonial Forge High School in Stafford).

Charleston Southern athletics: @csusports

Charleston Southern football: @CSUFB

Jeff Hartsell, who mostly covers The Citadel but sometimes covers CSU for the Post & Courier: @Jeff_fromthePC

Scott Eisberg, sports director at WCIV TV in Charleston: @SEisbergWCIV

Sept. 2: at Mississippi State, 4 p.m.

Sept. 9: at South Carolina State, 6 p.m.

Sept. 16: at Elon, 6 p.m.

Sept. 30: MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE, 6 p.m.

Oct. 14: at Presbyterian, noon

Oct. 21: SAVANNAH STATE, 6 p.m.

Oct. 28: MONMOUTH, 6 p.m.

Nov. 4: at Gardner-Webb, noon

Nov. 11: at Kennesaw State, 3:30 p.m.

THE SERIES (home team in CAPS)

1993: LIBERTY 42, Charleston Southern 6

1994: LIBERTY 59, Charleston Southern 27

1995: Liberty 19, CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 15

1996: LIBERTY 38, Charleston Southern 7

1997: Liberty 48, CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 14

1998: LIBERTY 28, Charleston Southern 21

1999: Liberty 34, CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 14

2000: Charleston Southern 25, LIBERTY 0

2001: Liberty 45, CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 31

2002: LIBERTY 31, Charleston Southern 17

2003: Liberty 17, CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 6

2004: LIBERTY 34, Charleston Southern 6

2005: CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 31, Liberty 30

2006: LIBERTY 34, Charleston Southern 20

2007: Liberty 50, CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 10

2008: LIBERTY 42, Charleston Southern 0

2009: Liberty 20, CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 13

2010: LIBERTY 44, Charleston Southern 20

2011: Liberty 38, CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 16

2012: LIBERTY 26, Charleston Southern 12

2013: Liberty 56, CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 14

2014: Charleston Southern 38, LIBERTY 36

2015: CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 31, Liberty 24

2016: Charleston Southern 48, LIBERTY 26

Follow this link:

Get to know a '17 Liberty opponent: Charleston Southern - Lynchburg News and Advance (blog)

Marc Allard mallard@norwichbulletin.com, (860) 425-4212 mallardnb

MOHEGAN The first word out of Curt Millers mouth was disappointed following Connecticuts 82-70 loss to New York on Friday.

But, in reality, the Sun coach thought it was the kind of game his team needed.

After winning six in a row and eight straight on their home floor, the Sun (18-10) were flying pretty high.

The Liberty brought them down to earth and also helped prep Connecticut for the next phase of the WNBA season the playoffs.

That game was so good for us. I cant begin to tell you how good that game will be for us in the long run. It took on a playoff feel. The physicality that we knew was going to be in this game, the intensity each and every possession of this game, simulated what we have to expect from a playoff game, Miller said.

The playoffs are on the horizon.

The Sun have just six games left in the regular season.

That final two-week stretch begins at 3 p.m. this afternoon at home against Phoenix, followed by home games on Wednesday against Dallas and Friday versus Chicago.

The final three games will take place on the road with the make up against Washington on Aug. 29, followed by a West Coast swing on Labor Day weekend to Phoenix on Sept. 1 and Los Angeles on Sept. 3.

The Sun can clinch the No. 6 spot in the WNBA standings with a win over Phoenix today. That would be important as it would give Connecticut a home game for the first round of the single-elimination portion of the playoffs.

So getting ready for a big game was important.

The Sun havent been in the playoffs since 2012 and no one on the current roster was in the locker room back then.

We needed to remember that its not going to be easy, Connecticut guard Jasmine Thomas said. Were not going to walk over people. The closer we get to the postseason and people still scrapping to get into the playoffs and solidify their spots, its going to be hard.

New York was a case in point.

The Liberty have hung around the .500 mark all season, but the win over the Sun was the fourth straight victory for New York (16-12) and moved them to within two games of the Sun, tied with Washington for the fourth spot.

We were trying to find our way, New York coach Bill Laimbeer said of the up-and-down start for the Liberty. A lot of players came late to training camp which hurt. We had some players go away. We lost Brittany Boyd (to injury), Epiphanny Prince and Kia Vaughn to the world championships for a month. Ive said from the very start that we wont know who we are until August and, now, were starting to know who we are.

For the Sun, it indicated the days of the 90-plus and 100-point games may be over, the grind may have started.

Miller called it a TNT game, dictated by toughness and tempo.

They were tougher and played with better tempo, Miller said. Their screening, their separation in offense while we held them to 40 percent shooting made us feel like we were scrambling the whole game. The toughness in the first half to pound the ball to Tina (Charles). I loved their tempo and toughness compared to us.

Miller said it also showed him how his team would handle adversity in a big game.

Charles scored 18 points in the second quarter and could have turned the game into an early blowout, the Sun rallied to trail by only three at the half.

We stuck together. We gradually made adjustments on the floor that were positive. We couldnt find any offensive rhythm to spark us. Give them credit for that, Miller said.

Its another test today.

The Mercury almost beat the Sun on Aug. 4, losing 93-92, at Mohegan Sun Arena and that was without Brittney Griner. The 6-foot-9 center will be in the lineup today.

Its extremely important to bounce back, Connecticut forward Alyssa Thomas said. We had a tough win last time and they werent full roster, BG will be back. We have to bounce back and not spiral (backwards) at this point of the season.

See more here:

Sun look to learn from Liberty loss - Norwich Bulletin

August 19, 2017 - 11:59 PM

2 p.m. at New York NBA TV, 106.1-FM

Lynx aim to sweep Liberty

Preview: The Lynx (22-5) ended a two-game losing streak with a nearly flawless performance in a 111-52 victory over Indiana on Friday. The Lynx, who had scored just 61 and 64 points in their previous two games, scored 68 in the first half en route to their season high in points. The Liberty (16-12) is coming off an 82-70 victory at Connecticut on Friday. It was the fourth consecutive victory for the Liberty, who are 6-2 since losing to the Lynx 76-75 at the Xcel Energy Center on July 25. The Lynx defeated the Liberty 90-71 on May 18 in New York.

Players to watch: Lynx C Sylvia Fowles, who was held to 13 points by Seattle on Wednesday, scored 25 points and G Renee Montgomery matched her season high of 20 points in the victory over Indiana. Lynx F Plenette Pierson, in her first start of the season, tied season highs with 10 points and four assists and had a season-best six rebounds. Liberty C Tina Charles, who scored a game-high 24 points against Connecticut on Friday, is fourth in the WNBA in scoring (20.1) and third in rebounding (9.3). Liberty G Shavonte Zellous is averaging 12.1 points.

Numbers: Lynx G Jia Perkins moved into fifth place on the WNBAs career steals list (625) with three Friday.

Injuries: Lynx F Rebekkah Brunson (ankle) and G Lindsay Whalen (hand) are out indefinitely. Liberty G Brittany Boyd (Achilles) is out for the season.

JOEL RIPPEL

Originally posted here:

Gameday preview: Lynx in New York to take on Liberty - Minneapolis Star Tribune

Staff Report, cadvocate@hcnonline.com

Liberty County man arrested for parole violation

A man who reportedly eluded Liberty County law enforcement for two years is in custody after his arrest Thursday by the sheriff's office.

According to Capt. Ken DeFoor, spokesperson for the Liberty County Sheriff's Office, 40-year-old Craig Howard Castilaw was wanted on multiple outstanding warrants. He was wanted on a blue warrant for a parole violation and another warrant for bond forfeiture on a Driving While License Suspended charge.

"Deputy [John] Tucker, who had prior associations with Castilaw, made arrangements with him to meet in the Dayton Oaks Subdivision near his home on CR 2339," DeFoor said.

Liberty County Pct. 4 Constable's Office was also reportedly looking for Castilaw on possible drug charges. Other charges may be pending, DeFoor said.

Castilaw is being held without bond for the parole violation.

Go here to read the rest:

Liberty County man arrested for parole violation - Chron.com

Boston Police Commissioner William Evans said Friday that 500 officers some in uniform, others undercover would be deployed to keep the two groups apart on Saturday

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

08/19/2017 09:48 AM EDT

Updated 08/19/2017 01:20 PM EDT

BOSTON Thousands of leftist counterprotesters marched through downtown Boston on Saturday, chanting anti-Nazi slogans and waving signs condemning white nationalism as conservative activists rallied a week after a Virginia demonstration turned deadly.

Police Commissioner William Evans said Friday that 500 officers some in uniform, others undercover were deployed to keep the two groups apart Saturday. Boston's Democratic mayor, Marty Walsh, and Massachusetts' Republican governor, Charlie Baker, both warned that extremist unrest wouldn't be tolerated in this city famed as the cradle of American liberty.

Story Continued Below

Organizers of the midday event, billed as a "Free Speech Rally," have publicly distanced themselves from the neo-Nazis, white supremacists and others who fomented violence in Charlottesville on Aug. 12. A woman was killed at that Unite the Right rally, and scores of others were injured, when a car plowed into counterdemonstrators.

But opponents feared that white nationalists might show up in Boston anyway, raising the specter of ugly confrontations in the first potentially large and racially charged gathering in a major U.S. city since Charlottesville.

Events are planned around the country, in cities including Atlanta, Dallas and New Orleans.

Walsh greeted counterprotesters Saturday morning outside Reggie Lewis Center in the city's Roxbury neighborhood. Counterprotesters from Black Lives Matter and other groups denouncing racism and anti-Semitism marching from there to the Common, and another group plans to rally on the steps of the Statehouse overlooking the sprawling park.

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Some counterprotesters dressed entirely in black and wore bandannas over their faces. They chanted anti-Nazi and anti-fascism slogans, and waved signs that said: "Love your neighbor," ''Resist fascism" and "Hate never made U.S. great." Others carried a large banner that read: "SMASH WHITE SUPREMACY."

Boston police estimated the size of the crowd participating in the march to the Common at about 15,000. In stark contrast, only several dozen people have turned out for the conservative rally itself.

TV cameras showed a group of boisterous counterprotesters on the Common chasing a man with a Trump campaign banner and cap, shouting and swearing at him. But other counterprotesters intervened and helped the man safely over a fence into the area where the conservative rally was to be staged. Black-clad counterprotesters also grabbed an American flag out of an elderly woman's hands, and she stumbled and fell to the ground.

The permit issued for the rally on Boston Common came with severe restrictions, including a ban on backpacks, sticks and anything that could be used as a weapon. The permit is for 100 people, though an organizer has said he expected up to 1,000 people to attend.

The Boston Free Speech Coalition, which organized the event, said it has nothing to do with white nationalism or racism and its group is not affiliated with the Charlottesville rally organizers in any way.

"We are strictly about free speech," the group said on its Facebook page. "... we will not be offering our platform to racism or bigotry. We denounce the politics of supremacy and violence."

But the mayor pointed out that some of those invited to speak "spew hate." Kyle Chapman, who described himself on Facebook as a "proud American nationalist," said he will attend.

Black Lives Matter said Friday that members from around the U.S. planned to march Saturday in Boston.

Walsh said the city would do whatever is necessary to head off violence initiated by either side. "If anyone gets out of control at all it will be shut down," he said.

"We will not tolerate any misbehavior, violence or vandalism whatsoever," said Evans, Boston's top cop.

Dating to 1634, Boston Common is the nation's oldest city park. The leafy downtown park is popular with locals and tourists and has been the scene of numerous rallies and protests for centuries.

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Link:

Thousands march through Boston week after Virginia bloodshed - Politico

Marc Allard mallard@norwichbulletin.com, (860) 425-4212 mallardnb

MOHEGAN The last time the Connecticut Sun lost, it was at the hands of the New York Liberty at Madison Square Garden on July 19.

The Liberty did it again on Friday, taking the season series and ending a six-game win streak for the Sun with an 82-70 decision before 7,016 fans at Mohegan Sun Arena.

The loss also ended Connecticuts (18-10) eight-game win streak at home.

The game was supposed to begin on a high note.

Connecticut coach and general manager Curt Miller invited New York to join the Sun in a show of unity, joining hands during the national anthem, something the WNBA endorsed after the tragic events this week in Charlottesville, Va.

New York declined.

We talked. They elected to not participate with us in a group effort. They will do their own thing. They have already had a moment of silence already and they have something planned for an upcoming home game. We continued to show our own individual unity as a team tonight, Miller said.

Unfortunately, that unity did little to stop former UConn standout Tina Charles.

In the second quarter, Charles did what Miller was most afraid of.

She went into beast mode.

According to New York coach Bill Laimbeer, it was quite possible that Charles wasnt even going to play. Charles was suffering from back spasms and, as of Thursday, wasnt going to play. It became a possibility on Friday and then she decided before game time that she was good to go..

She didnt do much in the first quarter, going 0-for-2 from the field,

That slow start worried me, Laimbeer said. Sometimes, you have a little injury, you get off to a slow start and put your head down and dont recover. She did recover.

Charles made 6-of-8 from the floor and 6-of-9 from the free throw line in the second quarter, 18 points in total, and rallied the Liberty (16-12) from a six-point deficit to as much as a 12-point lead.

She is one of my toughest assignments, Connecticuts Alyssa Thomas said. Shes a great player, has a lot of counter moves and has a size advantage on me.

The Sun, sparked by a 3-pointer and three free throws by Shekinna Stricklen closed to within three, 44-41, at the half.

But even though Charles got just six more points the remainder of the way, the damage was done.

The Sun got within two briefly late in the third quarter, but were outscored 15-6 to fall behind by double digits halfway through the final quarter.

We couldnt find our rhythm (Friday), Jasmine Thomas said. Even when it looked like we were getting close, we couldnt get over that hump, couldnt tie it, couldnt take the lead. It happens sometimes.

It was a poor offensive night overall for Connecticut which shot just 34 percent from the floor and missed 10 free throws.

We were 25 percent outside the paint (Friday), could not get our 3-(point) game going, could not get our deep-two, pull-up, game going. They made more shots than us, neither team made a lot, and more tough plays, Miller said.

Jasmine Thomas led the way for Connecticut with 15 points while Shekinna Stricklen added 12.

The Sun return to the court at Mohegan Sun Arena at 3 p.m. Sunday when they host Phoenix.

MOHEGAN The last time the Connecticut Sun lost, it was at the hands of the New York Liberty at Madison Square Garden on July 19.

The Liberty did it again on Friday, taking the season series and ending a six-game win streak for the Sun with an 82-70 decision before 7,016 fans at Mohegan Sun Arena.

The loss also ended Connecticuts (18-10) eight-game win streak at home.

The game was supposed to begin on a high note.

Connecticut coach and general manager Curt Miller invited New York to join the Sun in a show of unity, joining hands during the national anthem, something the WNBA endorsed after the tragic events this week in Charlottesville, Va.

There is little love, however, between the two franchises.

New York declined.

We talked. They elected to not participate with us in a group effort. They will do their own thing. They have already had a moment of silence already and they have something planned for an upcoming home game. We continued to show our own individual unity as a team tonight, Miller said.

Unfortunately, that unity did little to stop former UConn standout Tina Charles.

In the second quarter, Charles did what Miller was most afraid of.

She went into beast mode.

After an 0-for-2 first quarter, Charles came out and made 6-of-8 from the floor and 6-of-9 from the free throw line in the second, 18 points in total, and rallied the Liberty (16-12) from a six-point deficit to as much as a 12-point lead.

She is one of my toughest assignments, Connecticuts Alyssa Thomas said. Shes a great player, has a lot of counter moves and has a size advantage on me.

The Sun, sparked by a 3-pointer and three free throws by Shekinna Stricklen closed to within three, 44-41, at the half.

But even though Charles got just six more points the remainder of the way, the damage was done.

The Sun got within two briefly late in the third quarter, but were outscored 15-6 to fall behind by double digits halfway through the final quarter.

It was a poor offensive night overall for Connecticut which shot just 34 percent from the floor and missed 10 free throws. Jasmine Thomas led the way with 15 points.

Excerpt from:

Liberty snap Sun winning streak - Norwich Bulletin

Brian Sadler is fan of Oakmont Green Golf Course near Hampstead, so the Liberty High School senior was raring to go for Fridays season-opening tournament that featured players from all seven county schools.

Sadler, the reigning Times Player of the Year, was in good position to earn medalist honors after playing 12 holes at even-par. Thats when the thunderstorms broke through and suspended play at Oakmont, with Sadler and his playing partners in the fairway on the first hole.

During the delay, the county coaches met and decided there wouldnt be enough light remaining in the day to finish the tournament, with some groups still needing to finish anywhere from 7-9 holes.

The tourney was washed out and wont count.

I was playing really solid golf, Sadler said. It sucks. I thought we would go back out, but you cant control the weather.

Sadler played solid golf last fall as a junior, leading Liberty to a 17-3 record (5-1 in the county) and a spot in the Class 2A-1A state tournament. He averaged 38.9 per nine holes, the lowest in Carroll all season. He fired a 73 at the 2A-1A District I tournament, and the Lions won it to qualify for states.

He felt good about his chances to win the county tournament he took medalist honors as a sophomore in 2015, playing for North Carroll on a course he describes as good for his iron game.

Then came an 81, 9-over par. Sadler and the Lions finished second to county champion Winters Mill.

It was surprising that day, just to how I had played the whole season before it, Sadler said. And I really like Oakmont. That has kind of driven me since that day. Just focus on putting, because my putting that day was atrocious. It gave me some motivation to work on my putting, and putting is probably my favorite thing to work on now.

Putting helped Sadler throughout the summer, he said, and the effort showed in some of his tournaments. Like the annual Bobby Gorin match-play tourney late last month at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, where Sadler was the 15th seed out of 16 players and reached the semifinals.

He finished tied for third place.

On Friday, Sadler cobbled together his share of pars and had one bogey and one birdie, a two-putt on the par-5 10th hole (Sadlers group started on No. 7) after he reached the green in two. His bogey came on 18, which dropped him to even with six holes remaining.

Today I came in, I really wanted redemption from [the county tournament] last year, Sadler said. I really wanted to put an emphasis on having a good start, and I did that.

Libertys season begins Wednesday with a tri-match against Hereford and Towson at River Downs, the Lions home course. Two days later, they face county rivals Century and South Carroll at Links at Challedon.

Much like he wanted to do Friday, Sadler said a hot start to the season should keep Liberty in contention for the county championship.

Coach [Paul] Bangle has really put an emphasis on just trying to have fun this year, Sadler said. Hes such a great coach for that. He lets us have fun out at practice, at the same time still putting in hard work and trying to shoot good scores. But Im looking forward to my senior season.

I have goals for myself that I want to achieve, and I also, at the same time, want to have fun.

pat.stoetzer@carrollcountytimes.com

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Golf: Liberty's Sadler seeking 'redemption' this fall - Carroll County Times