Tag: threatening

  • Brittney Griner exits: WNBA star found threatening note ahead of speech

    Brittney Griner exits: WNBA star found threatening note ahead of speech

    Brittney Griner, a 10-time WNBA All-Star, was a no-show for a speaking engagement she was booked for just outside of Washington, D.C. 

    The Atlanta Dream center’s decision stemmed from a note she discovered near the entrance to her hotel room in National Harbor, Maryland. Griner was scheduled to speak at the Women Grow Leadership Summit on Feb. 17. But, event organizers informed attendees that Griner pulled out after she saw “threatening objects and words” outside her hotel room.

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    Oct 29, 2024; Phoenix, Ariz, U.S.; WNBA player Brittney Griner joins Poder Latinx to promote “Cabalgata to the Polls”, a horseback riding event and live Banda music to celebrate National Vote Early Day. (Joe Rondone/The Republic/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

    The note in question contained the words “Gay Baby Jail,” WUSA 9 reported. The words appeared to be written on a piece of duct tape.

    The Prince George’s County Police Department confirmed the launch of an investigation at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, the site of the conference.

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    “Detectives have learned the phrase ‘gay baby jail’ is commonly used as a video game reference,” a statement from police obtained by TMZ Sports read. “At the time the tape was located, a large convention was taking place at the Gaylord which attracts thousands of people, many with an interest in anime as well as video game enthusiasts. At this time, detectives have uncovered no link to or threat against the guest who located the tape.”

    Brittney Griner with the flag

    Gold medallist Brittney Griner of United States holds the U.S. flag. (REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein)

    Women Grow is an organization that brings women together with the goal of promoting leadership within the cannabis industry. Women Grow CEO Dr. Chanda Macias told WUSA9 that the hotel staff claimed the message was a cruel joke which a previous guest left, which was ultimately not removed by housekeeping.

    “I don’t know what their protocols are, but I don’t know why rooms wouldn’t be cleaned,” Macias said.

    Investigators did add that “detectives are working to determine who placed the piece of tape, when it was done and the intention behind it.”

    A 2013 interview with Sports Illustrated is believed to have marked the first time Griner pubically discussed her sexuality. During the interview, Griner was asked about the differences in public acceptance as it related to male athletes vs. female athletes revealing their sexuality.

    Brittney Griner WNBA game

    Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner pauses on the court during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Seattle Storm, Sept. 3, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

    “I really couldn’t give an answer on why that’s so different,” Griner told the outlet at the time. “Being one that’s out, it’s just being who you are. Again, like I said, just be who you are.” Griner added that she did not prioritize what others thought of her personal life.

    “Don’t worry about what other people are going to say, because they’re always going to say something, but, if you’re just true to yourself, let that shine through. Don’t hide who you really are,” she said.

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    Griner, a two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, has been married to Cherelle Griner, since 2019. The couple welcomed their first child together in July 2024.

    Griner spent the first 11 seasons of her WNBA career with the Phoenix Mercury. She signed a contract with the Dream in January.

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  • ‘Hatred underpins them’: Nurses suspended after viral video threatening to kill Israeli man

    ‘Hatred underpins them’: Nurses suspended after viral video threatening to kill Israeli man

    Two Sydney nurses who threatened on camera to kill an Israeli man and other Jewish people in their care were identified and immediately suspended from practicing.

    The Australian Department of Health and Aged Care announced in a statement on Thursday that the Nursing and Midwifery Council of New South Wales (NSW) suspended the registrations of registered nurses Ahmad Rashad Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh, effective immediately.

    Nadir and Lebdeh, who initially claimed they were doctors while donning scrubs, threatened Israeli influencer Max Veifer on an international video chat website called Chatrouletka.

    Australian authorities are investigating after two healthcare workers claimed to have killed Jews in their care. (Credit: @maxveifer via Instagram)

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    After asking Veifer about his nationality, Lebdeh said “it’s Palentine’s country, not your country you piece of s—,” according to the video.

    She proceeded to tell Veifer “when the time comes, I want you to remember my face, so you can understand that you will die the most disgusting death.”

    Nadir chimed in and they both said they would not treat Veifer and would kill him if he came to their hospital.

    “You have no idea how many Israelis came to this hospital and…,” Nadir said, while sliding his arm across his neck in a throat-slashing motion.

    Australia's Department of Health and Aged Care

    The Australia Department of Health and Aged Care released a statement announcing the nurses were suspended. (Google Maps)

    The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency automatically updated their record on the public register of practitioners, making the two Bankstown Hospital nurses unable to practice nursing anywhere in Australia, in any context.

    “The idea that you would single out a particular group in our community and indicate you wouldn’t care for them, let alone actively threaten their lives, runs against every single principle in our health care system,” the health department wrote in the statement. 

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    Officials said “their sickening comments – and the hatred that underpins them – have no place in our health system and no place anywhere in Australia.”
     
    The department added Australians have a right to feel safe wherever they go and “nowhere should be safer” than a hospital.
     
    “Health workers have a solemn duty to treat and heal everyone who comes before them needing help,” according to the statement. “The overwhelming majority hold to that oath.”

    Anthony Albanese

    Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese posted on X after the video went viral online. (Mick Tsikas/AAP Image via AP)

    Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed on Tuesday the pair were “rightly” referred to the NSW Police for criminal investigation.

    “Individuals found to have committed criminal antisemitic acts will face the full force of our laws,” Albanese wrote in a post on X. “The footage is sickening and shameful.”

    On Wednesday, Australia enacted a hate crimes bill imposing minimum mandatory penalties for certain hate-related crimes, including six years for terrorist offenses, three years for financing terrorism and one year for displaying hate symbols.

    NSW Health Minister Ryan Park, Health Department secretary Susan Pearce and David Ossip from the Jewish Board of Deputies visited Bankstown Hospital, where the two nurses worked, on Thursday. 

    NSW Health Minister Ryan Park, Health Department secretary Susan Pearce and David Ossip from the Jewish Board of Deputies visited Bankstown Hospital, where the two nurses worked, on Thursday.  (NSW government)

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    NSW Health Minister Ryan Park claimed there was “no evidence” the nurses harmed patients in their care, but the investigation is ongoing.

    Lebdeh’s family members spoke to various news outlets claiming she was “baited” and that she was “sorry,” the New York Post reported.

    Israel’s biggest newspaper, Israel Hayom, seemingly responded to the remarks with a story titled, “Sorry, not sorry,” and accused the two nurses of minimizing the incident, according to the report.

    Sharren Haskel, deputy minister of foreign affairs of the state of Israel, reacted to the viral video, calling the nurses "racist."

    Sharren Haskel, deputy minister of foreign affairs of the state of Israel, reacted to the viral video, calling the nurses “racist.” (@Sharren Haskel via X)

    Sharren Haskel, deputy minister of foreign affairs of the state of Israel, posted on X, commending Australian officials for their response, and calling the pair “racist.”

    “Thank you, @ChrisMinnsMP for your swift and decisive action against the racist nurses who threatened to kill Jews. Your dedication and efforts in combating antisemitism over the past month are commendable, and we deeply appreciate your commitment to protecting the Jewish community of New South Wales.”

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    Haskel added there must be “zero tolerance” for racism and antisemitism and noted threats must be met with “the full force of the law.”

    A synagogue was firebombed in Melbourne on Dec. 6, which authorities are now investigating as a likely terrorist attack. Other reports indicate cars have been set aflame and buildings have been vandalized in Sydney Jewish communities.