Americans used to share a sense of national pride and identity. Despite our political and cultural backgrounds, we were all able to come together and celebrate our founding as a country. In 2023, we do not even share that.  Minnesota Democrats took to social media to complain about July 4th and “stolen land.”

At least three Democrat state representatives wished Minnesotans a very unhappy 4th of July. Complaining about injustice, stolen land, and a painful history. Those are Reps Brion Curran (36B), Cedrick Frazier (43A), and Leigh Finke (66A). See their statements below.

While many today celebrate freedom and independence, we must remember the freedom and independence stolen from others. We do this not to be sad, but to honor ancestors and ensure we don’t repeat history. Celebrate resilience and persistence, the work’s not done! #Solidarity https://t.co/Y94uZsQIO3

— Brion Curran 🏳️‍🌈 (@brioncurran) July 4, 2023

On this #4thofJuly, we should all acknowledge the painful history of how our nation was born and built.

Then affirm our dedication to actively working toward the lofty idea of a more perfect union.https://t.co/JIpieoUpsa

— Cedrick Frazier (@CedrickFrazier) July 4, 2023

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."

Happy Fourth of July.

— Leigh Finke (@leighfinke) July 4, 2023

Representative Finke blocked our official Action 4 Liberty Twitter account, so we needed to switch to a personal profile to get his tweet. So much for tolerance!

What's even more sad: This is certainly not a complete list of doom posts from Democrats on the 4th of July. Many of them skipped any kind of Independence Day message at all!

America is imperfect, but it still remains the greatest country in the world. If we fail to celebrate our heritage, we stop becoming being a nation. These Democrats should be ashamed of themselves. 

A controversial LGBTQ book, Gender Queer, has been called out by parents for being overtly pornographic material in school libraries. Some school districts have been pressured to remove the book, while others are encouraged to carry it. Now, the nation’s largest left-leaning teacher’s union is featuring it as a “Great Summer Read.”

The book features several instances of nudity, masturbation, and oral sex. Children and adolescents do not need to be exposed to this content at all in elementary school. If parents want to discuss these concepts with their kids, they can do that at home.

Image Credit: "Dippel Senate District 41" on Facebook

The left has begun to rally around this book, promoting it in any way they can. The National Education Association (which gave 92.88% of its PAC contributions to Democrats in 2020) has released its list of “Great Summer Reads for Educators” which includes sections such as “Books to Celebrate or Understand Juneteenth” and “Banned Books: Celebrate the Freedom to Read.”

The union lists Gender Queer under the latter section. Traditionally, so-called banned books have actually been done so by the far-left. Anti-authoritarian books like Animal Farm and 1984 were banned in the Communist Soviet Union, and have been banned in some U.S. Counties. Those are examples of books that should be celebrated for being pro-freedom and capitalism.

Educators should be encouraged to read American classics over the summer, not left-wing propaganda coming from a modern-day political activist.

There is no freedom in grooming children because they cannot consent to the content that they are being fed. With graphic images of nudity, masturbation and oral sex – this book should not be funded by taxpayer dollars to be put in public elementary schools.

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board announced last week that the city will be skipping the traditional 4th of July fireworks, and opting for a cheaper laser show instead. The board claims that lasers are “more affordable.” However, this did not stop the city from blowing $680,978 on the “I am my ancestor’s wildest dreams” black business expo in February, which vastly underperformed expectations.

Our team wrote about the failed business expo last week after a report showed that the event was underattended and overfunded. When it comes to our nation’s founding, the Parks and Recreation Board found it appropriate to make the most cuts. 

Nobody should be surprised that the city prioritizes woke segregation events over national unity. The board’s diversity, equity, and inclusion statement is very clear about where their priorities stand:

“An equitable park system is one that provides just and fair inclusion for all people across age, race, culture, economic status, ability, and gender, and acknowledges that racial equity needs to be the priority in our work to dismantle systemic racism in our city.”

The mainstream left will gladly proclaim that America’s founding is racist, as a Time Magazine article from 2021 does. Naturally, they will do anything to diminish the celebration of such a holiday.

There is something uniquely American about firework shows. It resembles the firing of rockets and the patriotism of our founders. Getting rid of a tradition that spans decades of American history is nothing but sad and shameful. Especially when you’re willing to blow hundreds of thousands on events that nobody attends.

The Edina Community Lutheran Church (ECLC) has gained nationwide notoriety for their recitation of the ludicrous “sparkle creed,” but we're learning there's a lot more craziness to this highly politicized church. According to their “mission partners” page on their website, the group has partners with the extremely radical Minnesota Freedom Fund.

The Minnesota Freedom Fund (MFF) became prominent during the 2020 George Floyd Riots. They serve to bail out everyone and anyone that has been put in jail. This includes violent convicts who have gone on to commit more violent crimes. Worse yet, the group has bailed out alleged child sex offenders.

As recently as February of this year, MFF twice bailed out a homeless man for felony-level possession of drugs (meth and heroin). After being bailed out, he was the driver in a fatal car crash while smoking meth.

MFF also bailed out the suspect in the Minneapolis Mosque arson. According to Crime Watch, court records showed the suspect had a history of mental health issues.

Now-Vice President Kamala Harris even promoted this group on the campaign trail, encouraging donations.

If you’re able to, chip in now to the @MNFreedomFund to help post bail for those protesting on the ground in Minnesota. https://t.co/t8LXowKIbw

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) June 1, 2020

She eventually tried to walk back her support, even claiming that her support for the organization is "misinformation."

Even with endless scandals and missteps coming from this organization, the ECLC proudly partners with them and promotes the group on its website.

Check out our story about the ECLC’s “Sparkle Creed.”

The Democrat-controlled Michigan House of Representatives passed an extreme anti-1st Amendment bill on June 20th that would make the ‘wrong’ usage of pronouns a crime punishable by imprisonment for as long as 5 years, or a fine as much as $10,000.

More specifically, HB 4474 would make it a felony to use words to make one “feel” terrorized, frightened, or threatened. Do not take my word for it, just look at the bill’s definition of “intimidate.”

The bill specifically states that "intimidation" based on "gender identity or expression" would qualify for felony status.

The bill passed 59-50 in the House, and will now head to the Senate.

Anti-free speech laws are sweeping the nation, and they are coming in the name of social justice for the far-left’s key base of supporters. 

Canada adopted a similar provision in 2017 with bill C-16, which prohibits supposed improper pronoun usage. Dr. Jordan Peterson was thrust onto the world stage by criticizing the legislation.

Here in Minnesota, we also have similarly draconian laws. The Democrat-controlled House Senate just created a “bias database” that records and documents wrong-think from citizens.

Unlike Canada, the United States has a constitution that protects free speech and expression. Hopefully, the courts will step in to defend the rights of the people and strike down these crazy provisions.

Baker Tilly LLP released a report for the Minneapolis City Auditor’s Office on Monday, showing that most of the $680,978 in taxpayer dollars allocated to the Black Business Expo in February went to out-of-state businesses. Worse yet, the event fell fall short of bringing in the expected 20,000 visitors that the city had hoped.

This event was supposed to support local black-owned businesses in Minneapolis. In reality, it may have ended up hurting them. MPR News reported in April that many business owners were disappointed with the event. They noted that small businesses spent money that they didn’t have to prepare for promised demand. When attendance fell short, businesses had to eat their losses.

The waste of taxpayer funds and lack of attendance can be blamed on poor event planning. Baker Tilly also sounded the alarm on duplicate invoices being received from vendors, some of which may have accidentally been paid. 

Additionally, the city paid performer Pinky Cole $33,500 to perform at the Expo, despite her backing out of the event at the last minute. 

Overall, this independent audit confirms that this event was a complete and total failure. Not only were taxpayer funds wasted on a woke attempt to spotlight black businesses, but these businesses were actually harmed as a result.

Of course, it is doubtful that the city will learn its lesson. Fraud, waste, and abuse are common tenants of Minnesota’s government. It is unlikely that anything will change anytime soon.

What place does Black Lives Matter, Transgender Day of Visibility, and Line-3 Protests have in a Christian Church? If you said “no place,” you would most certainly not be welcome in the "All Are Welcome" Edina Community Lutheran Church. This is the church that has gone viral on social media for reciting the “Sparkle Creed,” which claims God as a “non-binary” being.

Here is the "church's" "Sparkle Creed," which seemingly mocks God and his creation:

I believe in the non-binary God whose pronouns are plural.

I believe in Jesus Christ, their child, who wore a fabulous tunic and had two dads, and who saw everyone as a sibling child of God.

I believe in the rainbow Spirit, who shatters our image of one white light and refracts it into a rainbow of gorgeous diversity.

I believe in the church of everyday saints, as numerous, creative, and resilient as patches on the AIDS quilt, whose feet are grounded in mud and whose eyes gaze at the stars in Wonder.

I believe in the calling to each of us, that love is love is love, so beloved, let us love.

I believe, glorious God. Help my unbelief.

Here's a video of the "pastor" leading the creed:

"Let us confess our faith today in the words of the Sparkle Creed" pic.twitter.com/CXeQQZvhbC

— Woke Preacher Clips (@WokePreacherTV) June 27, 2023

An Action 4 Liberty supporter told us that this is the Church where United States Senator Amy Klobuchar attends. No surprise there.

In 2020, the Church's Facebook page  shows congregants donning masks and holding black lives matter signs. In fact, most of the posts are related to left-wing activism, instead of Christian teaching.

For example, below is a post from the capitol asking the legislature to pass “Drivers Licenses For All,” which was passed by the fringes of the DFL party this last legislative session.

Their website (eclc.org) boasts of anti-racism vigils every third Sunday of the month. In their own words, they describe themselves as “open, progressive, energetic and inclusive congregation with a historical emphasis on social justice.  We are currently on a long-term journey to become an anti-racist congregation.” It should be noted that pictures and videos from this church show an overwhelmingly white congregation. 

The Church also dedicates large portions of their website to sections on ecofaith, immigration, indigenous rights, lgbtqia+, racial justice, reproductive justice, and many more unfortunate platitudes. 

The Bible is very clear about pride and lust. The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." (ESV)

Instead, this church ignores all of that and injects its worldly views into the building that is supposed to be dedicated to God. Instead, they appear to have dedicated their very existence to a god of idolatry and self-pleasure.

The StarTribune reported in their Morning Hot Dish newsletter on Wednesday that the website of LGBTQ organization "Twin Cities Pride" was blocked by Minnesota IT services for being flagged as “adult entertainment.”

Supposedly, this was first discovered on April 26th. It is possible that StarTribune held onto this story until after Saturday’s Pride Parade to avoid bringing negative press to the event. As everyone knows, the left goes insane the moment you accuse the LGBTQ movement of “grooming” kids. Of course, many of the activities that go on in these pride parades would qualify as “adult entertainment.”

The filter that Minnesota IT services had in place is not wrong at all. These pride events most certainly qualify as “adult entertainment.” Look no further than the man at the Pride parade twerking in front of kids in nothing but a pair of tidy whities.

If LGBTQ groups want to be taken seriously by the public, they can start by ridding ridiculous sexual fetishes like this from their public events.

The StarTribune also reported that the website was immediately unblocked when the supposed issue was reported. The question is, what are government employees doing on Pride websites with their work computers?

The woke corporate media is all giddy today as a Delaware Transgender State Senator announced his bid for U.S. Congress in a reliably safe Democrat district following the announcement from current Rep Lisa Blunt Rochester that she will be running for the U.S. Senate.

Several state legislatures have men dressing as women in their chambers, but so far, no transgender candidate has reached the U.S. Capitol. Delaware State Senator Sarah McBride hopes to be the first. And he will have plenty of support from the leftist infrastructure because McBride has worked through the Democrat ranks over the years, including helping Joe Biden's son get elected Attorney General more than a decade ago and working in the Obama/Biden White House in 2015.

Already, McBride's former employer is cheerfully endorsing the campaign. 

Taxpayer funded NPR writes, "In historic bid, transgender Delaware state senator launches congressional campaign." The AP proudly boasts, "If this Delaware senator wins a US House seat, she’ll be the 1st trans member of Congress." 

Delaware's at-large Congressional seat is a relatively safe Democrat seat, last won by Democrat Lisa Blunt Rochester by a 12.5% margin. With McBrides connection to the Bidens, it's likely that he'll win the Democrat primary and win the November election. Then we'll get to hear around the clock coverage about how "courageous" he is for becoming a "woman."

The Minnesota Lynx was crushed by the Connecticut Sun on Thursday night at Target Center in Minneapolis. During the game, the Fastbreak Foundation – the official community outreach organization for both the Lynx and the Timberwolves – honored transgender State Representative Leigh Finke as an “inspiring woman.”

Finke was born a biological male, and has identified as a woman in recent years. During his first term in the Minnesota Legislature, Finke gained notoriety for pushing extreme legislation like the genital mutilation sanctuary state bill. Finke has also blocked Action 4 Liberty on Twitter.

The Fastbreak Foundation posted their approval of Finke as an “inspiring woman” on their Twitter account, apparently not noticing the irony in their statement.

As part of our Inspiring Women platform, MN House of Representatives @leighfinke was recognized for her commitment in expanding protection for trans and LGTQ+ people of all ages.

Congratulations to Leigh Finke for all your incredible work and accomplishments! pic.twitter.com/NOFCBqt878

— Timberwolves & Lynx Community Impact (@WolvesLynxCI) June 23, 2023

Few sports fans are begging for more Pride/political themes in their entertainment. Though the Lynx possibly has a more liberal bend in their fanbase, this joint promotion with the Timberwolves will undoubtedly upset basketball fans.

This endorsement is particularly toxic because of Finke's politics. This confused man wants to see more transgender mutilation surgeries for kids. He was also the sponsor of a provision that removes anti-pedophile language from Minnesota state statutes.

This promotion comes after the NHL and MLB have announced that they will recommend against pride-themed jerseys and memorabilia in future years. 

The Minnesota Lynx does not have many fans to lose, but the Timberwolves could certainly lose a dedicated fanbase due to their denial of basic biological realities.