Updated 06/24/22 04:20 PM EDT
As the Supreme Court rocked the nation Friday in its Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade, a little-publicized detail has emerged out of California. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently issued a memo to the Catholic Church in the Stockton area that their churches would be under threat on Friday night due to pro-abortion extremist groups calling for a “Night of Rage” against churches.
In the memo obtained by Newsweek, a DHS agent advised the Diocese of Stockton that “large groups with cells nationwide have already been discovered ‘casing’ parishes, including here in California.”
The memo continued:
Make sure you have ushers and or security available during your services and perhaps identify who among your volunteers and parishioners are law enforcement. Suspicious activity would include someone asking out of place questions (Largest Mass times? Doors always open? Do you have security?), looking around church property, protestors, and general disturbances.
Meanwhile, President Biden, after remaining silent for 53 days while pro-abortion extremists carried out at least 63 attacks nationwide against churches, pregnancy resource centers, pro-life organizations, and individuals, urged the public on Friday to “keep all protests peaceful.”
In response to The Washington Stand’s request for comment regarding the “Night of Rage” planned for Friday night, a DHS spokesperson stated, “Americans’ freedom of speech and right to peacefully protest are fundamental Constitutional rights. Those rights do not extend to violence and other illegal activity. DHS will continue working with our partners across every level of government to share timely information and to support law enforcement efforts to keep our communities safe.”
Dan Hart is senior editor at The Washington Stand.