Bomb found at Ansleigha pro-immigration rally

Crown Police say 'sophisticated' device was defused, no injuries reported

KOEURN, ANSLEIGHA -- No one was injured but residents of Koeurn, Ansleigha are on edge after a bomb was discovered at a pro-immigration rally in the heart of the city this weekend.

The bomb was discovered early Saturday morning outside the federal courthouse in downtown Koeurn in Vicar Square.

Organizers were setting up a stage and sound system for the planned protest when a volunteer discovered a homemade bomb inside an audio speaker. The speaker had been hollowed out in order to hide the device.

The concerned volunteer alerted police immediately, who evacuated the area and closed down streets while an explosives team and robot defused the device.

Koeurn Police, assisted by Crown Police (CP) and Federal Counter-Terrorism agents, swept through downtown Koeurn looking for other suspicious devices.

Koeurn Police Chief Bill Mundlin said authorities were concerned about a coordinated, multi-explosive terrorist attack.

"Our concern was that this could be a potential terrorist attack with multiple explosive devices located in various places around the CBD," (central business district), said Mundlin.

No other devices were found and the bomb was defused without incident.

The protest was cancelled and downtown Koeurn was largely shut down and brought to a standstill for most of the day.

Police cleared the scene and gave an all-clear around 4:00 PM.

Officials say the bomb was sophisticated and expertly made.

"Whoever did this knew what they were doing," Kevin Yost, director of the Crown Police's Ansleigha division, told the media in a joint agency press conference.

Yost added that the bomb had the potential to cause "substantial loss of life" and "wide-scale carnage."

"There's no question in my mind this would have been a mass casualty event" had the bomb gone off, Yost said.

Police have no leads on a suspect, but they are reviewing security camera footage from nearby buildings.

Due to the location of the bomb, in the heart of Koeurn's city center, there is ample security camera footage for police to examine, Chief Mundlin said.

The bomb itself yielded few clues It was inconspicuously placed inside a hollowed out 28-inch Sanyo speaker. It was inside a plastic bag and crumpled paper was packed inside to hold the device in place.

The bomb was only noticed because a wire was sticking out of the speaker, Mundlin said.

There were no other identifying markers on the bomb.

Experts from the Crown Police's evidence laboratory in Taqqaraun, Marchenay just outside Mavocke showed he bomb was made with high quality aluminum, industrial strength glue, metal nails and a peroxide-based ingredient.

The CP declined to get more specific about the bomb's contents.

Meanwhile, authorities are trying to determine a motive.

It is believed the bomb was intentionally placed at the pro-refugee rally to target protesters, and whoever placed the bomb may have been motivated by political or anti-immigrant sentiments.

The protest was staged to show support for Syrian refugees, and to pressure the Menuhaeo Administration to allow more asylum-seekers into Grassadellia.

"It's very disturbing that someone would target a group of people, innocent, peaceful protesters who are advocating for diversity and inclusion," said protest organizer Samantha Beamer. "Racism and white supremacy are alive and well. This was very clearly a racially or religiously [or] culturally- motivated attack."

Crown Police would not confirm the bomb was motivated by racial or cultural bias, but they admitted that appears to be the motive.

"There are still too many questions we don't have answers to right now, so we can't definitively say what the motive was. But it certainly appears that this was an anti-immigrant, anti-minority type thing," said Mr. Yost.

The Department of National Security (DNS) confirmed an uptick in anti-Muslim and anti-Arab hate crimes since the refugee crisis in Syria escalated in 2015.

But DNS said an increase in related hate crimes in Ansleigha was commensurate with increases in other states.

"We have no reason to believe that the situation is any worse in Ansleigha than any of the other states," Crown Police Assistant Commissioner Peter Frederickson, speaking about anti-Muslim and anti-Arab hate crimes, told the NPF.

Grassadellian leaders were quick to react to the attempted attack.

Ansleigha Gov. Dale Lindstrom called an emergency press conference Saturday in Koeurn. He was joined by Koeurn Mayor Martin Hannah.

"I want to thank our alert citizens, our dedicated law enforcement with the Koeurn PD (police department), the Gowlinson County Sheriff's Department, all of the CP officers and counter-terrorism officials for reacting quickly and decisively," said Lindstrom. "That quick thinking saved lives."

Mr. Lindstrom repeatedly denounced terrorism and exhorted Koeurnians to not be fearful.

"We want to say in the strongest of terms: terrorism is not tolerated in this state, in  this country. Whether it's terrorism perpetrated by foreign agents or by Grassadellian citizens, we will not tolerate it, we do not condone it, we will remain steadfast in our efforts to prevent it and stop it before it happens. We will never stop trying to stay one step ahead of the bad guys. And we strongly condemn any kind of violence directed at any group of people, but especially minority communities. We are a state that values diversity and inclusion and celebrates other cultures, and we will not let the scourge of racism or Islamophobia stain our state's reputation," said Lindstrom.

Lindstrom added that he has instructed his cabinet and the Ansleigha State Police to engage all resources to prevent terrorist attacks.

"We are using everything at our disposal, and we are working closely with our partners at the federal level to ensure Ansleigha remains a safe place where all people are welcome and protected."

Mayor Hannah said panic was the first thought he had when he was told of the incident.
"You immediately start preparing for the worst," said Hannah. "Thankfully, this was an act of evil that was halted because of observant citizens and valorous law enforcement."

President Brenton Menuhaeo was overseas for a state visit in Egypt but said in a press conference from Cairo that he was "angry" but relieved.

"Like everyone else, I am gravely concerned about what happened in Koeurn and I am monitoring the situation very closely, along with Vice President James and [DHS] Secretary [Michelle] Gates."

Menuhaeo continued, saying he was "angry that someone would endeavor to commit such a heinous crime targeting innocent civilians."

"It enrages me that this is something we have to deal with in our modern era," Menuhaeo said. "But this is the reality of the 21st century, and we have to accept that and not live in fear. We need to remain vigilant, but we cannot let the terrorists win by living in fear," said the president.

He added that the attempted attack emboldens Grassadellians and law enforcement to more vigorously oppose terrorism.

"This only strengthens our resolve."

In a joint statement, Ansleigha's four federal senators, Carol DelLorean (N), Jon Schauman (N), Jon Ralston (C) and Luke Gymbal (C) condemned the act of terrorism and applauded police and alert citizens.

"We are stunned and saddened at what happened in Koeurn, but relieved a horrific act of evil was prevented thanks to the heroic efforts of brave citizens and law enforcement officers," the statement read.

"This was not only an attempted attack on a minority community, but an attack on all Ansleighans and an assault on freedom and peace. This attack will not go unmet. Whomever is responsible for this act of evil will be found and brought to justice."

Crown Police are calling it an act of 'domestic terrorism.'

A $100,000 reward is being offered by Crown Police for information leading to the arrest of the suspect(s) responsible for this crime.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Koeurn Police Department, the Gowlinson County Sheriff's Departmemt, Ansleigha State Police, Crown Police, or any local law enforcement agency immediately.

Beamer pushes transgender bathroom bill

Deschire governor says transgender bathroom controversy a human rights issue

NORTHBRIDGE, Des. -- Calling it a "necessary protection of civil rights," Deschire Governor Jan Beamer threw her support behind a bill that would require the state's public schools to allow students to use the bathroom of their choice.

Under the proposed law, students at any public K-12 school or university would be allowed to use the  bathroom or locker room that matches their self-perceived gender instead of their physical anatomy.

Officially titled the "Make Schools a Safe Place Law," Senate Bill 77 would permit students to use the bathroom facility they feel most comfortable in, regardless of their physical appearance or sex.

The proposed law is meant to protect transgender students who may not feel comfortable using restrooms that match the sex they were born with. Under the proposed rules, a male student who identifies as female would be able to use a girls bathroom, and vice versa, regardless of outward appearance or physical characteristics.

But critics say the law puts other non-transgender students at risk of voyeurism. A male student, for example, could pretend to a transgender woman in order to gain access to female students undressing in a locker room, say opponents.

"This is just common sense. This [law] will be abused if it's passed. Male students will use it to their advantage to get inside a girls locker room and will use this law as a pretense. It's only common sense that this could be a problematic issue," Conservative state Sen. Jim Lerhbos, who opposes the bill, told the GBC.

But Governor Beamer played down privacy concerns.

"No one wants voyeurism, and we all want to ensure the privacy and protection of our children. That is our primary goal," said Beamer. "But at the same time, this is a civil rights issue. People should be able to use the bathroom that matches the gender they identify with. We have laws in place to deal with voyeurism. Those will remain in tact and strictly enforced. This law does not put students at risk. It's about inclusion."

The National Council for Civil Liberties (NCCL) endorsed the legislation, saying protecting minorities like transgender students is an obligation of the government.

"If we value human rights and we value fairness and equality, then we must protect transgender students. That's the responsibility of the government, to ensure the rights and freedoms of all citizens are protected, minorities especially," Cole Savilla, chairman of the NCCL, told the Berivian Emblem-Herald.

Critics also contend that local school districts and school boards should deal with the issue instead of a state mandate.

"Each school district and community is different. Instead of Northbridge dictating what each school can and can't do, why don't we leave it in the hands of the local school districts. They are more familiar with their community than some politician in Northbridge who has no connection to that community," said state Rep. Ericka Hawthorne (C-Humboldton).
Governor Beamer is not standing down. She said she will sign the bill when it passes the state Semate, which is expected to happen in the next week.

Beamer has gone further, issuing an executive order requiring all state agency buildings to allow transgender clients and citizens to use the bathroom of their choice.

Senator Jay Burns (C), who is running for governor and will likely face Beamer in the general election later this year, said he opposes the measure.

"Of course transgender Deschireans deserve fairness and equal rights. They shouldn't suffer discrimination, but this law is too far reaching and puts students at risk. This law invites sexual predators to take advantage of vulnerable young people," said Burns.

"Ironically, it's called the 'Make Schools a Safe Place' law, but it actually makes schools less safe and sacrifices students' safety in the name of equality," Burns added.

Similar legislation is pending in six other states.