never imagined how much his life would change when he secured a job flying an Ipanema aircraft for Itaquerê Aero Agrícola in Deciolândia Iran had flown one rice season in Alegrete after completing his CAVAG training at Aero Agrícola Santos Dumont in 1999 whose family operated Itaquerê Aero Agrícola they both realized that the future of Brazilian agriculture—and theirs—was in the country's central-west region where Iran worked for various companies in Primavera do Leste he began flying an Air Tractor AT-402 for a farm in Diamantino Iran took a firefighting course with Astor Schlindwein in Botucatu Its facilities in Deciolândia—including a hangar and a private airstrip—remained unused Iran and Keila decided it was time for him to stop flying for the farm Combining Keila’s business management experience and Iran’s expertise as an agricultural pilot They acquired a used Ipanema 202 from Rambo Aviação Agrícola and began operations from the same base where they had first met Aurora grew quickly thanks to their knowledge of the region and its producers they added a used Air Tractor AT-502 to their fleet Iran coordinated operations and piloted the AT-502 while Keila managed administrative and financial tasks they partnered with a local producer to purchase a new Air Tractor AT-402B from AgSur Aviones they bought a second used AT-402B from AgSur Aviones the couple also significantly improved the Deciolândia base they paved 900 meters of the original 1,300-meter runway Aurora’s aircraft primarily treat soybean (40%) with smaller shares dedicated to pastures (10%) and eucalyptus (5%) Most applications use low spray volumes—less than 15 liters per hectare—thanks to Micronair AU-5000 rotary atomizers Many liquid applications are ultra-low volume For higher-volume sprays requested by clients such as spraying insecticides over pastures with protected tree species which requires a volume of 40 liters per hectare as the aircraft often flies above the tree canopy All Aurora aircraft are equipped with Ag-Nav GPS units Between 10% and 12% of Aurora’s operations involve solid applications including cover crop seeding and fertilizer spreading with boron or urea Iran was asked to apply 380 kg of urea per hectare on corn in one instance requiring three passes over the same strip to achieve the volume Aurora’s support trucks are equipped with cranes (Munck) to streamline loading for solid applications The company is transitioning from pickup trucks to a standardized fleet of support trucks for greater flexibility After Mato Grosso’s primary season from October to May one of their Air Tractors is transferred to Roraima in northern Brazil the aircraft operates on a large farm with three agricultural runways until September before returning to Mato Grosso Aurora primarily serves clients near Deciolândia—some so close that their airstrips are visible right after takeoff usually handling small areas in one of the Ipanemas when no other company pilot is available He prefers to focus on coordinating and managing the business alongside Keila family-run business looking to grow by prioritizing quality and efficiency." Aurora has a loyal client base many of whom were previously customers of Itaquerê Aero Agrícola and that’s why we’ve been in the same location for so many years.” Iran and Keila are planning Aurora’s future together They recently visited the Air Tractor factory in Olney They are also considering using drones for smaller applications Iran acknowledges that the biggest business challenge is finding skilled professionals he participates in safety and application quality courses encouraging Aurora’s pilots to do the same Reflecting on the challenges faced by the agricultural aviation industry and quality will remain in this sector.” He and Keila are optimistic about Aurora Aviação Agrícola’s future and with good reason they’ve grown from a single Ipanema to a fleet of three Air Tractors and two Ipanemas a testament to their hard work and shared vision Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights I write about cannabis and psychedelics culture and business 12:48pm EDTShareSaveCommentThis article is more than 3 years old.Loriel Alegrete is Chief Executive Officer at 40 Tons I learned that this premium cannabis clothing and accessories company was founded by the very legacy operators who’ve helped build the cannabis industry a woman who saw a lot of her most cherished loved ones get locked up for weed and decided to do something about it Using her degree from The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising her experience as an entrepreneur and community outreach leader Loriel and the 40 Tons team are creating a company with a conscience on a mission to bring all 40,000-plus cannabis prisoners home and restore justice by the tons To quote the 40 Tons slogan: “Just because someone carries it well Recent statistics state that a majority of owners within the cannabis industry are not POC.. Loriel Alegrete: If they don’t want to give us a seat at the table And that’s exactly what I did when I created 40 Tons daughters and wives of those unjustly incarcerated over cannabis Are you able to find allyship and community with others in this business I like to think of myself as a good judge character and use my leadership skills to identify who is a true ally and align myself accordingly My husband Anthony is white and happens to be an ally Having him on our inner team has helped bridge relationships we might not have had otherwise What are some of the challenges you face as a Black woman in the cannabis industry LA: People not taking me seriously and/or feeling sorry for me — I want people to support 40 Tons not because it’s a Black female owned business but because it’s a good business doing great work We’re capable of delivering premium products and great experiences just like any other brand I am proud that 40 Tons is a Black female owned company This is what true social equity looks like 40 Tons was founded by the very legacy operators who’ve helped build the cannabis industry during .. Your experiences with incarceration to those close to you must have been immensely stressful yet you still managed to achieve so much — what motivates you I had to be stronger than ever being both parents and supporting my children My children have been motivating factors then and now This was just a chapter in my life and not the entire book What doesn’t kill me only makes me stronger What has been the most rewarding part of being a leader that works to restore communities I also love the fact I can be a mentor for young women and show them we can do it just like men can Disclosure: 40 Tons Brand Ambassador Corvain Cooper is a legacy fellow and advisor to an organization I co-founded Amplifying your mission with a clothing brand is a unique method of fighting cannabis-related injustice LA: We aim to build culture behind our brand I studied fashion at Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in my younger years fashion has always been something the team has been connected to This is our way to tell our story and have people support us Representing those impacted by the system — Co-founder Anthony Alegrete What was the process of starting this company like and have started various types of businesses Once we realized that this is what we wanted to do we began the ground work — developing our brand deck Our team is diverse in many business practices and all of our experiences helped in forming the company Our biggest struggle is being able to finance this endeavor We just lace up our boots and face the challenges head on We are thankful for the many relationships we have solidified that have allowed us to do this What has been a transformative experience for you along your journey LA: When I witnessed Anthony and Corvain charged with the same crime There has to be something done to change these types of injustices LA: This is a situation where 1+1+1+1 = 10 Many came together to rally behind Corvain Cooper's cause It took lawyers filing motions and petitions and it took the masses signing petitions and vocalizing Corvain’s plight Evelyn and Natalia (who are part of our team) were also on Clubhouse early and used that platform to amplify the message Anthony would go into cannabis rooms and bring up Corvain's name I think this played a big role in rallying the entire industry together It was perfect timing because only four months after Anthony joined Clubhouse He literally drove up to the federal prison to pick him up Loriel stands for the strong women of the world powering through the challenges of loved ones behind .. What are your hopes for the future of legalization LA: I’m hopeful this special plant will be legalized at the federal level soon I think it’s important not to stop at legalizing but also bringing real restorative justice to our brothers and sisters locked up over this plant It's only fair that if we make the plant legal we need to fix the justice system as it relates to cannabis LA: I micro-dose edibles from time to time.… It's tough running a household What have you learned about yourself through this process The moments that impacted me personally have been when I had to watch my mother lose her battle with cancer It means I had to become the matriarch of the family How do you hope to empower other Black women in the cannabis industry LA: I am passionate about mentoring Black women By showing them that no matter what obstacles are put in front of you Black women have this inner strength most people don’t see You must believe you are capable of doing the job and you’ll be capable This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page but for many who paid the highest price for prohibition a social impact-driven nonprofit committed to equity and justice will be a centerpiece at NECANN Boston 2025 taking place March 21-22 at the Hynes Convention Center in Massachusetts This activation goes beyond awareness—it’s a direct investment in the future of justice-impacted entrepreneurs NECANN Boston is one of the most influential cannabis conferences in the U.S. and brands looking to shape the future of legal cannabis Justice Row ensures that those who were once excluded from the industry have a real shot at success Justice Row isn’t just about visibility; it’s about action Created as a launchpad for justice-impacted entrepreneurs the initiative provides business owners with resources emphasizes that this effort is about leveling the playing field “This isn’t about giving handouts,” said Alegrete They just need access to the same opportunities as everyone else which is why this partnership is so important.” NECANN Co-Founder Marc Shepard echoed this sentiment reinforcing the importance of representation at high-level industry events we’ve prioritized supporting social equity businesses Justice Row aligns with our mission to create meaningful change True equity happens when we provide space and resources to those who have been historically excluded.” Justice Row at NECANN Boston is backed by leading cannabis brands that recognize the urgency of economic empowerment a powerhouse in New York cannabis manufacturing bringing its TEC Marketplace Legacy Brand Accelerator program to the forefront “We believe in 40 Tons’ mission to the core,” said Kimberly T. “As a company committed to fostering growth in the cannabis industry supporting Justice Row is a natural extension of our work in helping legacy brands transition to the legal market.” all reinforcing their commitment to creating pathways for those affected by the War on Drugs Cooper was once sentenced to life without parole for a nonviolent cannabis offense he is a driving force behind one of the most meaningful social impact movements in the industry NECANN Boston 2025 marks another milestone in the fight for justice proving that equity in cannabis is more than a conversation—it’s a movement For more information on 40 Tons and Justice Row at NECANN Boston, visit 40tons.co Input your search keywords and press Enter Founded by legacy operators, 40 Tons is more than just a cannabis, clothing, and accessories brand; it represents a second chance at life. By providing charitable prisoner merch, career conferences, NFTs, and facilitating partnerships, the founders of 40 Tons grow that much closer to achieving their goals 40 Tons only got its start a little over a year ago It has since turned into a heavily partnered brand They still continue to provide cannabis job opportunities to their community and financial relief to several cannabis prisoners and their families Respect My Region had the opportunity to interview the founders of 40 Tons They went in-depth about the beginnings of the company Continue reading to learn more about the socially conscious cannabis and apparel brand making a lasting impact on those affected by cannabis convictions and Corvain Cooper are the founders of 40 Tons and have been through a lot together Loriel Alegrete is the Chief Executive Officer of the company She oversees macro strategy and strategic partnerships between other brands She understands what it’s like to live apart from an incarcerated family member and care for the family in their absence Not only did she experience it during her teens due to her brother being arrested but her husband was also incarcerated multiple times throughout their relationship “This mission is so important to me because I’ve gone through what we aim to help people with I had to figure out a lot of things while Anthony was incarcerated which gave me the insight to know what help was needed.” oversees day-to-day organizational functions and oversight of the macro strategy of 40 Tons His knowledge of the market comes from his time in the legacy market and being an entrepreneur for 23 years He also went back to school in his early thirties where he obtained a bachelor’s in Business Marketing at the University of Las Vegas and a Masters’s in Organizational Leadership at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego Their combined insight allowed them to see the need for change and fueled their mission to help those struggling with the same circumstances Anthony and Loriel came up with the idea for a social impact cannabis brand and help free their friend and co-founder Anthony and Corvain would talk over the prison collect call system almost daily and realized theimpact they could have if they created a platform While big cannabis titans were making millions of dollars in the legal market Corvain Cooper was still behind bars for the same plant Although he was imprisoned alongside Anthony he was tried for his third felony offense and received a life sentence which meant I was sentenced with life in prison And although the investigators of the case said that they had no evidence of me committing the crime it was the hearsay of a criminal that got me convicted.” While many think his offense was minor it landed him in a Louisiana federal prison; separated from his then-fiancé and two children There were several people that wanted to support him but many causes didn’t provide direct relief a company reached out to Anthony to create a brand around an existing cannabis supply chain Seeing the opportunity to combine a better donation route for his friend and create a brand for the cannabis company we suggested the idea of forming the brand We really liked it so we rolled with it and developed an extensive brand guide in the following four months with help from Aaron Silverman and Naphtali Rodriguez.” During Corvain’s incarceration, a documentary by legendary rap superstar Nas came out about the importance of marijuana policy form The team fought hard to keep their name in the news Corvain was granted clemency and released from his life sentence in the not only the last day but also the last hour of former President Donald Trump’s term This feat couldn’t have been achieved without the support from several individuals and organizations alongside the 40 Tons team reuniting with his friends and family, rebuilding his life and joining Anthony and Loriel to fight for those who are still incarcerated for cannabis charges When Corvain was released, it became clear to Anthony that 40 Tons would be bigger than just any cannabis and apparel brand the newest challenge became figuring out a way to bring more people equity and full lives; to do that they launched their first cannabis career conference “Our first cannabis career conference was held in September 2021 eight months after Corvain’s release We wanted to figure out a way that we could scale restorative justice and help those who needed a second chance” Corvain Cooper is the chief brand ambassador of 40 Tons His life sentence inspired Loriel and Anthony to start the company and his involvement with 40 Tons was essential to guiding the route of restorative justice They knew if they wanted to have a nationwide impact they’d have to partner with individuals orcompanies already in the HR we needed to partner with professionals that we’re already in the space.” In the end, 40 Tons & Brand Resumes formed 40 Tons Careers Together they launched a never been done before career conference that wasn’t just your ordinary career fair They called it the Canna Get a Second Chance: Cannabis Career Conference The Canna Get A 2nd Chance’ Cannabis Career Conference is one of 40 Tons’ biggest initiatives people with past cannabis convictions get their resumes reviewed and are given access to cannabis jobs and scholarship opportunities Some of the brands that have supported are The Shryne Group Their events have assisted over 800 attendees helping over 25% of attendees get an interview with their business of interest and hundreds of jobs fulfilled “There was a woman I met at one of our career conferences that expressed how nervous she was to apply for jobs when she saw the question but after being encouraged to apply anyway It was so cool when I happened to run into her again while she was working at the company.” Catch the next career conference is being held on August 13th in Trenton, NJ. You can register online here With Anthony’s 23 years of entrepreneurship and Corvain’s story of overcoming the system they have built a massive ecosystem of large brands that have supported or sponsored their conferences Recently, 40 Tons collaborated with Good Day Farm They are a medical cannabis brand and launched two limited-edition vape pens in Arkansas and Missouri a portion of the proceeds goes towards 40 Tons’ mission with each one delivering a potentially uplifting or calming effect or you can choose The Legacy: 40 TON; a potentially calming berry blended with diesel flavors and aromas Similarly, a new partnership was formed between 40 Tons, Sunset Connect, and HERBL brand new 40 Tons branded products will be manufactured through Sunset Connect a verified San Francisco social equity manufacturer they knew if they wanted a chance at success they couldn’t just buy it and slap a label over something someone was already selling They knew that their mission and social impact message was important but even more important was product quality; consumers want to smoke great products “What’s inside your package is just as important as what your brand stands on” The partnership with Sunset Connect is a very special one because they are not only a social equity manufacturing company but also take big pride in their craftsmanship with the extreme level of detail they put in their products Their love for the landrace traditions of extractions and the craft of producing hash is deeply rooted in their DNA They have taken the ancient art of producing hash and turned it into a highly scientific method Sunset Connect is truly on the cutting edge of hash production combining different styles of hash-making techniques Legendary hash maker ‘Frenchie Canolli’ personally worked with the Sunset Connect Team before his unfortunate passing “High quality manufactured goods paired with a strong social impact mission is a recipe for success.” According to a quote from PRNewswire 40 Tons will be able to impact significantly more lives Sharing our brand and story with new audiences not only introduces consumers to our quality products but also enables our team to fund even more restorative justice initiatives HERBL’s hands-on approach and organic relationship with our team place 40 Tons in a prime position to succeed.” Recently, Owls Oil joined the long list of companies who believe in the 40 Tons mission The partnership began a year after Anthony met Luke Gavin at the Secret/Haze Cup in Las Vegas in 2021 “I strongly believe in the 40 Tons mission that no person should be incarcerated over the cannabis plant.” Together they created the Owls Oil x 40 Tons Gummies donating 15% of the proceeds to the 40 Tons mission Available in states that sell hemp products the 40 Tons team learned to adjust and adhere to California’s cannabis compliance Today they have developed a pioneering brand that expands on the like-minded kindness of those who support the thousands of cannabis prisoners still behind bars and the need to bring more diversity and inclusion of BIPOC communities into the cannabis industry “We took our time finding legacy cultivators and or craft cannabis companies that made great products.” Not only is 40 Tons partnering with companies to help provide careers and quality products. But they also believe in partnering with the latest technologies. Also, the Black Owned company Tetragram will feature 40 Tons as their first brand on the app. Tetragram is a SaaS platform positioned to be the “Yelp” of Cannabis by empowering cannabis and CBD consumers with the ability to Track and Share their personal experiences with others and doctors to help them tell their product’s story and connect directly to consumers 40 Tons will get their products rated and shared so others can utilize them for the many medicinal benefits of the plant.  Last year the 40 Tons team linked with Saucey Extracts, another premium Cannabis brand in New York and developed a friendship with its owners Alex Todd, and Jim Jones. Additionally, Harlem New York Based rapper and mogul, Jim Jones rapped on a recent Mixtape by Urban Aroma about Corvain Cooper As you can see 40 Tons is creating friendships and alliances with some of Hip Hop and Cannabis Royalty.  One last amazing accomplishment to mention is their partnership with Mediajel. In an effort to bring what they do to the social impact landscape of cannabis they’ve donated $40,000 to the 40 Tons team to help with digital marketing ad placements “We believe  in what 40 Tons is doing and want to lend our digital ad placement expertise to their existing business model We want to help them get more eyeballs to what they do and the products they sell,” said Guillermo Bravo President of the Mediajel Foundation.  40 Tons is extremely leveraging partnerships to do social good and create a seat at the table Photo by @_shootpeople With every 40 Tons affiliated purchase some of the profit from sales goes to provide a better life for non-violent cannabis prisoners This support helps fight their unjust sentences equitable lives once they return home to their families those purchases support these three legacy operators and provide a new way for them to feed their families while remaining compliant had their lives ripped away for the same plant that reportedly props up a multi-billion-dollar industry Courtesy of 40 Tons @ the G4 LIVE Conference this is a group that not only has created an incredible brand forged many partnerships with big name companies “investment!” “If we want to continue to have the impact we are having and creating more strategic partnerships has to happen now it’s time to build our Voltron of a team.” Just because someone carries it well doesn’t mean it’s not heavy Follow 40 Tons On Instagram  Warning: This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit-forming There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product Should not be used by women that are pregnant or breast feeding For use only by adults twenty-one and older Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug The articles featured on this website are the opinion of the author and may not reflect the opinion of Respect My Region The Poisoned Ascendancy Tour tore through San Antonio on April 16 bringing a powerful wave of metal to the Boeing Center at Tech Port The NFL draft is a time of dreams coming true for both the teams and the players Players can fulfill their lifelong dreams while teams Although every team technically holds a chance there are always a few contenders that stand out amongst Ione Saldanha boldly explored new media for her painting with a vigorous and distinguishing use of colour Saldanha’s Bambus (1960s-70s) are a radical way of pushing the boundaries between artistic languages the very organicity of the support claims its sculptural properties To produce the Bambus the artist went through several distinct stages After harvesting the bamboo and allowing it to dry for more than a year Saldanha sanded it and applied five preparatory coats of white paint When the time came to fill them with colour The Bambus invite us to experience colour as we surround them The visible light brushstrokes in the thin acrylic paint evidences the sequenced each Bambu is both unique and part of the larger compositional whole This is the first time the work of Ione Saldanha is presented at Biennale Arte Contact us Press Office Subscribe to the Newsletter and get the latest info on our programmes and initiatives Subscribe HERBL to scale two top social equity cannabis brands across California SANTA BARBARA, Calif., May 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PRESS RELEASE-- HERBL, a California-based cannabis supply chain company, today announced exclusive distribution partnerships with Ball Family Farms, a Black-owned cannabis brand, and 40 Tons a Black female-owned social impact cannabis brand HERBL begins distribution of both brands' range of cannabis products in California this month an opportune time to drive visibility to Cannabis Freedom Day and Brand efforts towards social equity and justice in the cannabis industry Ball Family Farms is a social equity commercial operator that cultivates hand-crafted flower a former legacy operator and professional athlete in-house genetics as well as living soil and sustainable cultivation systems diversity and women's empowerment in the workplace Ball Family Farms fosters a positive company culture and a passion for exceptional cannabis products RELATED: Ball Family Farms: One of the First Vertically Integrated Social Equity Cannabis Businesses in LA 'cultivating the culture from the ground up,' in each new venture we undertake," said Chris Ball "Our partnership with HERBL is no exception Between their widespread reach in California and commitment to cannabis culture in our state HERBL is the perfect partner as our growing brand looks to the future." who experienced the impact of cannabis prohibition firsthand when Anthony and Cooper were incarcerated on cannabis charges he and Loriel began to advocate for Cooper to be released from his life sentence for non-violent cannabis distribution charges Cooper ultimately received a rare clemency in 2021 40 Tons began with the mission to not only provide high-quality cannabis experiences but also to increase the representation of BIPOC communities in cannabis and advocate for those experiencing incarceration The brand built advocacy directly into its business model by investing profits from each purchase into social equity efforts which features full-size 1g pre-rolls and 1/8th flower packs in a variety of strains will be available throughout California on May 30 40 Tons will be able to impact significantly more lives," said Loriel Alegrete "Sharing our brand and story with new audiences not only introduces consumers to our quality products but also enables our team to fund even more restorative justice initiatives HERBL's hands-on approach and organic relationship with our team place 40 Tons in a prime position to succeed." It was important to 40 Tons to launch close to Cannabis Freedom Day is an industry holiday that brings awareness to the disproportional social racial and economic injustices that BIPOC communities have faced due to cannabis prohibition The 40 Tons team is driving visibility on this day through their social platforms "HERBL is committed to partnering with the best-of-the-best in cannabis and is honored to welcome Ball Family Farms and 40 Tons into our top-tier distribution portfolio," said Mike Beaudry "Both brands are dedicated to fostering positive social impact in cannabis whether that be through diversity in the workplace or providing resources to support restorative justice We look forward to scaling Ball Family Farms and 40 Tons and increasing their visibility in one of the most competitive cannabis markets in the world." HERBL is excited to welcome 40 Tons and Ball Family Farms to their growing portfolio of equity brands and partners. California-based brands interested in working with HERBL can learn more here English *By Alexandre Briozo Gomes Filho*First published February 16th, 2023*Photo: Flávio Dutra/UJ The awareness that “the stage that is given to some is denied to others” intensifies as the line to blackness or homosexuality is crossed and even more when these two social markers intermingle in one person Djalma do Alegrete (1931-1994) is one of those cases of the retrieval of the trajectory of black personalities who have been increasingly present in Brazilian society since the Racial Quotas Law has made it possible for the black community to address its demands inside and outside the academia With an art inspired in the Afro-Brazilian heritage Djalma improved his art style with the renowned João Fahrion enhanced his painting skills with Aldo Locatelli and his technique with the famous Ado Malagoli were not enough to guarantee the recognition of his work for there were the circumstances of his skin color and sexual orientation: he was black and homosexual “If black people are not able to be inserted in spaces of power direction of art institutions or even other sectors of the job market it is because the image of these people has been associated with subordinate tasks for several centuries.” explains Izis Abreu Theory and Criticism of Art at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) and curator of Presença Negra (Black Presence) a recent exhibition held at the Art Museum of Rio Grande do Sul (MARGS) where Djalma’s works were displayed “this results in the creation of specific social places for these people.”  “Because he was a black man and a homosexual Djalma suffered from a lack of opportunities and recognition.” Djalma refused the subordinate role that prejudice sought to assign him in which he defiantly occupied his rightful space as an inherently unsubmissive person engaged in a constant cognitive fight to liberate himself from the internalized subordination rooted in the colonial mindset imposed upon black people in an interview published by the alternative newspaper Lampião da Esquina whose editorial line was focused on LGBT+ and black community topics with his religious initiation in Sara of Iansã a priestess from Porto Alegre (who serves an African-derived religious entity).” Born into a wealthy black family on June 4 son to Dinorá Cunha dos Santos and Army Lieutenant Homero Alves dos Santos brother to five biological siblings and two foster siblings Djalma did not follow his parents’ wishes and was far from becoming an engineer he seemed to have been born with a mixed-with-fantasy blood that turns the abstract into art that can be seen According to a 1988 article in the newspaper O Globo Djalma was the first black student to enter the Institute of Fine Arts at UFRGS He became the first black man to graduate in this field in the state of Rio Grande do Sul He also studied Journalism and got a degree in Didactics from the Institute of Philosophy and Human Sciences in the same institution He began teaching in São Lourenço do Sul as soon as he graduated in fine arts where he suffered from the heavy discrimination of his students’ parents and other local residents for being black and homosexual The persecution against him was so severe that he even became a target for physical assault “I invited my former students from Porto Alegre to join me for a weekend in São Lourenço do Sul,” says Djalma in an interview for Correio da Manhã in July 1963 “They were celebrated with a cocktail party at a club Due to the strong racial segregation in the state Djalma moved to Rio de Janeiro later in the same year marking the beginning of his comings and goings between the two states Djalma do Alegrete gained national and international recognition when Ieda Maria Vargas showcased his stylized traditional costume titled “Exaltação aos Pampas” (Exaltation to the Pampas) during the Miss Universe pageant in July 1963 The costume was a blend of masculine and feminine attire drawing inspiration from the Farroupilha Revolution It combined boots and bombachas (a typical loose-fitting trousers worn in the Pampas region) garnering criticism in Brazil while earning praise from abroad but Djalma was not invited to her visit to Porto Alegre’s City Hall security guards prevented him from entering Djalma was a longtime friend and groomsman of Dirney Alves Ribeiro who recalls the wound that this event opened in the artist’s soul “They told him that he modeled [the costume] professionally He was not allowed to participate because he was black and homosexual,” Ribeiro says through the realistic and stylized portraits he painted of that family An organizing box holds most of the collection that the friend has of the artist’s works along with letters sent over the years to him and to his wife whom Djalma admired as if she were his own female version Amidst the narrative of Djalma’s life and photographs that chronicle his stories He eventually narrowed his eyes as if to reach more distant memories from the time when the two met at the Trevo de Ouro carnival block in 1966 where Djalma was a carnavalesco (a creative director of a samba school) Ribeiro exalts the ingenuity of his friend: “His culture was enviable He was a pioneer in doing this particular style of drawing created for the samba schools he collaborated with the censorship of the Department of Political and Social Order (DOPS) is registered on the authorization stamps of the Federal Police Department in Rio Grande do Sul During the 21 years of the military dictatorship Djalma do Alegrete fearlessly lived life on his own terms Although gender and sexuality issues were not explicitly targeted by repressive policies there was a stereotype association of these people with subversion deeming them a threat to societal norms and values the LGBTQIA+ community has often found in Carnival a space for free manifestation of their identities which justifies Djalma’s passion for this cultural performance the Correio da Manhã announced that the costume designer would leave Porto Alegre in August of that year due to the racism prevalent in the state Djalma expressed his frustration to the newspaper stating that “[r]acial segregation in Rio Grande do Sul is an undeniable reality We are [pejoratively] called ‘that negro’ or ‘negrinho’ and I believe that’s why I don’t have opportunities in my own state.” Exhausted by the conservative atmosphere of Porto Alegre In the Marvelous City [as Rio de Janeiro is acclaimed in a famous Carnival March] In a heartfelt letter sent to Ribeiro and his wife soaring through space as if I were being reborn (thank God!!!).” However his prolonged stay in Porto Alegre was caused by an unresolved situation at work: the seamstresses didn’t finish the costumes on time and the administrators of Bloco das Vassourinhas were enraged he returned to seek refuge in his hometown despite having many restrictions regarding his sexuality “Djalma is one of the cases of racialized artists who have been made invisible in art history,” comments Abreu but the general public still doesn’t know him.” Curator of Presença Negra together with researcher Igor Simões from the State University of Rio Grande do Sul (UERGS) the art historian says that the exhibition contributed to find new public to the artists presented and also to promote and stimulate the interest for research around artists who have been made invisible or even erased: “There are many names to be researched and recorded historiographically With the growing frequency of discussions around racial agendas the master’s student explains that this is due to an entire struggle of social movements for inclusion in academic spaces succeed in inserting ourselves in academic spaces I am an example of this: I started pursuing a career in Art History gaining entrance through the quotas but I didn’t see black artists in the curricula during the whole undergraduate program so I started to question myself about this [invisibility] My undergraduate thesis was about the retrieval of the trajectory and the production of a black and homosexual artist named Otacílio Camilo” The systematic erasure of black and indigenous cultural backgrounds from the history of Rio Grande do Sul can be explained by the effort to make the state be seen from the experiences of people with European traditions and origins elements of black culture began to be fought against and there were protests from certain residents arguing that it would result in an increase in criminality Representation issues have been increasingly present in social debates Abreu comments that racialized and LGBT+ artists are gradually gaining space in the artistic community but she points out that “[t]here is an almost ‘imposed’ interest on the part of institutions to look at these artists.” She believes that it is necessary to go beyond the marketing symbolism and make changes in the institutions’ structures and administration “Even though artists are gaining some visibility and are being sought out by galleries the institutional structure still doesn’t accommodate this diversity” probably as a result of the violence he suffered throughout his life,” says the art historian She emphasizes that the artist must be recognized for his production and that this production needs to be valorized I am an outcast for being homosexual and black.” Bypassing prejudice and claiming for himself the artist was self-designated “the glorified outcast.” in which he promoted a retrospective of his paintings and the release of the book “Rio Grande do Sul: Aspectos da Negritude” (Blackness Aspects) a collection of texts by several authors about the trajectory of the black community in Rio Grande do Sul in all its aspects Djalma do Alegrete died in 1994 at the Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição When discussing the recognition that Djalma do Alegrete’s trajectory is now receiving Ribeiro becomes emotional and his voice gets shaky: “He truly deserved this.” Ribeiro says that he has been contacted by museums interested in exhibiting Djalma’s works and also by researchers who are studying the artist’s life trajectory Regarding the impact of Djalma’s reputation on the black community and the LGBTQIA+ community the friend is resolute: “The retrieval of his trajectory is a rupture in the oppression that came from white people all these years.” Translated into English by Pedro Henrique Marques Sieburger undergraduate student enrolled in the course “Supervised Translation Training I (English)” of the Undergraduate Program in Language and Literature under the supervision and translation revision of Professor Elizamari R :: Read in portuguese:Djalma do Alegrete: “o marginal glorificado” do Rio Grande do Sul Av. Paulo Gama, 110 | Reitoria – 8.andar | Câmpus Centro | Bairro Farroupilha | Porto Alegre | Rio Grande do Sul | CEP: 90040-060 Levels of the Paraguay River in Asunción now stand at almost 5 metres above normal for this time of year As many as 40 municipalities have been affected by flooding in Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul state The flooding has forced almost 2,000 families (around 9,000 people) to evacuate Several rivers in the state have overflowed in particular the Uruguay River in Uruguaiana municipality According to the latest reports from Rio Grande do Sul civil defence river levels were at 11.18 metres on 27 December which is over 3 metres above alert levels and over 6 metres above normal levels Evacuations have been carried out in 12 municipalities including Uruguaiana Flooding has been affecting some parts of the state for the last 7 days Around 200 families were evacuated after heavy rainfall between 21 and 22 December had increased levels of the Uruguay River River levels have continued to rise since then as many as 1,479 families had evacuated their homes in 9 municipalities That figure rose to 1,810 families by 27 December 2015 Paraguay and Paraná rivers in Argentina have forced around 25,000 from their homes The Uruguay River has overflowed in province of Entre Ríos The city of Concordia is the worst affected where at least 10,000 people have been evacuated Almost 40 evacuation centres have been set up to house those displaced visited affected areas on 27 December 2015 has also been affected by the overflowing Paraná River At least 8,000 people have been evacuated as a result Goya and Corrientes have all been affected the city of Barranqueras has been worst affected Around 5,000 have been evacuated after the Paraná River overflowed River levels are thought to be stabilising in Entre Ríos levels of the Paraguay River in Formosa Province are rising and are expected to rise further over the coming days Around 800 families have been evacuated from Formosa city Over 11,000 people have now been displaced by overflowing rivers in 5 departments of Uruguay According to Uruguay’s national emergency department Previously the department of Rivera had also been affected SINAE say that 11,357 have been displaced: 6,005 in Artigas the Cuareim River (also known as the Quaraí) a tributary of the Uruguay River rose to 15.28 meters on Wednesday 23 December 2015 Levels had fallen 48 hours later to 13.65 meters Safety levels are considered to be 10.20 metres SINAE say there could be many more people who have been forced from their homes by the flooding that are yet to be registered by the authorities Around 1,900 people are currently living in relief camps set up by emergency officials Flooding from the Paraguay River in Asunción has been affecting residents living in the areas of Bañado Sur and Bañado Norte Levels of the Paraguay River in Asunción continue to rise and This is the second highest level ever recorded for the month of December Danger levels are considered to be 8 metres by local emergency authorities Paraguay’s Administración Nacional De Navegación Y Puertos reported on 24 December that levels have increased a further 7 cm between 23 and 24 December Levels are expected to reach 8 metres in the coming days Local authorities say that in total around 18,000 families are affected by the flooding in Asunción According to a statement of 24 December 2015 from Asunción’s disaster management department – Dirección de Emergencias y Desastres Municipal (COMUEDA) – there are currently 11,455 families (Bañado Sur – 6,163 families Bañado Norte – 5,302) evacuated and staying in one of the 112 shelters set up Paraguay’s emergency management authority At least 1,000 people have been affected in Concepción department In Ñeembucú Department around 250 families have been affected by flooding after a series of severe storms on 23 December 2015 Media say that flooding has also affected the departments of Misiones and Presidente Hayes departments The storms brought strong winds which left around 4 people dead and caused power outages for over 100,000 in Asunción and surrounding Central Department Flooding of the river is common between May and August SEN say that the recent flooding is “directly influenced by the presence of El Niño” which has intensified the frequency and intensity of rainfall overflowing water channels that discharge into the Paraguay River Cookies | Privacy | Contacts © Copyright 2025 FloodList This award was created to honor the legacy of Robert "Bob" Fireman A trailblazer in the legal cannabis industry Fireman entered the space in 2008 alongside his best friend and current MariMed CEO compassion and a belief in the power of cannabis to improve lives the Bob Fireman Award for Entrepreneurship recognizes a cannabis executive who embodies Bob's spirit of integrity The recipient must reflect the same values that guided Fireman's life and career: the award was presented to Loriel Alegrete a cannabis brand that merges entrepreneurship with social justice 40 Tons has become a symbol of ethical business and community impact and opportunities for individuals affected by the War on Drugs By highlighting cannabis as a force for change Alegrete brought national attention to the need for equity in an evolving industry advocacy and workforce development captured the essence of what the Bob Fireman Award is all about the award seeks to elevate those who not only build businesses but also shape the culture and direction of the industry elevate others and lead with heart are encouraged to apply—or be nominated by their peers To submit a nomination for the 2025 Bob Fireman Award, follow this link and complete the form before the May 1st deadline The winner will be announced live at the conference during a special ceremony For those planning to attend, the conference will feature more than 120 speakers from across the cannabis ecosystem, as well as unique networking opportunities and investor connections. Tickets are available now including general admission and VIP options As Jon Levine said during last year's ceremony "Bob always worked hard as a business leader He guided MariMed to deliver on our mission to improve people's lives through cannabis." The award in his name is a call to continue that mission—and to honor those who do This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors Benzinga does not provide investment advice Posted In: CannabisNewsEventsBob FiremanCCCMariMedBenzinga simplifies the market for smarter investingTrade confidently with insights and alerts from analyst ratings free reports and breaking news that affects the stocks you care about Curious about what’s next for the industry and how to stay ahead in today’s competitive market Join top executives, investors, and industry leaders at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago on June 9-10 and brand-building insights that will define the future of cannabis Secure your spot now before prices go up—this is where the biggest deals and connections happen Get your tickets today and trade ideas delivered to your inbox every weekday before and after the market closes Heavy rainfall over the western area of Rio Grande do Sul State have caused the Ibirapuita Ibicui and Uruguai rivers to break their banks and cause widespread flooding MetSul Meteorologia reported 497mm of rainfall in 72 hours in the state of Uruguaiana Local media reported one death after a tree uprooted Over 2000 people have been displaced and moved to temporary accomodation as the floods damaged houses blocked roads and water supplies were disrupted Local reports say the flooding peak in the city of Algrete was reached on 13 January while the areas of Manoel Viana and Uruguaiana are set to peak on 14 January View upcoming auction estimates and receive personalized email alerts for the artists you follow Ione Saldanha is a pioneering though overlooked figure in the history of twentieth-century Brazilian art she emigrated with her family at age 11 to Rio de Janeiro where she worked as an artist for the rest of her life This is the largest retrospective exhibition dedicated to Saldanha and it is her first solo presentation in São Paulo since 1985 and strikingly coherent oeuvre.One series unfolds and progresses into the next one—from the early figurative paintings to the abstract three-dimensional ones the exhibition is divided into nine sections spanning her entire career calling attention to the coherence of her trajectory The exhibition architecture was conceived to evoke the idea of the city as well as the artist’s subtle use of colors and unique exploration of geometry There are several remarkable frameworks through which we can envision Saldanha’s work One could think of “painting in the expanded field,” or the limits between painting and sculpture: she painted on canvas always with an extraordinary painterly and chromatic investment—in terms of color One may also think of color and constructivism or geometric abstraction: on the one hand Saldanha’s many different color palettes used over the years are quite astonishing; on the other hand geometry and verticality are clear concerns of her work Yet there is also her interest in a certain representation of the city that can be seen over the years: from her early figurative cityscapes to progressively abstract architectural constructions represented in a fluid the Ripas [Slats] and the Bambus [Bamboos] which unfold into the Bobinas [Spools] and Friends of murdered nurse Priscila Leonardi will protest outside the Brazilian Embassy on Monday The 40-year-old was found dead by a riverbank in Alegrete in southern Brazil last Friday Priscilla had lived in Ireland since 2019 and had travelled home to Brazil for a month to pick up her belongings She had planned to return to Ireland after her trip Priscilla had been missing since June 19 and she was found with a lanyard around her neck and injuries consistent with a beating Brazilian media reports said a 30-year-old man had been arrested in connection with her death Irish Independent reporter Amy Donohue told Newstalk Priscila's friends in Ireland are demanding answers on her disappearance and death “She worked in a nursing home in Dún Laoghaire so her friends are holding a protest outside the Brazilian Embassy on Monday at 12pm “They want to let them know that they are concerned for their friend and they are going to mourn together as well.” Priscilla’s friends are concerned that the investigation in Brazil will fall by the wayside – and are angry investigators have not tried to speak to the people she knew in Ireland They say she did not have any close family at home and her friends in Ireland and elsewhere became her family over the years Mourners are encouraged to wear black shirts at the protest Developed by Square1 the South American gauchos trot on handsome horses down the street of the small southern community Some of the Brazilian cowboys ride with little girls wearing old-fashioned dresses They parade before crowds in southern Rio Grande do Sul state which fancies itself as practically a separate nation with its rugged rural traditions and Germanic roots During "Semana Farroupilha," or "Ragamuffin Week," in this enclave of 75,000 people the locals celebrate cowboy tradition and intense pride in the region's 1835 uprising over taxation against the federal government the regional revolt is known as the "Ragamuffin Revolution" because the poor fighters wore raggedy clothing in an insurgency that took a decade to put down about 700 miles southwest of the Brazilian megalopolis of Sao Paulo revolution is no longer on the table — instead it's the endless rows of barbecued beef The region is known for having Brazil's best steaks all slow roasted over massive pit of flames cowboy culture is kept alive with traditional dances to accordion music book readings and camping out under the stars Among those celebrating is 45-year-old Antonio Carlos Pereira the herbal tea sipped by seemingly everyone in the south Pereira says that being part of the horse parades of Semana Farroupilha is a great reason to never leave his work in the Brazilian grasslands "I had many offers to move to a big city "I want to keep the tradition alive here." laments that many younger gauchos no longer keep the cowboy ways instead opting for easier jobs in bigger cities While he says he's "overcome that desire" to run away to the urban lights Melchiades notes that the annual festival "is a good chance to appeal to the ladies." "That is one of the reasons why I have been in the horse parades for 10 years," he says Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp  Download the TNIE app to stay with us and follow the latest Here at PUCRS you can take the course you want Courses that will make a difference in your development There are 20 program options in the best graduate courses in the country Renowned teachers and our quality guarantee Courses with different themes and prices for senior citizens Commitment to scientific and technological advancement.   Seeking solutions to the problems of our society.  Contributing to the training of specialists and researchers.   Be one of our researchers and contribute to scientific advancement We value ethics and integrity in our work.   Follow our guidelines for research and laboratory safety Scientific journals available exclusively in electronic media Discover an innovative and entrepreneurial university Discover the connected and global innovation ecosystem Discover the possibilities of an entrepreneurial education We facilitate your search for health and longevity Discover the school with the best medicine course in the country Ensuring an improvement in quality of life is our purpose Our biggest concern is people's health and lives Discover what PUCRS can do for you.    Prioritizing your development and well-being.   Tailored services for whatever your organization needs Cultural and well-being programming.   Contributing to the development of society.   Valuing your learning and talent development.   Hold your event in the most complete complex in the south of the country.   Services and environments that can make your day-to-day life easier Our impactful actions for the community and education Raising funds to finance projects and strategic actions We continue to work alongside the people of Rio Grande do Sul in rebuilding the State We are a community university focused on society A new University for a new society.   We are the best private university in the country and one of the best in the world historian and folklorist Antonio Augusto Fagundes he was a columnist and reporter for Gazeta do Alegrete and Rádio Alegrete where he presented humorous and gaucho programs he worked for the newspaper A Hora and TV Piratini Nico is the author of the lyrics for the Alegretense Corner specialized in the History of Rio Grande do Sul and completed a Master's in Social Anthropology identity and customs of the State and transformed what he discovered into books and songs “We are very happy and satisfied to have Nico’s works and on behalf of all the people of Rio Grande do Sul who will have access to this material,” Clotet said His widow Ana Lúcia Piagetti Fagundes spoke emotionally about Nico Fagundes’ concern for the future of his collection I am very happy that his collection will prosper because it would not be fair to leave the books just decorating the walls,” she said highlighting the future digitalization of the works His nephew Ernesto Fagundes said that the donation of the material to PUCRS is “one of his uncle’s greatest victories” and recited an excerpt from the song Sources because he believed that he was describing the moment: “I know that I will not die because the world that I built will remain with me Antonio Augusto Fagundes passed away in June 2015 he worked as a columnist and reporter at Gazeta do Alegrete and Rádio Alegrete he worked at the newspaper the hour and on TV Piratini He was known for presenting the program Creole Shed Nico is the author of the lyrics Alegretense Corner one of the most well-known songs of the state identity and customs of the state and transformed what he discovered into books and songs Learn about research projects and our researchers information and follow everything that is happening at the University learn about the Fluir program and have access to the main systems A Dublin-based nurse who was found dead in Brazil likely died of strangulation The body of Priscila Leonardi (40) was found on the banks of the Ibirapuitã River on Friday Ms Leonardi had been working in Ireland since 2019 and returned home to Rio Grande do Sul for a month-long visit She was last seen on June 19 getting into a taxi after leaving a relative’s house in Alegrete It is believed she booked the taxi via an app A family member notified police of her disappearance the following day Last week a fisherman discovered a body on the banks of the Ibirapuitã River in Alegrete It was later confirmed by police to be that of Ms Leonardi She was found with a ribbon-like lanyard around her neck Local media reports that police are investigating whether Ms Leonardi was killed over an inheritance dispute She was laid to rest in her hometown last Friday with tributes continuing to pour in to remember the nurse for the strength in the search for jobs in Ireland Others appealed to anyone with information that may help with the ongoing police investigation to come forward One former classmate said it is “impossible not to be shocked” by the news with another adding: “I will really miss that cheerful Another wrote: “Only memories of good times our dinners and the enlightened person you were Stay at peace and justice will be served!” Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 11th Join the Irish Independent WhatsApp channel How long will people continue to take Julie Roys seriously manifest lies will she have to publish before she is marginalized into obscurity I’m getting tired of picking the low-hanging fruit Julie Roys is barely talented enough to take on the obviously corrupt much less smear faithful pastors and ministries The pieces she publishes on her embarrassing scandal blog represent her full-time work Yet time after time she manages to whiff on even the most basic journalistic standards After we comprehensively exposed Roys’ perverse game of Six Degrees of John MacArthur fair-minded evangelicals wisely put some distance between themselves and her “ministry.” There will always be those who are ready and willing to lap up even the most far-fetched claims made against leaders they don’t like but the Christians who initially threw away their MacArthur Study Bibles sheepishly pulled them out of the garbage after realizing they’d been had Roys was (and is) roundly rejected by the vast majority of reputable Christian voices – especially those that represent the theological conservatism she laughably identifies with Roys remains convinced that the great expositional preacher who told Beth Moore to “go home” is secretly evangelicalism’s biggest purveyor of patriarchal abuse and she continues undeterred in pursuit of her white whale She momentarily has the attention of the popular evangelical conversation the evidence that John MacArthur is corrupt simply refuses to be found No matter – she simply continues to create the narrative she needs Enter the cold cases of Paul Guay and Al Alegrete Using her typical technique of staying one step removed from making actual claims (“sources say,” “reports show,” “witnesses claim” are her journalistic tropes of choice) Roys writes about the four-decades-old account of Wendy Guay the daughter of now-deceased Grace Community Church pastor Paul Guay Wendy reported to her friend Lisa that her father was molesting her The two girls then reported the abuse to Lisa’s father (John Tucker) Guay confessed to “sexual acts” involving his daughter John and Paul Guay reportedly met with John MacArthur shortly thereafter and Guay supposedly confessed to molesting his daughter to MacArthur It’s here where the story veers into the unbelievable MacArthur apparently heard Guay’s confession of child molestation and decided to handle it merely with biblical counseling and discipline Tucker was apparently okay with no punishment for a man who he believed had molested his daughter’s friend and was “hovering over” his own daughter during sleepovers Setting aside for a moment the unbelievability of a father being okay with a pastor who may very well have molested his own daughter continuing to minister and facing no legal action MacArthur wrote a letter to Wendy shortly thereafter describing Paul Guay as a “wonderful Christian” who was “a faithful part of our staff and will continue to be in the future.” Wendy expressed optimism in a journal entry writing that “everything has worked out with her dad” after talking to MacArthur and allowed her pedophile father to visit and stay overnight While Wendy allowing her father to visit and stay overnight in the house with the kids does not demonstrate his innocence Paul Guay is not the one on trial here – MacArthur is John MacArthur caught Paul Guay pursuing an affair with a church secretary and fired Guay on the spot MacArthur’s secretary responded that “Paul never confessed anything to John or to our elders at that time about any kind of molestation.” Even more tellingly Wendy herself realized that MacArthur was not trying to cover up anything 2003 (emphasis mine): “I now see the reason WHY John was NOT worried about potential legal action (unforeseen liability) and the potential and likelihood of more victims surfacing (past and was not indeed participating in a cover up (as I originally thought) prayer and action into it that it DESERVED.” 2003 email that he never received a confession of molestation “I had no knowledge of any molesting as you claim.” Earlier in the email MacArthur reminds Wendy that her father was immediately dismissed in 1984 for hugging and kissing a single woman who worked in the office violating the church’s “zero-tolerance standard for any and all moral offenses or compromises by staff members.” Roys expects readers to believe that the same John MacArthur that fired Paul Guay immediately for non-adulterous but sinful behavior is the same guy who would receive a confession of child sexual abuse and let the confessor remain in ministry She also expects readers to believe that John Tucker knew firsthand that Guay molested children but was willing to let MacArthur brush it under the rug Wendy herself realized the absurdity of the idea MacArthur somehow knew her father was molesting her and did nothing Roys’ primary witness destroys the credibility of the entire article “John MacArthur’s Church Failed to Report Kidnapper & Child Molester for Two Years,” Roys and Sarah Einselen lead readers to believe that Grace Comunity Church (and quite possibly John MacArthur himself) knew about a kidnapper and child molester in their midst and callously did nothing about it True to the RAG™ (Roys Abuse Grifters) formula the article bounces back and forth in time trusting that the confused reader will arrive at the most damning conclusion possible In the opening sentence of the article Roys and Einselen report that Alegrete confessed in 1982: a Sunday School teacher at John MacArthur’s Grace Community Church (GCC), confessed to a pastor at GCC that he had committed sex crimes against children Yet a careful examination of the cited LA Times article reveals no such confession Rather than a confession of sex crimes against children pastor of the Grace Community Church in Sun Valley said that he counseled Alegrete to surrender after Alegrete confessed some of his crimes to him in June Alegrete sought counsel for unspecified “sexual immorality,” and was counseled by Hines that if Alegrete had committed any crimes Not only does the article not specify what Alegrete confessed to (the crimes he was eventually convicted of Richard Hines flatly denied that this is what happened Yet Roys draws a nonexistent connection and publishes anyway That Roys’ logical leap is patently anti-journalistic is obvious But for it to come from a supposed investigative journalist demonstrates sinful malice A suspect admitting to a “crime” during counseling and then later admitting to the specifics does not show that the counselor knew the specifics The rest of the article recounts horrific specifics that Roys now expects her readers to tie to Grace Community Church and John MacArthur Yet these ties are entirely dependent on the premise that Alegrete provided specifics during his 1982 counseling – a premise not demonstrated by evidence and flatly denied by Hines Grace Community Church pastors escorted Alegrete to the police station when he confessed to specifics in 1984 making sure he confessed to the police in the presence of Richard Hines The church financially supported Alegrete’s wife and kids for years following his imprisonment including GCC elder Phil Johnson’s family reportedly helping Alegrete’s wife who was now raising daughters as a single mom Roys and her crack team of investigators couldn’t even be bothered to figure out that Alegrete died in prison “The Roys Report could not locate Alegrete For Julie Roys to accept and propagate such absurdities reveals just how broken and darkened her heart is purposefully attacking Christian churches from a position of zero accountability anyone granting her credence rather than calling her to repentance is complicit in her sin (Romans 1:32) MacArthur and Grace Community Church have never been without enemies and forces of darkness trying to destroy their ministry No doubt there are people near Grace Community Church or The Master’s Seminary who have been hurt These ministries (like all ministries) are full of sinners we have taken issue with them when we believed they were in error We will continue to do so because we love them as brothers and sisters in Christ and Christians are charged with holding one another accountable no one can hold her scripturally accountable All we can do is expose her wickedness (and that of her financial supporters like Judson University) rebuke those who fall under her spell and refute her lies No Christian should support Julie Roys’ evil quest And what is worse is Saiko Woods will know use this to ride on her coattails while asking for donations on every post and video he puts out so he can try to go viral These people are horrible and don’t realize that they are being used by Satan to divide the church I know he is firm in his faith and knows what is behind these attacks He preaches God’s Word chapter by chapter and verse by verse (notice Saiko’s new title for his YouTube page) and that is why Satan is trying to take him down MacArthur and his family and help GCC to stay the course I am now making more than 350 dollars per day by working online from home without investing any money. Join this link posting job now and start earning without investing or selling anything……. http://thestartincome.blogspot.com I think you missed the other LA Times article posted in Julies account Alegrete at first talked merely about his involvement in “sexual immorality” with women but then let it be known that the women were actually girls and that he made them participate by pretending to have a gun Hines of Grace Community Church of the Valley said he believed strongly that Alegrete should “face up to his responsibility.” However it was two years after their first counseling session before officials of the Sun Valley church finally demanded that he confess his sins not only to God https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-05-31-me-8288-story.html you need to take a LONG look in the mirror to see who is looking back at you If you can’t WAKE UP and see the facts staring at you in front of your face all we can do is shake our heads sadly and bid you “good luck.” You will need it on the path you are currently on I do not know the whole truth of this matter I am not saying what happened for sure one way or the other posts information that is partially based on what appears to be falsehood or error I have brought issues like this up to people on both sides of various issues down through the years none of us gain anything by confusing information or as is sometimes done by folks out there twisting what is said to fit their agendas All it does is give people a reason to call credibility into question if it is not corrected How did she pass the course since her writing is as sensationalist as Mainstream Media I’m to the point now where all I can think of is the Eagles song-dirty laundry You do know people can get D’s and C’s and still graduate That’s a strawman argument right there Do you not know that analogy is a very low grade form of argument The use of analogies often reveals the perversity of their proponent rather than prove a point using legitimate arguments Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id" "a7c61fa84858f3bdf93909caef9bede8" );document.getElementById("ib50e6dd0d").setAttribute( "id" and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Bringing you discernment news and commentary from a biblical polemical perspective means it’s tough out there on social media We’re constantly getting kneecapped and constrained by tech companies who find our fidelity to the scripture and pursuit of truth to be intolerable resulting in our reach being severely throttled you get other freebies for additional monthly pledges If you’d like to support us with a one-time or recurring donation (but don’t want or need more content)