Childrens Healt Defense

Judge Rules in Historic New York Teachers Case, Reinstating 10 Workers with Back Pay After Being Fired for Refusing COVID Shots

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Washington, D.C. — State Supreme Court Judge Ralph J. Porzio ruled Wednesday — the day before classes started Thursday in New York City — that 10 employees fired by the New York City Department of Education (DOE) for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine must be reinstated and provided back pay, holding that denials of religious accommodation to the plaintiffs were unlawful, arbitrary and capricious.

The case, DiCapua v. City of New York, sponsored by Children's Health Defense, is related to Kane v. de Blasio, a federal lawsuit currently pending in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. "This victory is a watershed moment in the teachers' two-year fight for relief," said Sujata Gibson, lead attorney in the two cases. "The Court's decision not only grants relief to these ten teachers, but it also sets important precedent for all other teachers denied religious accommodation."

The Court rejected the City's claim of "undue hardship" as unsupported in the record and irrational, particularly since "being vaccinated does not prevent an individual from contracting or transmitting COVID-19".

Though the Court granted relief for the majority of plaintiffs, it denied petitioners who had not initially applied under the DOE's original religious accommodation policy, which the Second Circuit struck down in 2021 as unconstitutional. "The Court agreed that employees were not required to submit applications through the prior unlawful process but still declined to award relief to those plaintiffs on the grounds that there were contested issues of fact as to whether these plaintiffs submitted applications under the new process," said Gibson. "This is an error, and we will be making a motion to reargue on their behalf."

The court also denied the motion for class certification, filed on April 7 by the plaintiffs, stating that the proposed class was "overbroad."

"The judge's ruling yesterday, while not everything we wanted, is a precedent-setting victory," said Gibson. "The court's ruling in the class certification still leaves the door open to future relief for thousands of teachers negatively affected by the vaccine requirement. We intend to file a motion of reconsideration on a narrower basis. Rather than waste public resources clogging the courts with so many individual lawsuits, legal action that will remedy these discriminatory policies for all impacted workers only makes sense."

The COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all New York City DOE workers was in effect from Oct. 1, 2021 through Feb. 10, 2023, during which time thousands of teachers and other personnel were terminated for not complying with the requirement.

"Today's ruling is bittersweet," said New York teacher Michael Kane, who lost his job after refusing to get a COVID shot. "While it's an important step in the right direction, justice for only ten of us doesn't even scratch the surface of the injustice suffered by NYC workers as a result of this illegal mandate."

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Children's Health Defense® is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to end childhood health epidemics by working aggressively to eliminate harmful exposures, hold those responsible accountable and establish safeguards to prevent future harm. We fight corruption, mass surveillance and censorship that put profits before people as well as advocate for worldwide rights to health freedom and bodily autonomy.

For more information or to donate to CHD and our ongoing lawsuits , visit ChildrensHealthDefense.org.

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Groundbreaking New Book by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Brian Hooker Ph.D. Presents Vaccine Safety Data Suppressed by Government and Mainstream Medicine

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Washington, D.C. — Children's Health Defense (CHD) Chairman on leave Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and CHD Chief Scientific Officer Brian Hooker, Ph.D., join forces in their new book, "Vax-Unvax: Let the Science Speak," to share authentic, peer-reviewed scientific studies that show the direct health outcome comparisons of vaccinated versus unvaccinated individuals.

"Vax-Unvax: Let the Science Speak" will be released on Tuesday by CHD Books, an imprint of Skyhorse Publishing. The first of its kind, this book is a compendium of over 100 true vaccinated-unvaccinated studies with easy-to-read graphics to inform scientific scholars and laypersons alike. The preponderance of studies outlined in "Vax-Unvax" are indexed in PubMed, the National Library of Medicine's vast database of biomedical scholarly research.

The clinical vaccine trials performed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration rarely involve comparisons to control groups receiving a truly inert placebo. In the limited instances that they do, the control group is later given access to the experimental vaccine, eliminating the ability to identify non-acute reactions and any possibility of long-term safety studies. Kennedy and Hooker wrote "Vax-Unvax" to apprise the public of the pitfalls of vaccination and the potential for long-term detrimental health effects in children and adults.

"This book is essential reading for parents, practitioners, and anyone concerned about the health effects of vaccines and the vaccination schedule," said Hooker. "This resource should be kept at hand for understanding the differences in health outcomes between vaccinated and unvaccinated children and adults."

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is sitting on a vast data repository called the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD). It includes comprehensive medical records for over 10 million individuals, including 2 million children. The VSD also contains records for numerous unvaccinated children, yet the CDC refuses to compare the health outcomes of vaccinated children to completely unvaccinated children. The CDC also prohibits outside researchers from accessing VSD data to undertake such studies.

"For decades, the CDC has kept a tight grip on the Vaccine Safety Datalink, concealing vital vaccine safety information from the public," said Kennedy. "This data is particularly important for parents making healthcare decisions for their children. The suppression of this information and the government's steadfast refusal to conduct basic research on long-term health outcomes following vaccination is a scandal that has taken a tremendous toll on the health of our nation's children."

In 2019, Kennedy and Hooker began sharing highlights of studies published in the scientific literature that compare vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals on Kennedy's Instagram account. In 2021, after over 60 scientific studies were featured in his posts, Kennedy was censored and deplatformed on Instagram. This led to the creation of "Vax-Unvax," as he and Hooker continued their compilation to ultimately include over 100 scientific studies that juxtapose the health outcomes of vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.

"Vax-Unvax: Let the Science Speak" is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online booksellers.

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Children's Health Defense® is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to end childhood health epidemics by working aggressively to eliminate harmful exposures, hold those responsible accountable and establish safeguards to prevent future harm. We fight corruption, mass surveillance and censorship that put profits before people as well as advocate for worldwide rights to health freedom and bodily autonomy.

For more information or to donate to CHD and our ongoing lawsuits, visit ChildrensHealthDefense.org.

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CHD Launches Nationwide Bus Tour Collecting the Accounts of People Harmed by Vaccines and COVID Countermeasures

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Washington, D.C. — Children's Health Defense (CHD) will officially launch its "Vax-Unvax: The People's Study" bus tour Friday in Olathe, Kansas. The 42-foot RV will travel across the continental U.S. over the next year, gathering stories of those who were harmed following vaccinations and COVID-19 countermeasures, including shots, masks, and medical and hospital protocols. The tour aims to provide a platform for the injured and survivors of loved ones who died — from parents and family members of the elderly to U.S. service members and veterans to the unvaccinated and others.

Leading the bus crew is CHD-TV Director of Programming Polly Tommey:

"We're excited to be back on the road again and connecting with families around the nation who have important stories to tell regarding vaccine injury or risky medical agendas. We want to hear from everyone — vaccinated and unvaccinated — so we can learn about health outcomes firsthand from the people affected. While the mainstream media continues to ignore anything that goes against the Pharma/government mantra of 'safe and effective,' we will be here for everyone who wants to share their story."

The kickoff comes as part of the two-day Freedom Revival in the Heartland event hosted by Kansans for Health Freedom. The bus crew will begin filming interviews at 9 a.m. on Friday, collecting the names of the injured and of those who have passed by writing them on the outside of the bus in tribute.

Speakers at the Freedom Revival in the Heartland event include CHD Chairman on leave Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and CHD Chief Scientific Officer Brian Hooker, Ph.D. — co-authors of the upcoming book "Vax-Unvax: Let the Science Speak" to be released on Aug. 29. The bus tour coincides with the book, which is a compendium of over 100 vaccinated-unvaccinated studies comparing health outcomes in both populations, with nearly all indexed in PubMed, the National Library of Medicine's vast database of biomedical scholarly research. Tommey and CHD President Mary Holland are also speaking at the event.

Visit CHD's website for more information on the 'Vax-Unvax: The People's Study' bus tour, including scheduled stops around the country.

Children's Health Defense® is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to end childhood health epidemics by working aggressively to eliminate harmful exposures, hold those responsible accountable and establish safeguards to prevent future harm. We fight corruption, mass surveillance and censorship that put profits before people as well as advocate for worldwide rights to health freedom and bodily autonomy.

For more information or to donate to CHD to support the bus tour and CHD's ongoing lawsuits, visit ChildrensHealthDefense.org.

The post CHD Launches Nationwide Bus Tour Collecting the Accounts of People Harmed by Vaccines and COVID Countermeasures appeared first on Children's Health Defense.

CHD Science Advisor Dr. Meryl Nass Files Complaint Against Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine For Violation of Free Speech and Baseless License Suspension

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Unprecedented case highlights censorship of physicians, Board's abuse of power, and harsh penalties for doctors who deviate from government-dictated treatment guidelines 

Washington, D.C. – Meryl Nass, M.D., a member of Children's Health Defense (CHD) Science Advisory Board, filed a complaint yesterday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine against the Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine (BOLIM), claiming that the Board's "retaliatory conduct" for Nass's discussions of COVID-19 treatments violates both the U.S. Constitution and the Maine State Constitution. Charging that the Board denied Dr. Nass her First Amendment rights "by chilling the Plaintiff's free speech and assembly," the complaint also demands a jury trial.

Dr. Nass, a board-certified internist who began practicing medicine in the state of Maine in 1997, has testified before Congress on six occasions and is an acknowledged expert on anthrax, bioterrorism, the anthrax vaccine, and Gulf War syndrome. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Nass spoke frankly about the government's handling of the pandemic, the efficacy of mask mandates, the suppression of effective medications to treat COVID-19, and safety risks associated with COVID-19 vaccines.

In the fall of 2021, BOLIM issued a "Position Statement" threatening all Maine doctors with disciplinary action if they spread "COVID-19 vaccine misinformation." Dr. Nass is one of several doctors whose medical licenses have been threatened or suspended for not adhering to rigid government protocols for COVID-19 treatment.

Following an executive session on Jan. 11, 2022, BOLIM suspended Dr. Nass's license without a hearing, initially accusing her of "unprofessional" and "disruptive" behavior, spreading "misinformation" and prescribing hydroxychloroquine and a "deworming medication" (ivermectin) to patients. The Board also ordered Dr. Nass to undergo a neuropsychological evaluation despite having no evidence of mental illness nor substance abuse as required for a mental examination under BOLIM'S guidelines.

BOLIM withdrew the accusations of "misinformation" on Sept. 26, 2022, just prior to the first hearing date, Oct. 11, 2022. BOLIM's case now rests on Nass's alleged non-adherence to the medical "standard of care" as it pertained to ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine for treating COVID-19 despite the Food and Drug Administration's acknowledgment in recent oral argument before the Fifth Circuit that doctors may prescribe whatever drug they choose without legal constraint.

"With this claim, we're seeing the inner workings of an orchestrated witch hunt to punish physicians for speaking about their own knowledge and experience as well as the medical literature to treat patients when their protocols don't match those of industry and government," said CHD President Mary Holland. "BOLIM's conduct towards Dr. Nass incorporates the classic features of a smear campaign including gaslighting, insinuations of insanity on the part of those who don't toe the line, and the trampling of free speech. The baseless suspension of Dr. Nass serves as a warning to other physicians to stick to the government script. Thankfully, Dr. Nass is courageous and is calling out BOLIM's bad acts."

In addition to asserting a claim for relief that BOLIM unlawfully retaliated against her for exercising her First Amendment rights, Dr. Nass is seeking punitive damages against the individual Board members.

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Children's Health Defense® is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to end childhood health epidemics by working aggressively to eliminate harmful exposures, hold those responsible accountable and establish safeguards to prevent future harm. We fight corruption, mass surveillance and censorship that put profits before people as well as advocate for worldwide rights to health freedom and bodily autonomy.

To donate to CHD to support this and other ongoing lawsuits or for more information, visit ChildrensHealthDefense.org.

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Children’s Health Defense Welcomes Mary Holland Back Following RFK Jr. Presidential Campaign Kickoff

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Washington, D.C. – Children's Health Defense (CHD) is pleased to announce that Mary Holland has returned to the organization as President after being on leave to assist with the launch of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s presidential campaign.

"It's been an honor having Mary on board while we got the campaign off the ground," said Kennedy. "While 'Kennedy 2024' will miss her involvement, we all support Mary's decision to resume her crucial work in protecting the health of children and future generations."

Holland officially returned this month after a temporary leave from CHD that began April 2. During her leave, Holland functioned as a strategist, fundraiser and organizer for Kennedy's campaign. Her return as CHD's President puts Holland back in charge and overseeing several key departments.

Before her work with CHD, Holland was a professor at NYU School of Law for 17 years, serving as director of the Graduate Lawyering Program for 15 years. She's also lectured at the Columbia Law School on international human rights advocacy and has written and contributed to numerous articles and books on informed consent and vaccine safety, including:

• "The HPV Vaccine On Trial: Seeking Justice For A Generation Betrayed"
• "Vaccine Epidemic: How Corporate Greed, Biased Science, and Coercive Government Threaten Our Human Rights and Our Children"
• "Turtles All The Way Down: Vaccine Science and Myth"

"I enjoyed my work with 'Kennedy 2024' tremendously and wish Mr. Kennedy and his campaign all the best," said Holland. "I look forward to returning to the work that has been my driving force for the past 25 years: addressing the crisis of children's health, holding those responsible for chronic health epidemics accountable, and preserving medical freedom and fundamental human rights. CHD's work in this area is unparalleled and urgent."

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Children's Health Defense® is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to end childhood health epidemics by working aggressively to eliminate harmful exposures, hold those responsible accountable and establish safeguards to prevent future harm. We fight corruption, mass surveillance and censorship that put profits before people as well as advocate for worldwide rights to health freedom and bodily autonomy.

For more information or to donate to CHD and our ongoing lawsuits, visit ChildrensHealthDefense.org.

The post Children's Health Defense Welcomes Mary Holland Back Following RFK Jr. Presidential Campaign Kickoff appeared first on Children's Health Defense.

New York Teachers Seek to Certify First Class Action in CHD-Backed Lawsuit on Behalf of Workers Fired or Displaced for Refusing COVID Shots

Announcement

For Immediate Release

Teachers and other workers to gather on Aug. 14 in support of NY State Supreme Court case regarding deprivation of religious exemptions to vaccines

New York, N.Y. – Hundreds of New York City educators are expected to gather in Staten Island on Monday in support of DiCapua v. City of New York, a lawsuit sponsored by Children's Health Defense (CHD) on behalf of teachers and administrators denied reasonable religious accommodation from the City's COVID-19 vaccine requirement.

The court will hear arguments and potentially decide whether to grant class certification at 11:30 a.m. Monday. A peaceful rally is scheduled to begin at 10:30 outside the Richmond County Supreme Courthouse at 26 Central Avenue, in Staten Island, N.Y. Scheduled speakers include Mr. Kane, lead attorney Sujata Gibson, CHD president on leave Mary Holland, and medical professional John Matland who was fired from his job for refusing to take a COVID shot. The proposed class is limited to DOE workers who sought religious accommodation from the vaccine mandate.

NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the vaccine mandate, required for all Department of Education (DOE) employees, in August 2021, for the upcoming school year. The requirement was maintained by the current mayor, Eric Adams, until Feb. 6, 2023, two days before CHD argued Kane v. de Blasio, which challenges the mandate, in the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

In a Feb. 7 statement to The Defender, attorney Sujata Gibson said, "The city's announcement appears very strategic. The first thing the city did after announcing the end of the mandate was to write to the 2nd Circuit to let them know they paused the mandate. They are now arguing that this 'moots' the case. But we remain optimistic that the 2nd Circuit will not allow this type of gamesmanship." A decision is still pending on Kane v. de Blasio in the 2nd Circuit.

"DiCapua v. City of New York could potentially include thousands of impacted employees who were unlawfully denied access to religious exemptions," said former New York teacher Michael Kane who lost his job after refusing to get a COVID shot. "This illegal mandate has destroyed the lives of hard-working educators who cared about their students, but ultimately NYC hardly cared about that. Justice for those whose lives were upended, negatively affecting countless family members in the process, is long overdue."

"The DOE engaged in widespread and open religious discrimination in their implementation of the Covid-19 vaccine requirements," said Ms. Gibson. "Rather than waste the public's resources clogging the courts with hundreds of individual lawsuits, we need a ruling that will remedy these discriminatory policies for all impacted workers."

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Children's Health Defense® is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to end childhood health epidemics by working aggressively to eliminate harmful exposures, hold those responsible accountable and establish safeguards to prevent future harm. We fight corruption, mass surveillance and censorship that put profits before people as well as advocate for worldwide rights to health freedom and bodily autonomy.

To donate to CHD to support this and other ongoing lawsuits or for more information, visit ChildrensHealthDefense.org.

The post New York Teachers Seek to Certify First Class Action in CHD-Backed Lawsuit on Behalf of Workers Fired or Displaced for Refusing COVID Shots appeared first on Children's Health Defense.