Jim Walsh, Washington State Representative, wearing a yellow Star of David during a speech to protest vaccine mandates. (screengrab).Jim Walsh, a Washington state congressman, apologized for wearing a yellow Star of David. He also compared the treatment of Jews during the Holocaust with coronavirus vaccine mandates.While addressing conservative activists in his state, the lawmaker donned the symbol.On Wednesday, Mr Walsh apologized for using the symbol in a wrong way.I apologize for using such a powerful image in an inappropriate and offensive way. It was wrong. He stated in a statement that it would not happen again.On a talk radio program, he apologized.The Seattle Times reported that the lawmaker used the symbol to suggest that the vaccine mandates in his state, none of which exist, are similar to Nazi treatment of Jews or segregation laws used during the Civil Rights movement to oppress African Americans.During his speech, he called vaccine efforts an echo of history, suggesting that, in the current context we are all Jews.Walsh stated previously that he wouldn't say anything publicly if he had been vaccinated. He compared his refusal to comment with Spartacus, where a group slaves refused to identify a Roman general despite being threatened by crucifixion.He also compared the state's lottery to The Hunger Games, which he said was an incentive to people to get the vaccine.This isn't the first time a lawmaker has made the comparison between vaccine mandates, Holocaust. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene was also able to make the same comparison but was later forced to apologize. After visiting the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC, she gave a statement.There are some words and remarks I've used that are offensive to me. She said. It is my responsibility to own it. I made a mistake.Despite their apologies other conservative activists continued to use the analogy, drawing criticism from Jewish advocacy groups such as the American Defamation League.ADL warned that anti-Covid and anti-vaccination demonstrations in Europe and the US have been a hotbed of Holocaust trivialisation, antisemitic conspiracies and tropes.Continue the storyThe Washington Post was informed by Brian Levin, a California State University at San Bernardino professor who studies extremism. He said that fearmongering and comparisons were being used to power political cudgels.Fear sells politically. "And the guardrails have been removed with respect to what is acceptable in political discourse of elected officials," Mr Levin stated. "There are now no guardrails regarding offense, ignorance or downright stupidity."Continue readingWashington lawmaker wears Star of David, as he compares Covid vaccine mandates with the HolocaustTrump family meltdown over Jill Bidens Vogue Cover: Don Jr photoshops First Lady. Lara laments Melania's snubTrump Organization CFO pleads guilty to 15 felonies, including grand larceny tax dodge scheme
