Alberta NDP Demands Danielle Smith Revoke PragerU Deal With Ben Shapiro, Citing Hate Group Ties

The recent controversy surrounding the Alberta United Conservative Party's (UCP) deal with the conservative think tank PragerU has sparked widespread outrage and demands for action from the New Democratic Party (NDP). The party has called on the UCP's leader, Danielle Smith, to revoke the deal, citing the organization's ties to hate groups and its role in promoting divisive and inflammatory rhetoric.

At the heart of the controversy is PragerU's long-standing relationship with Ben Shapiro, a conservative commentator and podcaster who has been accused of promoting hate speech and anti-Semitism. Shapiro has a history of making inflammatory comments on topics such as immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, and Islam, which have sparked outrage and calls for boycotts.

Background on PragerU and Ben Shapiro

PragerU is a conservative think tank founded in 2009 by Dennis Prager, a far-right commentator and author. The organization has been criticized for promoting conspiracy theories and spreading misinformation on a range of topics, including climate change, vaccines, and social justice.

Ben Shapiro is a prominent conservative commentator and podcaster who has been a long-time supporter of PragerU. He has appeared on the organization's videos and has promoted their content on his own social media channels. Shapiro has also been a frequent guest on conservative media outlets, including Fox News and One America News Network.

The Controversy Surrounding PragerU's Deal with the UCP

In February 2023, the UCP announced that it had partnered with PragerU to promote conservative values and policies in the province. The deal included funding for PragerU's videos and events, as well as promotion of their content on the UCP's social media channels.

However, the announcement sparked widespread outrage and criticism from opponents of the UCP, who accused the party of seeking to promote hate groups and divisive rhetoric. The NDP, in particular, has been vocal in its opposition to the deal, citing PragerU's ties to hate groups and its role in promoting anti-Semitic and anti-immigrant sentiment.

NDP Calls for Revocation of PragerU Deal

The NDP has been calling for the UCP to revoke the deal with PragerU, citing the organization's history of promoting hate speech and conspiracy theories. The party has also accused the UCP of being unaware of PragerU's true nature and its ties to hate groups.

"PragerU is a hate group that promotes conspiracy theories and divisive rhetoric," said NDP leader Rachel Notley. "The UCP's decision to partner with them is a betrayal of the values of inclusivity and respect that our party stands for."

Critics of PragerU and Ben Shapiro

Critics of PragerU and Ben Shapiro point to the organization's history of promoting hate speech and conspiracy theories. Shapiro has been accused of promoting anti-Semitic and anti-immigrant sentiment, and has faced criticism for his treatment of marginalized groups.

"Ben Shapiro is a notorious hate speech promoter who has made a career out of spreading conspiracy theories and divisive rhetoric," said Mark Potocky, a spokesperson for the Anti-Defamation League. "His partnership with PragerU is a perfect example of the kind of toxic ideology that we need to be fighting against."

UCP's Response to Criticism

The UCP has responded to criticism of its deal with PragerU by citing the organization's educational mission and its commitment to promoting conservative values. However, the party has also faced criticism for its lack of transparency and its failure to disclose the full scope of its partnership with PragerU.

"We understand that PragerU has a complex history and that some people may have concerns about their views," said UCP spokesperson Tim Uppal. "However, we believe that PragerU is a legitimate educational organization that promotes conservative values and policies."

The Impact on Alberta

The controversy surrounding PragerU's deal with the UCP has had a significant impact on Alberta. The deal has sparked widespread outrage and has led to calls for greater transparency and accountability from the UCP.

"The UCP's decision to partner with PragerU is a betrayal of the values of inclusivity and respect that our province stands for," said NDP MLA Charlie Rusridge. "We need to be clear that hate groups and divisive rhetoric have no place in our society."

The Way Forward

The controversy surrounding PragerU's deal with the UCP has highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability from government and institutions. The NDP has called for greater scrutiny of PragerU and its ties to hate groups, and has accused the UCP of being unaware of the organization's true nature.

As the debate over PragerU's deal with the UCP continues, it is clear that the stakes are high. The fate of Alberta's social fabric hangs in the balance, and it is up to the government to take a stand against hate groups and divisive rhetoric.

In conclusion, the controversy surrounding PragerU's deal with the UCP has sparked widespread outrage and demands for action from the NDP. The party has called on the UCP's leader, Danielle Smith, to revoke the deal, citing the organization's ties to hate groups and its role in promoting divisive and inflammatory rhetoric. As the debate continues, it is clear that the stakes are high and that the government must take a stand against hate groups and divisive rhetoric.

Key Points

• PragerU is a conservative think tank that has been criticized for promoting conspiracy theories and hate speech.
• Ben Shapiro is a conservative commentator and podcaster who has been accused of promoting hate speech and anti-Semitism.
• The UCP's deal with PragerU has sparked widespread outrage and calls for action from the NDP.
• The NDP has accused the UCP of being unaware of PragerU's true nature and its ties to hate groups.