Press denied entry to RI event with Michael Flynn
CRANSTON — Retired Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn, a former Trump national security advisor who has emerged as a central figure in a far-right Christian nationalist movement “attracting election deniers, conspiracists and extremists from around the country” is returning to his native Rhode Island on Sunday to speak at the Park Theatre – at an event closed to the press.
In speeches across the U.S., he urged his supporters to get involved in local politics as a way to change the country from the bottom up.
“Local action equals national impact,” Flynn says at nearly every stop, according to the Associated Press.
The notice for the Rhode Island event that appears on the Life Changing Radio website says: “Rhode Island Grassroots Citizens Present ‘Local Action Equals National Impact,’ ” featuring Flynn and retired Lt. Col. Ivan E. Raiklin. Ticket price is $25.
In a mission statement on its own website, Life Changing Radio, owned by the Blount Communications Group, says: “To use mass media to help the people of New England enter into and develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.”
The invite to the Flynn “Get Fired Up!” talk says: “Entry by RSVP only. All others will not be admitted.”
Organizers deny videos or photos from event, then close it to press
The event is the latest in a get-local campaign by Flynn. The Journal sought entry for coverage.
An initial response from the unnamed individual(s) on the “RI Grass Roots Event Team” agreed to coverage if The Journal agreed in advance to not record or photograph the event.
“I’m sure you can understand, having this event, the venue, its staff and those volunteering their time painted in a negative light is a concern for us. We will be more than happy for you to attend to listen to our speakers however, we are requesting that there be no
Michael Flynn, former President Donald Trump's first national security adviser, to speak Sunday in Cranston.
recording or photography from press at the event.”
“We hope that you understand this request given the current climate of our country as well as the desire to protect every day citizens,” the email continued. “We [also] understand that, as a reporter, you will want to write about the event. We are hoping that you do, and that it will be done in an honest way, with an open mind.”
By way of response, The Journal sent an email explaining the importance of recording the speeches for purposes of accuracy.
The response that arrived Thursday morning shut the door to any coverage.
It began: “There was a meeting for the event with the groups and citizens involved. We relayed your response.”
“Being that this is a private event and given unfortunate and concerning phone calls to the venue following your ‘X’ posts there was a unanimous vote to keep this event press free and to continue with those who are members of the various groups being the only ones who are able to put out publications (if any) for the event for the safety of everyone involved,” the email went on to state.
“Thank you for your understanding in this matter and your cooperation with keeping the citizens safe,” it concluded. “Best Regards, The RI Grass Roots Team.”
Michael Flynn well-known in Rhode Island, his co-speaker is less so
Flynn’s name is wellknown in Rhode Island. A profile, written by The Journal, described him as a graduate of Middletown High School’s Class of 1977, class president, cocaptain of the state championship football team and the young man voted “best looking who loved surfing and the rock band Roxy Music.”
The world knows him as former Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn, who resigned as then-President Trump’s national security adviser after published reports that his communications with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak could have left him susceptible to blackmail.
Nearly a year after resigning, Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI during Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 elections. He later withdrew the plea, and then-President Donald Trump, in the waning weeks of his term, issued a presidential pardon.
Raiklin is perhaps less well-known to those outside of what he has called his “network.”
In an appearance last January on “Tucker Carlson Today” on Fox News, he said, in part, that “because of pressure and the idea that those in his network will be fired from their positions or lose job benefits over speaking out against the woke political agenda, it forces them to remain silent, even if that means having to go against their own values and beliefs.”