OF THE
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On October 14, 2021, BART issued a policy requiring all employees to be fully vaccinated against Covid as a condition of employment, the suit said.
Between then and February 2022, about 179 employees submitted requests for religious exemptions, and 70 were approved, the suit said. But none of the 70 who received an exemption were granted an accommodation, the suit said.
However, one in three BART employees seeking medical exemptions were granted an accommodation, according to the suit.
The employees who sought religious exemptions followed by an accommodation who ultimately denied the vaccine were either fired, forced to resign or retired, the lawsuit said.
Why Timing Matters: Implications for the 2024 Elections
The timing of this update--just six weeks before the election--raises concerns. With debates surrounding election integrity, civil unrest, and political manipulation, the expanded powers granted by the directive could lead to military intervention in domestic affairs if civil unrest arises.
Adding to the concern is the Department of Homeland Security's recent expansion of what constitutes domestic terrorism. The DHS has flagged individuals questioning COVID-19 origins, vaccine efficacy, or election integrity as potential threats. [Read our previous report on this topic here: The 'Vaccine Hesitant' & 'Conspiracy Theorists' a Domestic Terrorism Threat - New Homeland Security Report Implies].
Comment: Kamala Harris couldn't do the Rogan podcast, so she declined his invitation.