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Leonardo DiCaprio, Spotlight Win At Oscars; Many Skeptical of Syrian Ceasefire; Chinese Tycoon Silenced for Communist Party Criticism; Nonprofit Helps Wounded Veterans Rescue Children. Aired 8:00a-9:00a ET

Aired February 29, 2016 - 08:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[08:00:13] KRISTIE LU STOUT, HOST: I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong, and welcome to News Stream. A police fired tear gas on migrants at the

border between Greece and Macedonia after a large group pulls down a border fence to try and get further into Europe.

Leonardo DiCaprio finally wins his first Oscar while Spotlight scoops best picture.

And a Chinese tycoon silenced on social media after criticizing President Xi Jinping to his 37 million followers.

And we begin with violence and chaos at a major bottleneck in Europe's refugee crisis.

Just a short time ago, thousands of migrants stormed the Greek- Macedonian border trying to push further into Europe. And what started as a crush erupted into a full-scale confrontation with police struggling to

push back the swollen crowd.

Now, a large group managed to break down part of the border fence. And police then fired what looks to be tear gas to break up the crowd.

Now, meanwhile, the German Chancellor Angela Merkel is defending her decision to welcome more migrants. She says Germany won't limit its intact

after Austria tightened restrictions, leaving hundreds stranded in Greece.

Atika Shubert is covering developments for us live from Berlin. She joins us now. And Atika, dramatic scenes there at the Greece-Macedonia

border. How did it come to this?

ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, just to give you the latest update from the border, we understand that dozens of people were injured in

that, including some children, you can see in that video that it's a real mix of people there for days hoping to get across into Macedonia and from

Macedonia to travel into Europe.

Now this has been building for some time essentially Macedonia said that it was tightening up its border controls, only allowing those from

Syria and Iraq with valid photo ID to cross, that means they must have a valid passport or a driver's license or health documents, something to

prove they're Syrian or Iraqi.

They are not allowing Afghans in. Now that -- that does actually have quite a bit of an impact, because thousand of Afghans have been crossing to

gain asylum status in Europe.

So what that meant was that thousands were then sort of camping out at this camp. I think an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 were camped. And it's

really only able to take about 3,000 after this particular border crossing. And things boiled over. They pushed down the fence. They were able to

break through. They were then pushed back by tear gas, as you point out. We also understand that rubber bullets were used at the scene as well.

But now since then, the border has been put back up. The fence is now back in place, things are starting to calm down, but the problem still

remains. Thousands stranded in Greece without access into Europe. And those frustrations are increasing. And there doesn't seem to be a solution

in sight, Kristie.

LU STOUT: And what does Angela Merkel's thinking on this? As nations in Europe continue to build fences and refuse to take in migrants, leading

to scenes like this that we're seeing today? How is the German chancellor addressing the issue?

SHUBERT: Well, she of course has been the leader on this issue saying that Europe has a moral obligation to allow these refugees in. And Germany

has taken more than a million refugees over the last year. But since then, she has come under increasing pressure as the strain has put pressure on

borders across Europe and in different countries and of course here in Germany itself.

But she maintains that Germany will not put a cap on the number of refugees, even though neighbors like Austria, for example, have said they

will only take 80 refugees a day.

In the meantime, Balkan states have put up even more border controls. They're allowing fewer and fewer people in. And countries like Hungary say

they won't take any refugees at all.

So, Merkel's vision of having individual countries in the EU each shoulder more of the burden, take in more refugees, simply isn't working.

And her other plan, to have Turkey keep many of the refugees and then fast track their refugee applications from Turkey doesn't seem to be working

either. And that has left Greece with tens of thousands of refugees. And now in addition to an economic crisis, it's threatened with being

overwhelmed by the refugee crisis.

LU STOUT: CNN's Atika Shubert reporting live from Berlin. Thank you, Atika.

Now, Syria's main opposition groups tells United Nations that right now further peace talks are not feasible. Now much of the country has been

relatively calm since the temporary cease-fire began on Friday. But there have been reports of air strikes and other violations.

The opposition blames the Syrian regime and its ally Russia. And this video, it purports to show attacks in multiple cities, but CNN could not

independently verify it.

Now, our senior international correspondent it purports to show attacks in

multiple cities.

Now our senior international correspondent Clarissa Ward has just returned from rebel-held territory northwest of Aleppo and she joins us now

live from the Turkey/Syria border.

And Clarissa, we have a very tenuous truce in effect. At this moment, how is it holding up?

CLARISSA WARD, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kristie, let me say first of all that in the runup to this cessation of hostilities, we

witnessed with our own guys, with our own cameras, a Russian airstrike on a crowded fruit market, at least eight civilians were killed in that attack.

We visited hospitals that have been leveled to the ground, courtrooms. We talked to people who have lived for months now under constant bombardment,

all of which might give you a better sense of why it is that people in these areas are so skeptical about and have so little support for this

ceasefire. Take a look at our report from inside.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WARD: We are in the heart of rebel-held Syria and this entire area has seen some of the most intensive bombardment in the past few months.

And we have been traveling all around here for nearly a week now, and certainly it is fair to say that since the cessation of hostilities began

there has been a dramatic decrease in the number of air strikes.

Now having said that, earlier we visited a town called Darat Iza (ph) of the outskirts of Aleppo. And people there told us that about 30 hours

after the cease-fire began there was an air strike on a house. We were able to capture some

video of the aftermath of the air strikes.

There have also been reports of clashes in other parts of the country, but certainly it does feel quite a bit quieter here.

Now, what's interesting is that you won't find anybody here celebrating about the cease-fire and that's for a number of reasons.

Firstly, in the run-up to the cessation of hostilities, there was a dramatic increase in the Russian

aerial bombardment.

Secondly, the people here who lived in rebel-held territory simply don't trust the regime of Bashar al-Assad. They see the cease-fire as a

trick or ruse, designed so that the regime can take more territory. And for that reason. And for that reason, many people that we've spoken to are

in fact actually against the cease-fire.

Just a few days ago we attended a protest where people were carrying signs that said this cease-fire is a betrayal of our martyrs, of those who

have died for the cause. They were chant over and over again, we must keep on fighting and we must unite. Even the imam in his weekly sermon was

urging people not to heed the ceasefire and to continue fighting.

(END VIEOTAPE)

WARD: Now, of course people on the ground do want peace, Kristie. But I think really what this underscores is that there is a fundamental

disconnect between the people on the ground who are fighting and dying inside Syria and the people who are in European capitals brokering these

types of agreements. And the people inside Syria do not feel that their needs and their voice is being expressed clearly and coherently to the

international community, Kristie.

LU STOUT: Clarissa Ward there reporting live with scenes of protests inside Syria against the cease-fire. Thank you very much indeed for that.

Now, the votes are being tallied. And the results are filtering in. A political swing to the center is well underway in Iran. And it is most

evident in the capital.

Now, reformists in Tehran have clinched every one of their parliamentary seats. Supporters of President Hassan Rouhani also scored a

victory, claiming 15 of 16 seats in the all-important Assembly of Experts.

Now that group is to decide who will be Iran's next supreme leader.

Now in the face of these results, one judiciary chief has claimed the moderates are working for the west.

Now the words crucial and key are used a lot to describe the early nominating contest in the race for the White House. And what happens this

week could clear up finally the political picture.

Now, voters in several states weigh in on Super Tuesday. On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton has the momentum after her big victory

over Bernie Sanders in South Carolina. And pundits say Sanders must prove this week that he can

appeal to minorities.

Now on the Republican side, Donald Trump can take control of the race for his party's nomination with a strong showing on Tuesday. But that

Teflon reputation he has developed, it could be facing his toughest test yet.

CNN Chris Frates explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SEN. MARCO RUBIO, (R) FLORIDA: He doesn't sweat because his pores are clogged from the spray tan that he uses.

CHRIS FRATES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Marco Rubio unleashing an onslaught of

insults and putdowns Sunday night in his latest string of personal attacks on Donald Trump.

RUBIO: Donald is not going to make America great, he is going to make America orange.

FRATES: Only hours after Trump took jazz at the freshman senator at a rally in Alabama.

DONALD TRUMP, 2016 REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Little Marco Rubio, a total, total featherweight.

RUBIO: He's always calling me Little Marco. And I'll admit, he's taller than me. He's like 6'2", which is why I don't understand why his

hands are the someone who is 5'2". Have you seen his hands? They're like this. And you know what they say about men with small hands, you can't

trust them.

FRATES: This as Trump serves up controversy for what he didn't say.

RUBIO: Donald Trump refused, refused to criticize the Ku Klux Klan.

FRATES: The billionaire refusing to disavow support from former Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard David Duke.

TRUMP: I don't know anything about David Duke, OK.

FRATES: Trump deflecting questions by CNN's Jake Tapper.

TRUMP: I don't know what you're talking about with white supremacy or white supremacists. I don't know. I mean, I don't know. Did he endorse

me? Or what's going on? Because you know, I know nothing about David Duke.

FRATES: But on Friday.

TRUMP: Did David Duke endorse me? OK. All right. I disavow. OK.

FRATES: And Trump does know of the clansman. Back in 2000, the billionaire ended his brief flirtation with the presidential bid with the

Reform Party who had ties to the former KKK leader saying in a statement reported by the New York Times. This is not company I wish to keep.

And Trump took to Twitter Sunday to once again disavow Duke's support, but only after he was attacked by some rivals.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LUS TOUT: And that was CNN's Chris Frates reporting.

Now, Democratic Bernie Sanders was quick to pounce on this latest Trump controversy. He said on Twitter, quote, this, "America's first black

cannot and will not be succeeded by a, quote, hate monger who refuses to condemn the KKK."

Now, Bernie Sanders, he just suffered a big loss in South Carolina's primary on Saturday. The edge, it came from the support the Hillary

Clinton has among black voters there who make up about 30 percent of that state.

Now, another issue that has come up in U.S. politics, Democracy protests here in Hong Kong, a high profile trial has begun for several

student activists. And Marco Rubio says he is concerned.

Now the Republican presidential hopeful is calling for scrutiny over what he calls Beijing's expanded influence. The Hong Kong government says

all trials will be carried out in a fair and open manner.

Now, Joshua Wong and other face charges of illegal assembly for their involvement in the so-called umbrella protests in 2014, and they have

pleaded not guilty.

Now, an American student detained in North Korea speaks out for the first time since his arrest. His confession is straight ahead.

Plus, glitz, glamour and controversy at the Oscars. We'll tell you how the host tackled the issue of racism at the Academy Awards.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LU STOUT: Welcome back.

Now, it is a tearful confession North Korea wants the world to see. A U.S. citizen arrested almost two months ago emerges to admit a hostile act.

Of the 21-year-old appeared before the cameras. North Korea says it was at his request, but it's not known if he was coerced.

Now, he is accused of trying to steal a political banner from his Pyongyang hotel. This is the first time the American has been seen his

since arrest in January and Will Ripley is following developments.

Will, it was a very emotional moment, but was it a forced confession?

WILL RIPLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We just don't know, Kristie.

Again, as you mentioned, the North Korean officials who alerted us about this press conference a few days ago and told us to be ready for

this, said that this was an eager request by American college student Otto Warmbier, 21-years-old, who has been held without any contact with his

family or diplomatic officials in the United States for more than two months. So, this was his first chance to

send a message.

But the message really does follow the narrative of the Pyongyang propaganda machine, which is that the United States has influenced this

young man to commit a hostile act against North Korea. And the hostile act specifically is that he says he went to a floor in his hotel, the Ungakdo

(ph) Hotel in Pyongyang where a lot of foreign tourists and journalists stay. We've stayed there several times ourselves. He went there looking

for a political banner, to take down, put in his suitcase is and take home.

So, essentially to steal a political banner, or a sign, something that in the U.S. would be considered a pretty minor college prank, but in North

Korea, considering how important the political ideology is there, obviously a very serious crime that could result in criminal charges, prison time,

even hard labor, which may explain the real emotion that we saw in front of the cameras today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OTTO WARMBIER, STUDENT HELD IN NORTH KOREA: I entirely beg you to the government of the DPR Korea for your forgiveness. Please. I made the

worst mistake of my life. But please save me. Please. Think of my family.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

RIPLEY: He seemed to get most emotional, Kristie, when he was talking about his parents, his mother and his father and his younger siblings.

But there were other times where hen it got very dramatic. He put his hands together and he looked up at the ceiling and asked the lord to save

him, saying that he was just an innocent scapegoat.

And so we have no way of knowing whether this confession was made under any kind of duress. He was reading from a statement. But did he

prepare it himself? That's what the North Koreans claim. And what happens from here really anyone's guess, Kristie.

LU STOUT: All right, CNN's Will Ripley with the latest on that case. Thank you, Will.

Now, authorities in China, they say a man stabbed 10 schoolchildren before

killing himself Monday morning. Now, so far none of the children have died.

As our Matt Rivers reports, this is not the first stabbing incident at a school in China.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MATT RIVERS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, the attack happened mid morning in the southern Chinese province of Hainan in the

capital city there of Haiko (ph) outside a primary school. Police that say they responded to the attack, a call about the attack around 11:35 a.m.,

according to state media and when they arrived on scene, they did find that 10 children had been stabbed.

Now, all 10 of those children were taken to three separate local hospitals and we know that the conditions of several of those children that

had been stabbed is serious, but no deaths have been reported so far.

Now, those children were stabbed outside of a primary school, and the suspect has been identified by police already, as 45-year-old Lee Sijun

(ph). Police say he committed suicide shortly after the attack.

Now, unfortunately, this kind of an incident is something that China has seen multiple times over the past years.

In 2010, there were six separate knife attacks at schools from March to May of that year. 15 students in total were killed and dozens more were

wounded. In 2011, another eight toddlers were stabbed in a suburb of Shanghai after an employee at their daycare stabbed them with what state

media reported to be a craft knife. And one year later, in 2012, 22 students were also injured, stabbed by a suspect outside of their primary

school.

And most recently, in September of 2014, two more separate attacks where seven students in total were killed while several others were

injured.

And while none of those attacks were directly related, according to police,

they have said in the past that crimes of this nature can be copy cat crimes.

Now, in each separate case, the suspect was either captured or committed suicide, as was the case we saw today in Hainan Province. No

motive for this attack has yet bee nreported.

Matt Rivers, CNN, Beijing.

(END VIDOEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: You're watching News Stream. And still to come, reformists make big games in Iran, but hard line conservatives are crying foul in the

face of national election reports. We will have a live report from Tehran.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LU STOUT: Now a beautiful site there of Victoria Harbor. Coming to you live from Hong Kong you're back watching News Stream. And it was a

politically charged night at the Oscars as the issue of race took center stage.

Now there has been criticism that there weren't any black nominees, and the host Chris Rock, he tackled that head on.

(BEIGN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRIS ROCK, COMEDIAN: It's the 88th Academy Awards, it's the 88th Academy Awards, which means this whole no black nominees thing has happened

at least 71 other times. I'm sure -- I'm sure there were no black nominees some of those

years, say 62, 63. And black people did not protest. Why? Because we had real things to protest at that time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LU STOUT: It was a solid opening monologue there.

Now, Leonardo DiCaprio, he took home finally his first Oscar for his leading role in The Revenant. And he spoke out about a cause close to his

heart: climate change.

Now, also in focus this year: sexual assault.

Now, Brie Larson, she won best actress for her performance as a young mother held by a male captor in the film Room, and best picture went to

Spotlight, a drama about a newspaper investigation into sexual abuse by Catholic priests.

Now, I want to bring in our senior media correspondent Brian Stelter. He joins us live from New York. And Brian, Spotlight, winning best

picture, a great movie, great moment for journalism, you met the real Spotlight reporters. How are they taking it all in?

[08:25:24] BRIAN STELTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, I was talking with some of them via text message this morning, because just now they are

getting in bed out in Hollywood. What is it, 5:00 in the morning out there. The reporters and their actor counterparts spent all night at the

after parties. And some of the real life reporters told me this was a really a gobsmacking moment. They were overwhelmed by the best picture

win, not necessarily expecting it.

You know, The Revenant, Leo's movie, was expected to win the best picture. In many ways it was the favorite for that category. So, this was

a surprising win for Spotlight. And it was a moment of celebration for the news industry. Of course, the beleaguered newspaper industry in

particular.

This movie is about investigative journalism at its best. And it's the first movie about journalism to win the Academy Award since -- the Best

Picture Award, since 1947.

So certainly it is a moment that I think is being cherished by many journalists today.

LU STOUT: Yeah, certainly. And in the run-up to the ceremony, Brian, there was of course that other story, a lot of concern out there about the

lack of diversity among the nominees.

So, how did you think Chris Rock did as the host tackling that issue not only in the opening monologue, which was pretty solid, it was a good

one, but throughout the show?

STELTER: Throughout the show. You know, I heard some people saying it was almost too much, because he kept referring to this issue. But

certainly it was a theme for the program. And it would have seemed awfully strange if he had not acknowledged it in detail.

I think the key line I heard from Chris Rock was the line of sorority racists. The idea that Hollywood is -- does have a racist issue, or an

issue with racism, but that it is sorority racists, that it is not as if they are dealing

with issues 100 years ago where there are no blacks or no minorities in Hollywood. Instead, it's a more subtle form of discrimination, and that's

what Chris Rock was getting at. He talked about how important it is that minority actors and

actresses have the same opportunities as white actors.

So, I thought that was very, very striking to hear him on the stage talking that way. And it was, as you said, a theme for the whole evening.

You know, Mo Rocca, the comedian, wrote on Twitter that the Oscars are now more political than politics, and politics are more entertaining than

the Oscars. Certainly that was true with this ceremony. There were a lot of serious issues, a lot of serious themes talked about on stage, including

Leo DiCaptrio talking about climate change during his acceptance speech. So, there were really kind of memorable moments I think throughout the

night that were all about important, serious topics.

LU STOUT: Yeah. A very politically charged night. A lot of memorable moments. Thank you very much indeed. Brian Stelter there

reporting for us. Take care, Brian.

Now, you're watching News Stream. Still to come on the program, a critic silenced in China, a property tycoon is apparently slammed by

Beijing for his comments on social media.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(HEADLINES)

[08:31:08] LU STOUT: Now voters in Iran's capital are ushering in a new era of reform, electing moderate candidates to the national parliament.

All 30 seats up for grabs in Tehran's province were won by reformists. They also secured all but one of the seats in the all important Assembly

of Excellence (sic) that chooses Iran's supreme leader.

And those election results continue to filter in. CNN's Fred Pleitgen is in Tehran monitoring results. He joins us now live. And Fred,

reformists there are making gains in this election. And I know it's very early, but it is also raising the question what does this mean for the

future of Iran and its relations with the world.

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN INTERNAITONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, what it doesn't mean, Kristie, is that there's going to be largescale, or very fast

reforms here in this country.

We have to keep in mind that the reformists that were voted into parliament and also into the Council of Experts, that they are very

moderate reformists. They still are very much in line with Iran's policies.

However, if you look at President Hassan Rouhani and his policy so far, he has of course started to open up Iran very slowly towards the west

on the one hand with the nuclear agreement, but also of course by letting companies invest here with that sanctions relief.

Now, one of the things that people that we spoke to on the street told us is that they believe that the election results that they have received

now will be very good for Iran's economy, but they also say they want to see the benefits of the nuclear agreement, of sanctions relief, of

investment here in this country very quickly.

Let's have a look.

(BEGIN VIDOETAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): A lot of people voted and they gained a lot of votes to get into parliament. So we expect them to

work hard and to fill their promises. And they should work hard so that that can be an answer to the conservatives.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We were not satisfied with the last parliament. And I hope that both parliament and the Assembly of

Experts think and do something, especially for the young people.

UNIDENIFIED MALE (through translator): I think 100 percent there's going to be lots of

changes. With my friends, we were partying. And we all believe that this is the best parliament that has ever been elected.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PLEITGEN: So as you can see, some very mixed results there when we were on the street. But what we can expect now is for these reforms to

continue, for them to possibly accelerate somewhat, but not for very fast and very strong reform process to all of a sudden take place here in Iran.

And one of the interesting things that's also happening, Kristie, is that even with these election

results the way they are, and it looks like the moderates here in this country have indeed scored a lot of seats in parliament and also on the

Council of Experts, the conservatives are saying not so fast. They say that in the rest of the country outside Tehran they think they are still

pretty much even with the reformers.

So there is sort of a back and forth. There is still this -- some controversy. Certainly we also haven't seen any celebrations here in the

street yet. But by all accounts, it does appear as though this was a very, very important election for President Hassan Rouhani and the moderates here

in this country.

LU STOUT: Yeah, and some push back on the election results coming in so far. Pivotal elections under way in Iran as we wait for the final,

final outcome. Fred Pleitgen reporting live from inside the country. Thank you, Fred.

Now, China appears to be again tightening its grip on political dissent. The government has deleted the popular social media accounts of a

real estate mogul.

Now Ren Jia Chiang (ph) is reported to have posted messages criticizing Chinese news media. He has long been known for his blunt

comments on everything from property prices to politics. Nicknamed the Cannon, he had more than 30 million followers online.

Now, CNN Money Asia Editor Andrew Stevens joins me now with more on the story. And Andrew, why did China feel compelled to silence this

individual?

ANDREW STEVENS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: This individual who has, as you say, have been controversial. Interestingly, he is a veteran

member of the Communist Party itself. And what he has done with his microblogs is basically to force the authorities to say he is sending

illegal messages, which is having, quote, a vile impact. I mean, this is really strong language from the central authorities, to a Communist Party

member.

It all stems, Kristie, from the Chinese President Xi Jinping going to the state media, Xinhua, CCTV the television operator and the People's

Daily Newspaper. He went late last week. And he had a very, very clear message at the end of his meetings with the editors there, which was the

first and foremost, is you support the Communist Party no matter what. This is what he actually said.

All news media run by the party must work to speak for the party's will and its propositions and protect the party's authority and unity.

Now, Ren Jia Chiang (ph) had the temerity, if you like, to say in a very interesting quote what he says to his 38 million followers. News

media is supposed to serve the people, not the party. It's is funded by taxpayers, it should be for taxpayers. And that has what has got him into

very, very hot water.

It's not only officially, unofficially supporters of the Community Party have been vicious in their attack of him, and as you say those blogs

have been taken down very quickly. We don't know what's happened to him personally, but certainly he's -- he's not the most popular person in the

Communist Party at the moment.

LU STOUT: Now Ren Jia Chiang (ph) is the tycoon likened to the Donald Trump of China for his outspoken views now silenced on social media.

Andrew Stevens, we'll leave it at that. Thank you very much indeed for your analysis and the update on that story.

Now, coming up here on the program, U.S. war veterans wounded in combat are now using their skills to take down child predators. We'll

bring you that CNN Freedom Project report straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LU STOUT: Welcome back.

Now, thousands of American military personnel have returned from the battlefield with career-ending wounds, but many still have a sense of

service and a lot of fight left.

Now, Kyung Lah reports some of them are using it to chase down people who abuse children.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KYUNG LAH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's training day for former army ranger Tom Block.

TOM BLOCK, FRM. ARMY RANGER: Pure (inaudible), baby.

LAH: Block and 23 other elite war veterans from the U.S. special forces that the U.S. military spent more than a million dollars each

training to be physically and mentally exceptional, are now prepping for a new mission.

J. CHRISTIAN, CEO, NAPC: So the Hero Corp, being just the unique program that it is, it gives a veteran an opportunity to not only take on a

mission but really, really go out and make efforts to rescue children.

LAH: J. Christian, himself a former highly decorated Army Ranger, leads the team as head

of a nonprofit called "Protect." The group is partners with Homeland Security investigations and U.S. special operations command to train and

place these veterans with law enforcement agencies around the country.

CHRISTIAN: And you see groups of children being abused at levels the average American can't fathom. And the abuse seems to be getting more

documented and worse.

LAH: Protect says the United States is the world's largest producer of child pornography, the images too hard to look at, off too horrible even

to describe. But for these heroes, the idea of not taking action is not an option.

CHRISTIAN: But what we are dealing with is actual capturing of crime scenes. It gives you that sense of urgency to make sure that you're able

to get there as fast as you can.

And when they go out into the field, the main objective for the hero is to aid and assist in child rescue.

LAH: These hero corps veterans share another trait. In order to qualify for the program, the veteran must have been wounded, ill or injured

in service to their country.

Block, the Army Times' 2014 soldier of the year, was badly wounded during a raid in southern Afghanistan in 2013. A suicide bomber charged

him and his team. The explosion went off just eight feet from where Block was standing.

BLOCK: We lost four friends that night to IED blasts, leveled some some of the house, if not most of the house, threw me back 30 feet into a

ditch, wounded a bunch of others.

LAH: Getting back to fighting shape wasn't easy.

After learning to walk again, Sergeant Block endured several reconstructive surgeries. Doctors couldn't save his right eye, but Block

decided to use the setback to make a statement.

BLOCK: I picked Captain America's shield for my fake eye, because I feel it is something that

represents what I stand for in a big way. He doesn't like bullies and neither do I.

LAH: Let that serve as notice for anyone who may be terrorizing children.

Kyung Lah, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: What an incredible project.

Now, to learn more about the heroes working to protect children from online predators go to Protect.org.

And next, you'll meet a former member of the elite Delta Force. Now, injuries in Afghanistan left Shannon Krieger feeling like he had hit rock

bottom. But as he told Paula Newton, he found a cause in his home town of New Orleans that helped him rebuild his life.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SHANON KRIEGER, H.E.R.O CHILD-RESCUE CORPS: As child exploitation, people were busy this time of the year.

LAH: For example, monitoring chat rooms to identify people planning to come to Mardi Gras to have sex with children.

KRIEGER: There's a lot to do because of Mardi Gras, because a lot of people are here that aren't normally here. And they bring some really bad

habits with them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LU STOUT: And he is one of the H.E.R.O.s at home you will be meeting this week as part of

our Freedom Project only on CNN.

And that is News Stream. I'm Kristie Lu Stout, but don't go anywhere. World Sport with Amanda Davies is next.

END