Protester defaces Trump Tower presidential plaque
Credit: X/@Dean_Moses
A protester has defaced Donald Trump's presidential plaque inside Trump Tower.
Footage shared on social media showed a man in a black T-shirt spray painting 'USA' in bright green over a gold plaque marking Mr Trump's first term.
Other clips showed the man then sitting cross-legged in front of the '45th president of the United States' sign, before unfurling a flag with the logo for Extinction Rebellion sprayed on it in red.
Footage showed him later being escorted from the building.
A spokesperson for the New York Police Department said the force was not aware of any disruption at Trump Tower.
Extinction Rebellion NYC was contacted for comment.
This is a breaking news story, please check back for updates.
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USA Today
34 minutes ago
- USA Today
Glastonbury slams Bob Vylan's 'death to' Israel chant: 'Crossed a line'
GLASTONBURY, England − Glastonbury organizers say they're appalled by onstage chanting against the Israeli military during a performance by the punk-rap duo Bob Vylan, saying the music festival was no place for antisemitism or incitement to violence. During a show on Saturday, June 28, the duo chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in apparent reference to the Israel Defense Forces, the formal name of the Israeli military. British police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after artists at Glastonbury made anti-Israel comments on stage, without naming Bob Vylan. "Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," Avon and Somerset Police in western England, where the festival is held, said on X. A post shared by Glastonbury Festival (@glastofest) Festival organizers criticized the chanting by Bob Vylan, made up of guitarist and singer Bobby Vylan and drummer Bobbie Vylan, their stage names. "Their chants very much crossed a line, and we are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence," the festival said in a statement shared on Instagram. The Israeli Embassy in Britain condemned the "inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed" at the festival. Bob Vylan's band members did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment. Their show on the festival's West Holts stage took place just before controversial Irish rap trio Kneecap played to a huge crowd, leading chants against British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and also taking aim at Israel. During the show, frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh accused Israel of committing war crimes, saying: "There's no hiding it." Known by the stage name Mo Chara, he was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert. He has denied the charge. Senior members of Starmer's government also criticized the chants by Bob Vylan. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said it was appalling that the comments had been made on stage, adding that he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. "I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News. "I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens toward Palestinians more seriously." Political commentator Ash Sarkar said it was typical of punk musicians to spark controversy. "Don't book punk bands if you don't want them to do punk stuff," said Sarkar, a contributing editor to Novara Media, a leftist media organization. Contributing: Sophie Royle, Reuters
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Ted Cruz Slams Glastonbury Festivalgoers Chanting 'Death to the IDF'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Senator Ted Cruz has criticized crowds at Glastonbury Festival for chanting "Death to the IDF" during one of the performances. Festivalgoers at the British music event were led in the chant, referring to the Israel Defense Forces, during rap duo Bob Vylan's set. Cruz posted a segment of the set to X, formerly Twitter, saying: "This is the base of the Democrat Party." He said in a follow-up post that he realized the video was filmed in England, adding: "They are the very same antisemitic zealots as the American anti-Israel Left—to whom the Democrat Party is utterly beholden." Bob Vylan and the DNC have been contacted via email for comment. The flag of Palestine is waved at Glastonbury Festival in Worthy Farm on June 28, 2025, in Somerset, England. Inset: Ted Cruz during a Senate Committee on the Judiciary hearing on June 18, 2025, in... The flag of Palestine is waved at Glastonbury Festival in Worthy Farm on June 28, 2025, in Somerset, England. Inset: Ted Cruz during a Senate Committee on the Judiciary hearing on June 18, 2025, in Washington, D.C. More Main: Scott A Garfitt, Inset: Rod Lamkey, Jr/Main: Invision/AP, Inset: AP Photo Why It Matters Glastonbury Festival's organizers had already faced criticism for allowing Irish-language rap group Kneecap to perform, after one of its members was charged under the U.K.'s Terrorism Act with supporting a proscribed organization for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a concert in London in November. Although the festival has said people are free to express their political beliefs at the event, organizer Emily Eavis spoke out against the "Death to the IDF" chant, saying it "very much crossed a line." It is unclear how many, if any, crowd members at the event in Somerset, South West England, are supporters of the Democratic Party. The party and its leadership have been supportive of Israel since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. What To Know A festivalgoer holds a newspaper that reads "Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! Palestine No Solution But Liberation" during Kneecap's set at Glastonbury Festival on June 28, 2025, in Somerset, England. A festivalgoer holds a newspaper that reads "Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! Palestine No Solution But Liberation" during Kneecap's set at Glastonbury Festival on June 28, 2025, in Somerset, England. Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP Nearly 4,000 acts perform at Glastonbury to approximately 200,000 festivalgoers over a five-day stretch. Bob Vylan's set was not the only one to involve messaging around the war in Gaza. The BBC did not provide a livestream for Kneecap's performance as member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh is currently on bail under the terrorism charges. Eavis posted a statement to social media about the chants at the Bob Vylan set, saying: "As a festival, we stand against all forms of war and terrorism - we will always believe in - and actively campaign for - hope, unity, peace and love." Senator Cruz's comments about "antisemitic zealots" allegedly forming the base of the Democratic Party come just days after pro-Palestinian candidate Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic primary to be mayor of New York. Mamdani's advocacy for Palestinians has been labeled antisemitic by some, including Jonathan Greenblatt, head of the Anti-Defamation League. Other Jewish politicians and New Yorkers have pointed to Mamdani's pledge to increase anti-hate crime spending in the city, including funds to protect synagogues and Jewish schools. Brad Lander, a Jewish New Yorker and fellow candidate for mayor, cross-endorsed Mamdani, telling a crowd on primary night: "Our safety, our hopes and our freedoms are bound up together, don't get it twisted." Nationwide, Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris received 79 percent of the Jewish vote in the 2024 election. What People Are Saying Senator Ted Cruz, on X: "Truly sick. Thousands of people screaming "Death to the IDF. This is the base of the Democrat Party." "Lots of comments saying this is in England. True. These are the looney British anti-Israel Left. They are the very same antisemitic zealots as the American anti-Israel Left—to whom the Democrat Party is utterly beholden." Glastonbury Festival organizer Emily Eavis on Instagram: "We are appalled by the statements made from the West Holts stage by Bob Vylan yesterday. Their chants very much crossed a line and we are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the Festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence." What Happens Next Avon and Somerset police are investigating the Bob Vylan incident to see if a criminal offense was committed.
7 hours ago
The last Hong Kong pro-democracy party holding street protests disbands
HONG KONG -- Hong Kong pro-democracy political party League of Social Democrats announced on Sunday it had disbanded due to immense political pressure, the latest casualty in a years-long crackdown that has already quieted much of the city's once-vocal opposition. Following massive anti-government protests in 2019, many leading activists were prosecuted or jailed under a 2020 national security law imposed by Beijing. Dozens of civil society groups dissolved. Media outlets critical of the government shuttered. The League of Social Democrats was the only pro-democracy party that still staged small street protests from time to time and held street booth activities to carry on its advocacy despite the risks. Its chairperson, Chan Po-ying, said the disbandment decision was made after careful deliberation, especially taking into account the consequences to its members and comrades. Chan refused to elaborate on the pressure but said she was proud to say that the party had still contributed to the city's pro-democracy movement in these few years. 'We have stayed true to our original aspirations and haven't let down to the trust placed in us by those who went to prison," she said. 'While we are now forced to disband and feel an ache in our conscience, we have no other choice,' she said. Hong Kong, a former British colony, will mark the 28th anniversary of returning to Chinese rule on July 1. The city used to hold annual pro-democracy protests that day and other various demonstrations demanding better policies. But those were ceased after most organizing groups were disbanded and the leading activists were jailed. Critics say the drastic political changes under the security law reflect that the freedoms Beijing promised to keep intact in 1997 are shrinking. The Beijing and Hong Kong governments insist the law is necessary for the city's stability. A Chinese official overseeing Hong Kong affairs in 2023 said protests are not the only way for people to express their views, signaling Beijing's stance toward demonstrations in the city. In April, Hong Kong's biggest pro-democracy party, the Democratic Party, also voted to give its leadership the mandate to move toward a potential disbandment. Party veterans told The Associated Press that some members were warned of consequences if the party didn't shut down. A final vote is expected at a later date. Founded in 2006, the League of Social Democrats was a left-wing political party that opposed collusion between government and business, upheld the principle that people have a say and was firmly committed to the interests of underprivileged residents. It was widely known for its more aggressive tactics when fighting for change. Its members have thrown bananas, eggs and luncheon meat at officials or pro-Beijing lawmakers as a protest gesture. Its party platform said the group advocated non-violent resistance but would not avoid physical confrontations — a stance that set it apart from older, traditional pro-democracy groups. It once had three lawmakers in office. Its longest-serving lawmaker, Leung Kwok-hung — Chan's husband — was disqualified from the legislature due to his manner of taking his oath in office in 2017. On the streets, the group's activism led to the arrests and jailing of its members from time to time. Last year, Leung and prominent LGBTQ+ activist Jimmy Sham, a former party leader, were sentenced to nearly seven years and more than four years over their roles in an unofficial primary election under the sweeping security law. Sham was freed from prison last month. In recent years, the party has had limited political influence, no longer holding any seats in the legislature or local district councils. Even a bank ceased to provide bank account services to the group. But it continued to stage small protests from time to time, despite sometimes those activities leading to arrests. On June 12, Chan and other members were fined after being found guilty over their street booth activities. Undeterred by their convictions, they kept pressing on and protested against the ruling outside the court.
