Florida shooting brings back horrific memories for students from Parkland
Ilana Badiner, now 21, was at the middle school next to Stoneman Douglas High School when she and her classmates were locked down and escorted out by a SWAT team in 2018. 'The whole scene after was the same: People calling their parents, texting, police officers,' Badiner told The Washington Post on Thursday. 'This is kind of the new normal,' she said.
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Badiner described her frustration at how this had become 'kind of the new normal,' reflecting the grim reality that students in states including Florida and Michigan have faced growing up with gun violence.
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Survivors of the Parkland shooting banded together to form March for Our Lives, a youth-led movement to end gun violence. In the wake of the FSU incident, some expressed shock that such an event could happen again.
'There are kids from my high school in Parkland, FL who were freshmen during the MSD shooting and are now seniors at FSU during this current mass shooting,' Cameron Kasky, one of the founders of March for Our Lives, wrote on X. 'Welcome to Florida, welcome to America.'
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The organization said in a statement that the FSU shooting 'hits especially close to home for us.'
The group said: '7 years ago, students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School hid in their classrooms while their teachers and classmates were senselessly gunned down. Today, some of those same students were at FSU when gunfire erupted. No one should have to go through this twice, while their leaders do nothing but offer empty words.'
Josh Gallagher, a law student at Florida State University, wrote in a post on X that he lived through the Parkland shooting and 'never thought it would hit close to home again.'
'Then I'm in the FSU Law Library and hear an alarm: active shooter on campus. No matter your politics, we need to meet - and something has to change,' he said.
Anna Griffin, 18, a freshman from Washington, D.C., who is studying at FSU, said she overheard another student saying it was her second school shooting, having had experienced one in high school. 'I've never experienced anything like this,' Griffin said. 'I'm definitely still pretty freaked out.'
Another FSU student, Angel Dejesus, told the Tallahassee Democrat he was hiding inside a classroom when things got 'much more serious' and a student who lived through the Parkland shooting entered the room. 'He was, like, 'Man, I never thought this would happen again,'' Dejesus said.
Fred Guttenberg, whose 14-year-old daughter Jamie was killed in the Parkland shooting, told MSNBC in a television interview that he had spent the afternoon speaking to 'dozens' of people who have now been 'part of two school shootings in their lives.'
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'To say I've spent the afternoon shaking would be an understatement,' he said.
Thursday's shooting is not the first to occur at FSU. In 2014, a graduate opened fire at the library, wounding three people.
Last year more than 31,000 children across 21 states experienced a school shooting, according to a Washington Post tracker - a figure that does not include shootings at colleges and universities.
Jonathan Edwards contributed to this report.
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Hamilton Spectator
30 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
California governor plans to file lawsuit against Trump over National Guard deployment to protests
LOS ANGELES (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he planned to file a lawsuit Monday against President Donald Trump in response to the administration's extraordinary deployment of the National Guard to confront immigration protesters who took to the streets in Los Angeles. 'Commandeering a state's National Guard without consulting the Governor of that state is illegal and immoral,' Newsom, a Democrat, told MSNBC on Sunday. The streets of the sprawling city of 4 million people were mostly quiet Monday morning, the day after crowds blocked off a major freeway and set self-driving cars on fire as law enforcement responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and flash-bang grenades. Sunday's protests were centered in several blocks of downtown and a handful of other places. It was the third and most intense day of demonstrations against Trump's immigration crackdown in the region, as the arrival of around 300 Guard troops spurred anger and fear among many residents. Many protesters dispersed as evening fell and police declared an unlawful assembly, a precursor to officers moving in and arresting those who don't leave. Some of those who stayed threw objects at police from behind a makeshift barrier. Others hurled chunks of concrete, rocks, electric scooters and fireworks at California Highway Patrol officers and their vehicles parked on the closed southbound 101 Freeway. Officers ran under an overpass to take cover at one point. The Guard was deployed specifically to protect federal buildings, including the downtown detention center where protesters concentrated. Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said officers were 'overwhelmed' by the remaining protesters. He said they included regular agitators who show up at demonstrations to cause trouble. Several dozen people were arrested throughout the weekend. One was detained Sunday for throwing a Molotov cocktail at police and another for ramming a motorcycle into a line of officers. Trump responded to McDonnell on Truth Social, telling him to arrest protesters in face masks. 'Looking really bad in L.A. BRING IN THE TROOPS!!!' he wrote. Governor says Guard not needed Newsom called on Trump to rescind the Guard deployment in a letter Sunday afternoon, calling it a 'serious breach of state sovereignty.' The governor, who was was in Los Angeles meeting with local law enforcement and officials, also told protesters that they were playing into Trump's plans and would face arrest for violence or property destruction. 'Trump wants chaos and he's instigated violence,' he said. 'Stay peaceful. Stay focused. Don't give him the excuse he's looking for.' The deployment appeared to be the first time in decades that a state's National Guard was activated without a request from its governor, a significant escalation against those who have sought to hinder the administration's mass deportation efforts. McDonnell pushed back against claims by the Trump administration that the LAPD had failed to help federal authorities when protests broke out Friday after a series of immigration raids. He said his department responded as quickly as it could and had not been notified in advance of the raids. Newsom, meanwhile, has repeatedly said that California authorities had the situation under control. He mocked Trump for posting a congratulatory message to the Guard on social media before troops had even arrived in Los Angeles, and he told MSNBC that Trump never floated deploying the Guard during a Friday phone call. He called Trump a 'stone cold liar.' The admonishments did not deter the administration. 'It's a bald-faced lie for Newsom to claim there was no problem in Los Angeles before President Trump got involved,' White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said in a statement. Clashes escalate as National Guard troops arrive National Guard troops stood shoulder to shoulder Sunday morning in LA, carrying long guns and riot shields as protesters shouted 'shame' and 'go home.' After some demonstrators closely approached the Guard members, another set of uniformed officers advanced on the group, shooting smoke-filled canisters into the street. Minutes later, the Los Angeles Police Department fired rounds of crowd-control munitions to disperse the protesters, who they said were assembled unlawfully. Much of the group then moved to block traffic on the 101 freeway until state patrol officers cleared them. Nearby, at least four self-driving Waymo cars were set on fire, sending large plumes of black smoke into the sky and exploding intermittently. By evening, police had shut down several blocks of downtown Los Angeles. Flash-bang grenades echoed out every few seconds into the evening. Deployment follows days of protest The arrival of the National Guard followed two days of protests that began Friday in downtown Los Angeles before spreading Saturday to Paramount, a heavily Latino city south of the city, and neighboring Compton . Federal agents arrested immigrants in LA's fashion district, in a Home Depot parking lot and at several other locations on Friday. The next day, they were staging at a Department of Homeland Security office near another Home Depot in Paramount, which drew out protesters who suspected another raid. Federal authorities later said there was no enforcement activity at that Home Depot. The weeklong tally of immigrant arrests in the LA area climbed above 100, federal authorities said. Many more were arrested while protesting, including a prominent union leader who was accused of impeding law enforcement. The last time the National Guard was activated without a governor's permission was in 1965, when President Lyndon B. Johnson sent troops to protect a civil rights march in Alabama, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. Trump says there will be 'very strong law and order' In a directive Saturday, Trump invoked a legal provision allowing him to deploy federal service members when there is 'a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States.' He said he had authorized the deployment of 2,000 members of the National Guard. Trump told reporters Sunday as he prepared to board Air Force One in Morristown, New Jersey, that there were 'violent people' in Los Angeles 'and they're not going to get away with it.' In San Francisco, officers arrested dozens of protesters Sunday night after a group refused to disperse, police said in a statement on social media . Officers monitoring one protest declared an unlawful assembly when people in the group became violent, the San Francisco Police Department said. Many protesters left the scene, but some remained while others moved to another area where they vandalized buildings and a police vehicle. ___ Offenhartz reported from New York. Associated Press Writer Michelle Price contributed to this report from Bridgewater, New Jersey. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Newsweek
37 minutes ago
- Newsweek
California Republicans React to Donald Trump Deploying National Guard
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. California Republican lawmakers are largely backing President Donald Trump's decision to send the National Guard into Los Angeles amid immigration protests, with Representative Kevin Kiley telling Newsweek that the president chose to "protect federal officers and LA citizens because Governor Newsom has refused to do so." Why It Matters U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have conducted raids across the country and have faced large protests in Los Angeles, as Trump's administration pledged to carry out the largest mass deportations in U.S. history. While the raids are following legal directive from federal authorities, protests have erupted amid reports that detainees were being held in the basement of a federal building. ICE denied these allegations, with a spokesperson previously telling Newsweek the agency "categorically refutes the assertions made by immigration activists in Los Angeles." The clashes highlight deepening conflicts between sanctuary jurisdictions and federal immigration policy, as Trump has implemented sweeping changes through executive orders and utilized the wartime Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to expand deportation authority. Trump deployed 2,000 California National Guard troops to quell the protests in Los Angeles, sparking opposition from Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, who has said the move is "unlawful" and a "serious breach of state sovereignty." Some Republicans in the state, however, are siding with the president. What to Know Representative Kiley responded to Trump's move to call in the National Guard in a statement to Newsweek. "The acts of violence, lawlessness, and obstruction we are seeing in Los Angeles pose an ongoing risk to public safety," Kiley said. "The President has chosen to protect federal officers and LA citizens because Governor Newsom has refused to do so. I am praying for everyone's safety during this time." He said ICE officials are looking for "illegal immigrants with criminal convictions and existing deportation orders" and criticized Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for their handling of the situation, accusing them of choosing to "obstruct and interfere with these standard operations." "In addition to adopting 'sanctuary' policies that force ICE to apprehend criminals in the community rather than at jails, the Governor and Mayor have used inaccurate and inflammatory rhetoric that has encouraged the lawless activity we are seeing in LA right now," the congressman said. California Highway Patrol officers attempt to control crowds on the 101 Freeway during protest in Los Angeles on June 8. California Highway Patrol officers attempt to control crowds on the 101 Freeway during protest in Los Angeles on June 8. BENJAMIN HANSON/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images Other California Republicans reacted to the president's decision in social media posts. "The National Guard has been deployed, not at the request of California officials, but by direct order from President Trump. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles officials refused to act, letting the situation spiral before criticizing the effort to restore order," Representative Doug LaMalfa wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "This is what happens when politicians prioritize making headlines over doing their jobs. Earlier this year Gavin and many Democrats were telling people to resist and fight back against ICE arresting illegal alien criminals." He added: "The rioters need to be arrested immediately to stop the threat. And the elected officials who are inciting and aiding them need to be dealt with sternly. I stand with our National Guard, DHS, and every law enforcement officer on site working to protect people and property while California's leaders cower behind press conferences and attempt to shift blame. It's an embarrassment to all Californians at the same time the State asks for federal assistance on other issues. Enough with the excuses. Law and order still matters." Representative Vince Fong wrote on X that Trump is "acting to restore law and order while local leaders refuse to acknowledge the consequences of their failed policies." Other California Republican lawmakers also reacted to the protests but did not comment specifically on Trump calling in the National Guard. "Peaceful protests are a right, but crime, hate, and violence are unacceptable and unAmerican," Representative Young Kim wrote on X. What People Are Saying California Governor Newsom wrote on X on Sunday: "I have formally requested the Trump Administration rescind their unlawful deployment of troops in Los Angeles county and return them to my command. We didn't have a problem until Trump got involved. This is a serious breach of state sovereignty — inflaming tensions while pulling resources from where they're actually needed. Rescind the order. Return control to California." Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass wrote on X: "We will always protect the constitutional right for Angelenos to peacefully protest. However, violence, destruction and vandalism will not be tolerated in our City and those responsible will be held fully accountable." Representative Ken Calvert, a California Republican, wrote to X on Sunday: "Pay attention to how many times liberals like Gov. Newsom & Mayor Bass try to blame those enforcing the law for causing 'chaos.' What is the biggest contributor to this chaos? Their sanctuary policies that prevent local authorities from transferring criminal illegal immigrants." President Donald Trump on Truth Social: "If Governor Gavin Newscum, of California, and Mayor Karen Bass, of Los Angeles, can't do their jobs, which everyone knows they can't, then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!" Former Vice President Kamala Harris wrote in a statement: "This administration's actions are not about public safety – they're about stoking fear. Fear of a community demanding dignity and due process. Protest is a powerful tool – essential in the fight for justice. And as the LAPD, Mayor, and Governor have noted, demonstrations in defense of our immigrant neighbors have been overwhelmingly peaceful." What Happens Next Although Newsom has called for the National Guard troops to be returned to California control, the Trump administration has not said they plan to do so. It's unclear how long the National Guard will stay in Los Angeles.
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
L.A. Burns
Riots in Los Angeles: President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard in Los Angeles following three days of clashes between protesters and police. The riots were set off when Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents raided workplaces in pursuit of immigrants here illegally. Most of the violence has so far been contained to downtown L.A. There, rioters have set self-driving Waymo taxis on fire and vandalized buildings. Protests are also happening some 15 miles south in Paramount, to the east of Compton and north of Long Beach. Jim McDonnell, the chief of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), implied the protests were not occurring organically and that the violence should be attributed to "anarchists" and "people who do this all the time." More than 150 people have been arrested in the L.A. protests since Friday, with 60 arrested in San Francisco (where similar protests are happening, but with less damage so far). At one point, it looks like the LAPD shot a journalist with a rubber bullet: "Trump's order for the troops was the first time since 1965 that a president had activated a state's National Guard force for a domestic operation without a state governor's request for the purposes of quelling unrest or enforcing the law," reports The New York Times. The paper quoted California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, saying Trump's move "is purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions"; he added that "this is the wrong mission and will erode public trust." (As for what he thinks the right mission is, I guess I just haven't listened to enough of his podcasts to be able to say.) It's hard to know where this goes: Whether it escalates further, whether the National Guard's presence will actually quell the unrest, whether public sentiment toward deportations changes based on the conduct of the rioters, and how much property damage Angelenos are willing to tolerate. One thing is clear: The Trump administration appears to relish the opportunity to send in the National Guard. And another: The senseless property destruction that has become commonplace at such events since the summer of George Floyd means normal, uninvolved people sometimes lose their livelihoods when cities descend into chaos. Shouldn't she be right now? Greta Thunberg and a group of 11 other activists—including Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham and Rima Hassan, a French-Palestinian member of the European Parliament—set sail from Sicily about a week ago and have made their way to Gaza in an attempt to deliver aid to people there. Along the way they picked up four Libyan migrants whose own boat was sinking and who reportedly feared being nabbed by the Libyan coast guard. When the crew were about 120 miles off the coast of Gaza, the Israeli military apprehended the ship. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the organizers of the trip, declared in a statement that the activists were "kidnapped by Israeli forces." "The ship was unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted, and its life-saving cargo—including baby formula, food and medical supplies—confiscated," said the group. Israel's foreign ministry disagrees, derogatorily calling the boat a "selfie yacht" full of "celebrities." "I urge all my friends, family and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible," said Thunberg in a recorded message. (Presumably she means to get the Swedish government to pressure the Israeli government to release her.) Human rights groups in Israel say the country has "no legal authority" to seize the boat, since it was in international waters. "An attempt last month by Freedom Flotilla to reach Gaza by sea failed after another of the group's vessels was attacked by two drones while sailing in international waters off Malta, organizers said," reports the Associated Press. Israel argues that these "aid shipments" don't amount to significant help for Gazans. "While Greta and others attempted to stage a media provocation whose sole purpose was to gain publicity—and which included less than a single truckload of aid—more than 1,200 aid trucks have entered Gaza from Israel within the past two weeks, and in addition, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has distributed close to 11 million meals directly to civilians in Gaza," the foreign ministry claimed. The state Senate is expected to vote today on a bill that would legalize assisted suicide for all New Yorkers. The Medical Aid in Dying Act would be available to patients whose doctors say they have incurable conditions with less than six months left to live. The state Assembly has already passed the bill. So if it passes the Senate, it will head to Gov. Kathy Hochul's desk for either a signature or a veto. Two separate doctors might sign off on a ruling that a patient has just six months to live in order for the patient to legally gain access to these drugs. "If either determines the patient 'may lack decision-making capacity' for any reason, they are required to refer them to a mental health professional for further evaluation," reports Gothamist. "Otherwise, a mental health check is not required." " I think my colleagues have come to the conclusion that medical aid in dying isn't so much about ending a person's life but shortening their deaths," state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, a Manhattan Democrat, told Gothamist. As I've said before, we're barreling toward Ättestupa, toward a world in which humans design when and how others come into this world as well as when and how they leave it. I worry important things are lost when we try to supplant our creator, but your mileage may vary. HERE FOR THIS! In many ways, consumer goods have improved over time and we can afford basic household supplies much more easily than we used to. But in other areas, there has been a degradation of quality. Nancy French has a nice thread illustrating this: "The wildly popular Nutella competitor El Mordjene has been banned by the European Union," reports The New Yorker in "How a Hazelnut Spread Became a Sticking Point in Franco-Algerian Relations." "Senate Republicans intend to propose revised tax and health-care provisions to President Donald Trump's $3 trillion signature economic package this week, shrugging off condemnations of the legislation by Elon Musk as they rush to enact it before July 4," reports Bloomberg. The post L.A. Burns appeared first on
