Latest news with #Daffin
Boston Globe
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Amid Trump's attacks on LGBTQ+ community, Boston Pride organizers anticipate ‘joyful protest'
Gary Daffin, a Boston Pride organizer, said the theme of the parade, 'Here to Stay,' is a direct response to government attempts to 'erase transgender people from the country.' Advertisement 'We have fought and fought to gain the rights and responsibilities that we deserve to have as Americans,' Daffin said. 'We have no intention of going anywhere, and we have no intention of losing this fight at all.' He added that the government is trying to erase queer people from history, pointing to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's recent order to Advertisement In April, the Pro-democracy activist groups Massachusetts 50501 and Indivisible Mass Coalition are among the sponsors of this year's Boston Pride. As many as 75 members of the organizations will march in the parade as part of a nationwide day of action protesting Trump's policies, according to a 50501 spokesperson. Despite political pressure from Washington, Saturday's Pride festivities will be a celebration of LGBTQ+ resilience as much as a protest, Daffin said. 'A joyful protest is the most powerful one. Part of what we are doing is giving people the space to experience joy in who they are and in the community,' he said. The parade will kick off at 11 a.m. from Copley Square and process down Clarendon Street to Tremont Street in the South End. The route continues onto Berkeley Street before turning back onto Boylston Street and ending at Boston Common, where a Pride festival will feature DJs and drag performers for paradegoers of all ages. Organizers trained more than 400 volunteers to help manage the event. They will be posted along the parade route to notify organizers of unusual or disruptive activity. The safety measures come as protests in Los Angeles against Trump's immigration raids continue into their fifth day on Wednesday. A day after federal immigration authorities Advertisement Trump later deployed roughly 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines to Los Angeles, though California Governor Gavin Newsom filed an emergency motion in federal court seeking to block them from being used to assist with immigration raids. More peaceful protests against immigration raids have been staged in Boston police officers will be stationed at Pride festivities on Saturday, though a spokesperson for the department declined to comment on whether there will be a larger police presence than in previous years. The offices for Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey did not respond to requests for comment on Wednesday related to public safety plans for Pride. The Massachusetts State Police will provide extra support to local police if needed, a department official said. 'We stand ready to support our law enforcement partners in ensuring a safe, inclusive, and respectful celebration for all,' State Police spokesperson Tim McGuirk said in an email to the Globe on Wednesday. Daffin emphasized that organizers do not anticipate the violence seen in Los Angeles. 'We expect everything to be completely peaceful. There's no reason to expect it won't be,' Daffin said. In addition to the festival in Boston Common, Boston Pride for the People will also host a block party in City Hall Plaza for people aged 21 and older from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Jade Lozada can be reached at
Boston Globe
23-05-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
Pride parades around the country have taken a hit this spring, but not in Boston
Gary Daffin, a member of Boston Pride for the People's executive committee, says nearly half of that amount last year came from corporate sponsorships, and nearly half came from registration fees from groups that want to participate — the two main sources of funding. Advertisement Daffin expects a similar budget for the events this time around: just above $700,000. So far, all the big sponsors are back — a list that includes Delta Air Lines, MFS Investment Management, the Boston Foundation, Beth Israel Lahey Health, Eastern Bank, MassMutual, Rockland Trust, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Eversource, and National Grid. The big-ticket corporate sponsorships range from $10,000 to $50,000. He said a few previous sponsors have not yet committed, but they're not among the big contributors. This is the third year that the event has been organized by Advertisement This year, Daffin said the organizers had been concerned that fund-raising could take a hit because of economic uncertainties and the anti-DEI rhetoric in Washington, including executive orders targeting diversity programs. 'There was a fear that people were not going to reply to our requests,' Daffin said. 'But almost everyone who was there last year is back. It just took a little longer [to line up the commitments]. It's a relief, though we still need a little bit more money. We're not there yet.' This is an installment of our weekly Bold Types column about the movers and shakers on Boston's business scene. Jon Chesto can be reached at
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Yahoo
Missing person's body found in north GA; person of interest arrested
A man identified as a person of interest in a missing person's death was captured after a brief chase in northern Georgia. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Stephens County Sheriff's Office said Lee Daffin surrendered to officers Wednesday and was transported to Rockdale County, where he is charged with aggravated assaults and terroristic threats and acts. The Rockdale County Sheriff's Office said more charges may be added. Habersham County deputies contacted Rockdale County officials, advising them their investigators found a body past the end of Carpenter's Cover Lane in Cornelia. Habersham investigators said they believed the crime occurred in Rockdale County. Rockdale County deputies had conducted a welfare check Tuesday at a home on Bethel Road in Conyers, but they were unable to find the person reported missing. The following day, investigators said they received information that led them to believe there was foul play. Daffin was apprehended after the SCSO was notified he may be traveling through there on the way to the Carolinas. TRENDING STORIES: Are you looking for ways to save in 2025? Clark Howard shares his way to bank $1,000 in a year Major fentanyl, meth bust caught on camera in Gwinnett grocery store parking lot A missing man's remains were found on I-20. Now, a DeKalb man has been found guilty of his murder [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Yahoo
Super Bowl Sunday road safety tips
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Bay County Sheriff's deputies will be out on Super Bowl Sunday looking for signs of impaired drivers. Super Bowl Sunday can be one of the most dangerous nights to be on the roads. The Bay County Sheriff's Office sees an increase in impaired driving and DUI arrests. 'Any time where you have something where people want to go out and celebrate or enjoy alcohol is involved, you're going to see an increase to some extent in traffic and you're going to see an increase in people that are driving impaired, unfortunately. And so a lot of times that also increases DUI arrest or, you know, traffic accidents that are a result of somebody driving impaired,' Bay County Sheriff's Office Captain Jason Daffin said. Florida lawmakers visit Gulf County before legislative session If they see someone that appears to be driving under the influence, they will take action. Captain Daffin says it's not worth risking other people's lives and can have severe penalties. 'If you refuse to blow on a breathalyzer, you can lose your license for a year. If you're arrested or charged with it, it can cause your license to get suspended. It can cause jail time, fines that you have to pay,' Daffin said. If you are drinking, Captain Daffin recommends using a rideshare app to get home. If you're not drinking, and you're behind the wheel, Daffin urges you to wait until you arrive at your destination to check game scores. It will likely be foggy Sunday night. Daffin says when visibility is low, only use your low beams. 'Keep your low lights on. Don't get your bright lights on if it magnifies the fog, makes it more difficult to see you know, leave yourself plenty of space between you and the car in front of you,' Daffin said. Walton County woman loses $129,500 in Bitcoin scam Bay County Sheriff's officials will deploy resources on Super Bowl Sunday. If you suspect someone is driving impaired, call (850) 747-4700 and report it. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
