Latest news with #EdwardGrimes
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
After bizarre burqa stunt, Morris County mayor says no more public meetings
Fed up after yet another Dover council meeting was disrupted by activists on May 27, Mayor James Dodd declared that he will bar the public from future meetings and instead present them only online. "We're gonna go virtual," Dodd said. The council later passed a resolution, drafted during the meeting, that said that "due to emergent circumstances ... future public meetings shall be held virtually until changed by the Town Council." The resolution passed 8-1, with council member Sandra Wittner casting the lone "no" vote and questioning the legality of the hastily authorized move. "To say that this is a safety risk is insulting to the hundreds of people who died in Dover" during COVID, said Wittner, who frequently clashes with the mayor. Town council meetings last went online during the pandemic lockdown, which, by contrast, was a "very real safety risk," she said. Dodd took his action after a bizarre confrontation during the meeting's public comment session, at which the council was addressed by a person dressed in a blue burqa covering their entire face and body. The speaker, claiming to be a Muslim woman, began to talk in an affected, falsetto voice. The encounter ground the meeting to a halt for about 40 minutes. Dodd identified the "woman" as Edward "Lefty" Grimes, a Bayonne resident and disability activist who has been a frequent critic of the mayor and council at recent meetings. Dressed in the burqa, Grimes appeared in a motorized wheelchair. Grimes has said he needs the chair after allegedly being injured by Dover police who were directed to remove him from a January meeting for using profanity. Officials advised Grimes there was a town policy against meeting attendees wearing full-face coverings. But Grimes continued his complaints about a smoking ordinance he felt would violate his rights as a medical cannabis user. He refused to unveil his face, citing "religious reasons." The meeting was adjourned and Grimes was approached by Dover police. They tried to escort the activist from council chambers before Grimes was finally called out by an angry Dodd. "There's a law against impersonating a religious belief, and that's exactly what you're doing, Ed Grimes!' Dodd shouted. "Your Jeep is outside. I took a picture of your license plate. I will now press charges against you." After Grimes finally left, Dodd resumed the proceedings and added the resolution to suspend in-person meetings to the agenda. Contacted on Friday, Grimes did not deny he was at the meeting, but added, "I'm not admitting to anything." He insisted the speaker wearing the burqa was a Muslim woman named Elram Pador. He said he witnessed the confrontation on a YouTube stream posted by Maria Chacon. The Dover resident has been streaming meetings since the town suspended the practice last year, citing the need for a new video system and a lack of money to pay for it. "We all know Dodd would not allow someone in a burqa to speak," Grimes said. "Elram proved it and exposed his Islamophobia, exposed his racism, exposed his ego, because all he had to do was let that woman speak for three minutes. But his ego would not allow it, and now he's got a [expletive] show on his hands. He's got issues now.' A burqa-clad "Elram Pador" has also spoken at public meetings in other New Jersey towns in recent months, including an appearance — without a wheelchair — in Edison on April 30. Grimes and other online activists have frequented Dover meetings over the past six months, typically taking aim at Dodd and Councilman Sergio Rodriguez, who retains the mayor's support despite facing multiple assault charges. One critic wore a football helmet to a meeting, claiming he expected to be attacked. "I'm not in a position to sit here and be ridiculed and humiliated," Dodd said at the May 27 meeting. "It's insanity. This has been going on for some time. Who knows if that guy has a shotgun under what he was wearing? And when somebody comes here and mocks a religious belief, and thinks it's OK, that's not acceptable. "These people are crazy," he continued. "I won't be part of that anymore and I don't think this town should be subject to that anymore, either." Wittner said Dodd directed town Attorney Ramon Rivera to draft the resolution while the session was adjourned to remove Grimes. Rivera cited provisions in the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act, also known as the Sunshine Law, that would permit the suspension of in-person meetings due to security reasons and "emergent circumstances," as the resolution reads. The resolution said that council meetings "have been interrupted by unprecedented members of the public who violate the town's public-comment policies." Challenged by Wittner on the legality of the move, and questioned about the nature of the "emergent circumstances," Rivera said, "In my opinion, based on what I saw tonight, there is a safety concern." More: In tense meeting, Dover council backs, then opposes, limits on immigration raids "The town is prohibited from conducting business" due to the interruptions, he added. Rivera noted in the resolution that "many entities conduct their meetings virtually in compliance with the OPMA," although he did not specify whether any governing bodies were currently doing so. Virtual meetings were common during the COVID lockdown but most local governing bodies switched back to in-person proceedings years ago. Rivera did not return a call seeking follow-up information. At the meeting, Dodd said he did not expect the move to be permanent. It would last only until the council felt it could safely resume public gatherings, he said. He added the town would come up with a plan to stream meetings within 30 days. Dover suspended online streaming of meetings last year, saying the town needed a new camera system and did not have the estimated $80,000 it would cost. Dodd said at the January reorganization meeting that he hoped to find money in this year's budget to resume the streaming. The streamed meetings will allow for public participation in that format, the mayor said at the latest meeting. "I don't expect this to be forever," Dodd explained. "But we need to conduct business, and we will." Chacon can be heard in her streaming video confronting the mayor. "It's unbelievable to me that we haven't had any livestreaming," she commented. She blamed Dodd for "elevating" the "chaos" at the meeting. "And then to come back and punish the public, the taxpayers who have a right to be here, it's appalling," she said. "To punish us for one person who got under the mayor's skin." State Sen. Anthony Bucco, who represents Dover in Trenton, speculated in an interview that Dover may be vulnerable to a court challenge. Bucco, a Republican representing the 25th District, is a municipal attorney by profession. "It's definitely an unusual step, outside of something like COVID," Bucco said. "Even before COVID, there were instances where towns held remote meetings, but they never closed the meeting room off." "So it will be interesting, he continued. "I would guess it would probably be challenged, and I don't know how a judge would rule." But Bucco, the Senate minority leader, also shared his concerns about what he sees as a troubling increase across the state of deliberate interruptions at meetings by members of the public. "It's a shame," Bucco said. "It seems lately, people have become more and more disrespectful at council meetings. People who come to meetings and say things that aren't accurate, or hide their identity, it's just not right for good government. And once one person becomes disrespectful, it starts to spread, and then a governing body cannot conduct business properly." On May 30, Dodd released a statement about the meeting and the decision to "go virtual." "Over the past several weeks, our meetings have been marred by behavior that has no place in public service," the mayor wrote. "We have witnessed individuals wearing full facial coverings, altering their voices, and delivering crude, vulgar remarks including sexually explicit references and disturbing comments. These actions have turned our council chambers into a spectacle that undermines the dignity of public discourse." "This decision wasn't made lightly," he continued. "But we cannot allow a small group to hijack the democratic process and create a toxic atmosphere that discourages community participation. We are committed to transparency, accountability, and — above all — civility in government." This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Dover NJ cancels public meetings after bizarre burqa stunt
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Eurovision stars unrecognisable as they secretly go undercover backstage at this year's contest
Avid Eurovision fans were left shocked when they discovered an iconic duo secretly undercover backstage ahead of the highly anticipated final. Unrecognisable behind their baggy outfits, beards and wigs, the pair are identical Irish twins John and Edward Grimes, better known as Jedward, who skyrocketed to fame after appearing in the sixth series of The X Factor in 2009. The 33-year-old pop icons later went on to represent Ireland at Eurovision in both 2011 and 2012. In 2011, Jedward finished in eighth place, earning 119 points, with their song Lipstick, followed by a 19th place finish in 2012 that saw them gain 46 points for their song Waterline. Now, as the countdown is on for Eurovision's Saturday-night final, the duo have been pictured in disguise, surprising two superfans backstage on set in Basel, Switzerland. Wearing prosthetic noses, fake beards and wigs, the pair were a world away from their usual well-known appearance of bleach blonde quiffs and sparkly outfits. In an Instagram video that shares the 'most iconic transformation ever', Edward, sat in a makeup chair, declares: 'Next time you see us we won't be Jedward, but we will be somebody'. As the countdown is on for Eurovision's Saturday-night final, the pop duo have been pictured in disguise. surprising two superfans backstage on set in Basel, Switzerland. He then turns to Edward, in the process of getting his prosthetic nose fitted, and asks: 'Do you think these superfans are going to know it's us?' The two fans that Jedward were hoping to fool appeared not to catch on that their favourite pop stars were disguised as members of staff backstage, with one of the band members, fitted with a headset, even jokingly asking a fan for their phone as they had been taking pictures. Later on, the pair could barely contain their shock as the Irish duo later removed their wigs to reveal their famous bright blonde hair. Taking to Instagram to reflect on the unique experience, one of the surprised fans commented: 'This was hilarious, you really got us' while the other remarked: 'I was THIS close to giving him my phone, he as that convincincing'. Other social media users appeared just as amazed by the incredible disguise, with one commenter praising the 'amazing transformation', adding: 'Genuinely would never know it was you!! New metal band coming soon'. Meanwhile, another said: 'This is hilarious! What a great surprise it turned out to be you!' The Eurovision final is set to air at on BBC1 this Saturday, with the remaining semi-final contest taking place this evening as the remaining nations vie for a place in the prestigious finale. Featuring performances from the UK's entry Remember Monday, alongside contestants from Austria, France, Israel and Australia, it will be hosted by Rylan and Scott Mills. Despite backlash surrounding Israel's inclusion in the competition, Yuval Raphael, 24, is set to represent the nation with her song New Day Will Rise at this year's contest, having survived the horrific October 7 attacks just 18 months ago. Girl group Remember Monday, made up of best friends Lauren Byrne, Charlotte Steele and Holly-Anne Hull, are set to perform their song 'What The Hell Just Happened?' and will be hoping to do better than last year's UK entrant Olly Alexander who sadly received zero points from the public during the 2023 final with his song Dizzy. When previously asked what his advice to the next Eurovision entrant would be, Olly said ' Get a good therapist '. As last year's winners, Switzerland are guaranteed a spot in the Grand Final, alongside Italy, Spain, the UK, France and Germany, who all make up the 'Big Five' countries. On Tuesday, the first Eurovision semi-final took place, with 10 countries: Sweden, Norway, Albania, Iceland, Netherlands, Poland, San Marino, Estonia, Portugal and Ukraine, all qualifying. The show was dramatic as ever, featuring a stage invader, a broadcasting malfunction, alongside a wholesome appearance from Eurovision icon Celine Dion, 57. However, fans were left dismayed after Cyprus and Belgium were booted out of the competition, taking to X to share their dismay. One upset Belgium fan said: 'I try to be as objective as possible, but I genuinely can't find a single reason for why Belgium didn't qualify!?!?!?!?' 'NO WAY IS THIS A EUROVISION NON QUALIFIER???? JUSTICE FOR BELGIUM #Eurovision.' At the end of the show, Celine Dion left fans in floods of tears as she made a rare appearance via video call. The singer famously won the contest for Switzerland in 1988 with the winning number Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi. Making an emotional return to the song contest, Celine shared some advice ahead of the anticipated final, seemingly ruling out an appearance in this year's final after speculation she would be performing amid her battle with stiff person syndrome. She said: 'I'd love nothing more than to be with you. Switzerland will forever hold a special place in my heart. 'It's the country that believed in me and gave me the chance to be part of something so extraordinary. 'Winning the Eurovision Song Contest for Switzerland in 1988, it was a life-changing moment for me and I'm so thankful for everyone who supported me. 'Now, 37 years later, I know. It's so beautiful and emotional to see Switzerland winning and hosting this incredible event once again. 'To the people of Switzerland, thank you for your love. This night is yours and I hope you feel as proud as I do.'
The Sun
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Eurovision legends look unrecognisable as they go backstage at contest – can you tell who they are?
EUROVISION fans will be left doing a double take when they find out who these legends are. The pop duo have been captured on camera heading backstage at this year's event and they are barely recognisable. 5 5 The lads in question are Irish twins Jedward, who found fame on The X Factor in 2009. John and Edward Grimes went on to represent Ireland twice at Eurovision, making history. Jedward have now been pictured in disguise while backstage at this year's Eurovision, which is being held in Basel, Switzerland. The brothers donned wigs, prosthetic noses and fake beards, and dressed in grungy clothes - which is world's away from their usual pop star threads. One even added a fake lip ring and their iconic blonde quiffs were nowhere to be seen. Sharing a snap on Jedward's Instagram account, they said: "Can't believe we got to be in disguise at Eurovision. "New hair, noses, hairy beards and lip piercing. No one had a clue it was us. Felt normal for once. It was a crazy experience." The lads also shared a video of themselves as they got into their disguises. Jedward's stunt was all part of a ploy to surprise two Jedward superfans, who had won a trip to the Eurovision set in Basel. They were surprised by John and Edward while being given a tour. Rylan makes VERY awkward gaffe during first live Eurovision semi-final Jedward remarked on Instagram: "The most iconic transformation ever." John and Edward were dubbed Louis Walsh 's 'joke' act when he put them through on The X Factor 16 years ago. But he had the last laugh. Jedward went on to make history when they represented Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest in both 2011 and 2012. In 2011, they finished in eighth place with their song Lipstick. It earned them 119 points. The following year they didn't fare so well, finishing in 19th place with 46 points for Waterline. The Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final 2025 will air on BBC One on Saturday night. Representing the UK this year is Remember Monday. The trio is made up of best friends Charlotte, Holly and Lauren and they will be performing their song What The Hell Just Happened?. Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final 2025, 8pm, BBC One, Saturday May 17 5 5 5
