Latest news with #FamilyValues
Miami Herald
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Seattle Protest Breaks Out in Violence: What We Know
Violence broke out after counterprotesters gathered in a Seattle park to demonstrate against a "far-right" Christian rally being held there on Saturday. The Seattle Police Department said it made 23 arrests-22 adults and a juvenile-in Cal Anderson Park. One officer was injured. Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, a Democrat, said that a "far-right" rally was being held in the park to "provoke a reaction by promoting beliefs that are inherently opposed to our city's values, in the heart of Seattle's most prominent LGBTQ+ neighborhood." He said that "anarchists" had infiltrated a group of counter-protestors opposing the rally and "inspired violence," prompting arrests and causing the event to be shut down early. Newsweek has contacted the mayor's office and the Seattle Police Department for comment via email. Mayday USA, a conservative Christian group, brought its #DontMessWithOurKids rally to Seattle, the fourth of five stops on a national tour, on Saturday. Organizers say the #DontMessWithOurKids movement "refuses to stand idly by while the children of our nation are indoctrinated by liberal, political, and sexual agenda that seeks to destroy their God-given identities." A counterprotest-urging people to "Protest Fascist 'Family Values'"-was arranged in response, endorsed by the Freedom Socialist Party, Organized Workers for Labor Solidarity, Puget Sound Mobilization for Reproductive Justice and Radical Women. Organizers called on people to "send a message with a loud picket line, signs and banners: Bigotry is not welcome here!" About 500 people attended the MaydayUSA event, and a similar number of people turned out to protest it, said The Seattle Times. Seattle police said officers were working to keep the two groups apart when they witnessed multiple people inside one group throw items at the other at around 1:30 p.m. "Officers immediately moved to arrest the people responsible, and while taking the individuals into custody, were assaulted by more protesters, resulting in even more arrests," Sergeant Patrick Michaud wrote in a news release. "In total, officers arrested 11 during the initial scuffle." Michaud wrote that 12 additional arrests were made throughout Saturday afternoon. He said: "In total, police arrested 22 individuals for charges of assault and obstruction and booked them into King County Jail. Officers also arrested one juvenile for obstruction, who was released from the precinct." One officer was treated in hospital and released after receiving an injury during the protests. Videos on social media showed people scuffling with officers in riot gear, and officers pinning multiple people to the ground. Mayor BruceHarrell said in his statement: "When the humanity of trans people and those who have been historically marginalized is questioned, we triumph by demonstrating our values through our words and peaceful protest-we lose our voice when this is disrupted by violence, chaos, and confusion." He added: "I am grateful for those who make their voices heard in support of our neighbors without resorting to violence. In the face of an extreme right-wing national effort to attack our trans and LGBTQ+ communities, Seattle will continue to stand unwavering in our embrace of diversity, love for our neighbors, and commitment to justice and fairness." Ross Johnston, a preacher and an organizers of the Mayday USA event, wrote on X: "The audacity of the @MayorofSeattle to claim that we as Christians were 'attacking' is bigoted and the rhetoric of a God hating politician whose 'power' came up against a superior force. "PS: all arrests were from the protester camp - it takes a bit of a brain to understand what that means maybe you have one? (Highly doubt it)." Organizers of the counterprotest said: "Anti-queer, anti-trans "Mayday USA" is bringing their reactionary preaching to Seattle with help from right-wing pastor Matt Shea and his Christian Fundamentalist "On Fire Ministries." Provocatively, they are rallying under the hashtag "#DONTMESSWITHOURKIDS" at Cal Anderson Park on Capitol Hill in the heart of Seattle' Queer community. Let's send a message with a loud picket line, signs and banners: Bigotry is not welcome here!" Harrell said he was directing Seattle Parks and Recreation Department to review "all of the circumstances" of the application for the Mayday USA event "to understand whether there were legal location alternatives or other adjustments that could have been pursued." He said the police department "will complete an after-action report of this event, including understanding preparation, crowd management tactics, and review of arrests and citations." Related Articles Green Card Holder Who Came to US as Young Child Detained Returning to USHow to Watch Storm vs Wings: Live Stream WNBA, TV ChannelScientists Warn That These Popular American Cities Are Sinking Under Residents' Feet'We Currently Have No Container Ships,' Seattle Port Says 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
The Citizen
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
REVIEW: Riky Rick's last album ‘Boss Zonke Forever' epitomizes his passion for young people
The 17-track album was released on April 4, a decade after his memorable project 'Family Values', released in 2015. The last few weeks have seen the trend of Mount Rushmore. In the fad, a depiction of four individuals in various industries mimics the original Mount Rushmore, which has the faces of four of the most respected US presidents. The faces of football players, musicians, wrestlers and content creators have all been put on the mountain according to rank. Mount Rushmore of Tennis !!! 69 Slams, 118 Masters 1000, 1000 weeks at No.1, 25 + years of Tennis, 4 Greats of the game. Tennis's Golden Generation ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — SK (@Djoko_UTD) April 23, 2025 The trend hasn't entirely made its presence felt in South Africa. Still, after listening to Riky Rick's posthumous album Boss Zonke Forever, I wouldn't be surprised to see the late rapper, whose real name was Rikhado Makhado, being placed on a South African version of generational great Mzansi rappers by Generation Z. Comedy Mount Rushmore going viral — Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) April 19, 2025 This Sunday will be exactly a month since the album was released. The 17-track album was released on April 4, a decade after his memorable project Family Values came out in 2015. Rikhado Makhado, or Riky Rick as he was fondly known by his fans, lost his battle with mental illness and took his own life in 2022. ALSO READ: New Riky Rick album to be released a day after 10-year anniversary of 'Family Values' Riky Rick for the kids Looking at his life and influence Riky had on the current crop of artists, it's surprising that his only other fully fledged album was his debut album, Family Values. But I suppose that's where Riky's powers lie beyond the music. Riky was not the 'lyrical miracle' type of rapper- the refrain is used to describe a rapper whose writing is of high prowess displayed in their intricate use of similes, metaphors and other language devices. Think Stogie T or Lupe Fiasco. Riky was 2Pac-esque. His writing was simple without being superficial, sincere in its reflections and inspiring through his convictions. This is why the youth appreciated him; the album is littered with features from people under 30. Riky's support of young people has strengthened his legacy among the youth. The artist was deeply passionate about supporting and empowering youth, particularly young creatives and artists. He believed in giving them opportunities to showcase their talent and express themselves. This passion led him to create events like CottonFest, a platform for young artists to thrive. The album opens with a sombre reflective song, Higher Power, featuring newcomer singer-songwriter Lusanda. Other album features include young rap artists such as 25K, Focalistic, K-Keed, Blue Pappi and Blxckie. Cassper Nyovest is the only 'senior' statesman on the album. While people from my generation of hip hop listeners still cite Zubz's song Heavy 8 as a track with some of the hottest local rappers at the time as a moment in rap, Cishe Ngaposta can be that kind of song for this generation. Other notable songs on the album are the catchy Raindrops and Eish featuring Blxckie. ALSO READ: Onset Music Group pays homage to Riky Rick ahead of debut EP [VIDEO] Speaking through the music Riky's appreciation for the finer things in life – be it clothes, good food or fancy rides – might come off as shallow. However, when you listen to the music, you get a sense that these things were temporary remedies for his pain. This is point is proven true when you listen to the song Never Let Me Down. On the chorus of the song Riky repeatedly raps: Gucci bag never let me down (Let me down) Prada bag never let me down (Prada bag never let me down) Louis bag never let me down Louis bag never let me down Without trying to be a pseudo-psychologist, his lyrics give one a peek into what might have troubled him. Mama told me 'Go to school', I did the opposite I looked up to dope boys sellin' rocks and shit Daddy said he comin' back but I ain't seem him since I grew up without a father, now my life's a mess But f*ck it, we gotta move on (Yeah) He seemed to contend with his father's absence throughout his life, even in adulthood when he became a father. On the opening track Never Let Me Down, Riky raps feeling lost because my daddy never taught me how to drive. Some might find it a tad melodramatic, but this was his sincerity. Riky was a modern man who could be vulnerable about his emotions, which have now become lessons. Reflecting on Riky's life, his mother, Louisa Zondo, said what remains significant about him is the lessons he would give. 'The lessons were enormous,' said Zondo speaking in an interview on 5FM earlier this year when the album was announced. 'He would give them such simplicity, and the one that stays, and I even refer to it in the book that I subsequently wrote about life. It was that we should always take the moment to calm our emotions, understanding that we don't know what the next person is going through,' Zondo said. In 2023, Zondo published Dearest MaRiky: A Mother's Journey through Grief, Trauma, and Healing. In it, she speaks to her son in letters and gradually unearths the words to express her love for him and the pain of losing him. NOW READ: A 'new template for award shows' as fashion meets music at this year's Metro FM Awards
