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New Statesman
an hour ago
- Politics
- New Statesman
How do we keep the lid on race-related violence?
A police car set on fire by far-right activists in Sunderland last August. Photo by Ian Forsyth / Getty Images 'Shower upon us abundant rain,' goes a Muslim prayer one learns in childhood, 'swiftly and not delayed.' A prayer for rain that makes sense in the desert. Imagine my surprise on learning the Church of England has one too. Whose idea was it to institute such a prayer in this soggy, inclement land? Its diverse uses have, however, recently become apparent: in the middle of an inconvenient hosepipe ban, to foil defeat in the cricket, or – more seriously – to maintain public order in times so tense that the country is being called a 'tinderbox' at risk of exploding again into nationwide rioting. Last summer, a far-right frenzy gripped towns across Britain. Hotels housing asylum seekers were almost burned down. Now, another such hotel in Epping is subject to anti-migrant demonstrations; these are spreading. Fearing another summer of discord, officials have been appealing to the deus ex machina of the weather. It's well known that hot summers provide the perfect conditions for public unrest to germinate. The London riots in 2011 were a summer affair, as were the 1981 England riots, the worst race-related violence the UK has seen. Tempers flare with temperatures. And rain souses the appetite to indulge in outdoor clashes. A historic heatwave also provides the metaphor for simmering conflict in Do the Right Thing (1989), Spike Lee's classic film about racial tension in a predominantly black Brooklyn neighbourhood. Lee saturates the frame – Gauguin-like – with volcanic hues of red and orange. Our eyes are primed – lava will surely fly – and after a youngster is choked to death by a cop, as George Floyd would be, the community at last erupts into violence. What would be the right thing to do in these circumstances? Lee is a dialectical filmmaker. He ends by quoting from two opposing – though equally compelling – schools of thought about political protest: Martin Luther King Jr's contention that violence is 'both impractical and immoral', and Malcolm X's rejoinder, that when violence is 'in self-defence, I call it intelligence'. The film doesn't say which of these courses of action is, in the end, right. I admire Malcolm X's courage. His insinuation that the bullet may ultimately be more effective than the ballot was born of the chronic failure of American democracy. But rewatching Lee's film, I found myself leaning more towards King. I recoiled during the climactic scene, when the amiable protagonist, Mookie, smashes up the Italian-American pizzeria that provides him with employment, a father-figure and a lively communal space (last year's rioters similarly ransacked their own community centres and amenities). Finally, the rioters threaten the local Asian-run grocery. At this moment, seeing such a familiar character threatened, I fully realised where it was that I stand in this debate. Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe For all my sympathy with this community ravaged by the violence of an unjust state, I could not accept this rage against blameless bystanders. I recalled the real-life Bangladeshi family in Minneapolis, whose livelihood – a restaurant – was destroyed in Black Lives Matter protests five years ago. 'Let my building burn,' its immigrant owner, Ruhel Islam, proclaimed, 'justice needs to be served.' The restaurant's name still sticks in the mind: Gandhi Mahal, in homage to the man whose still revolutionary doctrine of non-violence King was an adherent of. By overcoming self-interest and standing with a just cause at personal cost, so clearly was Ruhel Islam. The rioters from Do the Right Thing and from last summer have divergent motives: Mookie and his friends in 1980s New York are crying out for racial justice, while last year's rioters were motivated, I do believe, by racial animus. Nevertheless, in distinct ways, they exemplify anxieties and resentments around race that can stew in any 'melting pot' society. Incidents of police brutality or, as has recently been the trigger in UK unrest, sexual assault, can blow the lid off. When that happens, since time immemorial, immigrant communities like mine are the ones consumed in the fury. How, then, to keep the lid on? This, now, is our challenge. Personally, I'd like to spread the Mahatma's teachings in Epping, but alas, that may fall on deaf ears. Severe sentencing was what the courts opted for – on violent demonstrators, deservedly, but also on inciteful or hateful speech. This, on reflection, seems appropriate. Terror was unleashed by the now jailed Lucy Connolly's call to burn down asylum hotels. But such authoritarianism betrays a political establishment increasingly of the view that the country's diverse ethnic and religious make-up can no longer sustain open discussion of topics sensitive to its respective communities. Note the state's recent activity: a superinjunction to prevent media reporting on Afghan refugee resettlement; an Online Safety Act that is concealing from the public controversial footage; making it a crime even to voice support for Palestine Action; penalising the burning of a Koran. Here, then, is a government that thinks segments of the population are so vexed by migration, or so offended by criticism of Israel, or Islam, that these conversations must be suppressed to keep the peace: ignorance coerced for the sake of bliss. If this is the cost of being tolerated, I don't really feel like paying it. I refuse to believe the country is such a tinderbox. Social cohesion will come, but only by having and withstanding difficult conversations, not by avoiding them. That's how to do the right thing. Failing that, I have my prayer for rain. [See also: One year on, tensions still circle Britain's asylum-seeker hotels] Related
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Green Card Holder Detained by ICE After Returning From Brother's Wedding
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. Federal immigration authorities detained a legal permanent resident pursuing his Ph.D. at San Francisco International Airport as he returned from his brother's wedding. Tae Heung "Will" Kim, from South Korea, has been living in the country since he was 5 years old and holds a green card. The 40-year-old is currently a doctoral student at Texas A&M University, where his research focuses on developing a Lyme disease vaccine, according to The Washington Post. Immigration officials detained him on July 21 during secondary inspection after he arrived from a two-week visit to South Korea for his younger brother's wedding. Why It Matters President Donald Trump has ordered the government to carry out what Republicans call the largest deportation operation in United States history. In addition to people living in the country without legal status, immigrants with valid documentation, including green cards and visas, have been detained. Newsweek has documented multiple cases involving green card holders and applicants who were swept up in the ICE raids. Immigration authorities have said that lawful permanent residents could have their green cards and visas revoked if they are found to have broken the law. What To Know In 2011, Kim was charged with minor marijuana possession in Texas, according to his attorney, Eric Lee. He completed a community service requirement and later obtained a nondisclosure order, sealing the offense from public view. "If a green card holder is convicted of a drug offense, violating their status, that person is issued a Notice to Appear and CBP coordinates detention space with ICE ERO. This alien is in ICE custody pending removal proceedings," a U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson told Newsweek. Lee told The Washington Post that Kim has been denied access to legal representation. According to Lee, the government has not provided a reason for his detention, and immigration authorities have prevented Kim from speaking with an attorney or directly contacting his family, aside from a brief phone call to his mother on Friday. "If the Constitution doesn't apply to somebody who's lived in this country for 35 years and is a green-card holder — and only left the country for a two-week vacation — that means [the government] is basically arguing that the Constitution doesn't apply to anybody who's been in this country for less time than him," Lee said. Kim's mother, Yehoon "Sharon" Lee, told The Washington Post that she's deeply concerned about his well-being. "He's a good son, very gentle," she said. Sharon Lee first arrived in the U.S. with her husband on a business visa in the 1980s and eventually became a naturalized citizen. But by that time, her sons, including Kim, were too old to receive citizenship through her automatically. Both boys remained legal permanent residents, having grown up almost entirely in the U.S. Federal agent outside the Immigration Courtrooms of Federal Plaza in New York. Federal agent outside the Immigration Courtrooms of Federal Plaza in New York. Andrea Renault/STAR MAX/IPx What People Are Saying Sharon Lee told The Washington Post: "I immigrated here to the States—I thought I understood it was a country of equal rights where the Constitution applies equally." Eric Lee told The Washington Post: "This is somebody whose research is going to save countless lives if allowed to continue—farmers who are at risk of getting Lyme disease." "Trump always talks about how much he loves the great farmers of America. Well, Tae is somebody who can save farmers' lives." What Happens Next Sharon Lee told The Washington Post that she is worried about her son's health as he remains in detention. "I'm most concerned about his medical condition. He's had asthma ever since he was younger," Lee said. "I don't know if he has enough medication. He carries an inhaler, but I don't know if it's enough, because he's been there a week."
NDTV
2 hours ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Oval Curator Asks Gautam Gambhir, Shubman Gill To Move Away From Pitch Yet Again Day After Row. Coach Does This
Two days ahead of the series-deciding 5th India vs England Test, a huge row brewed between the Indian camp and the curator of The Oval in London. During India's practice session on Tuesday, Gambhir had a fierce altercation with Lee Fortis regarding the practice facilities. As he stepped away, the Indian head coach animatedly pointed a finger and mouthed a couple of words. India's batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, was seen stepping in, taking Lee away and having a brief conversation with him. Interestingly, on Wednesday too, the curator approached the trio of Gautam Gambhir, Shubman Gill and Sitanshu Kotak. They were standing near a pitch. In a video posted by Sandipan Banerjee, whose X Bio reads 'Cricket Scribe l Traveller', Fortis can be seen indicating to the Indian trio to move away. Gambhir did not even look at him as the three moved a bit to stand on one end of the pitch. When Lee Fortis met Gautam Gambhir again… #ENGvsIND — Sandipan Banerjee (@im_sandipan) July 30, 2025 On Tursday, while Kotak appeared to diffuse the situation while explaining their stance, Gambhir, who stood near the nets, pointed his finger towards Lee and furiously said, "You don't tell us what to do." India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate joined Kotak during his conversation with Lee, while Gambhir continued to make his point from the other end. Lee said a couple of words to Gambhir before eventually walking away from the scene. Lee was quizzed about the entire situation, but he chose to remain tight-lipped while speaking to the reporters and said, "It's not my job to be happy with him. I don't know, you have to ask him." Kotak, along with a couple of members of the Indian management, were seen trying to explain the situation to an English official. Kotak was the one who spoke for the majority of the period. Speaking at the pre-match press conference of the final Test, Gill said, "I don't know what exactly happened yesterday and why the pitch curator did what he did. We have played four matches, and no one tried to stop us. Everyone has played so much cricket, and the coaches and the captain have gone and seen the wicket so many times. I don't know what the fuss was all about." He further explained that it's common for captains and coaches to inspect the pitch from close quarters, a normal part of preparation, as long as the person is either barefoot or wearing rubber spikes.
Axios
5 hours ago
- Business
- Axios
Public officials react to Elon Musk's Music City Loop project
Elon Musk's 10-mile tunnel project from downtown to the airport became an instant political lightning rod in Nashville after its announcement Monday. Why it matters: Immediate reactions were all over the map. While Gov. Bill Lee sees the Music City Loop as a transformative transportation breakthrough, Democratic leaders see a possibly dangerous underground boondoggle. What they're saying: House Speaker Cameron Sexton said the tunnel will be "a game-changer for how we travel and commute." He joined the chorus of Republicans and business leaders who praised the Music City Loop for its innovation. "We are challenging the status quo and looking forwards not backwards," he said in a post on X. "This partnership represents the kind of forward-thinking, fiscally responsible approach that will define the future of transportation in Tennessee," Lee said at Monday's announcement. The project counts leadership at the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority and the Music City Center among its early backers. The other side: Critics, led by Democratic elected officials, bashed the plan for its lack of public input, for its generous deal for Musk, and for possibly creating environmental and safety hazards. "This tunnel is the privatization of public infrastructure — designed to benefit a select few, not the people who actually live and work here," state Rep. Aftyn Behn said in a press release. "With over 20 million people passing through BNA every year, a low-capacity Tesla tunnel does nothing to solve the congestion crisis." "I think it's total overreach from the state government that claims to be about local government and local control blessing a project that wasn't properly procured or had any input from the local government and community that's impacted," Metro Councilmember Russ Bradford, whose district includes the airport, tells Axios. Bradford says he's worried about the "ecological and geological impacts of this tunnel." In the middle: Nashville officials like Mayor Freddie O'Connell say they have questions about the plan, but they did not immediately come out in opposition. Metro Councilmember Jacob Kupin, whose district includes downtown, agreed there should have been city coordination but added, "I will thoughtfully evaluate this proposal to ensure that this benefits those who call Nashville home, who work in the city, as well as our great visitors while adequately addressing concerns and challenges." What we're hearing: Executives from The Boring Company met with members of the business community in an event hosted by the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday morning. Financial details of the tunnel remain hazy, other than Lee's disclosing the project would not cost taxpayers. Executives said The Boring Company plans to invest a couple hundred millions dollars in the Nashville tunnel, according to multiple sources who attended the event at AllianceBernstein. The tunnel would primarily travel down Murfreesboro Pike south of downtown to the airport, multiple sources told Axios. What's next: The state Building Commission will meet Thursday to approve a lease agreement with The Boring Company to use a state-owned lot on Rosa Parks Boulevard.
Korea Herald
6 hours ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
Special envoys reaffirm S. Korea's drive for stronger ties with Australia
A presidential delegation to Australia has met with top officials in Canberra and reaffirmed South Korea's efforts to advancing bilateral relations under the Lee Jae Myung government, Seoul's foreign ministry said Wednesday. The special envoys, led by former National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo, delivered Lee's message in their meetings with Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles earlier in the day and Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Tuesday, the ministry said in a release. Marles received a personal letter from Lee addressed to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The two sides agreed to deepen practical cooperation in areas such as cutting-edge technologies, trade, supply chains and the defense sectors, and continue close coordination in addressing shared challenges amid an uncertain geopolitical climate. The envoys, in particular, held out expectations that Albanese will visit South Korea in late October for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, set to be held in the southeastern city of Gyeongju. Kim was also invited to the main chamber of the Australian Parliament as an official guest. The envoys then held meetings with officials from South Korean defense companies operating in Australia, followed by a roundtable meeting with Korean expatriates and businesspeople. During the trip, the envoys also visited the Australian War Memorial and laid a wreath at the Korean War monument honoring the fallen soldiers. (Yonhap)
