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Chicago Tribune
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Christine Ledbetter: The rising revolution is gray-haired and determined
The weather was nearly perfect for the revolution. Previous days of wind subsided as the temperature soared to 70 degrees Sunday for Hands Across Chicagoland, a 30-mile stretch of demonstrators from Aurora to Chicago protesting the Trump administration's policies. About 18,000 people filled in their ZIP code and were given a meet-up location along the route. They were instructed to bring homemade signs, make some noise and wear black to symbolize solidarity and the gravity of what's at stake if people are silent, according to Reid McCollum, chair of DuPage County Democrats, one of the event's organizers. The goal was to create a human chain that would garner more attention than a single-site protest, McCollum said. About 50 people stood on a blocklong patch of land on Ogden Avenue in front of Sunrise Senior Living, where furniture was being moved in for a new resident, and Naperville North High School, where a graduation was taking place. Their signs represented an orchestra of grievances: 'Resist Oligarchy,' 'Free Press,' 'Love Not Anger,' 'Born in the USA,' 'Freedom Dies without Science,' 'Racism in not Patriotism,' 'America is Better than This,' 'Hands off Weather,' 'Democracy not Tyranny,' 'Dump Trump,' 'Impeach, Convict, Remove,' and 'MAGA: Malicious Abhorrent Gestapo Agenda.' Beginning at noon, with Naperville police quietly present, the dissenters waved to passing drivers, many of whom honked in solidarity and offered a thumbs-up. Supporters of President Donald Trump appeared too, early on as a dozen or so trucks roared by adorned with MAGA signs. The protesters continued waving. America's long tradition of assembly began with the Boston Tea Party and has continued throughout history with the women's suffrage parade, Civil Rights Movement, Kent State and national march for lesbian and gay rights. More recent were the March for Our Lives, spurred by the shooting at Florida's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, and racial justice protests, which occurred after the police murder of George Floyd. Outcries against Trump are coming fast and furious: The Presidents Day protest in February, Tesla takedown in March, nationwide demonstrations in April, the May Day rally. Who's keeping count? One of the leaders of the movement is Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. In a speech last month, he said, 'Never before in my life have I called for mass protests, for mobilization, for disruption. But I am now.' Adding, 'The reckoning is finally here.' On this sunny day, many of the participants were senior citizens. A 71-year-old woman, who has voted both Republican and Democratic, was protesting for the first time. She was doing it for her eight granddaughters, she said. A young mother of three daughters explained she came from two generations of feminists. Her sign read: 'We are the grandchildren of the women you couldn't silence.' A couple remarked that this felt like the 1960s, when they were first activists. The present revolution is fueled by those with bad knees, who after standing for 45 minutes sat on the grass or in the folding chairs they usually tote to their grandchildren's soccer game. They have skin in the game. Benefits such as Social Security, Medicare are threatened. Their children may be losing their jobs or putting off buying a home or car. They worry their grandchildren are being exposed to measles and being taught revisionist history in schools and libraries. Meanwhile, Walmart is raising prices, Canada is mad at us and our cultural icons are disparaged. Recently, Trump reviled boomer hero Bruce Springsteen and millennial pop star Taylor Swift. Of Springsteen who criticized the administration for persecuting people for using their right to free speech, Trump said the singer-songwriter was 'dumb as a rock,' and 'ought to KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT.' Of Swift, Trump wrote, 'Has anyone noticed that, since I said 'I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT,' she's no longer 'HOT?'' That's a lot of hate expressed in all caps. Who wants their grandchildren to emulate such limited vocabulary, negative language and divisive rhetoric? In this hostility-fueled climate, many know firsthand the harm sowed dividing friends and family. Blocking Fox News-watching and Truth Social-subscribing friends, cousins and siblings from social media feeds has become commonplace. This is indeed the civil war of our generation. The foot soldiers in this army may be gray, but they are not impotent. They are rewriting wills to leave legacies to beleaguered institutions — cancer research, universities, Planned Parenthood, NPR, PBS and others. They are slathering on sunscreen, exercising using their SilverSneakers benefits, taking vitamins and reducing alcohol consumption in order to outlive this presidency. No one wants to die in an America of wrath and vengeance. They want their requiem to be sung in a time of light and mercy. So they march, shuffle, wheelchair-ride, while waving and singing protest songs. Just don't stand in the way of their Skechers.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Donald Trump responds to Bruce Springsteen calling his government "corrupt": 'We will all see how ...'
President Donald Trump seems very angry with US-born Singer Bruce Springsteen. Springsteen started his 2025 Europe tour recently with a concert in Manchester, England. At the concert, he reportedly spoke about Donald Trump's government, calling it 'corrupt, not good at its job, and doing things that go against the country.' Tired of too many ads? go ad free now As per the reports, Springsteen said that the America he loves is being run by people who don't know what they're doing. He reportedly asked people to 'rise against authoritarianism and let freedom ring' 'the power of art, music, and rock 'n' roll is important during dangerous times. An angry Donald Trump blasted the singer in a post on Truth Social. Trump called Springsteen 'highly overrated,' 'not a talented guy,' and a 'pushy, obnoxious JERK.' Trump went on to add, 'This dried out 'prune' of a rocker ought to KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT until he gets back into the Country.' Trump brought up Joe Biden, calling him 'Sleepy Joe' and said Springsteen is 'dumb as a rock.' He further wrote, 'We'll all see how it goes for him,' suggesting there might be consequences when Springsteen returns to the U.S. Trump also criticised Taylor Swift, a vocal Trump critic. Trump's statement made the American Federation of Musicians release a statement defending Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift. According to the reports, The American Federation of Musicians said, 'Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift are not just brilliant musicians, they are role models and inspirations to millions. He added. 'musicians have the right to freedom of expression.' Donald Trump vs Bruce Springsteen goes long back Incidentally, Springsteen has criticised Trump multiple times, once calling him a 'moron' who's taken the country under siege. He criticised Trump's border policy during his first term as President as well. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In June 2018, during a one-man Broadway show, he slammed Donald Trump's border-control policy. According to a report in The New Yorker then, Springsteen stood 'on a bare stage and under a simple spotlight' to reflect on the renewed significance of the March for Our Lives protest after witnessing the traumatic scenes from detention centers at the border in recent days. 'It was a good day, and a necessary day, because we are seeing things right now on our American borders that are so shockingly and disgracefully inhumane and un-American that it is simply enraging,' he said. 'And we have heard people in high positions in the American government blaspheme in the name of God and country that it is a moral thing to assault the children amongst us. May God save our souls.'
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Who is David Hogg? The activist whose DNC vice chair election may be nullified
David Hogg , a recognised gun control activist in the US and survivor of the 2018 Parkland school shooting , is once again in the political spotlight, this time not for his advocacy but for controversy surrounding his recent election to the Democratic National Committee (DNC). In February 2025, Hogg was elected one of five DNC vice chairs. However, in May, the DNC's Credentials Committee voted to recommend voiding the results of that election, citing a procedural violation related to how the vote was conducted. While technically not related to his activism or political positions, the move has been widely viewed through the lens of Hogg's push to reform the party from within. David Hogg's early life and education David Miles Hogg was born on April 12, 2000, in Los Angeles, California. He is the son of Kevin Hogg, a former FBI agent, and Rebecca Boldrick, a schoolteacher in Broward County, Florida. The family moved to Parkland, Florida, where David attended Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, drawn by its media and television production program. During high school, he also worked as a teen reporter for the Sun Sentinel. Hogg graduated in June 2018. Following his graduation, he took a gap year to campaign during the 2018 midterm elections before enrolling at Harvard University in 2019. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like These Are The Most Beautiful Women In The World Undo He graduated in May 2023 and later moved to Washington, D.C., with his family. Hogg has publicly shared that he has dyslexia, ADHD, and PTSD—conditions that have shaped his experience and advocacy. Surviving the Parkland shooting and the rise in popularity On February 14, 2018, while in his senior year, Hogg was on campus during the mass shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School that left 17 people dead. While hiding in a classroom closet, Hogg began recording video interviews of his classmates and sharing their experiences on social media, fearing they might not survive. In the aftermath, Hogg emerged as one of the leading voices in the March for Our Lives movement, calling for gun reform and stricter background checks. His advocacy led to major rallies, national media appearances, and eventually, co-authoring a book with his sister Lauren titled NeverAgain: A New Generation Draws the Line. The book became a bestseller, and the siblings donated the proceeds to charity. In recognition of his influence, Hogg was named to the TIME 100 list of most influential people in 2018. DNC vice chair election and growing tensions The Democratic National Committee (DNC) serves as the main executive leadership body of the United States Democratic Party. As outlined in the party's charter, the DNC is responsible for managing party affairs between national conventions. In December 2024, Hogg launched a campaign to become a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), focusing on mobilising young voters and advocating generational change within the party. He won one of five vice chair positions in February 2025. However, tensions quickly arose due to his leadership of Leaders We Deserve, a political action committee supporting primary challengers against sitting Democratic members of Congress. Hogg argued that some Democratic incumbents had become complacent, particularly in safe districts. While he stated that his group would not target Democrats in competitive seats or those actively opposing former President Trump, the move triggered internal backlash. DNC Chair Ken Martin stated that party officers should remain neutral in primaries and proposed a bylaw change requiring them to sign a neutrality pledge. The Credentials Committee decision Although the controversy surrounding Hogg's political activism intensified, the recommendation to nullify his election was based on a procedural complaint. Fellow candidate Kalyn Free argued that combining the votes for the last two vice chair slots into a single ballot violated the DNC's gender-parity rules. After three hours of internal debate, the Credentials Committee voted to recommend voiding Hogg's and fellow vice chair Malcolm Kenyatta's elections and called for a new vote. While both Hogg and Kenyatta are eligible to run again, Hogg criticised the decision, stating it reflected broader resistance to his reform agenda. Kenyatta, meanwhile, expressed frustration but emphasised that the dispute was not just about Hogg. What comes next The full Democratic National Committee will now vote on whether to uphold the recommendation and call for a new election. Until then, Hogg remains in his position. The outcome will be closely watched, as it could signal how the Democratic Party navigates internal dissent, generational shifts, and the role of activism in its leadership structure. David Hogg remains a powerful symbol of youth engagement in American politics. Whether he keeps his DNC position or not, his presence and message continue to influence the broader debate on reform, representation, and the future direction of the Democratic Party.
Boston Globe
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
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. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 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. Advertisement 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.' Advertisement 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.' Advertisement '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.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
‘We owe our children better.' Parkland survivors traumatized again by FSU shooting
The shooting that left two people dead at Florida State University and several others wounded Thursday tragically threads to the survivors and loved ones of the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting seven years ago. Some of the students who were at the school during the Feb. 14, 2018, mass shooting now attend Florida State. And family members of the Parkland victims now have children at the Tallahassee university. 'When I first got the FSU Alert via text message, my heart dropped. It's a feeling I know all too well, panic, fear, disbelief. No parent should ever have to experience this once, let alone twice,' said Lori Alhadeff. The Broward County School Board member's daughter Alyssa was among the 17 people murdered by a former student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas. READ MORE: Two dead, suspect in custody after sheriff's deputy's son opens fire at FSU Alhadeff funneled her grieving into activism, founding Make Our Schools Safe, a nonprofit with the goal of curbing gun violence at schools. Now, her son Robbie is an underclassman at FSU, and news of the violence at the college rushed in familiar dread to Alhadeff and her family. 'My immediate thoughts were: Is my son safe? Is this really happening again? It's every parent's worst nightmare, and for me, it was a horrifying déjà vu,' Alhadeff said. Alhadeff was able to get in touch with her son, who she said is 'physically safe, but emotionally shaken, as are so many students and parents right now.' 'Even when there's no injury, the trauma of hearing shots fired or being on lockdown can leave lasting scars and trauma,' she added. Police said Thursday's shooting was carried out by a student who opened fire at Florida State University's main campus with a handgun owned by his mother, a Leon County Sheriff's deputy. The suspect, Phoenix Ikner, shot eight people before he was shot by police and taken into custody, according to Tallahassee's police chief. Cameron Kasky is a Parkland survivor and, as a result, a founding member of Never Again MSD, a gun-violence prevention group, as well as an organizer of the March 2018 March for Our Lives student protests calling for gun law reforms. Asked by the Herald how he felt when hearing about what happened at FSU Thursday: 'Unsurprised.' And, he's pessimistic anything will change. 'This is what happens in Florida and all over our country. America is a very violent place, and people are not safe in schools,' Kasky said. 'When I see these shootings happen, I do not wonder how it could've happened, I reflect upon how inevitable it is.' Kasky's classmate, David Hogg, now vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, has also been an outspoken gun control advocate since surviving Parkland, and was among the more visible faces in the March for Our Lives movement. He told CBS News Thursday that the FSU shooting highlights the continued need for stronger laws, and he warned of the efforts among some Republicans in the Florida Legislature to roll back of reforms that were achieved in the wake of Parkland. 'There are a lot of students from Parkland at FSU, and what really bothers me is, in Florida, we worked in a bipartisan manner to pass reforms after Parkland,' he told CBS's Major Garrett. 'We passed a red flag law that has been used over 19,000 times to disarm people who were a risk to themselves and others.' Hogg also said that the fact that many of his former classmates are reliving the horror of another mass shooting is a reason not to become complacent as the memory of what happened at FSU fades from the headlines. 'To go through something like this once, this is something that's not supposed to happen at all,' Hogg said. 'We act like these are natural disasters in this country. It's not. This doesn't happen in other countries.' Fred Guttenberg's 14-year-old daughter Jaime was also killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas. His son was also a student at the school and had to run away from the shooting to the shelter of a nearby restaurant. Since then, Guttenberg has become an outspoken advocate for tougher gun laws, including those that would make it more difficult for young people to access firearms. He noted that the gunman targeted the freshman building at Marjory Stoneman Douglass, the 1200 building, and many of those first-year high schoolers are now months away from graduation at Florida State. 'Dozens of students who had to run through the carnage of the student union today at FSU today had to run through the carnage of the 1200 building at Marjory Stoneman Douglass. This is their second shooting. It's not normal,' Guttenberg said. One Stoneman Douglas alum, Josh Gallagher, said on X that he was in the FSU law library when he heard 'active shooter' over an alarm. 'After living through the MSD shooting in 2018, I never thought it would hit close to home again,' Gallagher wrote. ' No matter your politics, we need to meet — and something has to change. Prayers to the victims and families.' Alhadeff has a message for Florida lawmakers as this year's Legislative session nears its end: 'Enough is enough.' 'Thoughts and prayers are not a policy. We need real action, immediately. Every moment lawmakers delay, lives are on the line,' she said. And, it's not just access to guns that is a problem, Alhadeff said. Policy makers also have to look at fortifying schools, colleges and universities, and pass laws that make it easier to identify people capable of causing widespread harm and death before they act, she said. 'Fund school safety at all levels. There needs to be a continuation of the Behavioral Threat Assessment process to include colleges and Universities. And fully fund mental health support,' Alhadeff said. 'Ensure every school has life-saving technology like panic buttons.' 'Stop the politics and start protecting our kids. We cannot become numb to this. We owe our children better.'
