Latest news with #Meaghan
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Eurovision Protester Speaks Out After Viral Clip Sparks Anger Over Security 'Aggression'
The protesters who were removed from this year's Eurovision final have spoken out after a video of one of them being roughly handled by the event's security time was widely shared on social media. Eurovision bosses have confirmed that two people were removed from the arena in Basel, Switzerland on Saturday night, after they 'tried to get over a barrier onto the stage' during the Israeli act's performance. A spokesperson explained: 'One of the two agitators threw paint and a crew member was hit. The crew member is fine and nobody was injured. 'The man and the woman were taken out of the venue and handed over to the police.' A video appearing to show one of them being accosted by security has accrued hundreds of thousands of views on X at the time of writing, with many criticising the team member's heavy-handed approach. Eurovision security assaulting a demonstrator to protect their genocide barbie on stage # — Shukri Lawrence (@wifiridershukri) May 17, 2025 The pair – who have identified themselves as David and Meaghan from the activism group Youth Demand – posted their own video on Sunday evening. In the two-minute video, Meaghan said that they had taken action 'against Israeli participation, and, most importantly, the Israeli genocide'. 'Naturally, I was terrified in the build-up to this action, I'd been anxious for weeks,' she explained. 'But, all that gives me strength is knowing that we did this for the people of Palestine, and that grounds me.' David – who was featured in the viral clip – continued: 'Just before the Israeli performer came on, a load of extra security was rolled out, so our plan slightly went out of the window. 'But regardless, we still hopped over the barrier and attempted to disrupt the performance in whatever non-violent means we could. On the other side of the barrier, we were faced with pretty grim aggression from the security, Eurovision staff and then, later on, the police.' He added: 'Understandably, we've seen a lot of anger about this aggression, which we appreciate and understand. However, we ask that people direct this anger towards the Israeli State, which is still committing a genocide in Palestine [...] and also to the British government, who are actively arming this, despite the fact that the majority of the British public are against arming Israel. It's a complete joke, and that's where our anger should be focussed.' 📢 HEAR FROM MEAGHAN AND DAVID WHO DISRUPTED ISRAEL'S EUROVISION PERFORMANCELast night, Meaghan and David jumped the barriers during Israel's performance at the live Eurovision finale to attempt to run on the stage. Security was seen on a shocking viral video assaulting them.… — Youth Demand (@youth_demand) May 18, 2025 HuffPost UK has contacted Eurovision for comment. A spokesperson for the Swiss police previously said that it would be up to the contest's organisers to determine whether they wanted to press charges against the two demonstrators. Israel's involvement in Eurovision has been a contentious issue for a number of years due to the conflict in Gaza, with the Palestine-led BDS movement calling for a boycott in the last two years. This year, Israel was represented by Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the October 2023 terrorist attack by Hamas at the Nova music festival. Yuval and the Israeli delegation were met with jeers from protesters upon their arrival at the official Eurovision launch earlier this month, with Israel's public broadcaster Kan later making an official complaint to Swiss police after an alleged threatening gesture was made towards her by someone in the cwrod. Speaking to BBC News, Yuval said last week that this first day of Eurovision had been 'frightening, even at times uncomfortable' and like her predecessor, Eden Golan, she maintained a low profile in the days before her semi-final performance, doing only a handful of media appearances and interviews. She also claimed she was 'expecting' boos, and had been preparing for a variety of distractions during her rehearsals. It was later revealed that six pro-Palestine protesters were removed from the arena after attempting to disrupt Yuval's dress rehearsal before the Eurovision semi-finals on Thursday. Yuval finished in second place on Saturday night behind Austria's JJ, although Israel did manage to secure the most points from Eurovision televoters. This Is Why This Year's Eurovision Song Contest Was So Controversial Once Again 'I Was Never As Overwhelmed As I Was At Eurovision': Former Winner Nemo Reflects On Their 'Whirlwind' Experience Remember Monday Speak Out On Their Eurovision Experience After Getting Zero Points From Viewers
Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Youth Demand supporters detained after disrupting Israeli Eurovision performance
Two protestors from the pro-Palestinian group Youth Demand were detained after disrupting the Israeli final performance at Eurovision. On May 17, activists David Currey, 22, and Meaghan Leon , 27, were forcibly removed from St. Jakobshalle arean in Basel, Switzerland after attempting to rush the stage while Israel's Yuval Raphael performed New Day Will Rise. As Yuval Raphael thanked viewers, UK commentator Graham Norton told viewers: "I'm not sure what you're hearing at home, but it was a mixed response [from the crowd]." Confirming the disruption, a spokesperson for Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR which organised the event said: 'At the end of the Israeli performance a man and a woman tried to get over a barrier onto the stage. "They were stopped. One of the two agitators threw paint and a crew member was hit.' The Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR also added: 'The crew member is fine and nobody was injured. The man and the woman were taken out of the venue and handed over to the police.' A spokesperson for Basel police shared: 'The organiser handed the two people over to the police. The police checked the two people and then released them. It is now up to the organiser to decide whether to press charges.' Following the demonstrations, Youth Demand shared videos from David and Meaghan recorded prior to the performance and following their release by Basel police. The first video, shared on Youth Demand's Instagram account shows David being restrained by security during Yuval's performance as he shouts 'Free Palestine'. Alongside the clips from the demonstration is a message from David, reportedly recorded prior to the event. 'Tomorrow I'm gonna attempt to disrupt the Israeli performance at Eurovision with Youth Demand,' says David. In the video, David condemns the Israeli state which he says is 'actively armed by our UK government and others across Europe' and the fact they are being presented on a global stage. 'Here we are having a party with them on the biggest stage of them all'. David shares concerns about the planned disruption at the live venue in his message. 'I'm absolutely terrified to take this action tomorrow' but continues,'I'm left with very little choice other than to escalate my actions.' The activist group shared a video message from David and Meaghan following their arrest. Meaghan says she's been 'anxious for weeks' in the lead up to the direct action at Eurovision. David shares as well that before the Yuval's performance, extra security was dispersed which affected their initial plans. Still, they managed to hop the barricade but were then faced with 'pretty grim aggression' from security at the event, Eurovision staff and later on by police. Video from the demonstration shows David's mouth being covered by guards and his hair being pulled. Youth Demand has called on the UK government to impose a total trade embargo on Israel. It says that it will continue to practice nonviolent resistance until this demand is met. Prior to Yuval's performance, pro-Palestinian protests took place near a free concert in the centre of Basel against Israel's inclusion in the contest. Protesters clashed with police shortly before Yuval took to the stage. Yuval finished second to Austrian singer JJ in the competition's final, after winning the public vote. She is one of the survivors of the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas gunmen at the Nova music festival, which killed hundreds of people. The Mirror has reached out to Youth Demand and Eurovision for comment.
Ottawa Citizen
25-04-2025
- Business
- Ottawa Citizen
Blackline Safety's Meaghan Whitney Named to Globe and Mail's 2025 Best Executives
Article content Report on Business Magazine awards program celebrates excellence among Canada's top leaders Article content Article content CALGARY, Canada — Blackline Safety Corp. (TSX: BLN), a global leader in connected safety technology, is pleased to announce that Meaghan Whitney, Chief People Officer, has been recognized in the Report on Business Best Executive Awards for outstanding leadership in Human Resources. Article content 'Meaghan is an exceptional leader who's built high-performing teams and a collaborative culture that has strongly contributed to our 32 consecutive quarters of year-over-year revenue growth.' – Cody Slater, CEO, Chair Blackline Safety Since joining Blackline five years ago, Whitney has played a critical role in the company's growth—doubling its global workforce from 280 to nearly 600 employees. Under her leadership, employee engagement has climbed to 80% and job satisfaction to 82%, well above the tech industry average of 67%. Average employee tenure has also increased to 3.5 years, surpassing the tech industry benchmark of two years. Article content 'Meaghan is an exceptional leader who's built high-performing teams and a collaborative culture that has strongly contributed to our 32 consecutive quarters of year-over-year revenue growth,' said Cody Slater, CEO and Chair, Blackline Safety. 'On behalf of all of us at Blackline Safety, I am proud to congratulate Meaghan on this well-deserved recognition.' Article content A certified SHRM-CP and CPHR professional, Whitney is a respected voice in the HR community, frequently sharing insights through industry events and publications. Her early career in the performing arts gives her a unique edge in tech, cultivating the agility, creativity and emotional intelligence that define her leadership. These strengths have been key to building a workplace where employees across geographies can grow and perform at their best. Article content 'I am deeply honored to receive this recognition, which truly reflects the dedication of our entire team at Blackline Safety,' said Whitney. 'My passion has always been to ensure that each employee is valued as a whole person. When people feel seen and supported, they can achieve remarkable things, and that's what drives our continued success.' Article content The Report on Business Best Executive Awards celebrate excellence among leaders at the SVP, EVP, and C-suite (or equivalent) levels. The 28 recipients for 2025 represent exceptional leadership in six functional areas: Finance, Human Resources, Operations, Sales and Marketing, Technology, and Sustainability. Article content About Blackline Safety: Blackline Safety is a technology leader driving innovation in the industrial workforce through IoT (Internet of Things). With connected safety devices and predictive analytics, Blackline enables companies to drive towards zero safety incidents and improved operational performance. Blackline provides wearable devices, personal and area gas monitoring, cloud-connected software and data analytics to meet demanding safety challenges and enhance overall productivity for organizations with customers in more than 75 countries. Armed with cellular and satellite connectivity, Blackline provides a lifeline to tens of thousands of people, having reported over 275 billion data-points and initiated over eight million emergency alerts. For more information, visit and connect with us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn and Instagram. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content MEDIA CONTACT Blackline Safety Christine Gillies, Chief Product and Marketing Officer cgillies@ +1 403-629-9434 Article content Article content
National Post
25-04-2025
- Business
- National Post
Blackline Safety's Meaghan Whitney Named to Globe and Mail's 2025 Best Executives
Article content Article content CALGARY, Canada — Blackline Safety Corp. (TSX: BLN), a global leader in connected safety technology, is pleased to announce that Meaghan Whitney, Chief People Officer, has been recognized in the Report on Business Best Executive Awards for outstanding leadership in Human Resources. Article content 'Meaghan is an exceptional leader who's built high-performing teams and a collaborative culture that has strongly contributed to our 32 consecutive quarters of year-over-year revenue growth.' – Cody Slater, CEO, Chair Blackline Safety Article content Since joining Blackline five years ago, Whitney has played a critical role in the company's growth—doubling its global workforce from 280 to nearly 600 employees. Under her leadership, employee engagement has climbed to 80% and job satisfaction to 82%, well above the tech industry average of 67%. Average employee tenure has also increased to 3.5 years, surpassing the tech industry benchmark of two years. Article content 'Meaghan is an exceptional leader who's built high-performing teams and a collaborative culture that has strongly contributed to our 32 consecutive quarters of year-over-year revenue growth,' said Cody Slater, CEO and Chair, Blackline Safety. 'On behalf of all of us at Blackline Safety, I am proud to congratulate Meaghan on this well-deserved recognition.' Article content A certified SHRM-CP and CPHR professional, Whitney is a respected voice in the HR community, frequently sharing insights through industry events and publications. Her early career in the performing arts gives her a unique edge in tech, cultivating the agility, creativity and emotional intelligence that define her leadership. These strengths have been key to building a workplace where employees across geographies can grow and perform at their best. Article content 'I am deeply honored to receive this recognition, which truly reflects the dedication of our entire team at Blackline Safety,' said Whitney. 'My passion has always been to ensure that each employee is valued as a whole person. When people feel seen and supported, they can achieve remarkable things, and that's what drives our continued success.' Article content The Report on Business Best Executive Awards celebrate excellence among leaders at the SVP, EVP, and C-suite (or equivalent) levels. The 28 recipients for 2025 represent exceptional leadership in six functional areas: Finance, Human Resources, Operations, Sales and Marketing, Technology, and Sustainability. Article content About Blackline Safety: Blackline Safety is a technology leader driving innovation in the industrial workforce through IoT (Internet of Things). With connected safety devices and predictive analytics, Blackline enables companies to drive towards zero safety incidents and improved operational performance. Blackline provides wearable devices, personal and area gas monitoring, cloud-connected software and data analytics to meet demanding safety challenges and enhance overall productivity for organizations with customers in more than 75 countries. Armed with cellular and satellite connectivity, Blackline provides a lifeline to tens of thousands of people, having reported over 275 billion data-points and initiated over eight million emergency alerts. For more information, visit and connect with us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn and Instagram. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content MEDIA CONTACT Blackline Safety Christine Gillies, Chief Product and Marketing Officer cgillies@ +1 403-629-9434 Article content Article content
Business Wire
25-04-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Blackline Safety's Meaghan Whitney Named to Globe and Mail's 2025 Best Executives
CALGARY, Canada--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Blackline Safety Corp. (TSX: BLN), a global leader in connected safety technology, is pleased to announce that Meaghan Whitney, Chief People Officer, has been recognized in the Report on Business Best Executive Awards for outstanding leadership in Human Resources. "Meaghan is an exceptional leader who's built high-performing teams and a collaborative culture that has strongly contributed to our 32 consecutive quarters of year-over-year revenue growth." - Cody Slater, CEO, Chair Blackline Safety Share Since joining Blackline five years ago, Whitney has played a critical role in the company's growth—doubling its global workforce from 280 to nearly 600 employees. Under her leadership, employee engagement has climbed to 80% and job satisfaction to 82%, well above the tech industry average of 67%. Average employee tenure has also increased to 3.5 years, surpassing the tech industry benchmark of two years. "Meaghan is an exceptional leader who's built high-performing teams and a collaborative culture that has strongly contributed to our 32 consecutive quarters of year-over-year revenue growth," said Cody Slater, CEO and Chair, Blackline Safety. "On behalf of all of us at Blackline Safety, I am proud to congratulate Meaghan on this well-deserved recognition." A certified SHRM-CP and CPHR professional, Whitney is a respected voice in the HR community, frequently sharing insights through industry events and publications. Her early career in the performing arts gives her a unique edge in tech, cultivating the agility, creativity and emotional intelligence that define her leadership. These strengths have been key to building a workplace where employees across geographies can grow and perform at their best. "I am deeply honored to receive this recognition, which truly reflects the dedication of our entire team at Blackline Safety," said Whitney. "My passion has always been to ensure that each employee is valued as a whole person. When people feel seen and supported, they can achieve remarkable things, and that's what drives our continued success." The Report on Business Best Executive Awards celebrate excellence among leaders at the SVP, EVP, and C-suite (or equivalent) levels. The 28 recipients for 2025 represent exceptional leadership in six functional areas: Finance, Human Resources, Operations, Sales and Marketing, Technology, and Sustainability. About Blackline Safety: Blackline Safety is a technology leader driving innovation in the industrial workforce through IoT (Internet of Things). With connected safety devices and predictive analytics, Blackline enables companies to drive towards zero safety incidents and improved operational performance. Blackline provides wearable devices, personal and area gas monitoring, cloud-connected software and data analytics to meet demanding safety challenges and enhance overall productivity for organizations with customers in more than 75 countries. Armed with cellular and satellite connectivity, Blackline provides a lifeline to tens of thousands of people, having reported over 275 billion data-points and initiated over eight million emergency alerts. For more information, visit and connect with us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn and Instagram.
