Latest news with #Toomey
The Hill
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Trump actions against Harvard ‘over the top': Pat Toomey
A federal judge Friday blocked the Trump administration from enforcing a ban on Harvard University's ability to enroll international students. Harvard enrolls more than 6,700 foreign students on its campus. The White House blamed the order on the university creating an 'unsafe and un-American' environment on campus, while Harvard says the order was punishment for not giving in to the administration's political demands. Harvard also had more than $2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts frozen by the administration. Former GOP Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey, who is a Harvard alum, joined NewsNation's 'The Hill' and said while he believes the university has not done an adequate job in ensuring Jewish students feel safe on campus, the Trump administration should deescalate some of its actions against the school. 'I think the administration's reaction is a bit over the top,' Toomey said. 'I'm hoping to see a deescalation in this, and I think Harvard understands it's in their best interest.' Toomey said Harvard should make it clear to the public that it will take steps 'to fix what needs to be fixed' when it comes to campus safety.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Worcester councilor slams ICE protesters, says they should have helped children
A Worcester City Councilor asserts that people on Eureka Street who protested the May 8 arrest of a Brazilian mother made the situation worse, claiming they should have focused their efforts on helping the mother's daughters. Councilor-at-Large and Public Safety Committee Chair Kathleen Toomey released a statement on Monday addressing the recently released body camera footage from Worcester Police officers who were present during Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) arrest of Rosane Ferreira-De Oliveira. People who protested the arrest 'crossed a line,' and were accused by authorities of obstructing and physically assaulting ICE agents and Worcester Police officers at the scene, Toomey said in her statement. She also claimed the protesters did little to help the mother's two daughters, 21-year-old Augusta Clara Moura and a teenager, both of whom were present during the arrest. 'The videos I saw reinforced for me that had the protesters stayed on the sidewalk and not interfered with federal officers, we would be in a very different space,' Toomey said. 'However, they exacerbated the situation, and instead of focusing their efforts [on] supporting the daughters of the woman apprehended, they crossed the line by obstructing and physically assaulting both ICE and WPD officers, which is unacceptable.' The body camera footage and audio were released on May 16 following pressure from the public, including a May 13 protest at city hall where protesters accused Worcester Police officers of assisting ICE in their arrest of Ferreira-De Oliveira. The footage and audio are taken from body cameras worn by officers Juan Vallejo, Patrick Hanlon and Shauna McGuirk. Along with releasing the footage and a recording of the 911 call from that day, City Manager Eric Batista issued an executive order to establish 'guidelines for local response and involvement in federal enforcement of immigration laws and operations, including investigations and civil detainments performed by ICE officers.' 'We are a nation of Laws,' Toomey wrote. 'We do not have the ability to choose which we follow and do not follow. As citizens, we are required to follow the laws. As elected officials, we have taken an oath to follow and uphold those Laws. If you do not like them, there are appropriate ways to protest and change them.' Two other city councilors have also released statements after the release of the body cam footage. In a statement released last week, District 2 Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson wrote that the Worcester Police Department did not aid ICE in detaining the mother. 'The footage released today confirms this: Worcester Police officers did not aid ICE in any detainment,' Carlson said. 'Instead, they responded with professionalism, compassion and restraint in a complex and challenging situation.' Councilor-at-Large Thu Nguyen, however, said in an Instagram post Sunday, they could not believe the city administration and the Worcester Police Department's recounting of the events on Eureka Street. They also demanded the release of all police incident reports. 'We will not stop holding WPD accountable,' Nguyen wrote. 'We must abolish ICE.' Shouts and screams were heard on the morning of May 8 as ICE agents arrested Ferreira-De Oliveira. Body camera footage from Officer Hanlon captured the ICE agents arresting the mother. In the footage, District 5 Councilor Etel Haxhiaj is shown walking toward the officers and Ferreira-De Oliveira. Haxhiaj grabbed Ferreira-De Oliveira's arm and pleaded with the agents not to take her. Two of the ICE agents then proceeded to fling the councilor off Ferreira-De Oliveira. As the agents moved to a gold Ford SUV, Haxhiaj then reached out for Ferreira-De Oliveira. Hanlon grabs her hands to pull her back and tells her to stop. 'I cannot stop!' Haxhiaj yelled at the officer. Clara Moura, who is being held back by School Committee Candidate Ashley Spring, reaches out to the vehicle and says no multiple times. Hanlon responds by saying that ICE will offer an explanation. Haxhiaj and Spring yell that the agents will not explain, with Spring telling Hanlon that ICE does 'not have a judicial warrant.' At around two minutes and 25 seconds into the footage, an ICE officer says, 'We do not need a judicial warrant for this arrest.' In both Hanlon and McGuirk's footage, some residents can be seen standing right next to the hood of the SUV. At the two-minute, 20-second mark in McGuirk's footage, the officer approaches Haxhiaj, who is standing by the passenger side door of the vehicle. The councilor appears to be talking with someone about a warrant when McGuirk extends her hands out to her and touches her arm. Haxhiaj responds by telling McGuirk, 'Do not touch' me. At the 2:37 mark, Haxhiaj is still at the passenger's side of the vehicle, this time with Clara Moura. Agents and McGuirk tell both of them they need to move away from the vehicle. McGuirk then grabs Clara Moura's arm, telling her she needs to 'come on.' Clara Moura looks down at her arm and says, 'no, no, no, no.' The officer then lets go of her arm, and an agent warns Clara Moura and Haxhiaj that they both could be charged. Haxhiaj then says, 'I don't understand,' and tells McGuirk that she has the right to be there as the district's councilor. McGurik then pulls Haxhiaj away from the vehicle by her back, resulting in Haxhiaj's hands pushing against her body. 'Do not touch me!' Haxhiaj yells as she is pulled away from the SUV. At around the 3:54 mark, a man wearing a green shirt standing in front of the vehicle is pushed away by an ICE agent. During the ICE operation, the daughter and Spring were also arrested by Worcester Police officers. Body camera footage from Hanlon and Officer Juan Vallejo showed Ferreira-De Oliveira's 17-year-old daughter run up to the side of the SUV's front passenger door. Police later claimed she tried to kick the door, but it is difficult to confirm this due to the shakiness of the cameras and the large police presence. Vallejo and other officers surrounded the girl and moved her to the ground on the street. During the arrest, an officer yells, 'You're under arrest for disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace.' Police officers saw Spring push and shove other officers trying to arrest the daughter, according to a police report. 'Officers also observed Ashley directly point at and spray an unknown liquid in a bottle at officers that were on duty attempting to conduct their job,' the report read. It turns out, however, that the 'unknown' liquid was water. At the 2:30 mark in the video, Vallejo approaches Spring and points his finger at her, listing charges for another officer: 'Disorderly, disturbance, and she sprayed me in the face with water.' As he moves away from her, the audio catches Spring saying, 'It was water.' Spring was charged on May 9 with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon — that being the 'unknown liquid' — along with charges of assault and battery on a police officer, disorderly conduct and interfering with police officers. Lt. Sean Murtha of the Worcester Police Department told MassLive on Saturday that he was not aware of the department dropping any of Spring's charges, despite police saying the liquid was water in the video. The daughter, meanwhile, was charged with reckless endangerment of a child, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, according to the Worcester Police Department. After her arrest, she was released from custody and is currently staying with family friends along with her 21-year-old sister, Augusta Clara Moura, Clara Moura's 3-month-old son and her other sister, who is also a minor. In a statement on May 16, Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier announced that the Worcester Police Department is requesting that the court dismiss the case against Ferreira-De Oliveira's daughter. Even though the department wishes to have the case against the daughter dismissed, Saucier noted, however, that 'it is important to emphasize that assaulting or interfering with law enforcement officers as they carry out their duties is never acceptable.' Ferreira-De Oliveira is currently being detained at the Wyatt Detention Center in Central Falls, Rhode Island, according to ICE's Online Detainee Locator System. Food hub to launch at Worcester's Union Station in June Late home run lifts Buffalo past Worcester Red Sox VIDEO: Worcester police knew 'unknown liquid' sprayed during ICE arrest was water Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
4 Ways To Avoid the Coming Unpaid Debt Crisis
Many people in their 50s and 60s are heading toward retirement still carrying high-interest debt which is, unfortunately, a perfect storm as rates stay high and recession concerns loom. That's the warning from Lynn Toomey, the founder of Her Retirement. Trending Now: Cutting Out These 9 Expenses Will Save Retirees Over $29,000 a Year Read Next: The New Retirement Problem Boomers Are Facing Toomey and Ashley Morgan, a debt and bankruptcy lawyer with the law offices of Ashley F. Morgan, shared with GOBankingRates some ways consumers can avoid the coming unpaid debt crisis. And if you're struggling with debt, here are the fastest ways to pay it off this year. Identify High-Risk Debt According to Toomey, high-interest, unsecured debt like credit cards and personal loans should be tackled first. 'These often carry 20% or more interest,' Toomey said. 'Debt that drains monthly cash flow and grows faster than your savings rate equals high risk.' Find Out: 6 Cash-Flow Mistakes Boomers Are Making With Their Retirement Savings Restructure Obligations Toomey advised consumers to restructure obligations using tools like 0% balance transfers or payoff strategies. Additionally, tools such as debt consolidation loans and home equity lines, when used with caution, can help consumers lower rates and regain control. Make Lasting Changes 'Use behavioral nudges to make lasting changes,' Toomey said. 'Identity-based goals work better than shame-based tactics. Try things like automation, mindset shifts, visual tracking tools and a financial coach or advisor.' Toomey said that women are more vulnerable due to caregiving roles and lower lifetime earnings. But with planning, Toomey said, they can stay ahead of this crisis. Consider Bankruptcy As a debt and bankruptcy lawyer, Morgan has helped thousands of people deal with their debt issues. The first piece of advice is to figure out where your money is going, where you can cut and other options you may have now. 'We are in a situation right now, where if you can cut back and save right now, things will be a lot easier to deal with as a recession hits and consumers face financial struggles,' Morgan said. 'If you can't cut anymore, you may be able to increase your income.' Finally, Morgan said, you may need to look into Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. 'People think bankruptcy can be a dirty word, but it really is a tool to manage debt,' Morgan said. 'Bankruptcy is better than being sued or having a garnishment.' More From GOBankingRates
Otago Daily Times
04-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Apprentice plumber wins scholarship
A Dunedin apprentice plumber has sealed the top spot at a nationwide plumbing award show. On Friday, 21-year-old Masterlink apprentice plumber Trent Toomey was named the overall winner of the Plumbing World Scholarship, presented by the 2025 New Zealand Plumbing Awards Ceremony held in Brisbane. He was awarded a $1000 credit at Plumbing World and a registration to the 2026 New Zealand Plumbing Conference, which includes flights, accommodation and a guest ticket for the New Zealand Plumbing Awards. His employers, Gas and Water owners Shelley and Sean Reynolds, said Mr Toomey turned up to work every day with a "smile on his face". "Trent actively seeks out areas where he can contribute, anticipating how the job is to be done, and is eager to learn new skills. "If Trent completes his scheduled work before the end of the working day, he does not hesitate to request additional jobs." Within his three-year apprenticeship, Mr Toomey has already passed his plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying registration exams with high marks. This was not his first award in his short career. Last year Mr Toomey won the Trustees Apprentice Award for Otago at the 2024 Mac Mackenzie Trust Awards, which recognises second-year apprentices who excel in their training or overcome significant challenges. Masterlink regional manager Danny Ledwith said Mr Toomey's "proactive attitude" while completing his apprenticeship was a clear demonstration of his "personal growth and maturity". "Twelve months ago, Trent took full responsibility for his learning and committed to completing all of his online and on-job assessments, impressively getting ahead of the curriculum by finishing assessments before they were even released," he said.
Global News
01-05-2025
- Global News
EA in Fort Saskatchewan charged after having relationship with student
Police northeast of Edmonton have laid charges against a young women after learning she was involved in a relationship with an underage student. Earlier this week, Fort Saskatchewan RCMP said officers received a tip about an alleged sexual relationship between a student and a substitute educational assistant. Police said their investigation revealed the relationship began last year at the K-9 SouthPointe School, which is in the Elk Island Public Schools division. The school division said it was informed by RCMP of the investigation on Thursday and the accused was an occasional substitute educational assistant. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy '(The accused) worked as a substitute EA in a number of EIPS schools during her casual employment. EIPS is terminating (her) position and she is prohibited from being on any Elk Island Public School property, effective immediately,' the division said in a statement. Story continues below advertisement 'Senior leaders and trustees are very distressed about the situation as the safety of students and staff is of paramount importance to Elk Island Public Schools. School-based and divisional supports will be made available as needed.' As of Thursday, RCMP said there is no indication of additional victims in this investigation. EIPS said it's cooperating fully with RCMP but because the case is under investigation, no further details or comments would be provided. Emily Toomey, 22, was arrested and charged on Thursday with sexual interference and sexual assault. Sexual interference charges are laid when police believe a suspect has touched a person who is under the age of consent — in Canada that's under 16 years old — for a sexual purpose. Toomey has since been released on conditions and her next court date is scheduled for May 8 in Fort Saskatchewan. Anyone with additional information regarding the investigation is asked to contact the Fort Saskatchewan RCMP at 780-992-6100, or your local police. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online.
