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2 days ago
- Politics
- Buzz Feed
Viral Video: ICE Protester Confronting National Guard
By now, you've certainly seen some of the powerful (and oftentimes horrifying) images coming out of the anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles. In the face of continued ICE raids, escalation by law enforcement, and displays of police violence at protests, the people of LA continue to show up to defend the immigrant communities that truly define the city. One protester in particular has gone ultra-viral for his brave confrontation of a group of California National Guard officers stationed outside the Los Angeles VA Clinic. The clinic is part of the complex that houses the LA Federal Building and the Metropolitan Detention Center, one of the focal points of the protests. "You're tough with your assault rifles and your sticks," he starts out. "You should be standing here with us. You're on the wrong side of history." "We know you got a job to do," he says. "But you took an oath to the Constitution, not to the fascists in the White House." He goes on, "Think about what you're doing now. Think about what this means, coming into our community. Peaceful fucking community. People working their jobs." TKTKTK raid in garment district "They send in men in military fatigues. Weapons of war in our communities, and you stand here and you allow it," the protester says, pointing at the assembly of officers guarding the building. "I am sick and tired of it." "You should be sick and tired of it." He then asks, "You think any of these people in the White House sending you these commands give a fuck about you? Not one of them do." "They laugh at you. Our president laughs at you," he goes on. "He called you fools. He said the people who died overseas in the military were chumps. That's who you're defending right now." In the second clip in the video, the protester continues his impassioned confrontation. "Think about your place in history, ladies and gentlemen," he says as the camera pans to a crowd of soldiers in front of military tactical vehicles. The camera pans the scene of armed soldiers as he speaks to them. "Ask yourself when you wake up tomorrow. I don't know if you have kids. Ask yourself the future you want for your children. Is it this?" "You can answer me. Is it this? Do you feel good about this?" he asks. "You're tough behind your fucking masks and your fatigues with your weapons, but how do you feel on the inside?" "This is our fucking community," he shouts. "And we will fight for it if we have to." The original video alone has been viewed over 350,000 times, but it's been reposted by countless news outlets and social media users. COURIER posted it to their TikTok, where it currently has 3.4 million likes and a staggering 18 million views (and counting). As you can probably imagine, people were moved by the protester's courage and powerful words. A ton of people thought this was a display of true patriotism. Many thought he should be running for office right about now. This person said we need to hear more of this. "This is everything. The truth cannot hide," one commenter wrote. People were very moved. "That is bravery. Wow," someone said. And finally, someone gave all of us on the sidelines a great reminder: you can always be the hero. What do you think of his speech? Let me know in the comments.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
How veterans in Hagerstown can get free VA benefits help
Veterans can access important benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. According to a community announcement, a Disabled American Veteran Service Officer will be available at the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic, 1101 Opal Court, Hagerstown. This service occurs on the third Thursday of each month by appointment only. The next visit is scheduled for Friday, May 16. The DAV Service Officer will assist veterans in applying for VA benefits, which are outlined in Title 38 of the United States Code. This service is available to service members, veterans, their spouses and dependents. To make an appointment, call DAV Service Officer Ernie Unger at 301-842-2562 or 301-331-0091. Appointments can also be arranged via email at michelobqt@ Veterans should bring specific documents to their appointment, including a copy of their Military Discharge, DD 214 or other service records, any VA Claim Number issued, and any VA correspondence or rating decisions. This service is offered free of charge to all eligible individuals. This story was created by Janis Reeser, jreeser@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at or share your thoughts at with our News Automation and AI team. The Herald-Mail is growing its local news: Send your news to us This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Free VA benefits assistance for veterans in Hagerstown May 16
CBS News
18-03-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Minnesota veterans worried over government layoffs
There are fresh concerns about some Minnesota veterans who were laid off from their jobs at the Department of Veterans Affairs. At least 2,400 VA employees were fired last month as part of the Trump administration's sweeping cuts to the size and scope of the federal government. at least a dozen of those people were from the hospital at Fort Snelling. "I can't be mad at anybody because it's such a shock and awe campaign," William Stein, who was fired from his job at Fort Snelling VA Clinic, said. "It's absolutely bombastic." Stein was a flight engineer in the Marines and started working at Fort Snelling Cemetery in 2019. He later got what he called his dream job as an administrative manager at the hospital. "There's a certain calling to become a Marine and that duty and obligation has absolutely followed through every step of the way in my life since then," he explained. "It's a lot of work to be a VA employee. They have such strict guidelines." According to Stein, two of his colleagues received an email on Feb. 24 from the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency notifying them of their job losses. Stein himself received the email later that afternoon as he was consoling them. "I would say the varied amount of information coming in is the most challenging," Stein said. "And it's not from one particular source. I don't even know where to go." Stein said he did call his congressional representative, DFL Rep. Angie Craig, who told him that she's been inundated with calls from fellow veterans. "The calls that I'm getting right now from some of the folks who've been let go are people who have PTSD from their time in war," Craig said. "Before we start cutting mass numbers of veterans, we should at least know what they're doing and who they're serving." Despite the concerns about its employees, the VA has long been regarded by federal officials as a ripe opportunity for reform. The U.S. Government Accountability Office has both " Managing Risks and Improving VA Health Care " and " VA Acquisition Management " on its high risk list, which consists of "programs and operations with serious vulnerabilities to waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanagement, or in need of transformation." "The Biden Administration astronomically grew the department's budget and number of employees, and VA wait times and backlogs increased," VA Press Secretary Pete Kasperowicz said. "We are doing things differently." Federal records show more than 480,000 people work at the VA — roughly one in five federal employees. Its nearly $370 billion budget is also among the biggest line items of federal spending. "VA has laid off 2,400 probationary employees in non-mission-critical positions, such as publicists, interior designers, and diversity, equity and inclusion officers," Kasperowicz said. "That's one-half of 1% of VA's workforce. So the notion that these layoffs are causing issues across the department is false." A federal judge in Maryland issued a ruling on March 13 in response to a lawsuit filed by 19 states and the District of Columbia challenging the mass firings of probationary government workers. The judge ordered thousands of fired probationary workers to be reinstated.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Crow reacts to Department of Veterans Affairs layoffs as new clinic opens
AURORA, Colo. (KDVR) — Congressman Jason Crow was back in his district Friday, celebrating the newly opened Lieutenant Colonel John Mosley VA Clinic in Aurora. The building is named after Colorado Sports Hall of Fame member and Tuskegee Airmen John Mosley. Mosley's son, Eric, was on hand to help celebrate the new building today and said his father would be honored to receive this recognition. More DEI fallout: Air Force scraps course that used videos of Tuskegee Airmen and female WWII pilots 'He perhaps is not more worthy than anybody else that served their country. But I think he is certainly an appropriate role model and I think he would have been pleased with this opportunity and this honor,' said Mosley. The new building is getting off the ground as the VA confirms it is laying off probationary workers in the state. The newly opened facility is set to offer services for veterans in the area, saving them from making a trip to clinics in other parts of the state. Crow is hoping staffing will not be a challenge. 'My office has worked for years to get the funding, to get the authorization to open this really important clinic for the veterans of Colorado,' said Crow. The congressman said the new VA clinic in Aurora is set to bridge a gap to the services veterans in that community need. 'It's going to allow them to get a variety of services: healthcare services, mental health services, radiology, nursing primary care, and not have to go all the way south to Colorado Springs or further north into the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Clinic,' Crow said. Federal layoffs hit Colorado's Veteran Affairs system, leaving veterans worried While the facility is ready to help veterans in the community, they need more staff to help run it. 'One of the biggest challenges in the VA system is staffing: making sure that we have the professionals, that we actually have the healthcare providers to actually meet the need. Right now, we don't have full staffing for this facility. That's actually a challenge for pretty much every VA facility across the country,' said Crow. It could get more challenging. While the VA has not specifically said where and who is impacted by the recently announced layoffs, it did confirm a limited number of probationary staff in Colorado are being dismissed. 'Certainly we should not be looking at balancing the budget on the backs of our veterans and their families and I will resist any attempts to do so,' Crow said in response to the layoffs. While Crow did not get into specifics about how the layoffs could impact this facility and others in Colorado, he made it clear: He doesn't find the firings acceptable. Colorado prepares for impact of mass layoffs on federal civilian workforce 'There is a sacred promise that our country makes: that if you stand up and raise your right hand, we'll stand by you. That is a non-negotiable promise in my book,' Crow said. Crow mentioned legislation he is working on in Congress that would help hire people faster but he said it's an effort he's worked on for several sessions now. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
