Latest news with #politicalclash
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gulf Shores pizzeria closes doors during political dispute
GULF SHORES, Ala. (WKRG) – A pizzeria in Gulf Shores is packing everything up into moving boxes, despite opening its doors just a few months ago. 2 women shot Tuesday morning in Mobile L.A. Pizzeria, owned by Brandi and Demetrios Lambidonis, is now involved in a political clash that has turned personal. 'We have a very profitable … or had a very profitable business here,' Brandi said. 'It was doing extremely well. We did not want to walk away from that.' The issue began over a campaign sign for the mayoral election in Gulf Shores. The restaurant owners tell WKRG News 5 their landlord came to put his wife's election campaign signs in front of the business. WKRG News 5 asked the Lambidonis family who their landlord is. 'Our landlords are Angie and David Swiger,' they replied. 'We didn't want to appear biased, so we reached out to other candidates who are opposing the candidate sign that was placed in our business,' Brandi said. 'We either wanted all of the candidates posted or none.' According to the owners of L.A. Pizzeria, David Swiger removed the opposing candidates' signs, throwing them behind the restaurant. When that happened, the Lambidonis said they decided to remove Angie Swiger's campaign signs as well to keep things fair. 'He came in hot and heavy, telling me that we would either have her signs posted or that he would end the lease,' Demetrios said. 'It was definitely an ultimatum. It was his way or the highway.' 'Business and politics do not mix,' Brandi said. 'They never have and they never will. It is a shame that a landlord has the authority to tell someone who leases their property who they have to associate themselves with.' The pizzeria owners took their concerns to the city council meeting Monday night, where things got heated during and after the meeting. A verbal altercation between Angie Swiger and the Lambidonis family was witnessed and caught on camera by News 5 and members of the community after the council meeting concluded. 'Ms. Swiger proceeded to come out and as she passed me, my husband, and our son, she's pointing her finger and screaming and telling us how shameful and wrong we are,' Brandi said. The owners of the pizzeria ultimately decided to end their lease with the Swigers, even after the two came to the restaurant to apologize, asking them to stay. 'We weren't evicted,' Brandi Lambidonis said. 'We were pushed into a corner to make a choice. We made our choice.' The Lambidonis family told News 5 they are working to coordinate a way to donate the leftover food from their restaurant to a local food bank so it doesn't go to waste. They said they have reached out to several attorneys and have yet to find one that is willing to take their case as it is 'politically related.' Hangout Music Festival returning to Gulf Shores in 2026 News 5 made multiple attempts for an on-camera interview with Angie Swiger. Instead, her full statement sent via email can be read below. Angie Swiger's full statement to WKRG News 5: 'I believe in our community and the good people in it. This political low blow is not in character with our community and is not a representation of the residents of Gulf Shores. The Mayor pro temp and this council should be ashamed of themselves for using these council chambers, the very symbol of OUR city government to orchestrate an ambush and to attempt to publicly shame and quiet the voice of an opposing mayoral opponent and a citizen of Gulf it happens often, and our residents are very intelligent and will see this for what it is.A non-story has been blown up to be used as a political tool. The tenant did NOT lose his lease over the was NOT forced to close his did not cause them or their employees to 'lose their livelihood'.They made the choice to leave as soon as the summer season was closes their business, their lifelong dream over a sign? My husband apologized for over-reacting and removed my signs. Even though I wasn't there, I apologized to the tenant and his wife. We both asked them to stay. 'We've had a great relationship in the 4 months you've been here and hope you'll stay.' We've been in business for 32 years and have tenants who have been with us for decades. The whole situation is very odd. It's more obvious than ever how much we need change. I'm here for it.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
South China Morning Post
18-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Has Bangladesh's post-Hasina transition hit a violent roadblock?
A violent clash in Bangladesh on Wednesday between a student-led political movement and supporters of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina has exposed deep political fault lines, with analysts warning of further unrest. At least four people were killed and dozens injured when members of the National Citizen Party (NCP) – formed by student activists – marched on Gopalganj district, a traditional stronghold of Hasina's Awami League and the site of a mausoleum dedicated to her father, independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Analysts say the incident signals the emergence of a new political bloc – comprising the NCP and the right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami – that may be positioning itself against both the Awami League and its long-time rival, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The clash also reflects growing unease within the two mainstream parties over the rise of the student-led NCP, which is widely seen as enjoying support from the interim government and may seek to sideline them ahead of elections expected next year. Bangladesh's army personnel patrol a street in Gopalganj on Thursday. Photo: AFP
The Independent
17-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
At least four dead after Bangladeshi forces clash with supporters of ousted leader
At least four people have died and scores injured after Bangladeshi security forces clashed with supporters of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday. The violence escalated as a new political party, formed by students who spearheaded the uprising against Ms Hasina last August, announced a march towards Gopalganj district. The district is Ms Hasina's ancestral home and a stronghold for her Awami League party. Authorities subsequently imposed an overnight curfew in the area. The latest fatalities underscore the deep divisions plaguing Bangladesh, which has been gripped by widespread chaos and unchecked mob violence since Ms Hasina's removal 11 months ago. The country's interim government continues to struggle to bring the deteriorating security situation under control. A chaotic situation TV footage showed pro-Hasina activists armed attacking police with sticks and setting vehicles on fire as a convoy of about 20 vehicles carrying the leaders of the students' National Citizen Party arrived as part of commemorations of the uprising. Party leaders took shelter in the office of the local police chief. Footage showed top leaders were being escorted by soldiers to an armoured vehicle for safety. They later left for a neighbouring district with security escorts. Jibitesh Biswas, a senior official of a state-run hospital, told reporters that the bodies of at least three people had been brought in. The country's leading English-language Daily Star reported that four people died. The interim government said Wednesday the attackers on the students would not go "unpunished" and in a statement issued on behalf of interim leader Muhammad Yunus, described the violence in Gopalganj as "utterly indefensible." Hasina's Awami League party, which authorities banned in May, issued several statements on X condemning the violence and blaming the interim government for the deaths and injuries." We urge the world to take note of this blatant use of security apparatus," one Awami statement said, adding that it had used mob violence against "dissenters." Student leader Nahid Islam gave the authorities a 24-hour ultimatum to arrest those responsible for the Gopalganj violence and floated the prospect of another march in the neighbouring district of Faridpur on Thursday. The right wing Jamaat-e-Islami party condemned the attacks on the student-led party and announced a nationwide protest in all districts and main cities for Thursday. A nation in turmoil Critics of the interim government warn of a widening polarisation that has reduced hopes for national reconciliation even as Yunus' administration pledges to bring order in the post-Hasina era. They say if the situation does not improve, a peaceful transition to democracy would be jeopardised. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Yunus took over the country three days after Hasina was toppled and fled to India, pledging to restore order. He has promised a new election would be held in April next year. Hasina now faces charges of crimes against humanity while the government seeks her extradition from India, which has not responded to Bangladesh's request. Gopalganj is a politically sensitive district because Hasina father's mausoleum is located there. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the country's independence leader, was buried there after he was assassinated along with most of his family members in a military coup in 1975. The National Citizen Party launched its "July March to Rebuild the Nation" at the start of the month, saying they would take place across all districts as part of its drive to position itself as a new force in Bangladeshi politics. Bangladesh's political past has been largely dominated by two dynastic parties — Hasina's Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, or BNP, headed by her rival and former prime minister Khaleda Zia. The BNP, which is hopeful of coming to power in the absence of Hasina's party, was mostly silent about Wednesday's violence.
Arab News
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Bangladeshi forces clash with supporters of ousted leader Hasina, leaving at least 4 dead
DHAKA: Bangladeshi security forces on Wednesday clashed with supporters of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, leaving at least four people dead and scores injured, a hospital official and local media violence erupted in the morning and spread as a new political party formed by students who led the uprising against Hasina in August last year announced a march toward southwestern Gopalganj district, Hasina's ancestral home, and her Awami League party's later imposed an overnight curfew in the Hasina's ouster 11 months ago, Bangladesh has been marked by chaos and unchecked mob violence. Wednesday's attack underscores the deep divisions in the country as its interim government keeps failing to bring the deteriorating security situation under control.A chaotic situationTV footage showed pro-Hasina activists armed attacking police with sticks and setting vehicles on fire as a convoy of about 20 vehicles carrying the leaders of the students' National Citizen Party arrived as part of commemorations of the leaders took shelter in the office of the local police chief. Footage showed top leaders were being escorted by soldiers to an armored vehicle for safety. They later left for a neighboring district with security Biswas, a senior official of a state-run hospital, told reporters that the bodies of at least three people had been brought in. The country's leading English-language Daily Star reported that four people interim government said Wednesday the attackers on the students would not go 'unpunished' and in a statement issued on behalf of interim leader Muhammad Yunus, described the violence in Gopalganj as 'utterly indefensible.'Hasina's Awami League party, which authorities banned in May, issued several statements on X condemning the violence and blaming the interim government for the deaths and injuries.'We urge the world to take note of this blatant use of security apparatus,' one Awami statement said, adding that it had used mob violence against 'dissenters.'Student leader Nahid Islam gave the authorities a 24-hour ultimatum to arrest those responsible for the Gopalganj violence and floated the prospect of another march in the neighboring district of Faridpur on right wing Jamaat-e-Islami party condemned the attacks on the student-led party and announced a nationwide protest in all districts and main cities for Thursday.A nation in turmoilCritics of the interim government warn of a widening polarization that has reduced hopes for national reconciliation even as Yunus' administration pledges to bring order in the post-Hasina era. They say if the situation does not improve, a peaceful transition to democracy would be Peace Prize laureate Yunus took over the country three days after Hasina was toppled and fled to India, pledging to restore order. He has promised a new election would be held in April next now faces charges of crimes against humanity while the government seeks her extradition from India, which has not responded to Bangladesh's is a politically sensitive district because Hasina father's mausoleum is located there. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the country's independence leader, was buried there after he was assassinated along with most of his family members in a military coup in National Citizen Party launched its 'July March to Rebuild the Nation' at the start of the month, saying they would take place across all districts as part of its drive to position itself as a new force in Bangladeshi political past has been largely dominated by two dynastic parties — Hasina's Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, or BNP, headed by her rival and former prime minister Khaleda Zia. The BNP, which is hopeful of coming to power in the absence of Hasina's party, was mostly silent about Wednesday's violence.
Washington Post
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Bangladeshi forces clash with supporters of ousted leader Hasina, leaving at least 4 dead
DHAKA, Bangladesh — Bangladeshi security forces on Wednesday clashed with supporters of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina , leaving at least four people dead and scores injured, a hospital official and local media said. The violence erupted in the morning and spread as a new political party formed by students who led the uprising against Hasina in August last year announced a march toward southwestern Gopalganj district, Hasina's ancestral home, and her Awami League party's stronghold.
