Latest news with #publicspace
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Brutal street brawl erupts after women try to claim parking spot by standing in the way of driver – who's in the wrong?
A BRUTAL street brawl erupted after two women tried to claim a parking spot by standing in the way of a driver. The viral video taken in Queens, New York, has reignited a debate on whether it's ever right to claim a public space using an item - or your body. 5 5 5 Mom and daughter duo Andreea Dumitru, 45, and Sabrina Starman, 21, launched a heinous attack on driver Jada McPherson as she tried to park into a Ridgewood street. But the pair were allegedly "guarding" the space - with their bodies. An unidentified man also joined in on the horror brawl, fighting McPherson, but fled the area before cops arrived, authorities said. After McPherson attempted to find another spot on the block at 18-28 Putnam Ave, she return to tell the mom and daughter that they couldn't guard parking spots, she told The NY Post previously. It was then the unknown man was said to have gone "ballistic" while Dumitru and Starman hurled racist language at McPherson. Shocking footage shows McPherson expressing her outrage at the empty space being reserved, before Dumitru and Starman approach her. It is at this point the mom and daughter duo slam her to the ground and pull her hair as the unknown neighbour joins in on the vile chaos. Starman and Dumitru were arrested and charged with first-degree assault and second-degree harassment, cops said. They have since apologised for the horrific fight after they received online death threats. McPherson doesn't accept their sorry's though, she told the Post, as she believes "the apologies are only because of how much outreach the video is getting and I don't think the apology is wholesome". Moment huge fight breaks out at Benidorm swimming pool in front of shocked tourists She added: "I don't think it's from their hearts, like deep down. "But I just hope they could see or see what they did wrong and kind of get a better understanding of how to operate or act in certain situations from this situation." The incident has divided people online on whether it's right to guard a space. One Ridgewood resident told the newspaper: "Honestly, if you have a friend that you know is literally coming around the corner in like a minute? "Yeah, what's the problem with that? But standing there longer than five minutes - absolutely not." "But that's just how New Yorkers are, territorial. I understand why, but it's not something I'd ever consider doing." But another argued they wouldn't be worth putting your safety at risk for a space. They said: "I personally wouldn't get into a fight over it [...] because of how people drive here, I would not put my body on the line in front of cars. "I'd be scared to stand in the street to save a spot. Because of how people drive here, I wouldn't put my body on the line." 5 5
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Fury over EV event in East Hampton shows how easy it is to cut through red tape when you're super-rich
An electric vehicle event quickly erupted into chaos after what was set to be an educational display allegedly turned into a 'car dealership' at a local Hamptons park. The gathering, run by Eventlink L.L.C., took place on July 9 at Herrick Park in East Hampton, New York, and was originally set up to teach the community about electric cars. However, after just 45 minutes, it was shut down after locals became irate with how General Motors Company - a firm worth $52 billion - took over the public space. The event itself had a permit to run from noon until 6pm after it was pitched to Village Hall 'as an educational forum for electric vehicles.' But, according to East Hampton Village Administrator Marcos Baladrón, it was instead used as a 'Trojan Horse for a national auto brand to sell cars.' The wealthy East Hampton locals - who live in one of the most expensive and ritzy zip codes in the country - ultimately got their way and the event was shut down. 'As soon as it became clear what was happening, we terminated their permit and shut it down. The Village of East Hampton will always protect its public spaces from commercial misuse,' Baladrón told The East Hampton Star. Baladrón, who said EV educational events have been hosted in the village in the past, was not the only one left livid by the apparent display. Larry Cantwell, who previously served as the East Hampton Village Administrator for 30 years, echoed his concerns. Cantwell posted an image from the event on Facebook, showing parked electric cars with tall GMC banners alongside them. 'New General Motors dealership opened today on Herrick Park. When will the exploitation end?,' Cantwell wrote. While many were left enraged by the alleged car dealership popping up in the quaint village, others, including Mayor Jerry Larsen, did not see it that way. 'When we took over, we inherited an abandoned park and we've turned it into a community space,' Larsen told the outlet. 'Just like it says in the deed, it's for town and village residents to enjoy. When we shut down the street and had the block party, I didn't know how that would be received, but people loved it. If you don't take a risk, and you hide under your shell, you'll never know what can build a community and what won't.' But, according to Cantwell, that park was donated for the community to use 'as a park and recreation' space. 'I don't think the public places in the Village of East Hampton should be for sale and commercialized by these major corporations,' Cantwell explained. 'I feel like there are an awful lot of people and corporations who want to take advantage of our community. My belief is we should have zero tolerance for the commercialization of public space and public property. It shouldn't be for sale, period.' When he arrived at the event, Cantwell said he witnessed six cars with their hoods open parked on the grass. He said: 'It was out of control. There were 10 signs promoting G.M. products. There were 15-foot-high banners, and they were unloading a tent. 'There were stands next to each parked car with a description of its attributes. It was like you were walking through a car dealership.' Cantwell posted an image from the event on Facebook, showing parked electric cars with 15ft high GMC banners alongside them Although Larsen defended the village's event, he made it clear that he agrees it 'was over the top' and not what the community expected it to be. 'It wasn't for a contribution. It was similar to other vendors who do art shows in the park, or, for example, the farmers market in the park,' Larsen added. 'They pay a small fee to the village, $500, and they get a permit to do their event. It's a public space. People apply for permits and unless there's a good reason not to allow it, it's allowed. This event, I agree, was over the top, and not what we expected it to be.' According to village code, events that promote an 'outdoor sale of goods or services' are not allowed on the premises unless they are 'sponsored by a charitable organization.' Larsen said when a special event permit request is made it has to go to all the department heads, including police, so they can make suggestions on restrictions. The Village Administrator, Baladrón, then reviews the comments and decides whether or not certain restrictions should be implemented before approving or denying the event as a whole. For this specific event, the Department of Public Works restricted the EV's from parking on the grass - something they were seen doing anyway. Bradford Billet, the executive director of the East Hampton Village Foundation, also spoke out about the controversial event. The night before the event at the park, two of the EV cars were displayed at the Tuesday night Main Beach concert, which was sponsored by the foundation. Billet made it clear the foundation had 'nothing to do with the Herrick Park event,' but explained how the EV display went down the night before. 'It was not a sales thing. They displayed two vehicles and gave away swag. It was about E.V. technology and how great it is. It wasn't the focus of the night,' he said. The night prior, the organizer made a $5,000 donation to be part of the concert, which draws thousands of people every week. Sponsors can also decide to donate $25,000 for the gold-level tier and $10,000 for a silver-level donation. That money allows the Main Beach events to be free and also goes toward improvements in Herrick Park. 'In the roughly four years we've been in existence, the foundation has given almost $3 million to the village for the public benefit,' Billet said. 'All of these things are for the public good. None of the donors or sponsors are getting special treatment, other than getting their name out there. I won't say there's no value to that.' Billet also noted that he has turned away thousands of dollars from alcohol brands who wanted to sponsor events in the past. For the controversial event, the company behind it, Eventlink L.L.C., was refunded its $1,500 it paid for the permit after it was canceled. Despite the event being shut down, Cantwell fears this is just the start of big name companies infiltrating the village. 'What's it going to be next? If you let G.M. do it one weekend, will it be Ford on Labor Day?,' he said. 'Once you open up the box where do you draw the line? For what? For a contribution? Aren't we bigger and better than that?'
CBC
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
Coldplay couple shows real-life implications of social media firestorm
The social media firestorm that followed a couple who were caught on camera while embracing at a Coldplay concert could be an example of how little privacy exists in public spaces and the consequences of going viral.
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Camden Council resists calls to extend ban on Waterlow Park BBQs
Camden Council has resisted campaigners' calls to permanently outlaw charcoal barbecues in Waterlow Park, after it imposed a temporary ban in temporary ban came after complaints of crowds of revellers with barbeques, fights, piles of rubbish and people defecating in bushes. The Highgate Village Green Preservation Society (HVGPS) said "scorched earth, mounting rubbish, ash bins smoking like chimneys and a huge increase in road traffic" were hurting the local community, environment and Harrison, from the north London council, said the park was originally created in 1889 as a "garden for the gardenless" and should remain accommodating. The council has, however, left the current temporary BBQ ban in place due to the increased risk of wildfires in dry, hot weather. According to the council's reports, the borough has the third-highest number of residents in the country without access to a private outdoor the council has resisted a permanent ban, Mr Harrison said the current policies around barbeques were "constantly under review". An online petition to end the smoky cookouts permanently was launched by HVGPS, and has about 1,500 supporters. Volunteers for the Waterlow Park Trust have also joined calls for total Wilkinson, chair of the trust's Barbecue Working Group, said: "What happened this year shows how Waterlow – the only public open space in London where people can use barbecues of any size – has become a victim of its own success." However, although the group recognises there is a problem, it says it does not want to see a permanent ban on barbeques. Council officers said the online petition, with they said had a "relatively low number of signatories versus residents", did not provide a full picture of the wider community's view.
CTV News
6 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
High-density development in Marda Loop moves ahead
Truman Homes and Calgary Co-op are planning four towers in Marda Loop that they say will be a public space that will provide much-needed housing. (Supplied/ Despite strong opposition from the public, a proposed high-density development in the southwest Calgary community of Marda Loop has crossed another hurdle. With a vote of 13-1, the City of Calgary approved an application from Truman Homes and Calgary Co-op to rezone a plot of land that could see two high-rise and two mid-rise towers built. The decision was made despite officials receiving 136 letters against the idea. Only three were submitted in favour. The Marc and Mada Block, a two-acre development between 33 and 34 Avenues and 20 and 21 Streets S.W. would see 441 residential units built in three of the four towers. Under the new land use designation, the high-rises would be up to 19 storeys tall while the mid-rise towers would be up to 11 storeys. The Marda Loop Community Association says the main concerns of residents are about the size of the buildings, a lack of public space, parking and traffic and sustainability. 'The nineteen stories on the south side of 33 Avenue S.W. will create immense shadowing to the adjacent condos, apartments and businesses,' the association said in its comments on the proposal. 'In addition, the residents we heard from are concerned that the immense scale of the building height will change the neighbourhood character.' The association suggested the city avoid the issue by 'aligning with the area's proportions.' Calgary Co-op purchased the property in 2020 with a vision to create a new vision for a grocery store – a development that melds homes, community spaces, shopping options and other services in one location. Truman Homes plans to build a four-level underground parkade for the development, providing space for approximately 662 vehicles. Co-op also plans to build a 27,000-square-foot store at the location.
