Latest news with #Blacks
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert Mock Trump for Complaining on Juneteenth About ‘Too Many Non-Working Holidays': ‘Juneteenth Is a Day of Joy — So Donald Trump Doesn't Like It'
President Trump did not issue any direct public comments about or host any events commemorating Juneteenth, the federal holiday that marks the official end of the United States' enslavement of people. But the president alluded to Juneteenth in a post on social media, claiming that there are 'Too many non-working holidays in America' and that 'It must change if we are going to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!' Late-night TV hosts skewered Trump's non-observance of the holiday. More from Variety Trump Is 'Flouting the Law' in Delaying Enforcement of TikTok Ban, a Top Senate Democrat Says Trump Says David Ellison Is 'Great, He'll Do a Great Job' Running Merged Skydance-Paramount, as FCC Deal Approval Is Still Pending Mark Ruffalo Slams 'Grifter' Trump and Says 'Billionaires Are the Problem, Not Immigrants': They're 'Stealing You Blind' While 'Immigrants Add to the Economy' 'You might find this hard to believe, from a president who's done more for Blacks than Abraham Lincoln, but Trump is not a fan' of Juneteenth, Jimmy Kimmel said on his ABC show — referring to a comment Trump actually once made. Said Kimmel, 'If Trump were to acknowledge Juneteenth, he would risk upsetting his not-at-all-racist-and-how-dare-you-say-we-are base. They're like, 'We're the ones who stopped enslaving — they should have a holiday for us!'' About his comment about the U.S. having 'too many non-working holidays,' Kimmel commented: 'Says the guy who just had a birthday parade for himself. Says the guy who has been in office for 150 days and has golfed 37 times that we know of.' 'I don't know, to me, it seems like a holiday that celebrates the end of slavery is one we should all be for,' Kimmel remarked. Stephen Colbert opened 'The Late Show' on CBS by wishing his audience a happy Juneteenth. 'It's a great day, a day to celebrate freedom,' he said. Colbert continued, 'Juneteenth is a day of joy — so Donald Trump doesn't like it.' Colbert pointed out that on Trump's first day back in the White House, Jan. 20, the president signed an executive order requiring the elimination of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs across the federal government. In response, the Defense Intelligence Agency ordered a pause of all activities and events related to Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Black History Month, Juneteenth, LGBTQ Pride Month, Holocaust Remembrance Day and other 'special observances' to comply with the anti-DEI direction, NBC News reported. 'So [Trump] wants celebrating Juneteenth to be controversial now,' Colbert said. But, he said, 'You cannot stop people from celebrating freedom. You can't make them turn down their joy,' before playing a clip of DJ Snake and Lil John's 'Turn Down for What.' On Thursday, Trump posted a complaint on Truth Social about there being 'Too many non-working holidays in America.' 'Too many non-working holidays in America. It is costing our Country $BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to keep all of these businesses closed. The workers don't want it either!' Trump wrote. 'Soon we'll end up having a holiday for every once working day of the year. It must change if we are going to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!' At a White House press briefing Thursday, press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked if Trump was commemorating Juneteenth in any way. 'I'm not tracking his signature on a proclamation today,' Leavitt said. 'I know this is a federal holiday. I want to thank all of you for showing up to work. We are certainly here. We're working 24-7 right now.' President Biden in 2021 signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law, establishing a federal holiday on the date. The holiday commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union Army General Gordon Granger proclaimed freedom from slavery in the state of Texas, nearly two years after Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
London lit up with bold Kneecap support message as Mo Chara walks free on bail
Dublin-based creative agency The Tenth Man lit up London with a huge projection in support of Kneecap. On Wednesday, Liam Og Ó hAnnaidh, was released on unconditional bail ahead of his next hearing on August 20 after he was accused of displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a London gig. The 27-year-old, who performs under the name Mo Chara, arrived at Westminster Magistrates' Court accompanied by band members Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin) and DJ Próvaí (JJ Ó Dochartaigh). Away from court, The Tenth Man created a massive projection which appeared across three Camden's Electric Ballroom, the site of the band's original performance that triggered the investigation as well as County Hall at Southbank and The Strand in Central London. The ad read: 'More Blacks. More dogs. More Irish. Mo chara', reclaiming the language of historic exclusion as a message of solidarity, resistance, and cultural pride. This isn't about provocation for its own sake,' said Eric Davidson of The Tenth Man. 'We stand with artists and their right to creative expression. We stand with truth-tellers like Kneecap, who through their art shine a light on shadowy parts of this world, knowing they'll be the ones to suffer the repercussions. This witch-hunt is a carnival of distraction and political policing to divert eyes away from Gaza,' added Dan Lambert, Kneecap's manager. The stunt follows the rollout of a billboard campaign (pictured) on sites around Westminster, timed to coincide with the criminal trial of Mo Chara, one-third of the Belfast hip-hop group. Hundreds of supporters of the group offered a round of applause outside a court in London on Wednesday, after the appearance. The Tenth Man has worked with Kneecap since 2018, on music videos, political campaigns and creative stunts including an activation with a replica RUC Landrover to launch their movie at the Sundance festival last year. The campaign also marks a statement of intent from the studio, which recently launched operations in London. Known for its disruptive creative work across music, fashion and youth culture, The Tenth Man has built a reputation for backing artists who push against the grain.
Euronews
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Kneecap rapper released on unconditional bail over terror charge
Kneecap rapper Mo Chara, whose real name is Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, has been released on unconditional bail after today's hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, 27, faced a terror-related charge in what he says is a politically motivated effort to silence the band's support for Palestinians before their appearance at Glastonbury Festival at the end of this month. His next court appearance is scheduled for 20 August. Charged under the name Liam O'Hanna, the rapper is accused of displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a London gig last year. He arrived at Westminster Magistrates' Court accompanied by band members Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin) and DJ Próvaí (JJ Ó Dochartaigh). Hundreds of supporters of the group were also outside a court in London, waving signs reading: 'Free Mo Chara' and 'Defend Kneecap.' Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove told the court that support for the Palestinians and criticism of Israel were not the reasons for the charge filed against Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh. 'He's well within his rights to voice his opinions and solidarity, as is anybody else,'' Bisgrove said. 'The allegation in this case is a wholly different thing and deals with a video recording showing that, in November of last year, Mr. Ó hAnnaidh wore and displayed the flag of Hezbollah, a proscribed terrorist organization, while saying 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah.''' Kneecap has supported the Palestinian cause throughout the war in Gaza, and the trio is scheduled to perform at Glastonbury on Saturday. Several artists have supported Kneecap, including Brian Eno, Fontaines D.C. and Pulp. They signed an open letter criticizing a 'clear, concerted attempt to censor and ultimately deplatform' Kneecap and opposing 'political repression of artistic freedom.' The letter reads: "As artists, we feel the need to register our opposition to any political repression of artistic freedom.' "In a democracy, no political figures or political parties should have the right to dictate who does and does not play at music festivals or gigs that will be enjoyed by thousands of people." Une publication partagée par KNEECAP (@kneecap32) Before today's hearing, the band posted billboards around London bearing the slogan 'More Blacks, More Dogs, More Irish, Mo Chara' - a message which echoes the signs placed in the windows of some London houses and businesses in the 1950s, stating 'No Blacks, No Dogs, No Irish.' 'British courts have long charged people from the North of Ireland with 'terrorism' for crimes never committed,' Kneecap said in a statement posted on social media. 'We will fight them. We will win.' A modern retelling of the 1756 fairytale "La Belle et la Bête" ('Beauty and the Beast') is published in France today, three months after the French Education Ministry called it inappropriate for children. The new illustrated rendition, written by cartoonist Jul, comes to bookstores with a red banner on its cover saying: 'Enfin!' ('Finally!'). The French government had originally commissioned the text as part of its annual 'A book for the holidays' campaign, through which 800,000 pupils receive a copy of an updated literary classic to read over the summer. The book was ready for its first print run when the Education Ministry cancelled its order in March, citing concerns over the portrayal of issues including social media and alcohol. 'The finished book is not suitable for independent reading, at home, with the family and without the guidance of teachers, for pupils aged 10 to 11' and 'could raise a number of questions among students that would not necessarily be answered appropriately,' the ministry said in a letter to the author. Jul denounced 'censorship' based on 'false pretexts.' He said the decision came from his representation of a heroine with brown skin and black curly hair. 'With the sensitivity and critical sense of a cartoonist used to capturing the zeitgeist, Jul infuses 'Beauty and the Beast' with a captivating modernity, without losing any of its universal spirit', the book's publisher GrandPalaisRmnÉditions said ahead of today's release. Education minister Élisabeth Borne's initial preface has disappeared from the newly published version, which is intended for readers from age 10 upwards, according to the publisher. Jul celebrated the release with a 3-minute online video, in which celebrities read excerpts of the tale. The video, titled 'Because no one should control what we read', features actors, writers and politicians from across the political spectrum, including former Education Minister Nicole Belloubet and former President François Hollande. "This mobilisation of the entire 'republican arc', with elected representatives as far apart as [leftist lawmaker] François Ruffin and [former right-wing Prime Minister] Édouard Philippe, shows that it's not possible for an ultra-reactionary fringe to tell us what we should or shouldn't read', Jul told AFP. 'There is unanimous agreement that this book deserves to be widely read.' The controversy even reached the National Assembly. Green lawmaker Cyrielle Chatelain requested on Monday the creation of a parliamentary inquiry committee into "the ultra-reactionary threat hanging over" French schools. She used 'Beauty and the Beast' as a case study. The "censorship" scandal still bears consequences. Jul's 'Beauty and the Beast' was printed in 20,000 copies, compared to the 800,000 initially required for the government's campaign. "The people who will go and buy it in bookshops are those who already go to bookshops," said Jul. "It was supposed to be given to those who don't usually go. The promotion of a common literary heritage is the ministry's mission, and it has failed."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kneecap Launch London Billboard Takeover Ahead of ‘Witch-Hunt' Court Appearance
Northern Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap remain defiant ahead of a court appearance for member Mo Chara this week, launching a billboard takeover in London in response. The series of billboards was announced on the group's social media on Tuesday (June 17) ahead of Mo Chara's scheduled appearance at Westminster Crown Court over terror charges on Wednesday. More from Billboard Addison Rae Announces Dates For Debut 2025 Headlining World Tour How Brandon Lake Is Leading A Whole New Flock To 'What's Real And What's True' In Christian Music Where Are the Blockbuster Soundtracks? The Screen Has Gone Dark for Hit Movie Albums Since 'Wicked' & 'Twisters' Mo Chara, born Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, was last month charged with a terrorism offense by London's Metropolitan Police after being investigated for allegedly showing support for militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah in historic videos. Both are proscribed as terror groups according to U.K. law, and considered an offense under the Terrorism Act 2000. In response, Kneecap claimed that the alleged offense is little more than a 'carnival of distraction' designed to shift the spotlight away from more pertinent matters. 'We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves,' Kneecap wrote in a statement. The group's timely billboard campaign follows in the same vein as their initial response, with a social media post seeing the group note the messages were specifically plastered in the lead-up to the impending court appearance, which they labelled a 'witch-hunt.' 'British courts have long charged people from the North of Ireland with 'terrorism' for crimes never committed,' they wrote. 'We will fight them. We will win.' The billboards – in the Irish flag colors of green, white and orange – feature the phrase 'More Blacks, More Dogs, More Irish, Mo Chara,' referencing the 'No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs' slogan which gained traction in the 20th century to discriminate against the aforementioned groups. Currently, Kneecap are also scheduled to perform at the Glastonbury Festival in England later this month, despite politicians throughout the U.K. writing to organizers of festivals which have booked the band to request their removal. Though the group remain on the final lineup for Glastonbury, they were however recently removed from Scotland's TRNSMT festival in July following safety concerns from law enforcement. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Euronews
3 days ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Kneecap debut London billboards ahead of terror court appearance
Belfast rap group Kneecap have a scheduled appearance today at Westminster Magistrates Court in London, UK, over terror charges. How to prep for such a situation? Billboards, of course. The trio, known for satirical lyrics and on-stage provocations, have put billboards up all over London that read 'More Blacks, More Dogs, More Irish, Mo Chara', in reference to a discriminatory slogan used in the mid-twentieth century that read 'No Blacks, No Irish, No Dogs'. These discriminatory signs were commonplace in London in the 50s, plastered on homes and businesses. Kneecap announced their version of the sign on social media, ahead of what they have referred to as a 'witch-hunt'. Indeed, Mo Chara – real name Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh – was charged over an alleged incident where he reportedly displayed a Hezbollah flag during a UK concert last November. Hezbollah is listed as a proscribed terrorist organisation by the UK Government. The group said that they 'deny' the offence and will 'vehemently defend ourselves'. 'This is political policing,' they wrote. 'This is a carnival of distraction. We are not the story. Genocide is.' 'British courts have long charged people from the North of Ireland with 'terrorism' for crimes never committed. We will fight them. We will win.' Une publication partagée par KNEECAP (@kneecap32) Kneecap have repeatedly denied supporting Hamas or Hezbollah, and argued that they are facing a "co-ordinated smear campaign" after speaking out about "the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people". "Let us be unequivocal: we do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah. We condemn all attacks on civilians, always. It is never okay. We know this more than anyone, given our nation's history", they said in a statement. "Kneecap's message has always been - and remains - one of love, inclusion, and hope. This is why our music resonates across generations, countries, classes and cultures and has brought hundreds of thousands of people to our gigs." Many Kneecap fans made their way to Westminster Magistrates Court to show their support. Several days after the terror charges were made, the band addressed them by saying during their set at Wide Awake festival that the charges were a way of silencing Kneecap and preventing them from 'speaking on stage at Glastonbury the way we did at Coachella'. Several artists have supported Kneecap, including Brian Eno, Fontaines D.C. and Pulp. They signed an open letter criticizing a 'clear, concerted attempt to censor and ultimately deplatform' Kneecap and opposing 'political repression of artistic freedom.' The letter reads: "As artists, we feel the need to register our opposition to any political repression of artistic freedom.' "In a democracy, no political figures or political parties should have the right to dictate who does and does not play at music festivals or gigs that will be enjoyed by thousands of people." Similarly, Love Music Hate Racism shared a statement saying that the charity organisation 'stands with Kneecap'. 'Love Music Hate Racism stands with Kneecap against the attempts to silence them for speaking out for Gaza,' the statement read. 'Anyone trying to silence them, or get them pulled from shows, is on the wrong side of history. 'LMHR has always attempted to use the power of music to unite people against hate and division. We stand with Kneecap against those directing hate towards the movement for Palestine. We call on all to stand with Kneecap and defend Mo Chara on June 18 outside Westminster Magistrates Court in London.' There has been pushback from several UK politicians regarding the appearance of Kneecap at various music festivals this summer. The band are still listed as performing at Glastonbury on Saturday 28 June. Whether or not the BBC - Glastonbury's broadcaster – decide to televise Kneecap's performance remains to be seen. Alfred Brendel, a classical pianist and writer renowned for his refined playing of Beethoven and Schubert, died Tuesday at his home in London. He was 94. Born on 5 January 1931 in Moravia, now the Czech Republic, Brendel spent most of his childhood in Croatia and Austria. 'I grew up in a family that was not musically inclined, not artistically inclined and not intellectual, so I had to find out a lot of things for myself', he said in a 2012 interview for the Verbier Festival. As a child and teenager, he studied piano and composition but considered himself largely self-taught. 'I did attend master classes in Austria by Edwin Fischer and Eduard Steuermann, but I never had a regular teacher after the age of 16', he told the New York Times in 1981. 'Self-discovery is a slower process but a more natural one.' Brendel gave his first recital in Graz, Austria, in 1948 at age 17, marking the beginning of a six-decade career. Throughout his life, he became especially associated with the music of Beethoven. He recorded the composer's 32 piano sonatas three times, and he played them over a month at New York's Carnegie Hall in 1983. He repeated the sonatas again at Carnegie over three seasons in the 1990s. 'Working on Beethoven takes a lifetime; the more you study him, the more you play him, the more you discover other avenues to explore and try', he told Le Monde in 1999. He was also praised for his interpretations of Mozart, Schubert, Liszt and Haydn. He was widely regarded as a mentor and as the 'musicians' musician' by his colleagues. Brendel had lived in London since 1971. He received 10 Grammy nominations and 23 honorary degrees from universities including, Cambridge, Oxford, Yale and The Juilliard School. Brendel gave his final concert with the Vienna Philharmonic in December 2008. An amateur painter and poet in his early years, he devoted most of his retirement to writing and published several books, including a 2004 collection of poems called 'Cursing Bagels.' 'I used to live a double life', he said in a 2012 interview with the Verbier Festival. 'I'm also a literary person lecturing, giving readings of my poems and teaching.'
