Latest news with #DeSimone
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Miami Herald
Journalist hit by LA deputies' round at ICE protest needed surgery, claim says
A British photojournalist needed emergency surgery to remove shrapnel that came from an 'explosive' round shot by deputies during a Los Angeles County protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to a legal claim. The photographer, Nicholas Stern, filed the claim against the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, accusing the agency of civil rights violations. The legal action was shared with McClatchy News on June 17. 'Upon information and belief, the use of force was motivated by Stern and the surrounding individuals' perceived political affiliation pertaining to immigration,' Stern's attorney, V. James DeSimone, wrote in the claim dated June 16. The sheriff's department did not immediately return McClatchy News' request for comment June 17. Stern is a journalist in Los Angeles working for the British news industry, according to the Guardian. At an ICE protest in Compton on June 7, Stern saw sheriff's deputies using 'less-lethal weapons' against the crowd, including '40mm munitions, flash bang projectiles' and 'pepper spray,' the legal claim says. While there, he 'habitually' held his press badge and camera in the air to 'make it visible that he was a journalist' after covering ICE protests in downtown Los Angeles earlier in the day, according to the filing. A 'skirmish line' — which involved sheriff's department vehicles situated to protect deputies — was put in place by law enforcement on Alondra Boulevard at about 6 p.m., according to the claim. Then, about 10 to 15 people at the demonstration established a 'barricade' and began tossing 'projectiles towards the skirmish line,' the claim said. 'The skirmish line was approximately 200 feet away from the barricade,' DeSimone wrote, adding that Stern was photographing the situation from at least 40 feet away from the demonstrators' barricade. Projectile gets fired at the protest Within a few hours, before, 9 p.m, the claim says Stern observed a group of people 'peacefully protesting' by 'waving flags and chanting' when deputies fired projectiles toward them. While near a person holding a Mexican flag, Stern first saw an explosion, then felt intense pain, the claim continues. Deputies had fired a round from what was possibly a 40mm launcher, according to the claim, which says a casing then 'rocketed into (Stern's) thigh causing an open wound and the pouring of blood.' After Stern was helped to a nearby curb by several protesters in the area, DeSimone wrote in the claim that he fainted from the pain and awoke to a medic bandaging his bleeding leg. Stern was taken to the emergency room at Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center, where a CT scan revealed he had a '40mm by 60mm' piece of shrapnel stuck in his leg, according to the claim. He was put in an ambulance and transferred to Long Beach Medical Center for surgery, the claim says. Surgical staff inside the center's trauma unit removed the object, which 'fits the description of a less lethal projectile deputies use and fire from a 40mm launcher,' according to the claim. 'He is still in excruciating pain after it was surgically removed,' DeSimone said in a June 17 news release. Stern appeared with DeSimone at his law office in Marina del Rey to announce the claim's filing at a June 17 news conference livestreamed on DeSimone's Instagram page. The claim accuses Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies of purposely firing projectiles at him or near him, without him or anyone near him posing a threat. The claim says they violated a preliminary injunction that puts limits on when deputies can use less-lethal weapons as crowd control measures against non-violent protesters. The legal action seeks to hold deputies accountable under California law, specifically for alleged battery, negligence and negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress. It says Sheriff Robert G. Luna and other supervisors within the county sheriff's department have failed to properly train deputies. As a result, the department's supervisors have enabled and condoned deputies using excessive force, according to the claim. 'Los Angeles County Sheriffs shot an explosive device directly into a crowd, violating its policies, an injunction, and the U.S. Constitution,' DeSimone said in the release. The protests against ICE began in Los Angeles County on June 6, according to USA Today. Similar protests ensued in the following days, nationwide in dozens of U.S. cities. On June 7, in reaction to the demonstrations criticizing deportations in the U.S., President Donald Trump had 2,000 members of the National Guard deployed to Los Angeles, McClatchy News reported. DeSimone previously represented Stern in a federal lawsuit against the Los Angeles Police Department, which resulted in a $150,000 settlement in February 2024, according to a report by the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, a news site and database run by the Freedom of the Press Foundation. When he sued Los Angeles police in May 2021, he accused officers of misconduct in connection with force used against him when he covered a May 2020 protest over the death of George Floyd, according to the report. The recent immigration protests in the U.S. were followed by nationwide 'No Kings' protests on June 14, when a U.S. Army parade was held in celebration of its 250th anniversary, McClatchy News reported. It was also Trump's birthday on June 14.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fireworks to return for Attleboro's Independence Day celebration
ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WPRI) — This year's Independence Day festivities in Attleboro will once again include a fireworks display. Mayor Cathleen DeSimone said last year's laser show was 'well received by many folks in the community,' but there 'was a clear preference for fireworks' after the city conducted a social media poll. 'Last summer, after receiving the results of the poll, I asked Recreation Director Christy Clausen to lead a team of staff members and community volunteers in planning and fundraising for a fireworks display this summer,' she explained. BACKGROUND: Attleboro mayor suggests laser light show in lieu of fireworks This year's display will be at 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, at Hayward Field on North Avenue. According to DeSimone, the event—which includes the fireworks, food trucks, entertainment and public safety details—will cost around $60,000. (For reference, last year's laser show was $15,000.) The funding for this year's event will mainly come from donations and sponsorships, DeSimone said. The Municipal Council also approved city funding. DeSimone said she also hopes the city can find more people to join the volunteer committee and community partners to share the costs of the event with a big milestone coming up. 'With next year being the country's 250th birthday, we are going to need extra help planning and fundraising,' she said. NEXT: Lisa Field wins special election for late Rep. Carol Doherty's Taunton seat Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Intercept
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Intercept
Atlanta Suburb Repeals Law Forcing Protestors to Obtain Consent of Anyone Within 8 Feet
You no longer need consent to speak your mind within eight feet of someone in Sandy Springs, Ga., where the local council repealed one of three controversial new free speech ordinances that were mostly written by the Anti-Defamation League. In April, the Atlanta suburb in northern Fulton County passed three new ordinances expanding the definition of disorderly conduct, which critics immediately flagged as unconstitutional restrictions on First Amendment rights. One of the ordinances, which was rescinded on Tuesday, criminalized handing someone a leaflet, displaying a sign, or engaging in oral protest within eight feet of someone without their consent. The other ordinances, which remain in effect, make it illegal to obstruct an entrance or exit of a public facility or private property and to conduct door-to-door soliciting and canvassing between the hours of 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. – blocking the local Sandy Springs Crier newspaper from delivering papers on its early morning route. A similar law was ruled unconstitutional for violating the First Amendment in the 1999 Statesboro Publishing Co. v. City of Sylvania case by the Supreme Court of Georgia. The Anti-Defamation League — an organization founded to combat anti-Jewish bias and bigotry that has been criticized for falsely conflating criticisms of Israel and support of Palestine with antisemitism — drafted the model legislation used to shape the ordinances, and in some instances the word-for-word language approved by the city council in Sandy Springs. 'The ADL decided to craft these model ordinances to help maintain public safety,' Sandy Springs Communications and Public Relations Director Carter Long wrote in an email to The Intercept. 'After the proposed model ordinances were researched and prepared by the ADL, they were delivered to the City. From there, they were taken to City Council work sessions to discuss, and ultimately to a City Council meeting to adopt.' Initial versions of the ordinances were introduced to council members as early as November 2023, the month after Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel. They didn't reappear on the council's agenda until Jan. 7, 2025, when the bill was presented by Sandy Springs Chief of Police Kenneth DeSimone and City Attorney Dan Lee. DeSimone did not initially acknowledge ADL's involvement in modeling the proposed legislation, saying it was a collaboration between himself and the city attorney. On April 1, Lee described the legislation as 'content-neutral,' saying it 'applies to everyone.' During a work session, two council members compared DeSimone's proposed legislation and the ADL's model legislation. Council member Andy Bauman read a section from ADL's model legislation that defined disorderly conduct as when a person 'knowingly approaches another person within eight feet of such person, unless such other person consents, for the purpose of passing a leaflet or handbill to, displaying a sign to, or engaging in oral protest, education, counseling, or harassment with such other person in the public way within a radius of 50 feet.' The only difference between ADL's model legislation and Sandy Spring's ordinance was that the final language excluded the clause stating 'in the public way within a radius of 50 feet.' This would later prove consequential. Some residents spoke out against the proposed rules, such as Mike Petchenik, who said that while he supports combatting antisemitism, these ordinances were 'throwing the baby out with the bathwater' by restricting free speech and freedom of the press. 'It applies to the whole city of Sandy Springs and restricts expression and speech across entire city parameters.' Representatives of the state chapter of the Council on American-Islam Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights organization, said Sandy Springs should address real problems including antisemitic flyering in the community, but noted that none of the ordinances were fitting solutions and all posed First Amendment issues. 'We believe sufficient laws exist to create safety around building entrances and exits, and that the new laws only create complications and legal vulnerabilities that protesters must cope with when exercising their First Amendment rights,' wrote CAIR-GA Executive Director Azka Mahmood in an email to The Intercept. 'While the canvassing ordinance is likely meant to target Nazis who have been leaving antisemitic flyers in Jewish neighborhoods, we know that laws that apply to everyone are always disproportionately applied to people of color, who are the most scrutinized by law enforcement.' Mahmood describes the ordinances as tools of suppression aligned with the broader effort detailed by American conservative think tank Heritage Foundation's Project Esther, launched in October 2024. 'It is not surprising the ADL is advancing them,' adds Mahmood. 'The timing of the introduction of the buffer zone ordinances, too, shows that they are clearly designed to limit people's ability to protest or educate others about Israel's ongoing genocide in Gaza, in violation of their right to free speech.' The ACLU of Georgia warned council members ahead of a public hearing that the ordinances would violate individuals' right to free speech, which includes the 'right to attempt to persuade others to change their views.' During the public hearing, Bauman voiced his dismay at the process by which the ordinances were being passed. Local attorney David Hudson, who represents Appen Media, which owns the Sandy Springs Crier, urged the council to reject the solicitation ordinance, calling it unconstitutional. Despite these objections, the city council passed all three laws. The ordinances aren't the first time the ADL has been involved in Fulton County. In March, the ADL publicly promoted a Title VI complaint filed against the Fulton County School District by the National Jewish Advocacy Center and the Brandeis Center. The complaint, which was filed in August 2024 and is still pending, lists individuals wearing keffiyehs and shouting 'free Palestine' as antisemitic behavior, calling the slogan a 'rallying cry for the eradication of Israel … erasing and denying the Jews' identity.' While the complaint references an incident in which a student allegedly attempted to start a physical altercation, it largely focuses on pro-Palestinian symbols and messaging in its allegations of antisemitism. It highlights teachers who wore 'Free Palestine' pins and Palestinian pendants that the complaint claims '[erases] the State of Israel.' The lawsuit also calls out teachers' anti-Zionist perspectives being shared with students. Officials in Sandy Springs, Ga. based their local ordinances on proposals drafted by the Anti-Defamation League. Photo: Aja Arnold The ADL has filed similar lawsuits with Brandeis Center, including the April 2024 complaint against Yale University. This recent series of complaints filed and promoted by ADL largely targets colleges and universities; Fulton County is the only school district listed in ADL's press statement boasting its recent litigation battles. Meanwhile, two Muslim advocacy groups also filed a civil rights complaint against the district in February, alleging the district hasn't done enough to protect its Palestinian students. The ADL has a long legacy of pushing model legislation to national, state, and local governments. In its 2012 Hate Crime Laws report, the organization stated that 43 states and the District of Columbia had 'enacted laws similar to or based on the ADL model.' In 1993, the ADL's model legislation efforts made precedence in the U.S. Supreme Court, when the court upheld a Wisconsin hate crime statute based on model legislation drafted by the organization in 1981. It's not the first time the city of Sandy Spring embraced ADL model legislation. In the aftermath of the Charleston church shooting in 2015, the ADL launched a hate crime law campaign, '50 States Against Hate,' with Georgia as a key target. In 2019, Sandy Springs became the first city in Georgia to ratify a local hate crime ordinance. Less than two months after the trio of speech ordinances were passed, the City Council in Sandy Springs gathered again to discuss one of the buffer zone laws. This time, Lee, the city attorney, offered a different perspective. Despite his initial support of ADL's model legislations, Lee initiated a recommendation to repeal the controversial ordinance. Lee argued that the Sandy Springs ordinance, as written, stipulated that barrier zones were 'floating' – rather than one tied to a geographic point. That's because the City Council trimmed the clause from the model language requiring buffer zones within a '50-foot radius' of fixed points – say a government building or a house of worship. That meant that rather than having 8-foot buffers at protests, the entire city would be blanketed in constantly moving 8-foot buffers restricting speech without consent from passersby. In a May 14 memo to the mayor and council members, Lee expressed concern this could open up Sandy Springs to a heap of lawsuits. 'Since the adoption of [the ordinance], there has been much discussion among and between legal and interested parties,' wrote Lee. 'The [ADL] and [ACLU] … believe that the removal of the fifty foot radius provision presents a challenge to this particular Ordinance.' He continues in saying that the buffer zone, as agreed between ADL and ACLU, must be 'directly tired to a geographic point and not 'floating.'' Lee added that the other two ordinances passed at the same time are 'sufficient, valuable tools to protect the public.' Addressing the council in the dark after a power outage disrupted the meeting, ACLU director Cory Isaacson described the measure as too far-reaching. 'Instead of being narrowly tailored, [the ordinance] is as broad as it can get,' Isaacson said moments before the blackout. 'It applies to the whole city of Sandy Springs and restricts expression and speech across entire city parameters.' The council voted unanimously to repeal the measure. To Emmaia Gelman, the director of the Institute for the Critical Study of Zionism, it's no surprise the ADL was involved in pushing legislation that put barriers on speech. It's more of the same from the 'anti-left, anti-communist' organization, Gelman said, only now it's coming at a time when claims of antisemitism are being weaponized by an increasingly authoritarian government to stifle dissent. At the time of this publication, the ADL media office did not respond to request for comment. 'What we have here is the ADL criminalizing another aspect of protest at a time when the policing of protest is super heightened, incredibly violent, and being used to advance fascism,' said Gelman. 'The material impacts of doing that right now are so clear. And who is being policed? It's protesters who are opposing the Israeli genocide and over-policing.' While the ordinance is repealed for now, some advocates worry that the door remains wide open for the city to again collaborate with the ADL to enact the model legislation. 'The only reason this ordinance was repealed is because it deviated from its original text,' said Mahmood. 'We remain concerned that it will be re-introduced in its intended form.'
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
New water superintendent appointed in Attleboro
ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WPRI) — Attleboro Mayor Cathleen DeSimone has appointed a new water superintendent after a months-long search. The mayor announced Tuesday she picked Dennis Morton to lead the city's water department. 'I am pleased to announce that I have appointed Dennis Morton as the new Superintendent of Water,' DeSimone said. 'Dennis has years of managerial experience in municipal water operations, has overseen large capital projects, and brings a fresh new perspective to our Water Department.' Kourtney Allen, the previous superintendent, resigned in December as the city was dealing with a water supply emergency. The supply got dangerously low due to the drought and mistakes made by the department, according to DeSimone. ALSO READ: Human error contributed to Attleboro's water supply issue DeSimone announced in April that the water supply at the reservoir had recovered. The water emergency was lifted, but restrictions will remain in place until the end of September. Attleboro is now able to buy water from Pawtucket and Mansfield after interconnections were made. DeSimone also announced that a temporary water treatment plant is being installed at the Wading River facility to serve the community until a new, permanent plant is built. She said demand for water 'averages 4-6 million gallons' a day during the summer and '2-3 million gallons' a day in the winter. Morton started the job Monday and will be under a 90-day probationary appointment. He's subject to City Council approval to serve beyond the 90 days, which would be a three-year appointment if confirmed. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
Business Upturn
05-05-2025
- Business Upturn
Denver's DUI Law Firm Provides Top-Tier Legal Defense with Client-Focused Approach
Denver, Colorado, May 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DUI Law Firm Denver is proud to share its commitment to helping clients through legal challenges, focusing primarily on DUI cases. The firm prides itself on its strong legal foundations and works through the complicated landscape of DUI laws to ensure their clients are well-informed about their options. Their mission is to provide full legal support, helping clients understand what comes with their cases and working towards the best possible results. They take a personal approach to each case, making sure every client gets the attention they deserve. With deep knowledge of DUI laws, the legal team offers advice that helps clients make informed choices. DUI Law Firm Denver shows its dedication to legal excellence by methodically approaching DUI charges and focusing on the distinct details of each client's case. A client recently shared, 'The team at DUI Law Firm Denver provided exceptional guidance during a difficult time, ensuring I understood each step of the legal process.' This feedback highlights the firm's goal to positively impact the lives of their clients with effective legal representation. Lawyers at DUI Law Firm Denver prioritize clear communication and offer strong support as clients go through the legal system. Emilio De Simone from DUI Law Firm Denver commented, 'Our aim is to provide sound legal advice and representation to those charged with DUI offenses. We understand the intricacies of DUI laws and strive to give our clients the best possible defense.' This showcases the firm's dedication to mastering legal complexities and standing strong as client advocates. The firm stays on top of all legal changes and updates in DUI laws. By continually learning and adapting, the lawyers deliver competent representation, taking into account recent legal precedents that might affect a client's situation. Their focus on education supports their goal of offering well-informed legal guidance. 'Our approach is always client-centered,' says De Simone. 'We focus on listening to our clients, understanding their particular situation, and advocating for the most favorable outcome. It's not just about the law; it's about people's lives and futures.' This highlights the firm's belief in putting clients first, ensuring they feel supported throughout the process. DUI Law Firm Denver aims to be a helpful source for anyone facing DUI charges, offering a deep understanding and experience to lessen the stress of legal action. By focusing on what each client needs and providing well-rounded representation, they aim to reduce the anxiety that comes with handling DUI charges. Their expertise extends to individuals facing other criminal charges as well, such as drug offenses and theft cases. For those who want to know more about DUI Law Firm Denver and what they offer, their profile can be visited here: Overall, DUI Law Firm Denver stands by a tradition of combining legal expertise with a client-centered approach. Their commitment is clear in how they handle each case, providing every client with comprehensive legal support. By staying updated on legal changes and focusing on client needs, the firm remains a trusted partner for those facing DUI charges. To learn more details about their approach to DUI defense and showcase what clients have said about their experiences, visit ### For more information about DUI Law Firm Denver, contact the company here: DUI Law Firm DenverEmilio De Simone303‑404‑7492 [email protected] 1890 N Gaylord Street Denver, CO 80206
