Latest news with #PrideFlags
The Independent
10 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Nigel Farage as British PM would put Irish unity ‘centre stage'
Former Irish premier Leo Varadkar said that Irish unity would become 'centre stage' if Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was elected UK prime minister. Mr Varadkar, who stood down as taoiseach in April last year, said it is possible Mr Farage will be prime minister in four years or nine years time. He described British politics as 'very volatile'. Reform made big gains in local elections in England and Wales in May. Mr Varadkar told BBC Northern Ireland's The View programme, which will be aired on Thursday night, that he hoped Mr Farage is not the next British prime minister. The former Fine Gael leader said if the Reform leader became prime minister, it would 'change the pictures in terms of attitudes towards independence in Scotland'. 'I think it would change the views of some people in the middle ground in Northern Ireland (towards Irish unity),' he said. 'It isn't just because a right-wing nationalist government in London would want to bring the UK and Northern Ireland away from Europe. It is other things as well.' He also claimed that councils run by Reform in England were preventing people from flying Pride or progress flags. Mr Varadkar added: 'I don't think most people in Northern Ireland would like that. 'If that's the kind of government they had in London versus a government in Dublin that was very different, it might make them more likely to vote yes to unification,' he added. 'I do want to be very clear about this, it's not something I hope happens. 'I hope it doesn't happen.' Mr Varadkar said he believes planning for a united Ireland should be happening, but that a date should not be fixed as the numbers to win are not in place. He added: 'I don't think a united Ireland is inevitable, I think it's something that we have to work towards. 'But I think there are a lot of factors that would suggest that we're on that trajectory. 'Demographic factors, polling, even the most recent numbers showing that a very clear majority of younger people in Northern Ireland want there to be a new united Ireland.' 'I think that will carry true, and that's why I think it's something that we should plan for.' He said Irish unity will not happen 'by osmosis or by accident'. 'I think (it) has to be worked towards. I think those of us who believe in it have a duty to make the case for it,' he added. 'Look at the trajectory, and that is clear. We see it in elections. We see it in opinion polls. We see it in demographics.'
BreakingNews.ie
10 hours ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Nigel Farage as British PM would put Irish unity ‘centre stage'
Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that Irish unity would become 'centre stage' if Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was elected UK prime minister. Mr Varadkar, who stood down as Taoiseach in April last year, said it is possible Mr Farage will be prime minister in four years or nine years time. Advertisement He described British politics as 'very volatile'. Former taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that planning for a united Ireland should be under way. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. Reform made big gains in local elections in England and Wales in May. Mr Varadkar told BBC Northern Ireland's The View programme, which will be aired on Thursday night, that he hoped Mr Farage is not the next British prime minister. The former Fine Gael leader said if the Reform leader became prime minister, it would 'change the pictures in terms of attitudes towards independence in Scotland'. Advertisement 'I think it would change the views of some people in the middle ground in Northern Ireland (towards Irish unity),' he said. 'It isn't just because a right-wing nationalist government in London would want to bring the UK and Northern Ireland away from Europe. It is other things as well.' He also claimed that councils run by Reform in England were preventing people from flying Pride or progress flags. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage speaks during a press conference at Church House in Westminster, London. Photo: Jeff Moore/PA. Mr Varadkar added: 'I don't think most people in Northern Ireland would like that. Advertisement 'If that's the kind of government they had in London versus a government in Dublin that was very different, it might make them more likely to vote yes to unification,' he added. 'I do want to be very clear about this, it's not something I hope happens. 'I hope it doesn't happen.' Mr Varadkar said he believes planning for a united Ireland should be happening, but that a date should not be fixed as the numbers to win are not in place. Advertisement He added: 'I don't think a united Ireland is inevitable, I think it's something that we have to work towards. 'But I think there are a lot of factors that would suggest that we're on that trajectory. 'Demographic factors, polling, even the most recent numbers showing that a very clear majority of younger people in Northern Ireland want there to be a new united Ireland.' 'I think that will carry true, and that's why I think it's something that we should plan for.' Advertisement Ireland Kallas criticised over 'clear lack of understandin... Read More He said Irish unity will not happen 'by osmosis or by accident'. 'I think (it) has to be worked towards. I think those of us who believe in it have a duty to make the case for it,' he added. 'Look at the trajectory, and that is clear. We see it in elections. We see it in opinion polls. We see it in demographics.'
CBS News
2 days ago
- CBS News
Colorado neighborhood responds as man goes after Pride flags and people
One neighborhood in Northern Colorado is banding together as Pride flags continue to disappear, seemingly stolen by the same man over and over again. They believe the actions are designed to silence the LGBTQ community. Sheryl Colaur is getting tired of it, "It's very unnerving." A porch camera captures images of a man stealing Pride flags from a home in Longmont. CBS "He knows that our house puts out the flag. He knows what it represents." She is proud to put out the LGBTQ+ Pride Flag. Three times, what she believes is the same man, has visited her home at night in the Harvest Junction Village neighborhood in Longmont to steal her flags. A man with clothing that covers him and with a concealed face has ripped their Pride flags down. "It feels like an attack," she said about the thefts, which began Memorial Day Weekend. She's not alone. "It was a targeted attack. Every other flag, team flag, and American flags had all been left. It was just the Pride flags," said Mike MacFerrin. The thief also stole a Pride flag from his front porch. The front porch light was on and his children were home. "It's important to be strong as well, and the more of our neighbors that stand up strong to this, the stronger we are together," he said. The Harvest Junction Village neighborhood in Longmont has been targeted by a man stealing Pride flags. CBS Law officers in Longmont on Tuesday were tallying how many reports of stolen flags have come in. They believe they are not aware of all of the incidents. In a statement, Longmont Public Safety said, "We understand how upsetting the recent theft of flags has been for our community and continue to work with the neighborhood to gather evidence and statements related to these incidents. If you haven't yet filed a police report or have any information regarding those responsible for these thefts, please contact us at (303) 651-8501." Colaur is concerned that the man is growing bolder. "So I have kids. I worry about that, " she explains about the man's most recent effort, coming all the way up on her porch, where images of the individual with a facial covering were captured on camera. "It's making a move to put us away. To keep us out of the light." There is a case file now after the man directed threats at homeowner Lindsey Bailey. She was in her garage working on her fledgling tomato plants when a man passed by on a scooter, a little after dark one night, and yelled at her. Her home is one of those with a flag displayed. "They rode right by on their motor scooter, and just swore at me about how they hated pride month, and lots of expletives." Her husband, hearing the commotion, came out with a bat. The man turned around and came back, making another pass on the scooter, this time yelling at her husband. "Threatening that they were going to harm him, that he would be back," she said. "He had taken my neighbor's pride flags, and he was coming back for mine, too," she recalled he said. There is no way, as of yet, to tell where the man is from. Amid all of it the neighborhood has not splintered. Quite the opposite. The Harvest Junction Village neighborhood in Longmont. CBS "It's a politically fraught time right now," said MacFerrin. "It's no more or less likely to happen here than anywhere else. But it happened here and so we're responding." He helped pull together an online fundraising campaign to replace the flags, rapidly raising money to buy about 70 more flags. No one he's aware of has complained about what they are doing. "It was received very well. People did not like their neighbors being bullied. They wanted to stand up for them. They wanted to stand with them." And so some have added flags, while people wait to see if the man will be caught. Colaur has been replacing flagpoles and flags. "I'm three flagpoles in and no Pride flag to show for it," she said. But she'll keep doing it. "Every time he steals a flag, I'm going to keep on putting a new flag up."
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Yahoo
‘Harsh consequences': Petaluma man arrested for continued school threats over Pride flags
(KRON) — Police say a 45-year-old man is under arrest for allegedly making 'criminal threats' in several messages against a Petaluma City Schools District official in which he demanded the removal of Pride flags — saying 'harsh consequences' would follow if they weren't taken down. 2 teens arrested for throwing fireworks into crowd, yelling slurs at Redwood City Pride event The Petaluma Police Department says its officers took Josh Garzoli into custody just after 12:30 p.m. on Thursday after a series of reported confrontations between the suspect and the District Administrator. Police released the following timeline of events: 'On May 30, 2025, Garzoli left a concerning voicemail with Petaluma City Schools Officials demanding the removal of the Pride flag from school grounds. Garzoli reportedly told a School District Official there would be 'harsh consequences' if the flag was not removed. On June 2, 2025, Garzoli arrived at the Petaluma Schools Administration Office. He was reported as being agitated and angry, demanding the removal of Pride flags, but left without further incident. On the morning of June 5, 2025, at approximately 9:18 AM, the Petaluma Police Department responded to a report of criminal threats made toward a Petaluma City Schools District Official.' Investigators say that Garzoli then sent an 'alarming email' to the official in which he demanded the removal of the flags before the end of the school day on Thursday and said 'he would have the District Administrator 'executed' if the flags remained. 'The threat was considered specific, time sensitive, and caused safety concerns for school officials,' confirmed investigators. Petaluma PD says Garzoli was booked into custody on suspicion of violating 'California Penal Code 422 – Criminal Threats,' which is a felony offense. Police say the suspect's bail was increased to $750,000. 'We are working closely with Petaluma City Schools to ensure additional security measures are in place and that district personnel feel supported and protected,' say police. 'The safety of our school staff, students, and broader community is our highest priority.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hawaiʻi is doing this for the first time in history. How you can see it
HONOLULU (KHON2) — On Monday, June 2, 2025, Hawaiʻi is marking a historic milestone as Pride flags are being flown at the State Capitol for the first time in history. Governor Josh Green, M.D. authorized the display which is raising eight flags along South Beretania Street, to commemorate Pride Month. The flags include the progressive Pride flag, which incorporates rainbow stripes representing people of color, transgender individuals, intersex individuals and those living with HIV/AIDS. Dean Hamer, co-director of the Lei Pua ʻAla Queer Histories of Hawaiʻi Project, expressed his excitement. 'We are very excited that this year, for the first year ever, the Hawaiʻi state capital is going to be flying pride flags,' Hamer said. He emphasized the significance of this act, especially in the current climate where several states have restricted the display of Pride flags. 'It's especially exciting right now as we are witnessing this sort of regression where now 12 different states are trying to or already have restricted the flying of pride flags,' Hamer Wilson, co-director of the project, highlighted the importance of the Capitol as a symbol of governance and representation. 'Especially there. Right. Because, you know, in that building, that big, beautiful building on Beretania Street. Our lives and, you know, the issues that intersect with the lives of people across our communities are often on the agenda in that building,' Wilson remarked. He continued, 'So to see these flags as a symbol of, you know, the diversity of our communities that were seen and, in this case, in a respected way, in a place where decisions are being made by people, about our lives.' Michael Golojuch, Jr., Vice-Chair of the Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission, praised the event as a culmination of years of advocacy. 'We were thrilled when Governor Josh Green granted permission to fly the Pride Flags for the month of June. It marks the first time in our state's history this honor has been bestowed in recognition of Pride Month,' explained Commissioner Golojuch. 'It all began with the Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission's request for a proclamation declaring June as Pride Month, something that hasn't happened since the Abercrombie administration. From that first step, the momentum grew, leading to this year's historic Pride Flag Raising Ceremony hosted by the Governor himself.' The flag-raising ceremony was part of a broader initiative to honor and uplift the LGBTQ+ community in Hawaiʻi. Earlier this year, the Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission hosted its inaugural Queer Day at the Capitol which brought together various advocacy groups to discuss key issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community. 'This moment highlights exactly why the Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission exists. Our mission is, in part, to bridge the gap between the Māhū, LGBTQIA+ and QTPI+ communities and state government,' explained Commissioner Golojuch. 'It's a powerful culmination to a year of historic milestones, from the first Queer Day at the Capitol to the creation of a state-sponsored glossary focused on Māhū and LGBTQIA+ terminology.' The Lei Pua ʻAla Queer Histories of Hawaiʻi Project continues to document and memorialize Hawaiʻi's long history of gender and sexual diversity. Through initiatives like the Hui Alo Lei PUA Ala collaboration with the Maui Public Art Corps, the project fosters intergenerational dialogue within the queer community. 'We're also quite excited about a partnership we've had with the Maui Public Art Corps called Hui Alo Lei PUA Ala,' said Wilson. 'And this is an effort, to interview and create intergenerational dialog between, people in the queer community, to share their stories and then invite creative performing artists to interpret those interviews in a beautiful pop-up performance.' Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8 As Hawaiʻi celebrates this historic achievement, the raised Pride flags serve as a powerful symbol of visibility, respect, and inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community. In a time when many states are moving backward, Hawaiʻi stands as a beacon of progress and acceptance. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
