Latest news with #St.Patrick'sDay
Boston Globe
an hour ago
- Politics
- Boston Globe
The Latino police chief championing inclusion in Massachusetts
Quesada's commitment to inclusion extends beyond Swampscott. He's Advertisement For Quesada, a fourth-generation Mexican American who spent most of his career in Arizona, arriving in Massachusetts was like a literal cold plunge. The frigid weather was one thing, but realizing that the blue state doesn't necessarily live up to its national reputation as a progressive bastion was something else entirely. Prior to his Swampscott appointment, Quesada was the deputy chief of police at Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill, the job for which he moved to Massachusetts in the first place in 2020. Advertisement When he first arrived in the area, 'I remember seeing very few women in policing,' Quesada told me. And he remembers noticing that some departments still used 'policemen' instead of 'officers' or a more inclusive label. Last year, Quesada noted proudly, the Swampscott police had its first all-female patrol shift in the history of the department. Inclusivity shows up in other ways, too. 'We celebrate almost everything in this department,' Quesada said. 'St. Patrick's Day, Pride, Armed Forces. So I said, 'Let's have a Black History Month patch, too.' ' The latter one is a commemorative patch to be worn by officers on their uniforms and features a prominent, embroidered portrait of Martin Luther King Jr. framed by the red, yellow, and green colors that symbolize Pan-African unity. The patch also displays the date 'June 19th, 1865,' or Juneteenth, the holiday marking the emancipation of some of the last enslaved African Americans in the United States. 'That patch was designed by a local Black Metco student,' Quesada said. Quesada also brings a critical perspective to the fraught intersection of immigration and policing: He understands what it means to be seen as 'other' in his own country, even while serving it and even as someone whose Mexican American family has had roots for generations in Arizona. He's worn the uniform, navigated the tension between law enforcement and immigrant communities, and witnessed firsthand how policy decisions play out on the ground — especially during Advertisement Amid increased activity from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency in Massachusetts, Quesada is quick to point out that local police departments are not responsible for federal immigration enforcement. 'Local law enforcement and municipalities are already strained in personnel and resources simply trying to meet current public safety needs. … If we local law enforcement were to 'target' undocumented immigrants, whose interests and power are we serving to protect? It would run counter to any mission statement, values, and ideals of any PD in the country.' But he also points out that 'We cannot obstruct, hinder, or impede other law enforcement operations' — meaning that when ICE comes into communities, the police can't stop them. The national task force, which includes law enforcement leaders from across the country, In today's political climate, when immigrant communities are living in fear, and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives are under attack from the highest levels of government, Quesada's presence in law enforcement is more than symbolic. It's a powerful statement. His unapologetic embrace of DEI principles, rooted in personal experience and professional conviction, is both bold and necessary. Advertisement Two Swampscott Police Department commemorative patches honoring Pride month and Black History Month and Juneteenth. MARCELA GARCÍA/GLOBE STAFF Marcela García is a Globe columnist. She can be reached at
Vancouver Sun
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Doug Ford on Netflix documentary about brother: 'Poor Rob's been dead for 9 years.... Leave the guy alone'
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has commented on a Netflix documentary about his late brother and former mayor of Toronto, Rob Ford. 'They're disgusting people,' he said, referring to the filmmakers, at a news conference on Tuesday. 'Poor Rob's been dead for nine years and they just want to keep going after him. I talked to one person that saw it. It's just disgusting. Leave the guy alone. Let him rest in peace. Let his family rest in peace.' The premier said that he would not be watching the documentary, entitled Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem. It was released on the streaming service in Canada on June 17. The 49-minute film covers Rob's rise to prominence as a politician, from city councillor to mayor, in Canada's largest city. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Despite having the support of many of the city's residents, Rob was a polarizing figure. As his former staffer Tom Beyer described it in the film, there were often two reactions when people saw him driving Rob's campaign bus on the streets while he was running for mayor. 'People would be waving and cheering, and others would be giving me the finger,' said Beyer. 'There was no middle ground.' Rob was elected mayor in 2010. In the first year of his mayoralty, he was 'able to get his agenda passed,' city councillor Josh Matlow said in the documentary. 'He was ticking off, piece by piece, his plan to make the city work and end the waste,' said Mark Towhey, Rob's former chief of staff. However, Rob was also known for making off the cuff remarks to the media and in city hall's council chambers. He was accused of inappropriate behaviour while intoxicated, including showing up at a gala while drunk , confronting a couple at a Maple Leafs game, and drinking in his City Hall office on St. Patrick's Day in 2012 . Photos and videos allegedly showing him inebriated surfaced many times during his mayoralty, according to media reports at the time, which prompted him to either deny wrongdoings, or in some cases, apologize. The situation became more dire in 2013 when reports circulated that there was a video of Rob smoking crack cocaine out of a glass pipe. He denied the drug use at first, but later, in November of that year, admitted to it. 'Yes, I have smoked crack cocaine,' he told reporters. 'Do I? Am I an addict? No.' He said it was possible he had tried the drug in one of his 'drunken stupors.' The documentary follows the subsequent fallout from the admission, as well as Rob's fatal battle with cancer. He died in March 2016. 'Let his family rest in peace,' said Doug on Tuesday. 'It absolutely infuriates me, to be honest with you. They want the truth, talk to the real people that absolutely love him. I'll leave it at that.' The office of the premier told National Post that his remarks made on Tuesday stand as his response to the documentary. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Edmonton Journal
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Doug Ford on Netflix documentary about brother: 'Poor Rob's been dead for 9 years.... Leave the guy alone'
Article content Ontario Premier Doug Ford has commented on a Netflix documentary about his late brother and former mayor of Toronto, Rob Ford. 'They're disgusting people,' he said, referring to the filmmakers, at a news conference on Tuesday. 'Poor Rob's been dead for nine years and they just want to keep going after him. I talked to one person that saw it. It's just disgusting. Leave the guy alone. Let him rest in peace. Let his family rest in peace.' Article content The premier said that he would not be watching the documentary, entitled Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem. It was released on the streaming service in Canada on June 17. The 49-minute film covers Rob's rise to prominence as a politician, from city councillor to mayor, in Canada's largest city. Despite having the support of many of the city's residents, Rob was a polarizing figure. As his former staffer Tom Beyer described it in the film, there were often two reactions when people saw him driving Rob's campaign bus on the streets while he was running for mayor. 'People would be waving and cheering, and others would be giving me the finger,' said Beyer. 'There was no middle ground.' Rob was elected mayor in 2010. In the first year of his mayoralty, he was 'able to get his agenda passed,' city councillor Josh Matlow said in the documentary. 'He was ticking off, piece by piece, his plan to make the city work and end the waste,' said Mark Towhey, Rob's former chief of staff. Article content However, Rob was also known for making off the cuff remarks to the media and in city hall's council chambers. He was accused of inappropriate behaviour while intoxicated, including showing up at a gala while drunk, confronting a couple at a Maple Leafs game, and drinking in his City Hall office on St. Patrick's Day in 2012. Photos and videos allegedly showing him inebriated surfaced many times during his mayoralty, according to media reports at the time, which prompted him to either deny wrongdoings, or in some cases, apologize. The situation became more dire in 2013 when reports circulated that there was a video of Rob smoking crack cocaine out of a glass pipe. He denied the drug use at first, but later, in November of that year, admitted to it. 'Yes, I have smoked crack cocaine,' he told reporters. 'Do I? Am I an addict? No.' He said it was possible he had tried the drug in one of his 'drunken stupors.' Latest National Stories
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Conor McGregor aligns himself with world's highest IQ holder
Conor McGregor endorses viral statement about the Bible on X UFC fighter Conor McGregor added his voice to a trending post about religious belief by reposting a message from YoungHoon Kim , a figure who claims to be the 'world's highest IQ record holder.' The brief post made by McGregor, simply saying 'Yes', came in response to Kim's controversial statement regarding the Bible. Kim's original post, published on June 19 and viewed over 2 million times, read: 'As the world's highest IQ record holder, I believe the Bible is the perfect, eternal, and final Word of God. Therefore, the Bible doesn't need to be updated. The world needs to catch up.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy the Dip: Top 5 Dividend Stocks with Growth Potential Seeking Alpha Read Now Undo — TheNotoriousMMA (@TheNotoriousMMA) Also read: Michael Chandler hints at January 2026 UFC return fight with Conor McGregor The message has generated widespread online attention and debate, with many users expressing either agreement or skepticism. McGregor's repost brought additional visibility to the statement, signaling his public alignment with Kim's view. Live Events McGregor's social media influence and faith-based posts McGregor, known as much for his outspoken nature as for his fighting record, frequently uses social media to share personal beliefs and commentary on a range of topics. Though he is best known for his mixed martial arts career, McGregor has also used his X (formerly Twitter) platform to discuss religion, personal development, and political views. Over the past several years, McGregor has referenced his Catholic background and posted about the role of spirituality in his life. While his online presence often features brash or controversial content, Friday's, June 20, repost marked a more introspective or faith-oriented signal. The timing of McGregor's latest endorsement comes amid broader conversations around religion in public life, especially when supported or dismissed by celebrities. Though YoungHoon Kim's IQ claim is widely debated and not officially recognized by any governing authority, the viral nature of his message has drawn attention from influencers and public figures across platforms. Also read: Conor McGregor meets Donald Trump at White House on St. Patrick's Day, calls for US support on Ireland's issues Public reaction and ongoing discussion Reactions to McGregor's repost were mixed. Some followers praised the fighter for aligning with traditional religious values, while others questioned the credibility of Kim's claim and the broader message about biblical infallibility. Neither McGregor nor Kim has elaborated further on the post. McGregor's 'Yes' response remains his only comment on the matter as of press time. Given his history of sparking viral dialogue, McGregor's brief but impactful endorsement is likely to remain part of ongoing cultural debates at the intersection of faith, intellect, and influence.
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Finger on the pulp - Print and publishing picks of Cannes Lions : BE Extraordinary
This section showcases masterclasses in impactful communication. Dove, a champion of real beauty, innovatively celebrated the everyday ritual of "getting unready." Their print ads subtly depicted post-celebration moments, from St. Patrick's Day makeup to Holi colors, with a simple call to action, reinforcing Dove's authentic role in daily life. Meanwhile, The Times of India tackled low voter turnout in India with a powerful civic message. They printed newspapers using unused electoral ink, transforming a symbol of missed participation into a tangible reminder. This bold move urged citizens to vote, demonstrating how a traditional medium can deliver a profoundly relevant and actionable message. OMO/Persil, It's part of the Game, Mullen Lowe UK The household cleaning brand, OMO (known as Persil in some markets), has long championed the mantra "Dirt Is Good." This philosophy was initially portrayed quite literally, with memorable ads showing children joyfully playing in mud puddles. However, the brand has now boldly expanded this message to encompass all forms of "dirt," even challenging societal taboos around menstrual blood. Their recent campaign specifically tackles the contradiction where blood on a shirt from a minor injury is seen as "brave," but blood from a uterus is often met with shame. The campaign features images with the outline of women's underwear, where inside the outline, the word "shame" is subtly placed, while outside, "bravery" is highlighted. This powerful visual representation aims to erase societal stigma, declaring that "every stain should be part of the game." Beyond its powerful social commentary, the campaign also implicitly showcases the product's efficacy, demonstrating its ability to remove even challenging stains like period blood, thereby challenging and changing perceptions. Dove: Get Unready, Ogilvy Dove has consistently championed real beauty, challenging conventional ideals and promoting self-acceptance. Their latest campaign embraces a simple yet powerful message: Dove is there not just to help you get ready, but also to help you get unready. This idea is particularly evident in their visual print ads, which highlight the aftermath of vibrant celebrations. Imagine a close-up shot of a face after St. Patrick's Day, green and yellow remnants of festivities still clinging to the skin, with a timestamp like "St. Patrick's Day, 11:32 p.m." The accompanying text simply reads: "Get unready." Another striking example features a face dusted with colorful powder, clearly from the Indian festival of Holi, with the caption: "Holi, 4:03 p.m. Get unready." These ads powerfully convey that after the party, after the makeup and the fun, Dove is there to cleanse and restore, embracing the human reality of daily rituals. The simplicity of the visuals, coupled with the relatable scenarios, creates a deeply human connection, reinforcing the brand's enduring commitment to authentic beauty. The Times of India: Ink of Democracy, Havas, Mumbai In India, where the physical newspaper still holds significant influence, especially for a national publication like The Times of India, a compelling campaign was launched to address low voter turnout during general elections. With 33% of eligible voters often not participating, despite elections occurring every five years, the challenge was to galvanize civic engagement. The campaign leveraged a uniquely Indian symbol of democracy: the electoral ink applied to a voter's finger after casting their ballot. This indelible purple mark is a widely recognized sign of participation, often proudly displayed on social media. The Times of India drew attention to the thousands of liters of this special ink that go unused due to non-voters. Their powerful statement was to print the newspaper using this very unused electoral ink. This bold act served as a poignant visual reminder to readers that the ink should have been on their fingers, marking their vote, rather than on the newspaper pages. By literally transforming wasted potential into a tangible message, The Times of India underscored its commitment to informing the public and fostering democratic participation, effectively challenging the public to turn out and make their mark. (At BE Extraordinary, a series about the winners at Cannes Lions in collaboration with Harsh Kapadia, CCO, Grey India, we peer outside the Grand Prix, and look at clutter breaking work that picked the silvers and the bronzes, but don't often get discussed.)
