Latest news with #VickiMiller
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
No Kings protest: Philly police, organizers plan security ahead of rally
The Brief The No Kings protest starts at noon at Love Park before heading to the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps. Participants are protesting Trump administration policies. Philadelphia police say they will be safeguarding public safety as with all demonstrations. CENTER CITY - Saturday tens of thousands are expected to turn out in Philadelphia, which is holding the so-called flagship No Kings demonstration against Donald Trump administration policies. What we know The No Kings protest will organize at Love Park at noon. They will have banners, speakers and supporters lining up to begin marching around 12:15 and will head to the Philly art museum for the main event. They are protesting policies by the Trump administration. What they're saying "It should be very peaceful. Non-violent," said Vicki Miller. The city is preparing for a big day Saturday when massive crowds are expected in the city for the No Kings protest. "We've given people a lot of peacekeeper training and information so that if there's some kind of nonsense they know what to do and we expect that that's going to be just fine," said Miller who is with the group Indivisible Philadelphia. It is the main organizer for the protest which is being held to take a stance against policies by the Trump administration. "So many people are showing up to say we don't have kings and he's not going to be a king and we are against what he is doing in Washington," said Miller. She says they will have 100 or so volunteer marshals who will be in charge of their safety. "They have had many, many professional training in peacekeeping and everything a marshal does. They will be wearing yellow vests. Bright yellow vests," she said. She expects up to 60,000 people to join them to march to the art museum for the main event. Big picture view Here's part of what Philadelphia Police said in a statement this week ahead of the events taking place: "As with all demonstrations, our priority is to facilitate peaceful protest, prevent violence or disorder, and protect the rights of all residents, businesses, and participants. we train our officers accordingly and deploy resources proportionate to the potential needs of the event." "If people show up and they are deliberately disruptive, we'll probably have to do something about that. Maybe the marshals will calm them down. We will have to see what we do. If people break the law I think they will probably have to answer to the police," said Miller. The protest is expected to end by 3:30. By the numbers Up to 60,000 people are expected to attend the No Kings protest in Philly. 2,000 similar protests will happen around the country. The Source Information for this article was provided by the Philadelphia Police Department and Indivisible Philadelphia.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
No Kings protest: Philly businesses prepare for thousands expected to attend
The Brief Businesses in Center City are cautiously optimistic and planning for large crowds from the "No Kings Rally" on Saturday. A couple retailers in Rittenhouse Square are taking heightened precautions and boarded up their windows. The organizer of the rally said the event will be energized, joyous and peaceful. CENTER CITY - Thousands are expected to attend the No Kings rally in Philadelphia. Some local shops are optimistic that the large influx of people could help boost their businesses, while other retailers in Rittenhouse Square boarded up their windows on Friday in advance of Saturday's planned protest. What we know Hundreds of rallies called the "No Kings Protest" are scheduled across the country this Saturday and the flagship event is happening in Philadelphia. Organizers said the event will voice opposition against Trump administration policies. The rallies coincide with the President's birthday and the Army's 250th anniversary celebration. Vicki Miller is the group leader of Indivisible Philadelphia, a grassroots and progressive organization. Miller is the lead organizer of the No Kings Rally in Philadelphia and said she expects up to 60,000 in attendance. Timeline The rally will meet around 12 p.m. at Love Park then march down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art where public speakers will address the crowds. "We have marshals who are going to keep people safe. It should be very peaceful, nonviolent, it should go very well," said Miller. "We've never had any problem here before in any of our rallies and we expect the same tomorrow." Miller said organizers have had big meetings with every city agency involved including the Office of Emergency Management, the fire department, SEPTA and police. What's next Melissa Zielinski is the general manager of Walnut Garden, an outdoor beer garden on Chestnut Street. She said there is concern over Saturday's event going sideways, but said they will play it minute-by-minute. "We are going to be open. We open at 12 tomorrow and will just play it by ear. The police have been fantastic with making sure we feel safe, but at any time if we feel as though our staff is not safe then we'll definitely close up shop," said Zielinski.
CBC
13-06-2025
- Politics
- CBC
No Kings protests against Trump's policies expected to sweep U.S. on Saturday
Social Sharing A U.S.-wide demonstration against President Donald Trump, planned for months and to be held Saturday, has ballooned in scope since protests against the administration's immigration raids broke out last week. Cities across the U.S. and the world are preparing for nearly 2,000 planned "No Kings" rallies this weekend — which were organized in response to the flamboyant military Flag Day parade Trump is holding in Washington, D.C. Flag Day happens to fall on the president's birthday — Trump turns 79 this year. The number of rallies has grown throughout the week, but there is not one planned for the U.S. capital. Organizers say that they want to draw attention elsewhere. Though initially unrelated to widespread protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Los Angeles and other U.S. cities over the past week, the No Kings "day of defiance" couldn't be more timely, says Vicki Miller, whose group has been planning the Philadelphia No Kings demonstration since April. "It makes the urgency of everything we're talking about even more clear," said Miller, the Philadelphia leader of Indivisible, an organization that was created after Trump was first elected in 2016. The No Kings website says the aim of the demonstrations is to take action "to reject authoritarianism" of the current U.S. government. "They've defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights and slashed our services. The corruption has gone too far," the group writes. The website features a map of the U.S. with black dots showing all the locations where rallies are planned. Rallies are also being held in other countries in solidarity. In Toronto, a "No Tyrants" demonstration is planned for noon local time across from the U.S. consulate on University Avenue. Organizers like Miller have sought to make a distinction between their rallies and the clashes that have erupted in Los Angeles and Austin, Texas, in recent days. Trump federalized and deployed California's National Guard without Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom's consent in response to the protests. The move has been criticized as a display of the very authoritarianism protesters are trying to denounce. However, No Kings organizers say their plan is to remain on the straight and narrow. "We've never had any hint of violence in any of our protest rallies in Philadelphia," said Miller, a retired lawyer. "We're working with the city very closely." Miller said Indivisible is planning for at least 60,000 people to attend its rally Saturday. There will be 100 volunteer marshals present, who have been trained on de-escalation, and the group holds regular meetings on how to defuse tense situations, Miller said. But with protests gaining momentum across the U.S. and now elsewhere in the world, U.S. city and state officials are on high alert for what could unfold. Parade to feature 7,000 troops Washington, D.C., where the Flag Day parade will take place, has declared the event a "National Special Security Event," with a heavy Secret Service and law enforcement mobilization. The parade will feature more than 7,000 military troops, 150 vehicles and 50 helicopters. Texas's Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has put his state's National Guard "on standby" ahead of the No Kings rallies. At a news conference Wednesday, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed concern that Trump was "determined to insert chaos" ahead of the rallies. "Our responsibility is to continue to provide calm and structure to the situation," Johnson said. He said the city would "protect the fundamental right to protest and demonstrate peacefully, and if individuals work outside of those confines, will hold them accountable." Tuesday, Trump said he hadn't "even heard about a protest, but you know, this is people that hate our country, but they will be met with very heavy force." Protesting 'with the young ones' Many of the people CBC News spoke with who plan to attend No Kings rallies said they are not regular protesters. Armida Vicente-Sanchez, a 29-year-old welder who is organizing the No Kings rally in the small city of Dalton, Ga., where she lives, said her rally "has nothing to do with what's going on in L.A. Like, this is our own protest." "We're not trying to start anything like riots or nothing like that," said Vicente-Sanchez, who says she has family members who fear being targeted by ICE. For Clara Cáceres Contreras, though, No Kings is nothing new. The 70-year-old from McAllen, Texas, which sits across the Rio Grande from Reynosa in Mexico, says she has protested Trump every opportunity she's had. "I go out there and I protest with the young ones and I'm wearing my heels," she said. Cáceres Contreras said she is dismayed by the Republican Party's immigration policies under Trump. "They're arresting people that are working. These are working people," she said. "It's like going fishing in an aquarium." The retired education worker says the immigration raids in Los Angeles have given her "more" motivation to join the Saturday rally in McAllen. "Absolutely. My sister lives in L.A. Yes ma'am," she said. "I see the people there and I'm with them. They have a voice." She said she protested the border wall Trump used taxpayer money to build in his first term and that she is now protesting the Flag Day parade he is using taxpayer money to fund. The U.S. was built on rejecting a monarchy, Cáceres Contreras said, "and he thinks he's the king or something."
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Yahoo
Animal cruelty is child abuse by another name
Regarding the article on "Four charged after 38 dogs, 7 ferrets found inside Bethel home filled with feces, urine" (May 30): It's a shame our existing laws aren't "pro-animal." For those monsters to treat those poor dogs and ferrets the way they were found should be upgraded to a felony, as opposed to a first-degree misdemeanor. Cruelty to animals should be treated the same as cruelty to children. They're also innocent recipients of violence, unable to defend themselves. As a lover of animals, I'm more than fed up with abusers getting away with light sentences. These four people allowed 38 dogs to live with their fur matted with feces and urine and with feces on the floor, "several inches deep." Most of the dogs were Chinese Crested, so small dogs. Envision that. If the smell of urine and feces disgusted Deputy Dog Warren Sarah Steele, imagine what it truly was. Again, Terri Sprague, Christopher Davis, Vicki Miller, and Anthony Miller deserve more than 180 days, per count, the maximum sentence a first-degree misdemeanor garners. Sprague faces 41 counts of cruelty to a companion animal. Vicki Miller faces four counts of cruelty to a companion animal and 34 counts of complicity. Davis and Anthony Miller each face one count of cruelty to a companion animal and 34 counts of complicity. There are not enough years these four can serve behind bars, in my opinion, to make their actions right for what they did to these innocent souls. Sherie Kelly, Colerain Township This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Bethel animal abusers deserve felony charges for their cruelty |Letter
Daily Record
06-06-2025
- Daily Record
Scotland's most beautiful beaches with clear water and golden sands revealed
Fifty-two beaches across Scotland have been recognised in the Keep Scotland Beautiful Awards for their clean, safe, and well-managed shores along the nation's coastline From sweeping bays to sheltered coves, 52 beaches across Scotland have been officially recognised in this year's Keep Scotland Beautiful Awards, celebrating the best of the nation's 11,800 kilometres of coastline. Run by the environmental charity for over three decades, Scotland's Beach Awards are seen as the benchmark for quality, rewarding beaches that are clean, safe, well-managed and accessible. Each winner proudly flies a special flag to let locals and visitors know it meets the highest standards. The awards aim to guide people towards the best places for a dip, a picnic or just soaking up the coastal views. Whether you're staying close to home or planning a seaside getaway, the scheme highlights the cleanest and most scenic shores across the country. 'Congratulations to all the winners for their achievements,' said VisitScotland Chief Executive Vicki Miller. 'It's particularly encouraging to see some beaches making a return to the awards. "This demonstrates a real dedication to improving the visitor experience and environment. Our communities, along with our natural and cultural heritage, are what make Scotland so special. It's vital we protect and preserve them for the future.' This year, Fife once again leads the way with the highest number of awards, boasting 13 winning beaches. Among them, St Andrews West Sands stood out as the only beach to be honoured every single year for the past 33 years. Nearby, East Sands has received the award for the last 25 years in a row, while Aberdour's Silver Sands continues its long streak with a 32nd consecutive nod. Other Fife favourites also returned to the list, including Pettycur Bay in Kinghorn, now recognised 25 years running. Elie Harbour was included for the 14th year, Ruby Bay in Elie for the 27th, and Crail's Roome Bay again featured among the winners. Aberdeenshire and East Lothian followed closely behind with eight beaches apiece making the grade. Aberdeenshire's winners included Stonehaven Bay and Fraserburgh's Tigerhill Beach, while East Lothian celebrated wins for Gullane Bents, North Berwick's West Beach and Belhaven Bay in Dunbar's John Muir Country Park, among others. Angus contributed six beaches to the list, with long-standing favourites such as Montrose Seafront (22 years), Carnoustie (20 years), and Lunan Bay, which was recognised for the ninth year running. Loch Morlich in the Cairngorms National Park stood out as the only inland beach to receive an award. It was one of four Highland winners, joining Brora (24 years), Dornoch (31 years) and Nairn Beach. Shetland saw two beaches earn the accolade: West Sandwick, now in its 15th year, and Sands of Breacon for the second time. In North Ayrshire, Irvine Beach and Millport's Newton Beach were celebrated, with Newton making a welcome return after recent investment. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. South Ayrshire had six winners in total, including Troon, Barassie Shore, and the ever-popular Ayr South. Coldingham in the Scottish Borders was the region's sole representative, while Ballroom Beach in Aberdeen City and Broughty Ferry in Dundee also made the cut. Now in its 33rd year, the award scheme continues to play a key role in protecting Scotland's beaches for both people and wildlife. Alongside celebrating beauty and accessibility, beaches must also meet strict criteria around cleanliness, facilities, safety and environmental quality. The awards complement work by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency on monitoring bathing water standards. For the full list see here.
