Latest news with #PalestinianFlag
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tug-of-war over Palestinian flag at Algonquin College convocation
For her convocation ceremony last week, Algonquin College graduate Rama Al-Zu'bi wanted to walk across the stage at Canadian Tire Centre waving her Palestinian flag. "When it's my time on stage, I'm celebrating me, and Palestinian is me," Al-Zu'bi told CBC. Before she was able to wave the flag of her homeland, however, she first had to win a tug of-war with an Algonquin College staff member who tried to pull it away from her as her name was being called. The incident on June 19 was captured on video. "I yelled, 'Let go!' and took the flag away from him," Al-Zu'bi recounted. "He was pulling very hard." WATCH / The moment Al-Zu'bi describes, captured on video: Al-Zu'bi, a graduate of the college's film and media production program, said she was not told of any policy that would prevent her from waving the Palestinian flag during the ceremony. Other graduates crossed the stage with flags from their home countries including Ecuador, but did not experience pushback from security personnel, Al-Zu'bi said. "I don't think it's the problem of a flag, I think it's a problem with the Palestinian flag," she told CBC. In a statement to CBC, Algonquin College said graduates were informed in advance of the venue's policies, which included a ban on flags. "In keeping with venue rules, flags were not permitted inside," the college said in a statement to CBC. "However, some flags were missed during security screening. As a result, various national flags — including Palestinian flags — were carried across the stage during 12 ceremonies held over four days in Ottawa." The college said security personnel "including venue and College staff, worked to uphold the guidelines," but added it regrets "any distress the enforcement of these rules may have caused." Another video posted on social media shows venue staff confronting a graduate with a Palestinian flag after she crossed the stage. That person declined to speak with CBC. Al-Zu'bi said she feels like her alma mater tried to stifle her freedom of expression. She said her Palestinian flag, which normally hangs on her bedroom wall, was a gift from a sister and is an object that "feels the closest to home." She said there has been no follow-up nor disciplinary action from the college since the ceremony. João Velloso, an associate professor of law at the University of Ottawa, said he found the footage of the June 19 incident "troubling." "It's not necessarily the flag, but how the staff tried to grab it aggressively instead of just managing it," said Velloso, who was part of the University of Ottawa's Senate and Board of Governors during the months-long encampment of pro-Palestinian demonstrators on campus last year. Velloso argues convocations are inherently political events, and activism is going to happen despite institutions trying to prevent it. "In the U.S., just receiving a degree in gender studies is a political statement," he said. "Graduations come with a political dimension." Velloso said one way to manage it would be to allow flags and offer support to students who may be triggered by them – whether the flag is from Palestine, Israel, Russia, Ukraine or other conflict zones.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tug-of-war over Palestinian flag at Algonquin College convocation
For her convocation ceremony last week, Algonquin College graduate Rama Al-Zu'bi wanted to walk across the stage at Canadian Tire Centre waving her Palestinian flag. "When it's my time on stage, I'm celebrating me, and Palestinian is me," Al-Zu'bi told CBC. Before she was able to wave the flag of her homeland, however, she first had to win a tug of-war with an Algonquin College staff member who tried to pull it away from her as her name was being called. The incident on June 19 was captured on video. "I yelled, 'Let go!' and took the flag away from him," Al-Zu'bi recounted. "He was pulling very hard." WATCH / The moment Al-Zu'bi describes, captured on video: Al-Zu'bi, a graduate of the college's film and media production program, said she was not told of any policy that would prevent her from waving the Palestinian flag during the ceremony. Other graduates crossed the stage with flags from their home countries including Ecuador, but did not experience pushback from security personnel, Al-Zu'bi said. "I don't think it's the problem of a flag, I think it's a problem with the Palestinian flag," she told CBC. In a statement to CBC, Algonquin College said graduates were informed in advance of the venue's policies, which included a ban on flags. "In keeping with venue rules, flags were not permitted inside," the college said in a statement to CBC. "However, some flags were missed during security screening. As a result, various national flags — including Palestinian flags — were carried across the stage during 12 ceremonies held over four days in Ottawa." The college said security personnel "including venue and College staff, worked to uphold the guidelines," but added it regrets "any distress the enforcement of these rules may have caused." Another video posted on social media shows venue staff confronting a graduate with a Palestinian flag after she crossed the stage. That person declined to speak with CBC. Al-Zu'bi said she feels like her alma mater tried to stifle her freedom of expression. She said her Palestinian flag, which normally hangs on her bedroom wall, was a gift from a sister and is an object that "feels the closest to home." She said there has been no follow-up nor disciplinary action from the college since the ceremony. João Velloso, an associate professor of law at the University of Ottawa, said he found the footage of the June 19 incident "troubling." "It's not necessarily the flag, but how the staff tried to grab it aggressively instead of just managing it," said Velloso, who was part of the University of Ottawa's Senate and Board of Governors during the months-long encampment of pro-Palestinian demonstrators on campus last year. Velloso argues convocations are inherently political events, and activism is going to happen despite institutions trying to prevent it. "In the U.S., just receiving a degree in gender studies is a political statement," he said. "Graduations come with a political dimension." Velloso said one way to manage it would be to allow flags and offer support to students who may be triggered by them – whether the flag is from Palestine, Israel, Russia, Ukraine or other conflict zones.
CBC
a day ago
- Politics
- CBC
Algonquin College grad grapples with staff over Palestinian flag
For her convocation ceremony last week, Algonquin College graduate Rama Al-Zubi wanted to walk across the stage at Canadian Tire Centre waving her Palestinian flag. "When it's my time on stage, I'm celebrating me, and Palestinian is me," Al-Zubi told CBC. Before she was able to wave the flag of her homeland, however, she first had to win a tug of-war with a faculty member who tried to pull it away from her as her name was being called. The incident on June 19 was captured on video. "I yelled, 'Let go!' and took the flag away from him," Al-Zubi recounted. "He was pulling very hard." Tug-of-war over Palestinian flag at Algonquin College convocation 10 hours ago Duration 0:09 Al-Zubi, a graduate of the college's film and media production program, said she was not told of any policy that would prevent her from waving the Palestinian flag during the ceremony. Other graduates crossed the stage with flags from their home countries including Ecuador, but did not experience pushback from faculty or security personnel, Al-Zubi said. "I don't think it's the problem of a flag, I think it's a problem with the Palestinian flag," she told CBC. College says flags were banned In a statement to CBC, Algonquin College said graduates were informed in advance of the venue's policies, which included a ban on flags. "In keeping with venue rules, flags were not permitted inside," the college said in a statement to CBC. "However, some flags were missed during security screening. As a result, various national flags — including Palestinian flags — were carried across the stage during 12 ceremonies held over four days in Ottawa." The college said security personnel "including venue and College staff, worked to uphold the guidelines," but added it regrets "any distress the enforcement of these rules may have caused." Another video posted on social media shows venue staff confronting a graduate with a Palestinian flag after she crossed the stage. That person declined to speak with CBC. Al-Zubi said she feels like her alma mater tried to stifle her freedom of expression. She said her Palestinian flag, which normally hangs on her bedroom wall, was a gift from a sister and is an object that "feels the closest to home." She said there has been no follow-up nor disciplinary action from the college since the ceremony. Incident 'troubling,' says law prof João Velloso, an associate professor of law at the University of Ottawa, said he found the footage of the June 19 incident "troubling." "It's not necessarily the flag, but how the staff tried to grab it aggressively instead of just managing it," said Velloso, who was part of a committee shaping the University of Ottawa's response to the months-long encampment of pro-Palestinian demonstrators on campus last year. Velloso argues convocations are inherently political events, and activism is going to happen despite institutions trying to prevent it. "In the West, just receiving a degree in gender studies is a political statement," he said. "Graduations come with a political dimension." Velloso said one way to manage it would be to allow flags and offer support to students who may be triggered by them – whether the flag is from Palestine, Israel, Russia, Ukraine or other conflict zones.
CBS News
2 days ago
- Sport
- CBS News
Video shows security physically removing fan from Chicago Fire FC game at Soldier Field
The Chicago Fire football club said they are addressing security issues at future Soldier Field games after video captured a fan being physically removed from the stands at Wednesday night's game. Video posted and shared widely on social media shows several Monterrey security guards carrying out a man whose body appears to be limp. The witness who posted the video shared with CBS News Chicago said other fans began yelling for an ambulance because they thought the man was unconscious. In the video, the man can be seen being carried up the stairs face down, handcuffed with his arms behind his back, by multiple security officers. Witnesses said there was a verbal altercation between security and the group, including the man, before he was physically restrained and handcuffed. The witness who posted that video said the man was standing with a group who had been waving a Palestinian flag at times during the game, though it was not clear that the flag prompted the security guards to action. The Chicago Fire posted a message on their X account saying they are aware of the incident and will be meeting with leadership at Soldier Field and supporter group leaders "to learn more and ensure that supporter's section maintains a safe and welcoming environment for all." Monterrey Security said in a statement, "We are working together with the Chicago Fire and Soldier Field staff to fully investigate the matter." Chicago police confirmed a 26-year-old was arrested while attending the game and was charged with one count of misdemeanor battery, but did not confirm whether that arrest was for the same incident that was captured on video.
Daily Mail
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Ohio doctor arrested for 'running Jewish congressman off road' while chanting 'Death to Israel
An Ohio doctor was arrested after a congressman claimed he forced him off the road while chanting 'death to Israel.' Feras Hamdan, 36, of Avon, turned himself in to cops following the alleged incident on Thursday morning while Republican Max Miller was driving on I-90. According to police, Miller had called 911 and said that as he was driving to work a man hit his horn and ran him off the road while waving the flag of Palestine. Miller, who is Jewish, also claims that the man shouted 'death to Israel' and threatened to kill him and his family. Hamdan is a doctor with a private practice. Hamdan appeared in court on Friday were he pleaded not guilty to a charge of aggravated menacing and ethnic intimidation. According to Cleveland19 he received a $500,000 cash-assured bond during the arraignment inside Rocky River Municipal Court. The outlet reported that Hamdan was also ordered to surrender his passport and to avoid contacting Miller and his family. He is expected back in court next month. Miller said in a post to his X account on Thursday that he was run off the road by what he described as an 'unhinged, deranged man' in another vehicle. The lawmaker said he is a 'staunch defender of Israel' in his post, and that the driver had been waving a Palestinian flag at him. He added: 'Not to mention, death to Israel, death to me, that he wanted to kill me and my family. 'I will continue to fight against anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and all other forms of hate. 'You have an issue, take it to my office. You want to run me off the road, that's a different story.' In the 911 call, obtained by CNN, Miller said: 'I'm on the freeway. I have somebody who has cut me off, who is flipping me off, who is showing me a Palestinian flag and is yelling to kill me. 'I'm a little shaken at the moment because I got death threats', he continued as he read out the license plate of the vehicle. After his call was transferred to another police department, he added: 'I was just driving to work and I was cut off by a man in a Tesla who held up a Palestinian flag to me and then rolled down his window and said that "I'm going to cut your throat and your daughter's." 'And he said "you're a dirty Jew. I'm going to f**king kill you all, and I know who you are and where you live."' 'I have a weapon on me. I'm glad I didn't use it. But, I mean, what is going to happen? This guy just said he is going to kill me. 'And said he is going to kill my daughter who is almost two years old. And he cut me off and clearly was trying to hurt me.' House Speaker Mike Johnson condemned the incident, writing on X: 'What happened to Max this morning is yet another outrageous example of unhinged rhetoric inspiring unstable people to threaten and attack elected officials who are serving their communities. We must turn down the temperature in this country.' House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar said in a joint statement: 'We condemn in the strongest possible terms the attack on Congressman Max Miller and his family and are thankful they are safe. 'The rise in political violence in this country is unacceptable. This is a moment of crisis that requires Congress to act decisively in order to ensure the safety of every single Member who serves in the People's House.' It comes after heightened concerns for lawmakers and public officials after Rep. Melissa Hortman was murdered last week alongside her husband Mark. Authorities say Trump supporter Vance Boelter, 57, is responsible for the killings, he was arrested late on Sunday night following an extensive manhunt.
