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Straits Times
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Forum: Participate fully in collective celebration of nation's birthday at NDP
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox We thank Mr David Lim Yeow Chuan for his support of the National Day Parade (NDP), and for taking the time to share his observations ( Parade-goers should show greater appreciation for NDP , July 2). Together from start to finish, the segments of each NDP weave together the story of Singapore's journey and our shared aspirations as a nation. In this year's celebration of Singapore's 60th year of independence, NDP 2025 will unfold across an expanded canvas of celebration encompassing both the Padang and the surrounding Bay area. Each NDP features various interactive segments where audience members become active contributors to the experience. These engaging moments build towards the nationwide Majulah Moment, where all Singaporeans, whether at the parade or elsewhere, are invited to recite our Pledge and sing our National Anthem together. The NDP is the result of the dedication of many volunteer participants and performers, whose stories of commitment and contribution have been shared with Singaporeans through various media platforms. They remind us of the collective spirit that makes this celebration possible. We encourage all ticket-holders – whether for the NDP or its preview and National Education shows – to arrive early, enjoy the event in its entirety, and participate fully in every segment. Beyond enjoying the experience and affirming the participants' effort, they will find deeper meaning in being part of this collective celebration of our nation's birthday and renewal of our commitment to Singapore. Majulah Singapura. Chong Shi Hao (Colonel) Chairman NDP 2025 Executive Committee
Straits Times
01-07-2025
- General
- Straits Times
Forum: Parade-goers should show greater appreciation for NDP
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox I was heartened to see Singaporeans immersed in celebration as I attended this year's National Day Parade (NDP) rehearsal. However, I also observed a disheartening trend. I noticed some attendees leaving the venue right before the parade finale had concluded. Some simply collected the fun packs and left. It was not a pretty sight to see pockets of empty seats at the spectator stand. The lack of appreciation for attending such a highly sought-after event is disappointing. Many are eager to attend but unable to secure tickets due to high demand. Those among us who are lucky to obtain tickets should be mindful of the effort that goes into putting the parade together and appreciative of the chance to witness the event. The NDP finale holds special meaning with fireworks, sing-along and recitation of the Pledge as a country. If one is unable or not keen to attend the parade in full, one should consider giving up the ticket to someone who wants to. I hope the organisers can consider ways to encourage fuller participation, such as reinforcing the significance of staying for the entire parade. Organisers should also consider ways to discourage parade-goers from collecting fun packs without participating in the NDP. David Lim Yeow Chuan
Chicago Tribune
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Letters to the Editor: Republicans seem intent on hurting the most vulnerable
Members of Congress take the Pledge of Allegiance hundreds of times during their terms in office. It says that liberty and justice are for all. But Republican lawmakers in Washington don't believe the Pledge. Instead, they only want liberty and justice for some. Despite strong opposition, the threats to Medicaid have gotten worse. The budget bill passed by the House in May includes $800 billion in cuts over 10 years. The Senate's version released last week increases those cuts to $1 trillion. The results will be catastrophic. More than 10.3 million Medicaid beneficiaries will lose coverage. More than 4.5 million people with complex needs who live at home may be forced into costlier and lower-quality institutions. More than 4 million family caregivers may lose supports. More than 13,000 people in nursing homes will die. More than 338 rural hospitals will close. Republicans are determined to hurt people who don't deserve it. People like my disabled adult son David, who needs 24/7 support. He lives in a Medicaid-funded group home and attends a Medicaid-funded day activity center, both in Elgin. He's not a statistic. He's one human face of Medicaid. Why is the Republican Congress intent on dismantling safety net programs that David relies on? To give massive tax cuts to wealthy individuals and profitable corporations. So the richest people on the planet can own even more. But taking from David to give to Elon Musk isn't justice for all. In fact, it's not justice at all. Our Illinois senators reject this budget. But if it passes, Illinois will lose money and be forced to cut services. So, please call Republican senators from other states and protest. Their votes affect everyone in the U.S., not just their own constituents. Ask them to live up their Pledge of liberty and justice for all.
USA Today
26-06-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Lawsuit: Michigan teacher tried to force Palestinian American student to stand for Pledge
A Palestinian American student in Michigan is suing a middle school teacher and Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, claiming in federal court that the educator violated the student's First Amendment right by attempting to force the student to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. The East Middle School teacher, Carissa Soranno, according to the lawsuit, allegedly told the student, 'Since you live in this country and enjoy its freedom, if you don't like it, you should go back to your country.' The student, 14, is referred to as D.K. in the suit and is represented in the claim in U.S. District Court in Detroit by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan and Arab American Civil Rights League. The student did not want to stand for the pledge because she believes the U.S. government has supported Israel in the Israel-Hamas war that has devastated Gaza and left thousands dead, according to the claim. The suit, filed June 25, asks for a judgment that finds the educator's actions unconstitutional and awards damages, claiming Soranno's actions inflicted emotional distress on the student. A spokesperson for Plymouth-Canton Community Schools did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network. Soranno did not answer a voicemail left by a reporter at a phone number associated with her name. "The right to freely speak — or not speak — is a form of protest that is fundamental to a well-functioning democracy — even when its exercise creates controversy or makes others uncomfortable," wrote Bonitsu Kitaba, interim legal director for the ACLU of Michigan, in a news release. According to the suit, Soranno asked her class on Jan. 6 to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. D.K. refused to stand, sitting quietly during the recitation. Soranno told the student the action was disrespectful to the U.S. military and the flag. The district admonished Soranno for her actions, according to the suit, sending a corrective action notice that read, "During the week of 1/6 – 1/10/2025, you made multiple comments expressing your beliefs as to why students should stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. ... This is a direct violation of what was discussed at the staff meeting dated January 6, 2025.' But, the claim states that the discussion at the Jan. 6 staff meeting was not enough. On Jan. 9, Soranno urged D.K. to stand and then told her she was being disrespectful and should be ashamed of herself, according to the suit. D.K. has suffered since these incidents: She struggles to sleep, she has been more stressed and is more guarded, according to the suit. Academically, she has slid. Nabih Ayad, an attorney with the Arab American Civil Rights League, wrote in a statement that it is "disturbing" a teacher would "call the student out for simply exercising her constitutional right not to partake in the Pledge of Allegiance as a sign of protest." The Pledge's place in school — and students' right to refuse — has long been the source of controversy. The Supreme Court of the United States ruled in 1943 that compelling public school students to say the pledge was unconstitutional. Contact Lily Altavena: laltavena@
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Palestinian student sues Michigan school over teacher's reaction to her refusal to stand for Pledge
DETROIT (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit Wednesday on behalf of a 14-year-old student who said a teacher humiliated her for refusing to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance in protest of U.S. support of Israel's war in Gaza. Danielle Khalaf's teacher told her, 'Since you live in this country and enjoy its freedom, if you don't like it, you should go back to your country,' according to the lawsuit. Danielle, whose family is of Palestinian descent, declined to recite the Pledge over three days in January. 'We can only marvel at the conviction and incredible courage it took for her to follow her conscience and her heart,' ACLU attorney Mark Fancher said. The lawsuit says her teacher admonished her and told her she was being disrespectful. As a result, Danielle 'suffered extensive emotional and social injuries,' including nightmares, stress and strained friendships, the lawsuit says. The ACLU and the Arab American Civil Rights League said Danielle's First Amendment rights were violated, and the lawsuit seeks a financial award. 'It was traumatizing, it hurt and I know she could do that to other people,' Danielle said at a news conference in February, referring to the teacher's treatment. At that time, the school district said it had taken 'appropriate action,' though it didn't elaborate. 'Discrimination in any form is not tolerated by Plymouth-Canton Community Schools and is taken very seriously,' the district said. The school district declined Wednesday to comment further, citing the litigation. Michigan has more than 300,000 residents of Middle Eastern or North African descent, second in the U.S. behind California, according to the Census Bureau.
