Latest news with #Ramos
Miami Herald
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
County leaders mostly silent after arrest of woman objecting to ICE deal in Miami-Dade
A day after a 36-year-old real estate agent was dragged out of the Miami-Dade County Commission chambers by plain-clothed officers during a public meeting, the elected officials who watched it happen are mostly keeping mum on what they saw. The Miami Herald requested statements from the county's 13 commissioners and Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who until January oversaw a county police force that's now under the control of an elected sheriff. No commissioner offices provided statements. Levine Cava did, but the message did not directly address the police response that landed Camila Ramos in jail overnight on felony charges after a brief and tense exchange with the sheriff's deputies that serve as plain-clothed sergeants-at-arms during commission meetings. VIDEO: Officers drag woman out of Miami-Dade meeting during ICE discussion Ramos had intended to speak on a modified agreement between the county's jails system and Immigration and Customs Enforcement during the allotted public comment portion of the meeting but was removed while attempting to ask a question about the rules after an officer had warned her not to speak. 'It was unfortunate that yesterday's meeting escalated the way it did when people were there simply to make their voices heard,' Levine Cava said. 'Public input is an essential part of an accessible, accountable local government and as elected officials we should encourage all residents to exercise their right to participate.' The Herald also requested a statement from Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz, the veteran county police administrator who in November won the county's first sheriff election since the 1950s under a change mandated by Florida's Constitution. The Sheriff's Office has not released a statement but did provide arrest reports alleging a deputy saw Ramos punch an officer while being dragged to the chamber doors. Ramos was heard denying to an officer that she had punched her — or that if she had, it was inadvertent. Video of the ejection showed officers with hands on both of Ramos' arms and, at one point, also on her hair and foot. Less than two minutes passed between when a sergeant-at-arms first took hold of Ramos' arm near the microphone that members of the public use to address commissioners to when she was dragged out of the chamber doors by officers, her hand briefly grasping the arm of her husband, who was there to speak as well. 'I'm trying to understand the process,' Ramos said as the two sergeants took hold of her arms and started pulling her toward the exits. 'You're ejecting me?' Video shows Ramos dragging her feet and then falling to the ground while the sergeants still held her arms. They then began dragging her while her body remained in contact with the floor. 'I deserve to know the process,' she said. 'Let me go of me.' While commissioners have kept quiet on the incident, some politicians are sharing their views. Ken Russell, a former Miami commissioner running for city mayor, said on social media: 'Being silent is a message in itself…ANY elected [official] can speak up to allow someone to be heard or to stop an ejection.' Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett sent an email Friday morning to town administrators urging them to make sure Surfside could avoid that kind of incident. 'This is really bad. I can't think of any good reason why a situation like this ought to evolve with a woman on the floor with two very strong police around her,' Burkett wrote. 'We must never allow something like this to happen under our watch.' Ramos was released from the Turner Guilford Knight jail on Friday after posting bond for two felony charges, including battery against an officer. The arrest report shows uniformed deputies who helped take her out of the chambers were wearing body cameras, but that footage hasn't yet been released. It could prove crucial in her criminal case because a uniformed deputy wrote in the report that he witnessed Ramos strike a sergeant-at-arms in the face. While Ramos hasn't spoken publicly, supporters on Friday held a press conference outside of County Hall to denounce what happened to her. 'Her flailing may have mistakenly grazed an officer,' Juan Cuba, director of Sheriff Accountability Action, an advocacy group. 'I don't see in any video evidence it was battery.' He urged the county's elected officials to denounce what happened in the chambers Thursday. Cuba, a longtime Miami activist, is married to one of Levine Cava's top aides, Deputy Chief of Staff Rachel Johnson. Video of the meeting showed the confrontation began during a confusing moment in the session. While commissioners were scheduled to vote on a modification of the county's existing ICE agreement, there was a last-minute move to delay that vote indefinitely. As Chair Anthony Rodriguez explained the plan to the audience, he also outlined speaking rules that seemed to contradict guidelines from the county's top lawyer. Rodriguez told the audience they had a right to speak on the ICE item. At that point, Ramos was standing in an area near the lecterns where members of the public typically wait their turn for their allotted time at the microphones. While the audience members could still speak on the item about to be deferred, Rodriguez said, doing so would mean the public wouldn't have the chance to address commissioners if the item ever came up for an actual vote at a future meeting. 'Even if just one person speaks,' he said, 'then public hearing has been had on this item. And if it resurfaces, there will be no opportunity to speak on this item again.' Those instructions appeared more restrictive than guidance provided by County Attorney Geri Bonzon-Keenan a couple of minutes earlier. Asked by Rodriguez how to handle the list of people signed up to speak about the ICE item at Thursday's meeting, the top lawyer outlined a procedure where people wanting to speak Thursday could line up for the microphones and those who chose to stay seated could address commissioners if the item came up at a future meeting. 'I would just start calling the names,' Bonzon-Keenan said. 'And those that wish to speak can stand up. And those that don't stand up, they can come back and speak at the appropriate time when the matter is under consideration.' Those conflicting rules were what faced Ramos as she waited for her allotted 60 seconds before commissioners, with a paper of prepared remarks in her hand. Video showed she was approached by sergeant-at-arms and a disagreement followed, with Ramos pointed toward the dais. Soon, two sergeants had her by the arms and pulled her away as the audience chanted 'Let her go!' and 'Let her speak!'
The Irish Sun
7 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘Didn't answer' – Ilia Topuria brutally ghosted by Real Madrid legend days before UFC 317 clash vs Charles Oliveira
ILIA TOPURIA doesn't know if Sergio Ramos will be cheering him on at UFC 317 after being GHOSTED by the Real Madrid legend. Former Los Blancos and Spain star Ramos has attended two of Topuria's last three fights. 4 Ilia Topuria is a massive star in Spain Credit: GETTY 4 Topuria's star has shone so brightly that former Real Madrid man Sergio Ramos has attended two of his last three fights 4 But Topuria doesn't know if Ramos will be in attendance at UFC 317 this weekend after being ghosted by his countryman Credit: GETTY He had one of the best seats in the house for the Georgian-born Spaniard's incredible KO of Max Holloway at UFC 308 last November. Footie and MMA fans expected Ramos to be in the stands for Topuria's lightweight title tilt against But Topuria is currently in the dark over Ramos' attendance after being brutally left on read by his pal. When asked about Ramos attending the fight, he told READ MORE ON TOPURIA 'Actually, I texted him and he didn't answer me. 'He's my boy, but he didn't even answer me.' Topuria, 28, will bid to become the tenth two-division champion in UFC history in his vacant lightweight title clash with fan favourite Oliveira in the JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS Most read in MMA 4 Sergio Ramos celebrated Ilia Topuria's stunning KO of Max Holloway in the cage last November. Credit: GETTY And he plans to join the illustrious group in devastating and viral fashion. He said: "Charles is a great fighter. UFC star Ilia Topuria makes offer to Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso ahead of UFC 317 as Los Blancos eye Mbappe back-up "I'd say he's a legendary fighter, one of the few still active in the UFC. "But the truth is that his style fits perfectly with mine to put him to sleep in the first round. "Because he has no mobility, he doesn't move."
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Possible strikers AC Milan could target this summer
Possible strikers AC Milan could target this summer AC Milan are gearing up for a new era under new manager Massimiliano Allegri, who has returned to San Siro after 11 years. Luka Modric is set to become the first of many signings in what promises to be a busy summer transfer window. Advertisement While a plethora of midfielders continue to get linked with Milan, signing a striker will be as important. The Rossoneri paid €32 million for Santiago Gimenez in February, but the Mexican has failed to replicate the sublime form he showed at Feyenoord. Alvaro Morata, who was signed last summer, struggled to make an impact before moving to Galatasaray on loan in the winter transfer window. Luka Jovic and Tammy Abraham are also on the verge of leaving San Siro this summer. Here are the possible centre forwards Milan could target this summer Dusan Vlahovic The Serbian striker has been heavily linked with a move to Milan, with Allegri looking for a reunion after working with him at Juventus. Advertisement Vlahovic's future appears to lie far away from Juventus, who are open to cashing in on him this summer before his deal expires in a year. The former Fiorentina man has had mixed success with the Old Lady, failing to live up to his hefty €70 million transfer fee. A lot can be attributed to the Old Lady's collective decline in recent years, with Inter Milan and Napoli knocking them off their perch. Nevertheless, Vlahovic's talent is undeniable, and he can reach the top in the right environment. Vlahovic has a similar profile to Gimenez – tall, physical, predatory instincts inside the box and good build-up play. Advertisement Juve want to recoup at least €30 million from Vlahovic, and Milan can provide him with an escape route to revive his career. Moise Kean Kean has reinvented himself at Fiorentina after bagging 25 goals and four assists last season. The Italian's stock has skyrocketed, with several European heavyweights and Saudi clubs hot on his trail. Milan are among the interested parties for the former Everton star, but La Viola are trying to keep him for next season. Goncalo Ramos Goncalo Ramos provides an excellent opportunity for Milan as he faces an uncertain future at Paris Saint-Germain. The Portuguese striker has slipped down the pecking order under manager Luis Enrique following his €80m move from Benfica. Advertisement Still, Ramos has displayed his class and finishing prowess even with the limited opportunities, playing a part in PSG's treble last season. Ousmane Dembele has found unprecedented success after being converted into a No.9 and will continue to play in his newfound position next season. PSG might look to count Ramos as an ideal backup unless a huge offer knocks on their door. Milan need a young forward to spearhead their attack for years to come, and Ramos can be a top addition. Mateo Retegui Retegui enjoyed a breathtaking 2024/25 campaign with Atalanta, finishing as Serie A's top scorer with 25 goals. Advertisement He racked up 37 goal contributions in total to fortify his status as one of the finest strikers in Europe. The 26-year-old would be a brilliant signing for Milan, but it would be difficult to prise him away from Atalanta. Especially, the absence of Champions League football at Milan next season may not appeal to Retegui.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alliance for Digital Equity pushes for internet access for underserved on namesake day
SPRINGFIELD — Health care, education, Social Security, the Veterans Administration, job applications and city hall are only a click away. That's if a family has reliable internet access of sufficient speed and capacity to get the job done. 'There are a lot of families that have to go without,' said Rachelle Lee of Springfield on Wednesday. 'If they can't go to the library and get a hot spot, they have difficulty. I think it should be considered a public utility.' Digital literacy classes are also needed, Lee said, so elders and others can use the tools. There are fewer since the Republican-led Congress allowed the $14.2 billion Affordable Connectivity Program to lapse last year. The Biden-era legislation had enrolled 55,000 Western Massachusetts households. Lee is a part of the Connect Hampden County Coalition, part of the Alliance for Digital Equity advocating for proposed Massachusetts digital equity legislation. There were events on Beacon Hill on Wednesday, marking what backers call Digital Equity Day. A standout on the steps of Springfield City Hall was called off because of the extreme heat. A bill pending in the state Legislature would require Massachusetts internet providers to offer a $15-a-month flat-rate high-speed plan to qualifying low-income consumers. It has the backing of co-sponsors state Sens. Adam Gomez, D-Springfield, and Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, and state Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, D-Northampton. Sonia N. Ramos lives in the Library Commons complex in Holyoke and is a digital peer navigator with Way Finders, a nonprofit housing agency and developer that helped organize Digital Equity Day. Ramos recalled when her daughter was in high school during the pandemic: Schools were shut down. Classes went online. But her family had no way to connect. 'Her classes were her future,' Ramos said in a phone call. 'I remember walking the streets, looking for a signal, looking for help.' Alliance for Digital Equity has about 200 members in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin and Berkshire counties, according to a statement. It's housed at Baystate Health. New Valley Bank sues Springfield after eminent domain taking at DPW's landlocked warehouse PVTA extends free bus fares through July, August and September Housing and more: Westmass will take over abandoned Monson Developmental Center Read the original article on MassLive.
CNN
3 days ago
- Politics
- CNN
Zohran Mamdani crafts a Democratic blueprint for going viral and winning
One of Zohran Mamdani's rivals during a New York City mayoral primary debate, trying to paint him as too inexperienced for the job of mayor, dismissed his rise in the polls with a quip. 'I regret not running for mayor in 2021,' said the rival, state Sen. Jessica Ramos. 'I had been in the Senate for two years. I'd already passed over a dozen bills. I thought I needed more experience.' 'But turns out you just need to make good videos,' Ramos concluded. Ramos might have had a point. Mamdani was on the cusp of a remarkable result in Tuesday's mayoral primary, with his chief rival, Andrew Cuomo, conceding the race. Through creative, visually striking advertisements, buzzy public appearances, and new media guest spots, the 33-year old state assemblyman went from nearly unknown outside of New York City to a new national face of progressive challengers to both President Donald Trump and the Democratic establishment. The videos Mamdani produced and posted on social media drew widespread interest from strategists and talk that they could be a model for Democrats worried they are losing the battle for younger voters online. Waleed Shahid, a veteran Democratic strategist who has worked with a range of progressive candidates and committees, compared Mamdani to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who endorsed him. 'Zohran cracked the code so many Democrats are searching for: laser-focus on affordability, scroll-stopping videos, and blend Obama's happy warrior with Bernie's populist anger,' Shahid said. 'Democrats say they want to modernize; this is a playbook.' Mamdani mixed moments like a tense confrontation with Trump administration border czar Tom Homan in March, with other more relaxed episodes, likes when the candidate plunged into winter waters off of Coney Island to promote his 'rent freeze' proposal, or as he recently walked 'the length of Manhattan.' In one video viewed over 5 million times on X, he explained New York City's ranked choice voting system – and criticized Cuomo, the former New York governor – speaking in Hindi, using mango lassi to analogize the ranked-choice voting process. Mamdani has flooded multiple platforms with his content, drawing more than one million followers across TikTok, Instagram, X and other social media sites. And he's joined new media shows, podcasts, and popular accounts to broaden his reach, such as a guest appearance with comedian Stavros Halkias the weekend before the election that drew more than 50,000 likes in less than a day. 'As Stavvy was saying, freezing the rent for rent-stabilized tenants, making the slowest buses in the country fast and free, delivering universal childcare. We can only do this, though, if you come out and vote,' Mamdani says in the short-form video. The effectiveness of the tactics used by Mamdani, the anti-establishment challenger, against Cuomo, the durable establishment favorite, offers a potential test case among the party's base voters in liberal New York City that will inform the next steps on Democrat's path forward. He raised $8 million (the fundraising cap set by the city's campaign finance rules) and dominated the field in contributions from small donors. Democratic soul-searching began quickly after 2024, as the party struggled to come to grips with the sophisticated media apparatus that President Donald Trump's campaign had built on his way to victory. Questions were posed about Trump's more successful pursuit of alternative media platforms, his penchant for viral moments, and his erosion of Democrats' long-running advantage with young voters and voters of color – demographics tuned into the channels Trump dominated. Many liberals cast about for a 'Joe Rogan of the left,' nodding to the president's valuable appearance with the popular podcast host in the weeks leading up to the election. 'Win or lose, Democrats would be smart to learn from Mamdani's example. He's meeting the moment with a populist, sticky message, an instinct for new media, and a command of the attention economy that's all too rare in Democratic politics today,' said Sawyer Hackett, a Democratic strategist with experience working on presidential campaigns. But Jesse Ferguson, a veteran Democratic strategist, cautioned Democrats against taking too many lessons from the high-profile contest in New York. 'These are good tactical innovations, but tactics aren't strategy, so Democrats shouldn't learn from any of these candidates and think the underlying problems are solved,' Ferguson said. The fights that have divided national Democrats showed up in the New York race. Former President Bill Clinton headlined establishment endorsements for Cuomo,. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez – two progressives also known for their social media reach and their distance from party leaders – backed Mamdani. (Mamdani's appeared for a live video on Ocasio-Cortez's Instagram a few hours before polls closed Tuesday.) The Democratic National Committee stayed neutral. But ousted DNC Vice Chair David Hogg, the Gen Z activist pushed out of leadership after vowing to back younger primary challengers, was featured on Mamdani's social media. And his group, 'Leaders We Deserve,' gave $300,000 to an organization backing Mamdani. Hogg was at Mamdani's Election Night party Tuesday. So was Ella Emhoff, stepdaughter of the party's most recent presidential nominee, former Vice President Kamala Harris.
