Washington, DC, residents protest against Trump's troop deployment to the city

Washington, DC, residents protest against Trump's troop deployment to the city

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Several thousand protesters marched in Washington, D.C., on Saturday to demand that U.S. President Donald Trump end the deployment of National Guard troops patrolling the capital city's streets. With Trump vowing crackdowns in other Democratic-led cities as well, he appeared to threaten Chicago with migrant deportations in a social media post with an image that parodied the 1979 Vietnam war movie "Apocalypse Now." Protesters at the "We Are All D.C." march, including undocumented immigrants and supporters of Palestinian statehood, chanted slogans denouncing Trump and carried posters, some of which read, "Trump must go now," "Free DC" and "Resist Tyranny." "I'm here to protest the occupation of D.C.," said Alex Laufer. "We're opposing the authoritarian regime, and we need to get the federal police and the National Guard off our streets." Claiming that crime was blighting the city, Trump deployed the troops last month to "re-establish law, order, and public safety." Trump also placed the capital district's Metropolitan Police Department under direct federal control and sent federal law enforcement personnel, including members of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to police the city's streets, moves critics have decried as federal overreach. Justice Department data showed violent crime in 2024 hit a 30-year low in Washington, a self-governing federal district under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Congress. The National Guard serves as a militia that answers to the governors of the 50 states except when called into federal service. The D.C. National Guard reports directly to the president. Trump said on Tuesday that he would also deploy National Guard troops to fight crime in Chicago, an extraordinary effort to militarize the country's third-largest city that was likely to trigger a legal battle with local officials. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said after Trump spoke that he had learned from reporters that the administration has "gathered ICE agents and military vehicles, and that there are more ICE agents that are on the way." "What they're trying to do in D.C. is what they're trying to do with other dictatorships," said Casey, who declined to give his last name. "They're testing D.C., and if people tolerate it enough, they're gonna do it to more and more areas. So we have to stop it while we still can." More than 2,000 troops, including from six Republican-led states, are patrolling the city. It is unclear when their mission will end, though the Army this week extended orders for the D.C. National Guard through November 30. WASHINGTON FILES SUIT Washington, D.C., Attorney General Brian Schwalb filed a lawsuit on Thursday seeking to block the troop deployment, arguing that it was unconstitutional and violated multiple federal laws. But some residents have welcomed the National Guard and called for the troops to be deployed in the less-affluent parts of the city where crime is rampant. The National Guard has been mostly visible in downtown and tourist areas. Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser has praised Trump's surge of federal law enforcement personnel in the city, but has said that she hopes that the National Guard's mission will end soon. Bowser said there had been a sharp decline in crime, including carjackings, since the surge. The mayor signed an order this week requiring the city to coordinate with federal law enforcement. Trump was playing golf at his course outside Washington and was not at the White House when protesters marched past on Saturday. But he appeared to step up pressure on Chicago in a post on his Truth Social platform that said, "I love the smell of deportations in the morning," parodying a line from the 1979 movie. "Chicago about to find out why it's called the Department of WAR," the president wrote, referring to his new order to rename the Department of Defense. The post was accompanied by a seemingly artificial intelligence-generated picture of Trump dressed a military officer character in the film with helicopter gunships and explosions in the background. (Reporting By Lucia Mutikani and Matt Spetalnick; Editing by Nick Zieminski and Mark Porter)

byAlpha World

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September 06, 2025

Washington, DC, residents protest against Trump's troop deployment to the city

Washington, DC, residents protest against Trump's troop deployment to the city WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Several thousand protesters marched...

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Utah violinist released from ICE detention on bond

Utah violinist released from ICE detention on bond

A Utah violinist who has played with high-profile orchestras has been released on bond after being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement last month. Donggin Shin, 37, wasapprehended by immigration authoritiesin a hotel parking lot while he was on a work trip in Colorado and placed in ICE detention on Aug. 18. His father brought him to the U.S. from South Korea when he was a child and he lives in Salt Lake City, according to his attorney, Adam Crayk. Shin, who goes by the name John, was held at the Denver Contract Detention Facility in Aurora, Colorado — more than 500 miles away from his home — according to an ICE database. He was released on $25,000 bond on Tuesday. "I never thought I would have to feel what it's like to be shackled on my ankles and my wrist, feeling like some kind of a serious criminal, as if I have murdered someone," Shin said at a press conference Friday, according toKSL-TV, an NBC affiliate based in Salt Lake City. "I was absolutely terrified. Obviously, I cried all day," he added. Shin was held for a total of 17 days and is now wearing an ankle monitor, according to Crayk. Shin was identified by ICE's Fugitive Operations Team, which is generally focused on apprehending immigrants who have committed serious crimes and are considered national security threats, according to charging documents. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In response to previous questions about Shin, a seniorDepartment of Homeland Securityofficial told NBC News: "Our message is clear: criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the United States." The official added that Shin had a DUI conviction. Records show the matter was resolved after Shin pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor offense in 2020 and served his probation. Crayk, Shin's attorney, told NBC New in a previous interview that his client's father was battling brain cancer at the time of his prior arrest. "My father was losing a battle to a Level 4 glioblastoma brain tumor. He had limited time to live," Shin said, according toKSL-TV. "I fell into a depression during that time and the impaired driving followed." Shin entered the U.S. on a tourist visa on Sept. 3, 1998, which "required him to depart the U.S. by March 3, 1999," according to DHS. But Crayk previously told NBC News that this timeline is incomplete, as Shin's father switched to a student visa, which conferred status onto Shin at the time. Crayk said Shin became a DACA recipient years later, but lost his DACA protections due to his 2020 conviction. He has remained without lawful status for the last four and a half years. Shin works in telecommunications but has played with the prestigious Utah Symphony and Ballet West in recent years. Musicians have been playing at the state Capitol each day, determined to raise awareness until Shin returns home. Shin's wife, DeNae Shin, thanked the Salt Lake City community for its support over the last few weeks. "During those really dark times where I was feeling such despair, it was really those letters that kept me going," she said.

byAlpha World

in

September 06, 2025

Utah violinist released from ICE detention on bond

Utah violinist released from ICE detention on bond A Utah violinist who has played with high-profile orchestras has been released on bond af...

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US independent director Jim Jarmusch proves surprise Venice winner

US independent director Jim Jarmusch proves surprise Venice winner

By Crispian Balmer VENICE (Reuters) -U.S. indie director Jim Jarmusch unexpectedly won the coveted Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday with "Father Mother Sister Brother", a three-part meditation on the uneasy ties between parents and their adult children. Although his gentle comedy received largely positive reviews, it had not been a favourite for the top prize, with many critics instead tipping "The Voice of Hind Rajab", a harrowing true-life account of the killing of a five-year-old Palestinian girl during the Gaza war. In the end, the film directed by Tunisia's Kaouther Ben Hania took the runner-up Silver Lion. Divided into chapters set in New Jersey, Dublin and Paris, "Father Mother Sister Brother" features an ensemble cast including Tom Waits, Adam Driver, Mayim Bialik, Charlotte Rampling, Cate Blanchett, Vicky Krieps, Indya Moore and Luka Sabbat. Each instalment drifts gently through domestic encounters where nothing much happens, but small gestures and silences sketch out the generational awkwardness that can beset families. "All of us here who make films, we're not motivated by competition. But this is something I truly appreciate, this unexpected honour," said Jarmusch, who made his name in the 1980s with offbeat, low-budget works such as "Down by Law". In other categories, Italy's Toni Servillo was named best actor for his wry portrayal of a weary president nearing the end of his mandate in "La Grazia", directed by his long-time collaborator Paolo Sorrentino. China's Xin Zhilei won best actress for her role in "The Sun Rises On Us All", a drama directed by Cai Shangjun that delves into questions of sacrifice, guilt and unresolved feelings between estranged lovers who share a dark secret. The Venice festival marks the start of the awards season and regularly throws up big favourites for the Oscars, with films premiering here over the past four years collecting more than 90 Oscar nominations and winning almost 20. GAZA TO THE FORE Venice has often been seen as the most glamorous and least political of the major film festivals, but in 2025 the movies that made the strongest impact focused on current events, with the ongoing Israeli invasion of Gaza casting a long shadow. As he unveiled his own picture last weekend, Jarmusch acknowledged that he was concerned that one of his main distributors had taken money from a company with ties to the Israeli military. "The Voice of Hind Rajab", which uses the real audio of a young girl's desperate pleas for help as her car comes under Israeli gunfire, was the fan favourite, winning a record 24-minute standing ovation at its premiere. "Cinema cannot bring Hind back, nor can it erase the atrocity committed against her. Nothing can ever restore what was taken, but cinema can preserve her voice, make it resonate across borders," Ben Hania said on Saturday night. "Her voice will continue to echo until accountability is real, until justice is served." The best director nod went to Benny Safdie for "The Smashing Machine", which starred Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in the role of the real-life mixed martial arts pioneer Mark Kerr. "To be here amongst the giants of the past and the giants here this year, it just blows my mind," said Safdie, who has previously co-directed films with his brother Josh. The special jury award went to Italy's Gianfranco Rosi for his black-and-white documentary "Below the Clouds", about life in the chaotic southern city of Naples, marked by repeated earthquakes and the threat of volcanic eruptions. Among the movies that left Venice empty-handed were a trio of Netflix pictures, Kathryn Bigelow's nuclear thriller "A House of Dynamite", Guillermo del Toro's re-telling of "Frankenstein" and Noah Baumbach's comedy-drama "Jay Kelly". "No Other Choice" by South Korea's Park Chan-wook also failed to secure an award, despite strong reviews, likewise "Bugonia" by Yorgos Lanthimos, which starred Emma Stone. The main jury was chaired by U.S. director Alexander Payne, joined by fellow filmmakers Stéphane Brizé, Maura Delpero, Cristian Mungiu and Mohammad Rasoulof, alongside actresses Fernanda Torres and Zhao Tao. (Reporting by Crispian Balmer and Roberto Mignucci; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)

byAlpha World

in

September 06, 2025

US independent director Jim Jarmusch proves surprise Venice winner

US independent director Jim Jarmusch proves surprise Venice winner By Crispian Balmer VENICE (Reuters) -U.S. indie director Jim Jarmusch une...

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Jerry O'Connell recalls advice from River Phoenix's family during “Stand by Me”: 'They're the kindest'

Jerry O'Connell recalls advice from River Phoenix's family during "Stand by Me": 'They're the kindest'

Columbia Pictures Jerry O'Connellrecently recalled the support he received from his lateStand by MecostarRiver Phoenixand his family. In a recent episode ofBurtcast, the actor said that Phoenix was one of the "most talented, most beautiful" people he knew. O'Connell said Phoenix's mother advised his parents on getting him an agent following the success ofStand by Me. "She was like, 'Hey, Linda. This movie's a hit. You got to get an agent. This is what's got to happen,'" he said. "That's when I got an agent and everything, but it was so funny." O'Connell and his own family were inexperienced with show business. The TV host's father had initially believed thatStand by Mewould never get released. The patriarch had seen other people create and fail to release films in the past. "It's behind you," O'Connell remembered his father saying. "It was a fun experience. Now, we get back to real life. Okay. I don't want to hear about it ever again." TheSlidersactor proved his dad wrong, asStand by Mebecame a hit among critics and at the box office. It has become a classic in the coming-of-age genre. Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection Want more movie news? Sign up forEntertainment Weekly's free newsletterto get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more. TheKangaroo Jackstar said he had grown up distrusting of people because of the environment he was raised in. However, the Phoenix family had immediately let him in. "I have a real bond with all the Phoenixes, all of them, because they're the kindest family," O'Connell said. River Phoenix died of a drug overdose at the age of 23 on Oct. 31, 1993. Even during his short life, he racked up numerous accomplishments, including an Academy Award nomination for his role in 1988'sRunning on Empty. Listen to the full Burtcast with Jerry O'Connell below. Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

byAlpha World

in

September 06, 2025

Jerry O'Connell recalls advice from River Phoenix's family during “Stand by Me”: 'They're the kindest'

Jerry O'Connell recalls advice from River Phoenix's family during "Stand by Me": 'They're the kindest' Columbi...

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Poland buries wartime remains in western Ukraine as part of reconciliation

Poland buries wartime remains in western Ukraine as part of reconciliation

PUZHNYKY, Ukraine (Reuters) -Remains of Poles killed by Ukrainian nationalist insurgents during World War Two were buried in western Ukraine on Saturday as officials from both countries looked on, a move to ease a rare strain in relations between the two close allies. Poland was allowed to exhume the remains in the former Polish village of Puzniki, in present-day Ukraine, earlier this year after longstanding demands from Warsaw over the issue, which has caused friction between the neighbouring countries. With Polish Catholic priests officiating, the simple wooden coffins of 42 Poles, each marked with a cross and flanked by wooden cross, were placed in a long, narrow grave in a wooded, abandoned cemetery. Lanterns and wreaths draped in Polish red and white and Ukrainian yellow and blue colours were laid alongside. "The victims of the Puzniki massacre rested in an unmarked grave for decades, but their memory endures for their loved ones and those who fought for this remembrance, truth, and act of elementary justice," Polish Culture Minister Marta Cienkowska was quoted as saying by state news agency PAP. "Today's burial is a restoration of dignity to those who had it stripped from them in the most inhumane way." Cienkowska expressed confidence that it would be possible to locate and identify remaining victims, according to PAP. Survivor Maria Jarzycka-Wroblewska, 90, said groups of men had assured residents they would be safe and then the killings occurred overnight. "No one in my immediate family was murdered here, but neighbours, friends and even a distant cousin were," she said. "Thank God that the Ukrainian authorities and the Poles came to an agreement and this is finally done...You cannot put all Ukrainians in the same basket." The abandoned village is among sites where Polish officials say more than 100,000 people were killed by insurgents between 1943 and 1945. Large swathes of modern-day western Ukraine were under Polish control at the time. The Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), which fought against both Nazi German forces and the Soviet Red Army, is widely held responsible for the killings as part of efforts to limit Polish influence over the area. The so-called Volhynia massacres have complicated relations even as Poland has backed Ukraine against Russia's 2022 invasion by supplying weapons and taking in almost a million refugees. Ukraine has rejected Poland's description of the killings as "genocide", saying thousands of Ukrainians were also killed in events that were part of a wider conflict between the neighbours. The exhumations involving around 20 specialists had been aimed at identifying victims and burying them. Polish officials have called on Ukraine to allow more operations to take place. (Additional reporting by Alan Charlish in Warsaw; Writing by Dan Peleschuk and Ron Popeski, Editing by Franklin Paul)

byAlpha World

in

September 06, 2025

Poland buries wartime remains in western Ukraine as part of reconciliation

Poland buries wartime remains in western Ukraine as part of reconciliation PUZHNYKY, Ukraine (Reuters) -Remains of Poles killed by Ukrainian...

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