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A Statue of Canada’s First Prime Minister Is Toppled, but Politicians Want It Restored

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A Statue of Canada’s First Prime Minister Is Toppled, but Politicians Want It Restored

MONTREAL — The visage of Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada’s first prime minister, has adorned the $10 invoice of the nation he helped create 153 years in the past. But he has additionally been criticized as a racist who ruthlessly tried to wipe out Indigenous tradition.

But after a crowd of cheering activists toppled his statue in a public sq. in Montreal over the weekend, politicians throughout the political spectrum in Canada denounced the act. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mentioned that whereas a rustic should inform itself about each the constructive and detrimental features of its leaders, vandalism had no place in a rustic with the rule of regulation.

“These sorts of acts of vandalism usually are not advancing the trail towards better justice and equality on this nation,” he mentioned.

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Cities internationally have had reckonings over what to do with statues or monuments celebrating historic figures who had racist views or supported slavery. The talk has pitted those that argue that eradicating them is whitewashing historical past in opposition to those that say that holding them causes ache and promotes discrimination.

Elijah Olise, 24, an actor and activist who supported tearing down the statue, mentioned its outstanding place in downtown Montreal glorified a historic relic with offensive views.

“Individuals had been drained of ready for it to be eliminated,” he mentioned. “In Canada, racism could be well mannered and covert and this statue was a logo for individuals who nonetheless have Macdonald’s manner of considering. The statue was an open wound.”

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He added that at a time when younger folks had been agitating for justice, Mr. Trudeau “shouldn’t be telling Black, Indigenous and other people of colour he’s disenchanted in them.”

Lately beneath Mr. Trudeau, Canada has sought to reconcile with its troubled colonial previous. Mr. Trudeau has acknowledged the nation’s previous “humiliation, neglect and abuse” of Indigenous folks and vowed at the United Nations to enhance their lives.

But after his feedback on the statue’s toppling, he acquired blowback on social media — from individuals who mentioned he didn’t communicate out forcefully sufficient in opposition to the vandalism, and in addition from others who mentioned he didn’t take a troublesome sufficient stance in opposition to Mr. Macdonald’s file.

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In Quebec, Premier François Legault mentioned he wished to revive the toppled statue, which has been saved in a warehouse downtown.

“No matter one would possibly assume of John A. Macdonald, destroying a monument on this manner is unacceptable,” Mr. Legault wrote on Twitter. “We should battle racism, but destroying elements of our historical past will not be the answer.”

But some students recommended the statue ought to be restored provided that it had been to incorporate a plaque explaining the historic context.

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In Montreal, the worldwide motion in assist of Black rights has spurred soul-searching about systemic racism in Canada. Activists defended the tearing down of the statue, which occurred throughout an anti-racism protest calling for defunding the police.

Writing on its Fb web page, the Coalition for BIPOC Liberation, argued that “racist monuments don’t deserve area.”

“Symbols of hate encourage the psychological oppression of marginalized folks,” it wrote subsequent to a video of a crowd celebrating because the statue fell.

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Montreal police are investigating the destruction of the statue, which had been beforehand toppled in 1992, on the anniversary of the 1885 hanging of Louis Riel, an Indigenous chief accused of excessive treason by Mr. Macdonald.

Youssef Amane, a spokesman for Montreal’s mayor, Valérie Plante, mentioned the fee of restoring the statue could be not less than $400,000 Canadian {dollars}. He mentioned the choices into consideration included returning the statue to its authentic place, displaying it in a museum or reinstalling it, but including a statue of an Indigenous hero close by to behave as a counterpoint.

He mentioned Metropolis Corridor hoped so as to add a plaque explaining Mr. Macdonald’s contributions as the primary prime minister of Canada in addition to the much less savory features of his biography.

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“Town of Montreal is within the course of of attempting to reconcile with its Indigenous residents, and we need to seek the advice of with them earlier than deciding what to do,” he mentioned.

The toppling of the Macdonald statue, first erected in 1895, comes amid a rancorous debate concerning the legacy of the polarizing former political chief, lawyer and businessman. His identify graces Canadian highways, colleges and buildings, and he brokered the political deal that led to the creation of Canada.

In 2018, his face on the $10 invoice was changed with that of Viola Desmond, a Black businesswoman who was jailed for refusing to go away the whites-only space of a movie show in Nova Scotia in 1946, a seminal second in Canada’s pursuit of racial equality.

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Whereas historians credit score Mr. Macdonald for uniting disparate provinces to kind what grew to become a profitable liberal democracy, his many critics say he was an unabashed racist who pioneered a residential education program for Indigenous kids, the place their languages had been banned, and the place many had been bodily and sexually abused.

A nationwide report commissioned by the government called the program “cultural genocide.”

In a sign of how the legacy of the residential schools continues to resonate in Canada, on Tuesday, the federal government said it would designate two as historic sites.

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Mr. Macdonald also withheld food relief for Indigenous people in some areas during a famine until they moved to government-established reserves. His goal was to clear the path for a transcontinental railway in the 1880s. The railway physically united the country, which led to its western settlement and economic development.

Jason Kenney, the Conservative premier of Alberta, requested that the statue be despatched to his province for repairs and accused a “mob” of being intent on vilifying the person who had cast Canada.

“As his biographer Richard Gwyn wrote, ‘no Macdonald, no Canada,’” Mr. Kenney wrote on Twitter. “Each Macdonald & the nation he created had been flawed but nonetheless nice.”

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But Jagmeet Singh, chief of the left-leaning New Democratic Celebration and the primary nonwhite chief of a significant Canadian political celebration, supplied one other view.

“Taking down a statue of him doesn’t erase him from historical past any greater than honoring him out of context erases the horrors he induced,” Mr. Singh wrote on Twitter.

Myrna Lashley, an professional on race relations and assistant professor at McGill College, recommended placing the Macdonald statue in a museum.

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“I don’t imagine in vandalism,” she mentioned. “But we will educate folks about previous wrongs.”

She added, “These acts are spurring an necessary dialogue that should happen not solely in Canada but on this planet.”

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Passionate news enthusiast with a flair for words. Our Editorial Team author brings you the latest updates, in-depth analysis, and engaging stories. Stay informed with their well-researched articles.

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Aspiring Medical Student, Christopher Gilbert’s Left-Brain Dead, and Organs Failing After Being Pushed Into Water

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Aspiring Medical Student, Christopher Gilbert's Brain Left Dead, and Organs Failing from Being Pushed Into Water

On April 14, at Lake D’Arbonne in Farmerville, Louisiana, a disturbing incident occurred that shook the world. Christopher Gilbert, an aspiring medical student, was pushed into the lake by friends and acquaintances.

Acquaintances were aware of Christopher’s inability to swim. A video that surfaced on social media showed Christopher struggling in the water and experiencing a near-death scenario.

The New York Post reported that the group of people who forced Christopher into the water reportedly did nothing and stood idle while watching him struggle in the water.

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Subsequently, one person entered the water after about ten minutes and pulled Gilbert out of the water, however he was transferred.

When Yolanda George, Gilbert’s mother, discovered her son’s ordeal, she was devastated. Yolanda revealed that her son wanted to become a doctor.

After the incident, Gilbert required life support equipment such as a ventilator and an ECMO machine for 72 hours. Yet he remained severely ill despite attempts to resuscitate him.

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Outcomes of the Investigation 

In the initial investigation by law enforcement, it was found that the people involved in this incident tried to minimize the seriousness of this incident and called it “horseplay.”

Additionally, they informed the victim’s family that Gilbert fell into the lake by mistake. Later, a white lady admitted that she had pushed Gilbert forcefully into the lake.

Gilbert’s pals stated that Gilbert did not know how to swim. However, his family did not believe this statement.

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Further investigations into this matter continue, anticipating that justice will be served to Gilbert. Moreover, more steps should also be taken to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

Currently, Gilbert’s recuperation and the aid provided to him have garnered maximum attention. As per News18, the 26-year-old suffered brain damage to his left brain and is currently fighting for his life.

Also Read: Paramedical student discovered deceased with visible injury marks in Uttar Pradesh

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Alaska $1300 Stimulus Check May 2024 – Stimulus Checks for Everyone? Payment Dates & Eligibility

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Alaska $1300 Stimulus Check May 2024 – Stimulus Checks for Everyone? Payment Dates & Eligibility

Citizens of Alaska are going to receive an important stimulus check which will alleviate to a large extent their financial woes.

The $1300 Stimulus Check May program is a courtesy by the state’s Permanent Fund Dividend. It will be a great support for the residents of Alaska in their difficult times.

The Alaskan support program has been rolled out to reduce the financial difficulties of the people of Alaska who are finding it difficult to meet their basic expenses. The $1,300 stimulus check which will be rolled out in May 2024 is open for all Alaska permanent residents who do not have any recent criminal records and meet the eligibility requirements.

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The stimulus checks are aimed to improve the quality of life of residents of the state of Alaska by affording financial security and enabling them to get essential support when they need it most. The eligible candidates are advised to visit the official website of the Alaska Revenue Department to get to know about the latest updates.

Alaska $1300 Stimulus Check May 2024

$1300 Stimulus Check May 2024 is a gift from the Alaska Revenue Department to enable the eligible residents of Alaska to get vital and much needed support during the time of financial crisis. The project is especially beneficial for persons who are finding it difficult to pay for their bills and facing a financial emergency. The stimulus will serve as a timely infusion of funds that will reduce their burdens.

Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend 2024

Article$1300 Stimulus Check May 2024
DepartmentDepartment of Revenue, Alaska
Benefit NamePermanent Fund Dividend
Amount$1300
Applicable inAlaska, USA
Payment DateMay 2024
CategoryGovernment Aid
Official Websitehttps://pfd.alaska.gov/

$1300 Stimulus Check May 2024 Latest Update

The Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) website has stated that eligible Alaskans can hope to get their next stimulus payments on 16th May 2024. The program is a part of the financial support initiative launched for the state of Alaska by the Government of America and the funds are channeled via the Permanent Fund Dividend program, which is managed by the Alaska Department of Revenue.

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Citizens can check their eligibility status on the official website from 8th May 2024 and in case their claim is marked as “eligible-not-paid,” they can expect to get the money directly into their Bank accounts on the specified dates. Citizens are encouraged to visit the Permanent Fund Dividend’s official website for more information and updates.

Also Read: New Hampshire Is Raising Legal Age Of Marriage To 18 Without Exceptions

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New Hampshire Is Raising Legal Age Of Marriage To 18 Without Exceptions

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New Hampshire Is Raising Legal Age Of Marriage To 18 Without Exceptions

The New Hampshire House has passed a bill to raise the minimum age for marriage from the present 16 years to 18 years without any exceptions. The bill, which has been designated as SB 359, will now be sent to the Governor for his signature.

If approved by the Governor, New Hampshire will become the 12th state to have a law that bans marriage under the age of 18 with no exceptions.

New Hampshire To Raise Minimum Marriage Age to 18

The New Hampshire House voted 192-174 to pass the bill SB 359 on Thursday, raising the legal age for marriage from 16 years to 18 years. The bill has a long and eventful history and has been sent to Gov. Chris Sununu for approval.

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Bill 359 clearly states that

“no person below the age of 18 years shall be capable of contracting a valid marriage, and all marriages contracted by such persons shall be null and void.”

Presently, the legal age for marriage is 16 years.

The bill will also nullify the current legal options for minors to marry.

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The current laws, RSA 457:6, permit parents and guardians of persons between 16 and 18 to approach a family court to grant permission for the marriage.

The petition also requires the involvement of the Division for Children, Youth, and Families and allows the court to interview with each minor getting married without their parents present. SB 359 would eliminate this process.

If the law is signed by the governor, it will make New Hampshire one of 12 states that have banned marriage under 18 with no exceptions. The other states which have such a law in place include Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and New York.

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Maine permits marriage for 16- and 17-year-olds with written consent from their parents, legal guardians, or custodians. However, this will become nullified in New Hampshire if SB 359 becomes law.

The bill was advocated for years by Rep. Cassandra Levesque, a Barrington Democrat. In 2018, the idea of raising the marriage age to 18 years from the then stipulated 14 years was first proposed by Levesque, then 19 and not yet a state representative. However, the House and Senate Republicans agreed to pass a bill to raise it to 16 instead. Levesque won her first election to the House and continued to advocate raising the marriage age to 18 years.

Levesque argued that raising the marriage age will prevent situations that can be exploited by others.

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Levesque, in the House Calendar introducing SB 359, said,

“The committee found that this bill is important to be in law because we know that age of majority does not amount to maturity, and that there is a greater risk of human trafficking and domestic violence without these protections.”

However, the bill was opposed by Republican lawmakers. Rep. Margaret Drye, a Plainfield Republican, argued that the marriage was a beneficial option for those under 18 in certain circumstances like an unexpected pregnancy.

Also Read: Ontario Sunshine List 2024 Reveals Why People Can’t Afford To Buy A Home

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