America Divided Part II: Mideast war magnifies free speech challenges on college campuses – The Daily Reflector

Since Hamas Oct. 7 attacks inside Israel and U.S. support for the resulting war in Gaza, protests and rallies have sprouted at college campuses across the U.S.

Tempers have flared, and tensions have risen.

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A pro-Israel demonstrator shouts at Palestinian supporters during a protest at Columbia University, Oct. 12, 2023, in New York. More than 40 U.S. colleges and universities face federal investigations for shared ancestry discrimination under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act in the wake of anti-war and anti-Israel protests on campus.

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American colleges have become places of anguish, with Jewish and other pro-Israel students condemning the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas, while Muslim and progressive students are pressing for recognition of suffering by Palestinians in Gaza.

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Jewish Rutgers University students and community members hold a vigil in support of Israel on Oct. 25, 2023, in New Brunswick, N.J..

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Pro-Palestinian protesters argue with a pro-Israel demonstrator during a protest at Columbia University in New York. Jewish students across the country worry about safety and a rise in antisemitism, while the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is concerned about universities squelching anti-war sentiments on campuses.

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An anti-war protester interrupts President Joe Biden during a campaign event touting abortion rights on the campus of George Mason University in Virginia, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. College campuses have become epicenters for protests against U.S. (and Bidens) support for Israels war versus Hamas in Gaza.

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America Divided Part II: Mideast war magnifies free speech challenges on college campuses - The Daily Reflector

Council to consider limiting powers of the mayor after removal of Confederate statue | Jax Daily Record – Jacksonville Daily Record

A discussion began Jan. 2 at the City Council Rules Committee about the extent and limits of the power of Jacksonvilles mayor that could ultimately require proposed changes being put on a ballot for the public to decide.

Council President Ron Salem, responding to Mayor Donna Deegans action to remove the Women of the Southland Confederate monument from Springfield Park on Dec. 27, called city General Counsel Michael Fackler to appear before the committee to answer questions about his offices advice to Deegan that led to the removal without consulting the Council or seeking its approval of the action.

Several times during the discussion, Salem said his concern is about Councils authority, not about the statue or whether it was appropriate for it to be displayed on city property.

I feel our powers were infringed upon, Salem said.

Salem said he plans to file legislation Jan. 3 to clarify the mayors power to authorize such an action in the future.

Many of his questions to Fackler were related to Deegan basing her decision to have the statue removed on a draft opinion from the Office of General Counsel that was neither dated nor signed, rather than a formal, final document.

Fackler said the draft was an internal document prepared by his office that was used to advise the mayor.

It was a way to get our thoughts on paper and make sure we were comfortable giving the advice, Fackler said.

The draft, a public document, was provided to the media Dec. 26, Fackler said.

Salem said he learned about the advice given to Deegan from news reports.

The media showed me a draft document I didnt know anything about, he said.

I never want to see a draft document used as long as I am on City Council.

The advice given to Deegan was based on the fact that the reported $187,000 used to pay for the statues removal came from private donations, not revenue accounted for in the city budget or the Capital Improvement Plan approved by Council.

Fackler said the advice to Deegan was based on the fact that the donations did not flow into the city budget, so the money was not in Councils jurisdiction.

The mayor was advised that we didnt see anything that would prevent her from accepting gifts to use for removal of the statue, Fackler said.

Salem asked whether Deegan or a future mayor could use private donations to remove other statues from city property, such as the statue of the late U.S. Rep. Charles Bennett in James Weldon Johnson Park.

There is a possibility it could occur again, Fackler said.

Council member Kevin Carrico asked why Council was not advised before Dec. 27 that the statue was going to be removed.

My impression is that if the removal was announced it could have created a furor and a security concern, said Bill Delaney, Council liaison for Deegan.

Council member Jimmy Peluso

Council member Jimmy Peluso said he agrees with the decision to not announce the removal before it began.

The last thing we want is for Jacksonville to be on CNN for political violence, Peluso said.

Council member Matt Carlucci said the draft opinion merely repeated what is in the city charter and the ordinance code and he supports Deegans decision to have the monument removed.

This has been a thorn in the side of Council and somebody had to take leadership, Carlucci said.

I support the strong mayor form of government. We need a strong mayor in emergencies, like a hurricane. In my opinion, the mayor overstepped herself in this case, Salem said.

Fackler advised that if any changes to the mayors power sought by Council require amending the city charter, the changes must be approved by a majority vote in a referendum. He said he will work with Salem to craft the proposed legislation.

Deegan is the second Jacksonville mayor to act to remove Confederate statues.

In June 2020, former Republican Mayor Lenny Curry committed to remove all the citys Confederate monuments and city crews worked overnight to remove a statue of a Confederate infantryman in Hemming Park south of City Hall.

In August 2020, the Council voted to change the name of the park in honor of writer and civil rights activist James Weldon Johnson.

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Council to consider limiting powers of the mayor after removal of Confederate statue | Jax Daily Record - Jacksonville Daily Record

WATCH LIVE: General counsel to meet with Jacksonville City Council over Confederate Monuments – Yahoo News

Jacksonville City Council members will have some tough questions for the citys General Counsel regarding last weeks removal of the Confederate monument in Springfield Park.

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WATCH LIVE: General counsel to meet with Jacksonville City Council over Confederate Monuments - Yahoo News

Seminole Hard Rock To Introduce Craps, Roulette, Sports Betting – Indian Gaming

HOLLYWOOD,FL Leaders of the Seminole Tribe ofFlorida are slated to welcome a new era in Florida gaming beginningThursday, Dec. 7, when craps, roulette and retail sportsbettingdebut at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel &CasinoHollywoodand otherSeminoleCasinos.

Sofia Vergara,Jon Bon Jovi, Tisto,Heather Graham, DJ Khaled,Gloria and Emilio Estefan,Mike Tyson,Dwyane Wade,Bobbi Althoff,Sarah Hyland, Fat Joe,Ja Rule,Prince Royce,Willy Chirino,Max Weinberg, Xandra, Blaise Matuidi and others are scheduled to walk the red carpet. Festivities will also include special celebrity guests participating in the first roll of the craps dice, the first spin of the roulette wheel and the first retail sports bet at the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood. Tickets are also available to the public for special performances by award-winning artists that weekend as well.

In addition to hosting celebrities and influencers on the red carpet and celebrating the launch of the newcasinogames, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel &CasinoHollywoodis planning a combination of events over the course of several days. Among them is a four-day residency of Carbone restaurant at the resorts Italian-American restaurant Cipresso fromThursday, Dec. 7throughSunday, Dec. 10. Created by renowned chefMario Carbone, the restaurant pays homage to many ofNew Yorksgreat Italian-American restaurants.

Special guests will join Seminole Tribe of Florida ChairmanMarcellus Osceola Jr.and other members of the Seminole Tribal Council, plus Seminole Gaming CEO and Hard Rock International ChairmanJim Allenin a ceremony to commemorate the start of the new games, which were made possible by the gaming compact signed and approved by the tribe and theState of Floridain 2021.

The Seminole Tribe ofFloridais proud to point to a new era inFloridagaming with the unveiling of our newcasinogames, said Chairman Osceola.With the addition of craps, roulette and sportsbetting, we now offer a full complement ofcasinogames and we join the ranks of leadingcasinosaround the world.

The entertainment, travel and tourism industries, and many more, will see positive economic impact caused by the newcasinogames, said Seminole Gaming CEOJim Allen. They will increase tourism toFloridaand boost employment not only at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood, but also at businesses in the areas surrounding thiscasinocomplex and others operated by Seminole Gaming throughoutFlorida.

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Seminole Hard Rock To Introduce Craps, Roulette, Sports Betting - Indian Gaming

Seminole Tribe & A-List Celebs Transform Florida Gaming Landscape with Craps, Roulette, and Sports Betting – stupidDOPE.com

In a historic move that propels Florida into the echelons of premier gaming destinations worldwide, the Seminole Tribe of Florida and a constellation of A-list celebrities have officially marked the dawn of a New Era in Florida Gaming. The unveiling of craps, roulette, and sports betting at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa has set the stage for an unprecedented gaming experience.

The red carpet at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa witnessed a star-studded ensemble, including luminaries such as Thomas Rhett, Hulk Hogan, John Daly, Ric Flair, Michael Carbonaro, Lele Pons, Adamari Lopez, Tim Brown, Gente De Zona, and Rudy Mancuso. These icons werent just there for the glamour; they actively participated in the inaugural roll of craps dice, the premiere spin of the roulette wheel, and the commencement of retail sports betting.

The festivities at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa are nothing short of spectacular. The weekend celebrations include a Friday night concert headlined by country sensation Thomas Rhett, a Sunday Tempo Daylife Pool Party featuring the Chainsmokers, and a thrilling $300,000 high limit table games hot seat promotion on Saturday night.

Spearheaded by Seminole Tribe of Florida Chairman Marcellus Osceola Jr., the Seminole Tribal Council, Seminole Gaming CEO, and Hard Rock International Chairman Jim Allen, a ceremony at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa commemorated the historic launch. Similar ceremonies unfolded at other Seminole Casinos in South Florida, including the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood.

The introduction of craps, roulette, and sports betting became possible through the Gaming Compact inked between the Seminole Tribe and the State of Florida in 2021. These additions join an impressive array of casino offerings, including blackjack, baccarat, and a plethora of slot machines, across all six Seminole Casinos in the Sunshine State.

Chairman Osceola expressed pride in this groundbreaking moment, stating, The Seminole Tribe of Florida is proud to point to a new era in Florida gaming with the unveiling of our new casino games. With the addition of craps, roulette, and sports betting, we now offer a full complement of casino games and join the ranks of leading casinos around the world.

Seminole Gaming CEO Jim Allen emphasized the far-reaching economic impact, stating, The entertainment, travel, and tourism industries, and many more, will see positive economic impact caused by the new casino games. They will increase tourism to Florida and boost employment not only at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa but also at businesses in the areas surrounding this casino complex and others operated by Seminole Gaming throughout Florida.

As the dice roll, the wheel spins, and bets are placed, Florida embraces a gaming renaissance that promises not just entertainment but also economic prosperity for the region. The Seminole Tribe and their star-studded companions have truly ushered in a New Era for gaming enthusiasts in the Sunshine State.

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Seminole Tribe & A-List Celebs Transform Florida Gaming Landscape with Craps, Roulette, and Sports Betting - stupidDOPE.com