Monthly Archives: July 2017

Ali Razi fled Iran in 1978, came to Los Angeles, and found a place where he could thrive. He traced much of his success and that of others here to one core principle: freedom.

On Tuesday the Fourth of July the prominent developer, now 77, was on hand to unveil a new public art installation in Los Angeles, the Freedom Sculpture, which Razi and others in the Iranian American community hope will be a beacon for the world.

America is great because of all the beautiful cultures brought by immigrants, Razi said. When people drive by the sculpture along Santa Monica Boulevard, he said, he hopes they ask: What is this freedom? This shared dream is based on what?

Artist and designer Cecil Balmond agrees it is a symbol of timeless values of freedom and tolerance. Balmond, whose proposal was chosen from among more than 300 others as the design for the $2.2-million sculpture, said the pair of gold and silver cylinders set atop rings is to be seen at speed.

I know Santa Monica Boulevard well, said Balmond, who lives in Britain and has completed large public art installations around the world. As you drive by at 30 to 40 miles an hour, you feel the script moving. Its not static.. When you move past, its alive.

Production of the sculpture was organized by the Farhang Foundation, an L.A.-based nonprofit organization, and the unveiling was part of the inaugural Freedom Festival, a nightlong block party that featured live music, food and fireworks. The Farhang Foundation promotes the study and appreciation of Iranian art and culture. Organizers said they hope the Freedom Festival becomes an annual event.

The sculpture is a permanent addition to the median at Century Park East, about a block from the Westfield Century City Mall and at the gateway to Beverly Hills. The area is home to many from a sizable diaspora of Iranian Americans in Southern California. Community groups estimate that about 500,000 Iranian Americans live in the region, the largest enclave outside Iran.

The 20,000-pound piece is set upon travertine stone and was built entirely in the U.S. It is the newest addition to Century City a neighborhood of towering office buildings but it traces its inspiration back 2,500 years to the Cyrus Cylinder, which was unearthed by the British Museum in 1879.

The 9-inch barrel is inscribed with the story of Cyrus, the king of Persia, and his conquest of Babylon. The artifact is seen as a testament to how Cyrus brought justice and peace to Bablyon.

Razi, the founding chairman of the Farhang Foundation, said the Cyrus Cylinder carries special symbolic weight on the Fourth of July.

This conqueror, rather than killing or stealing, let people practice their own religion. He was the first to put together a multinational empire based on freedom of religion, Razi said.

Funding for the sculpture came from a large crowdfunding campaign that saw contributions from about 1.1 million supporters from around the world, said Farhad Mohit, the founding vice chairman of the foundation. Organizers did not want one or two wealthy donors underwriting the project, Mohit said.

Its led by Iranian Americans but it represents much more than that. We wanted the sculpture to be in the heart of Los Angeles, Mohit said. Los Angeles embodies diversity in its ideal form. All beliefs and religions belong together here in a beautiful place.

The event in Century City was not the only show of diversity in Los Angeles celebration of the holiday. In downtown Los Angeles Grand Park, hundreds of people milled across closed streets, snapping selfies with sno-cones or perusing food trucks selling grilled cheese and pizza.

Natalie Ayala, 15, stood in the center of a closed First Street with her mom and two sisters, soaking it all in. The Fourth of July symbolized freedom and independence, she said, but also something else.

America is so diverse, she said. I think it represents that too.

Back in Century City, a crowd of thousands enjoyed musical performances and a mix of Persian food and local favorites such as Van Leeuwen ice cream.

Elham Sadegh, 38, made the trek from Salt Lake City after she heard about the festival and sculpture unveiling on Facebook. Sadegh, who emigrated from Iran to the U.S. two years ago, said she was excited to be among fellow Iranians and ring in the Independence Day festivities. The sculpture, she said, was a way of commemorating Persian history while celebrating life here.

We came here for freedom, Sadegh said. Everybody loves freedom.

Times staff writer Kate Mather contributed to this report.

matt.hamilton@latimes.com

Twitter: @MattHjourno

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'Los Angeles embodies diversity.' The city's new sculpture celebrating freedom is unveiled - Los Angeles Times

Provo Freedom Festival revokes approval for LGBT resource center in Grand Parade (File photo: MGN Online)

(KUTV) The annual Provo Freedom Festival decided July 3 that a local LGBT resource center would not be allowed to walk in Grand Parade, according to Encircle: LGBT + Family & Youth Resource Center.

The Festival, according to its website, "highlights freedom through bands, professionally crafted floats, giant helium balloons and local and national performers," while encouraging participants to "promote patriotism and traditional family values to around 300,000 spectators."

According to a Facebook post by Encircle, the Festival revoked its previously approved application to participate because it is being classified as an advocacy group.

Encircle disputes that classification, however, citing its status as a 501c3 nonprofit organization.

Nolo, a website offering multiple types of legal guidance, says 501c3 organizations may not participate in political campaigns. Nolo advises they may, however, "engage in non-partisan activities and legislative or issue advocacy."

Encircle maintains it does not advocate any "certain political party or legal action."

According to its website, the group "functions as a hub for resources that support the overall well being of LGBTQ individuals." Encircle, which opened its doors February 14 of this year, offers community, skills training, and counseling, among other services.

"We maintain, as we always have, that our mission is to 'Empower families to sustain the circle of their love, enabling each member to thrive,'" the group said in its Facebook post addressing the parade's decision. "We respect the decision of the parade committee and will use this as an opportunity to show Provo who we are. We will always come from a place of love and intention, never fear or reaction. We are here to be a safe space for all, which means being planted firmly."

The group will hold a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. July 4 at its Provo Resource Center, located at 91 West 200 South.

Encircle's statement, in its entirety, reads as follows:

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Provo Freedom Festival revokes approval for LGBT resource center ... - KUTV 2News

Freedom Over Texas is Houston's official Fourth of July celebration that recognizes our nation's birthday.

Larry Seward, KHOU 12:05 AM. CDT July 05, 2017

HOUSTON - Huge crowds gathered at Eleanor Tinsley Park for Freedom Over Texas.

Freedom Over Texas is Houston's official Fourth of July celebration that recognizes our nations birthday.

The annual festival brings out more than 40,000 people into the heart of Houston - just west of downtown - for fun, food, entertainment, and a dazzling firework display.

VIDEO: Fourth of July fireworks over downtown Houston

The best part of the Freedom Over Texas Fourth of July Festival varies depend on whom you ask.

I love the food, Bethany Johnson said.

Honestly, (I like) seeing all the people, Adam Hernandez added. I like people watching.

Photos: Freedom Over Texas 2017

So, KHOU 11 News sampled peoples reasons for celebrating then quizzed dedicated patriots, with questions from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services test civics quiz, to see just how much they know about their country.

When asked how many US States are in the union, Charles Baker correctly answered 50. However, when asked who the United States fought in World War II, he responded, Now thats a good question.

Pass or fail, those we met simply love their red, white and blue.

Shout out to all the veterans, all the people who served, all the family members, Johnson said. Happy July 4th baby.

Photos: Fireworks at Freedom Over Texas

2017 KHOU-TV

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Fireworks and fun at Freedom Over Texas | khou.com - KHOU

Just two days ago, Donald Trump vowed to defend and support religious freedom. As he spoke to a a group of Evangelical Christians during theCelebrate Freedom concert at the Kennedy Center, he said, We dont want to see God forced out of our public squareNo one is going to stop you from practicing your faith or saying whats in your heart.

However, on this Independence Day, numerous Americans cant help but wonder whether Trumps support of religious freedom extends to those who worship Islam. At the concert in Washington, Trump mentioned that radical Islamic terrorism is one of religious libertys largest threats.

Trump added, We love our families, we love our freedom and we love our God. Can wetruly say that Trumps America loves its Muslim families and offers them equal access to religious freedom?

You might be wondering, What is religious freedom, or freedom of belief, exactly?

ACLUelaborateson religious freedom, The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says that everyone in the United States has the right topractice his or her own religion, or no religion at all.

Our countrys founders who were of different religious backgrounds themselves knew the best way to protect religious liberty was tokeep the government out of religion. This fundamental freedom is a major reason why the U.S. has managed to avoid a lot of the religious conflicts that have torn so many other nations apart.

TheEstablishment Clauseof the First Amendment prohibits government from encouraging or promoting (establishing) religion in any way.

TheFree Exercise Clauseof the First Amendment gives you the right to worship or not as you choose. The government cant penalize you because of your religious beliefs.

Though Vice President Pence declared global religious freedom a priority,as well as a foreign policy priority of the Trump administration, are Muslims in America being dramatically violated because of their religious beliefsand practices?

I asked Americans in the U.S. and abroad, What does religious freedom mean to you on this Independence Day? You can find some of their responses below:

To me, religious freedom means not giving into fear and not passing fear down to your children. It means raising free thinkers who make their own choices about where, how, and whether or not to worship any god. Its being able to replace the word god in the first commandment with the word truth and everyone being okay with that. Meriwether F. in Kuwait City, Kuwait

Denise B. in Houston, Texas said,

It means being able to worship what and who I please, how I please, without having to worry about persecution of any sort. I dont believe that for only my religion, but I believe everyone should have the same right regardless of their beliefs. Kendra B. in Madisonville, Tennessee

Religious freedom does not exist for Muslims or minority religions in America. If it didexist, my extended family from Iran would be able to visit me. I would be able to pray under a tree, on a carpet, in the park without fear of someone throwing something at me or spitting on me. I only feel free, religiously, when I am speakingto Allah;maybe this lack of freedom has made my relationship with Allah stronger. Nima D. in Chicago, Illinois

Emily. R shared her thoughts from Berlin, Germany, Religious freedom means to me not merely passive tolerance, but cultivating understanding and respect for the various faiths present in our societies. She continued,

Nouran T. from Orlando, Florida said,Im not sure how well religious freedom and America go together these days. Since the elections, my best friends and I have felt scared when were not togetherwe are Muslim and we wear hijab. I was born and raised here, America is my home.Nouran added, I just want to be able to go out on the 4th of July to watch the fireworks, without worrying about what people might think because of my hijab. Maybe I should wear a scarfthats red, white, and blue?

Do you want to learn more about religious freedom? Take a look at these sources:

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Reflecting On Religious Freedom This Independence Day | HuffPost - HuffPost

Of all the scandals tohave undermined trust in government and the police in recent years, one of the most shocking was spycops the story of how secret police spied on, and in some cases had sexual relationships with, political activists.

Since Mark Kennedy was exposed as an undercover officer in 2010, around a dozen othershave been identified thanks to the meticulous research of campaigners and journalists. The stories that emerged confirmed what many especially environmental or direct action campaigners had long suspected: that undercover officers were routinely infiltrating political movements.

But some facts shocked even the most cynical. Officers adopted the names of dead children when creating their back stories. They slept with targets, in one case fathering a child with a partner- all while leading parallel, secret lives. Officers spied on left-wing politicians like Jeremy Corbyn and the Green Party peer Jenny Jones and may have shredded files to cover it up.

The revelation in 2014 that officers spied on the family of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence was the final straw, and a judge-led public inquiry was ordered by then-home secretary Theresa May.

Three years later, this inquiry is now mired in controversy and spiralling costs. Police forces have demanded anonymity for officers, and many activists hold little hope for the truth and justicethey were promised.

Butdespite considerable evidence of undercover operations taking place in Scotland over the years, the inquiry will stop at the border. Northern Ireland, too, is excluded.

But all this could change if Matilda TillyGifford wins her legal challenge this summer. She is seeking a judicial review of the Home Offices decision to exclude Scotland and additionally, of the Scottish governments refusal to set up a separate inquiry.

Forced to crowdfund for the costs of the initial stage after legal aid was denied, Tilly, 32, is keenly aware of the significance her case could have.

Theres just so much resting on this. Its such an important issue of accountability and transparency.

Now that we know all the intrusion and surveillance went on, all these state-sanctioned abuses we cant just backtrack and accept that well never find out.

Its comforting, she says, to know that a parallel challenge is havingsome success in Northern Ireland. Jason Kirkpatrick, who says he was spied on by Mark Kennedy in 2005, won the right to a judicial review in February, and a full hearing will take place later this year.

Despite Labour MSP Neil Findlay repeatedly raising the need for a Scottish inquiry, the government north of the border seems to have been slow to respond. A review was ordered by Justice Secretary Michael Matheson, but it will cover only the last 17 years (the England and WalesPitchfordInquiry, in contrast, will stretch back to 1968, when the infamous Special Demonstration Squad was formed). The fact that Mathesons review will be carried out by Her Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary Scotland (HMICS) led campaigners to dismiss it as a whitewash, accusing the government of letting police mark their own homework.

Theres been enough HMIC reports in England to know theyre a waste of time and resources,Tilly says. We need to know the extent of it how people were targeted, and why, and who commissioned it.

Tilly, who now works as a gardener and runs a workers co-operative, says she was targeted by officers in 2009, offering her money to inform on fellow environmental activists. She taped the men boasting of their hundreds of informants, and provided the Guardian with the recordings. Tilly could find no proof the officers were really from the local Strathclyde police, as they claimed.

Lots of people knew or assumed [spying] was happening but it was very hard to find proof,she remembers. But before the Mark Kennedy story broke, people just didnt know the degrees to which police would go.

When it was discovered that they had been systematically destroying the lives of women over the years, then suddenly the general public could understand how activists were being targeted. That was a pivotal change.

She draws a comparison with victims of blacklisting:in 2009 it was discovered that construction companies had been keeping tabs on trade unionists and activists for decades, barring people from work and effectively ruining their lives. Indeed, there is evidence that undercover officers colluded with the operators of the blacklist, and political figures as well as trade unionists were found on the lists.

They knew it was going on, their whole lives were affected but they didnt have proof," she says. Imagine, for the state apparatus to undermine you and interfere with your life. . .but you cant say it out loud because youll be labelled a conspiracy theorist!

Blacklisted workers have left messages of support on her crowdfunding page. Tilly says that has been so encouraging because its quite a lonely position. Its terrifying to put your face out there and ask for money.

For Scottish alleged victims of undercover police abuse to miss out on an inquiry and be left in the dark would be tragic, she adds.The discovery of Mark Kennedys role as an undercover officer has already led to the quashing of convictions, when it transpired he had withheld evidence vital to activists defence in court.

When (or if) more evidence of undercover activities comes out of Pitchford, it could expose potentially the biggest miscarriage of justice in legal history, Tilly thinks. To have to sit and watch that happening across the border, when exactly the same practices were happening in Scotland . . . it would be painful, and ridiculous.

The pressure is huge, she admits, but she is staying positive. We all know its going to be a slow burner. It will take time. But it will have to come to light.

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The freedom of movement debate splits migrants into those who matter and those who don't - New Statesman

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Nashvilles "Let Freedom Sing!" July 4th Celebration was labeled as the largest fireworks show in the country and brought more than 200,000 people to downtown.

Officials with the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp. said 240,000 people attended the event Tuesday night. All week long, preparations have been underway in downtown.

More than 35,000 pounds of explosives were featured in the fireworks show and more than 60,000 shells were shot.

The finale was described as the most powerful in Nashville history.

The event started at noon. Families enjoyed the free Fun Zone at Music City Walk of Fame Park from noon to 4 p.m. The music started on the main stage at 5th Avenue and Broadway at 4 p.m. and featured The Sisterhood, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and headliner Chris Young, among others.

Ascend Amphitheater opened at 4 p.m. The Nashville Symphony performed from 9:30 to 10 p.m. to coincide with the fireworks show.

Read More: Items Prohibited/Allowed For Event List Of Road/Street Closures Parking & Transportation 2017 Independence Day Fireworks Shows Map: Nashville's July 4th Event Map MNPD Preps For July 4; Road Closures Begin Sunday

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240K Attend Nashville's 'Let Freedom Sing!' July 4th Celebration ... - NewsChannel5.com