Connect with us

Top News

Trump defends his Charlottesville response

Published

on

Washington, Aug 23 (IANS) US President Donald Trump has defended his white supremacist response to the Charlottesville violence, omitting that he blamed “many sides” for the clashes.

Trump on Tuesday holding the campaign-style rally with Vice President Mike Pence and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson in Phoenix, said he strongly condemned “neo-Nazis, white supremacists and the KKK”, CNN reported.

In retelling his remarks on the August 12 violence that left one woman dead, Trump omitted his reference to “many sides” in his first response to the clashes, and also his reference to “both sides” later on Tuesday — both seen as equating neo-Nazis with counter-protesters.

“What happened in Charlottesville strikes at the core of America. And tonight, this entire arena stands united against the thugs who perpetrate hatred and violence,” Trump said.

“I hit ’em with neo-Nazi, I hit ’em with everything. KKK? We have KKK. I got ’em all,” Trump said in reference to calling out specific groups in his statements.

The President also hinted that he could pardon Joe Arpaio, the former Maricopa county sheriff.

“So was Sheriff Joe convicted for doing his job? … You know what, I’ll make a prediction: I think he’s going to be just fine, OK? But I won’t do it tonight (Tuesday) because I don’t want to cause any controversy. But Sheriff Joe should feel good.”

In anticipation of Trump’s first trip to Arizona after winning the White House and his first to the West amid criticism for his remarks, the political world was abuzz with not just whether Trump would set off controversy in Phoenix — but which specific hot-button clash he could wade into.

Trump last week mocked Arizona Republican Senators Jeff Flake and John McCain, while avoiding their names.

“One vote away, I will not mention any names,” he said, referring to McCain’s vote against Republicans’ healthcare bill.

Moving on to Flake, Trump said: “Nobody wants me to talk about him. Nobody knows who the hell he is. And now, we haven’t mentioned any names, so now, everybody’s happy.”

Trump earlier in the day near the border viewed equipment used by US Customs and Border Patrol agents to track illegal crossings.

The President’s aides planned his visit to the US-Mexico border but scrapped the visit over security concerns, a person in the know of things said.

Arizona’s top Republicans — including Flake and McCain, were not present in the rally.

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, a Republican who is up for re-election in 2018, greeted Trump at the airport but did not attend the rally.

Thousands from across Arizona flocked to Phoenix Convention Centre to protest the rally, carrying signs, megaphones and water bottles to stay hydrated in the 41 degrees Celsius weather.

Democrats including Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton lambasted Trump for even visiting the state.

Anti-Trump protesters put up an inflatable Trump — in a white robe with a Nazi symbol — and a giant sign that read “white supremacy will not be pardoned”.

Anti-Trump protesters yelled out chants including “Shame” and “No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA”.

–IANS
py/in/vm

Continue Reading

Top News

Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

Published

on

By

World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

Continue Reading

Trending