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Three Tennessee Men Plead Guilty to Launching Mortar-Style Fireworks at African-Americans

jeremyscottcoshoes — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 23:04:33 +0000

CHATTANOOGA, TN—James Smiley, 27, Colton Partin, 21, and Kyle Montgomery, 21, all of Chattanooga, Tenn., pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Chattanooga for launching fireworks at African-Americans who were congregated outside their apartment building.

In the early morning hours of July 9, 2011, at least four African-American residents of East Lake Courts Public Housing Authority in Chattanooga were on the porch of one of the units. As they conversed, Smiley, Partin and Montgomery drove by several times yelling racial slurs and launched mortar-type fireworks, from a cylinder, directly toward these individuals. The individuals on the porch dove and scattered to avoid the explosions, one of which was captured on video by the Chattanooga Housing Authority. Another explosion shattered a window pane in an apartment of an African-American resident of the East Lake Courts. This individual was asleep inside with her infant child and her boyfriend’s adolescent siblings.

Based on a 911 call, the Chattanooga Police Department swiftly apprehended and arrested Smiley, Partin, and Montgomery. Fireworks, like the ones fired at the individuals on the porch, were photographed and observed in the bed of the truck. Smiley, Partin, and Montgomery admitted their involvement to the officers. They have further admitted that the explosives were fired toward the individuals in order to intimidate them because they were African-American.

“Hate crimes victimize not only individuals but entire communities,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “The Department of Justice is committed to protecting our communities from attempted violence and intimidation motivated by bigotry and prejudice, and ensuring that justice is served.”

U.S. Attorney Bill Killian stated, “On behalf of the federal law enforcement community, and in conjunction with state and local law enforcement agencies and the district attorney general, we want the public to know that violations of the civil rights of all persons will not be tolerated. We will aggressively address and prosecute civil rights matters, regardless of the source or nature of the circumstances, or the race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other classification of the victims.”

Each faces 10 years in federal prison as well as a $250,000 fine, three years’ supervised release and a $100 special assessment. Sentencing hearings were set for April 12, 2012, in U.S. District Court, Chattanooga, before the Honorable Curtis L. Collier, Chief U.S. District Court Judge.

Investigative agencies involved in the investigation of this case included the Chattanooga Police Department, Chattanooga Housing Authority Police, and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Poole and Civil Rights Division Trial Attorney Myesha Braden represented the United States.

Three Tennessee Men Plead Guilty to Launching Mortar-Style Fireworks at African-Americans | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

2010 Shanghai World Expo closes

news staff — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 18:53:37 +0000

(Wikimedia Commons/Stefan Geens)

Shanghai Expo’s opening-night fireworks light up the skyline.

Last week, the 2010 Shanghai World Expo came to a close in what many have called the largest event in human history. The Expo brought 73 million people over 184 days. Organizers and many outside observers declared the it a smashing success, but the Expo has come under scrutiny for a number of issues like forced attendance, mass relocation of residents and padded attendance numbers.

Worldview’s Global Cities contributor Barry Weisberg shares his thoughts about the Expo’s sucesses and failures.

Originally reported by Chicago Public Radio. Read the original article here.

2010 Shanghai World Expo closes | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Tennis officials confident of calm Davis Cup final (AP)

news staff — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 15:04:27 +0000

ROME – The International Tennis Federation will check on security arrangements but does not expect to change plans for the Davis Cup final in Serbia following the violence by Serbian soccer fans in Italy.

France will play Serbia for the title Dec. 3-5 in Belgrade. Serbia will be led by No. 2-ranked Novak Djokovic, who was upset by the scenes in Genoa.

“It’s really not nice to see, definitely,” Djokovic said Thursday. “Especially for the people coming from Serbia, we really didn’t like the picture that we saw that day.”

“As an athlete, I definitely feel bad for the players because I know they wanted to play badly that game, and it was an important game,” he added. “But it wasn’t in their hands, it wasn’t in their power.”

ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti said that France has not made any special requests since Tuesday’s European Championship qualifier between Italy and Serbia was called off.

Serbian fans threw flares and fireworks onto the field, burned a flag and broke barriers, leading to eight arrests in Italy and 19 in Serbia.

Serbian officials said the fans in Genoa belonged to the same far-right groups that clashed with police in Belgrade last Sunday while trying to disrupt a gay pride parade, leaving more than 150 people injured and causing widespread damage.

Tennis officials confident of calm Davis Cup final (AP) | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Enjoy Chicago’s Only 4th of July Fireworks, Entertainment and Family Activities at Navy Pier

news staff — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:00:55 +0000

Experience A Special Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration that includes Front Row Viewing of Chicago’s Only 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular on Lake Michigan — while Enjoying Deliciously Grilled Food, Cool Beverages and So Much More for Families to Enjoy at Navy Pier!

This special holiday weekend, come to celebrate our nation’s birthday at the Midwest’s #1 tourist and leisure destination, Navy Pier. Navy Pier has everything needed for a great holiday weekend: fantastic fireworks, delicious food, wonderful entertainment, exciting lakefront fireworks cruises, and many more fun-filled activities for visitors of all ages. Come to discover why Navy Pier is the best place to view the fireworks and spend the Fourth of July weekend.

A special, extended FIREWORKS SHOW will light up Lake Michigan’s shores at 9:00 p.m. on July 4th. Bring your family and friends to revisit some of America’s history making moments as it resonates in song to a heartfelt patriotic soundtrack. This is a show you don’t want to miss!

Fireworks aren’t the only reason to visit Navy Pier for an unforgettable 4th of July – Independence Day Celebration.

Here are some other exciting events and attractions which will take place during the Fourth of July weekend:

Outdoor Fun:

Spectacular fireworks, July 4th at 9pm set to heartfelt patriotic soundtrack!
Lakeview Rooftop Fireworks Viewing with Grilled Food and Cool Beverages available for purchase from 7-10pm.
Visit Pier Park: Ferris wheel, carousal, mini golf, and wave swinger
Enjoy the city: Segway tours, Double Decker Bus Tours, and Bike Chicago
Satisfy your taste buds with food and cool treats on Dock Street

ENTERTAINMENT:

Family Pavilion Stage:

The Buccaneers: Battle for the Booty; Saturday, July 4 at 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm
Patch & Pickle Pup TV; Saturday, July 4 at 11am, 12noon, 1pm

Dock Street Stage:

David Kovac (Magic); Saturday, July 4 at 5:30pm, 7:30pm, 9pm
Be the Groove (Dancing); Saturday, July 4 at 4:30pm, 6:30pm

Beer Garden Live Performances:

Nicholas Barron Band (Blues/Soul); Saturday, July 4 at 2pm
Lynne Jordan & The Shivers (Soul/R&B); Saturday, July 4 at 5pm
PowerPlay (Soul/R&B); Saturday, July 4 at 8pm

Chicago Shakespeare Theatre:

Aladdin; Saturday, July 4 at 11am, 2pm
The Second City’s Rod Blagojevich Superstar; Saturday, July 4 at 3pm, 7pm, 9:30pm

Pepsi Skyline Stage:

Cirque Shanghai: Bright Spirit; Saturday, July 4 at 4pm, 6pm, 8pm

IMAX: Open Saturday, July 4

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen; Saturday, July 4 at 9am, 12pm, 3pm,6pm, 9pm

Midnight Affinia Chicago Sun and Fun Package:

With the Fun in the Sun Package, guest can “Go A Little Overboard” with adventure at Navy Pier, the Midwest’s #1 Tourist Destination. Events and attractions that this jam-packed experience offers include:

Four tickets to the IMAX Theatre
Four tickets to ride the famous Navy Pier Ferris wheel
Four tickets for the Carousel
Four tickets for the Wave Swinger
A round of Miniature Golf for four
An official Navy Pier Coupon Book
A Guided Tour to and from Navy Pier on Navy Pier Trolley (Saturdays only)
And, a comfortable Affinia Chicago customized guestroom or suite

Pricing for this fully-loaded package begins at just $229 per night. Guest can book online at affinia.com or call 1-866-246-2203. Mention promotional code PIER.

About Navy Pier

A Chicago Landmark since 1909, Navy Pier has evolved from a freight and passenger ship docking facility to the #1 tourist attraction in the Midwest, drawing more than eight million visitors annually. Navy Pier currently encompasses more than fifty acres of parks, gardens, shops, restaurants, family attractions and exhibit facilities, making it a tourists and visitors entertainment hub. For more information, visit our Web site at navypier.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Delores Robinson, 312-595-5031
DRobinson@mpea.com

Enjoy Chicago’s Only 4th of July Fireworks, Entertainment and Family Activities at Navy Pier | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

CTA Public Transportation Preparations Complete for July 3 and 4 Fireworks, Chicago Loop Festivities

news staff — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:00:14 +0000

CTA personnel, volunteers and signage will be abundant throughout the Loop to assist riders for the July 3 fireworks at Grant Park and for the July 4 fireworks at Navy Pier. July 3 is traditionally CTA’s busiest night of the year as many attending the fireworks opt for public transit as the most convenient way to get to and from the Loop.

Additional train and bus service for routes serving Grant Park and Navy Pier will operate on July 3 and 4 to meet rider demand. To help minimize traffic congestion along Michigan Avenue, some of CTA’s bus boarding locations for customers in the Loop following the fireworks on July 3 are different from previous years.

In general, customers leaving the Loop can board northbound buses along LaSalle, southbound buses along Clark and westbound buses along Madison. These boarding locations were used for the Grant Park rally on election night and found to be effective at getting crowds out of the Loop quickly and efficiently, and helped reduce traffic congestion in the area.

Hundreds of staff have volunteered to work at busy Loop and Navy Pier locations to supplement on-duty employees and help customers navigate the rail system and locate bus boarding areas following the fireworks.

A series of large directional signs will be posted in the Loop, South Loop and at Navy Pier to direct customers to boarding locations for buses and trains. The signs will be posted along main corridors between fireworks viewing areas, bus/rail boarding areas and at decision points such as street corners. In addition, large banners will be installed over the street on ‘L’ stations on Wabash Avenue, facing east, providing directions to customers looking for elevated and subway rail lines and bus boarding locations.

A map and directions with boarding information are also available on CTA’s Web site for customers to print out and take with them to use as a guide.

For specific route information and CTA Park & Ride locations, customers can visit CTA’s Web site at transitchicago.com, or call 1-888-YOUR-CTA or the RTA Travel Information Center at 836-7000 from any local area code.

MEDIA CONTACT:

CTA Media Relations
ctamedia@transitchicago.com

CTA Public Transportation Preparations Complete for July 3 and 4 Fireworks, Chicago Loop Festivities | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.