The Weekend Update: June 8th

The weekend is never quite long enough, and it seems as though there’s always too much to do. With so many things happening, who can keep up? Don’t sweat it, we’ve got you covered; here are a some of the things that happened this past weekend – in case you missed it.

[Related: [VIDEO] The Weekend Update: May 18th]

News: Texas Cops Crash Pool Party

Over the weekend, disturbing footage circulated via social media of police in McKinney, Texas appearing to raid a children’s pool party. The footage shows one cop, frantically chasing several of the young party goes through the street before forcing them to sit down in the grass and on the sidewalk. Minutes later the officer approaches a group of young women yelling at them to leave the scene. Abruptly the officer leaves the sight of the camera before returning dragging a young girl through the grass before forcing her face into the dirt, seemingly without cause. Moments later as others

approach the cop questioning his tactics, he pulls his gun briefly causing the onlookers to step further back. Per a report, the officer has been placed on administrative leave as of Sunday. In a statement released Sunday, McKinney Mayor Brian Loughmiller says, “Having seen the YouTube video, I am disturbed and concerned by the incident and actions depicted in the video”. In response to the event, local Garland, Texas NAACP chapter President Ricky McNeal issue this statement; “The NAACP has serious concerns about the overbearing response, specifically the officer’s unreasonable brandishing and the aiming of his firearm at 13, 14 and 15-year-old teens who had broken no laws. We are concerned because the level of force applied did not match the alleged resistance exhibited by the teens. Tomorrow NAACP leaders, including myself, National Board Member Bob Lydia and NAACP Arlington Branch President Alisa Simmons, will meet with MPD Chief Greg Conley.”

New: Cops Clash With Concert Goers At Summer Jam

The massive annual concert hosted by radio station Hot 97 caused a stir

on social media this weekend – after ticket holding patrons were denied entry into the event. During the concert, which was headlined by acts like Kendrick Lamar, Chris Brown, and Big Sean – a report surfaced that state police fired tear gas canisters into the crowd that gathered outside, as well as pepper-sprayed at least one person, all as the concert went on inside New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. A statement from Emmis New York, which owns Hot 97, said that refunds will be offered for ticket holders whose tickets were not scanned. They said the concert sold out Sunday evening and that “a small number of people created an unsafe environment, and for the safety of all guests, the New Jersey State Police were on scene to disperse the crowd.” The gates to get inside were then closed and no one else was allowed in.” It’s currently unclear if there were any injuries sustained.

Continue reading on the next page…

 

Sports: American Pharaoh Wins Triple Crown

This weekend, thoroughbred American Pharaoh secured a place in history after winning the 147th Belmont Stakes, and becoming just the 12th horse to win the Triple Crown, after previously winning The Kentucky Derby and The Preakness Stakes. He is bred and owned by Ahmed Zayat of Zayat Stables, LLC, and trained by Bob Baffert.. Following the race, Baffert spoke with reporters saying “”It’s very emotional, I’m thinking about my parents, I wish they were alive to see this. I was hoping it would happen. I didn’t know how good it was going to feel. Now I know.” Longtime rider Victor Espinoza, who won his first Triple Crown after three tries, said “It’s just an amazing thing, it’s just unbelievable how things work out. It’s just an amazing horse like American Pharoah. I was coming to this race with so much confidence the last two times. It’s just unbelievable.” Pharaoh is the first Triple Crown winner since 1978, and Victor Espinoza is the only Hispanic jockey to win the Triple Crown.

Sports: Women’s FIFA Kicked Off On Saturday

As the international legal troubles for FIFA continue to build, the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup is offering  a reprieve for the fans of the sport. When asked by reporters about the problems plaguing the organization, and whether or not any of those issues will spill over into the women’s tournament,  Victor Montagliani, the president of the Canadian Soccer Association responded, “This World Cup? No, absolutely not… ” Certainly a relief to the fans and players that are anxiously awaiting the tournament – which kicked off Saturday in Canada. Montagliani added, “I actually think that it’s a positive thing that the first tournament after whatever happened last week is the Women’s World Cup, because women’s football is a very pure form of football. And I think women’s football can shine some light in the dark clouds that are hanging over the game.”