The original content of Democracy Now! Headlines appears under the Creative
Commons BY-NC-ND 3.0 License (United States). For more, including their other
shows and media, visit www.democracynow.org.
May 1, 2014

Toronto Mayor Takes Leaves After New Crack Video Surfaces 
----------------------------------------------------------


 
And in Canada, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is taking a leave of absence after
a new video emerged of him apparently smoking crack cocaine. A man
claiming to be a drug dealer showed reporters footage he said was taken
of Ford this past weekend. Ford is seen smoking from a metal pipe. The
tape comes nearly a year after news first broke of an initial video of
Ford smoking crack. Ford later admitted to drug use and other illegal
behavior but has refused calls to step down. He's now in the midst of a
campaign for re-election. In a statement, Ford said he is taking a leave
from campaigning to receive treatment for substance abuse. Ford said: "I
know that I need professional help. I have struggled with this for some
time." Another newly released tape captures Ford making homophobic
remarks as well as lewd comments about one of his female opponents.

 

.