Jessica Ahlquist Has Won Her Lawsuit!
This makes me happy !
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
The Rhode Island news reaching national attention does not always give me joy, but this certainly does.
It's a small state, I have faith (oops, yes, I do!) that I will meet this young woman some day, and let her know I'm grateful for her courage and clarity.
Here's a link with a few details....
Showing posts with label free speech. Show all posts
Showing posts with label free speech. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Friday, September 23, 2011
" Empathy is a Wave..." -- Alice Walker
I have never met Alice Walker, but I was influenced by her poetry and fiction way back in high school, and I love her non-fiction and activism, too.
Here is a brief essay that she wrote for the Middle East Children's Alliance:
Empathy is a Wave: The Banning of Palestinian Children's Art (From the Museum of Children's Art in Oakland)
The Good News is that the Exhibit will take place tomorrow!
" Empathy is a wave that need never be stopped." ~ Alice Walker, 2011
Here is a brief essay that she wrote for the Middle East Children's Alliance:
Empathy is a Wave: The Banning of Palestinian Children's Art (From the Museum of Children's Art in Oakland)
The Good News is that the Exhibit will take place tomorrow!
" Empathy is a wave that need never be stopped." ~ Alice Walker, 2011
Friday, February 4, 2011
Solidarity with Libraries Across the Pond
I am a library lover and cannot remember any time in my life without them. Ok, my first steps may not have been taken inside one (wait, maybe they were !?), and I didn't meet my spouse there, but perhaps the next one. The only libraries not dear to my heart are the expensive elite ones, the closed ones.
Thanks to Former Rhode Islander (he used to write for the Providence Journal), Djelloul Marbrook, I have learned about a campaign in support of libraries in the UK.
The facebook page is called, Fight for Libraries, campaign from The Bookseller.
I was the 2,996th person to "like" this, and I see the number has reached 3,011.
Thanks to Former Rhode Islander (he used to write for the Providence Journal), Djelloul Marbrook, I have learned about a campaign in support of libraries in the UK.
The facebook page is called, Fight for Libraries, campaign from The Bookseller.
I was the 2,996th person to "like" this, and I see the number has reached 3,011.
Manifesto
We are fighting for public libraries because they form an essential seed-bed for the wider reading culture of the nation, a culture from which the whole of society benefits.
Libraries seed communities with books and ideas in a way which is irreplaceable. They provide books to people who wouldn’t otherwise see or afford them, the youngest in society, the oldest, and people on low incomes. They also provide free internet access to the 27% of the population who still aren’t online at home.
Libraries are also a forum where authors and readers can come together in a neutral, unbiased space - free from commercial pressures.
Most importantly they are curated by professional librarians who provide expert guidance for readers, helping people find the books and information they need, again free from commercial considerations.
Readers, reading and the values imparted are essential to any civilised society – indeed it seems impossible to conceive a civilisation without libraries.
We oppose the arbitrary, disproportionate and wantonly destructive nature of the cuts to the national library service now underway, and we will do everything we can to mobilise the entire book world in libraries’ defence.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Monday, November 15, 2010
Young, Jewish, Proud - Loud and Clear in New Orleans
A group of young leaders from within Jewish Voice for Peace has formed, and has published a Declaration.
Here is the first paragraph:
I. we exist.
We exist. We are everywhere. We speak and love and dream in every language. We pray three times a day or only during the high holidays or when we feel like we really need to or not at all. We are punks and students and parents and janitors and Rabbis and freedom fighters. We are your children, your nieces and nephews, your grandchildren. We embrace diaspora, even when it causes us a great deal of pain. We are the rubble of tangled fear, the deliverance of values. We are human. We are born perfect. We assimilate, or we do not. We are not apathetic. We know and name persecution when we see it. Occupation has constricted our throats and fattened our tongues. We are feeding each other new words. We have family, we build family, we are family. We re-negotiate. We atone. We re-draw the map every single day. We travel between worlds. This is not our birthright, it is our necessity.
Members of this group spoke up loudly during a speech by Benjamin Netanyahu at a Jewish General Assembly in New Orleans.
The disruption is documented on the website.
I posted the video on my facebook profile, also because I agree with these statements.
The Loyalty Oath delegitimizes Israel.
Silencing Dissent delegitimizes Israel.
Occupation delegitimizes Israel.
The Siege on Gaza delegitimizes Israel.
The Settlements betray Jewish values.
I recommend visiting the site and viewing the videos and the articles explaining the action in detail some by the participants and supporters, and others from national and international media.
"legitimizes" is an acceptable word, according to the blogging program, but not "delegitimizes".
Hmmm....
The Declaration says:
We will not call this liberation.
My question: What is wrong with "liberation" ? For me it is very much within Jewish values . . . and a very good thing...
Here is the first paragraph:
I. we exist.
We exist. We are everywhere. We speak and love and dream in every language. We pray three times a day or only during the high holidays or when we feel like we really need to or not at all. We are punks and students and parents and janitors and Rabbis and freedom fighters. We are your children, your nieces and nephews, your grandchildren. We embrace diaspora, even when it causes us a great deal of pain. We are the rubble of tangled fear, the deliverance of values. We are human. We are born perfect. We assimilate, or we do not. We are not apathetic. We know and name persecution when we see it. Occupation has constricted our throats and fattened our tongues. We are feeding each other new words. We have family, we build family, we are family. We re-negotiate. We atone. We re-draw the map every single day. We travel between worlds. This is not our birthright, it is our necessity.
Members of this group spoke up loudly during a speech by Benjamin Netanyahu at a Jewish General Assembly in New Orleans.
The disruption is documented on the website.
I posted the video on my facebook profile, also because I agree with these statements.
The Loyalty Oath delegitimizes Israel.
Silencing Dissent delegitimizes Israel.
Occupation delegitimizes Israel.
The Siege on Gaza delegitimizes Israel.
The Settlements betray Jewish values.
I recommend visiting the site and viewing the videos and the articles explaining the action in detail some by the participants and supporters, and others from national and international media.
"legitimizes" is an acceptable word, according to the blogging program, but not "delegitimizes".
Hmmm....
The Declaration says:
We will not call this liberation.
My question: What is wrong with "liberation" ? For me it is very much within Jewish values . . . and a very good thing...
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Howard Zinn Documentary -- December 13!
This looks wonderful!
"The People Speak"
will premiere on Sunday, December 13, 2009, at 8 pm (7 pm central), on the History Channel.
Check out Howardzinn.org
I have met this wonderful man many years ago and heard him speak in person...
"The People Speak"
will premiere on Sunday, December 13, 2009, at 8 pm (7 pm central), on the History Channel.
ABOUT THE PEOPLE SPEAK
Using dramatic and musical performances of the letters, diaries and speeches of everyday Americans, the documentary feature film THE PEOPLE SPEAK gives voice to those who spoke up for social change throughout U.S. history, forging a nation from the bottom up with their insistence on equality and justice.
Narrated by acclaimed historian Howard Zinn and based on his best-selling books, A People's History of the United States and, with Anthony Arnove, Voices of a People's History, THE PEOPLE SPEAK illustrates the relevance of these passionate historical moments to our society today and reminds us never to take liberty for granted.
THE PEOPLE SPEAK is produced by Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Chris Moore, Anthony Arnove, and Howard Zinn, co-directed by Moore, Arnove and Zinn, and features and dramatic and musical performances by Brolin, Damon, Rosario Dawson, Bob Dylan, Michael Ealy, Lupe Fiasco, Morgan Freeman, Jasmine Guy, John Legend, Darryl "DMC" McDaniels, Sandra Oh, Viggo Mortensen, Bruce Springsteen, Marisa Tomei, Kerry Washington, and many others.
Check out Howardzinn.org
I have met this wonderful man many years ago and heard him speak in person...
Friday, May 8, 2009
Three cheers for Judy Blume!
Judy Blume has written many books, and my favorites will always be the Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing series.
I have just learned that she wrote a fundraising letter for Planned Parenthood which led to death threats from "pro--life" supporters.
Thankfully, Planned Parenthood has received many messages in support...
Here's the link to Judy's website.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Richard Walton Is Right: "This is Appalling"
Richard just sent me the following email (which I have edited only very marginally!-grin!)
Hi: This is appalling. ANSWER is being hit with big fines for putting up
posters for March 21 anti-war posters. Peace. Richard.
ANSWER Fined $7000 for March 21st Anti-War Posters
Take Action to Stop These Repressive Fines!
Dear Mark[?--friend of Richard's I'm guessing],
Free Speech rights in Washington D.C. are under attack and we need you to take action.
The outcome of this struggle will have an impact on all progressive groups.
In the last weeks, the ANSWER Coalition has been hit with nearly $7,000 in fines for posters announcing the March 21 National March on the Pentagon that have been put up in Washington D.C. Just today, we received another $1,850 in fines for 12 posters.
The government is trying to effectively eliminate ANSWER's and any group's ability to engage in postering for Free Speech protected activities or dissemination of posters and flyers. The message is this: If you are an anti-war group or a progressive grassroots organization and you hand out or put up a poster, as you may have always done in the past, you can now expect heavy fines and long court battles that are designed to divert money and resources -- or shut you down completely.
The posters for which we were fined are lawfully posted. The District is also issuing fines against ANSWER regardless of who put up the poster -- they are just sanctioning us for being organizers and supporters of the political anti-war demonstration being publicized. Unlike many of the politicians, concert promoters and other corporate entities that put up posters in DC, the ANSWER Coalition even sends out teams of volunteers to remove posters following the conclusion of a demonstration or event.
Many individuals come in and take posters and leaflets from the office or download them from the website. As we have done for the past eight years we provide copies of the DC regulations to people that indicate how to poster in conformity with lawful regulations.
A big shift happened prior to the September 15, 2007 Bring the Troops Home Now mass demonstration that was led by veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. We were targeted in an unprecedented campaign and hit with $55,000 in fines.
When we held a press conference in Lafayette Park to protest the postering fines, the news conference was attacked by the police on horseback. Three people were falsely arrested and the media was scattered by the police. Nearly 100,000 people watched the attack on YouTube and support for the demonstration grew rather than diminished. That was an important lesson about how we can resist and win.
We announced then that we would file a lawsuit to defend our constitutional rights. That lawsuit was brought on behalf of ANSWER and the Muslim American Society Freedom (MASF) by attorneys from the Partnership for Civil Justice is continuing and is now before the federal D.C. Circuit court.
We also stated that under no circumstances would we pay these illegal fines.
Tens of thousands of people sent letters to the DC government supporting our Free Speech rights and condemning the obvious targeting of the anti-war movement. Today, those massive fines and the new and ever mounting fines are being held over our head and really over everyone who is engaged in traditional grassroots organizing.
Our leaflets and posters are our voice. Neither ANSWER nor any other grassroots movement has corporate backing and financing that would allow for mass media advertising. We have to firmly defend our rights in the face of an attack that comes from the DC government but not from it alone. In DC and elsewhere during the Bush-years, national and local law enforcement agencies fine-tuned the coordination of their efforts to suppress Free Speech and harass activists.
We are urging that you send a send a letter today to Washington DC Mayor (Adrian M. Fenty) and to the Director of DC Department of Public Works (William O. Howland, Jr.) demanding an end to the fines, harassment and repression of the anti-war movement. We have a right to publicize the March 21st March on the Pentagon. Fining the anti-war movement tens of thousands of dollars for putting up Free Speech-protected literature makes a mockery out of the First Amendment.
This Free Speech fight comes at the very moment that we are in the final stages of preparing for the demonstration and carrying out the many logistical and mobilizational tasks and obligations. We are organizing on many fronts simultaneously and we also need to raise tens of thousands of dollars in the final week.
Please make an urgently needed tax-deductible donation to help us pay the huge costs associated for a National March by clicking here.
Sincerely,
Brian Becker, ANSWER Coalition National Coordinator
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
> A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition
> http://www.answercoalition.org/
> info@internationalanswer.org
> National Office in Washington DC: 202-544-3389
> New York City: 212-694-8720
> Los Angeles: 213-251-1025
> San Francisco: 415-821-6545
> Chicago: 773-463-0311
"The only way out of our crisis (terrorism) is to reduce the anger of the most
rational, thus also reducing the constituency of the least rational." Sam Smith.
"When they come for the innocent without crossing over
your body, cursed be your religion and your life." Anon. But
often quoted by Dorothy Day.
--
Hi: This is appalling. ANSWER is being hit with big fines for putting up
posters for March 21 anti-war posters. Peace. Richard.
ANSWER Fined $7000 for March 21st Anti-War Posters
Take Action to Stop These Repressive Fines!
Dear Mark[?--friend of Richard's I'm guessing],
Free Speech rights in Washington D.C. are under attack and we need you to take action.
The outcome of this struggle will have an impact on all progressive groups.
In the last weeks, the ANSWER Coalition has been hit with nearly $7,000 in fines for posters announcing the March 21 National March on the Pentagon that have been put up in Washington D.C. Just today, we received another $1,850 in fines for 12 posters.
The government is trying to effectively eliminate ANSWER's and any group's ability to engage in postering for Free Speech protected activities or dissemination of posters and flyers. The message is this: If you are an anti-war group or a progressive grassroots organization and you hand out or put up a poster, as you may have always done in the past, you can now expect heavy fines and long court battles that are designed to divert money and resources -- or shut you down completely.
The posters for which we were fined are lawfully posted. The District is also issuing fines against ANSWER regardless of who put up the poster -- they are just sanctioning us for being organizers and supporters of the political anti-war demonstration being publicized. Unlike many of the politicians, concert promoters and other corporate entities that put up posters in DC, the ANSWER Coalition even sends out teams of volunteers to remove posters following the conclusion of a demonstration or event.
Many individuals come in and take posters and leaflets from the office or download them from the website. As we have done for the past eight years we provide copies of the DC regulations to people that indicate how to poster in conformity with lawful regulations.
A big shift happened prior to the September 15, 2007 Bring the Troops Home Now mass demonstration that was led by veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. We were targeted in an unprecedented campaign and hit with $55,000 in fines.
When we held a press conference in Lafayette Park to protest the postering fines, the news conference was attacked by the police on horseback. Three people were falsely arrested and the media was scattered by the police. Nearly 100,000 people watched the attack on YouTube and support for the demonstration grew rather than diminished. That was an important lesson about how we can resist and win.
We announced then that we would file a lawsuit to defend our constitutional rights. That lawsuit was brought on behalf of ANSWER and the Muslim American Society Freedom (MASF) by attorneys from the Partnership for Civil Justice is continuing and is now before the federal D.C. Circuit court.
We also stated that under no circumstances would we pay these illegal fines.
Tens of thousands of people sent letters to the DC government supporting our Free Speech rights and condemning the obvious targeting of the anti-war movement. Today, those massive fines and the new and ever mounting fines are being held over our head and really over everyone who is engaged in traditional grassroots organizing.
Our leaflets and posters are our voice. Neither ANSWER nor any other grassroots movement has corporate backing and financing that would allow for mass media advertising. We have to firmly defend our rights in the face of an attack that comes from the DC government but not from it alone. In DC and elsewhere during the Bush-years, national and local law enforcement agencies fine-tuned the coordination of their efforts to suppress Free Speech and harass activists.
We are urging that you send a send a letter today to Washington DC Mayor (Adrian M. Fenty) and to the Director of DC Department of Public Works (William O. Howland, Jr.) demanding an end to the fines, harassment and repression of the anti-war movement. We have a right to publicize the March 21st March on the Pentagon. Fining the anti-war movement tens of thousands of dollars for putting up Free Speech-protected literature makes a mockery out of the First Amendment.
This Free Speech fight comes at the very moment that we are in the final stages of preparing for the demonstration and carrying out the many logistical and mobilizational tasks and obligations. We are organizing on many fronts simultaneously and we also need to raise tens of thousands of dollars in the final week.
Please make an urgently needed tax-deductible donation to help us pay the huge costs associated for a National March by clicking here.
Sincerely,
Brian Becker, ANSWER Coalition National Coordinator
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
> A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition
> http://www.answercoalition.org/
> info@internationalanswer.org
> National Office in Washington DC: 202-544-3389
> New York City: 212-694-8720
> Los Angeles: 213-251-1025
> San Francisco: 415-821-6545
> Chicago: 773-463-0311
"The only way out of our crisis (terrorism) is to reduce the anger of the most
rational, thus also reducing the constituency of the least rational." Sam Smith.
"When they come for the innocent without crossing over
your body, cursed be your religion and your life." Anon. But
often quoted by Dorothy Day.
--
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Helen reviews Ann C's book
Helen = Helen Philpot
Ann C = Ann Coulter
Helen and Margaret are two friends who have a blog. They are older than some bloggers; they are wise; they are uproariously amusing. They are deservedly popular, but I know some have not yet discovered them, so I aim to sing their praises, in a bloggerly way.
This review is only of the first chapter. Here's an excerpt:
If you have time or need cheering up, I recommend reading some of Margaret's and Helen's earlier posts and the comments they elicited...
Ann C = Ann Coulter
Helen and Margaret are two friends who have a blog. They are older than some bloggers; they are wise; they are uproariously amusing. They are deservedly popular, but I know some have not yet discovered them, so I aim to sing their praises, in a bloggerly way.
This review is only of the first chapter. Here's an excerpt:
Basically this first chapter is Ann’s attempt to make the case that racism really doesn’t exist and victims really aren’t victims. According to Ann you should never help a victim because they are either lying about being victimized or they deserved it. Seriously. But then she does an immediate about-face and says the only real victims in the world are (were) ”George Bush, the duke Lacrosse players, Joe McCarthy, Jesse Helms, Tom Delay, the Swift Boat Veterans, and Sarah Palin.”
If you have time or need cheering up, I recommend reading some of Margaret's and Helen's earlier posts and the comments they elicited...
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Vote for Blogs! ( alas, RI blogs are forgotten again)
The voting began on Monday or Tuesday past and continues until January 12. Several of my blog friends/mentors/elders are nominees.
http://2008.weblogawards.org/polls/
In the Up and Coming Blog Category, for example, one nominee is "Simply Left Behind"
http://simplyleftbehind.blogspot.com/
This is an excellent blog, authored or edited by Carl aka Actor 212 which possibly is the first blog to have a link to this one!
My General, General JC Christian's immortal blog is nominated in "Best Very Large Blog".
http://patriotboy.blogspot.com/
This site is getting deserved traffic, but if you have patience it's not too difficult to vote...
Tomorrow I will name two other Friends of this Blog who are nominated...
http://2008.weblogawards.org/polls/
In the Up and Coming Blog Category, for example, one nominee is "Simply Left Behind"
http://simplyleftbehind.blogspot.com/
This is an excellent blog, authored or edited by Carl aka Actor 212 which possibly is the first blog to have a link to this one!
My General, General JC Christian's immortal blog is nominated in "Best Very Large Blog".
http://patriotboy.blogspot.com/
This site is getting deserved traffic, but if you have patience it's not too difficult to vote...
Tomorrow I will name two other Friends of this Blog who are nominated...
Saturday, January 3, 2009
??? Providence "Peace Service" = "Unity with Israel" ???
http://www.projo.com/ri/providence/content/middle_east_peace_vigil_01-03-09_CFCR3RA_v9.3ac8569.html
Below is the text of the article.
My prayers are for everyone in the Middle East.
Was no one from the Palestinian community invited to speak? No one from any other faith community?
Not all Israelis are pleased with their government's attacks.
Below is the text of the article.
PROVIDENCE — Temple Emanu-El will host a special community service tomorrow at 7 p.m. to show support for peace in the Middle East, with prayers for an end to the terrorism that has been directed at the people of Israel but which has caused innocent Palestinians to suffer as well.
“Our purpose is to show unity with Israel,” said Marty Cooper, community relations director of the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island. “With all the bombing going on, we wish for peace and pray for peace. Nobody wants what is going on right now. The only people who do are the terrorists whose only mission is the destruction of Israel.”
Nadav Tamir, Israel’s consul general for New England, will be one of the speakers at the event, along with Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline; Rabbi Peter Stein, of Temple Sinai in Cranston, president of the Rhode Island Board of Rabbis; the Rev. Donald A. Anderson, executive minister of the Rhode Island State Council of Churches; and Temple Emanu-El’s Rabbi Wayne Franklin.
The service is open to the public.
— Richard C. Dujardin
My prayers are for everyone in the Middle East.
Was no one from the Palestinian community invited to speak? No one from any other faith community?
Not all Israelis are pleased with their government's attacks.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Petition For the Release of the Shoe Thrower
This signature campaign demands the release of the Iraqi Journalist, Montadhar Al-Zaydi who hurled a pair of shoes at George Bush on 12/14/2008 in Baghdad in reaction to Bush’s immoral invasion of Iraq and the war-crimes committed by the occupying forces with the aid of local warlords.
We hereby sign below to demand the immediate release of the Journalist Montadhar Al-Zaydi, without any constraints or conditions. We also hold Al-Maliki’s government and the Bush administration accountable and responsible for his life, dignity, and well-being
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/iwffomuntatharalzaidi
William Shakespeare
We hereby sign below to demand the immediate release of the Journalist Montadhar Al-Zaydi, without any constraints or conditions. We also hold Al-Maliki’s government and the Bush administration accountable and responsible for his life, dignity, and well-being
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/iwffomuntatharalzaidi
O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth,
That I am meek and gentle with these butchers!
William Shakespeare
Thursday, December 11, 2008
??? Rhode Island Wobblies' Rally: December 12, '08
I have just received a wonderful email from Jobs With Justice:
http://www.jwj.org/bailout/republic.html#back
Perhaps the rally will be rescheduled...
ProvidenceIWW@gmail.com
An Injury to One is an Injury to All
Providence IWW Supports Chicago's Republic Window Workers' Message; Bank of America –
“You Got Bailed Out, We Got Sold Out!”
Friday, December 5 marked the beginning of a factory occupation and sit-in strike by the workers employed at Republic Door and Window in Chicago, a manufacturer of energy efficient doors and windows. The factory occupation was sparked by news delivered on Dec. 2 that the factory would be closing in three days due to a cancellation of credit by Bank of America. In addition to losing their jobs, management informed the workers that severance pay and pay for vacation time would not be paid, due to the swift revoking of credit by Bank of America. The total amount owed to workers is reported to be just over $1 million. As part of the recent Congressional bailout of Wall St., Bank of America received over $25 billion to extend credit to faltering businesses like Republic Door and Window.
The 200 Republic workers, supported by their union, UE Local 1110, have occupied the factory in shifts, supplied with only lawn chairs and food brought by families and Chicago community groups.
The Providence Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) join millions in proudly supporting the Republic workers in their message to Bank of America and corporate America - “You got bailed out. We got sold out.” Across the nation, the IWW joins the UE and other labor unions and community groups in demanding a “People's Bailout.”
The Providence IWW has organized a picket of Bank of America in conjunction with hundreds of other actions this week in solidarity with Republic workers. Our message is of class solidarity and of the demand that Bank of America financially ensure that Republic workers receive all their benefits and that the factory will reopen. On Friday, December 12th at 4 pm the IWW and supporters will rally and picket at the Bank of America Building, 111 Westminster street, downtown Providence.
The Industrial Workers of the World is a fighting labor union that believes that the interests of labor can be fully served only when working people are united as a class. The IWW wants to see all workers on the same job united, in the same industry in one union, who work for wages in one big union. Membership is open to all workers, regardless of race, gender, nationality or legal status.
Contact IWW member Justin Kelley for more info. 508.367.6434.
http://www.jwj.org/bailout/republic.html#back
Perhaps the rally will be rescheduled...
ProvidenceIWW@gmail.com
An Injury to One is an Injury to All
Providence IWW Supports Chicago's Republic Window Workers' Message; Bank of America –
“You Got Bailed Out, We Got Sold Out!”
Friday, December 5 marked the beginning of a factory occupation and sit-in strike by the workers employed at Republic Door and Window in Chicago, a manufacturer of energy efficient doors and windows. The factory occupation was sparked by news delivered on Dec. 2 that the factory would be closing in three days due to a cancellation of credit by Bank of America. In addition to losing their jobs, management informed the workers that severance pay and pay for vacation time would not be paid, due to the swift revoking of credit by Bank of America. The total amount owed to workers is reported to be just over $1 million. As part of the recent Congressional bailout of Wall St., Bank of America received over $25 billion to extend credit to faltering businesses like Republic Door and Window.
The 200 Republic workers, supported by their union, UE Local 1110, have occupied the factory in shifts, supplied with only lawn chairs and food brought by families and Chicago community groups.
The Providence Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) join millions in proudly supporting the Republic workers in their message to Bank of America and corporate America - “You got bailed out. We got sold out.” Across the nation, the IWW joins the UE and other labor unions and community groups in demanding a “People's Bailout.”
The Providence IWW has organized a picket of Bank of America in conjunction with hundreds of other actions this week in solidarity with Republic workers. Our message is of class solidarity and of the demand that Bank of America financially ensure that Republic workers receive all their benefits and that the factory will reopen. On Friday, December 12th at 4 pm the IWW and supporters will rally and picket at the Bank of America Building, 111 Westminster street, downtown Providence.
The Industrial Workers of the World is a fighting labor union that believes that the interests of labor can be fully served only when working people are united as a class. The IWW wants to see all workers on the same job united, in the same industry in one union, who work for wages in one big union. Membership is open to all workers, regardless of race, gender, nationality or legal status.
Contact IWW member Justin Kelley for more info. 508.367.6434.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Prison Where Jason Ng Died Is Facing Inquiry and Will Get No More Immigrant Detainees
The Rhode Island facility is under investigation for its treatment of a Chinese computer engineer from New York who died in custody last summer.
read more | digg story
About four years ago, one of my clients was held at the Wyatt Detention Center. He was born in the U.S., but had collected benefits with two social security numbers. Federal benefits...I met him before and after his incarceration. He had AIDS and looked like Ichabod Crane, before being locked up. I mean before the client was locked up -- I don't think that was Mr. Crane's situation...My client sent me letters from Central Falls detailing the medical neglect and horrors visited upon him by some of the staff. Ironically, or not, the ones who helped him were other inmates, some of whom had been his associates on the streets. He was so frail...I forwarded his letters to his primary doctor and to his attorney...Thanks probably to their efforts or to ??? a H.P. ???, this colorful and fragile person was sent to a nursing home for part of his confinement...My last conversation with him was sheer serendipity: in the (now endangered) Smith Hill Library.
read more | digg story
About four years ago, one of my clients was held at the Wyatt Detention Center. He was born in the U.S., but had collected benefits with two social security numbers. Federal benefits...I met him before and after his incarceration. He had AIDS and looked like Ichabod Crane, before being locked up. I mean before the client was locked up -- I don't think that was Mr. Crane's situation...My client sent me letters from Central Falls detailing the medical neglect and horrors visited upon him by some of the staff. Ironically, or not, the ones who helped him were other inmates, some of whom had been his associates on the streets. He was so frail...I forwarded his letters to his primary doctor and to his attorney...Thanks probably to their efforts or to ??? a H.P. ???, this colorful and fragile person was sent to a nursing home for part of his confinement...My last conversation with him was sheer serendipity: in the (now endangered) Smith Hill Library.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Happy Birthday, democommie !!
Well, I may have missed it or it may be tomorrow or Sunday or even next week, but why limit our recognition to one day?
Dear democommie, a beloved contributor to this blog and commentator on many, and YES: the author and proprietor of his own, POLRANT: IF BEING A DECENT HUMAN BEING WERE EASY THE REICHTARDS WOULD HAVE FIGURED IT OUT LONG AGO
http://polrant.blogspot.com/
is celebrating a birthday !
And the francosphere (as General JC Christian calls it) has reason to rejoice!
Dear demo, I hope this week brings you joy and peace and hope. There are many of us on the internet tubez enjoying your wit and wisdom...Thank you.
Dear democommie, a beloved contributor to this blog and commentator on many, and YES: the author and proprietor of his own, POLRANT: IF BEING A DECENT HUMAN BEING WERE EASY THE REICHTARDS WOULD HAVE FIGURED IT OUT LONG AGO
http://polrant.blogspot.com/
is celebrating a birthday !
And the francosphere (as General JC Christian calls it) has reason to rejoice!
Dear demo, I hope this week brings you joy and peace and hope. There are many of us on the internet tubez enjoying your wit and wisdom...Thank you.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
October 11: Unite for Justice and Peace!
http://www.oct11.org/pdfs/Oct11_protest-RhodeIs.pdf
Alas, my attempts to copy this flyer have failed, but I think the link works...
Alas, my attempts to copy this flyer have failed, but I think the link works...
Monday, October 6, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Update of Nomi's September 3rd Post: Amy Goodman Arrest
RNC Police Arrest Amy Goodman at protest on 9/1
drcorrector says,
Democracy Now's Amy Goodman, Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar were arrested by the Minneapolis Police Department. Charged with conspiracy to riot.
Footage from Rick Rowley and Brandon Jourdan.
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Given that the other arrest video is no longer available on YouTube, I have embedded this one here in its stead.
I don't know how long this clip will remain up and running; it seems as though our government is getting less tolerant about free speech, but we keep working at it.
The following is Ms. Goodman's 9/1 press conference after she was released from police custody:
Amy Goodman talks about arrest on Free Speech TV (FSTV)
calipendence says,
Amy Goodman discusses her arrest by St. Paul police just hours earlier on Crash the Party segment from Free Speech TV.
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