Rochester Rallys for Same-Sex Marriage Rights
Fifty-plus people held a rally at Rochester's Liberty Pole and then marched in the rain to City Hall and back in support of the right of same-sex couples to marry. The event was organized by the International Socialist Organization and intended to coincide with the ruling by California's Supreme Court on the validity of that state's Proposition 8, which took away the right to marry from same-sex couples. The California court announced earlier in the day it would uphold Proposition 8, rescinding those rights for Californians. The original plan for the gathering was for a protest if Prop 8 was upheld, but plans were changed at the last minute to hold a march to City Hall. Last Sunday, Mayor Robert Duffy published an essay in support of same-sex marriage rights. The time was right to show that citizens supported him.
Hickey-Freeman Workers Vote to Stage Sit-In if Bailed-Out Bank Attempts to Close Company
ROCHESTER, NY, MAY 13-Determined to protect good, U.S. manufacturing jobs, more than 450 Hickey-Freeman workers unanimously voted yesterday to stage a sit-in if Wells Fargo & Co., their employer's main creditor and a recipient of a $25 billion taxpayer bailout, liquidates company assets. Rochester workers are joining with employees of Hartmarx, Hickey-Freeman's parent company, who voted earlier in the week to stage a sit-in if their plants were shuttered. Click Here for Full Article
Video: The Fight To Save Hartmarx | Hartmarx Workers Push Back
Additional Information: Hartmarx Workers in New York Threaten Sit-in | Hickey Freeman workers plan possible sit-in | Chicago-area Labor Strife Leads to Hotline | A touch of history in Hartmarx struggle | Workers Pressure Bank to Keep Clothier’s U.S. Plants Open | Hartmarx Bankruptcy: Over 40 Congressman Ask Geithner To Help Obama's Suit Maker | Bank Is Pressed on Suit-Maker Bid | Wells Fargo Said to Be Squeezing Clothier Hartmarx
Day of Action for Troy Davis
On Tuesday, May 19, in solidarity with Amnesty International’s Global Day of Action for Troy Davis, Rochester’s Judicial Process Commission sponsored a noontime vigil on Exchange Street in front of the Hall of Justice. Approximately thirty people gathered with signs and t-shirts that denounce the inhumanity of the Death Penalty and call for justice for one Georgia Death Row prisoner in particular, Troy Davis. High school and college students, long-time human rights activists, and concerned citizens were present and for twenty minutes in downtown Rochester, they stood with demonstrators from around the world that included 43 states and five continents to say Justice Matters for this innocent man.
Who is Troy Davis?
video: Troy Davis about to be killed by the state of Georgia
Additional Information: TroyAnthonyDavis.org | Support Clemency for Troy Davis | Judicial Process Commission | Why President Obama should have Georgia on his mind
Time Warner to renew push for internet caps
Just as we breathe a collective sigh of relief over Time Warner's supposed scrapping of plans to meter internet usage, bend over here it comes again. Like something out of an Orwell book, the company plans to launch a new “Customer Education Campaign†in the fall to “teach the public that high prices and internet caps are good for us.†Expect a propaganda onslaught on how the caps will supposedly lower prices for everyone except those few who “abuse†the system. They will claim that “internet brownouts†will occur if these users are not penalized. At the same time they intend to switch everyone over to “turbo†service and introduce speed-increasing technologies like DOCSYS, which will make everyone exceed their quotas even faster. Does this sound familiar? Recall how corporate America justified $4 a gallon gasoline by claiming that it was all the fault of greedy consumers driving SUV's. That was after they sold us SUV's by convincing us small efficient cars weren't safe.
Additional Information: Rochester Protests Time Warner Internet Pricing Plan
Bank of America Bandit Strikes at the Lilac Fest
At this years Lilac Festival, park visitors have been seeing a lot about Bank of America. Behind the main stage, Bank of America was able to hang a huge advertising banner based on them sponsoring the festival. In addition, members of the newly-created Genesee Valley Earth First! group have been telling festival-goers about Bank of America in more detail.
One of the more visible members of the group was the Bank Bandit. Dressed in a luchador mask, tights and a cape, the Bandit handed out literature describing how Bank of America funds many destructive environmental practices around the world.
Once security guards became aware of the Bandit's actions, they proceeded to kick her out of Highland park. However, the Bandit continued to distribute information from the sidewalks several other days during the festival. Rochester Indymedia caught up to the Bandit and asked her why she was out, what response she got and how you can get kicked out of a public park for handing out information. Click the "More" link below for the interview.
Greece Central School District: Zero African American Teachers, Why?
The Greece Central School District located in Greece, New York is the 8th largest school district in the state, with 20% African American students and zero African American regular full time teachers. John Niles, an African American, worked as a per diem substitute teacher for the Greece Central School District from 2006-2009. Throughout that time he applied for full time teaching positions. He never got a job interview let alone a full time regular teaching position. Those teaching positions were filled by whites. Mr. Niles is a New York State permanently certified English Language Arts teacher, holder of a master of science in education diploma from Nazareth College of Rochester and is currently completing a doctorate in educational administration. In addition, he has years of teaching experience.
Click "More" for the full article. Also, check out Racism in the Greece schools: Interview with John Niles
Report Back School Board / Military Recruitment 4/28
Report Back from City School Board Meeting 4/28/09 – Another Long and Frustrating Evening
#media_2893;left#
Several people spoke eloquently during the public comment period at this evening’s school board meeting against changes in board policy that would increase military recruiters’ access to student information. Speakers included students, a city school teacher, parents, peace activists and veterans. Rochester City Students for a Democratic Society was in the house, some members speaking and some with colorful signs saying “protect student privacy†and “no military in our schools.â€
Additional Information: Report Back: Rochester City School Board Meeting on Student Privacy and Military Recruiters | School Board Military Recruiters and Student Information | Rochester City School District: Answer to Parents, Not Marines
AARM Holds Second Event on the Media and Racism
On Wednesday, April 22nd, Activists Against Racism Movement (AARM) held our second event focused on building an ongoing, working relationship between the community and members of the media. This event was part of our campaign to work together with media representatives to counter perpetuation and reinforcement of individual and institutionalized racism by mass-media. We want the media to become a more positive force that can help produce solutions for outstanding socioeconomic, political, and cultural issues and problems within our local, regional and national communities.
Between 50 and 100 people attended the event, which featured small group discussions surrounding basic questions about racism — what racism is, how racism affects people and who is racist? This event was a follow up to a previous night organized by AARM on Februrary 25th.
The main focus of the night was to begin a conversation on racism — a conversation that AARM intends to keep going. AARM interviewed several people present, including both community members and media representatives, to get their perspectives on the night. We present those to you because we think it's critical that this discussion happens on a much larger scale.
The Backbone Campaign is NOW!
The Backbone Campaign will be in Rochester from April 23-25 for workshops and a "Procession for the Future", which is a creative organizing tool to inspire, educate and train students, youth and concerned citizens to be more effective activists in this critical time.
What is the Procession for the Future?
The Procession for the Future is a touring parade, using high production value art and spectacle to animate our aspirations and deliver a compelling progressive vision for the country. The 20+ plus giant puppets and inflatables portray a set of progressive policy priorities such as: Fair Trade, Living Wage Jobs & Healthy Local Economies, Climate Stabilization, Ecological Sustainability & Renewable Energy, End of War, Dismantling of Empire & the Military Industrial Complex, Election Integrity & Renewal of Democracy, Housing, Education and Health Care for All, Humane & Fair Immigration Policy, Celebration of Diversity & Elimination of Racial Disparities, and Governmental Accountability and Transparency.
Workshops will include Creative tactics and Art for Social Change, Drumming for demonstrations, sick screening, freeway banner making and puppet making. Go to the Backbone Campaign's website for dates and times of events.
Free Workshop:
Friday April 24, 2009 from 5:00pm to 8pm at Lattimore 201 University of Rochester Creative tactics and arts for social change, DIY silkscreening, freeway banner build and more
Procession for the Future:
Saturday April 25, 2009, Noon at St. Joesph’s House of Hospitality 402 South Avenue1:00pm parade up South Avenue to Lutheran Church of Peace at 125 Caroline Street Rally, Music and activist training to follow
No War Tax in Smugtown! 2 demonstrators and 3 witnesses arrested by police
On the evening of April 15, three activists were handing out literature and holding signs protesting war spending in front of the IRS building on East Ave. in Downtown Rochester. One of the demonstrators climbed a tree and held a sign that read "Cut War Spending."
With little to no negotiation skills, the first two officers to arrive at the scene threatened to taser Emily from the tree and place her under mental health arrest if she didn't comply with their orders to get down. Shortly thereafter, they called in six others police cars and two firetrucks to the scene. Three police officers used a firetruck ladder to get to Emily in the tree. One officer pepper sprayed her in the eyes at point blank range and forcefully removed her from the tree.
Before the Emily was removed and arrested, Mary, who was holding an anti-war tax sign under the tree that Emily was sitting in, was arrested for trespassing. Ben and Jake were arrested after chanting, behind police lines, "No Justice, No Peace! Fuck the Police!" Ted was arrested after asking the officers what the charges were against Ben and Jake.
Additional Information: 5 Arrested in front of East Ave. Tax Building (w/ Video Link) | Protest War Spending Today | Personal account of police brutality here in Rochester | Lies! Lies! Lies! Wackenhut Security Guard Caught Lying on Film while Accosting Rochester Indymedia Videographe