Chicago Workers' Plant Occupation Ends in Victory
The sit-in and plant occupation at Chicago's Republic Windows and Doors ended in victory late Wednesday night, when the union announced that more than 200 workers and members of UE Local 1110 voted unanimously to accept a $1.75 million settlement that includes eight weeks of back pay, two months of continued health coverage, and compensation for unused vacation time.
According to UE, over the five days of the Republic plant occupation, messages of solidarity poured in from around the world. Individual workers, organizations, labor unions and federations sent emails and letters of solidarity. Protests against the Bank of America were also organized across the U.S. as word of the Republic occupation spread. [ 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 ]
The effort also laid the basis for future initiatives — including the creation of a new foundation dedicated to reopening the plant. That effort will be initiated with seed money from the UE national union and the thousands of dollars in donations to the Solidarity Fund that have poured in from around the world in recent days. Workers chose the name themselves: the Window of Opportunity Fund. "The fund will be open to receive donations from all friends of the Republic workers and supporters of their struggle," said Local 1110's Melvin Maclin in the union's official statement.
Accounts on Chicago IMC newswire: [1 | 2 | 3 ] Photos: [ 1 ]
Indy TV #19 Interview with Frank Lopez (aka "the stimulator")
Frank Lopez, creator of submedia.tv and the show "Its the End of the World As We Know It and I Feel Fine" joins us on Indy TV this week to explain what his show is about, how he's been able to pull it off, and some of his future projects.
Frank explains his show:
"The name is inspired by the song by R.E.M. with the same title. Its end of the world news, lots of natural disasters, high oil prices, food riots. But also news from the front lines of the resistance, people who do eco-activism, people who go to protests, people who do direct action."
The show includes regular music segments and interviews with inspiring thinkers and activists involved in resistance work.
"Its the end of the world as we know it": The stimulator comes to Rochester
If you have not yet seen "The end of the world as we know it", you are in for a video adventure. You won’t want to miss the chance for a look behind the boxes with the Stim.
When: Tuesday, Dec 2nd 2008, 6pm
Where: 310 Arnett Blvd. (Arnett Branch of the Rochester Public Library)
Free admission, donations accepted, refreshments provided
More info:submedia.tv
Sponsored by Rochester Indymedia
"Submedia tackles a range of subjects from environmentalists being attacked by paid counter protesters in British Columbia, to the torching of some "McMansoions" near Seattle, to issues of media activists signing big book contracts. The Stimulator looks at the world with a sharp tongue and sharper perspective."
March 19, 2009: Stop (the) war? Yes we can!
Within the first 100 days of Obama's presidency, U.S. troops will still be fighting in Iraq, with an additional 65,000 American military personnel to go into Afghanistan, according to the incoming administration's transitional website.
The "Obama-Biden Plan" foreign policy outline on their website also states that troops will be gradually removed from Iraq by one to two brigades a month through 2010. The President-elect's webpage gives no specified starting date for troop withdrawal from Iraq, but says the U.S. military, "…will remain in Iraq and in the region to conduct targeted counter-terrorism missions against al Qaeda …and protect American diplomatic and civilian personnel."
The Obama-Biden Plan also calls for U.S. and other NATO forces to increase military resources towards fighting GWOT (the "Global War On Terror").
With the 6th anniversary of the continuing war only three and a half months from now, there is some information available on how local, state, and national groups intend to respond on March 19th to the incoming administration's continued focus on middle-eastern domination and worldwide militarism.
Rochesterians were Among Thousands Demanding an End to the School of the Americas
More than 12,000 people gathered at Ft. Benning, GA to demand the closure the of the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, formerly known as the School of the Americas.
Several Rochesterians were among the thousands who protested the taxpayer funded US Army school that trains Latin American soldiers in combat techniques and psychological warfare.
Since 1946, more than 60,000 graduates have been trained to protect the interests of multinational corporations using manuals that advocate extortion, blackmail, torture, and the targeting of civilian populations. SOA grads are responsible for murders, rapes, disappearances, and massacres that have affected hundreds of thousands of people throughout Latin America.
video: War on democracy - School of Americas
Additional Information: School of the Americas Watch | Textbook Repression: US Training Manuals Declassified | Critique of the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation
Poverty in Rochester
Poverty seems to have been swept under the rug during the '08 election. While the crisis that is befalling the middle class is urgent, so too is the plight of the poor. With our economy in such dire straights the ranks of the poor will only swell. It behooves us to take a look at poverty here at home.
While many people look upon our fair city and see the glittering new buildings and the prosperity of one segment of our population, the inner city residential neighborhoods go unseen. Neighborhoods on the North East and North West portion of the city are in ruins. Abandoned houses are everywhere and all the problems that they draw are making many neighborhoods dangerous and nearly unlivable.
Rochester, NY, the “Flower City,†has the 10th highest poverty rate in the nation with nearly 30% of the population living below the poverty line. In the US 1 out of 8 people are living in poverty, in NY state the numbers are 1 out of 7, and in the City of Rochester it is a dismal 1 out of 4. In a city that brags of being so modern and prosperous this is a shame.
Additional Information: Foodlink Hunger Study | Poverty and Violence: Assault on Human Rights – Workshop/Conference Friday 10/17 | Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign | Social Welfare Action Alliance
Transgender People Remembered on International Day
Approximately 30 people, around noon, converged near the Liberty Pole in Downtown Rochester on November 20th to commemorate the 10th Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance.
The vigil was not the only event scheduled for the Transgender Day of Remembrance. The Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley hosted an evening of spoken word poetry and artwork from local transgendered individuals. Anya Turnquist, one of the organizers for the vigil, has also organized a panel and discussion around the building of a transgender movement as well as preventative strategies to transphobic violence. The panel and discussion will take place at Equal = Grounds (750 South Ave.) coffee shop at 3pm on Saturday, November 22nd.
photos: 1 | 2 | 3
Related: Victims of Transphobic Violence Remembered
Protest of Prop 8 and banning of same sex marriage
On Nov. 15th, in hundreds of cities across the US, protesters gathered to show frustration over the ballot initiatives that passed in Arizona, California and Florida banning same sex marriage and to send a message to state and the federal governments that marriage is a civil right that should be afforded to all citizens. In Rochester, despite it being a cold, rainy day about a 150 gay and straight people gathered outside the Monroe County building to send the message to Albany and Washington DC. During the protest it was kind of ironic that a wedding party pulled up in a bus to go into the county building and had to pass through the protesters.
photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | More photos from the Rochester Against War media gallery
Seed Camp for Direct Democracy report back
While liberals and conservatives gathered, partied, or prayed for a desirable outcome to the election—that is, the determination of who would rule them for the next four years—a group of activists gathered for a different purpose. If the people demand change, then change they will have, this group proclaimed. Their banner, facing the Clinton Avenue entrance to the city, proudly read: Seed Camp for Direct Democracy.
Rochester Anti-war Movement Responds to 2008 Election
Rochester, NY. Following Election Day 2008, Rochester Against War, Rochester Students for a Democratic Society, Campus Antiwar Network, Military Families Speak Out, and local Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans stand together to make the following statement:
For nearly two years, major polls have shown that a majority of Americans want an end to the war in Iraq. The war has not "brought democracy" to the Middle East. It has not improved the lives of the Iraqi people, nor has it reduced the violence in the region. In fact, it has done exactly the opposite.